Jiang Youli looked at her handsome new father’s worried expression and couldn’t help but laugh helplessly. "Dad, don’t worry too much. I can protect myself."
"No matter how capable you are, I still can’t rest easy," Jiang Yehan said sternly.
On his way back, his mind had been flooded with anxious thoughts. If not for Youli’s exceptional skills and strong mental fortitude, an ordinary village girl like her would have long been crushed by his second brother’s family!
Zhang Susu chimed in, "Youli, just let your father figure it out. If he doesn’t come up with a solution tonight, he won’t be able to sleep."
Jiang Youli had no choice but to let her handsome new father do as he pleased.
By dinnertime, Jiang Yehan finally came up with an idea.
"Starting tomorrow, I’ll have the company develop a device for you to wear. If your heart rate becomes abnormal, the system will detect danger and automatically activate an electric shock defense mechanism. I’ll also receive an immediate alert and can rush to your side."
Jiang Youli was taken aback.
Truthfully, there were very few threats that could unsettle her heart rate. But seeing how deeply her handsome new father cared for her safety warmed her heart.
"Alright… Dad. But don’t worry, I’m much stronger than you think. I’ll definitely protect myself."
Jiang Yehan’s gaze softened. "I know. In the past, you were alone. If you weren’t strong, you wouldn’t have become the remarkable person you are today. But from now on, your mother and I want to share your burdens so you can enjoy the carefree years you deserve at your age."
Jiang Youli, who had never once broken down in tears despite all the hardships she’d endured, now felt her eyes stinging at her handsome new father’s words.
What an angelic dad!
...
Night fell.
On the way back to the Jiang residence, Jiang Zhao sat in the backseat of the car, scrolling through Weibo on his phone. No matter how many times his scandalous topics were suppressed from the trending list, they kept resurfacing at the top every hour.
“Big Brother, what’s going on? Why can’t my trending topic stay down today?”
Jiang Xing, who had been resting with his eyes closed, took the phone and skimmed through it before handing it back. "Seems like someone’s deliberately targeting us, spending a fortune on hired trolls to manipulate things behind the scenes."
Jiang Zhao scoffed. "Could it be Jiang Youli?"
Jiang Xing shook his head. "She doesn’t have that kind of money to burn. It’s most likely one of our rival companies, afraid of your rising fame. They’re taking this chance to crush you completely. I’ll have the PR team investigate which company is behind this. For now, stay off Weibo and wait for Sister Kitty’s official statement. Things should calm down a bit then."
Jiang Zhao tossed his phone aside with a pout. "Hmph! These sneaky cowards hiding in the shadows think they can stop me from blowing up? Well, I’ll become even more famous just to spite them!"
Upon arriving home, the driver parked the car in the garage. Jiang Xing grabbed his cane and a heavy bag of tools before stepping out. "Go ahead inside. I need to deliver these farming tools to Jiang Youli in exchange for the antidote."
Jiang Zhao muttered an acknowledgment but didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he stood rooted in place, watching with a conflicted expression as his elder brother limped toward the eastern villa with the bulky bag, his once-graceful demeanor now diminished.
All because of that wild girl, Jiang Youli!
Ever since she arrived, their family had been met with nothing but setbacks and humiliation.
She was nothing but a jinx! Their parents had been right not to bring her home immediately after learning of her existence.
She never should have been welcomed back!
"Second Brother? Why are you standing here?"
The sweet, familiar voice dissolved Jiang Zhao’s anger in an instant. He turned to see Jiang Yonghe stepping out of the passenger seat of a modest electric car worth around 200,000 yuan, her graceful figure as radiant as a spring blossom.
"Yonghe."
After getting out, Jiang Yonghe turned back to the man in the driver’s seat with a soft smile. "Thank you for your help today, Zhou Yi."
Zhou Yi grinned. "No need to be so polite. I’m happy to assist. I’ll pick you up tomorrow."
Jiang Yonghe nodded. "Mm, see you tomorrow."
She closed the door and waved as the car drove off.
Once it was gone, Jiang Zhao finally approached, frowning. "That writer friend of yours? Driving such a cheap car?"
Jiang Yonghe nodded. "Yes. He’s just a novelist. While he earns decently, he can’t afford luxury cars worth millions."
Jiang Zhao curled his lip disdainfully. "With how shabby he is, I’m starting to doubt whether he really knows the famous author [Lili Yuanshang]. Maybe he’s just lying to get close to you!"
Jiang Yonghe stiffened slightly before forcing an awkward laugh. "That… probably isn’t the case."
Still, Jiang Zhao’s words planted a seed of doubt in her mind.
But she quickly dismissed it.
No matter how unimpressive Zhou Yi might seem, he wouldn’t lie about something like this.
Shaking off her worries, she noticed Jiang Xing’s limited-edition luxury car parked in the garage. "Big Brother’s back? I have good news for him—Lili Yuanshang agreed to meet him!"
Jiang Zhao brightened. "That’s great! I’ll take you to him. He went to the eastern villa to see Jiang Youli."
Jiang Yonghe froze. Why would Jiang Xing seek out Jiang Youli?
Was he also trying to cozy up to her?
Her smile faded as she followed Jiang Zhao toward the eastern villa.
...
On his way there, Jiang Xing called Jiang Youli in advance.
"Jiang Youli, I’ve prepared all the farming tools you asked for."
"Good. Wait at the villa entrance."
Ten minutes later—
After inspecting the hoes, shovels, rakes, and fertilizer Jiang Xing had brought, Jiang Youli finally pulled out a small porcelain vial from her pocket and tossed him a pill.
"Not bad. Remember to come back tomorrow to start work. We need to clear about an acre of land."
Jiang Xing caught the pill, his eyes subtly memorizing the vial’s appearance.
It would help when he sent someone to steal it later.
Jiang Youli added, "You have three days. Fail, and there won’t be any more antidote."
Suppressing his humiliation, Jiang Xing replied coldly, "Understood."
Just as he turned to leave, Jiang Yonghe’s voice called out from behind.
"Big Brother."
Jiang Xing paused and glanced back. "Yonghe? What are you doing here?"
Jiang Zhao explained, "Xiaohe said that Lilicao has agreed to meet you, so I specifically brought her here to share this good news with you."
Jiang Xing's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Jiang Yonghe nodded and gave a soft "Mm."
Inside the room, Jiang Youli's gaze flickered slightly upon hearing the name "Lilicao."
Oh?
Could Zhou Yi's friend be Jiang Yonghe?
