13
Karmic Fate
Chapter 13: Karmic Tie
Before Fu Jing could respond, Jiang You immediately continued, “But it’s okay, I can adjust on my own.”
Fu Jing watched him expressionlessly.
Jiang You added, “But if you’re willing to comfort me, that would be fine too.”
Fu Jing’s lips pressed into a straight line.
Jiang You: “Alright, I won’t force you if you’re unwilling.”
He lowered his head, stirring his spoon through the congee without taking a single bite for a long while.
Jiang You compromised, “Then can you at least promise me not to get intimate with others in front of me from now on?”
That night, Fu Jing had been somewhat drunk. Hearing Jiang You refuse to drink with him made his anger flare up, and he instinctively wanted to oppose Jiang You.
He wouldn’t go so far as to say he regretted it, but he felt it was unnecessary.
Even without Jiang You mentioning it, such incidents wouldn’t happen again.
But Fu Jing didn’t want to promise him anything, nor did he want to give him what he desired.
He enjoyed watching this privileged young master who always got his way experience setbacks.
Fu Jing curled his lips and said, “You should blame yourself for not thinking it through. Initially, you only asked me to give you time to make me like you, but you never said I couldn’t go to someone I actually like.”
Jiang You frowned, “You just said I was yours.”
Fu Jing laughed, “I was just saying that to claim the cake rightfully. Just because I said it, does that make it true?”
“Of course it does,” Jiang You said, “We’re married. You’re mine, and I’m yours.”
Jiang You looked utterly serious, like an inexperienced youth.
“Don’t take it so seriously, Jiang You. I don’t belong to you, and you’re not mine either. We’re just bound together by a marriage certificate—a karmic tie.”
Jiang You’s heart clenched in sharp pain.
Fu Jing actually called them a karmic tie.
The elation he’d felt moments earlier from hearing “Jiang You is mine” instantly shattered into pieces.
Jiang You stared at him fixedly, his eyes appearing utterly lost.
For some reason, Fu Jing felt intensely uncomfortable under Jiang You’s gaze.
“Hurry up and eat. Once you’re done, get to work. Don’t use this as an excuse to skip work.” Fu Jing tossed a piece of beef into Jiang You’s bowl, changing the subject.
Jiang You snapped back to attention, staring at the beef in his bowl with displeasure. “You’re treating me like a dog.”
Fu Jing picked up another piece of beef and slowly placed it in Jiang You’s bowl. “Is this better, President Jiang?”
Jiang You leaned forward. “How about feeding me?”
Seeing Jiang You return to his usual demeanor, Fu Jing suddenly felt the earlier unease dissipate.
“Of course, President Jiang.” Fu Jing offered a hollow smile, his beautiful peach-blossom eyes narrowing into attractive curves.
Then he pinched Jiang You’s cheek, picked up a large piece of beef, and stuffed it into his mouth.
Jiang You hurriedly tried to pull back, but Fu Jing grabbed the back of his neck and forced two more pieces into his mouth.
Only when Jiang You’s cheeks were bulging did Fu Jing finally stop.
With his cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish, Jiang You mumbled indistinctly, “You’re trying to murder your husband, Fu Jing.”
“Hmph.” Fu Jing leaned back, satisfied with his mischief against the boss of Jiang Corporation.
Just then, noisy voices erupted from the hallway.
The hospital room door was pushed open.
It was Jiang You’s second uncle, Second Aunt, and his older brother.
Jiang You quickly grabbed a tissue and spat out the unchewed beef.
The three entered noisily.
His second uncle was on the board of directors but lacked business acumen, merely living off Jiang Corporation’s dividends.
“Oh, Fu Jing’s here,” Second Aunt said in a shrill voice. “I thought you were too busy socializing to take care of our Xiao You.”
To the uninformed, it might seem Second Aunt had Jiang You’s best interests at heart.
When Jiang You’s father passed away, these relatives had fought fiercely over his inheritance.
They believed all blood relatives of Jiang You’s father deserved a share of the estate.
This nearly caused a permanent rift between them and Jiang You.
Eventually realizing their commotion brought no benefits, they reluctantly backed down.
Human greed knows no bounds—the annual dividends they received from Jiang Corporation alone could sustain them comfortably for life.
Yet they still coveted Jiang You’s father’s inheritance.
After this incident, Jiang You grew more distant from these relatives.
“Fu Jing, can’t you behave properly? Do you know what status our Xiao You holds? He’s heaven’s favored son! How dare you treat him like this?” Second Aunt rapid-fired like a machine gun.
“Second Aunt,” Jiang You called out sternly, “Fu Jing and I don’t need your interference.”
“Oh, Xiao You! I’m standing up for you! How can you say I’m meddling?” Second Aunt’s eyebrows danced as she pointed at Jiang You. “Haven’t you seen what people say online? They call you shameless!”
“Second Aunt, if you continue like this, I’ll have to ask you to leave.” Jiang You felt like he’d suddenly been cast in a family drama.
“Are they wrong? You’ve given yourself and your wealth to Fu Jing, and what does he do? Either hugging socialites or sleeping with handsome men—does he even respect you?”
“You’re practically throwing yourself at him!” Second Aunt spat excitedly.
“Without Fu Jing, I couldn’t sustain Jiang Corporation. What am I throwing away? Even if I were, it’s my choice—none of anyone else’s business.” Jiang You turned to Fu Jing. “Fu Jing, please see them out.”
“You ungrateful brat! Think you’re something just because you’re CEO now? I breastfed you! I treat you like my own son—that’s why I care!”
Fu Jing herded the three toward the exit.
“Enough, Mom. You think your breastmilk was gold, but it’s worthless in others’ eyes,” Jiang You’s brother Jiang Yuan shouted loudly.
“Alright, alright, everyone calm down,” Jiang You’s second uncle said. “Xiao You, don’t take your aunt’s words to heart. She just talks too much. Rest well, we’re leaving.”
After escorting them outside, Fu Jing looked down at Second Aunt. “Who’s seen me hugging socialites or sleeping with handsome men?”
“That’s what all the news says! Don’t try to deny it!” Second Aunt remained self-righteous.
“Any evidence? Videos or photos of me in hotel rooms with others?” Fu Jing challenged.
Second Aunt fell silent.
“Jiang You is related to you—I’m not. Keep spreading rumors and I’ll sue you for defamation,” Fu Jing coldly warned.
Second Aunt choked with anger, her face flushing red.
Jiang Yuan stepped forward, craning his neck as if ready to fight Fu Jing. “Who are you trying to scare? Only know how to bully honest women like my mother?”
Honest woman???
Fu Jing nearly laughed in frustration. Before he could respond, Jiang You’s second uncle quickly dragged his wife and son away.
“…”
Back in the hospital room, Jiang You cleared his tableware.
Fu Jing had lost his appetite too.
“It’s getting late, you should head back.” Jiang You handed Fu Jing the cake he had gone to great lengths to obtain. “Take it home with you.”
Fu Jing stared silently at the cake in his hand for a moment before asking, “Do you want it, Jiang You?”
If Fu Jing wanted it, no matter how much Jiang You desired it himself, he would yield it to Fu Jing. There was nothing he wouldn’t give Fu Jing.
He’d even give him his life.
Jiang You shook his head. “I don’t want it. You take it.”
Fu Jing suddenly recalled the story of Kong Rong yielding the larger pear.
Though they were the same age, Jiang You was several months younger by birthdate.
Perhaps to please him, Jiang You always indulged and yielded to him.
At this moment, Jiang You gazed up at him with the docile obedience of a puppy.
Fu Jing’s Adam’s apple slowly bobbed. “I don’t like you, Jiang You. And I don’t like your cake either.”
Trying to please him was useless.