The moment Song Chutong’s words fell, the entire place erupted in an uproar.
If Jiang Zhixing’s military career could be described as smooth sailing, then Jiang Sheng’s was nothing short of meteoric.
Why?
Because when Jiang Sheng became a regiment commander, he was three years younger than Jiang Zhixing is now at twenty-three.
By the time Jiang Sheng was twenty-three, he had already become a division commander. Now, at twenty-six, he had just been promoted to a top leadership position—and, coincidentally, he was stationed at the capital’s main military command.
Compared to Jiang Sheng, Jiang Zhixing was certainly outstanding—but not uniquely so. Others had reached his level. But someone like Jiang Sheng? The military might only produce a talent like him once every few decades.
Next to a genius like Jiang Sheng, Jiang Zhixing suddenly didn’t seem so untouchable. His excellence felt achievable, which was why he still had plenty of admirers—both open and secret.
But Song Chutong liked Jiang Sheng?
People were curious—but it didn’t seem impossible.
Her maternal grandfather had a life-and-death friendship with the Jiang family’s patriarch. It wouldn’t be strange if Song Chutong had crossed paths with Jiang Sheng before.
Even Song Weiran looked confused. Song Chutong and Jiang Sheng?
One was a spoiled, arrogant girl. The other, a brilliant prodigy. They were worlds apart—how could they even be connected?
Even Jiang Zhixing couldn’t fully control his expression. His lips twitched.
“My uncle? Have you lost your mind? How many times have you even met him? And you’re saying you got close to me because of him? Song Chutong, you’re becoming more ridiculous by the minute. If you’re going to make excuses, at least make them believable.”
Still, her words had clearly struck a nerve.
Jiang Zhixing and Jiang Sheng were only three years apart, and they had inevitably been compared by their family. He admitted Jiang Sheng was exceptional—but it was precisely because of him that his own achievements seemed insignificant.
What made it worse was that every time they met, whether in public or private, he had to show him the utmost respect.
He was certain Song Chutong knew exactly how much he resented Jiang Sheng—and had said this on purpose.
Song Chutong looked up at him with a half-smile. “I think you’re the unreasonable one. Between you and Jiang Sheng, do I even need to choose?”
Her beautiful eyes swept over him from head to toe, and she clicked her tongue. “At least have a little self-awareness. Since you’re forcing me to say it, I’ll just admit it—ever since I first met Jiang—”
She paused, then adjusted her tone. Given her grandfather’s relationship with the Jiang family, she was technically a generation below him.
“Ever since I first met Uncle Jiang, I’ve liked him. The reason I kept coming to you all these years was to hear news about him. Someone as outstanding as him barely shows up once a year—what’s wrong with me asking you about him?”
She rolled her eyes at Jiang Zhixing, waved her hand dismissively, and took a few steps back, her expression full of disdain.
“If I had known you’d misunderstand and think I liked you, I would never have done any of that.”
She looked as if she were trying to avoid being stuck to something unpleasant.
Watching Jiang Zhixing’s increasingly calm expression, Song Chutong felt a complicated mix of emotions.
She knew him too well—when he was truly furious, he looked even calmer. Right now, he was probably on the verge of exploding.
To be honest, part of her felt satisfied. She admitted she could be spoiled and difficult—but never in front of him. Around Jiang Zhixing, she had always been careful, always trying to please him.
From childhood until now, if he was happy, she was happy. If he was upset, she would awkwardly try to comfort him. No matter her faults, Jiang Zhixing had no right to judge her.
But it still hurt. After all, she had liked him for so many years…
Which was exactly why she wanted to hit him where it hurt—to make him taste what it felt like to be compared, to be humiliated in public.
That was also why she brought up Jiang Sheng. If she had to choose someone, she might as well choose the very best—someone Jiang Zhixing could never surpass.
Of course, she wasn’t delusional. A top-tier figure like Jiang Sheng was far beyond her reach. But since her reputation was already ruined today, she might as well “ruin” it in connection with someone better.
Besides, this was her way of getting even.
When Song Weiran first came to the Song family five years ago, hadn’t Jiang Zhixing used the excuse of getting close to Song Chutong just to secretly approach Song Weiran?
Back then, she had foolishly thought he had suddenly taken an interest in her, which was why he kept coming around so often. Turns out, she had just been naive.
When the truth about the two of them came out, who would be more embarrassed then?
“Fine,” Jiang Zhixing said coldly. “If, as you claim, you don’t like me, then it shouldn’t be difficult for you to stop coming to me from now on, right?”
A nineteen-year-old girl was still young and inexperienced. That fleeting trace of sadness in Song Chutong’s eyes just now didn’t escape Jiang Zhixing’s notice.
But he didn’t bother arguing with her. In a few days, she’d come running back to him anyway—once she did, everything she’d just said would fall apart on its own.
He knew her too well. Song Chutong simply couldn’t hold out.
Song Chutong spread her hands casually. “What are you even thinking? You’re not seriously taking those old jokes between our elders as something real, are you? Why would I go looking for you? Do you really think you’re qualified to marry me?”
She flashed a bright smile. “I’ve already gotten into the military like I wanted. If I want to see Uncle Jiang in the future, it won’t be hard. Even the leadership says love should be free—I can pursue whoever I want. Same goes for you, Jiang Zhixing. I know I’m pretty much perfect, but the two of us were never going to happen. Honestly, you and my sister seem like a good match. Who knows—maybe one day I’ll actually see you two together?”
Jiang Zhixing’s gaze instantly turned icy. Behind him, Song Weiran’s face went pale, her body swaying slightly.
Watching the warning and hostility in Jiang Zhixing’s eyes, the last bit of sadness in Song Chutong’s heart disappeared completely.
Someone like him… was worth sixteen years of her feelings?
That final remark was her “parting gift” to the pair of star-crossed lovers hiding in the shadows. Even without her, with those words planted, their relationship—if exposed—would be shredded by gossip.
Jiang Zhixing glanced back at Song Weiran, then grabbed Song Chutong’s arm. “What nonsense are you talking about? Do you realize what you’re saying could damage your sister’s reputation?”
Song Chutong blinked innocently. “Oh? So it does have consequences? Funny—that’s exactly what you just did to me.”
The onlookers exchanged strange looks.
Song Chutong had always been seen as a spoiled, brainless girl—pampered to the point of recklessness, simple-minded, and unable to pick up on subtle digs or sarcasm.
So while her earlier outburst seemed in character, her last remark made everyone recall what Jiang Zhixing had just said.
He had become a regiment commander at twenty-three—surely he knew what should and shouldn’t be said in public.
“I—”
Before he could finish, Song Chutong cut him off again, nearly grinding his teeth in frustration.
“Don’t forget to pass those cookies my uncle brought me over to Uncle Jiang. They’re imported—pretty rare.”
She said it on purpose. She knew the cookies were already in Song Weiran’s possession.
Next, just as in the original story, Song Weiran would “accidentally” be discovered with them. Under questioning, she would naturally confess to the long-hidden relationship, portraying herself as a victim oppressed by Song Chutong.
Then, under the banner of “freedom of love,” she’d gain everyone’s sympathy and turn the narrative around—accusing Song Chutong of being backward and feudal for trying to bind Jiang Zhixing to her through a childhood engagement.
After all, everyone opposed outdated traditions now.
In the original story, this was exactly where Song Chutong began to spiral—losing control, going mad, and eventually being crushed by the male and female leads working together.
Honestly, she could understand why that version of herself snapped.
To be fair… she kind of wanted to snap right now too.
But looking at Jiang Zhixing, she figured he might lose it first.
She blinked lightly. “Oh right—your family has its monthly gathering in a few days, doesn’t it? I heard Uncle Jiang will be back this time. Pass along my regards to Grandpa Jiang—and to him.”
With that, she brushed past Jiang Zhixing and walked away.
She didn’t recognize all the faces in the crowd, but it didn’t matter.
They were all the same—people who flattered her to her face and stabbed her in the back.
She smiled faintly. “Good dogs don’t block the road.”
A few people from influential families bristled at that, but one glance from Song Chutong was enough to silence them all.
No matter how powerful their backgrounds were, who could compare to hers?
Before, she had at least been somewhat restrained by Jiang Zhixing. But now that she was acting entirely on her own terms—who would dare provoke her?
Not to mention her three uncles—she also had four cousins and a grandfather who adored her beyond measure.
All of them were prominent figures in the military…
In this place, she could practically walk sideways without fear.