After being plagued by nightmares the night before, Song Chutong finally had a good night’s sleep.
When she woke up, she stared at the room—still not entirely familiar to her—and rubbed her blurry eyes, once again accepting the reality that she was living inside a novel and following its plot.
Well… fine. She’d accept her fate.
At that very moment—
Song Chutong rolled over… and went right back to sleep.
Because obviously, getting enough rest was more important.
And just like that, she missed the two hottest pieces of gossip spreading through the military compound.
First: Song Chutong didn’t actually like Jiang Zhixing at all—she was just trying to step on him to become his aunt!
Second: Her grandfather had changed the dance performance into a combined singing-and-dancing show. Was it because Song Chutong was jealous of Song Weiran and went back to beg her grandfather again?
“Ridiculous.”
Rumors always traveled fast, and it didn’t take long before they reached the ears of the people involved.
Jiang Sheng had already heard the first rumor multiple times along the way. Yet his strikingly handsome face showed nothing but impatience.
“Tell them to watch their mouths. If I hear this kind of nonsense again, there will be consequences.”
After giving the order, he quietly closed the door.
To him, the whole situation was nothing but a nuisance.
He vaguely remembered Song Chutong—a spoiled, delicate little girl who used to tag along when Wei Ying brought her around. She was fragile and prone to tears. Every time Jiang Sheng saw her, he’d avoid her.
Fortunately, she later became obsessed with following his nephew around, which finally gave him some peace.
He also knew, more or less, that she liked Jiang Zhixing. Though he hadn’t been back much in recent years, he was still aware of family matters. If he remembered correctly, the elders had been planning for those two to get married this year.
So how had this mess ended up involving him?
Jiang Sheng had never been interested in women. Personally, he didn’t care much about rumors—he was a man, after all, and it wouldn’t affect him much.
But thinking of Wei Ying gave him a headache.
There was no way this wouldn’t reach his ears.
And when that troublemaker found out… who knew what kind of chaos he’d stir?
Speak of the devil—his phone rang.
The moment Jiang Sheng heard Wei Ying’s voice on the other end, he almost threw the phone away.
Still, he kept his composure and pretended nothing was wrong. “What is it?”
If Wei Ying already knew about the rumor, Jiang Sheng had already decided—he’d just pretend he didn’t.
Meanwhile, Wei Ying was still at home. His two older brothers and four nephews hadn’t returned yet, so he actually had no idea what was going on in the military.
“Busy lately? Feeling better?” he asked casually.
Jiang Sheng’s scalp tingled. “Just say what you want.”
Did he know already?
On the other end, Wei Ying cleared his throat, suddenly dropping his usual carefree tone. “Oh, so you’re feeling fine? Good. Then I’ve got two favors for you—you’ve got no reason to refuse, right?”
Jiang Sheng: “?”
Since when did this guy make demands so confidently?
He had a feeling that even if he said he was sick, Wei Ying would just reply, “As long as you’re not dead, help me!”
Jiang Sheng felt a bit guilty.
Even though he was just an innocent bystander in that whole rumor, he was still a man—so it didn’t affect him much. And Jiang Zhixing was his nephew. Even if they weren’t close, he was still family.
Right—since things had blown up this much, he should probably check in with Jiang Zhixing too.
“Say it first.”
Wei Ying paused in surprise. Was this really Jiang Sheng? Since when was he so easy to talk to?
But he didn’t hesitate—afraid Jiang Sheng might change his mind.
“The day after tomorrow is your family banquet, right? You’re serving crabs? I’m bringing someone over to your place to sit for a while. She loves crabs—get me a few big, meaty ones.”
“And also—you know those overseas students you’re connected with? Help me get a ‘Fuji’ camera. I want the best, the most advanced, the most expensive one!”
The three “mosts” perfectly conveyed Wei Ying’s anger.
He had never agreed with Song Weiqiang treating everyone equally. Back then, when the elders told Song Weiqiang not to show favoritism, Wei Ying had thought—why shouldn’t he? Tongtong is his biological daughter. She should be treated the best!
And yet—
The balance wasn’t even.
But instead of favoring Song Chutong, it tipped toward Song Weiran.
Wei Ying couldn’t swallow that.
If anything, he was determined to give Tongtong the very best—so that no one could ever surpass her.
Jiang Sheng: “?”
He slowly moved the phone from his left ear to his right, genuinely worried that Wei Ying’s booming voice might deafen him.
Jiang Sheng spoke slowly, his tone turning cold.
“Wei Ying, if you’re sick, go get treated. Don’t come bothering me with this nonsense.”
Had he spoiled this guy too much over the years? How could he just casually make such outrageous demands?
The crabs for the family banquet were strictly portioned—two per person. If he took some away, who would go without?
And as for going abroad—he was going for official business. Yet Wei Ying had the nerve to openly ask him to help arrange a personal purchase?
Wei Ying, however, wasn’t worried at all about being rejected.
“Jiang Sheng, have you forgotten? You owe me your life. Back then, you were still running around in split pants, and you almost—”
“Stop!” Jiang Sheng cut him off immediately. He knew exactly where this was going.
After a pause, Jiang Sheng sighed. “Even if I agree, how am I supposed to make it work?”
Wei Ying didn’t hesitate. “Simple—everyone just eats one crab instead of two. Don’t worry, me and the person I bring can handle half the portion ourselves!”
“As for the camera, that’s easy. Just tell your contacts I’ll pay—whatever they ask!”
Wei Ying was a golden bachelor with status and military achievements. If there was one thing he didn’t lack, it was money.
Jiang Sheng’s chiseled face stiffened completely. Without another word, he hung up.
Then he took a deep breath… and called back.
Wei Ying answered instantly, as if he’d been waiting right next to the phone. “What’s up? Made up your mind?”
Suppressing a string of curses, Jiang Sheng forced himself to stay calm.
“The crabs—I can agree to that. But forget about half. At most, I’ll get you a few. As for the camera, I can connect you with someone. The rest is on you.”
“No problem!” Wei Ying agreed immediately.
Jiang Sheng added, “But I have one condition.”
Wei Ying sounded cheerful. “Say it! I’ll agree to anything—you’re my best buddy, I’ve got your back!”
Jiang Sheng grimaced. “Don’t be disgusting.”
He cleared his throat. “If you hear any rumors lately, don’t believe them—and don’t come looking for trouble. It has nothing to do with me. I didn’t do anything.”
Wei Ying bit into an apple Song Chutong had just handed him.
The girl had just woken up, a faint pillow mark still visible on her cheek—she looked adorably soft.
Wei Ying couldn’t resist pinching her cheek, earning himself an immediate eye-roll.
“Did you mess with some girl?” he asked casually.
Jiang Sheng answered firmly, “No. I didn’t do anything.”
Wei Ying was already thinking about taking Song Chutong out for a meal and hurried to hang up.
“Then why would I bother you? You’re so innocent, so kind, so pure—I should be thanking you instead.”
He added lazily, “Besides, I’m no knight in shining armor. I can’t be bothered with that stuff.”
Listening to the dial tone, Jiang Sheng thought to himself: You’d better stay out of it.
A knock sounded on the door.
Jiang Sheng called out “Come in,” then remembered he had locked it while on the phone.
When he opened the door, he saw his nephew standing there. His gaze darkened slightly.
“What is it?”
Behind Jiang Sheng, one of his subordinates quietly stepped back toward the stairwell, making sure he wouldn’t overhear anything. Only then did he dare glance at the two men.
He had come up together with Jiang Zhixing.
Jiang Zhixing was already tall—at least 183 or 184 cm.
But Jiang Sheng was still noticeably taller.
Didn’t that mean he was even taller than the rumored 185 cm?
And if no one told you they were uncle and nephew, you’d never guess they were related.
They looked nothing alike.
Jiang Zhixing lived up to his name—gentle, refined, with a calm and scholarly appearance.
Jiang Sheng, on the other hand, had sharper, more striking features. His presence was colder, more distant—like he lowered the temperature just by standing there.
To be honest, Jiang Sheng was more handsome, more charismatic.
But that was only if you dared to look at him.
Those dark, ink-like eyes of his—just one glance could make people uneasy.
Still, Jiang Zhixing truly deserved his rank as a regimental commander.
Even under Jiang Sheng’s piercing gaze, his expression didn’t change in the slightest.