Faced with Shen Jin’s resentful, jealous gaze, Bai Jingzhuo was completely bewildered. He was just about to ask, “And who are you?” when Bai Jiao pulled him over to stand beside him.
“He’s my older brother, Bai Jingzhuo, the real young master of the Bai family.”
Both Bai Jingzhuo and Shen Jin widened their eyes when they heard this introduction.
Shen Jin was stunned because there was so much information packed into that single sentence that his thoughts momentarily ground to a halt.
Bai Jingzhuo, on the other hand, was shocked by how openly and straightforwardly Bai Jiao had introduced him. Bai Jiao had not concealed anything from the outsiders present, nor did he seem to care in the slightest that his identity as the fake young master might be exposed or what other people would think of him because of it.
Bai Jingzhuo’s feelings grew increasingly complicated. “Bai Jiao, you…”
“What’s wrong? Was what I said incorrect?”
Bai Jiao remained perfectly composed, his expression so calm and indifferent that it was almost unbelievable.
It took Shen Jin quite a while to find his voice again. Looking somewhat awkward, he asked, “Bai Jiao, what’s going on? He’s the real young master, so who are you? Don’t joke around like this.”
The smile at the corners of Bai Jiao’s lips gradually faded, and he began to feel rather annoyed with the male lead of the original novel.
His voice turned icy cold. “Who’s joking with you? If you can’t understand something so simple, go get your IQ tested.”
Bai Jingzhuo immediately sensed the change in Bai Jiao’s mood. Realizing that Bai Jiao disliked the person standing before them, he instinctively stepped in front of Bai Jiao, putting himself between the two and creating distance between them.
“He isn’t joking.”
“I’m asking Bai Jiao. I wasn’t talking to you.”
The moment Shen Jin looked at Bai Jingzhuo, he became thoroughly irritated. He clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles cracked audibly.
“Can’t you tell that he doesn’t want to talk to you? Stop pestering him.”
Bai Jingzhuo was no shorter than Shen Jin. When his expression turned cold, he was no longer the soft, helpless little pushover who had been pinched by Bai Jiao until he did not know how to fight back. Instead, he resembled a thorny bramble, bristling with sharp thorns and radiating an air of vigilance. His guard was even higher now than it had been yesterday when he had first stepped into the Bai family home.
Shen Jin had been struck where it hurt. He was so furious that he wanted nothing more than to punch this utterly “presumptuous” fellow standing before him.
Of course, he had noticed Bai Jiao’s cold and dismissive attitude. However, he did not believe for a moment that Bai Jiao’s refusal to acknowledge him had anything to do with him personally.
Instead, he was convinced that Bai Jiao was treating him so harshly because this inexplicable real young master had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. After all, anyone who had lived in a family for eighteen years only to discover that they were not the biological child would inevitably experience negative emotions, especially when their biological child came knocking at the door.
Judging from this man’s aggressive attitude, he might even have been bullying Bai Jiao in the Bai household. Otherwise, why would Bai Jiao be so tolerant of his attempts to get close to him?
The more Shen Jin thought about it, the more unbearable the pain of being treated coldly by Bai Jiao became. That pent up frustration exploded into anger, which he directed entirely at Bai Jingzhuo.
He snapped furiously, “What do you think you are? Who do you think you are to interfere in the matter between Bai Jiao and me?”
Bai Jingzhuo retorted mockingly, “I’m his older brother. Why shouldn’t I interfere? And who the hell are you? What gives you the right to throw a tantrum here?”
Watching the original novel’s male lead and protagonist shou quarrel, Bai Jiao’s mood immediately soared. He curled the corners of his lips and perked up his ears like a little fox taking advantage of a moment of leisure, eagerly listening to their argument.
Discovering this new side of Bai Jingzhuo made his eyes light up, and his interest in the other man grew even stronger.
Just as he was feeling tempted to pinch Bai Jingzhuo’s lips out of curiosity, Shen Jin suddenly flew into a rage. He raised his fist and swung it toward Bai Jingzhuo’s face, the force of the punch generating a powerful gust of wind.
He shouted furiously, “What kind of older brother are you? You’re nothing more than an illegitimate nobody the Bai family hasn’t even acknowledged!”
Bai Jiao reacted swiftly, pulling Bai Jingzhuo into his arms and moving him out of the way. Shen Jin’s punch consequently struck nothing but empty air.
【Host, don’t be impulsive! Don’t be impulsive!】
886 did not even have time to be surprised by the sudden leap in its host’s emotional fluctuation value, which had never previously exceeded ten percent. It hurriedly transformed into a glittering silver orb, flapping its little white wings as it threw itself over Bai Jiao’s fist and wrapped around it.
If Bai Jiao really landed a punch on Shen Jin, the consequences would be disastrous. Shen Jin’s brains might end up splattered everywhere, and the entire scene would descend into utter chaos.
At that point, Bai Jiao would no longer need to complete any missions. He would be left with only two options: conquer the world or spend his days behind bars. There was even a chance that, because of his excessive physical strength, he would be captured and taken away for scientific research.
“Let go.”
Bai Jiao’s anger value rapidly plummeted, eventually settling into a stillness as lifeless as a stagnant pool of water. When he spoke, his voice was clear, cool, and sharp, like a razor edged blade capable of slicing straight through someone’s throat.
Seeing this, 886 immediately fled. It did not dare say another word and hurriedly curled itself into a tiny ball.
Its host was angry. Its host was so terrifying! So terrifying!
Bai Jiao furrowed his brows and lowered his eyes. The frightening aura surrounding him gradually receded as he looked down at the person in his arms and asked in a low voice, “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.”
Everything had happened far too quickly. Bai Jingzhuo had not even had time to react properly, and he was still shaken by the sudden turn of events. Leaning against Bai Jiao’s chest, he gently shook his head.
“Don’t bother with him.”
After saying this, Bai Jiao pushed Bai Jingzhuo gently to the side. “Go try on the shoes. I’ll deal with him.”
Facing Bai Jiao, Shen Jin’s rising anger immediately subsided. His fury gave way to concern and confusion, accompanied by a trace of jealousy toward Bai Jingzhuo that he could barely conceal.
“Bai Jiao, why are you protecting him? Did Bai Yongchang and Zhang Huijun force you to do this? Don’t worry. Even if you’re not the Bai family’s biological child, I’ll still stand by your side. I won’t let anyone treat you unfairly. You don’t have to put up with this because of him…”
“Do you have some kind of delusion?” Bai Jiao asked, the space between his brows filled with a bone chilling coldness. “No one has threatened me. You, on the other hand, bullied my older brother and even tried to hit him.”
By the time he reached the end of his sentence, Bai Jiao’s lips curved slightly into a cold smile. He raised an eyebrow, shot Shen Jin a sideways glance, and turned to leave, tossing out a single word as he walked away.
“Get lost.”
Compared with killing someone outright, slowly tormenting them was far more interesting.
A moment of impulsive anger would only harm others without benefiting oneself.
If he was going to do something, he would do it thoroughly and cleanly, without leaving himself the slightest bit of trouble to deal with afterward.
Shen Jin’s expression turned utterly unpleasant. No matter how hard he tried, he could not understand how things had ended up like this.
Bai Jiao had actually told him to get lost!
This had never happened before!
It was not as though Shen Jin could not tell that Bai Jiao was angry. But he had clearly been standing up for Bai Jiao, so why was Bai Jiao angry with him?
Shen Jin remained trapped in his own way of thinking, completely failing to take Bai Jiao’s words to heart.
After racking his brains for a long time, he finally decided that Bai Jiao was angry because he had acted too impulsively. After all, Shen Jin was not a member of the Bai family and could not protect Bai Jiao every moment of every day. That annoying fellow, however, was now in a position to make trouble for Bai Jiao at every turn.
The more Shen Jin thought about it, the more convinced he became that he was right, and the more regretful he felt.
He had failed to consider Bai Jiao’s difficult position. He had been the one in the wrong, so he absolutely had to make up for it!
Shen Jin glared viciously in Bai Jingzhuo’s direction, gritting his teeth as he stormed away.
If Bai Jiao had known what was going through his mind, he would definitely have punched a hole straight through his skull to see whether the real culprit inside was the author of this book. Then he would have called him a delusional, self important man.
Bai Jingzhuo had been watching them the entire time. When he saw Bai Jiao walking back toward him while Shen Jin left with an expression that kept shifting between dark and stormy, he finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
“What are you looking at?” Bai Jiao pinched his chin and turned his face toward himself. His tone carried a meaningful hint of amusement. “Was it love at first sight?”
“What love at first sight? With whom?” Bai Jingzhuo stared at him blankly for a moment, utterly bewildered. “What are you talking about?”
Bai Jiao lowered his head, abruptly closing the distance between them. He stared straight into Bai Jingzhuo’s deep set eyes, carefully searching for any hint of sincerity in the emotions reflected in them, as though trying to determine whether his reaction was genuine or merely an act.
“I’m talking about that person just now. Was it love at first sight for you? Did you fall for him the moment you saw him?”
“How could that be possible?” Bai Jingzhuo’s pupils contracted sharply. He could not understand how Bai Jiao had even managed to ask such a question. He was so shocked that he completely overlooked the fact that their faces were now so close their breaths were almost mingling.
That man from earlier was a lunatic who couldn’t understand a single word anyone said. He had even nearly hit him. How could Bai Jingzhuo possibly fall in love with someone like that at first sight?
It wasn’t as though he had a masochistic streak!
“Oh.” Bai Jiao pinched his cheek. “Then you’re not allowed to fall for him in the future, either.”
In the original novel, Bai Jingzhuo had fallen in love with Shen Jin at first sight, completely captivated by the man’s handsome appearance and the respectable, gentlemanly image he deliberately put on. But now that Bai Jiao was here, if Bai Jingzhuo still insisted on remaining hopelessly infatuated with him, then Bai Jiao might as well abandon this mission altogether.
He had no intention of saving a love struck fool who was too blind to see the truth.
“I definitely won’t fall for him!” Bai Jingzhuo had absolutely no idea what was going on in Bai Jiao’s head. “Why would you think I’d fall in love with him at first sight?”
“Because you’re a pushover.”
Bai Jiao felt that the Bai Jingzhuo in the original novel must have had a masochistic streak. Otherwise, how could he possibly have fallen for a lunatic like Shen Jin?
“You’re the pushover!”
Bai Jingzhuo rubbed his cheek in bewilderment.
In what way was he a pushover?
And why did Bai Jiao always seem to enjoy pinching him?
Wait… What did being a pushover have to do with any of this?
“You weren’t a pushover just now.” Thinking about how Bai Jingzhuo had stepped in front of him earlier, Bai Jiao’s lips curved upward slightly. “You were just a little slow to react. Next time, remember to hit back immediately. I’ll back you up.”
Bai Jingzhuo: “…” Who went around encouraging people to get into fights?
After finishing their shopping for shoes, they continued to browse watch shops and jewelry stores. By the time they returned home with bags upon bags of purchases, Bai Jingzhuo felt as though his arms were about to fall off.
He had to admit that Bai Jiao was exceptionally good at shopping. Just estimating the total, they had spent five million in a single morning. Clothes, shoes, accessories, every single item had a price tag that Bai Jingzhuo would never even have dared to dream of affording in the past.
But all of it had been bought for him, and Bai Jiao had even insisted on calling everything a gift. Every time Bai Jingzhuo opened his mouth to try to persuade him to stop, Bai Jiao would shut him down with a deep, inscrutable look. In the end, not a single item had been left behind.
Bai Jingzhuo’s entire wardrobe had been given a complete overhaul. Looking at himself now, he hardly resembled the person he had been before. He had gone from an impoverished high school student to a wealthy young master in the blink of an eye. Bai Jiao was reasonably satisfied with the result.
【Host, you keep insisting that you’re not raising a child, yet you’ve already started playing dress up with him.】Recently, 886 had become much more lively and couldn’t resist popping up to tease him again.
“Shut up. Go pick out some clothes for yourself in the system mall.”
【All right, Host! You’re so generous!】886 happily scampered off.
“Brother, are you sure you’re not impotent?”
Bai Jiao stood empty handed, watching Bai Jingzhuo put down the shopping bags and shake out his aching hands again and again. His eyes curved into crescents as he deliberately teased him with a smile.
“Try carrying them yourself for a while.” Bai Jingzhuo was so exhausted that he could barely straighten his back. Looking at the mountain of shopping bags piled up in front of him, he thought that it wasn’t that he lacked stamina. If anything, he had far too much of it.
Years of constant hard labor had made him stronger than the average person. By contrast, Bai Jiao was a young master who had been pampered his entire life. In Bai Jingzhuo’s opinion, if anyone was incapable of handling the work, it was Bai Jiao.
“No, thank you. They’re your things, so naturally, you should carry them back to your own room.” Bai Jiao refused to fall for his provocation. Instead, he settled comfortably onto the sofa and leisurely sipped his floral tea.
“Let me rest for a while first.” Bai Jingzhuo sat down beside him, too exhausted to have the energy to argue with Bai Jiao anymore.
“Are you really that tired?” Bai Jiao leaned closer, bracing himself against a cushion. “It’s only a little bit of stuff. It doesn’t even weigh a hundred pounds.”
“A hundred pounds…” Bai Jingzhuo turned his head toward him. Caught off guard, he nearly bumped his forehead against Bai Jiao’s.
“What’s wrong?”
When Bai Jingzhuo suddenly stopped speaking, Bai Jiao tilted his head curiously. “Is a hundred pounds that heavy?”
“Mm…”
This time, there was no shocking remark to distract him from the situation. The distance between them had become the biggest problem of all.
Bai Jingzhuo’s heart once again began to race uncontrollably. His immediate reaction was to retreat, instinctively moving backward to put some distance between them.
He was beginning to realize that he seemed to have trouble tolerating Bai Jiao’s proximity.
Bai Jiao’s every movement seemed capable of making his heart pound wildly. The force of each beat was so intense that his chest almost hurt, and even his breathing became noticeably faster.
Bai Jingzhuo couldn’t figure out why. He even began to suspect that he might have developed a heart condition. Or was there something wrong with Bai Jiao himself? After all, there was always a faint, elegant fragrance lingering around him. It was a refreshing, soothing scent that was undeniably pleasant.
But it wasn’t as though Bai Jiao made his heart race every single time. Sometimes, the fragrance left him feeling hazy and lightheaded. At other times, it made him feel relaxed and secure, so much so that he wouldn’t even resist when Bai Jiao pinched him.
“What are you doing?”
Bai Jiao suddenly pulled him into his arms, encircling him face to face. One hand pressed firmly against Bai Jingzhuo’s slender waist, leaving him no opportunity to get up or escape.
His voice remained indifferent, but there was a subtle trace of displeasure beneath it. “Why are you avoiding me?”