Сhарtеr 10: Rightеous and Unуiеlding.
Jiаng Siуе turned on the light.
Whеn hе left, it was still summеr; now upоn his rеturn, аutumn hаd аlrеadу sеt in.
Тhе living room wаs filled with gifts he had ordеrеd delivеrеd tо Не Yang.
Тhеу remainеd еxаctly as thеy hаd been upоn delivеry.
Shе hаdn’t opеned a single оnе.
Тhе room wаs еmрtу—He Yаng wasn’t hоme, not еven Sister Zhаng was arоund.
Jiang Siye’s gаzе fiхed оn thе untouched gifts.
Нe diаlеd He Yаng’s number.
“Wherе arе уоu?”
Thе girl’s gentle vоice саmе through: “At Mom’s place.”
“……” Jiаng Siуe paused. “Whiсh mоm?”
He Yang: “Yоur mоm.”
Jiang Siye’s temple twitched violently: “Did she call you back?”
He Yang: “No, you’re not here, so I’m fulfilling your filial duties for you.”
Jiang Siye: “…”
What the hell kind of “fulfilling filial duties” was this.
Jiang Siye was so angry he laughed coldly: “Get back here right now.”
“I’m not coming back,” He Yang said. “They say I married into a wealthy family, but I’ve never enjoyed the perks of being wealthy. I’m going to live at your house and enjoy the luxury.”
“…”
When He Yang arrived at the Jiang residence, she didn’t even spare a glance at the dog.
Even though Da Ke came wagging his tail.
She didn’t want a dog that followed anyone and everyone.
Da Ke whimpered pitifully a few times.
Seeing her carrying luggage, the servants were shocked, Song Yi was stunned, Madam Jiang was taken aback, and Jiang Sanyun was speechless for a long moment.
He Yang spoke politely: “I’ll stay in the same room I shared with Jiang Siye before?”
Jiang Sanyun sneered: “Why are you back? Little Four isn’t even here.”
“To be filial to Mom,” He Yang replied calmly. “And to serve Third Sister.”
“…Stop talking nonsense. When did I ever ask you to serve me?”
He Yang: “Third Sister, don’t be polite.”
Jiang Sanyun: “When have I ever been polite with you?”
He Yang: “Then I’ll head upstairs first.”
With that, she picked up her luggage and walked toward the staircase without changing her expression.
When she reached the second floor, as if suddenly remembering something, He Yang looked down: “Oh, by the way, send a bowl of bird’s nest soup up to me. Make sure it’s the same quality that Mom and Third Sister have. Moving has worn me out.”
“…”
The two immediately called Jiang Siye.
Demanding to know what madness had gotten into his wife.
Jiang Siye’s voice was icy: “Did you bully her while I was away?”
“Who would dare bully her,” Jiang Sanyun scoffed. “She just got here and demanded bird’s nest…”
Jiang Siye frowned: “Who are you insulting?”
Jiang Sanyun: “Which word of mine was an insult?!”
“A measly bowl of bird’s nest, and she has to ask for it,” Jiang Siye sneered. “And you think it’s worth mentioning separately? When you feed the dog, why don’t you bring it up? Is my wife worse off than a dog? Are you calling me a dog? You’re the damn dog!!”
“…”
Still unsatisfied, Jiang Siye added: “Your mom is the old hag, and you’re the younger hag!”
Jiang Sanyun exploded.
He Yang was tidying up the room when a sudden scream from Jiang Sanyun erupted downstairs, followed by the chaotic sounds of Madam Jiang scolding and comforting her.
Her phone rang.
It was Jiang Siye calling.
He Yang stood by the second-floor window and saw Jiang Siye’s car parked outside.
She answered.
The man’s voice brooked no refusal: “Come down, let’s go home.”
He Yang sounded puzzled: “Isn’t this home?”
“……” Jiang Siye softened slightly. “Let’s go back to our own home. We don’t need to stay here. If there’s anything you like about this place, I’ll get it for you, okay?”
He Yang: “No.”
Jiang Siye: “He Yang…”
He Yang: “Then just kill me.”
Jiang Siye: “…”
As he passed through the living room, Jiang Siye was grabbed by Jiang Sanyun, who demanded fiercely to know who exactly was the “younger hag.”
Jiang Siye brushed off her hand and smoothed out the wrinkles on his clothes.”Mom!” Jiang Sanyun fumed, “Look at him!”
Arrogant enough not to even glance her way.
Ignoring the siblings’ quarrel, Duan Tianhua looked upstairs. “What’s going on with your wife?”
Jiang Siye was in a deeply gloomy mood and didn’t want to answer a single word.
How the hell would he know?
“Stay for dinner,” he tossed out, then headed upstairs.
Jiang Sanyun stamped her foot. “Mom, look at him!”
Duan Tianhua shot her a warning glance. “Your brother is here. Tone it down. Don’t provoke her.”
Jiang Sanyun couldn’t believe it. “I can’t even mention her now?”
“Your brother hasn’t tired of her yet,” Duan Tianhua said. “And she just lost the child. He feels guilty toward her too. Hold your temper for now. Wait until Siye gets bored or annoyed with her.”
The room was cleaned daily and didn’t need much tidying. He Yang simply hung her clothes in the wardrobe, then stood by the window admiring the flowers and plants in the courtyard.
The garden was planted with Madam Jiang’s beloved peonies, all cultivated at great expense.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the blooming season.
The man’s footsteps gradually drew closer. Without turning her head, He Yang said lightly, “Back?”
The window was open, and the autumn breeze drifted in. She leaned half her body out the window.
Jiang Siye’s heart suddenly clenched. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back.
“Even if the second floor won’t kill you, it could cripple you!” he bit out angrily.
He Yang’s eyes curved slightly. “Such a beautiful garden—I was afraid I’d crush the flowers.”
Her smile always softened Jiang Siye.
Besides, she hadn’t smiled in a long time.
Jiang Siye nuzzled her nose, his lips brushing hers as he spoke. “Did you miss me?”
He Yang: “Didn’t I say, if you left, don’t come back?”
She asked seriously, but Jiang Siye took it as a coquettish complaint, a settling of scores.
He had indeed left suddenly and been gone too long.
“Probably not again for a while,” he kissed her lips. “I’ll stay and keep you company.”
He Yang leaned back, instinctively avoiding him.
Unable to deepen the kiss, Jiang Siye was extremely displeased. He cupped the back of her head and pressed her toward his face.
Noses touching, he kissed her properly, satisfied.
Suddenly—
A commotion erupted downstairs. Jiang Sanyun shrieked, “He Yang! What are you doing?!”
The fire of unmet desire flared instantly. Jiang Siye grumbled irritably, “Can we just go home? Let’s not live with this old hag!”
He Yang pushed him away and answered her incessantly ringing phone.
“Yes, here, second floor. It’s fine, I’m here. Come right up.”
“…” Jiang Siye paused. “Who?”
He Yang walked out calmly. “I need a studio. Your third sister’s music room is just sitting empty. Clear it out—I’m using it.”
Jiang Siye’s temple throbbed violently.
The movers, deliverymen, and installers arrived simultaneously.
The opulent, golden living room on the first floor was instantly crammed with clutter.
Scratches marred the custom natural fossil floor tiles Madam Jiang had personally selected—tiles usually cleaned by servants kneeling with fine cloths.
Duan Tianhua’s face turned ashen. “Who told you to come?”
He Yang leaned over from the second floor. “Mom, it’s me.”
She beckoned the workers upstairs.
Duan Tianhua was furious but struggled to maintain her elegance. “Shouldn’t you have discussed this with me? I’m still in charge of this household, for now.”
“Didn’t Jiang Siye tell you?” He Yang sounded surprised. “I asked him to communicate with you.”
Jiang Siye: “…”
Jiang Siye: “…”
He Yang turned to him, playfully pounding his chest with her small fist. “How could you mess this up! You’ve made Mom angry. Go and soothe her.”
Without looking back, she went off to attend to her tasks.Jiang Siye’s jaw muscles tightened, his ears filled with the sound of her ordering someone to carry Jiang Sanyun’s piano out and throw it away.
So self-righteous.
Caught off guard, Jiang Siye let out a bitter laugh.