In her previous life, Xu Suyu’s understanding of Jiang Sun mostly came from the year or two after his death, when people would occasionally mention him in casual conversation.
As a child, he had been extraordinarily intelligent—a true prodigy. After his mother was accidentally killed, he witnessed the entire incident and was so traumatized that he suddenly lost his voice.
Within days, his stepmother entered the household. He remained mute for nearly three years. During that time, his academic performance stayed excellent. It wasn’t until middle school, when he entered his rebellious phase and couldn’t get along with his stepmother’s family, that he began acting out and neglecting his studies.
Even so, when he graduated from high school, his grades were still good. The old master had intended to arrange a job for him, but he disliked every option. Not long after, he got into serious trouble and died young.
Since she intended to change his doomed fate in this life, why not change it thoroughly?
In her previous life, she had helped Han Shumo rise steadily through the ranks. In this life, she could put Jiang Sun back on the right path.
Jiang Sun felt certain Xu Suyu had lost her mind. “Xu Suyu, don’t mess with me…”
“Han Shumo is already twenty-five. His life is set—work at the hospital, become a department head, then director. That’s the end of it.
“But you’re different. You’re only nineteen. Your life is just beginning. No matter what path you choose, as long as you work hard, by the time you’re twenty-five, you’ll surpass the current twenty-five-year-old Han Shumo.”
“Xu Suyu, stop it. I can’t!”
Her expression was earnest. “How do you know if you don’t try? I believe in you.”
Jiang Sun didn’t believe in himself at all. He was just a second-generation military kid who wanted to coast through life. Why work hard? Why suffer on purpose?
“I was talking about how to get revenge on that black-hearted lotus root Cao Meiru. Why are you giving me a motivational lecture?”
Xu Suyu didn’t press too hard. Everything required gradual progress. “Cao Auntie’s matter isn’t hard to handle. Every family has dirt at the bottom of the pot. Even the smoothest households always have something—or someone—rebellious.”
Jiang Sun clapped his hands suddenly. “Rebellious? Han Shumo liking Qin Wanqiu counts as rebellion, doesn’t it? Her family’s a complete mess—father died of illness, mother greedy and always causing scenes, and three brothers who live by squeezing Qin Wanqiu dry.
“With that kind of background, anyone who gets involved is unlucky. The Han parents have been praised their whole lives—they’ll never accept a daughter-in-law like Qin Wanqiu…”
As he spoke, his eyes gleamed and a mischievous smile tugged at his lips. “You don’t have to worry about getting back at Han Shumo. I’ve got a plan!”
Xu Suyu stopped at the right moment. “Fine, then handle it yourself. As for what I said earlier, you can think it over slowly. For now, go back and get a book to study.”
Jiang Sun: …
Xu Suyu was strange. On one hand, she was vengeful and not exactly clean in her methods. On the other hand, she truly meant what she said.
But if he obediently listened to her at once, wouldn’t that make him look spineless?
He had to establish his dominance properly. Otherwise, she might forget who was in charge at home.
“Fine.” Jiang Sun returned to his room and came back with a red-covered book. There was a deliberately teasing look in his eyes. “Since Sister insists on hearing me read, don’t regret it.”
In a good mood, he opened the book and began reading.
“The man suddenly straightened and wiped his sweat. Sunlight pooled in the hollow of his collarbone like liquid gold. The woman’s breathing quickened; the fingertips, rough with thin calluses, brushed over her neck like ink diffusing into clear water, instantly staining her earlobes red…”
Xu Suyu frowned, staring at his face.
Jiang Sun’s expression was full of playful mischief. “Sister, doesn’t this book sound good?”
Even if Xu Suyu was a bit bolder than most women, listening to something like this with a man would surely make her uneasy.
He had already planned it. As soon as she got scared, he’d make her promise to listen to him from now on.
Then, outside, he could reluctantly keep protecting her. After all, she was his fiancée. He could grant her that much face.
Xu Suyu curved her lips slightly as she glanced at the “book.” So it was a handwritten copy disguised inside a Mao anthology cover.
“You like reading this sort of thing?”
“Sister, I’m a hot-blooded grown man. It’s normal for me to like this. Sister… do you want me to continue?”
Xu Suyu nodded. “Go on.”
Jiang Sun paused. “I really will continue.”
“Mm.”
“I’m serious—I’m continuing!”
“You may.”
He refused to believe she was truly this calm.
Lowering his voice provocatively, he resumed reading. Meanwhile, Xu Suyu took out a fountain pen and a sheet of letter paper from her bag and began writing swiftly at the desk.
Curious, Jiang Sun leaned over to see what she was writing. Before he could make out the words, her calm voice sounded beside him, “Don’t stop. Continue.”
He withdrew his gaze. Fine. Continue, then.
After nearly half an hour, Xu Suyu finally set down her pen and handed him the densely written page.
Jiang Sun blinked. “This is…”
“Read it.”
He took the paper. His first thought, seeing the bold and powerful handwriting, was that the saying “handwriting reflects the person” must be wrong. This delicate little beauty had written with the spirit of a heroine.
Then he read the contents more carefully. His throat bobbed involuntarily.
“Why did you stop? Don’t you like this kind of thing?”
He looked up at Xu Suyu, his face flushed bright red with shock. “Y-you… you’re completely outrageous!”
Xu Suyu looked innocent. “How is it outrageous? I merely catered to your taste. Little brother, if you’re inexperienced, practice more. Don’t provoke others and suffer for it.”
I’m not inexperienced!
In one swift motion, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pushed her down onto the bed. Lowering his head, he kissed her lips. Unlike the tentative brush of their first kiss, this time his hand pressed against the back of her head, deepening the kiss as soon as she parted her lips slightly.
Bullying her like this would surely scare her.
This time he had to reclaim the upper hand. He wanted to see her cry and beg for mercy. That pitifully beautiful face of hers would surely look even better in tears.
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. His kiss grew increasingly intense, and an inexplicable heat rose within him.
The feather duster in Xu Suyu’s hand struck his back again—this time with all her strength.
Jiang Sun shot upright in pain. “Ow, ow, ow! Xu Suyu, are you trying to beat me to death?”
Xu Suyu calmly sat up, casually straightening her clothes. “Isn’t this what you asked for? I told you to read, not to put it into practice. Keep reading.”
“You… Xu Suyu, are you even a woman?” Jiang Sun had never imagined that someone who looked so delicate and soft—like she might burst into tears if spoken to loudly—could actually be this… formidable.
Xu Suyu raised her wrist and glanced at her watch. “There are still twenty-five minutes left. Are you going to continue reading now? Or finish scolding me first and then read? Or…”