“Jing Yun wouldn’t fare that well either.” Mu Qiqi sighed emotionally beside Mama Sheng and Sheng Xiao.

  After all, how humiliated was Jing Yun after Grandpa Sheng’s insults? How tolerant would he have to be to forgive the old man’s actions today?

  Even if Jing Yun was usually most adept at tolerance.

  Beside her, Mama Sheng turned to watch her.

  The child was growing ever more mature and was no longer the young girl she had first met.

  And with hers and Sheng Xiao’s future in mind, Mama Sheng therefore told Sheng Xiao, “Do what you want to do without holding back. I hope that Qiqi wouldn’t be humiliated like that, and I wouldn’t be able to explain things to the Shen family either.”


  Sheng Xiao’s gaze sharpened like a hawk’s just then. After a glance at Mama Sheng, he took Mu Qiqi by the hand, his grip tightening. “Thanks, Mom.”


  “Let’s go home.”


  The pair hence left the Sheng Residence and went home to Jing Ting. Still, Mu Qiqi was concerned over Sheng Minglan at the moment, and whether she could find Jing Yun.

  The Xu couple had revealed Jing Yun’s identity because they wanted to stand up for their son, even mentioning about hosting an event to reintroduce Jing Yun to everyone.

  But where was Jing Yun?

  He was, in fact, in his car, calming himself.

  He only drove home after sitting by the beach for a long time, when a sobbing Sheng Minglan dove into his arms when he opened the door. “I thought you wouldn’t want me anymore.”


  Resigning himself, Jing Yun took a deep breath and held her in return. “I would have left you if I could.”


  “Jing Yun, those things Grandpa said…”


  “You wouldn’t believe me even if I say I don’t care. All I need is time.”


  Sheng Minglan poked her head out of his arms and nodded tearfully while clenching tightly over Jing Yun’s hands. “Grandpa won’t try to meddle with us. Not anymore.”


  Jing Yun said nothing, and merely held her again.

  It was only by depending on the Xu family that he had fulfilled his dreams.

  That was why Jing Yun’s heart felt that he owed Sheng Minglan—he had promised her, but he failed to take her away from the Sheng family. In fact, he would probably end up dead if not for the Xu family.

  Nonetheless, the two took some time to calm themselves, when Jing Yun received a call from his parents at night.

  Jing Yun drove Sheng Minglan home to the Xu family’s new manor at Jiangchuan, his identity hence formally changed.

  “Feng’er…”


  “I’m fine.” Jing Yun said, allaying their worries. “But I didn’t you to come right then.”


  “Your brother was the one who suggested that we stand up for you.” Mama Xu explained, pulling them to sit. “Whatever happens, you are now home, and no one would bully you anymore.”


  Upstairs, Xu Yihong looked at the people below, a sneer forming at his lips.

  No one would bully him?

  He would be the first in line to bully Jing Yun. Or was he going to let Jing Yun remember the past and expose him to their parents?

  With that in mind, Xu Yihong went downstairs and told Jing Yun, “Brother, you don’t have to work as an assistant for the Sheng family anymore. It’s time you return to our family, and help me share a part in the family business.”


  “I don’t know anything about the medical field or machinery.”


  “But you could learn.” Xu Yihong clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re smart, and you’ll definitely grasp it soon enough. That said… about the mess with the Sheng family, what are your plans with Miss Sheng? Since you are still intent on being with her, etiquettes must still be observed.”


  “I’ll handle the proposal with the Sheng family eventually.” Jing Yun said composedly.

  “Good.” Mama Xu nodded. She might not like Grandpa Sheng, but she was very content with Sheng Minglan as a daughter-in-law.

  Still, they would try to reduce unnecessary mingling with the Sheng family.

  “Since you’re back, you don’t have to leave tonight.” Papa Xu told Jing Yun and Sheng Minglan then. “Your brother has prepared a room for you.”


  Jing Yun turned to Xu Yihong. “Thank you, Brother.”


  Even so, there was a wariness in that gratitude.

  “There’s no need to be so formal. We’re family.”


  Even now, Xu Yihong was changing his strategy. He would play the part of a good brother if only to claim the trust of his parents, before trying to drive a wedge between Jing Yun and their parents.

  After all, was he supposed to kill Jing Yun?

  Meanwhile, Jing Yun was staring at Xu Yihong with the corner of his eyes.

  Later, holding tightly on Sheng Minglan’s hand, he had her sit on the edge of the bed as they went to their room alone, while he went down on one knee. “I’m useless. I can’t take you away from chairman by my own power, nor could I truly have him acknowledge me.”


  “Jing Yun… You’ve done enough.” Sheng Minglan, stroking his cheek. “I know what sort of a person Grandpa is, and what you did only strengthened my assurance.”


  “There is still a long time ahead of us. The day would come when Grandpa would sincerely offer an olive branch on his own accord.”


  Be that as it may, after having suffered the old man’s insults, Jing Yun should have hate and resentment—and yet he holds none of those things now.

  “From now on, I will be where you will be. I’m never leaving you.”


  Jing Yun nodded, and they embraced each other fiercely.

  They had taken a major detour, but for better or worse, there is nothing stopping them from being together.

  “But are you really going to leave Eight Brother, and return to the Xu family?”


  “Yes.” Jing Yun nodded. “I want to protect you…”


  ***

  On this day, Sheng Xiao knew very well that his assistant is leaving him for good this time.

  But it wasn’t as if that was anything important.

  “Are you unhappy about losing your assistant?” Mu Qiqi teased when she found Sheng Xiao looking through the information from human resource before going to bed. “It’s like you’re a judge at a beauty pageant—found anything you like?”


  “Mostly bootlickers and lotus eaters. No way I could find another like Jing Yun, so I would have to just pick one and deal with it for now.” Sheng Xiao said, taking his glasses beside the bed post and wearing them.

  It was actually Mu Qiqi’s first time seeing him wear glasses.

  That said, good-looking people look good whatever they wore, and the glasses actually earn Sheng Xiao points in his favor.

  “Xiao Xiao, do you think Jing Yun would change after he returns to the Xu family?”


  Sheng Xiao’s gaze sharpened as he lowered his eyes to look at her good-naturedly. “Why are you being moody all of a sudden?”


  “I have this nagging feeling we would lose Jing Yun.”


  Pinching Mu Qiqi on the cheek, Sheng Xiao lowered his papers to slap her in the butt. “Go to sleep. Don’t you have to go on another field trip with your tutor tomorrow?”


  “Got it.” Mu Qiqi lay into his arms and closed her eyes. “Sorry I can’t help you with anything. You must feel more upset than Jing Yun from facing the old man.”


  Sheng Xiao said nothing, and merely lowered his head to kiss her on the forehead.

  You wouldn’t know this, but you’re my greatest pillar—as long as you remain yourself, I wouldn’t need you compromising to anyone or anything.

  Naturally, those words were spoken only in Sheng Xiao’s heart.