Chapter 5#
Jiang Yicen initially thought he had misheard, only turning around when the other person called out again.
Not only did that person call out to him, but they also walked toward him.
Jiang Yicen had anticipated encountering such a situation before. He didn’t know the friends of “Jiang Yicen.” If he were at the Jiang residence, he could at least guess the other person’s social standing based on their background, but outside, he couldn’t quite make an accurate match.
Subtly, he had asked He Nuanqing about the friends “Jiang Yicen” had in Lincheng. He Nuanqing told him that before junior high, he didn’t have many local friends—most were classmates he met abroad, and the majority of those chose to stay overseas, though there were one or two closer ones back in China.
Now, someone who could call out his name, and a young person at that, had to be either one of his older brothers or one of those few friends. He carefully observed the other’s appearance—his clothes were undoubtedly expensive, his hair meticulously styled. He bore a four- or five-tenths resemblance to Jiang Gongming.
Jiang Gongming was considered above average in looks for a man: not bald, with regular features. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have managed to marry his ex-wife, who came from a decent family. The person who called Jiang Yicen had slightly larger eyes than Jiang Gongming, clear yet shrewd, but when he looked at Jiang Yicen, there was evident dissatisfaction.
Jiang Yicen hadn’t spoken a word, but a young man stepped out from behind him and spoke first. He wore conspicuous silver earrings in both ears and had curly light brown hair—a flashy young man.
The flashy young man said, “Dad called us—he’s looking for you.”
Jiang Yicen didn’t need to guess to know these two were the Jiang brothers. The one with a stern, meticulous face was likely the eldest Jiang brother, while the more impulsive one was probably the second. Both were sons of Jiang’s father and his first wife, making them Jiang Yicen’s half-brothers.
He knew he couldn’t avoid this. He simply nodded in acknowledgment and replied, “I understand. Thank you.”
“Jiang Yicen” had been sent abroad since he was a teenager, so his relationship with his other three siblings was probably not close—this was Jiang Yicen’s own conclusion.
His guess was correct. The one who first called out to him was the eldest brother, Jiang Yiting, and the one who came out behind him was the second brother, Jiang Yifeng.
Jiang Yiting asked him, “Did you drive yourself here?”
Jiang Yicen: “No.”
He had watched the news; in modern society, you can’t drink and drive, and you need a license to drive. “Jiang Yicen” had a domestic driver’s license, but he himself had never touched a modern car and had no idea how to operate one.
“Let’s go back together.” Jiang Yiting’s tone brooked no argument, final and decisive. He walked past Jiang Yicen toward the elevator.
There was a hint of condescension in his words, which made Jiang Yicen uncomfortable.
Jiang Yifeng followed behind him, but when he saw that Jiang Yicen had only stepped aside to let them pass, seemingly with no intention of going with them, he asked in confusion, “Not coming with us?”
Jiang Yicen answered truthfully, “I’m waiting for someone.”
Jiang Yifeng looked around: “You have a friend here?”
His tone was grating.
Before Jiang Yicen could answer, Nan Shuyi emerged from inside, apparently looking for his jacket.
Jiang Yicen raised his wrist: “The jacket’s with me.”
Both Jiang Yiting and Jiang Yifeng simultaneously looked at Nan Shuyi. There was no way they didn’t know who he was—especially since Jiang Gongming wanted the Jiang family to form a marriage alliance with the Nan family. Word had it the two had already met for a matchmaking dinner, and the matter seemed settled, with both families now discussing the wedding date.
Jiang Yiting had assumed Nan Shuyi had no interest in Jiang Yicen, but he never expected to run into them together outside.
Jiang Yifeng had crossed paths with Nan Shuyi before: “You two were having dinner together?”
Nan Shuyi naturally took the jacket Jiang Yicen handed him: “Yeah, got a problem?”
He had no intention of being polite to Jiang Yifeng.
As for the Jiang brothers, Nan Shuyi wasn’t familiar with the eldest, Jiang Yiting, but he had dealt with Jiang Yifeng before—last time on the mountain road race, Jiang Yifeng lost to him.
After the matchmaking dinner, Nan Shuyi had also looked into the relationship between Jiang Yicen and his two brothers. Jiang Yiting had entered the group headquarters, while Jiang Yifeng was favored by his mother’s family, living the life of a carefree young master. Jiang Yicen, on the other hand, had been pushed into a marriage alliance. It was clear who stood to benefit.
Jiang Yifeng smirked slyly: “Nothing much—great, actually. Didn’t expect we’d end up as in-laws. Nan Shuyi, from now on you’ll have to call me Second Brother-in-law.”
Nan Shuyi laughed at him: “Wait until you beat me first, loser.”
Jiang Yifeng’s sore spot was hit, and his smile froze on his face: “Then you better wait. Last time I was careless; next time, I’ll win.”
Jiang Yicen looked at Nan Shuyi curiously—in what area had he beaten Jiang Yifeng?
Nan Shuyi caught his confusion: “I’ll tell you later.”
Jiang Yicen nodded: “Sure.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jiang Yifeng’s lips tighten.
The four of them went to the underground garage together.
As soon as they exited the elevator, Jiang Yiting ordered, “Jiang Yicen, take my car home.”
Jiang Yicen had no reason to refuse, nor could he trouble Nan Shuyi further. He stood in front of Nan Shuyi and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, “Then I’ll head back first.”
Nan Shuyi: “Mm. My phone number is my WeChat—add me.”
Jiang Yicen didn’t quite understand, but he couldn’t ask now: “I’ll add you when I get back.”
As he turned to leave, Nan Shuyi said impatiently, “Give me your phone number.”
Jiang Yicen: “…” He didn’t even know his own personal number. He pursed his lips in a smile and quickly thought of a reasonable excuse to brush it off: “I got a new number after returning to the country—I haven’t memorized it yet.”
Nan Shuyi gave him a deep look. Not remembering his own number but remembering his? Lying without even a draft. Yet, far from being angry, he found it amusing.
“Fine, go home.”
They parted ways. Jiang Yicen got into Jiang Yiting’s car, while Nan Shuyi got into his own, gunned the engine, and sped out of the underground parking lot first.
Jiang Yifeng glanced at Jiang Yicen several times and said, “Got Nan Shuyi wrapped around your finger pretty fast, huh? Not bad.”
His words were rather flippant and rude. Jiang Yicen frowned slightly in displeasure. Since both families were already discussing the wedding, that should make them fiancés.
Jiang Yicen didn’t like the casual disrespect in Jiang Yifeng’s tone and corrected him: “He’s my fiancé.”
Jiang Yifeng continued laughing: “Already defending him?”
Jiang Yicen didn’t want to talk to this person. He was well aware that Jiang Yifeng had no respect for “Jiang Yicen.” He had already made his stance clear; further words were pointless. He turned his head to look out the window, where the dazzling nightscape was already in view.
Once again, he marveled at the ingenuity of modern society—carving out areas beneath a shopping mall. What a fascinating layout. Rather than focusing on the Jiang brothers, he preferred to observe the developments of this new era. Integrating into this new society was what he needed to do.
Jiang Yifeng usually enjoyed taunting Jiang Yicen. Jiang Yicen had always been too fond of putting on airs, but his temper was hard to control. Every time, he would end up red-faced and furious, jumping around but unable to retort effectively. But today, he didn’t fall into the verbal trap; instead, he completely ignored the provocation. Jiang Yifeng wanted to provoke him further, but just as he opened his mouth, Jiang Yiting cut him off.
“Yicen, Dad asked us to help prepare your wedding. If there are any friends you want to invite, give me a list later.”
Jiang Yiting saw things more clearly than Jiang Yifeng, with a sharper mind. The marriage alliance between the Jiang and Nan families made this wedding crucial.
Jiang Yicen replied flatly, “I understand.”
Seeing that he couldn’t get a rise out of Jiang Yicen, Jiang Yifeng found it more challenging. He sat in the seat next to Jiang Yicen.
“Jiang Yicen, you should be grateful you’re gay—that’s the only reason Dad let you come back.”
Jiang Yicen caught the malice in his eyes and said, “Poems like ‘Song of the Yue Boatman,’ ‘Zhou Xiaoshi’s Poem,’ and ‘Reminiscence No. 12’ all mention the beauty of same-sex love. Even the law now permits same-sex marriage. Do you look down on homosexuals?”
Jiang Yifeng froze. That one light remark left him momentarily unable to counter. He had only expected that bringing up Jiang Yicen’s sexual orientation would make him fly into a rage, but today he remained calm and struck back instead.
Jiang Gongming was a very traditional and authoritarian parent. He would not tolerate homosexuality in his family. Ever since he found out about Jiang Yicen’s orientation, he had abandoned this son, subjecting him to cold violence in both word and deed. His mother, in turn, fawned over Jiang Gongming, going along with everything he said. To secure Jiang Gongming’s favor, she never even considered accompanying Jiang Yicen abroad. Jiang Yicen’s position in the Jiang family had always been precarious, which was why he was “exiled” overseas for years, only allowed to return when he became useful to the Jiang family.
Jiang Yiting’s gaze shifted from his phone to Jiang Yicen. Today’s Jiang Yicen was different from usual. Jiang Yifeng kept provoking him but kept coming out short.
In the past, “Jiang Yicen” hadn’t been favored by Jiang Gongming. No matter how much he tried to project an air of refinement, there was a deep insecurity inside. Facing the Jiang brothers, he lacked the confidence that came from maternal backing.
Jiang Yifeng was thrown off by Jiang Yicen’s sudden display of literary knowledge: “How could I look down on homosexuals? It’s thanks to your orientation that our family managed to hitch a ride on the Nan family’s big ship.”
Jiang Yicen suddenly smiled, glancing at Jiang Yifeng: “So, if I refused to marry Nan Shuyi, would we lose that ride?”
Jiang Yifeng felt a chill run down his spine: “…”
He realized that his usual tactics were completely useless today.
Jiang Yiting interrupted Jiang Yicen’s counterattack against Jiang Yifeng: “A marriage alliance is just the icing on the cake. True cooperation between two major groups depends on the company’s strength and integrity.”
Jiang Yicen didn’t know much about the Jiangda Group, so he remained silent.
This was his first real encounter with Jiang Yiting and Jiang Yifeng, and the contrast was stark. Jiang Yiting was very sharp—his words seemed ordinary but were actually cutting Jiang Yicen down, more insidious than Jiang Yifeng’s blunt sarcasm. It was a way of asserting dominance over Jiang Yicen.
After all, Jiang Yiting was Jiang Yifeng’s biological brother, so of course he sided with his own.
If it weren’t important, why bother with a marriage alliance?
Was his marriage to Nan Shuyi really just icing on the cake?
Perhaps aware that Jiang Yicen’s temperament had changed since returning from abroad—no longer peppering his speech with English words but instead citing ancient and modern culture—Jiang Yifeng shut his mouth. For the rest of the ride, all three were quiet: one admiring the scenery outside, one playing on his phone, and one checking work group messages.
They returned to the Jiang residence.
He Nuanqing immediately approached, softly scolding Jiang Yicen: “How could you go out without your phone? Do you know how worried I was? Your father is furious.”
Jiang Yicen stood beside He Nuanqing holding his jacket, neither defending himself nor losing his temper and storming upstairs. He ignored Jiang Gongming’s mood and simply explained his actions gently.
“I thought I’d just step out for a bit—didn’t expect to wander for so long.”
Meanwhile, Jiang Yifeng whispered to Jiang Yiting: “Bro, isn’t Jiang Yicen different from before?”
Jiang Yiting couldn’t quite figure Jiang Yicen out either, but he remained confident in his understanding of him.
He warned Jiang Yifeng: “Watch your mouth lately. Don’t provoke him, and don’t let him act all high and mighty—it’s not worth the loss.”
Jiang Gongming would eventually hand over Jiangda to him; he was already a senior executive there. He knew better than anyone that Jiangda currently needed Nanyuan very much. Antagonizing Jiang Yicen would bring no benefit.
After Jiang Yicen dealt with He Nuanqing, Jiang Gongming called him to the study to remind him about the wedding. Jiang Yiting was also present.
Today, Jiang Gongming seemed unusually generous, with a kind demeanor and a face full of fatherly warmth: “Marrying Nan Shuyi won’t be a loss for you. Is there anything you want?”
Considering the Jiang family’s financial situation, Jiang Yicen thought his wish should be easy to grant—just a few shops for future income security. After all, he was a person from eighty years ago.
He looked at Jiang Gongming and said lightly, “I want the shops on Qingyuan Road.”
Those had once been part of the Jiang family’s properties.
Jiang Gongming: “…”
Jiang Yiting: “…”
Jiang Yicen felt Jiang Gongming’s pretended generosity was hollow: “Can’t do it?”
Jiang Yiting explained on his father’s behalf: “Qingyuan Road has been designated as a scenic area by the government. Shops in that area can’t be bought or sold—only leased.”
Jiang Yicen thought, so that’s how it is—really nothing to be done about that: “Then can I buy the Yongjiang Hotel?”
Jiang Gongming’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly: “…”
Jiang Yiting: “Yicen, you’re being a bit greedy.”
He had underestimated Jiang Yicen—turns out he had been so quiet today because he was waiting for this.
The Yongjiang Hotel was a long-established establishment; its reputation went without saying. Even the Jiang family wanted it, but unfortunately, the hotel’s owner had never revealed any intention of selling.
Jiang Yicen didn’t like Jiang Yiting’s characterization of him. He was displeased but didn’t show it. If the Jiang family could afford to buy the Yongjiang Hotel, they probably wouldn’t need him to form a marriage alliance—they were just putting up a front.
He said indifferently, “Then whatever you see fit.”
Jiang Gongming was irritated by Jiang Yicen’s tone. Afraid he might come up with even more outrageous demands, he quickly said, “I’ll give you twenty million in cash, two apartments in the city center, one villa in the suburbs, one sports car under three million, one everyday car under two million. Your eldest brother will have people prepare the rest for you, including jewelry and luxury watches—so you won’t lose face in the Nan family.”
In truth, he didn’t want to give this much. It was all for show—a front for the Nan family and the public. Once the cooperation was on track, Jiangda’s stock and investment value would rise. Jiang Gongming disliked Jiang Yicen as a son, but he still had to offer some sweeteners.
Jiang Yicen asked a question that had been bothering him: “No farmland?”
Jiang Gongming shot him a glare: “Do you know how expensive land is in Lincheng?”
Why was this child so clueless about worldly matters? Did he have any idea how troublesome it was to buy a plot of land now? Even if he could, Jiang Gongming wouldn’t give it to him.
Jiang Yicen replied calmly, “I don’t know. Is it very expensive?”
Jiang Gongming: “…”
From this, it was clear that Jiang Gongming was indeed very stingy with “Jiang Yicen.” No shops, no farmland. By today’s prices, twenty million in cash wasn’t much. He had passed many real estate agencies today—a small property in Lincheng cost three or four million, and a larger one in the area he visited today was tens of millions.
Jiang Yicen recalled that his family once owned thousands of acres of farmland, but they had sold them off gradually.
He wondered if he could ever buy back the hotel and those farmlands in the future.