Chapter 76: Kindred Spirits in Misfortune

It seemed no one had expected Jiang Li to shut the door so abruptly. Everyone standing outside was stunned into silence. Madam Jiang was the first to recover, turning once more to Old Master Jiang with teary complaints. “Look at this ungrateful child! He’s locked you out now, utterly heartless!”

“Where is your proof? Do you have any evidence?” Old Master Jiang’s heart still harbored deep guilt toward his first wife and Jiang Li. Just moments ago, he had almost put the company’s interests above all else and questioned Jiang Li accordingly.

Now that he had calmed down, his thoughts grew clearer. “If you have no proof, coming here to cause a scene and even hitting Li—do you think that’s befitting the mistress of the Jiang family?”

Madam Jiang was left speechless, choking on her own words.

She had no proof—she didn’t need it. She was certain all of this was Jiang Li’s doing, but now she had no way to voice her grievance.

“I, I…”

“If you have no evidence, then you’re just making wild accusations!” Old Master Jiang glanced at the tightly shut door, sighed, and turned to leave.

Seeing him go, Jiang Yu wanted to follow, but the old master only allowed his secretary to accompany him.

Jiang Yu had no choice but to give up.

Once everyone’s attention was elsewhere, he pulled Ning Xiyue into his own apartment.

With the noise outside subsiding, Xu An’an fetched the first aid kit and set it on the table. She walked out to the balcony where Jiang Li was smoking. “Don’t smoke so much. It’s bad for your health.”

Jiang Li said nothing, only stubbed out his cigarette.

“The takeout should be here in about ten minutes.”

“Come in. Let me clean your wound,” Xu An’an said.

But Jiang Li remained rooted to the spot. Xu An’an tried reaching out to pull him, and, to her surprise, as soon as she did, he moved. She couldn’t help but suspect—had he just been waiting for her to make the first move?

Seeing the clear slap mark on Jiang Li’s handsome face, Xu An’an felt a pang of bitterness in her heart, perhaps thinking about herself as well.

Stepmothers were always like this, ruthless to the children of the first wife.

“Does it hurt?”

“What do you think?”

“It does.” Xu An’an nodded earnestly.

“Yes, it hurts a lot.” The corners of Jiang Li’s lips curled up. In truth, this little injury meant nothing to him; he had allowed Madam Jiang to hit him on purpose.

And hadn’t it worked out? The slap mark had just served its purpose.

He hadn’t yet fully taken over the Jiang family, so he still had to put on a show before the old master. Besides, it was an effective way to strike back at Madam Jiang—why not take advantage?

He had already made arrangements to ensure Jiang Qi would have a miserable time in the police station this month.

Ding-dong!

This time, the delivery had arrived.

Jiang Li held Xu An’an in place, pulled a blanket over her, and went to fetch the takeout.

When she saw the food spread across the table, Xu An’an couldn’t help but gasp. “There’s so much. You’ll have to eat with me, or we’ll never finish it.”

Jiang Li sat down and searched for a movie.

Xu An’an spoke casually, “A new movie just came out recently. I’ve heard it’s gotten great reviews. It’s an animated film.”

“I’m planning to interview the director soon, so I thought I’d do some homework and see how the film is.”

“This one?” Jiang Li had already found it and pressed play.

It was a heartwarming family film.

But both of their families were shattered.

As she watched, Xu An’an’s eyes grew moist. She lost her appetite and leaned back like Jiang Li, sighing, “We’re actually pretty similar.”

“Our fathers abandoned our mothers when we were little. Your mother passed away when you were in high school, and my mother is in the hospital now. She’s alive, but… I suppose we share the same misfortune.”

“No, you’re wealthier than me.”

Jiang Li let out a muted laugh. “Is that really something to compare?”

Xu An’an nodded. “True. At least your father has a shred of humanity. He gave you so much money. My father—he’s better off dead than alive.”

Jiang Li didn’t correct her.

In fact, after returning to the Jiang family, he hadn’t touched a cent of the money Old Master Jiang gave him. He didn’t need to, unlike Jiang Yu, who had to curry favor with the old man.

Perhaps Jiang Qi, thinking such dependence was beneath him, had chosen the path of crime.

The old master appeared to love Jiang Li dearly. But Jiang Li knew the truth—he only loved himself, seeking a fitting heir to inherit the empire he’d built, constantly pitting Jiang Li, Jiang Qi, Jiang Yu, and the others against each other.

If Jiang Li hadn’t excelled all these years, the old man might never have favored him so much.

Ring, ring, ring!

Hearing her phone ring, Xu An’an put down her stir-fried noodles and picked it up.

Shen Ying’s name flashed on the screen.

With no other choice, Xu An’an answered, “Hello, Mother.”

“I’ve thought it over. The new medicine can be trialed on your mother, but you have to agree to one condition: accompany Wanwan on a reality show,” Shen Ying said.

Xu An’an was momentarily stunned. She knew that in recent years, Xu Wanwan had wanted to break into showbiz, but had found no opportunities and refused to take minor roles, always dreaming of instant fame.

Unfortunately, both Shen Ying and her father believed Wanwan had talent and supported her wholeheartedly.

Shen Ying explained, “It’s a travel show. Your sister has composed a few songs, so she counts as a singer and can bring family on the program.”

“When the time comes, do your best to make your sister shine, so everyone online will see how outstanding she is.”

Xu An’an couldn’t help but roll her eyes. For Wanwan to stand out, she’d have to be outstanding in the first place. With her lack of sense, did she really expect to become famous through this show?

But Xu An’an had no say—nor any choice. “Alright, I understand. When will filming start? I need to ask for leave from the magazine.”

“Tomorrow. So you’ll have to come home early. The crew will be filming at the house.”

“Tomorrow? How—”

Before Xu An’an could finish, Shen Ying hung up.

There was nothing else Xu An’an could do but swallow her frustration. “Jiang Li, do you know any good hospitals? Better than the First Municipal?”

She could only turn to Jiang Li for help now; she couldn’t let Shen Ying control her forever.

Jiang Li, sitting nearby, had caught most of the conversation.

“Yes. There’s a private hospital, but it’s a lot more expensive than public ones.”

“That’s fine. But let’s transfer her next month. For now, I’ll keep making Shen Ying angry and pin my hopes on her newly developed medicine.”

After the call with Shen Ying, Xu An’an had little appetite, but forced herself to eat a bit.

“I should go to bed early. I have to go back tomorrow.”

“Go ahead.”

Watching Xu An’an leave, a cold glint flashed in Jiang Li’s dark eyes. He dialed a number. “Qi Xize, you recently invested in a travel reality show, right? When the time comes, keep an eye on Xu An’an for me. You hear?”

Qi Xize, half-drunk in a bar, slurred his words, “Sure, no problem. I guarantee I’ll get the job done!”

He hiccuped. “Take care of… Xu An… Wanwan…”