Chapter Twenty-Four: The Lights of the Jiang Family (Second Update)

After leaving the Xia family villa, Jiang Yu parted ways with Li Hao. Alone, he returned to the Jiang family estate, which was brightly lit, with the elders and juniors exchanging toasts amid laughter and cheer.

The First Middle School’s Third-Fifth Exam had concluded, and the fates of Jiang Ziyue and Jiang Shaoqi were settled. After finishing their final year of high school, these two prodigies of the Jiang family would go their separate ways, each striving for their own future.

Jiang Yu intended to retreat to his room for rest, but was stopped by the old master.

“Xiao Yu, you’re here?”

The patriarch of the Jiang family was now elderly, well past eighty, his steps shaky, his presence frail—a man with only a few years left to live. He hadn’t eaten dinner, but sat alone in the courtyard, waiting for Jiang Yu.

In Jiang Yu’s memory, his family had often been ostracized by the rest of the Jiang clan, and the old master had frequently spoken up for them. Though he was lord of the house, the Jiang family was divided into several branches, and as the old master aged, his authority waned. He could only quietly offer Jiang Yu some discreet support. When the second uncle’s family rallied to drive Jiang Yu to his parents’ side, the eldest uncle’s family, cold and indifferent, watched as the second uncle tormented Jiang Yu, doing nothing, pretending not to see.

It was the old master, furious almost to the point of death, who managed to keep Jiang Yu in the family. Over the years, the Jiang family’s fortunes had soared, largely thanks to the second uncle’s branch. Thus, they held considerable sway.

“Grandfather.”

Jiang Yu’s gaze softened; he smiled kindly.

The old master took Jiang Yu’s hand. “Come inside, I have something to ask you.”

He led Jiang Yu into the hall. The lively atmosphere fell silent as the old master and Jiang Yu entered.

“Jiang Yu, where have you been? We didn’t prepare a meal for you tonight,” the second aunt remarked sharply, her lips curled in a cold sneer.

The old master banged his cane against the floor, enraged. “Is it so hard to eat together? Am I so old now that your family, proud of its merit, ignores everyone else?”

The second aunt, still somewhat in awe of the old master, shrank back, not daring to retort.

Jiang Yu glanced around, his expression growing colder. Not even a chair had been prepared for him.

The old master pointed to his own seat. “Xiao Yu, sit there.”

He remained standing, closing his eyes to rest.

Jiang Ziyue quickly stood and offered her seat. “Grandfather, please sit here.”

The old master snorted at the second uncle’s family and sat in Jiang Ziyue’s former place.

The second uncle’s face remained unchanged, as if he hadn’t seen or heard anything, burying himself in his meal.

Jiang Yu sat, untouched by the chopsticks before him.

What sentiment was there to linger over in such a cold-hearted household?

The second aunt shifted the topic. “Shaoqi, when you join the military, don’t forget to visit your mother.”

Jiang Shaoqi smiled, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back. My achievements will surely surpass Yuan Tiangang’s.”

The eldest uncle’s eyes glowed with envy. Entering the army, one could become a major within a few years—a prospect he found enviable. Unfortunately, his own child was a daughter. No matter how talented, as a woman, how could she shoulder the future of the Jiang family?

To pave the way for Jiang Shaoqi, the Jiang and Zheng families had poured all their resources into securing a direct promotion to major. Jiang Ziyue aspired to medicine; at most, she would become a doctor.

As for the second uncle’s family, with a major in their ranks, the future of the Jiang family would surely belong to them.

Mentioning Jiang Shaoqi even softened the old master’s expression; he looked at Shaoqi with indulgent affection. “Child, the future of the Jiang family rests on you alone.”

Jiang Shaoqi raised his head, never once glancing at Jiang Yu, and declared proudly, “Rest assured, grandfather, I will do my utmost.”

The old master’s face grew serious. “Jiang Yu, I heard you took first place in the Third-Fifth Exam. Is that true?”

Everyone held their breath, awaiting Jiang Yu’s response.

First place? Jiang Yu? No one could connect those words.

Even Jiang Shaoqi had only managed third, with Xia Qinghan ahead of him.

“Hmph, at your age, you neglect your studies, dabbling in trivial pursuits. What use is a first place gained by cheating?” the second uncle scoffed.

The second aunt chimed in, “Exactly, Jiang Yu, when did you learn to be so sly? Old master, think about it—what kind of person is Jiang Yu? First place, unless by cheating, what else could it be?”

Jiang Yu’s expression was cold. “Cheating or not, what concern is it of yours?”

“You—” The second aunt glared furiously.

Jiang Yu smiled at the second uncle’s family. “A major? Such achievements mean nothing to me.”

He turned to the eldest uncle’s family. “You never made things difficult for my family, but neither did you speak up for us. Always indifferent, as if it were none of your business.”

Jiang Yu’s tone rose. “You are all short-sighted, treating Jiang Shaoqi as the Jiang family’s dragon. Not just Shaoqi or Ziyue—even if the world’s true genius stood before me, they’d still not catch my eye!”

“Insolent!”

“Watch your words!”

The eldest and second uncle’s families spoke up in unison, shocked at his boldness before his elders.

Jiang Shaoqi sneered, “Jiang Yu, besides boasting, what else can you do?”

The second aunt stood, pointing at Jiang Yu. “You useless thing, how dare you speak to your elders like this?”

Jiang Yu’s tone chilled. “As elders, when have you ever acted as such? To me, you are but petty men grown proud, nothing more.”

He rose, looking at everyone. “A mere exam—first place means nothing. My accomplishments are beyond the comprehension of ordinary eyes like yours.”

Jiang Ziyue spoke sharply, “Enough, Jiang Yu.”

Jiang Yu smiled playfully at her. “Among everyone, you’re the only one I care for. Don’t let me down, Ziyue. You’re the only one who believes I didn’t cheat. I can tell you plainly—not just a major, even General Liu Ban’nan would address me as ‘teacher’ if he saw me.”

Jiang Ziyue’s mouth fell open. Was he mad?

The mention of a general’s dignity made everyone grow tense.

She hastily tried to stop him. “Jiang Yu, I know you resent everyone’s contempt and humiliation, but there are things you shouldn’t say. A little bravado is fine, but you’re crossing the line. If these words spread, you could be punished.”

The more agitated Jiang Yu became, the guiltier Jiang Ziyue felt.

What could drive someone to such wild words but relentless ridicule and scorn?

Zheng Xuan, who had been silent, finally raised her delicate face and looked Jiang Yu in the eye. “You haven’t changed your habit of boasting. That night outside the private room, you said those things—I chose to ignore them. I thought you’d change, but it seems you haven’t, and have grown worse.”

“It’s good to have ambition, but do you know how many people’s dreams are dashed against reality? It seems breaking off our engagement was the wisest decision I ever made.”

Zheng Xuan’s parents didn’t seize the moment to criticize him, but shook their heads in deep disappointment.

Jiang Yu, oh Jiang Yu, you still haven’t seen reality for what it is.

Jiang Yu took a deep breath, smiling as he shook his head.

He hadn’t expected to argue with these people. It seemed that this young body still influenced him—somewhere in its subconscious, a strong sense of grievance remained. It was this that had prompted his words.

Jiang Shaoqi laughed, turning to Jiang Ziyue. “Forget it. Those without ability always talk big to soothe their pathetic inferiority. Why bother with him? Prepare yourself—the Xia Ning family’s birthday banquet is coming soon.”

“All the young elites of Yun City will attend. Rather than argue with that useless one, focus on befriending Miss Xia Ning. With the support of the Xia family from Jiangbei, our Jiang family will surely rise.”

The eldest uncle added, “Ziyue, as a woman, you’ll have more in common with Xia Ning. You’re going with a purpose—do well, and if you forge a good relationship, it’ll be a great merit.”

Jiang Ziyue nodded with a smile. “I will.”

At the mention of the Jiangbei Xia family, everyone’s breathing quickened.

Zheng Xuan’s parents spoke eagerly, “Shaoqi, don’t forget to take Xuan with you—let her make some connections. It’ll be good for your marriage.”

Jiang Shaoqi glanced at Zheng Xuan, who blushed and lowered her head.

“Of course.”