Chapter 46: He Doesn’t Want to Owe Him Too Much
Ji Xiao’s expression shifted, and his tone of concern carried a subtle, indefinable undercurrent.
“Xiao An, did Songting really treat you this way? Tell me if he did; I’ll definitely settle the score for you!”
Perhaps his nerves were simply too frayed, but Jian An felt that the offer was far from a simple act of standing up for him. It felt more like a warning.
He didn’t know what kind of person Ji Xiao truly was, nor did he want to invite trouble. Once the divorce with Ji Songting was finalized, he would have nothing left to do with the Ji family.
Everything from the past would be treated as a nightmare.
Jian An drifted into a momentary daze before shaking his head woodenly. His sigh was thick with bitterness.
“No, he didn’t mistreat me.”
Hearing this, Shen Yunheng was instantly baffled. He exhaled a breath of suppressed anger, barely maintaining his composure.
“Xiao An, how can you say that? It’s clear how poorly he’s treated you all these years! His father is right here. Just say it—don’t make excuses for him!”
The man sitting by the bed had a kindly gaze, yet it felt like a weight pressing against Jian An’s heart, making it difficult to breathe.
His clouded mind was acutely aware that he couldn’t say what shouldn’t be said. To do so would not only drag Shen Yunheng down but might also lead to other irreparable consequences.
He absolutely could not gamble with his own grievances.
Jian An struggled to part his lips. Despite the stinging ache in his eyes, he forced an expression of impatience and shouted angrily at the expectant and worried Shen Yunheng:
“Shen Yunheng! Stop making things up! I said there was no mistreatment, so there wasn’t! Why must you force me? Would anyone who was actually being abused not fight back?”
The words hit Shen Yunheng like a thunderbolt. He froze, his eyes filled with profound shock and disbelief.
“Xiao An… why would you say that? Is there something you can’t tell me? Please, don’t be like this, okay?”
His lips were pressed tight, his voice rasping with a desperate plea. It was an incredible, trembling sound.
Jian An had already told himself he was going to divorce Ji Songting, so why was he still swallowing all the humiliation and pain in silence? It made no sense.
He truly couldn’t understand why a piece of trash like Ji Songting shouldn’t receive his due punishment.
Yet Jian An continued to deny the truth and shoulder the burden alone, never considering himself. Shen Yunheng was at a loss; he didn’t know how to truly help him anymore.
The feeling drove Shen Yunheng to the brink of madness. He had never been this agitated over another person. He was flustered, the muscles in his face twitching slightly.
Jian An naturally saw the emotional turmoil in the other man’s eyes. He could only lower his head, his fingers clenched tight. Guilt surged within him like an ocean tide; for a moment, he nearly faltered.
He fought to lock down his wavering thoughts and looked up. His eyes were bloodshot. Steeling his heart, he continued:
“The Ji family treats me very well. What could I possibly have to hide? Young Master Shen, you should leave. Don’t come back. Entangling yourself with a married man… if you don’t care about your reputation, I still care about mine…”
Ji Xiao was very satisfied with these words. A cold light flickered in his eyes, though a smile that didn’t reach them played on his lips. He advised earnestly:
“Young Master Shen, our Xiao An has said enough. Please stop being so persistent. I understand your feelings—young people are bound to be impulsive once or twice for love. But before you act on that impulse, you must see clearly: the one you like is the daughter-in-law of the Ji Group.”
With that, he gave a slight wave to his bodyguards. Two hulking men immediately stepped forward, seizing Shen Yunheng by the arms and dragging him toward the door.
Shen Yunheng struggled violently, but his strength was no match for them. He kept looking back at the youth, shouting at the top of his lungs:
“Let go of me… let go! Xiao An! I know you don’t mean what you’re saying! Stop lying to me…”
Only when the last of the sound vanished down the corridor did Jian An withdraw his gaze. Even so, waves of inexplicable pain continued to wash over his heart.
I’m sorry… Yunheng. Don’t blame me… Perhaps it’s best for everyone if we cut ties now.
He was a dying man; he wasn’t worth Shen Yunheng’s unconditional devotion. He didn’t want to owe him too much.
A debt like that couldn’t be repaid in several lifetimes.
Jian An suddenly turned his head away. His reddened eyes brimmed with a thin layer of tears, but he refused to let them fall.
Seeing his despondent state, Ji Xiao narrowed his eyes. A cold sense of realization flashed in his gaze. He then gestured for a bodyguard to bring a bowl of fruit salad to the table and gave a quiet command:
“You all go out. Leave Xiao An in peace for a while.”
The bodyguards nodded and quickly retreated, closing the ward door behind them.
The room, which had been noisy just a moment ago, suddenly became deathly silent. Only an awkward tension and frozen air remained.
Jian An was restless, his gaze drifting. He didn’t know how to break the silence.
Although Ji Xiao was his father-in-law in name, the man had handsome features and a robust, powerful physique from years of exercise. He looked more than a decade younger than his actual age.
The wrinkles he once had were gone; he didn’t look like someone who should be called “Dad” at all.
The two of them had never been alone in a room before. Faced with Ji Xiao’s sudden concern, Jian An was truly at a loss as to what the purpose of this unexpected visit was.
Besides, what profit could be gained from a cripple like him?
Ji Xiao ignored his discomfort. With a slight curve of his lips, he slowly opened the fruit salad. He speared a piece with a fork and held it in front of the youth, speaking softly:
“Xiao An, have a bite. The fruit is fresh; I had it made specifically for you. Try it.”
“Wait, wait… Dad, I’ll do it myself. How could I let you feed me? It’s not appropriate…”
Jian An shook his head quickly, his face full of shock. He sat woodenly, wanting to shrink back, but his back hit the wall. A faint fragrance drifted past his nose, but he didn’t know how to take the fruit being held to his lips.
He swallowed awkwardly and instinctively reached out to take the fork, but the man moved it away.
Just as he was about to speak, he saw the other man staring directly at him. The gaze was filled with a strange excitement and… agitation?
Gradually, the emotions in the man’s eyes turned frenzied. Like a beast spotting its prey, they were filled with ferocity and a desire for plunder.
The look made Jian An’s skin crawl.
Is there something on my face?
Jian An tentatively reached up to touch his cheek. Aside from the scar covered by gauze, there shouldn’t be anything else, right?
Ji Xiao didn’t notice his unease. His long-dormant heart began to ripple with emotion.
The eyes he saw were as clear and quiet as the reflection of mountains on a lake, shimmering with a faint, innocent light.
They were so gentle—as if his late wife were still alive, sitting face-to-face with him and chatting.
Jian An suddenly realized that the turbulent emotions in the man’s eyes had vanished in an instant, replaced by a touch of sadness.
It was incredibly strange.
He quickly spoke up to break the silent staring: “Dad, what’s wrong? Why… are you suddenly looking at me like that? Did the scar on my face scare you?”
“It’s nothing. How could you scare me? It’s just that every time I see you, I think of… Qiuwan.”
Ji Xiao spoke softly, a shadow of grief and pain between his brows. He had lost all of his previous calm composure. Lost in his sorrow, he even reached up to wipe a corner of his eye that held no tears.
The gesture immediately sparked guilt and sadness in Jian An. He lowered his head, his throat feeling as dry as if it were stuffed with paper. He spoke haltingly:
“Dad… I’m sorry. I’ve made you sad. I don’t know how to face you now… Do you also believe that I was the one who killed Professor Lin…?”
Hearing this, Ji Xiao’s hand—which had been turning a ring—suddenly stopped. In the shadows where the light didn’t reach, his lips curled into a mocking smile. He inwardly praised his own perfect acting.
He pressed his lips together, his Adam’s apple bobbing. A trace of something pathological was hidden in his dark eyes. He spoke in a comforting tone:
“There’s no need to apologize to me. You’re such a kind child; I believe you wouldn’t do something so heinous.”
Hearing this, Jian An was nearly choked with sobs. The years of being framed and the overwhelming despair finally crashed over him, making it hard to breathe. Yet his spirit was easily mended by Ji Xiao’s simple expression of trust.
Whether it was because he had lacked parental affection since childhood or because his fragile mental state truly needed comfort at this moment, his previous aversion and suspicion toward the man vanished instantly. Excited tears welled in his eyes as he said:
“Mhm…! Thank you for believing in me, Dad!”
This “Dad” was a word he felt he had longed for for many years.
“Good child. Let’s not talk about those unpleasant things. Have some fruit; it’ll make you feel better.”
Ji Xiao again held the fork to his lips. He raised an eyebrow in expectation, signaling for him to open his mouth.
Jian An bit his dry lip and knit his brows, then firmly took the fork. “Dad, I’ll do it myself…”
The man didn’t insist. He slowly let go, a flash of displeasure and a hint of blame crossing his face:
“Xiao An, you’ve been in the Ji family for over three years. Why are you still so formal with me?”
Jian An quickly swallowed the fruit half-chewed in his mouth. His eyes were full of sincerity as he said: “It’s not that, Dad. Let me explain. You’re the Chairman of the Ji Group, a man of high status. How could I let you feed me?”
“What does that matter? You’re still the daughter-in-law of my Ji family. Who would dare say a word? Unless they’re tired of living.”
Ji Xiao spoke with a half-smile, but in contrast to his gentle tone, a chilling light flickered in his eyes.
“Eat up. There’s plenty left.”
Jian An didn’t notice the strange look on his face. Deeply moved, he said foolishly, “Dad, you eat too!”
As soon as the words left his mouth, the fork in his hand suddenly fell onto the bed. The man before his eyes grew blurred, until finally, a boundless darkness consumed his consciousness.
Looking at the youth who had been drugged into a stupor, Ji Xiao frowned helplessly, his tone deepening:
“Xiao An, Dad doesn’t like eating fruit.”
Translator’s Note: Wait, am I the only one who thinks the father-in-law is even scarier than the son? Ji Xiao is absolutely giving me “creepy obsessed” vibes. He’s literally using Jian An as a replacement for his dead wife! And the way he drugged him just because he wouldn’t let him feed him? 🚩🚩🚩 Also, for those confused, Shuigua lao (水果捞) is a popular Chinese dessert with mixed fruits in a creamy or sago-based dressing. It’s supposed to be a treat, but coming from Ji Xiao, it’s just a nightmare in a bowl. Stay safe, Jian An!
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