After My Engagement Was Broken, I Married My Fiancé's Uncle - Chapter 17

Xie Huai raised his head in a panic. His eyes flickered as he looked at Jiang Xingyuan, two distinct flushes of crimson rising on his cheeks.

“You… where did you just go?” His voice trembled with tension.

“I just went to the bathroom,” Jiang Xingyuan said with a straight face, holding his phone. “Were you just secretly kissing Cousin? I saw it!”

Xie Huai panicked instantly. “I did not.”

“You did! I saw it just now.”

Xie Huai’s heart was in a shambles. He had only intended to pick up something that fell on the floor and had accidentally touched him. He hadn’t done it on purpose at all! Why did this bastard Jiang Xingyuan have to show up now?

Xie Huai bit his lip and argued loudly, “You must have seen wrong!”

“Impossible. The photos on my phone are clear as day.”

“About what happened tonight…”

Hearing this, Xie Huai’s eyes snapped wide. He commanded in a hurried tone, “Delete those photos right now.”

Just then, a phone rang, interrupting him. Both of their gazes fell on the phone on the table, it was Xie Huai’s. Seeing the name on the screen, Xie Huai’s heart tightened, and his face turned deathly pale.

Jiang Xingyuan reached out, took the phone, and answered it under Xie Huai’s watchful gaze.

A roar came from the other end: “Xie Huai…”

Before the shout could finish, Jiang Xingyuan interrupted: “Hello, Uncle Xie? It’s me, Xingyuan. I’m out playing with Ah Huai… Yes, yes, don’t worry, I’ll look after him. We’ll be back early.”

As Jiang Xingyuan hung up, Xie Huai asked warily, “Why did you help me?”

Jiang Xingyuan tossed the phone back. “I didn’t help you. I just told the truth, we are out playing.”

Xie Huai bit his lip, looking at Jiang Xingyuan with resentment. “Give me your phone. I want to delete the photos myself!”

“I lied to you, Young Master. You actually believed me?” Jiang Xingyuan looked at him with feigned shock. “Or rather, did you actually do something unspeakable to Cousin?” He looked Xie Huai up and down with an air of disbelief.

Feeling humiliated by the scrutiny, Xie Huai snapped, “I don’t trust you. I want to check your phone.”

“Take it.” Jiang Xingyuan tossed it over.

Xie Huai checked the gallery and found no such photos. Only then did he feel relieved. Jiang Xingyuan yawned, took his phone back, and said, “I’m so sleepy. Do you want to head back?”

“If we leave, what about Cousin?”

“Take him back with us, obviously.”

Xie Huai didn’t argue. He looked back at Jiang Xingyuan, who was standing nearby, and said sourly, “Remember, nothing happened tonight.”

Jiang Xingyuan watched him leave. How could he act like nothing happened? He toyed with his phone and smirked. Self-deception was a dangerous habit.

Just as Jiang Xingyuan was about to leave, his gaze swept past a neighboring private booth. He caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. He froze, his expression changing instantly.

Inside the booth, a youth in a waiter’s uniform was being harassed by a middle-aged man. He was struggling to break free from a filthy hand.

“Please… let me go!”

“Forget being a waiter. Just follow me. How about twenty thousand a month?” The man grinned, revealing yellow teeth, his eyes gleaming with a lust that suggested he wanted to strip the boy right there.

The youth felt sick. His voice shook. “Let go… the supervisor is looking for me.”

“Is anything more important than accompanying me?” The man leaned in, practically smelling the boy’s scent. “Are you a Beta? How do you smell better than an Omega? Hahaha, let me have a kiss and I’ll give you ten thousand.”

The youth was no match for the man’s strength. He watched the foul smelling mouth approach and closed his eyes in despair.

However, after a long moment, nothing happened. It was unnervingly quiet. He slowly opened his eyes and gasped.

The man’s mouth was now stuffed with a rag soaked in dirty water. He couldn’t make a sound, his eyes bulging as filthy water leaked from his mouth. He looked utterly revolting.

“Still want a kiss? You pig, go eat some filth.” Jiang Xingyuan kicked the man aside.

The youth realized someone else was there and turned his head. When he saw that familiar, stunning face, his pupils shook.

“Let’s go!” Jiang Xingyuan grabbed him and ran out of the room.

Once they reached a safe spot, Jiang Xingyuan let go. He looked at the boy, frowning. “A-Li, what are you doing here?”

The boy, Chu Li, leaned quietly against the wall. He was thin, about 175cm tall, with chestnut hair fluttering in the night breeze. In his simple white shirt, he looked clean and resilient, like a blade of grass in the wind.

Chu Li answered flatly, “Looking for work.”

“Looking for work? How old are you! This isn’t a place for you!” Jiang Xingyuan’s brow furrowed in anger. “If you hadn’t run into me, Chu Li, did you think about the consequences?”

Chu Li flinched at the shout. He knew he couldn’t have handled the outcome. His eyes reddened, tears welling up. “I’m… sorry.”

Jiang Xingyuan softened instantly. “You came to Xinghai City, what about your brother? Is the money enough?”

“It’s enough.” Chu Li turned away, looking at the moon. “Didn’t you just send a transfer a while ago?”

Jiang Xingyuan looked startled. He hadn’t expected Chu Li to know.

Chu Li gave a low, bitter smile. “Because besides you, no one remembers a failing orphanage. I checked the Director’s remittance slips and traced the account.” He looked at Jiang Xingyuan with a hint of resentment. “If you care so much, why did you leave without saying a word?”

Jiang Xingyuan scratched his head. He had been whisked away by his cheap excuse of a father back then. One of the conditions was to cut ties with his past and be a rich idler for the Jiang family.

“I left a note, didn’t I?”

Chu Li thought of that note, it looked like ghost scribbles. “Do you think anyone could actually read your handwriting?”

Jiang Xingyuan gave an embarrassed smile. “I’ve improved a lot. How is the Director?”

“They’re fine. My brother and the other kids got their treatments because of the money you sent. A few had surgeries and are recovering well.”

A genuine smile broke out on Jiang Xingyuan’s face. “That’s good.”

“And you? Why are you here?”

“I got into Xingyuan University last year. I’m doing part time work on weekends.”

“Don’t work here. It’s dangerous. I have plenty of money now.” Jiang Xingyuan pulled out a bank card. “The password is the same, all eights.”

“Dog-ge (Brother Dog), I can’t take your money anymore.” Chu Li turned his back, his thin spine straight. How could he justify spending Jiang Xingyuan’s money now that he was an adult?

He shook his head. “I’ve grown up. I have hands and feet. I can earn my own living. I’ll find a different job. Keep the money.”

“I have to go. The manager is calling.”

Jiang Xingyuan hurried to say, “We finally met, let’s exchange contact info.”

“We live in different worlds now. There’s no need for overlap. I’m leaving.”

Jiang Xingyuan stood there, watching Chu Li’s retreating figure, his shoulders slumped in disappointment.

By the time Jiang Xingyuan returned to the Xie residence, it was 2:00 AM. Feeling restless, he wandered around and ended up at the Buddhist hall, thinking he might as well wait for morning prayers.

Meow~

A cat’s cry caught his attention. He looked up to see a sleek white cat on the wall, looking at him curiously.

“Kitty, come here. Let me pet you.”

The cat seemed to understand. It jumped down and sashayed toward him. It circled his legs, its tail teasing him until he couldn’t resist reaching out. Unexpectedly, the cat swiped at him.

Jiang Xingyuan looked at the fresh scratches on his hand. It stung like fire. He was furious.

“You vicious cat! You’ve got some nerve scratching me!” He rolled up his sleeves. “Nobody bullies me and gets away with it!”

Soon, a chaotic chase ensued. Jiang Xingyuan eventually pinned the cat to the ground. Suddenly, a cold voice came from above.

“What are you doing?”

Jiang Xingyuan looked up into a pair of calm, deep eyes. He froze, looking at the mess he’d made of the garden.

Oh crap.

He stuttered for a moment before muttering, “Just… catching a cat.”

“You’re not sleeping, but catching cats in the Buddhist hall?” Xie Junqing looked down at the disheveled youth, noting the five red scratches on his pale skin. “Follow me.”

Jiang Xingyuan gave a small “okay,” tossed the cat aside, and followed obediently. Knowing he was in trouble, he walked quietly behind Xie Junqing.

He was led to a refined courtyard. There were no chairs, only cushions on the wooden floor.

“Sit.”

Jiang Xingyuan sat down. He peeked around at the decor, elegant, steady, and grand. There was a zither on one side and an unfinished game of Go.

Suddenly, a meow came from behind. The white cat had followed them and was now parading in front of him, tail swishing arrogantly.

Jiang Xingyuan seethed. If not for this cat, he wouldn’t be in this mess.

“Xue Fu, we have a guest. Stop misbehaving and go play.”

The cat actually listened and ran off.

“Is that yours?” Jiang Xingyuan asked.

Xie Junqing didn’t deny it. He handed over a jar of ointment. “Apply this.”

“For me?” Jiang Xingyuan took it, flattered. It smelled of rich herbs. A high-quality medicine, truly fitting for the Xie family. He happily applied a tiny bit, thinking it would be a waste to use too much.

“What happened here?”

Jiang Xingyuan felt a chill on his neck as a finger touched him. He flinched like a startled cat. “Ninth Uncle! If you’re going to touch me, give me a heads-up. You scared me.”

He rubbed the skin where he’d been touched. The bandage he’d wrapped around his neck earlier had fallen off.

“My apologies,” Xie Junqing said, but his gaze was drawn to the boy.

Jiang Xingyuan was sitting cross-legged, his delicate jaw tilted up, revealing a ring of dark purple bruises against his white skin. It looked horrifying yet, under the moonlight, it gave him a fragile, ethereal beauty.

“Hah, it was your nephew! He choked me!” Jiang Xingyuan complained immediately, snitching on Xie Chao.

He didn’t get a response. He looked up to find the man standing still. Thinking Xie Junqing didn’t believe him, he pouted.

“Look here, and here. Xie Chao did this. He really tried to kill me. You have to discipline him.” He pulled his collar wider and lifted his shirt, revealing his back covered in bruises.

Xie Junqing saw a flash of dazzling white skin marked with bruises that looked like artistic tattoos, thorns blooming on silk. But before he could look closer, the “scenery” was covered up.

Wailing sounds followed. Jiang Xingyuan feigned crying. “If you don’t stop him, he’s going to beat me to death.” It was all noise and no tears.

“Stop crying.” A handkerchief appeared before him.

Jiang Xingyuan took it, wiped his dry eyes, and said piteously, “Ninth Uncle, you’re the only one who’s good to me. You’re handsome and kind. What will I do without your protection?”

He never missed a chance to suck up to Xie Junqing.

Xie Junqing saw through the act. “Stop talking nonsense and apply the medicine.” However, a faint, almost invisible smile touched his eyes. “Don’t worry, there is plenty of medicine.”

Hearing this, Jiang Xingyuan became bolder. He applied it everywhere he could reach, but the bruises on his back were difficult. He pulled his shirt down to his elbows and leaned over. “Ninth Uncle, help me with this part.”

Xie Junqing looked at the boy sitting there, exposing his vulnerable neck in total trust. His back was like fine parchment under the moonlight. Xie Junqing had never touched “paper” so warm and smooth.

Simultaneously, a familiar pain surged through his own body. Xie Junqing turned pale but didn’t pull away. His cool fingertips, coated in ointment, pressed into the purple bruises as if painting a masterpiece.

“Hiss~ it hurts!”

The man didn’t stop. Does it hurt? He was in pain too, a pain that seeped into his marrow. But right now, it seemed a little more bearable.

Jiang Xingyuan, oblivious, curled into a ball from the stinging sensation. “Ow, ow, ow! Ninth Uncle, be gentle!”

Being so close, Xie Junqing caught the lingering scent of alcohol. “You’ve been drinking.”

Jiang Xingyuan had gotten used to the rubbing; it actually started to feel good. He even curled his toes in comfort. “Just a tiny bit. It was all to please your nephew. You know they don’t like me, only you’re different.”

Xie Junqing’s hand stopped. The warmth in his eyes vanished instantly.

Jiang Xingyuan kept rambling. “Honestly, Xie Huai is so hard to serve. Are all people named Xie so moody?”

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his back. Jiang Xingyuan yelped and jumped up. When he turned around, the room was empty.

Jiang Xingyuan blinked, bewildered. “What happened? It was going so well… Ninth Uncle? Where’d he go?”