After My Engagement Was Broken, I Married My Fiancé's Uncle - Chapter 18.1

Jiang Yi froze with the water glass in his hand. He looked up to see Xie Huai. He rubbed his temples. “Why am I here?”

“Cousin, you were drunk last night.”

Jiang Yi looked at Xie Huai, frowning. “Did you bring me back?”

“No, it was Jiang Xingyuan.”

Xie Huai said this because he could feel Jiang Yi’s current distance toward him.

“Jiang Xingyuan…” Hearing the name, Jiang Yi’s mind flashed back to the youth holding a wine bottle, pouring glass after glass for him last night. If Jiang Xingyuan hadn’t caused trouble, he wouldn’t have drunk so much. A spark of irritation rose in his heart.

“Where is he?”

“He should be at school. Cousin, why are you looking for him?”

Only then did Jiang Yi remember that Jiang Xingyuan was still a high school student. He took a deep breath. “It’s nothing. Is your father in?”

Xie Huai immediately beamed. “Father is in the study. Do you want to go see him?”

Jiang Yi nodded. Just then, a servant knocked on the door. “Young Master, the Third Master wishes to see you.”

Jiang Yi agreed. Thinking about Xie Huai’s marriage, he couldn’t help but frown, he had intended to talk to Xie Rongan anyway.

Xie Huai followed closely by Jiang Yi’s side, a smile on his face and a lingering look in his eyes. He seemed to be in a great mood. “Cousin, now that you’re back, just stay at home for a few more days. We haven’t seen each other in so long.”

Xie Huai spoke carefully, looking at the tall, gentle Alpha beside him with anticipation. “Cousin, I beg you, play with me for a few more days.” His voice softened.

Jiang Yi lowered his eyes, pretending not to see the hope and affection in Xie Huai’s gaze. “I’m not sure. I might have company meetings these next few days. If I have time, I’ll definitely accompany you.”

Xie Huai’s face fell instantly. “Cousin, I don’t want to marry an Alpha like Jiang Xingyuan.”

“Ah Huai, if you don’t like Jiang Xingyuan, I will tell your father. I can’t make the decision for you. You’ve grown up now; we can’t spend every day playing together like we used to.”

Xie Huai gave a bitter laugh. “I never thought about defying my father. I just wanted to spend some more time with you before I get married. Is even that small wish too much? Do you have to shut me out?”

“It’s I who have made things difficult for you.”

“Ah Huai, I never meant that.” Jiang Yi’s heart softened as he saw the tears in Xie Huai’s eyes.

Xie Huai asked with a sob, “Then why don’t you like…”

“Ah Huai, you will always be my cousin.” Jiang Yi interrupted him sharply, as if afraid Xie Huai would voice that unspeakable emotion.

Xie Huai was stunned. He stared at the Alpha, and the tears began to fall uncontrollably. In that moment, he understood: it wasn’t that his cousin didn’t know his feelings; he was simply pretending not to know.

Jiang Yi watched with a complicated expression. He sighed and reached out gently to wipe away Xie Huai’s tears. “Ah Huai, it’s my fault.”

Xie Huai snapped back to reality. He looked directly at the Alpha, his mind suddenly clearing as he recalled the events of the previous night. If his cousin really didn’t have a shred of affection for him, why did he let him get close again and again? Why didn’t he answer Jiang Xingyuan’s question last night?

Is the person his cousin likes in that private room?

If he didn’t have a guilty conscience, why didn’t he just answer? Xie Huai wasn’t a fool. He saw the problem that everyone else saw. He had just been holding onto a sliver of hope.

“Cousin, swear to me… that you’ve truly never felt even a bit of…” heartbeat for me? Xie Huai pressed.

Jiang Yi didn’t expect Xie Huai to be so bold as to say such a thing here. He instinctively covered Xie Huai’s mouth, his gaze heavy. “Are you crazy?”

What kind of place is this? You can’t just say whatever you want.

With his mouth covered, Xie Huai saw the tension in the Alpha’s eyes, and his heart skipped a beat. So, it wasn’t just him… but why…?

“Ah Huai, listen to me. This ends here…”

But before Jiang Yi could finish, a rich scent of Iris pheromones washed over him. He froze, eyes widening as he looked at the Omega. His breathing became rapid.

“Xie Huai, you…”

He let go of him abruptly, his fingertips trembling. He didn’t dare touch Xie Huai another inch. Under the influence of the Omega’s pheromones, his own were on the verge of leaking out uncontrollably.

Without the Alpha’s support, Xie Huai slumped weakly against the wall. His first adult heat had arrived. He had felt a slight fever for the past few days and had been prepared. He had originally wanted to use this to force his cousin’s hand, but he hadn’t expected it to happen so suddenly, at the wrong time and place.

But he didn’t care anymore. He looked at the only Alpha before him, forced himself up, and stumbled toward him, crying out, “Cousin… give me a temporary mark.”

Jiang Yi’s eyes were bloodshot and he was incredibly restless. Holding the Omega in his arms, feeling the other’s desire, the sweet pheromones wrapping around him… he almost lost control and marked him right then and there! His gaze darkened.

“Cousin… it hurts so much, hurry and mark me, Jiang Yi!”

But that shout, his name…. snapped Jiang Yi back to reality. He looked at the Omega in his arms, his body stiffened, and then he pushed him away without mercy.

“Jiang Yi…”

“Shut up!” Jiang Yi roared.

He ran to an open space to breathe the fresh air. He had almost made a terrible mistake. He immediately made a call to have the staff at the mansion handle it. Xie Huai didn’t say another word, slumped on the ground and whimpering in pain.

The Xie household was efficient. Within minutes of the call, people arrived and injected Xie Huai with a suppressant. He passed out shortly after.

Xie Rong’an arrived soon after receiving the news. His gaze swept over the unconscious Xie Huai before landing on Jiang Yi. Smelling the Iris pheromones on Jiang Yi, his face turned black. “Yi, follow me to the study.”

Jiang Yi frowned and followed silently. Once the door was closed, Xie Rong’an turned and delivered a crisp slap to Jiang Yi’s face, leaving a vivid mark and a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth.

“You bastard!” Xie Rong’an’s face was green with rage. “What did you promise me? Have you forgotten?”

Jiang Yi touched his burning cheek and looked up, his eyes an eerie, bloodshot red. He licked the blood from his lip and let out a cold laugh. “Uncle, you really misunderstand me. I’ve only ever seen A-Huai as a brother.”

“You don’t have to play that game with me,” Xie Rongan said. “I’m telling you again: if you dare touch Xie Huai, I will dig up Jiang Hong’s grave.”

Jiang Yi’s body stiffened. His fists were clenched beneath his sleeves, but he forced down his anger and put on a gentle smile. “Uncle, I truly love A-Huai as a younger brother. I’ve been trying my best to keep my distance, this was just an accident.”

He still looked refined and polite, but with his swollen face and lowered eyes, that smile looked incredibly eerie and fractured. Xie Rong’an narrowed his eyes, studying the Alpha for a long time. Finally, he sighed. “I hope it was just an accident. For your own sake.”

Xie Rong’an then left the study. Jiang Yi stood there, watching him go, his eyes filled with a surging, murderous hatred.

Jiang Xingyuan was sleeping soundly at his desk when he felt something was wrong. The noisy classroom had suddenly gone silent. He slowly lifted his head and struggled to open his eyes to see who was disturbing his dream.

He looked up to see Xie Chao’s expressionless face, and beside him, a yellow-haired guy who had been beaten into a pulp. Who is this guy?

“Brother Jiang… please, save me!”

Jiang Xingyuan looked suspicious. Only then did he recognize the “pig head” as Huang Hao. No wonder he looked familiar! But why were these people looking for him?

“What?” he asked Xie Chao irritably. “It’s immoral to wake someone from their sleep for no reason.”

Xie Chao acted as if he’d heard a joke. “Morality? Do you, Jiang Xingyuan, even have such a thing?”

“I don’t, but do you?” Jiang Xingyuan curled his lip. “As if you’re so righteous. It’s the pot calling the kettle black.”

“You!” Xie Chao had never met someone more shameless. “Listen, if you want to save your ‘brother’ here…”

“Whoa, wait!” Jiang Xingyuan was wide awake now. “What ‘brother’?” He stared at Xie Chao. “I’ve only met him a few times, we’re just classmates. Don’t go spreading rumors.”

Huang Hao’s eyes widened in disbelief. He looked at Jiang Xingyuan pleadingly. “Please, Brother Jiang, I just helped you out yesterday. You can’t just turn your back on me.”

Jiang Xingyuan was stunned. “Hey, are you two in this together? Is this some kind of badger game? I’m telling you, I’ve seen this before, you can’t fool me!” He turned to Xie Chao. “I know you have a problem with me, but don’t do this. We can talk things out. If you suddenly want to be my brother, that’s fine too.” He gave an incredibly shameless smile.

Xie Chao, looking at Jiang Xingyuan’s brazen face, was much calmer than before. He said darkly, “Let’s talk outside.”

Jiang Xingyuan agreed, but the students of Class 18 didn’t.

“Where are you taking Xingyuan?” “Xingyuan, don’t go! They’re tricking you, they’re not good people.” “Xingyuan, stay! The class monitor has already gone to get the director.”

Xie Chao listened to these comments and looked at Jiang Xingyuan in disbelief. Not good people? If they weren’t good people, was Jiang Xingyuan a saint?

Jiang Xingyuan shrugged at Xie Chao. “See? I’m willing to cooperate, but my classmates won’t have it. The masses have sharp eyes, they can see who’s good and who’s bad at a glance.”

Xie Chao felt like this was absurd! He didn’t know how Jiang Xingyuan could say that with a straight face.

“Xingyuan, the director is here!”

At the door stood a slightly chubby, middle-aged man with glasses. Director Chen’s forehead broke into a cold sweat when he saw who was causing trouble. This was going to be difficult, why did the students of Class 18 have to provoke this “demon lord”?

“Is this student Xie?”

Xie Chao nodded slightly, not even bothering to look up.

“Hello, Director! I’m the new transfer student in Class 18, Jiang Xingyuan. You can just call me Xiao Jiang.” Jiang Xingyuan stepped forward warmly to shake the director’s hand, his smile kind and friendly.

Director Chen instinctively shook back. “Xiao Jiang, I…” But he quickly realized what was happening, pulled his hand away, and gave an awkward smile. This student was young, but certainly worldly.

“What seems to be the problem?”

“It’s just a small matter, Director. We had a little misunderstanding and need a safe place to clear it up.”

“Oh, is that so?” Director Chen sighed in relief. He had been worried they were going to fight. “If it can be resolved peacefully, that’s for the best.”

Xie Chao stood by with his fists clenched, trying to control his impulse to punch Jiang Xingyuan. It’s just a few words, does it have to be this complicated?

“There’s no need for that,” Xie Chao said expressionlessly. In the next second, he put his arm around Jiang Xingyuan’s shoulder. In front of everyone, he announced, “From now on, Jiang Xingyuan and I are best friends.”

The whole class fell silent. He looked at their surprised faces with satisfaction. If it’s just acting, who can’t do it? “Why aren’t you guys clapping?”

As soon as he finished, scattered applause broke out.

Jiang Xingyuan raised an eyebrow. He returned the gesture by putting his arm around Xie Chao’s shoulder, feeling the other’s body stiffen for a second. He smirked. “Since you put it that way, I’ll definitely treat you as a ‘best friend’ too.” He looked at Xie Chao teasingly.

Xie Chao’s veins throbbed in his forehead. He was going to kill this bastard sooner or later.

So, the two of them walked out of the classroom arm in arm. Under everyone’s gaze, Xie Chao walked stiffly, forcing a smile. “As long as you’re willing to transfer schools and leave the Xie family, you can have whatever you want.”

Jiang Xingyuan was impressed. Is Xie Chao already tired of me? “If I don’t agree, are you going to slap me with a check?”

Xie Chao didn’t understand the first part, but he understood “check.” “How much do you want?”

Jiang Xingyuan’s eyes lit up. “How much do you have?”

Xie Chao looked at those sparkling eyes. What does he mean, ‘how much do I have’? Does he want everything? He’s more ruthless than a capitalist!

Xie Chao quickly changed the subject. “I can help you get rid of that adopted son who took over your home and help you get the Jiang family inheritance.”

“Xie Chao, do you think I’m stupid? Give up a wife and a wealthy father-in-law just for Jiang Xingran? The Jiang family just sells minerals, why would I give up a good life to go dig coal in a factory? I’m not crazy!” Jiang Xingyuan shook off Xie Chao’s hand. Talking to this guy was pointless. “And if I can’t find a wife later, are you going to take responsibility?”

Xie Chao gritted his teeth. Wasn’t it said that Jiang Xingyuan was greedy? But he couldn’t refute those points. Where would he find a spouse for Jiang Xingyuan who was better than Xie Huai?

Jiang Xingyuan was speechless. He liked money, but he wasn’t an idiot! He checked the time, school was almost over. He had to go see Xie the Ninth soon. Thinking about the blood he’d seen on the man’s back that morning, he felt a strange sense of unease.

He wondered… Should I buy a fruit basket as a gesture?

Top Attacker Preview: After Transmigrating into an Old School Dog Blood Novel, I Blew Everyone Away

Chen Ji transmigrated into a weak, “holy mother” character in an old school novel. He was so malnourished and thin that a gust of wind could knock him over. The original plot was a typical “marriage first, love later” story full of angst. The scummy husband hated him and never touched him after marriage, keeping steady lovers on the side. The husband cheated and committed domestic abuse, but the book still called him a “good man,” and the protagonist eventually fell deeply in love with him through all the abuse.

As a rich second generation heir himself, Chen Ji couldn’t stand it. He was usually the one bullying others! To hell with marriage first, to hell with the angst, and to hell with the weak protagonist! He decided to blow everyone away.

Facing his terrible family, Chen Ji slammed a knife onto the table: “I have no money, only my life, though not the one you’re taking.”

Hearing lectures on “wifely virtues,” he sneered. Who’s staying faithful to a scummy husband? He started online dating all sorts of “puppy” types, eight at once and accidentally hooked up with the scummy husband’s tall and handsome uncle.

The husband looked back to find his obedient “little wife” had given him countless green hats. He was fuming and ready to lock him in a dark room. But he was shocked to find his little wife had suddenly grown taller and stronger than him, instead of domestic abuse, he was the one getting beaten.

“Husband, is your body too weak?”

The husband was humiliated and demanded a divorce. Chen Ji wouldn’t agree: “You were the one who wanted to marry, and now you want a divorce? Don’t think you can get rid of me so easily!”

At this point, the husband’s uncle stepped in: “Stop the noise. Listen to me. Yichen, you were wrong in this, you cheated first, so it’s natural for Ah Ji to be resentful. But you should just get a divorce.”

Husband: At least Uncle is on my side.

“And Ah Ji, if you agree to the divorce, I’ll pay whatever amount you want.”

“Uncle, don’t spoil him!”

In the next second, the powerful uncle spoke gently to the little wife: “If you don’t divorce soon, what about me? You promised to give me a formal status.”

The husband was dumbfounded. Chen Ji frowned: “That won’t do. Isn’t yours mine anyway? I’d still be losing out!”