After My Engagement Was Broken, I Married My Fiancé's Uncle - Chapter 19

Jiang Xingyuan returned to the Xie family’s old ancestral home carrying a fruit basket. He happened to run into Xie Chao, who was getting off a helicopter nearby.

The two crossed paths. Since their failed negotiation, Xie Chao’s attitude had instantly reverted to its previous state. Seeing the fruit basket in Jiang Xingyuan’s hand, Xie Chao froze for a moment. Although he was curious, he didn’t intend to ask, he pretended not to see him and walked away. After all, Jiang Xingyuan’s logic was different from everyone else’s.

Jiang Xingyuan thought Xie Chao had some kind of problem for pretending not to see him. It wasn’t like he was the one begging for reconciliation, now that the talk had failed, Xie Chao was being all awkward and twisted. Whatever. He wouldn’t lower himself to the level of someone as fickle as Xie Chao. Besides, he still hadn’t settled the score for the injury on his neck!

Zhao Lou watched Jiang Xingyuan head straight for the Buddhist hall with his schoolbag and fruit basket instead of returning to his own courtyard, his expression showing a hint of surprise.

Jiang Xingyuan coughed lightly and explained, “There are some things in the scriptures I don’t quite understand. Besides, I’ve been bothering Ninth Uncle so much lately, I feel a bit embarrassed.”

Hearing this, Zhao Lou smiled. “I thought you had already heard the news and brought that for the Third Young Master.”

Jiang Xingyuan was surprised. “Ah? What happened to him?”

“Third Young Master was unwell today and has been hospitalized.”

Hospitalized?

Jiang Xingyuan looked at the fruit basket in his hand. Pity there was only one, and since he had already made his excuse, he couldn’t very well turn around and give it to Xie Huai. “Then I’ll have to find time to visit him tomorrow. It’s too late now. Where is he staying? What’s the illness? Is it serious?”

“Third Young Master is at the Xie family’s private hospital. I will arrange your schedule for the visit tomorrow. As for the specific illness, I’m not sure yet. You’ll probably have to ask once you arrive.”

“Xiao Lou, you’ve arranged it well. It’s a deal then.”

Zhao Lou added thoughtfully, “Shall I prepare a gift for you, or do you plan to prepare one yourself?”

“I’ll have to trouble you to prepare it,” Jiang Xingyuan said quickly. He wasn’t stupid, if he prepared it, he’d use his own money, if Zhao Lou prepared it, it would be on the Xie family’s tab. He just needed to show up. He waved to Zhao Lou with a smile and headed happily toward the Buddhist hall.

When he arrived, he found the doors closed. He knocked a few times, but there was no response. He found it strange. Is Xie Junqing not in the hall?

Then, he remembered the courtyard Xie Junqing had taken him to the night before. He climbed over the wall into the hall and, following his memory, made his way to the front of the courtyard.

Jingya Hall.

This must be where Xie Jiu lived! He poked his head in and looked around. “Ninth Uncle, are you there?”

“Young Master Jiang, Ninth Master is already inside waiting for you.” A voice suddenly came from behind, giving Jiang Xingyuan a fright. He turned to see a face with a fake-looking smile.

Patting his chest and gasping for air, he said, “Do you walk without making a sound? You scared me!”

“My apologies, Young Master Jiang. I will make sure to alert you next time,” Su Quan said with a smile, gesturing for Jiang Xingyuan to enter. “Let me carry that basket for you.”

“Forget it, I’ll do it. I plan to give it to Ninth Uncle personally,” Jiang Xingyuan declined. He wasn’t about to give up a clear opportunity to curry favor. “By the way, is Ninth Uncle feeling alright?”

Su Quan looked confused. “Ninth Master is in good health. May I ask why you are inquiring?”

Jiang Xingyuan’s eyes darted around. “Nothing, I just thought I heard him sneeze last night. Can’t I be concerned about his health?”

“Of course you can.” Su Quan’s expression remained unchanged as he led Jiang Xingyuan into the courtyard.

Just as they were about to enter, they encountered a man walking out of the room. The man looked ordinary, appearing to be in his forties, lean but not fat, with slightly greying temples and shrewd, upward-slanting eyes. He looked like a businessman. However, his left foot had a slight limp, and the skin on his index finger and thumb web was heavily calloused. Though his hands were washed, a black line was still visible under his fingernails and cuticles.

The man only glanced at them before lowering his head and hurrying away. As they brushed past, Jiang Xingyuan’s nose caught a familiar, pungent scent, the smell of machine oil! He immediately made a preliminary judgment: Is this guy a mechanic? He doesn’t look like a good person.

“We’re here,” Su Quan said suddenly.

Jiang Xingyuan snapped out of his thoughts and realized he was in the same room as yesterday. It seemed to be a tea room, filled with various tea sets. He looked up and saw Xie Junqing sitting at the table.

Today, Xie Junqing wore a black silk shirt with the sleeves rolled up. The sharp contrast between the black fabric and his white skin made him look even colder. His long fingers held a white Go piece poised to strike. Sensing Jiang Xingyuan’s arrival, he lifted his narrow eyes, and a faint smile appeared, like an iceberg melting instantly.

“Ninth Uncle.”

“You’re here. Have a seat.” Xie Junqing gestured to the seat across from him.

Jiang Xingyuan glanced at the Go board and set his fruit basket and bag aside, looking embarrassed. “Ninth Uncle, sorry, I might ruin your fun. I don’t know how to play Go.”

Xie Junqing seemed to be in a good mood. “It’s alright. Just sitting here with me is the same.”

Jiang Xingyuan gave a sigh of relief and immediately started flattery. “As expected of Ninth Uncle! You’re proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, you’re too excellent! Whoever marries you in the future will be driven crazy with joy!”

Xie Junqing said nothing, but his gaze toward Jiang Xingyuan turned meaningful. Jiang Xingyuan’s eyes darted around. Did I say something wrong?

“What is this?”

Seeing Xie Junqing finally notice the fruit basket, Jiang Xingyuan perked up. “A gift for you! You’ve worked so hard teaching me these past few days. The weather has been dry lately, so you should eat more fruit and get some vitamins. It’s good for your health.”

Xie Junqing looked at the basket and curled his lips into a smile. “You are very thoughtful.”

“It’s nothing, really!” Jiang Xingyuan waved it off.

Then, the atmosphere went quiet. It was a bit awkward. He thought back to Xie Junqing’s behavior the night before, he was like a different person now. He wondered if he should ask about it. Xie Junqing seemed normal enough for now.

“Um… how is Ninth Uncle’s health today?” Jiang Xingyuan finally asked.

Xie Junqing placed a black piece on the board, his eyes scanning it calmly. “Much better.”

“Is your illness serious?”

“Are you very concerned about me?” Xie Junqing asked.

“Of course! You’re so good to me.” Jiang Xingyuan immediately offered another compliment and leaned closer. “Ninth Uncle, do you want to eat? I’ll peel an apple for you. I picked the biggest ones in the shop. You can’t just look at the size, you have to look at the shape. See how round the bottom is? It’s definitely juicy. One bite will be sweet to your heart.”

He said this, but he didn’t actually think Xie Junqing would let him peel it. Xie Jiu didn’t look like the type to have cravings, he wasn’t like Jiang Xingyuan, who would pick wild berries by the road just to taste them.

As Jiang Xingyuan suddenly leaned in, a faint, almost imperceptible scent of tea caused Xie Junqing’s fingers to pause for a second. He kept his eyes down, seemingly focused on the board. He didn’t even need to look up to know that the boy’s beautiful eyes were staring at him without blinking.

“Ninth Uncle?”

Xie Junqing looked up. “Since you’ve invited me so warmly, I will have a taste.”

“Ah?” Jiang Xingyuan’s eyes widened. This wasn’t what he expected!

“What, you’re unwilling?”

“No, no! I’m very willing!” Jiang Xingyuan said hurriedly, scrambling to pull a large, red, festive looking apple from the basket. “Ninth Uncle, I don’t have a knife. Should I just wash it and you can… bite it?”

Before he could finish, a black dagger appeared before him. It glinted with a cold, intimidating light. Even without touching it, he knew it was a high-quality blade. Using such a fine dagger to peel an apple seemed like overkill. However, Jiang Xingyuan said nothing and took it.

Seeing him comply, Xie Junqing’s eyes showed a hint of a smile. “I prefer it peeled.”

“I think it tastes better peeled too, but do you know why I usually eat it with the skin?” Jiang Xingyuan began slowly peeling the apple.

Xie Junqing placed a piece and cooperated. “Why?”

“Because no one peels them for me. When I eat alone, I find peeling troublesome. It all goes into the stomach anyway, it’s all from the same fruit. You can’t despise the skin just because it doesn’t taste as good.”

Xie Junqing chuckled. “Then should I feel honored?”

“Of course!” Jiang Xingyuan finished peeling in no time, his brows lifting in a proud little expression. If his hands hadn’t been full, he’d have put them on his hips. He even thoughtfully found a plate and cut the apple into small pieces. “Here, try it. Is it sweet? If it’s not, I’ll go back and give the shopkeeper trouble!”

Xie Junqing took a piece. Almost instantly, the sweet juice spread through his mouth.

“How is it?” Jiang Xingyuan asked.

He looked up to meet the boy’s expectant gaze and said with a smile, “Not bad.”

“What do you mean ‘not bad’! Is it sweet or not?” Jiang Xingyuan raised an eyebrow. He worked hard to peel it, only to be dismissed with a “not bad.” He wasn’t that easy to fool! “Ninth Uncle, you can’t be like that!”

The boy’s clear voice rose slightly, trailing off with a long tone that added life to the quiet tea room.

“It’s sweet,” Xie Junqing said with a smile, then stopped eating. “You eat the rest.”

“You’re not eating more?” Jiang Xingyuan stared, seemingly accusing him of waste.

“It’s too sweet for me.” He didn’t usually like sweets, but he had eaten a bit more than usual because of Jiang Xingyuan’s expectations. “I’ll have to trouble you to pour me a cup of tea.”

Jiang Xingyuan finished the remaining fruit in two bites. The fruit flavor was rich, he wondered if something was wrong with Xie Junqing’s taste buds. He didn’t think it was that sweet. Hearing the request, he quickly stood up, poured a cup of tea, and handed it over.