After My Engagement Was Broken, I Married My Fiancé's Uncle - Chapter 8

As soon as Jiang Xingyuan was brought out, he saw Jiang Hongyuan and Xie Rong’an waiting at the entrance from a distance. Standing beside them was a refined, noble looking youth.

He recognized the youth instantly as the Omega he was betrothed to, Xie Huai.

The moment Xie Huai saw Jiang Xingyuan, the tension in his heart vanished. This Alpha, Jiang Xingyuan, was exactly as his investigation had described, he looked like a total idiot.

In that first exchange of glances, Jiang Xingyuan keenly sensed Xie Huai’s unwelcoming vibe. Beneath those cold eyes lay a trace of subtle, unmistakable disgust.

Jiang Xingyuan’s brow furrowed. He was genuinely puzzled.

Failed already on the first meeting?

Setting everything else aside, he was at least very confident in his face. However, he had forgotten what he currently looked like, his clothes were torn to shreds, and his face was smeared with nosebleed. He looked like a complete, filthy mess.

“Ahem…”

Jiang Xingyuan suddenly heard a cough and snapped his gaze toward his “cheap” father.

What now? Got a hairball stuck in your throat?

It was rare to see Jiang Hongyuan, a man obsessed with propriety, doing something so unrefined in public. A second later, he saw Jiang Hongyuan shoot him a fierce glare.

Jiang Xingyuan’s eyes narrowed as realization dawned on him.

Ah, so his eyes are uncomfortable too. Must be a stye. But what does that have to do with me?

Jiang Hongyuan was likely signaling his displeasure over the commotion just now, or perhaps he simply found his son embarrassing. Jiang Xingyuan snorted inwardly. Why should I care? I’m not the one feeling embarrassed.

If Jiang Hongyuan found him so shameful, he might as well take him back. Jiang Xingyuan didn’t want to live at the Xie house anyway, especially with someone like Xie Chao waiting there. He could already foresee a chaotic life ahead.

Jiang Hongyuan, seeing his signals ignored, felt that Jiang Xingyuan was incredibly stupid. He even began to doubt if the boy was truly his own.

He just met the Third Young Master Xie and he’s already staring him down like his eyes are about to fall out. At first, he acted like he didn’t want to come, and now he’s making a fool of himself. If Xie Rong’an weren’t here, I wouldn’t even bother with him.

“Xingyuan! What happened? Why are you just standing there dazed!”

A second later, Jiang Xingyuan was yanked forward by Jiang Hongyuan. He hadn’t realized that his momentary distraction had been completely misinterpreted by everyone.

Being stared at intensely for several minutes, Xie Huai’s patience wore thin. He ignored Jiang Xingyuan entirely and spoke in a frigid tone: “Father, I am tired. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave.”

Xie Rong’an waved off a servant who had finished reporting the incident and turned to Xie Huai. “Since you are tired, go back and rest.”

Xie Huai left without a single glance at Jiang Xingyuan, maintaining a posture of utter arrogance.

Having learned the details of the incident from the servant, Xie Rong’an looked at the grimy Jiang Xingyuan with a flicker in his eyes. He hadn’t expected this kid to provoke the Fourth Branch on his very first day. He had managed to humiliate the usually arrogant Xie Chao and more importantly, he had caught the attention of “Old Ninth.”

Xie Rong’an was suddenly amused. It seemed Jiang Xingyuan was more useful than he thought. With such a talent for causing trouble, he had to keep him around. The boy seemed simple minded and naive, with a little manipulation, he could be a valuable tool later on.

Xie Rong’an stepped forward, his attitude becoming significantly warmer as he draped an arm over Jiang Xingyuan’s shoulder. “Xingyuan, are you hurt? Should I call a doctor to check on you?”

Jiang Xingyuan’s shoulder tensed. He felt an unfamiliar presence closing in, and hearing Xie Rong’an’s overly affectionate tone made goosebumps erupt under his shirt. His dark eyes darted left and right.

This feeling… it’s exactly like when my cheap dad tricked me into agreeing to his brother’s surgery. Something feels off.

With an awkward smile, he quietly shrugged the hand off his shoulder.

“Haha… no need, no need. It’s just a few scratches.”

Suddenly, a palm smacked the back of Jiang Xingyuan’s head. Jiang Hongyuan barked, “Quickly, thank your Uncle Xie!”

Seeing that Xie Rong’an wasn’t offended, Jiang Hongyuan asked about the injuries. “You brat, you do nothing but cause trouble. How did you get these wounds?”

Jiang Xingyuan scratched his head sheepishly, eyes shifting away. “I just… accidentally ran into a tree.”

Jiang Hongyuan scrutinized him for a moment before saying in exasperation, “Only you could manage something like that. You’re an embarrassment to me.”

Jiang Hongyuan raised his hand as if to strike, but before he could, Jiang Xingyuan naturally ducked behind Xie Rong’an.

Xie Rong’an immediately intervened. “Now, now, Old Jiang. You are a man of culture, why resort to hitting the child?”

“I hit him because he’s a failure! You have no idea, Third Master, the trouble this boy has caused since I brought him back. My hair is turning white from the stress.”

Jiang Hongyuan sighed. “If only he had half the manners and intelligence of Young Master Xie Huai, I could rest easy. The Xie family is a prestigious clan. I just hope that during his stay here, he can learn something and stop acting like a pig headed fool.”

Xie Rong’an countered smoothly, “Xingyuan looks quite bright to me, not at all as you describe.”

Jiang Hongyuan seized the opportunity. “My only worry now is that the Third Young Master won’t take a liking to Xingyuan. What then?”

“Let’s not rush. Let the children get to know each other first,” Xie Rong’an replied. “You saw it yourself. Xie Huai is cold even toward me. He is the only Omega under my name, so his personality is naturally spoiled. I’m just afraid Xingyuan won’t be able to handle his temper…”

Seeing that the other man wouldn’t commit, Jiang Hongyuan shifted his tone. “Well… you’re right. We shouldn’t interfere too much in the children’s affairs, especially emotional ones. I’ll leave Xingyuan in your care for now.”

“Don’t mention it. Rest assured, while Xingyuan is at the Xie house, I will treat him as my own son.”

“With those words from you, Third Master, I am at peace.”

Standing to the side, Jiang Xingyuan listened indifferently as the two men decided his future in a few sentences. His face remained expressionless. He was used to it, he had never had the right to choose his own life path.

He had already survived a much harder existence once before. Besides, now he had food and shelter. Sometimes all he had to do was play the fool, eat his fill, and enjoy the things he could never have obtained in his past life.

As Jiang Hongyuan prepared to leave, he unexpectedly gave Jiang Xingyuan a hug.

Jiang Xingyuan’s body stiffened for a split second before instantly relaxing. Jiang Hongyuan didn’t notice the change, assuming the initial reaction was just a figment of his imagination.

“Alright, Xingyuan. Behave yourself at the Xie house. Call home if anything happens, and don’t forget what you promised me,” Jiang Hongyuan said meaningfully.

This time, Jiang Xingyuan didn’t play dumb. He nodded knowingly. “Don’t worry, I’ll complete the mission.”

Seeing the boy’s confident look, a smile finally touched Jiang Hongyuan’s face. “Good. Then I am relieved.”

Just as Jiang Hongyuan turned to leave, Jiang Xingyuan called out.

“Wait.”

“What else do you have to say…”

Jiang Hongyuan turned back with a hint of impatience. He looked at the youth standing there, straight as a poplar tree, hair swaying in the wind. Despite the blood on his face, his dark eyes seemed like a vortex, capable of drawing people in.

He suddenly felt that this son of his might not be as stupid as he thought.

However, that thought vanished instantly with the next sentence.

“Dad, I’m out of money. Give me some cash.”

Jiang Xingyuan held out his hand, face blank and perfectly entitled.

Jiang Hongyuan’s brow furrowed. “Money! Money! Money! Is your brain stuck in a coin slot? All you do is ask for money! I just gave you some a few days ago! Where is it?”

“Spent it,” Jiang Xingyuan said nonchalantly, looking at the sky like a spoiled socialite. “That guy Huang Hao invited me to a meal that cost more than five million. What I had wasn’t enough for anything. I don’t think the Huangs are that great, they’re nothing compared to us but they have one advantage, they’re willing to invest in their kids. Not that it matters for a fool like Huang Hao, but unlike him… I’ve started helping the family business early…”

Once Jiang Xingyuan started talking, he didn’t stop. The rambling gave Jiang Hongyuan a headache, and he waved his hand dismissively.

“Fine, stop talking. I get it. It’s the same card as before, right? I’ll have my secretary transfer some to you later.”

He mainly agreed because they were still on Xie territory, he couldn’t afford the embarrassment.

Seeing his father agree so readily, Jiang Xingyuan beamed with joy, looking like he wanted to jump for joy or even kiss his “sugar daddy” father. But he kept those thoughts to himself, knowing how much Jiang Hongyuan loathed him. A few air kisses would probably send the man into a fit.

Before long, Jiang Xingyuan received a notification. He happily counted the digits of the balance on his card.

Seven figures. Not a bad haul for today.

With practiced ease, he immediately transferred the money to a different, private account.