After The Beautiful Drama Queen’s Marriage To The Wealthy Tycoon - Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Husband Backs Him Up

After being busy for nearly a week, Jiang He finally managed to slow down, though the exhaustion had left him somewhat listless. Midway through the week, he returned to the Jiang family home and stayed for two days.

The Jiangs hadn’t heard anything about a fight between Jiang He and Qi Hanchuan. Guessing he was just homesick and tired, they asked no questions and focused solely on pampering him, hoping to quickly put back the weight he had lost.

Jiang He eventually regained his spirit, and his complexion looked much better.

Having had no time for shopping lately, Jiang He took advantage of a free day. After leaving the Jiang residence, he headed straight to Hai City’s largest luxury mall, intending to treat himself using the money his parents gave him. He also sent a message to Qi Hanchuan, asking him to pick him up there later.

Fang Zhiyi also had a lot going on at school. Both were exhausted; today, Fang Zhiyi was sleeping in at his dorm, and Jiang Xu had sent people to look after the animal rescue station.

After a shopping spree, Jiang He felt like he had come back to life. He left his purchases at the boutiques and headed into a random cafe to have a drink while waiting for Qi Hanchuan.

I should have let the bodyguards Jiang Xu arranged come along to carry the bags, Jiang He lamented to himself as he sat down.

He wasn’t a fan of coffee, so he ordered a Vanilla Cream Frappuccino. He was in a great mood until he looked up and saw the person walking through the door. His good mood shattered instantly.

Qi Xu also spotted Jiang He immediately. A companion beside him whispered, “Young Master Qi, isn’t that Jiang He?”

Jiang He muttered “bad luck” under his breath, grabbed his drink, and prepared to leave.

Qi Xu, of course, wasn’t going to let him go so easily. He and his friend stepped forward to block Jiang He’s path. After confirming that no one was accompanying Jiang He, he began to sneer: “What’s the matter? Only married a few days and already being neglected by my Youngest Uncle? You’re actually out shopping all by yourself.”

Since he couldn’t leave, Jiang He simply sat back down, crossed his arms, and looked at Qi Xu. “Nephew, is there something wrong with your head? Don’t you know how to greet your elders?”

Qi Xu gritted his teeth, his face contorting with rage. “Don’t think I don’t know why you married my uncle. I’m telling you, a man like my uncle would never like someone like you, even if you are married. You two will divorce sooner or later.”

Compared to Qi Xu’s exasperation, Jiang He was remarkably calm. He propped his chin on his hand and looked curious. “Someone like… what kind of person?”

Qi Xu, a mere nephew, actually dared to gossip about his own uncle. Though Jiang He knew a dog’s mouth couldn’t spit out ivory, he still wanted to hear what nonsense Qi Xu would come up with.

Seeing Jiang He’s smiling face, Qi Xu was seething, but he managed to maintain a shred of reason. “Hmph, don’t think you can bait me into saying things so you can snitch. My uncle isn’t like other people; he won’t be easily fooled. If it weren’t for your grandfather’s sake, you wouldn’t even have had the chance to marry him.”

Jiang He pressed his lips together and smiled, his large eyes bright. “But the fact is, I did marry your uncle. You have to properly call me ‘Youngest Aunt’.”

Qi Xu’s chest heaved violently, his face turning an ugly shade of pale.

Jiang He stirred his drink with the straw, the ice clinking against the glass. He looked at Qi Xu with a grin. “What, do you want to start something? I heard you spent a few days in the hospital last time. I hope you didn’t suffer any permanent damage?”

Mentioning that was the final straw. Qi Xu lost his temper completely. He grabbed an iced coffee from the neighboring table and prepared to splash it right in Jiang He’s face.

Suddenly, a powerful hand gripped Qi Xu’s wrist. The force was so great that Qi Xu felt his wrist bone was about to shatter.

Qi Xu turned around in a rage, but his expression froze the moment he saw who it was. “U-Uncle?”

Qi Hanchuan expressionlessly took the iced coffee from Qi Xu’s hand and set it on the table with a dull thud. He looked down at Jiang He; seeing that he was unharmed, he felt a secret surge of relief.

Jiang He’s eyes curved into crescent moons. “Hubby, you’re here!”

Knowing the boy was being mischievous, Qi Hanchuan rarely played along. “Are you alright?”

Jiang He’s face immediately fell into a look of immense grievance. “No, I’m not. He was bullying me.”

Qi Hanchuan’s brow knit slightly. The look was so cold that Qi Xu nearly fell to his knees on the spot. His friend, who had been egging him on, felt his legs turn to jelly and sat back down, sweating profusely.

Qi Xu’s face was deathly white, but he still tried to “expose” Jiang He: “U-Uncle, don’t be fooled by him! He only married you to get back at me! He doesn’t truly like you!”

Jiang He’s heart skipped a beat. He didn’t dare look at Qi Hanchuan, moving his gaze quietly to his cup. If Qi Hanchuan found out the truth, he would be furious, right?

Qi Hanchuan looked at Qi Xu, his aura terrifyingly cold. “Are you finished?”

Seeing that he wasn’t believed, Qi Xu became even more agitated. “Uncle, don’t believe him! He’s only doing this to disgust me—”

Qi Hanchuan cut him off with a soft, chilling sentence: “Who do you think you are?”

Qi Xu was stunned. “What?”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t care to elaborate. His voice was frighteningly calm. “Get out. Go home.”

Qi Xu wanted to say more, but his friend dragged him out of the cafe.

Jiang He tilted his head. “You’re just letting him go?”

“It’s not good to be too excessive in public. We’ll settle it at home,” Qi Hanchuan said, the coldness fading from his face as a trace of warmth entered his eyes. “Did you have fun shopping?”

Jiang He shrugged. “I would have been happier if I hadn’t run into your nephew.”

A look of helplessness flickered in Qi Hanchuan’s eyes. “I’ll settle the score with him later. Do you want to keep shopping?”

Jiang He shook his head and gestured for Qi Hanchuan to sit across from him. As soon as he sat, the secretary—being very observant—ordered a coffee and brought it over.

Watching Qi Hanchuan take a sip, Jiang He propped his chin on his hands. “Qi Hanchuan, you’ve really changed lately. You definitely wouldn’t have sat here with me like this before.”

Qi Hanchuan paused, the cup clinking against the saucer. “You wouldn’t have invited me to a place like this before, either.”

Jiang He was startled, then laughed. “Are you blaming me?”

Qi Hanchuan gave a slight shake of his head. “No. Just stating a fact.”

Jiang He leaned back, letting out a lazy sigh. “Fine. I’ll invite you more often then.”

Qi Hanchuan didn’t agree, but he didn’t refuse. They finished their drinks in comfortable silence and left. The secretary went to pick up Jiang He’s shopping bags while Jiang He and Qi Hanchuan went to the car.

In truth, Jiang He was a bit bothered by what Qi Xu had said. He wondered if he should confess. It was a business marriage after all; having an ulterior motive was normal. If Qi Hanchuan asked, he would tell him. But the man said nothing; once in the car, he was constantly on the phone handling work.

Jiang He tried to speak several times, but a phone call interrupted him every time.

Fine, Jiang He thought. The heavens don’t want me to say it.

After finishing his calls, Qi Hanchuan noticed Jiang He looked preoccupied. He didn’t pry, simply saying, “We have to go back to the old mansion for dinner tonight.”

Jiang He turned to him. “To settle the score with Qi Xu?”

“If you want, we can do it then,” Qi Hanchuan replied.

For once, Jiang He was considerate. “Will it be difficult for you?”

Qi Hanchuan’s gaze fell back to his phone. The sky was darkening, and the white light from the screen reflected on his face, highlighting his sharp features. “No.”

Jiang He’s perspective was unique. “Does that mean you’re on my side?”

“Mhm,” Qi Hanchuan hummed. He was married to Jiang He; of course he would stand by him.

Jiang He was stunned. He leaned in closer to the man, full of curiosity. “Wow. Did you secretly take a course somewhere? Why are you suddenly so good at talking?”

Qi Hanchuan glanced at him briefly. “Don’t you like it?”

Jiang He shook his head. “I love it. Keep talking like this.”

The corners of Qi Hanchuan’s mouth curled into a very slight arc. He didn’t promise, but he didn’t refuse.

Jiang He tested the waters. “Hubby?”

Qi Hanchuan looked at him.

Jiang He laughed. “You’re used to the title now. Before, you wouldn’t even acknowledge me when I called you that.”

“You say it so many times a day,” Qi Hanchuan said tonelessly. “It’s hard not to get used to it.”

“Do you dislike it?” Jiang He leaned in further, his sweet scent drifting into Qi Hanchuan’s personal space.

“I don’t hate it,” he answered ambiguously.

Jiang He huffed and sat back, tilting his chin up. “You’re being insincere. If you like it, you like it; if you hate it, you hate it. What does ‘don’t hate it’ mean? Playing word games with me.”

Qi Hanchuan gave a small smile. Another call came in, and they stopped talking. Jiang He, feeling tired, closed his eyes to rest.

They arrived at the old mansion. This was Jiang He’s second time here since the wedding. Last time, he had accidentally gotten Qi Hanchuan scolded by the Old Master. This time, he was determined not to let the Old Master take Qi Hanchuan away alone. He had to stay by his side—consider it payback for Qi Hanchuan defending him today.

He was also very good at being insincere, even fooling himself when necessary.

Qi Xu, seemingly fearing trouble, hadn’t returned tonight, which earned him a few scoldings from the Old Master. Zhang Yaqin (Qi Xu’s mother) clearly knew the truth; her gaze toward Jiang He was far from friendly.

But who was Jiang He? He wouldn’t let himself suffer a single bit of grievance.

When Zhang Yaqin glared at him yet again, Jiang He put on an innocent face and said loudly, “Second Sister-in-law, why are you glaring at me? I haven’t been back for a month. Did I do something to offend you?”

The entire table turned to look at Zhang Yaqin. Word of the mall incident had already spread; in fact, the Old Master had already thrown a fit before they even arrived. Now that she was glaring at Jiang He, it was obvious to everyone that she was bitter over Qi Xu being scolded and was taking it out on Jiang He.

Zhang Yaqin’s face turned an ugly shade of red. She was forced to squeeze out a smile. “Xiao He, you’ve misunderstood. My eyes have just been a bit uncomfortable these past two days.”

“Oh,” Jiang He said simply. “Is it a stye?”

Someone at the table couldn’t help but snicker. Zhang Yaqin’s face grew even more heated, but feeling the Old Master’s gaze on her, she had to grit her teeth and answer, “Yes. A stye.”

“How pitiful. You should go to the hospital soon,” Jiang He said, bored and happy to have some entertainment. He took a grape that Qi Hanchuan handed him and popped it into his mouth, his cheek bulging. “Sister-in-law, did you know Qi Xu tried to cause trouble for me at the mall today? If my husband hadn’t arrived in time, he would have splashed iced coffee all over my face.”

No one expected him to bring it up so bluntly in front of everyone. Old Master Qi’s face darkened instantly, his distaste for his useless grandson, Qi Xu, deepening further.

Zhang Yaqin turned pale, lying through her teeth: “That rebellious son… I didn’t know about this yet. I’ll discipline him when he gets back. He’s just been led astray by those bad friends of his.”

Jiang He looked surprised. “I thought you knew, and that’s why you didn’t let him come to the family dinner. So you didn’t know?”

Zhang Yaqin couldn’t take it anymore. She made an excuse about not feeling well and left, with her husband, Qi Youwei, following her.

Jiang He was satisfied. His mood was excellent as he ate all the fruit Qi Hanchuan provided, a mischievous “little fox” smile on his face. Qi Hanchuan watched the whole thing, his own mood unknowingly brightening.

After dinner, the Old Master asked Qi Hanchuan to go to the study. Jiang He clung to Qi Hanchuan’s arm and refused to let go. Eventually, the Old Master had no choice but to let him come along.

This time, Qi Hanchuan wasn’t scolded. They only talked about company matters. Jiang He didn’t understand and started to get sleepy, but he persisted and didn’t leave. He refused even when the Old Master told him he could go, waiting for half an hour until they could leave together.

Looking at Jiang He dozing off against his shoulder, a trace of warmth bloomed in Qi Hanchuan’s heart.