I Didn’t Want to Fall, but My Arch-Nemesis Is Just Too Handsome - Chapter 17

Jiang Xu made an excuse to leave. Many people present knew he just wanted to escape the awkwardness, but only Luo Yuan kept talking to himself, oblivious to the atmosphere. “This brooch is very unique. I could not have been mistaken about it!”

Ling Jiuxiao raised his hand and patted the back of his head. “Little fool, just eat your food.”

Luo Yuan glared at him. “Do not hit my head.”

“I am hitting you to wake you up. You are so silly that you would not even know if you were sold.”

“Thanks for your concern, but please stay a little further away from me. You are the most dangerous person here.”

“I was not wrong when I said you were silly. You are so naive; how would you survive without me?” Ling Jiuxiao’s slender fingers toyed with the hair by Luo Yuan’s temple, smiling with a wanton, wicked charm.

“Go away, do not touch me!” Luo Yuan moved his chair, trying to stay as far away as possible.

The CP fans in the comment section were howling like it was New Year’s Day.

[I have brought the marriage registry office to you; please get married on the spot right now.]

[Only 99 and Yuanyuan are truly in love.]

[This is what a dating show should look like. It is so sweet that my blood sugar is spiking, and I need an insulin shot.]

[Luo Yuan looks like he is built to bear children, and Ling Jiuxiao looks like he is capable of making him have many. Move the bed over here and go for it!]

While the comments were occupied with Luo Yuan and Ling Jiuxiao, the topic of the brooch had not yet passed on set. To get closer to Jiang Chuhe, Ni Wentian asked about jewelry with great interest, showering Jiang Chuhe with praise until he was glowing with happiness. Eventually, he intentionally or unintentionally steered the conversation toward Jiang Xu. “Chuhe, you and Teacher Jiang share the same surname. Are you relatives?”

“We are not exactly relatives; it is just that…” Jiang Chuhe seemed to be weighing his words. After a pause, he continued, “He used to live with my family. My parents raised him for sixteen years.”

Ni Wentian caught onto a juicy piece of gossip and asked excitedly, “Why have we never heard Teacher Jiang mention this? He has always claimed to come from an ordinary family. So he actually has such ties to a wealthy clan.”

Jiang Chuhe joined the show precisely to show off in front of the public and, while he was at it, step on Jiang Xu. So what if he is a national idol? He is still just an orphan who cannot find his parents, someone who had to claw his way up through sheer grit to reach his current position. Unlike him, who was born into a wealthy family.

He deliberately brought up Jiang Xu’s background to humiliate him and to make Xu Zhiyan see Jiang Xu’s true colors. Business dynasties prioritize matching social status; as an heir, Xu Zhiyan would surely have a strictly screened spouse. Jiang Xu simply was not qualified to marry into a business dynasty.

“Jiang Xu never mentioned it; he probably thinks his past experiences are not very honorable.”

Jiang Chuhe said this specifically for Xu Zhiyan to hear. However, just as he started the sentence, his voice came to an abrupt stop.

The chair opposite him was empty.

When did Xu Zhiyan leave?

Ni Wentian was still waiting for the rest of the story and felt confused when he saw Jiang Chuhe staring blankly ahead. “Chuhe, what is wrong?”

“No, nothing.” Jiang Chuhe withdrew his gaze, feeling unwilling. Xu Zhiyan was not there, so he had no interest in talking more about Jiang Xu. What was the point of talking to Ni Wentian? He had seen too many mindless sycophants like him who just looked for topics to get close to him. Jiang Chuhe suppressed his disgust and smiled. “You should ask Jiang Xu about those things; it is not my place to say much.”

The less he said, the more Ni Wentian felt there was some unspeakable secret hidden in between. Ni Wentian was not the only one thinking this; the audience in the live stream shared the same sentiment.

[What does Jiang Chuhe mean by that? Leaving the story half-finished is infuriating.]

[I heard they were swapped at birth. The Jiang family thought Jiang Xu was their biological son and raised him for sixteen years before finding out there was no blood relationship. When they brought Jiang Chuhe back, Jiang Xu made a huge scene, demanding family assets and compensation. The Jiang family could not take it anymore and kicked him out.]

[If that is true, Jiang Xu is really heartless.]

[Are you making up stories? Please provide evidence.]

[Be responsible for what you say; watch out for legal notices.]

[Is anyone else just focused on the brooch? Luo Yuan said Jiang Xu has an identical one. Could it be a high-quality replica?]

[I do not think a star of Jiang Xu’s level would use a replica.]

[Precisely because you think he would not, he is the most likely one to use a high-quality replica.]

The discussions in the comments revolved around Jiang Xu’s background and the authenticity of the brooch. The popularity of the live stream soared, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Jiang Xu, who had gone into the kitchen, was unaware of what happened in the dining room and the comment section. He emerged with a tray holding barbecue sauce and freshly baked dessert. Just as he prepared to return to the restaurant, a tall silhouette suddenly entered his line of sight.

The tall, long-legged Alpha quickly arrived by his side. Jiang Xu felt the light from the overhead lamp being blocked out. Xu Zhiyan’s deep eyes were gleaming, making him feel dizzy.

“Good dogs do not block the path. Move aside!”

The hallway was narrow, and Xu Zhiyan was blocking the way. Jiang Xu could not get past, so he glared up at him. “Did you not hear me? Move!”

Instead of retreating, Xu Zhiyan stepped forward. The rich scent of brandy drifted from the Alpha, silently permeating the air and causing Jiang Xu’s legs to turn to jelly.

Damn it! Do these top-tier Alphas only know how to emit pheromones?

Jiang Xu leaned against the wall, drained of strength, his fingers trembling as he clutched the tray. “Xu Zhiyan, put away your pheromones.”

“Baby, I did not intentionally release my pheromones for you.” Xu Zhiyan stepped forward, taking both of Jiang Xu’s hands in his. “The barbecue sauce is about to spill.”

“I do not need your reminder.” Jiang Xu moved backward in resistance. “Do not get so close to me.”

“Are you so sensitive to my pheromones?” Xu Zhiyan’s voice was filled with laughter. “That is because we are a destined pair; you are my exclusive Omega.”

“Cut the crap! Our compatibility was only 79% at the start; do not think I do not know you tampered with it behind my back.”

“I do not do illegal things.” Xu Zhiyan leaned in. “Why is your face so red?”

Jiang Xu was stunned. No wonder he felt a bit hot; it turned out he was blushing. But why was he blushing at his nemesis?

“I am just hot.”

“You are cute.”

“…” Jiang Xu froze.

The handsome face in front of him gradually zoomed in, and then a soft sensation brushed against his lips. The mellow scent of brandy blended, rubbed, shifted, and became intense, chasing and lingering. Xu Zhiyan leaned in, his movements light and initially just a shallow taste, but they gradually deepened, unfolding a silent, persistent strategy.

Jiang Xu felt the oxygen in his chest being slowly sucked away; he could not breathe. With the tray in his hands, he had no free hand to push the man away. Xu Zhiyan’s actions became more daring; the fingers that had been holding his hands climbed up to his waist, pulling him tightly into his embrace. If it were not for the tray between them, he would already be in his nemesis’s arms.

Jiang Xu could not take it anymore and opened his mouth to bite. A sharp intake of breath sounded by his ear, and the pressure on his lips vanished.

“Wife, why did you bite me?”

Xu Zhiyan’s peach-blossom eyes were filled with grievances. He touched his bitten lip with his finger. “It is broken, it hurts quite a bit. Coax me a little.”