Unconventional [Rebirth] - Chapter 53

Jiang Xi was currently only in the sixth grade. Although they say the children of the poor become the masters of the house early, Jiang Xi’s household was different. She had a domineering mother who monopolized every decision and ruled with an iron fist. Because of this environment, even by the time Jiang Xi had reached middle school in the previous life, she had remained a naive, dazed child—someone who spoke without thinking, yet possessed an innocent charm.

In his past life, when he was still hopelessly infatuated with Ye Wenbin, Jiang Rui had found Jiang Xi somewhat annoying. Back then, he simply thought she lacked tact and brought him trouble with her thoughtless chatter. He had never looked deeper to see the genuine concern behind her words.

But now, there was still time. He didn’t want Jiang Xi’s nature to change. Like his own past self, perhaps knowing less was a blessing.

In today’s society, a girl like Jiang Xi—pure-hearted and seeking nothing—was a rare gem. Such purity and kindness had to be nurtured and protected by a strong background; otherwise, she would end up like he did in his previous life: struggling daily until he developed a cynical, slick exterior, only to be swallowed whole by society until not even his bones remained.

In this life, if Jiang Xi’s parents couldn’t provide that protection and pampering, he would.

Jiang Jianheng eventually chose a well-known local restaurant. Looking at his nephew’s dignified aura, he couldn’t bring himself to suggest eating in the main hall. Gritting his teeth, he spent the extra money for a private room on the second floor.

Jiang Rui no longer had much desire for mortal food, so he only ordered some fruits and tea. Jiang Jianheng let out a breath of relief. He glanced around the room and noticed that the traditional, ancient-style decor—which usually looked like a movie set—seemed perfectly harmonious when paired with the youth sitting before him.

It was as if the boy possessed a spiritual aura that made even the green leaves in the room shimmer with vitality.

“So… Rui-rui, is there something on your mind?” Jiang Jianheng didn’t know why, but he felt more nervous facing his nephew than he did facing his own boss.

The youth before him was as elegant as crown jade, his eyes like bright stars. When he looked back with that faint, enigmatic smile, the Second Uncle didn’t know where to put his hands and feet.

Jiang Rui took a sip of tea and watched Jiang Xi, who was happily munching on watermelon. A hint of warmth entered his eyes. He said softly, “Second Uncle, I just wanted to ask… what are your plans for Xiao Xi?”

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to help his second uncle’s family. But in a household like this, authority rested with whoever held the money. In the previous life, Jiang Xi had been destroyed by her own mother; he refused to let that tragedy repeat.

He could simply take Jiang Xi away and raise her himself, but that would solve only the symptom, not the root cause. He didn’t owe many people, but Jiang Xi’s death was a thorn buried deep in his heart.

He remembered vividly—even just moments ago, Jiang Xi had stood firmly by his side. Despite the terrifying, incomprehensible shouting of the adults, she had never once let go of his hand. Even as a child, she had an instinct for who truly cared for her.

Jiang Xi hated her cold home. In the previous life, he had once offered her a moment of kindness, comforting her after she had been subjected to her mother’s senseless rage. That one act was enough for that unremarkable, timid girl to remember him for a lifetime.

Recalling the past, Jiang Rui let out a soft sigh.

Jiang Jianheng, confused by the question, scratched his head. “Plans? Xiao Xi is my daughter. Naturally, I’ll raise her, make sure she studies hard, and hope she makes something of herself!”

Perhaps he had been stimulated by his younger brother’s protective attitude toward Jiang Min earlier. Jiang Jianheng’s current emotions were complex. He remembered how well-behaved Xiao Xi was—she never threw tantrums or begged for toys.

Xiao Xi likely knew she wasn’t their biological child. Because of that, she lacked the spoiled temper of other children; she was so obedient it made one’s heart ache. Every time he thought of this, Jianheng felt a surge of inner irritation.

It was true he had picked her up and brought her home, but after raising her for so many years, even an animal would have developed feelings. He still remembered when she was three years old and called him “Papa” for the first time; he had been as happy as a biological father all day.

He had regretted the adoption at first because they weren’t wealthy, and her arrival had caused endless friction. His wife, Huang Wenhua, had been unable to conceive. Logically, she should have doted on a beautiful, obedient daughter, but instead, she became distant and cold toward the child. He had hoped time would fix it, but it hadn’t.

A lack of blood relation really is like a distance of ten thousand miles, Jianheng thought.

“I… I will raise her well,” Jiang Jianheng finally said, thinking of his currently unemployed wife and sighing.

A sarcastic curve touched Jiang Rui’s lips. Even if Second Uncle made money and gained status now, Huang Wenhua had ruled that household for over a decade. Her dominance wouldn’t simply vanish because the man of the house started earning more. Once she found a new job and had money in her hands again, the habitually weak Jiang Jianheng would revert to his submissive ways.

It was a death loop. He didn’t want to break up a marriage, but on the matter of Jiang Xi, he would not yield an inch.

Jiang Rui knew he couldn’t change his uncle overnight. Decades of suppression had altered the man’s core. He didn’t rush him. Instead, he reached out and patted Jiang Xi’s soft head, smiling. “Xiao Xi is a filial and clever child. Second Uncle, I hope you carefully consider the matter of her education.”

Jianheng looked at his daughter, who rarely even wore new clothes. He fumbled for a cigarette he didn’t have and eventually just nodded in silence.

Jiang Rui knew better than to push further and risk a rebellious reaction. He took out a small white pill and handed it to Jiang Xi. “Be good, eat this.”

The pill emitted a fresh, sweet fragrance, smelling exactly like the candies children love. The scent was so potent that even Jiang Jianheng felt his mouth water. He watched with a trace of regret as his daughter swallowed it, wishing the scent hadn’t vanished so quickly.

Jiang Xi swallowed it and immediately felt a sense of bliss. She covered her mouth to keep the fragrance in, not daring to ask for another, but her dark eyes sparkled with joy. Jiang Rui patted her head one last time and walked out of the room.

The moment he stepped outside, he saw Rong Jingtang. For a second, Jiang Rui thought the bright sun had played a trick on his eyes.

He stood still as Rong Jingtang walked toward him. Against the glare of the sun, he couldn’t see the man’s expression. As Rong Jingtang came to a halt two steps away, Jiang Rui realized the man was a full head taller than him. He instinctively took a step back.

“Why are you hiding?” Rong Jingtang’s voice was as cold as ever, though he didn’t move.

Jiang Rui squinted. The man’s complexion wasn’t good; he was far too pale compared to a healthy person.

“What do you mean by that?” Jiang Rui replied with a stiff smile. He felt as though his private thoughts were being dissected. In front of Rong Jingtang, he always felt his defenses were mere decorations.

“You know what I mean,” Rong Jingtang said simply, then turned and headed toward a car.

Jiang Rui was stunned. One could never use normal logic when dealing with this man. The car door was still open. In this modest town, such a luxury vehicle had already attracted a crowd of onlookers. Jiang Rui frowned at the attention, bent down, and climbed inside.

The two remained in a silent, tacit understanding throughout the drive. The driver occasionally glanced at them through the rearview mirror but kept his mouth shut.

“This is the road back to Qingshi,” Jiang Rui noted as the scenery began to fly past on the main highway.

Rong Jingtang gave a slight nod. Even in the car, his back was ramrod straight, though the exhaustion on his face was unmistakable. Jiang Rui’s reflex to offer a cold rejection died in his throat.

“Is the business in Xiangcheng finished?” Jiang Rui asked softly.

Rong Jingtang glanced at him and nodded.

“Why did you come here?” Jiang Rui laughed at himself. He had thought that in this second life, his character had been polished into a smooth, round stone, but whenever he encountered Rong Jingtang, he turned back into “tofu dregs”—hard on the outside, soft on the inside.

“I just felt like coming,” Rong Jingtang’s answer was as strange as the last time.

Jiang Rui suddenly smiled. He looked at Rong Jingtang’s flawless profile, then slowly closed his eyes, leaning his head against the back of the seat to rest.