Xu Minmin didn’t say much, but Ye Qingxuan already sensed things weren’t so simple. If Jiang Feng truly broke Li Yuanjue’s leg, as Xu Minmin claimed, the Li family wouldn’t stay silent. Even if their influence was slightly less than the Jiang family’s, matters of face and reputation left no room for compromise. Ye Qingxuan didn’t believe this was just a petty dispute among the younger generation.
“Minmin, stop messing around. Tell me everything you know,” Ye Qingxuan said.
Xu Minmin gave a wry smile. “Qingxuan, I’m getting more confused by you. Didn’t you hate Jiang Feng so much you wouldn’t even let his name be mentioned? Since when did you become so interested in him?”
But Xu Minmin found the situation intriguing. Jiang Feng breaking Li Yuanjue’s leg was explosive news. She vaguely felt Jiang Feng seemed different—less cowardly than before. A man who could fight and win was naturally more appealing than a weakling. Xu Minmin didn’t think she had any fondness for Jiang Feng, but Ye Qingxuan’s attitude puzzled her.
Hearing this, Ye Qingxuan realized she’d asked too much. Her face flushed slightly. “You’re the one who brought it up, and now you’re blaming me? Jiang Feng’s affairs have nothing to do with me. I’m not interested in him.”
Xu Minmin gave a bitter smile, thinking Ye Qingxuan couldn’t possibly care about Jiang Feng, given how much she despised him. Changing the topic, she said, “Qingxuan, Chen Siran’s birthday banquet is in a couple of days. Are you going?”
Ye Qingxuan nodded. “Of course. It’s been a while since I saw her.”
Ye Qingxuan and Chen Siran were known as Yanjing’s twin beauties, though Chen Siran’s quiet nature and aversion to public appearances made her less famous. Some believed Chen Siran could rival Ye Qingxuan for the title of Yanjing’s top beauty, and rumors often circulated about their supposed rivalry, as they rarely appeared together. In truth, they didn’t meet often but were actually close friends.
Ye Qingxuan didn’t care about the “top beauty” title. She wasn’t vain and never considered herself as such, brushing off the label with a smile. Chen Siran’s birthdays were usually low-key, known to few, but this time she was hosting a grand event. As her friend, Ye Qingxuan wouldn’t miss it.
Xu Minmin grinned. “I knew you’d go. It’ll be crowded, so pick a good gift. Don’t let anyone outshine you.”
Ye Qingxuan smiled. “You know Siran doesn’t care about that. It’s the thought that counts.”
Xu Minmin said, “Then what does she care about? I’ve never seen her care about anything. Her throwing a big birthday banquet this time—could she have a boyfriend?”
Ye Qingxuan’s heart stirred, but she shook her head. “Probably not. We’ll find out when we get there.”
*****
After breaking through to the second layer of Body Refinement, Jiang Feng felt every cell in his body craving nourishment—a side effect of the rapid blood essence consumption during the breakthrough. He needed substantial replenishment. Earth’s spiritual energy was too thin to absorb directly, so he relied on medicinal herbs. Back at his residence, he considered going to a pharmacy but decided against it for now.
He didn’t care about others’ opinions, not even the Jiang family’s attitude toward him. His goals were different—goals no one could understand, making him destined for solitude and uniqueness. Cultivation was his greatest asset and his deepest secret. Until he was strong enough, he couldn’t reveal it. He didn’t know if others like him existed in this world, but if they did, exposing himself with his current strength would be suicide.
Buying herbs would have to wait until he could do it discreetly at night. Feeling inconvenienced, Jiang Feng thought of calling Ma Lianhao, but his phone was dead. Unaccustomed to modern communication tools and rarely contacting others, he hadn’t charged it in days. He plugged it in to charge.
Footsteps approached from outside.
A figure entered the room. Jiang Feng looked up—it was Grandpa Jiang.
Surprised, he watched as Grandpa Jiang smiled. “What’s wrong? Am I not welcome?”
Jiang Feng smiled back. “No.”
He hadn’t expected Grandpa Jiang to visit.
In recent years, aside from childhood memories, Grandpa Jiang hadn’t set foot in his place.
“If not, go make me a cup of hot tea,” Grandpa Jiang said, settling onto the sofa.
Jiang Feng didn’t call a servant. He brewed tea in the kitchen and handed it to Grandpa Jiang, who sipped it, his eyes subtly observing Jiang Feng.
After a moment, Grandpa Jiang said, “Don’t take what happened earlier to heart.”
Jiang Feng smiled faintly. He hadn’t. “I won’t.”
“Not at all?” Grandpa Jiang’s gaze held curiosity. “They downplayed the matter for their own gain. You really have no objections?”
“Would objections matter?” Jiang Feng countered.
Grandpa Jiang paused, then gave a soft, bitter laugh. “True. They wouldn’t.”
“If they don’t matter, why bother having them?” Jiang Feng said with a smile.
Grandpa Jiang stared at Jiang Feng. Since Jiang Feng returned from the hospital last time, he’d seemed different. Now, talking to him felt like meeting a stranger—unfathomable. Jiang Feng surely hid secrets, or he wouldn’t have such confidence. Grandpa Jiang grew more intrigued.
After a brief silence, Grandpa Jiang asked, “Why did Li Yuanjue use Ma Lianhao to threaten you?”
“I slapped him at the Huatian Racecourse. He probably felt humiliated,” Jiang Feng said simply.
“And why break his leg?” Grandpa Jiang pressed.
“You once told me, when fighting someone, either make them submit or make them fear you,” Jiang Feng said calmly.
Grandpa Jiang chuckled. “So, does he submit or fear?”
“He fears,” Jiang Feng said directly.
“Have you considered the Li family’s retaliation?” Grandpa Jiang mused.
“I have, but I’m not worried. As long as they don’t kill me, one day, I’ll wipe out their entire family!” Jiang Feng declared.
Grandpa Jiang’s heart trembled.
Zhao Wuxia, arriving with lunch, overheard Jiang Feng’s last words. Her heart skipped. She never imagined Jiang Feng could say something so bold—words that didn’t seem like him at all.
Hesitating, she stepped inside.
Grandpa Jiang saw her, smiled, and left.
Zhao Wuxia placed the food on the table. “Young Master, time to eat.”
Famished, Jiang Feng ate heartily.
Zhao Wuxia wanted to mention the earlier family meeting—Jiang Jingyun and Jiang Mingfei’s attitude toward Jiang Feng was obvious to her. But now, she realized it was pointless.
“I really can’t figure him out,” she murmured to herself.
“What did you say?” Jiang Feng looked up.
“Oh—” Zhao Wuxia startled, unaware she’d spoken aloud. Blushing, she stammered, “N-nothing…”
Jiang Feng heard her say she couldn’t figure him out but didn’t press. “Got a phone? Let me use it.”
Relieved, Zhao Wuxia handed him her phone.
Jiang Feng called Ma Lianhao, asking him to find a large, quiet house—nothing fancy, just livable, preferably secluded. He didn’t want neighbors treating him like a freak or dissecting him for study.
Ma Lianhao confirmed the requirements and promised a reply tomorrow.
Jiang Feng returned the phone. Zhao Wuxia, stunned, said, “Young Master, you’re moving out?”
Jiang Feng nodded. He’d long planned to leave. Living here was comfortable but too restrictive—he didn’t want constant surveillance.
“But…” Zhao Wuxia almost asked what she’d do, then said, “What about Grandpa Jiang?”
“Don’t worry. Grandpa Jiang will agree,” Jiang Feng said calmly.
Today’s family meeting seemed like Grandpa Jiang yielded under pressure, but Jiang Feng doubted Grandpa Jiang couldn’t control the situation. If he couldn’t, he wouldn’t be the Jiang family’s pillar. The meeting tested Jiang Jingyun and Jiang Mingfei—and Jiang Feng himself.
“Will I move with you?” Zhao Wuxia asked.
“You—” Jiang Feng froze. He hadn’t considered it. Realizing Zhao Wuxia was his personal assistant, always by his side, he gave a wry smile. “Come when you have time. If you’re busy, don’t worry about it.”
Zhao Wuxia mumbled, her cheeks flushing, lost in thought.