Jian Suiying had called ahead while en route to have the house tidied and lunch prepared. Upon entering, not a single stranger was in sight, only the aroma of steaming hot dishes filling the air.
Sui Ying looked utterly disappointed. "Just one glass! Four grown men sitting around a table eating without a drop of liquorâdoes that make any sense? Tell me."
Li Xuan maintained his polite smile but remained firm. "Next time, I'll definitely drink my fill with you. But today... I really can't. I genuinely have business this afternoon."
Jian Suiying reluctantly returned the bottle to the cabinet and motioned for them to sit down and eat.
The two college entrance exam candidates initially remembered their teachers' advice not to compare answers after the test. But after exchanging a few words, they found it hard to resist
and the conversation inevitably drifted back to that topic.
"You're telling me... Li Xuan, how long are you staying this time?"
"I'm tentatively planning for a week. There's an important meeting I need to attend, and it's a good chance to visit my second child."
"Then let's see when you're free in the next couple days. After their college entrance exams, I'll treat you guys to a meal." "No need, no need. Today's meal is just fine."
Li Xuan politely declined a few times before finally agreeing.
The four of them enjoyed a harmonious meal together. Afterward, Jian Suiying sent the two children off for their afternoon nap. He brewed some
pot of tea and chatted with Li Xuan in the living room.
Chatting with someone of such formidable background, youthful promise, and worldly experience brought not only the joy of discovering shared interests
but also proved highly enlightening.
The princelings of the capital gathered every few days for social outings. Beyond strengthening bonds, the most was to gain valuable information.
During their conversation, Li Xuan casually mentioned several promising projects in Guangxi that were currently seeking investment.
For a young cadre like him, building a track record and gaining experience was crucial. Leaving behind tangible achievements at every post he held would greatly benefit his future advancement.
Time was running out. Jian Suilin and Li Yu had both woken up. Li Xuan gave Li Yu a few parting words before leaving first. Jian Suilin had the driver take them to the school.
The grueling two-day college entrance exams concluded swiftly. That afternoon, when Jian Suiying went to pick them up, she was utterly stunned by the
sea of people.
He finally managed to pull his younger brother out of the crowd, only to learn that Li Yu had already been picked up by a car sent by the Li family.
Though he felt a twinge of disappointment, he understoodâafter all, which student wouldn't rush home to celebrate with family after the exams? Summer break
was long enough. He wasn't in a hurry.
The manager, ever the smooth talker, immediately responded with a sweet smile, "Truly, like father, like sons! President Jian's two sons..."
He's clearly a gentleman's son, striding along with such a spring in his step."
Jian Dongyuan chuckled happily.
"What a pity, what a pity. If only he had a daughter too."
The manager quickly interjected: "Then let Master Jian hurry and find you a beautiful daughter-in-law! That'd be like getting a free daughter!"
Jian Dongyuan shot Jian Suiying a half-smile, half-sigh of exasperation, pointing at her and saying:
"You, kid. I don't know if I can count on you anymore."
Jian Suiying pretended not to hear.
Usually, when his father brought up his sexual orientation, though he wouldn't go so far as to confront him, he'd always give him the cold shoulder. Today,
today, perhaps not wanting to spoil the mood, he didn't say much.
"Sui Lin, go sit next to your mother. Sui Ying, you sit here with me."
Jian Suilin immediately stood up.
"Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom."
Right from the start, the three of them exchanged quite a few overly sentimental remarks. Aside from Jian Dongyuan occasionally mentioning Jian Suiying in his speech,
he was largely left out of the conversation.
He idly swirled his wine glass, his gaze inadvertently meeting Zhao Yan's. She immediately looked away. He gave a cold laugh, knowing this woman feared him.
Even so, Jian Suiying felt she was getting off too easy.
As the meal drew to a close, Jian Dongyuan turned to his second son. "Suilin, what are your plans for the summer break?"
Jian Suilin sipped his tea, adept at reading the room. "Dad, do you have plans for me?"
Jian Dongyuan replied: "You've finally finished your exams. I don't mind you relaxing for a few days, but you can't waste the entire two-month summer break
just playing around, you know?" "I understand."
"You've always been sensible. Your brotherâwell, I can't control him anymore. I remember the year he finished his college entrance exams..." Suiying, you should ask
and your brother tell you what you've gotten yourself into."
Jian Suiying gave a lazy smile. "I stole one of your cars and pawned it. Ran off to Dalian with friends for over two months
and made some money. Then I brought the car back to you."
Jian Suilin's bright eyes fixed on Jian Suying.
Jian Suiying continued swirling his wine glass. "Dad, just say what you want."
"What I mean is, let him have his fun for two weeks. The rest of the time, he should intern at your place."
Jian Suiying sighed. "Dad, he's just a high school graduate. An internship at my place? I'd consider him a burden even if he paid me."
"That's exactly why he should learn from you. If he already knew everything, why would he need you to teach him?"
Jian Suiying was displeased.
"I don't take in dead weight. If you really want to train him, send him to wash dishes."
Zhao Yan sat up straight, casting an almost pleading glance at Jian Dongyuan.
Fortunately, Jian Dongyuan was relatively level-headed this time. He frowned and said, "What nonsense are you spouting? What could he possibly learn from washing dishes?
Send him to your placeâthat's where he'll learn something useful."
Just as Jian Dongyuan and his eldest son were locked in a standoff,
Jian Suilin leaned forward slightly, his posture earnestly sincere. "Brother, let me intern at your company. I'll start from the bottomâcleaning,
cleaning."
Jian Suiying's face twisted with disgust.
Jian Suilin and Zhao Yan's expressions darkened instantly.
The remark was clearly meant to sting.
Jian Dongyuan knew Jian Suiying had never been fond of Jian Suilin. Feeling he was in the wrong, he couldn't openly defend his younger son.
But speaking like this in front of him and the boy's motherâwasn't that a direct insult to his authority?
Jian Suiying rolled his eyes.
He couldn't be bothered to argue with his father. They'd fought too many times beforeâjust thinking about it tired him now. He drained his glass of wine in one gulp and stood up.
"If he wants to come, let him come. I won't disturb your family of three during dinner. I'll take my leave." With that, he turned and walked away. Jian Dongyuan's face flushed red with anger.
Jian Suilinâs eyes followed his retreating figure, a hint of satisfaction slowly spreading across his gaze.
Jian Suiying drove home, irritation weighing heavily on him. The mere thought of those three sitting together made his chest tighten uncomfortably tight.
Pure bullshit.
Jian Suiying pulled the car over to the side of the road and slammed his fist hard on the steering wheel.
Li Yu's face appeared vividly before his eyes, so real it felt like he was standing right there.
Damn, he was handsome, especially with that aloof little attitude that made your heart flutter. Without thinking, he pressed the call button.
The call connected. "Brother Jian?"
After spending these past two days together, Li Yu had warmed up to him considerably, even cracking jokes at the dinner table. "Hey, Li Er, are you asleep yet?"
"It's not even ten o'clock yet."
"True. So, did you go home to celebrate?"
"Hardly a celebrationâthe results aren't even out yet. Just a family dinner to celebrate my escape from misery." "Hahaha, that definitely calls for a celebration!"
Li Yu asked: "Is something up, Brother Jian? Are you with Sui Lin?"
"Ah, no, nothing really. I've been keeping an eye on you these past few days, and now that I'm not seeing you, it actually feels a bit strange."
accustomed to it."
"Oh, is Sui Lin with you?"
Jian Suiying had hoped to avoid this question, but Li Yu asked it again, making him feel uncomfortable.
"No, I went back to my place."
"Oh..." Li Yu's voice sounded a bit disappointed. "I called and texted him today, but no response. I wonder what's wrong with him."
"Maybe he forgot his phone. We ate out today."
Li Yu hummed in acknowledgment.
The two seemed to have nothing more to say. Jian Suiying adjusted his tone, trying not to sound too hopeful
. He asked, "Are you done with work? Want to go out for a bit?" Li Yu seemed a bit surprised. "Huh? Where to?"
"Nowhere in particular. Just drive around. I've got something on my mind. Would you mind keeping Brother Jian company?"
Li Yu hesitated. "Is Sui Lin coming?" Jian Suiying's face darkened. "He's not coming."
Li Yu paused. That brief second of hesitation was enough for Jian Suiying to feel disappointed. Sure enough, he replied, "Brother Jian, maybe another time? I'm already showered."
Jian Suiying said coolly, "You're already showered? Guess I called at a bad time. You should just go to sleep."
"Okay."
"I'll hang up then." "Alright."
"Good night, Little Leo." "Oh, good night."
Jian Suiying added one last, lingering question, "You say I'm bothering you before bedâdo you think you'll dream about me?" Li Yu gave a dry chuckle and said nothing.
Jian Suiying hung up, disappointed.