Li Yu invited Old Wu to stay for dinner, but Old Wu insisted on leaving.
While he cooked, the grandfather and grandson were having an awkward conversation in the study.
"Suiying, don't mistake constantly changing partners for skill. The real talent lies in keeping someone by your side for a lifetime and keep them from ever wavering—that's true skill."
Jian Suiying sighed.
"Grandpa, you're talking nonsense."
someone who won't come and go, but stays by your side, anchored to you. Someone who leaves a light on for you at night when you come home.
. If you don't marry, that's your choice. But I don't want to die seeing everyone else settled
and see you still wandering around alone."
Jian Suiying lowered her head slightly, staring blankly at her knuckles. Old Master Jian took a sip of tea to moisten his throat.
Jian Suiying replied in a low voice: "Grandfather, we've already broken up. What do you mean by all this?"
Jian Suiying turned her head away. "Grandfather, I don't need you to apologize for anything. If the Li family comes after me, that's my own business.
. There's nothing I, Jian Suiying, wouldn't take responsibility for."
Jian Suiying hung her head helplessly, her frustration unspoken.
The old man raised his voice. "You think I'm annoying, don't you? You think I'm too old and useless, don't you?"
Jian Suiying wanted to retort, but held back. He sighed, half-amused, half-exasperated. "Fine. I don't want to argue with you.
Eat with your granddaughter-in-law. I'm leaving."
The old man yelled after him: "I'm not forcing you to be with anyone! Can't you even take a little criticism? Who the hell spoiled you with this rotten temper!"
Jian Suiying felt like stuffing cotton in his ears to block the noise.
He yanked the door open just as Li Yu walked in. She wrapped her arms around his waist, steadying his rushing figure.
"Brother Jian, come eat. Where are you going?"
"Brother Jian, dinner's ready. Where are you going?"
"Not hungry." Jian Suiying pushed her away and headed out.
"Get back here!" Grandpa Jian bellowed, his voice booming like a bell, showing no sign of age.
Jian Suiying's rage boiled over. Who the hell did this guy think he was? He spun around, his fist flying straight for Li Yu's face.
Li Yu frowned but didn't dodge.
Jian Suiying's fist halted inches from his cheek. He knew landing that punch would spell trouble.
Sure enough, when he turned his head, his grandfather was standing behind them, watching with narrowed eyes.
Li Yu grasped Jian Suiying's clenched fist and slowly lowered his hand. "Brother Jian, let's eat. Stop this." Jian Suiying shot him a furious glare.
The old man walked past them, settling firmly at the dining table. He snorted through his nose. "You're not even as sensible as a child."
Jian Suiying froze in place for a long moment before forcing himself to sit down.
Li Yu looked up at him, secretly thrilled that he'd initiated conversation. "Brother Jian, it's not that I can't drink—I just don't really like it."
Jian Suiying knew Li Yu was goading him, yet the small flame of his competitive spirit still flared up.
Suppressing his competitive spirit, he turned away and raised his glass to toast his grandfather. "Grandpa, don't be angry." The old man grunted again, lifted his cup, and downed it in one gulp.
With the drink gone, the tension dissolved. The old man began cheerfully sampling the dishes.
Li Yu hadn't expected Jian Suiying to be so level-headed, and felt a pang of disappointment. He silently sipped his wine.
Grandfather and grandson chatted sporadically, Li Yu serving food and refilling drinks beside them—a scene of perfect harmony. Just as Jian Suiying was finishing his meal, his phone rang.
He set down his chopsticks and answered the unfamiliar number.
"Hello?"
There was no response, only the sound of hurried breathing on the other end. Jian Suiying frowned. "Hello?"
"...Brother..."
Jian Suiying's heart sank to the bottom of his chest.
Without any warning, he heard that voice again—one he never wanted to hear again for the rest of his life.
The words "I love you" that came from those lips were the most vicious curse he'd ever heard. Merely recalling
sent chills down his spine, plunging him into an abyss.
Jian Suiying fought the urge to hurl the phone across the room. He refused to show weakness. Stiffly, he rose to his feet, clutching the phone tightly, and began walking toward the bedroom.
"Brother? Are you listening?" Jian Suilin's voice sounded faint but steady. . Jian Suying replied in a low voice: "You're still alive."
"Heh, sorry to disappoint you, bro. I didn't die. I'm back to being a jerk again. I missed you too much."
Jian Suying clenched his trembling fists and lowered his voice. "Jian Suilin, I don't want to hear your voice again. I don't want to see you again either."
"But I want to talk to you. I want to see you. Brother, I'm sorry. I did things you could never forgive me for, but
I don't regret it."
Jian Suiying gritted her teeth. "Yes, I can never forgive you. Just go die already. If you want to see me, it'll only be at your funeral." With that, Jian Suiying hung up abruptly.
crushed it into dust.
He could never, ever forgive his own brother for everything he had done.
When Jian Suiying composed himself and emerged from the room, everyone could see something was off.
The room was quiet, the ringing of the phone piercingly loud. The other two present knew exactly who was on the other end.
The old man merely seethed with anger and contempt, while Li Yu clenched his fist beneath the table. He hated the person on the other end of the line
with a hatred so deep it felt like it was eating him alive.
Jian Suiying sat back down in his chair, his face pale. Li Yu's expression wasn't much better.
Their eyes met, reflecting emotions too complex for words, yet they understood each other perfectly. Li Yu's eyes were filled with sorrow and jealousy, while Jian Suiying's gaze was utterly barren.
Li Yu watched the weariness in the corners of his eyes, feeling so distressed she wanted to cry.