Su Yue paused, her questions momentarily forgotten. She scrutinized the little boy’s face and neck, finding no visible injuries. “Did you cry just now?” she asked, gently wiping Jiang Haoyan’s reddened eyes with her fingertips, though no tears stained them.
“Hao Hao didn’t cry,” the child declared in a milky voice, clutching the coriander tightly. He glanced at Jiang Ci, his big eyes unwavering. “Hao Hao is a man and won’t cry.”
Jiang Xuan watched, amazed, as Su Yue gently touched Jiang Haoyan’s head, speaking to him with an unexpected tenderness. This was a stark contrast to Su Yue’s previous demeanor. She had always disliked Jiang Ci’s son, maintaining a distant, even disgusted, attitude. After all, what woman would willingly accept a husband who already had a child?Jiang Xuan was no exception. In her past life, even with Jiang Ci’s claim that the child was adopted, she had never believed it. Jiang Ci’s cold, indifferent nature made it unthinkable that he would raise another’s child. She had always been convinced Jiang Haoyan was his illegitimate son, and she had resented him deeply.
Now, with her and Jiang Ci no longer bound by marriage, the former dislike had vanished. Jiang Xuan, noticing Su Yue’s change and then glancing at the tall, imposing Jiang Ci, instantly understood: Su Yue was being cautious because of him.
“The child didn’t cry, he’s very brave,” Jiang Xuan conceded, a hint of self-blame in her voice. “But he scratched the second uncle’s child’s face. Fortunately, it wasn’t deep. It’s my fault; I should have watched the two children myself.”
“Why were you fighting?” Su Yue asked Jiang Haoyan.
The little boy’s dark eyes rolled, his small mouth pursed, but he remained silent.
“Huh?” Su Yue waited patiently.
Xiao Haohao had expected Su Yue to scold him for fighting, to call him a bad boy. But she didn’t. After a long moment, he finally spoke. “Hands and hands hurt.” He held out a chubby little hand, his short fingers curled, indicating the pain.
Su Yue looked down. His fleshy little fingers were red and slightly abraded. “How did you get this?”
“Stepped on, it hurts,” Xiao Haohao whimpered, his big eyes welling up.
“We’ll go back and put some medicine on it for you,” Su Yue said, lowering her head and gently blowing on his tiny finger. “Then why were you fighting? Did Jiang Qiancheng bully you?” She recalled the surveillance footage; Xiao Haohao had indeed been bullied by other children then.
“The little uncle is bad. He called my father ugly, and he called you ugly,” Xiao Haohao said, lowering his eyes and clutching the coriander even tighter.
He had been on his way to ask the housekeeper when his father would return, only to run into Jiang Qiancheng. Jiang Qiancheng, who had always resented his younger, different-generation nephew, stopped Jiang Haoyan and mocked him. “Your father is a devil, and now your stepmother has become ugly, and in the future you will also become an ugly monster.” He’d overheard servants saying Su Yue’s face was ruined. “Your family of three are all ugly,” Jiang Qiancheng had sneered.
“My dad isn’t ugly, and she’s not ugly either,” Jiang Haoyan’s face puffed out as he glared at Jiang Qiancheng.
“They’re ugly, your father and stepmother are ugly,” Jiang Qiancheng taunted.
“You’re not allowed to scold them!” Jiang Haoyan’s childish voice rose in indignation.
“You can get down and ride me like a dog, or ride your cat, and I won’t scold you.”
“No!” Jiang Haoyan clutched the coriander tighter.
“Your father and stepmother are ugly and ugly. You should hide in the future and don’t come out to meet people,” Jiang Qiancheng laughed, pointing at Jiang Haoyan. “Ugly children can’t come out to meet people.”
“You’re bad! Hao Hao will hit you!” Jiang Haoyan, seething with anger, threw the coriander aside and launched his small body at Jiang Qiancheng. A fight ensued. The servants, accustomed to Jiang Qiancheng bullying Jiang Haoyan, did not intervene when they saw Jiang Qiancheng sitting atop Jiang Haoyan. Jiang Haoyan had always been neglected within the Jiang family; no one would risk offending Jiang Qiancheng, Mr. Jiang’s favorite grandson, for his sake. Jiang Haoyan’s little finger was stepped on by Jiang Qiancheng, and he winced in pain, unable to break free. Jiang Qiancheng, at five years old, was clearly stronger than three-year-old Jiang Haoyan. Fortunately, Jiang Xuan came downstairs shortly after and separated the fighting children. Jiang Haoyan hadn’t suffered significant harm.
Xiao Haohao looked at Su Yue, still wearing her mask. In a milky voice, he repeated, “Dad is not ugly, and you are not ugly either.” He thought, Hao Hao isn’t ugly either, Jiang Qiancheng is too bad.
“Well, we’re not,” Su Yue affirmed. Only then did she realize the argument stemmed from their appearances. “Haohao is a good boy.” Xiao Haohao’s eyes rolled, and he lowered them shyly.
Back at Xiaoyanglou, Su Yue carefully applied medicine to the little boy’s fingers. After he shuffled away, Su Yue sat in front of Jiang Ci, wanting to discuss the child. “It’s not the first time Xiao Haohao has been bullied. Those servants are clearly biased. If you don’t intervene, they’ll just stand by and watch him suffer.”
Jiang Ci leaned lazily against the back of the chair, his long legs stretched out and crossed, an air of nonchalance about him. “Su Yue, this is just a fight between children. There’s no need for adults to intervene.”
“But Xiao Haohao is the one being bullied! He’s still so young and can’t protect himself,” Su Yue frowned.
“Do you want me to tell a five-year-old child not to bully my son?” Jiang Ci sneered.
Su Yue was momentarily stunned, feeling speechless. “But…”
“Su Yue, I’m just realizing you’re a loving mother,” Jiang Ci said, feigning surprise.
Su Yue pursed her lips, glaring at him. This man didn’t appreciate her concern; he was mocking her. For a moment, he seemed to sense her anger. Jiang Ci raised his eyebrows and casually added, “It’s just a children’s fight; there’s no need to take it too seriously. He’s a boy. If he’s at a disadvantage or bullied, he should learn to protect himself and bully back.”
Su Yue pursed her lips, gazing at Jiang Ci. “Is that what you were like when you were young? No wonder no one dares to bully you.”
“When I was young?” Jiang Ci rested his chin in one hand, his voice a blend of laziness and coldness. “You wouldn’t want to know.”
Su Yue looked at his cold profile. Her curiosity wasn’t strong enough to press further.
After Su Yue returned from the hospital, news of her disfigurement quickly spread throughout the Jiang family.
“I saw with my own eyes today that Madam Su Yue was wearing a mask, covering her face tightly, as if she was afraid of being seen. The scar on her face must be too ugly,” a servant whispered.
“Then Madam Su Yue is truly miserable. She only became so beautiful a while ago. Why was she suddenly splashed with acid at the banquet? Perhaps someone couldn’t stand her beauty and wanted to destroy it.”
“What do you know? I heard she was trying to save Young Master Jiang Ci. I’ve been captivated by Madam Su Yue’s immortal appearance these days. It’s a pity such a beautiful face was ruined like this.”
“Madam Su Yue saved Young Master Jiang Ci? Didn’t she always hate Young Master Jiang Ci and like Second Young Master?” another servant whispered in surprise, suppressing her voice. Though it was true, they only dared to speak of it in secret.
“Who knows what she thinks, but anyway, that delicate face is ruined. I really want to see what she looks like after taking off the mask. Will it be more scary than Master Jiang Ci’s scar?”
“Don’t talk about it! I feel scared just thinking about it. But in this case, she and Young Master Jiang Ci are truly a good match…”
Song Nianyue, on her way to gather information, overheard the servants gossiping about Su Yue. Su Yue, is she really disfigured? Song Nianyue was shocked, and then a wave of relief washed over her. She was once again grateful she hadn’t rushed up at that moment. Otherwise, it would have been her who became disfigured. It seemed she truly was the heroine, turning danger into good fortune, while Su Yue, the female supporting character, took the hit for her.
When she arrived at Xiaoyanglou, Song Nianyue saw Jiang Haoyan chasing his cat on the grass. In the pavilion, Jiang Ci was stretched out on a long bamboo chair, basking in the sun. She scanned the area for Su Yue and then saw her. Su Yue emerged from the house, holding a plate of cut fruit, her face indeed covered by a mask, just as the servants had described.
“Miss Su, I heard you were discharged from the hospital. I came to visit you and Jiang Ci,” Song Nianyue said, approaching with a slight smile. “I brought some medicines that are very effective for healing scars. I don’t know if you can use them.”
Su Yue put down the fruit bowl, looked at the array of ointments Song Nianyue presented, and thanked her.
“Now that you’re all right, Miss Su, and out of the hospital, I feel much more at ease. I was at the banquet yesterday, and the incident was so sudden. When I saw you being splashed with sulfuric acid, my heart almost stopped,” Song Nianyue said, frowning, her delicate face still etched with worry. “Fortunately, you are safe and sound now.” She wisely avoided mentioning to Jiang Ci that she had also wanted to save him. After all, the current reality was that Su Yue had flown to save him, and Su Yue was the one who had been disfigured. To express her intentions now would only make her appear to be seeking credit, which would be foolish.
“Your face, did the doctor say anything?” Song Nianyue asked politely, looking at Su Yue’s masked face.
“It depends on the recovery of the wound to decide whether to do skin grafting or not,” Su Yue replied, giving the standard answer she offered to anyone who asked.
Song Nianyue, understanding that Su Yue’s face would likely be scarred, didn’t press further. She didn’t want to seem insensitive. She then turned her attention to Jiang Ci. Perhaps knowing he was the male protagonist, she now felt the scar on his face wasn’t as unsightly or disgusting. “Jiang Ci, I’ll start training and participate in the competition in a few days.”
Jiang Ci leaned lazily back in his chair. When he heard Song Nianyue’s words, he replied impatiently, “What does it have to do with me if you can’t compete?”
Song Nianyue knew Jiang Ci’s character well and didn’t feel embarrassed. With a warm smile, she said gracefully, “Don’t worry, I won’t bother you. I’m here today just to see Miss Su and give her the ointment. It has nothing to do with you; I just wanted to tell you. Now that I know Miss Su is okay, I feel at ease.”
Song Nianyue then wisely left.
Su Yue picked up the ointments on the table and examined them. They were indeed effective scar-removing medicines, but she had no intention of using them. After all, no matter how good the medicine, it couldn’t compare to Jiang Ci’s touch.
“Su Yue, come here,” Jiang Ci commanded, patting his thigh.
“Doing what?” Su Yue picked up a slice of peach, but instead of eating it, she fed it to Jiang Ci.
Jiang Ci frowned, opening his mouth to take the fruit. “Come here, give me a hug.” He enjoyed Su Yue’s milky scent; she was soft and cool to the touch, making her the most comfortable to hold in such hot weather.
“Don’t want to.” Su Yue saw Jiang Haoyan running around on the grass, his cheeks flushed from the sun, and she wanted to call him over to wipe his sweat.
Jiang Ci rolled his tongue, the sweetness of the peach lingering. Rejected, he rested his chin in one hand and said sullenly, “If you don’t hug me, I’ll became angry.”
Su Yue’s head snapped up, her eyes brightening instantly. “Really?” He’s angry, so she’s happy? This realization caused Jiang Ci to frown. Su Yue waited a moment, and when Jiang Ci’s anger didn’t materialize, her dark eyes rolled. She deliberately provoked him. “I won’t give you a hug. Every time you hug me, you hold me too tightly, it’s uncomfortable. I don’t like it.”
“Angry value: 6.”
A sharp ache began in her head, and the familiar bell rang. Su Yue’s dark, clear eyes lit up. She stared at Jiang Ci, her big baby.
Suddenly a scent of milk filled the air around Jiang Ci as he was enveloped in an embrace. Jiang Ci chuckled. “Didn’t you say it’s uncomfortable to be hold? Don’t you like to hold by me?” This woman changed her mind faster than a flipping book, it was inexplicable.
Su Yue rolled her eyes and sweetly coaxed, “I don’t like you hugging me, but I like hugging you.”
Jiang Ci hummed, but didn’t push her away. Feeling that Su Yue was holding him perfunctorily, he reached out, pulled her closer into his arms, and closed his eyes comfortably.
“Angry value: 3.”
This time, Su Yue was obedient, letting him hold her. She said softly, “Jiang Ci, I’ll make you a mango cake tonight.”
“Angry value: 0.”
Jiang Ci’s large hand tightened, but he didn’t respond. Su Yue closed her eyes with satisfaction, listening to the rustling of bamboo leaves in the breeze. In the summer heat, she drifted off to sleep…
Over the next few days, Su Yue intentionally or unintentionally angered Jiang Ci twice, then easily coaxed him back with mango cake. Now, her black and red scars were not only smaller but also lighter in color. Su Yue mused that if she angered Jiang Ci a few more times, she would heal even faster. Before, she had worried about losing weight and becoming too thin, so she had been cautious. But then she discovered her weight remained stable at 95 jin, never dropping or rising. Even if she gained a pound, she would be back to 95 jin the next day. So, 95 jin was her limit. She figured it made sense; after all, this was her golden finger; it wouldn’t risk her life.
One evening, as Su Yue prepared for bed after a bath, her phone rang. The screen displayed her grandfather’s name. Su Yue quickly answered, and her grandmother’s anxious voice instantly filled the phone. “Hello, Yueyue, Yueyue, it’s Grandma.”
“Grandma, I’m here. What’s wrong? Did something happen?” Su Yue heard the panic in her grandmother’s voice and quickly sat upright.
“Today, your grandfather fell on the mountain and injured his leg. He still has a fever. No matter how I persuade him, he doesn’t want to go to the hospital. Your parents’ mobile phones can’t get through, so I called you. I need you to think of a way.” Her grandfather was stubborn, insisting that sleep would cure him, adamantly refusing to trouble anyone to take him to the hospital.
“Grandpa has a fever? Is his head very hot? Grandma, don’t worry. Do you have any antipyretics at home?”
“No, I don’t have those things at home.”
Su Yue felt a surge of anxiety. Her impression of her grandparents was of them being very old. Hearing that her grandfather had fallen, injured his leg, and had a fever worried her deeply. Stabilizing her emotions, Su Yue comforted her grandmother and gave her instructions on how to care for him before hanging up.
“Jiang Ci, my grandfather is ill, and I want to go back to the countryside now,” Su Yue said, growing more worried with each passing thought. Her parents’ phones were unreachable because they were currently traveling abroad.
“Oh,” Jiang Ci responded casually.
Su Yue stood up, ready to book a flight.
“I’m going too,” Jiang Ci said lazily, propped on his side, his head resting on one hand.
“What?” Su Yue looked at him in surprise. “I’m going back to see my grandparents.”
“I’m going to see my grandparents too,” Jiang Ci’s expression was indifferent.
“It’s a very remote village. You won’t like it, and you won’t be used to it.” In her memory, her mother’s hometown was a small, secluded village. Even the road leading there used to be a dusty dirt track until Jindong donated money to pave a concrete road at the village entrance. Jiang Ci, the eldest young master of the great Jiang family , following her to such a place? Wasn’t he afraid of suffering?
“I really don’t like it,” Jiang Ci admitted honestly. “However, if you are there, I can barely accept it.”
Su Yue was too worried about her grandfather, knowing how much the two elderly people adored their granddaughter. She didn’t have time to argue with Jiang Ci. He could follow if he liked.
In the end, Su Yue, Jiang Ci, and a yawning Jiang Haoyan were in the car. She couldn’t leave Xiao Haohao alone, so she brought him along. The little boy, thinking he was going on another trip, had excitedly jumped out of bed and quickly changed his clothes.
Grandpa and Grandma’s place was a remote, small village far from City B, with no direct flights. After flying to City D, it was already four or five in the morning. Su Yue didn’t know where Jiang Ci had managed to secure a car and driver. They climbed into the car, sleepy, closed their eyes, and slept for a while. When they awoke, the car had already entered the village.
Su Yue gave the driver her grandparents’ address. The car stopped when it reached an alley; the intersection was too narrow for the car to enter. Su Yue gently woke Xiao Haohao, and with Jiang Ci, they all got out of the car and walked into the alley. Before they could knock a few times, the door swung open, revealing the warm yellow light of a room inside.
Seeing her grandmother staring blankly at them, Su Yue quickly spoke, “Grandma, it’s Yueyue! Where’s Grandpa?” It was so late, and her grandmother hadn’t slept, clearly tending to her grandfather.
Grandma Su recognized her granddaughter’s voice. “Why are you here? Your grandfather is inside; the burn is even worse.” The elderly woman was so worried she didn’t know what to do.
Su Yue quickly stepped inside, touching her grandfather’s forehead on the bed. It was burning hot. Her expression sank. “I have to send Grandpa to the hospital.”
“The hospital is in town. Your grandfather can’t walk now, and there’s no car in this village. How can we get him there?” Grandma Su’s wrinkled face crumpled with anxiety.
“Our car is outside. I’ll help Grandpa…” Su Yue gently shook her grandfather’s hand. “Grandpa, wake up. I’ll take you to the hospital.”
“Grandpa…”
“No, the old man is confused,” Grandma Su grew even more distressed.
“I’ll carry my grandfather into the car.” At that moment, Jiang Ci’s clear voice resonated from outside the door.
Su Yue looked over in astonishment. He couldn’t see the way; how could he carry him?
“I’m backing my grandfather, you lead the way.” Receiving no immediate response, Jiang Ci frowned and repeated, “Su Yue, are you questioning my physical strength?”
“No.” Su Yue walked out the door and quickly led him inside. “Okay, you carry my grandpa on your back.”