Chapter 210

Jiang Liangjin raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth curving into a playful arc.

This matter has something to do with him.

This father and son truly never learn; even locked up like this, they still think about "caring" for him.

No need for him to lift a finger.

Mu Youyu heard those words in the recording, froze for a moment, her light-colored pupils shifting as she already figured out what to do when she got back.

They wanted to harm A Jin, so when she goes back she'll tell her brothers that Jiang Huan and his son are using the Business Competition to scheme against her, keeping her from winning the prize, and see how her brothers deal with them!

Jiang Siqian had her hands behind her back, the bag of sweets in her grasp already crushed out of shape.

She widened her eyes, her face full of disbelief, her mind in turmoil.

Brother, how did you do this?

He clearly knew himself, and had even told her to stay away from the eldest brother and not get mixed up in their muddy waters, yet he still got dragged in.

Well now, she probably won't be dragged along, right……

Jiang Huan trembled all over, his lips quivering, wanting to say something but unable to utter a word, only able to stare helplessly at the phone on the ground still playing the recording,

Cheng Siqing saw this, quickly squeezed out a few tears, her voice choking as she stepped forward, "Dad, it's all my fault, I was foolish, couldn't properly persuade Ah Huan and Ah Yun, please spare them this once……"

Jiang Ji had just said that in front of the two of them, but no matter what she still had to put on an act.

Mu Youyu had been watching Cheng Siqing since she entered the room; now seeing the subtle shift in her expression and her tearful appearance, she tilted her head thoughtfully.

This Aunt Cheng really played the part convincingly.

"Spare them?" Jiang Ye Ye let out a cold laugh, the chill in his eyes almost freezing anyone, "Last time you got A Jin hospitalized, I spared you! This time I locked you in the old manor and still spared you…… yet you've gone overboard!"

Jiang Yun reacted, pointing fiercely at Jiang Ji hiding behind Jiang Ye Ye, shouting angrily, "Well done, Jiang Ji! You dare scheme against me?!"

Jiang Ji immediately shrank back behind Jiang Ye Ye, his black-rimmed glasses slipping down halfway, revealing a pair of eyes full of terror.

His voice trembled with tears, utterly aggrieved: "Brother, what are you talking about? I know nothing! I just came home from school, happened to run into you, you called me over, that's why I went! You're my brother, how could I scheme against you……

As he spoke, he furtively glanced at Jiang Yun, a flash of mockery flickering in his eyes before vanishing.

Mu Youyu and Jiang Liangjin naturally noticed, exchanging a look and watching the dog-eat-dog drama with interest.

Jiang Ye Ye snorted coldly, glaring hard at Jiang Yun, and spoke solemnly to defend Jiang Ji: "Nonsense! I had the bodyguards install a recorder in the courtyard, capturing all this nonsense! What does it have to do with Ah Ji?"

Jiang Ji changes his phone case almost weekly; that phone was one he had just put a new case on a few days ago.

Jiang Yun usually looks down on everything, so he didn't even realize the phone on the ground was his.

Hearing Jiang Ye Ye say that, he indeed believed it.

He silently cursed Jiang Ye Ye's old, deep scheming—thinking up such a trick as installing a recorder in the courtyard—yet never suspected Jiang Ji at all.

Jiang Huan's face was ashen.

Jiang Siqian quietly moved closer to her mother.

Jiang Ye Ye's gaze swept over Jiang Huan and the fury-filled Jiang Yun, the last trace of warmth in his eyes vanishing completely as he bellowed, "Come here!"

The bodyguards outside immediately responded, entering with upright postures and formidable presence.

Jiang Huan snapped his head up, a flicker of pleading in his eyes, and fell to his knees: "Dad! Dad, spare me this once! I really know I was wrong! I'll never dare again!"

Jiang Yun also panicked, his earlier arrogance gone, he thumped to his knees, voice trembling: "Grandfather! I won't dare again! Please don't send me away!"

Jiang Liangjin had grown tired of watching.

They kneel at the drop of a hat.

Boring.

Jiang Ye Ye didn't even glance at the father and son kneeling and wailing on the ground, "Lock these two wicked offspring in the ancestral hall! Without my order, they are not to step out a single step!"

The bodyguards obeyed, moving swiftly; each took one, dragging the still-struggling Jiang Huan and Jiang Yun out.

Jiang Huan went limp like a puddle of mud, his lips still murmuring intermittently, "Dad, I was wrong," his face full of despair.

Jiang Yun, held by the arms, kicked his legs wildly on the ground, his mouth beginning to curse: "Jiang Liangjin you……

The bodyguard covered his mouth.

Cheng Siqing reacted, stepping forward as if to plead.

But Jiang Ye Ye's icy gaze forced her back, making her shudder; the words she had almost spoken were swallowed again, and she could only lower her eyelids, presenting a look of helpless anguish.

Jiang Huan and Jiang Yun didn't notice her.

Only after their voices had completely faded from the courtyard did Jiang Ye Ye's expression ease slightly.

He looked at Jiang Ji, his tone heavy: "You did well; from now on, stay away from them."

He said this without avoiding Cheng Siqing and Jiang Siqian.

After all, Jiang Ji is the biological son and brother of the two, whereas Jiang Yun is not.

Surely they too should know what's more important and whom to side with.

Jiang Ji lifted his head, a flicker of relief in his eyes: "Yes, grandfather."

Jiang Ye Ye closed his eyes, drew a deep breath, and when he opened them again only profound fatigue remained.

He waved his hand, "You may all disperse."

Cheng Siqing felt as if pardoned, hastily pulling Jiang Siqian back to their room.

Jiang Siqian followed closely behind her, and before leaving couldn't help but glance back at Jiang Liangjin and Mu Youyu, her expression complex.

Jiang Ji bowed slightly toward Jiang Ye Ye, "Grandfather, I'm returning to my room first; don't let your anger harm you."

Jiang Ye Ye waved his hand, saying nothing.

Jiang Ji turned and left; as he passed Jiang Liangjin's side, his steps paused, and he lifted his eyes to glance at him.

In that gaze, there was no trace of his former timidity, but rather a hint of something ineffable.

Jiang Liangjin raised an eyebrow, the curve of his lips fading slightly, his gaze deepening a bit, with no particular reaction.

Jiang Ji said nothing more and walked straight out.

The main hall fell silent in an instant, leaving only Jiang Liangjin, Mu Youyu, and Jiang Ye Ye.

Jiang Ye Ye sighed, looked at Jiang Liangjin, his voice full of guilt: "A Jin, it's grandfather's fault for not teaching them well, letting you suffer injustice."

Jiang Liangjin stepped forward, gently patted Jiang Ye Ye's shoulder, his tone flat: "Jiang Ye Ye, the Future Path is their own choice, it has nothing to do with you."

"Exactly, Jiang Ye Ye." Mu Youyu also came over, her voice soft: "Don't be angry, it's not worth harming your health! They're just jealous of A Jin's talent, that's why they're playing these petty tricks; it's not worth you taking to heart."

Looking at the two sensible children before him, Jiang Ye Ye's lingering gloom dissipated by half.

Jiang Ye Ye patted Mu Youyu's hand back, smiling helplessly yet relieved: "You two are the least worrisome."