The Villain Slaps The Protagonist’s Halo - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Stepson of a Prestigious Family

Jiang's current crisis was clearer to Jiang Yang than anyone else. He lay against the steering wheel, teeth clenched in remorse. If only he hadn't reneged on his word but had honored the promise to reward Yan Su as agreed. If only Yan Su, who also held shares in Jiang's, hadn't been so intent on undermining the company...

But it was too late now. All he could do was minimize the damage as much as possible.

After a while, Jiang Yang wearily pinched the bridge of his nose and got out of the car.

"Dad, doesn't Auntie still hold some shares? Have a good talk with her. Convince Yan Su to stop causing harm; if he's willing to cease, he can ask for whatever he wants." Jiang Yang sought his last glimmer of hope, discussing it with Jiang Zhaolin at home.

Jiang Zhaolin, eyes widening in disbelief, exclaimed, "Are you saying all this was Yan Su's doing? I'd heard rumors about Yan Su saving Secretary Li's son while abroad, thought it was just hearsay, but it's true?"

Jiang Yang nodded expressionlessly, his eyes and brows weighed down by melancholy.

Jiang Zhaolin's face reddened instantly as he slammed the table. "This ungrateful person! The Jiangs provided for him, sent him abroad, and he's biting the hand that feeds him!"

Jiang Yang's expression turned awkward for a moment, remaining silent until Jiang Zhaolin finished his tirade. "Dad, now with Meng Qian and Fang Yan dragging Jiang's down, any delay in the investigation hurts us. There's no use in unnecessary words. Yan Su is staying at Mr. Huo's house now, clearly receiving support from the Huo family. We should focus on minimizing the damage."

Jiang Zhaolin, still incredulous, asked, "How did he get involved with Mr. Huo again?"

"He owes a debt to Mr. Huo. You know Ye Shuming, who's been secretly married to Huo Yun for years? A few years ago, he vanished suddenly, and it was rumored he'd passed away. Turns out, he had an accident and fell into a coma. Yan Su was the one who healed him. We don't know the depth of his ties with the Huos, but since this connection exists, we should tread carefully," Jiang Yang explained.

It was only then that Jiang Zhaolin remembered when Huo Qing had personally taken Yan Su away over a month ago.

With Jiang's company already on the verge of collapse, Jiang Zhaolin couldn't muster up the energy to curse this stepson, who took advantage of the family's kindness. The immediate priority was damage control and salvaging what they could. But thinking of An Na, who hadn't given him a good look in recent times, cast a shadow over his heart.

"An Na cares for Qin Yi Ran, and since Yan Su is her biological son, she might not help us," Jiang Zhaolin fretted.

"But Auntie still holds some shares, and Yan Su must have a purpose behind all this. He wouldn't truly want to destroy Jiang's; there's no benefit for him if Jiang's falls," Jiang Yang suggested.

Father and son were at their wit's end. An Na was still technically his wife, and as Jiang Zhaolin reasoned, when one suffered, they all suffered. Therefore, Jiang Zhaolin mustered the courage to intercept An Na at noon, just as she was about to head out for a spa appointment.

"What's the matter? Su Su has booked a spa session for me; I'm running late," An Na adjusted her collar, looking impatiently at Jiang Zhaolin.

The gentle and tender image of his wife that Jiang Zhaolin remembered was no longer there. He observed An Na, still youthful and beautiful but radiating a cold demeanor, and thought somberly, "Is this the same woman?"

"Yan Su has been away for so long. Let's bring him back home," Jiang Zhaolin, unable to mask his embarrassment, cleared his throat before speaking.

An Na arched an eyebrow and chuckled, "Home? Su Su has always been home. Where do you want him to return? Here? Is this Su Su's home? Have you treated Su Su like a son?"

"What are you saying!" Jiang Zhaolin's eyes glared disapprovingly.

The coldness on An Na's face disappeared, replaced by anger and resentment. She threw her purse aside, raising her voice, "Jiang Zhaolin, Jiang Yang might have harmed Su Su back then when he was eighteen. I can't believe you couldn't see through his methods! Not only did you wrong Su Su, but you also sent him abroad without informing me, letting me misunderstand Su Su all these years. Now that the truth is out after twelve years, have you and Jiang Yang apologized to Su Su? My son suffered so much injustice. Do you know how much it hurts me as a mother? Jiang Yang is your own flesh and blood, and Su Su is my cherished child. After all I've done for Jiang Yang since entering this family, this is how you treat my son?"

An Na gasped for breath, tears streaming down her face. Her fury and anguish were beyond words. When she saw Meng Qian's interview revealing the truth of those years, she wished she could personally chop Jiang Zhaolin into pieces!

"Do you want me to apologize to Su Su? At least let me see him." Jiang Zhaolin, utterly humiliated by An Na's scolding, gestured for the nanny who had hurried over upon hearing the commotion to leave.

"Auntie, with Jiang's in this state, I know it's Yan Su's doing. He won't see me, won't come home. I hope you can convey my apologies to him. I was immature back then, afraid he'd steal Father's attention, causing him harm. I deeply regret what I did to Yan Su. If he has any conditions, I'll try my best to fulfill them. Please, talk to him for me." Jiang Yang couldn't sit still; he walked into the living room and, for the first time, set aside his pride, humbly pleading with An Na.

But all he received in response was a nonchalant chuckle as An Na wiped away her tears.

"An Na, I'm pleading with you. You're also a shareholder in the Jiang family. Are you really going to stand by and watch Yan Su ruin the Jiangs? There's nothing good in this for you," Jiang Zhaolin stated.

"A shareholder? I've long sold off my shares for a good price," An Na scoffed.

Jiang Yang's expression shifted to shock instantly. How could An Na have sold her shares beforehand? It could only be at Yan Su's behest... Jiang Yang suddenly felt a chill down his spine.

It seemed like Yan Su had set up a series of traps in advance, waiting for him to step into them. Jiang Yang felt a creeping coldness, realizing he had been played by Yan Su!

"Jiang Zhaolin, you never treated Su Su as part of the family, nor did you see Jiang Yang as kin. If you don't want to end up lonely, treat your mistress and illegitimate child well, don't repeat your mistakes," An Na casually glanced at the time, realizing she was running late, and abruptly left, leaving Jiang Zhaolin stunned in place.

Jiang Yang was shaken to the core, looking at Jiang Zhaolin. "What illegitimate child?"

Jiang Zhaolin was speechless, his shock not any less than Jiang Yang's. He had a mistress, and An Na had known about it all along, keeping silent until today...

"Dad, you have someone outside and another son, don't you?" Jiang Yang demanded.

Jiang Zhaolin opened his mouth, embarrassed and flustered.

Seeing his father's silence, Jiang Yang understood. He bit his lip, a cold smile forming, and left the living room.

At three in the afternoon, Qin Yi Ran accompanied An Na from the club, spending some leisure time before she indicated she wanted to be taken home. Then, leisurely, Qin returned to the office.

Entering the office, Jiang Yang, with a grim expression, sat on the couch. He had been waiting in Qin Yi Ran's office for over an hour.

"Sorry, I was caught up. Came late," Qin Yi Ran took off her sunglasses, tossing them on the table, sitting opposite Jiang Yang. She casually asked her assistant for a cup of tea.

"Chairwoman Qin, feeling quite triumphant now, aren't you?" Jiang Yang slammed a stack of files on the table, unexpectedly dripping with sarcasm.

The assistant promptly took the files away, starting to verify them.

Qin Yi Ran paid no heed to his desperate and self-defeating behavior, gently swaying the small teacup, smiling contentedly. "If I hadn't been fortunate enough to meet a benefactor, you would've ruined my life. I'd be worse off than a beggar. But look at me now, I'm the Chairwoman of Qin Corp, a billionaire. You, the scoundrel who deceived, used, and plotted against me, are here to beg for my help. Shouldn't I be proud? Of course, I am."

During their marriage, Qin Yi Ran had never countered Jiang Yang, always standing behind him with tender care, showing none of the typical heiress' arrogance.

But now, beneath her exquisite eye makeup, there was no trace of tenderness. Even... the hatred seemed to have dissipated. The way she looked at him was akin to observing an obedient dog.

Jiang Yang quietly sat on the couch, digesting the humiliation of this moment, choosing to stay silent.

-------

Table of content - Next Chapter >>> 

• You can access publicly available chapters of "The Villain Slaps The Protagonist’s Halo" right HERE.
• Your invaluable feedback and ratings mean the world to me. Please take a moment to rate this novel at Novelupdate.
• You can also check out the other Novels I'm currently translating by clicking HERE.
• If you come across any mistakes within this chapter, kindly notify me in the comments below, so that I can make the necessary corrections.