The Villain Slaps The Protagonist’s Halo - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Stepson of a Prestigious Family

Jiang Yang, perhaps feeling pressured, surprisingly gathered the courage to come to Huo Qing's place, which left Nie Jia quite astonished. Huo Yun had already publicly criticized Meng Qian on Weibo, clearly indicating that the Huo family wouldn't extend a helping hand to the Jiangs. Jiang Yang seeking out Huo Qing—did he perhaps hope that Huo Qing would reinstate the withdrawn funds for him?

Nie Jia returned home sweating profusely, only to find Jiang Yang already waiting in the hall. In reality, Huo Qing wasn't home; Ye Xiaojue had thrown a tantrum in the morning, and Huo Qing personally took him to school not long ago. Jiang Yang, seemingly filled with hope and courage, stayed despite the butler's announcement of Huo Qing's absence.

"Yan Su?" Upon hearing footsteps, Jiang Yang turned around, sighting someone who made him question his eyesight. Staring at Nie Jia in disbelief, Jiang Yang, full of alarm, furrowed his brows. "What are you doing here?"

"Mr. Yan, you're back." The butler respectfully handed him a clean towel. "Breakfast will take a little longer."

"It's alright, I'll take a shower first." Nie Jia wiped the sweat off as he walked inside, looking at Jiang Yang impassively. "As you can see, I live here. What do you need?"

"You..." Jiang Yang was momentarily stunned, his mind blank, unable to process the scene before him. Suddenly, something exploded in his mind. Why would Yan Su live in Mr. Huo's house? What's their relationship? Was Mr. Huo's sudden withdrawal from the Jiangs also Yan Su's doing? Could Yan Su wield Mr. Huo like a weapon, just like the Provincial Party Secretary?!

"He's here to see Brother Qing." Ye Shuming, clad in sportswear, yawned lightly as he descended, followed by a displeased Huo Yun.

Jiang Yang was taken aback, realizing that Ye Shuming, the renowned author who had been off the radar for so long, was also here!

Huo Yun didn't even notice Jiang Yang; it was as if he were invisible. He scolded Ye Shuming, "Su-ge just returned, and you're barely changing your clothes. You're usually lazy during rehab. When will you get better?"

"It's because Su-ge woke up too early..." Ye Shuming took a few steps forward, flopping onto the sofa, then straightened up upon noticing Huo Yun's displeasure. "I swear, I'll get up early tomorrow, run a few hundred laps first!"

"You said the same thing yesterday and the day before." Huo Yun shook his head in resignation, not wanting to argue further. He handed Nie Jia a glass of water and sat beside Ye Shuming, holding his arm.

"If it's not for me, I'll go take a shower first." Nie Jia slung the towel over his shoulder, walking upstairs without sparing Jiang Yang a second glance.

"Brother, hurry up, we're waiting for you to eat." Huo Yun called upstairs.

"Got it." Nie Jia responded lightly.

Their intimacy and familiarity seemed as if they were family members who had lived together for a decade. There was no distance or false politeness between them. Six months ago, because Jiang Yang had managed to get a painting into Huo Yun's hands and secured funding from Huo Qing, he became the envy of Moon City's upper circles. People assumed Jiang Yang had earned Huo Qing's appreciation, and he willingly maintained an appearance that he could converse with Huo Qing.

But Jiang Yang knew better than anyone if he could truly converse with Huo Qing. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been driven to this point, where he had no choice but to muster the courage to seek out Huo Qing. The level of intimacy, where Huo Yun called Yan Su "Brother," was something Jiang Yang had never dared to imagine.

"You must be curious," Huo Yun said as he ascended the stairs after Nie Jia. The coquettishness on his face quickly faded, replaced by a disdainful indifference. "Why have you, who've been guarding your affiliation with the brotherhood so closely, chosen to live with us?"

Jiang Yang's throat tightened, his expression as if slapped in the face by invisible hands.

Huo Yun continued coolly, "Shu Ming is my husband. He had an accident four years ago, remaining in a coma until Su Ge cured him a month ago. He's our family's benefactor. So, if you want to deal with Su Ge, it means crossing paths with my Huo family. Now, regarding the Jiang family's future, instead of coming to me, you should go and plead with Su Ge to spare you. But I advise against humiliating yourself. Think about what you've done to him before. Would he ever forgive you?"

Jiang Yang stood still for what felt like an eternity, then paled, realizing there was no way out. Huo Qing doted on his sister so much, but judging by Huo Yun's attitude, even if he saw Huo Qing today, he wouldn't receive any help.

He couldn't bring himself to beg Yan Su. As Huo Yun pointed out, if Yan Su could easily forgive his actions, why would Yan Su strive to ruin him upon returning to the country?

Reflecting on his past arrogance in trying to get close to Huo Qing, Jiang Yang realized, in the blink of an eye, Yan Su had become Huo Qing's savior. Even his last ace had been shattered by Yan Su... What else could he do?

"Goodbye," Jiang Yang finally managed to rasp, his voice dry. He left in a daze. His phone vibrated in his pocket, displaying a call from Qin Yi Ran.

Huo Yun, fiercely protective, instructed the steward as soon as Jiang Yang left, "Do not entertain anyone related to the Jiang family in the future."

"Yes, Miss," the steward complied.

Nie Jia, watching from upstairs as Jiang Yang left, was somewhat surprised. "He hasn't met the standard yet?"

"Yes, currently not," the system hurriedly responded.

"He seems quite stubborn," Nie Jia scoffed, drawing open the curtains before heading to take a shower.

As he emerged, towel-drying his hair, strong arms enveloped him. Huo Qing's warm breath brushed against his ear. "Did Jiang Yang upset you?"

Nie Jia glanced back. "Does he have that ability?"

Huo Qing indulgently smiled, taking the towel to dry Nie Jia's hair. "I'll buy some scattered shares of the Jiang family for you, including the 3% Auntie sold earlier. If Jiang Yang can't hold onto the shares in his hands, the Jiang family will be entirely yours."

"He won't let go easily. He still has 45% from Qin's. I'll make him release Qin's shares first," Nie Jia replied. "But now, the Jiang family's shares are worthless. Buy as much as you can."

With the Jiang family embroiled in scandals and government investigations into money laundering and bribery, nobody dared to associate with them. What was once invaluable Jiang family stock was now practically worthless. Shareholders were eager to disassociate from the Jiang family, and Huo Qing's purchase cost next to nothing.

At the Jiang residence, after parking, Jiang Yang remained in the car, his silence heavy with contemplation.

He received a call from Qin Yi Ran, initially expecting mockery. But upon answering, Qin Yi Ran didn't utter a word of ridicule. Instead, she forthrightly offered to help the Jiang family through this crisis. However, her conditions were exorbitant – besides returning Qin's 45% shares, she demanded 20% of the Jiang family's shares and seventy percent of the cable project's profits. It was an outrageous demand!

The anger that had been festering within Jiang Yang at the Huo household burst out towards Qin Yi Ran. But she remained unresponsive, casually stating, "You have a week to consider my proposal. But don't expect miracles. Whether the Jiang family can last another week, you know deep down. The investigative team takes orders from someone. You've stolen a cat, and they demand finding an elephant. Do you think they'll argue in your favor or conjure up an elephant? Jiang Yang, think carefully."

With that, she abruptly ended the call.

Qin Yi Ran's derisive laughter sent shivers down Jiang Yang's spine, unable to contain a shudder at her coldness.

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