Volume One, Chapter 35: This Was My First Kiss Too!

Jiang Chen’s mouth twitched. “I’m a young Taoist, not a fool.”

With lightning speed, Su Chenglong threw a punch at Su Chenghu’s cheek.

“You beast, look at this!” Su Chenglong brandished a sheet of paper—a will, already signed.

Su Chenghu took the will, and it was as if he’d been struck by thunder. The words stabbed at his heart like invisible needles.

“Father is old, nearing the end of his days, and is dividing the estate into three parts…” Su Chenghu lowered his head, saying no more. He folded the will and placed it gently on the ground.

Su Chenglong spoke slowly. “Father gave me this will last year. If you can endure just a little longer, apart from the share donated to charity, the rest will be split between you and me—one portion each.”

Su Chenghu merely shook his head. “Victory and defeat, that’s all. You’ve beaten me, Su Chenglong. You’ve beaten me my whole life. I thought today was finally my chance to win, but I never expected the old man would gamble his life on me. Ha… I accept it.”

Defeat was certain. Su Chenghu offered no resistance; in fact, he seemed to relax.

Jiang Chen was accustomed to scenes like this. In families such as these, the outcome of such disputes was fated from the start: one side would inevitably face ruin. The lucky ones might receive a share of the inheritance; the less fortunate might lose their lives. Sibling rivalry—he had seen it too many times.

“Go. I won’t kill you, but from now on you have nothing to do with the Su family. Don’t show your face in Qingcheng again. We were brothers once—take your family and leave,” Su Chenglong said, ultimately unable to be ruthless.

“You’ll regret this, Su Chenglong! Letting me go today, I’ll find another chance to reclaim what’s mine…”

Su Chenghu stormed out, fury in his steps. A glint of murderous intent flashed in Su Chenglong’s eyes—Jiang Chen’s sharp senses caught it.

Su Chenglong was not as gentle as he appeared. He had used his own father’s life as a pawn in his scheme. Even if Su Chenghu hadn’t come today, the assassin, Eric, likely wouldn’t have dared move against those present. And the murderous look in Su Chenglong’s eyes revealed he had never intended to let Su Chenghu live.

Su Chenghu’s days were numbered—if he was lucky, he’d die later; if not, he’d die as soon as he stepped out the door.

Both men were clever enough not to burst this fragile bubble. Su Chenghu would die, but Su Chenglong could not be seen as his killer. That would tarnish Su Chenglong’s reputation, and affect how his daughter, Su Yike, saw him.

After a moment of sorrow, Su Chenglong turned to Jiang Chen, his gaze appraising.

Jiang Chen responded politely, “Uncle, I have things to do. I’ll let you talk.”

He had saved a life—his duty was done. Any longer, and who knew what trouble might arise.

“Hey, young friend, don’t go just yet! You saved my father today—leaving without a meal would surely offend an old man like me! It wouldn’t sound good if word got out.” Su Chenglong was inwardly delighted. His daughter had brought such a formidable young man home—how could he let him slip away?

This wasn’t just a young man—it was the perfect son-in-law.

Jiang Chen calculated silently, realizing his fate was sealed. Whether he’d even get to sleep on the floor tonight was uncertain; worst of all, he might not sleep at all.

“Uncle, I really have things to attend to at home. I must go,” Jiang Chen insisted.

Su Yike grabbed his arm. “No, you can’t leave. Even if you must go, you have to stay for dinner first.”

As an innocent young policewoman, Su Yike had no idea Jiang Chen was caught in a dilemma. She only knew he had saved her grandfather, and gratitude demanded he stay for a meal.

Jiang Chen silently labeled Su Chenglong as an old fox, though outwardly he said, “Then I’ll stay for dinner before leaving.”

Su Chenglong’s face lit up. “Excellent! I’ll go arrange things. You two take a stroll. Daughter, keep a close eye on your boyfriend!”

Su Yike’s cheeks flushed. “Dad… we’re just friends, he’s not my boyfriend.”

Su Chenglong waved it off. “Friends or not, it’s only a matter of time. I’ll go see to your grandfather. Later, get out the wine I’ve hidden—we’ll have a proper drink with young Jiang.”

Jiang Chen knew for certain he wasn’t going home tonight, not even to sleep on the floor. Tomorrow, he’d be pronounced dead and buried.

He wanted to call Ning Rou and explain, but realized that would only complicate things. Ning Rou had eyes everywhere in Qingcheng—finding him would take only minutes.

At this thought, Jiang Chen’s face fell. All his efforts to calm her had gone to waste.

Su Yike’s feelings for Jiang Chen had shifted—she no longer looked at him as a little brother. Though she had entered society before him, Jiang Chen always handled matters with remarkable insight and maturity, never like a child. This air of mystery fascinated her deeply.

“Jiang Chen! What should we do now?” Su Yike’s eyes sparkled like starlight.

Jiang Chen was taken aback. “Sister, this is your home, not mine. How would I know what to do next? Maybe I could help your grandfather with some rehabilitation exercises?”

Delighted, Su Yike stepped back. “Really? For free?”

For free…

He wanted to ask if there’d be a consultation fee. Wasn’t this a bit much? Not only did he have to deal with an assassin, but he had to save a life—he’d promised as much, but detoxification hadn’t been part of the deal.

Newly arrived, Jiang Chen wanted shamelessly to demand extra payment, but feared it would lower his standing.

“No, I can’t do it. It’s too much. You know I’ve done so much today, and kept a family together—used up all my strength…”

Smack—

Su Yike quickly pecked his cheek. “Is that enough?”

“This…”

Su Yike’s face was bright red. “Isn’t that enough? Then I’ll do it again…”

“Alright, alright!” Jiang Chen covered his face, feigning reluctance.

Of course, he was only acting—his heart soared ahead of him.

“Ahem, Miss Su, normally I charge a consultation fee—three to five million at least. But since you’ve paid in another way today, I’ll waive the fee,” Jiang Chen said seriously.

Su Yike glared at him. “That was my first kiss! Don’t push your luck!”

Jiang Chen retorted, “It was my first kiss too!”

He silently added in his heart, his first kiss updated every night at midnight.

Jiang Chen rubbed his face, wondering if he could get another kiss, but Su Yike had already gone to her grandfather’s bedside.