Chapter 268

Ji Fei felt that it definitely wasn't her problem. She was merely a simple, selfless disseminator of gossip information, a passionate enthusiast of gossip who enjoyed indulging in juicy tidbits.

However, the people involved were hit hard by the news.

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‍person on the other end of the phone fell silent once again.

The silence was so thick that one could almost imagine the feeling of a volcano about to erupt.

Not just Jing Yan, even Qin Xian was stunned when he heard about it. When Qin Xian entered the room earlier, the two hadn't crossed any lines, so he hadn't noticed anything amiss, just found it strange that they were together at such a time.

Now it all made sense, and he was equally disgusted by their situation.

"Jing Yan," Qin Xian said, still driving, "don't act rashly."

When Jing Yan spoke again, his voice was hoarse. "Thanks for letting me know. I'll handle it privately."

The call ended, and Ji Fei analyzed, "Jing Yan is really angry. It's understandable. His own sister being used as a lover by his cousin, even if they aren't blood-related, is pretty disgusting."

"It's more than that," Qin Xian said.

"What do you mean?" Ji Fei asked, too lazy to check the system and decided to ask Qin Xian directly.

After all, Qin Xian was always eager to share gossip with her.

"Jing Yu and Jing Yan have never gotten along. They are genuine enemies, with no brotherly affection. Because Madam Xie often praised the more capable Jing Yan and even chose him as the heir, Jing Yu grew up resenting him. He liked to take what Jing Yan had, destroy it, and use it to make Jing Yan miserable."

Ji Fei immediately said, "Could it be that Cen Ting also…"

Qin Xian shook his head. "He hid it well. Jing Yu knows nothing about it."

Ji Fei had a moment of realization. Perhaps he hid it so meticulously also to protect Cen Ting.

"So Jing Yu wasn't just being lustful; he did it purely to make Jing Yan miserable by making Wan Ru his lover? That sister of his is too ridiculous, so easily deceived. Can't she tell that the man she's with doesn't like her brother?" Ji Fei said.

Qin Xian explained, "Jing Yan has always lived in the Jing family, cared for by the elders. Wan Ru lived in the Wan family. Although they are half-siblings, their relationship isn't close. Jing Yan's care for her mostly comes from his mother's orders. But Wan Ru doesn't like him much."

"Doesn't like Jing Yan, her brother, but likes Jing Yu, this playboy? Uh… did she hurt her brain during plastic surgery?" Ji Fei said.

Qin Xian's eyes, however, showed a different emotion.

"It's normal for half-siblings to have a strained relationship. The rejection of each other's biological fathers and the competition for the same mother's love can make their relationship sensitive. Like Guo Yalan and Han Ziyu, who are as close as twins, is rare."

Ji Fei remembered how close the two were, often inviting her out to play together. Guo Yalan even said she was helping her sister chase her idols. "Indeed, it depends on the people."

"Because of the ten-year age gap, Jing Yan's care for Wan Ru is more like a senior's responsibility for a junior. But Wan Ru is a bit spoiled. The few times I saw her, she didn't respect her brother, often throwing tantrums and being unfriendly. So her relationship with Jing Yu might not be entirely out of deception."

This time, Ji Fei didn't need Qin Xian to guess; she directly checked the information.

[Wow, they're both villains, colluding just to make Jing Yan miserable. Unbelievable. But Qin Xian missed one reason why Wan Ru is against Jing Yan.]

Qin Xian's eyes flickered. He wasn't unaware, but since Jing Yan had never mentioned it and his brother had gone to great lengths to hide it, he naturally didn't bring it up. And he…

Qin Xian's grip on the steering wheel tightened, and his breathing seemed to stop for a moment, his mind going blank. But Ji Fei's constant stream of gossipy thoughts quickly brought him back to reality.

[Because Madam Wan doesn't like Jing Yan, the little girl picked up on it and followed suit, naturally looking down on and disliking her older brother.]

Qin Xian inwardly scoffed.

Madam Wan is also quite the eccentric. Because Jing Yan's birth was difficult, causing her to hemorrhage and suffer, she's never liked him. After her husband's accident, she consulted a fortune-teller, who said Jing Yan was a curse on their family. She began to hate him, even developing a pattern of abuse, which was quickly discovered and exposed by Madam Xie. The Jing family then took custody of Jing Yan. Fearing Jing Yan's curse, Madam Wan remarried. Though things have been peaceful since, Jing Yan has endured long-term emotional abuse from his mother.

Qin Xian's lips trembled slightly.

This peculiar mother often practiced PUA on Jing Yan, blaming him for her misfortunes and claiming he owed her. She employed various forms of moral blackmail to coerce Jing Yan into cleaning up the messes caused by the Wan family or Wan Ru. Fortunately, Jing Yan was well-educated and never easily manipulated, only fulfilling his responsibilities. Their mother-son relationship has been a constant power struggle.

[An unruly mother, a troublesome sister, and a mother who remarried… a broken Jing Yan. Suddenly, he seems a bit like a tragic hero. Beautiful, strong, and pitiful.]

Ji Fei chuckled at her own thoughts.

They had arrived at the mall.

Ji Fei had grown accustomed to Qin Xian's habit of opening the car door for her.

But this time, Qin Xian unbuckled his seatbelt and then hers, pulling her into a tight embrace right in the car.

This sudden, unprompted hug left Ji Fei stunned.

The hug was unusually tight.

She could feel his heavy breathing.

Ji Fei felt like Qin Xian was hugging her like someone hugging an oxygen tank in high altitude.

"What's wrong?" Ji Fei, despite her usual insensitivity, sensed something unusual.

"I just want to hold you," Qin Xian's voice was low and especially seductive in the confined space of the car.

Ji Fei's heart immediately raced.

[Is he flirting with me? We already cuddle every night. I've heard that liking someone can make you feel sudden bursts of affection, wanting to be close. Could my charm be that strong? Hehe~]n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Her almost silly thoughts tugged at Qin Xian's lips, making him smile wryly.

"I want to hold you forever, never let go."

Ji Fei was dumbfounded.

[Wow, the once cold and aloof CEO has really opened up quickly. He's so natural at saying sweet nothings, it's making me flustered.]

If anyone else heard this, they might think Ji Fei was ruining the mood.

But to Qin Xian, it was the most endearing thing. Although he gradually blushed at the ears.

Qin Xian, as always, didn't need Ji Fei to respond. He wouldn't put any pressure on her, as if just expressing the overflowing love in his heart before continuing with their daily routine.

He let go, got out of the car, opened the door for his wife, and then chatted about gossip while shopping.

After picking out gifts and sitting down to eat, Ji Fei finally had time to check the follow-up.

[Wow, they fought. Jing Yan hit Jing Yu. He's really cunning, hitting places that won't show bruises. Jing Yu was in so much pain he cried. Hilarious. Jing Yan's punches probably also carried some of his own resentment. But Wan Ru is really a little ingrate, actually defending Jing Yu and hitting her own brother!]