Chapter Thirty-Six: Night Conversation

During this period, Xiao Cheng’s greatest achievement was perhaps the significant improvement in his relationship with his sister-in-law. At least, he no longer felt the same aversion as before. Most evenings, he stayed at the villa to cultivate, and when night fell, Fang Yujia would prepare dinner. The two always ate together. He had never done anything inappropriate, so her opinion of him had shifted somewhat. Still, their relationship was limited to casual conversation.

When Fang Yujia heard her brother-in-law’s question, she frowned. She hadn’t intended to discuss the company’s troubles at home, but Xiao Cheng had brought them up again. There had once been a possibility of cooperating with the Qiao family, but Xiao Cheng had ruined that. Given the current state of the company, what else could be expected?

Fang Yujia still couldn’t understand why Xiao Cheng had punched Qiao Yifeng. She had considered calling Qiao Yifeng to ask what had happened, but her pride wouldn’t allow her to humble herself. Recently, she’d heard Qiao Yifeng had died in a car accident, so there was no way to confirm anything now.

As for Qiao Yifeng’s death, Fang Yujia offered not even a hint of sorrow. Dead was dead.

“The company’s the same as always, nothing much has changed,” Fang Yujia replied softly, picking up a glass and sipping plain water. She never drank tea or coffee, much less soda—only plain water. Perhaps her life, too, was as unremarkable as plain water, so bland it was almost offensive.

Since childhood, under her parents’ guidance, she studied diligently and won countless prizes. In elementary school, middle school, and university, she always ranked first. After graduation, she married a man she’d never met, as her parents wished. He was outstanding, more so than any man she’d known. She was prepared to settle into a life as a wife and mother, but he left her without a trace.

Perhaps she would remain a widow until old age. That didn’t seem so bad.

Xiao Cheng had no idea Fang Yujia was thinking so much at that moment. Hearing her answer, he pressed on, “What about Fourth Uncle? Has he done anything lately?”

“No. He’s done all he should. What more could he do?” Fang Yujia replied calmly, as if none of it concerned her.

After speaking, Fang Yujia suddenly looked up at Xiao Cheng, feeling it odd that he knew about the company’s affairs. Fourth Uncle’s machinations were only her own suspicions, and Xiao Cheng had never involved himself. He shouldn’t know anything.

Xiao Cheng noticed her confusion but found it inconvenient to explain.

“By the way, be careful when driving these next few days,” Xiao Cheng said suddenly, in a tone of gravity that was completely out of place.

According to his memory, his sister-in-law would have a car accident in the coming days, after which she’d spend a month or two in the hospital. Although he didn’t know whether it would happen again, he couldn’t take chances. He didn’t want anything to happen to her.

In his previous life, he only knew about the event but not its details—whether it was an accident or something orchestrated. He suspected it was not so simple. Reminding her was only part of it; he would also follow her to protect her and see if it was truly an accident or something else. If it was deliberate…

In his previous life, she had looked after him. In this life, he should protect her. As her brother-in-law and the sole heir of the Xiao family, it was his responsibility—especially since she had died protecting him in his past life.

For a man, protecting the woman he cares about is never shameful.

Fang Yujia was left baffled by Xiao Cheng’s warning, thinking he was simply talking nonsense and paying it no mind.

“By the way, your advisor called me recently, asking when you’ll be going to class.”

Class? This was a matter Xiao Cheng had subconsciously ignored all month. In reality, he was still a student at Shanghai Chinese University, a sophomore this year. But he had no intention of attending. All his time was devoted to cultivation; he would not waste it on classes.

“I don’t want to go, but I’ll find time to apply for a leave of absence,” Xiao Cheng replied, shaking his head.

He couldn’t understand why his advisor would want him to return to class. Normally, his absence would be a relief, not a problem. Something must be off.

Just then, Fang Yujia’s phone rang. Very few people knew her number—only a select few closest to her.

She answered, and a cheerful female voice came from the other end.

“Awakened Sister, what’s up?” Fang Yujia asked curiously. Ning Jingzhe was always busy, far busier than herself, constantly flying around the world. How did she have time to call?

“Yujia, have you heard the latest rumors in the clan?”

Fang Yujia was puzzled. “No, what rumors?”

“Someone’s been spreading word about our adorable little brother-in-law committing a heinous crime, and you haven’t heard?”

At that, Fang Yujia’s expression changed dramatically; her gaze toward Xiao Cheng shifted entirely. He had behaved well lately, doing nothing inappropriate—she’d almost forgotten what kind of person he was. Now, someone was accusing him of a crime that, according to clan rules, warranted castration.

Xiao Cheng’s hearing was excellent, and with Ning Jingzhe’s booming voice, it was impossible not to overhear. He was puzzled. Given the old man’s pride, such things wouldn’t be leaked—could it have been Wang Qiyi?

“I really haven’t heard about it,” Fang Yujia replied.

Though it was only a rumor, Fang Yujia found it easy to believe—Xiao Cheng was capable of anything.

“Oh, since you don’t know, it must be false,” Ning Jingzhe said with relief. If even Fang Yujia didn’t know, it couldn’t be true.

After hanging up, Fang Yujia’s face turned icy cold. Xiao Cheng had done something unspeakable.

“You heard what Jingzhe said, didn’t you? How could you do such a thing?” Ning Jingzhe was always bold enough to say the words outright, but Fang Yujia could never bring herself to utter them.

Xiao Cheng spread his hands innocently. Seeing Fang Yujia’s look of certainty, he didn’t bother explaining. How could he refute something so baseless?

Lately, Fang Yujia had thought Xiao Cheng had changed, but now she realized not only had he not changed, he’d gotten worse. The crime implied involvement with a married woman within the clan.

If it had been someone else, Fang Yujia wouldn’t have cared—it had nothing to do with her. But the one accused was her closest brother-in-law. She shook her head in anger; but since it had happened, she could only try to salvage the situation. With such an accusation, the old man would never let Xiao Cheng off.

“Who was it?” Fang Yujia asked, suppressing her anger.

When Xiao Cheng remained silent, Fang Yujia wished she could slap him. “With something like this, Grandpa will never forgive you. While there’s still time, tell me who it was—I’ll see what I can do. When Grandpa asks, if both of you deny it, it’ll be fine.”

Xiao Cheng hadn’t expected his sister-in-law to immediately think of how to help him. He couldn’t help but feel moved. He sighed—what a mess. He could see now that Wang Qiyi was spreading the rumors, but he couldn’t figure out what benefit Wang Qiyi hoped to gain.

“Are you really going to drive me mad? Who was it?” Fang Yujia demanded again.

Xiao Cheng shook his head. How could he say, “Sister-in-law, it was you—don’t you know?” Besides, he didn’t want her tainted by such filth.

He made a mental note about Wang Qiyi. This wouldn’t be settled easily, but dealing with Wang Qiyi wouldn’t be simple—he was not only an innate master, but also the old man’s chief henchman.

He’d need to achieve innate cultivation himself before he could challenge Wang Qiyi. At his current rate, the earliest would be the end of next year.

But that wasn’t certain. In his previous life in the cultivation world, he’d often heard of immortal herbs and divine medicines being discovered. Given the time difference, perhaps these treasures were still hidden. If he could find them, his cultivation would advance rapidly.

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