Pampered by Short-Lived Bigshot

Chapter 363: 237 Qi Duidui would rather break than bend; the premature death of Jiang Family’s eldest grandson (3 more updates)_2

Ruan Mengxi and Assistant Xiaozhu had already arrived at the Qi Family’s place, ready to take him to the company, both quietly not uttering a word.

Having frequented the Qi Family gatherings, Ruan Mengxi came to recognize everyone there. She was beautiful, and even more so when she smiled, and her work was diligent, which left the Qi Family with a generally good impression of her.

"Zeyan," the old man suddenly hesitated, which made Qi Zeyan quite surprised.

"Grandpa, what are you trying to say? Just say it."

"You don’t like the blind dates I arrange for you, is it because you like men?"

"Cough—" Qi Zeyan choked on a bite of a bun he was eating, turning his face bright red.

Ruan Mengxi also felt a chill down her spine.

Could it be because Tang Xiaowan finally chose Xiaowu, who was also his good friend, causing the boss to be heartbroken to the point of distorting his sexual orientation?

"What are you getting excited about!" The old man helplessly passed him some water and patted his back.

"How can I not be excited? Can you stop talking nonsense? How did I just..." Qi Zeyan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

"You’re always with Jiang Chengsi; can I not worry? Outsiders may not know, but I clearly understand, that child..."

Jiang Chengsi once brought a man home, something others might not know, but since the Qi Family and the Jiang Family were close, it was impossible to hide.

"Don’t talk nonsense, he’s perfectly normal." Qi Zeyan was frustrated. What kind of trouble was this? Simply being seen going out with a man seemed to be a problem in his eyes?

"I didn’t say he wasn’t normal, what’s wrong with liking men? I’m not an old fogey stuck in the past. If you..." the old man gave a soft cough, "just tell me sooner."

"I don’t!" Qi Zeyan was flustered.

"There, no need then. Look at your temper! No need to shout so loud; are you trying to scare me to death? I’m not deaf."

"..."

Ruan Mengxi bit her lip. It was fortunate he didn’t like men. Otherwise...

Competing with another man for a man, honestly, with the way some guys flirt these days, she couldn’t even compete; it was terrifying!

On his way to the company, Qi Zeyan even called Jiang Chengsi to complain, "Staying with you has made our old man think I like men. Has the old man gone mad!"

Jiang Chengsi was still sleeping at the time and was annoyed to be woken up, he just asked quietly, "So, do you like it?"

"I... definitely not, I’d rather break than bend, don’t you get it!"

Qi Zeyan hadn’t even finished venting when the call was ruthlessly hung up.

...

After being woken up, Jiang Chengsi couldn’t go back to sleep, so he washed up and went downstairs. It was rare to see Jiang Zhaolin still at home at this time. Without greeting his father, he went straight to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.

"Not even a greeting! Who taught you those manners!" Jiang Zhaolin’s eyes were sharp.

They looked at each other, none too pleased.

Whatever Jiang Chengsi did, his father disagreed with it.

"Look at what you’re wearing! Can’t you dress more appropriately? Did you see the news today? Going out drinking with Qi Zeyan? You’re not getting any younger, can’t you find something serious to do..."

"Using me as a vent for your bad mood?" Jiang Chengsi sneered, lifting his eyelids defiantly to look at his father, his demeanor somehow provocative, "Are you nervous because you know Xiaowu is coming back tomorrow, and we’re going to eat there?"

"What do I have to be nervous about?" Jiang Zhaolin snorted softly. noveldrama

"You know exactly what to be nervous about. Don’t think those things you do are flawless. Justice reveals the truth, retribution is certain—"

His words were mocking and even cursing his misfortune. Jiang Zhaolin, infuriated, picked up chopsticks and threw them at Jiang Chengsi, "Jiang Chengsi!"

Chopsticks didn’t even touch the hem of his clothes, Jiang Chengsi just leaned against the kitchen door and smiled lightly at him, "Why don’t you just kill me and be done with it? After all, in your eyes, a useless son might as well be dead, right..."

His words instantly struck a nerve, and Jiang Zhaolin slammed the table in anger, "Get out—"

"What’s all this noise early in the morning?" Jiang Chengsi’s mother came out from the room, "What’s with the throwing of chopsticks?"

"You ask him, ungrateful son!"

"If you despise me so much, just kill me. After all, you have many sons; one less won’t matter."

Jiang Zhaolin picked up a cup filled with soy milk from nearby and threw it at him, "Get out now!"

The cup shattered at his feet, and Jiang Chengsi sneered, then turned and walked upstairs...

Jiang Shuyan heard the commotion and came out from her room. Seeing the scene, her face turned pale, and as brother and sister passed by each other, she dared not speak a word to Jiang Chengsi.

**

Pingjiang Tang Family

Set to leave for the capital tomorrow, Tang Wan indeed had a lot of work matters to handle, and was packing up in the study. Jiang Jinsang sat nearby, closely examining the guest list. Since only close friends and family were invited, and though it was just a few people, he worried about leaving anyone out.

"Wanwan, see if there’s anyone we missed inviting," Jiang Jinsang handed the list to her.

Tang Wan glanced over the friends and relatives on her side and quickly skimmed past those on the Jiang side; there was someone unfamiliar, presumably the youngest of the Jiang Family.

"Is your third cousin coming back?" He was Jiang Zhaolin’s second son and ranked third in the Jiang Family.

"Maybe, we should save a spot for him just in case."

"That..." Tang Wan hesitated.

"Speak up if you have something to say."

"I wanted to ask about Jiang Zhaolin’s eldest son, your eldest cousin, how did he..." Tang’s family told her that he passed away young, and to die young meant dying before reaching adulthood—a tremendous blow for any parent.

His story was a taboo in the entire Jiang Family, unspoken by anyone, and outsiders could not possibly know; Tang Wan was somewhat curious but felt it inappropriate to inquire.

"Do you want to know how he passed away?" Jiang Jinsang looked at her.

"If it’s inconvenient, never mind. I’ve barely heard anyone mention it and was just a bit curious," she casually inquired.

Tang Wan resumed packing, and a few minutes later, she heard Jiang Jinsang softly say two words:

"Suicide!"

She had considered many possibilities: accidents, illness, mishaps, but never imagined it would be suicide!

How desperate must one be to make such a decision...

Her fingers paused for a moment, and she inadvertently scattered some tools on the floor, which Jiang Jinsang bent down to help pick up.

"The day after his 17th birthday, not a word was mentioned to the outside world; many thought it was an accidental death." Jiang Jinsang took a deep breath, "He... was a good person; when the grandfather was alive, he was his favorite, and he took great care of us younger brothers."

"After his passing, grandmother fell seriously ill and stayed in the hospital for several months, then recuperated in the old house for half a year. After that, no one in the family dared to mention him again."

"How Jiang Shuyan treated you before, grandmother was still very forgiving to her in the end, probably because of the deceased eldest cousin. She and grandfather were very fond of him, and thus treated his whole family rather generously. After all, they experienced the pain of losing a son; it was extremely difficult for them, let alone his family."

"Anyone who had came in contact with him wouldn’t say a bad word about him, it’s just a pity that you never met him."

...

For the family, this kind of departure was even harder to accept than an accident. Jiang Jinsang stopped there, not continuing, and Tang Wan did not press further.