Volume One, Chapter 18: Inverting the Heavenly Gang

On one side, Jiang Mu watched Jiang Chenyu eagerly, while the onlookers also stole glances at Jiang Chenyu. In their hearts, they secretly scoffed—typical of a domineering CEO to favor a saintly, innocent type; even after being attacked at their doorstep, they would still let the other party off easily. Most people wouldn’t tolerate that.

However, Jiang Chenyu did not go to Gu Jinyan to plead or seek mercy. Instead, she strode quickly to Jiang Mu’s side. She took off a black cord from around her neck, from which hung a golden piano badge.

The badge looked quite old but was clearly well-preserved, without a single scratch or sign of wear.

“This is the only gift you ever gave me. I’m returning it to you.” Jiang Chenyu thrust the item into Jiang Mu’s hand.

Jiang Mu had a natural talent for piano since childhood. At seven, his first public performance won enthusiastic applause and a championship. Back then, Chen Ping held little Jiang Chenyu in the audience, clapping for him. He called his sister his little lucky charm and, in front of everyone, gave the badge to her.

Later, when Jiang Xue’er came to the Jiang family and demanded the badge, she enraged the entire family, enduring punishments of kneeling and fasting but still refused to hand it over.

At the time, Jiang Mu both thought Jiang Chenyu was stingy and secretly felt a bit pleased. After all, no one disliked their gifts being treasured.

Now, she was actually saying she wanted the badge back?

Before he could react, Jiang Chenyu struck again like lightning: “Please return my guiding herb as well.”

Jiang Mu instinctively stepped back, but Gu Jinyan’s secretary grabbed his arm and jerked him back forcefully.

“How can you take back something you’ve given away?” Jiang Mu shouted.

When Jiang Chenyu was still with the family, she often accompanied Jiang Mu in piano practice. After she left, Jiang Mu took to drinking and clubbing, often neglecting practice and sometimes arriving late to performances. On stage, his mind would go blank, unable to read the sheet music.

Jiang Chenyu had no choice but to promise her master ten years of unpaid service to exchange for a small magical device that allowed mind-to-mind communication with its owner, guiding Jiang Mu to press the correct piano keys as if playing a game.

It could also guide Jiang Mu to find anyone he knew.

In fact, Jiang Chenyu’s sudden refusal to return home and sever ties with the Jiang family brought Jiang Mu a measure of joy. Because only he could find and see Jiang Chenyu within the family, as if proving that only their relationship was truly special.

He was tired of Jiang Chenyu but found comfort in this truth.

If she wanted her things back, then he would no longer be the special one.

Jiang Chenyu was resolute. “Whether it’s the guiding herb, the cleansing mantra, or any other gifts, they were all from me to my second brother.”

“But do you still see me as your sister now?” Clenching her fists, she stubbornly refused to show vulnerability in front of others.

She gave a self-mocking smile. “You enjoy my praise for you but won’t give me any brotherly affection in return... Second brother, how can you want it both ways?”

“Shut up!” Jiang Mu grew agitated.

He believed Jiang Chenyu was being unreasonable because he had called her back to marry off Jiang Xue’er. He wanted to defend himself, but with Gu Jinyan standing nearby, he feared revealing the truth would make Gu Jinyan resent Jiang Xue’er.

He could only murmur vaguely, “I know you’re upset about certain things, but I had no choice. After all, Xue’er is so pitiful. Can’t you show her some mercy?”

Jiang Chenyu was intelligent and clearly understood what he was concerned about.

Even now, he was carefully protecting Jiang Xue’er. So, he wasn’t incapable of controlling his emotions—he just never intended to control her.

She unclenched her fists; the pain she had carried for days suddenly eased.

Some people don’t even deserve to be remembered. What’s the point of feeling pain over them?

Seeing her silent, Jiang Mu thought he had convinced her.

He hurriedly tried to brainwash Jiang Chenyu again, “Let’s discuss any misunderstandings between siblings privately. Can you have him let go of me first?”

“Give me back my things,” Jiang Chenyu repeated coldly, her voice growing even firmer.

“Jiang Chenyu! Don’t be shameless!” Jiang Mu’s patience was gone.

Gu Jinyan frowned slightly but said nothing, merely giving the secretary a glance.

The secretary understood immediately, twisting Jiang Mu’s arm with a smile and gently persuading, “Mr. Jiang, since you took someone else’s things, you should return them. Otherwise, if it goes to the police, it will be even worse. Why risk it?”

Jiang Mu wanted to curse but the pain kept him silent. He could only whimper, “Fine, fine, I’ll give it back right now.”

The secretary loosened his grip but didn’t fully relent.

Jiang Mu reluctantly pulled a silver ring from his finger and held it out to Jiang Chenyu.

The ring was simple, with a small grass-like decoration. Its material was unclear but it looked precious.

Jiang Chenyu reached out for it. Jiang Mu hesitated, then whispered a threat, “If you take it, we won’t be siblings anymore.”

“I mean what I say this time.” After a moment, he added.

Yet Jiang Chenyu took the ring without hesitation, turned to Gu Jinyan, and said, “Let’s go.”

Gu Jinyan nodded good-naturedly and followed her out of the café.

As they left, Gu Jinyan gave the secretary a look.

The secretary nodded in response.

The whole exchange was brief and unnoticed by anyone.

Jiang Chenyu didn’t look back, walking briskly out.

Once in the car—

“Buy some burn ointment,” Gu Jinyan instructed the driver.

Jiang Chenyu opened her mouth to refuse but heard Gu Jinyan add, “If you don’t want to apply ointment, we’ll go to the hospital.”

It felt like he was giving her a choice—two options.

Jiang Chenyu pursed her lips and chose the burn ointment.

Besides, the burn did hurt a little.

The driver found a nearby pharmacy and told Gu Jinyan before going there on foot.

With just the two of them in the car, Jiang Chenyu felt somewhat uneasy.

She didn’t want anyone to see her broken past, even though Gu Jinyan already knew.

Gu Jinyan, unaware of her discomfort, asked, “Did they also do this to your face?”

“What?” Jiang Chenyu blinked.

Seeing Gu Jinyan raise his chin, she instinctively touched her cheek and felt a scar.

It was inflicted at the Qin family’s doorstep, carved by her own mother with money.

The wound had scabbed over, and the scab had long since rubbed off, leaving only a faint pink mark.

“You saw it?” She scratched near the scar, clearly unwilling to talk more.

Gu Jinyan smiled helplessly, “I’m not blind.”

But when he saw it, the wound was already healing. Bringing it up would only trouble Jiang Chenyu, so he never asked.

The mess with the Jiang family was no secret; anyone who looked could find out everything.

He also knew Jiang Chenyu’s devotion to the Jiang family was like that of a “simp,” so he was somewhat surprised by the rift between her and Jiang Mu.

Now, seeing Jiang Chenyu pursing her lips without her usual radiance, he felt uncomfortable.

After thinking for a moment, he said proactively, “Thank you.”

Jiang Chenyu tilted her head. Shouldn’t she be the one thanking him? What kind of role reversal game was this?