Chapter Seventeen: Living Off Two Families, Are You?

“Really, Jiang Jian, you should ask Lin Xingfan to take you to his hospital’s neurology department. I think your brain is in worse shape than your stomach.”

Ji Leqing looked at me speechlessly, clearly puzzled by the strange train of thought I had.

“I’m earning plenty from scholarships and salary abroad. I don’t just support you; I could easily keep you.”

Having said that, Ji Leqing turned and walked on without looking back. I hurriedly pushed the shopping cart, chasing behind.

“Don’t be mad, I just speak without thinking…”

“Heh.”

“Leqing, is that really you?”

I was trying to figure out how to cheer Ji Leqing up and hadn’t been paying attention ahead.

Why did that voice sound so familiar?

I turned my head and saw an old acquaintance.

“Xin Ze, you’re shopping here too?”

But Zhao Xinze seemed not to notice me at all; his gaze was fixed on Ji Leqing’s face.

Ji Leqing just nodded slightly, calm and distant. “Yes, long time no see.”

Zhao Xinze decisively pushed his cart aside and walked straight up to Ji Leqing.

In just a short moment, his eyes rimmed red.

No way, are they acting out a Korean drama here? The male and female leads reuniting after a long separation, so melodramatic?

I stood nearby like an invisible spectator, or rather a glaringly bright third wheel—completely out of place.

“Why don’t we finish shopping first and then find somewhere to talk? It’s kind of disturbing others here.”

“Ahem, Jiang Jian, what are you doing here?”

Heh, I’ve been standing here like a lamppost for ages and you never saw me. Who would believe that?

After all, I had a deeply meaningful relationship before, so I could tell Zhao Xinze’s reaction to Ji Leqing was not ordinary.

But why hadn’t I noticed before?

For a moment, I didn’t know how to explain to Zhao Xinze. I certainly couldn’t tell him that Ji Leqing and I were living together.

“Uh, I, I just happened to be here…”

“Jiang Jian came with me. If there’s nothing else, we’ll be going first.”

However, Ji Leqing didn’t intend to continue chatting with Zhao Xinze and simply walked past him.

A few steps ahead, she turned and saw me frozen in place. “Why are you standing there like a fool? Hurry up!”

“Oh, alright, coming.”

---

“Xin Ze, let’s get together sometime.”

I caught up with Ji Leqing, pushing the cart, and quietly asked, “You didn’t seem too happy seeing Xin Ze just now.”

“No, you’re imagining things.”

“Alright then.”

That shouldn’t be. Back when we started our business together, Zhao Xinze and Ji Leqing got along pretty well, didn’t they?

Though Ji Leqing was more reserved and didn’t interact much with Zhao Xinze, it certainly shouldn’t look like there was bad blood between them now.

How strange.

Ji Leqing and I continued shopping, completely unaware that Zhao Xinze was behind us, staring fixedly at the two of us talking.

We bought plenty of things, with a store clerk helping us load them onto the cart.

Outside, the rain kept pouring, heavy as ever. I wondered how long this downpour would last.

Raindrops struck the windshield, and the wipers repeatedly swept across, but more rain kept falling, a constant cycle of torment.

Unless the wipers broke or the rain stopped.

Ji Leqing still wouldn’t let me cook, saying she didn’t want me to make a mess.

Ha, laughable. Not to brag, but after all these years of marriage, I’ve cooked for Xu Zhixia in a variety of ways. My cooking skills now rival those of a Michelin chef.

I had even thought that if Jianxia ever got tired of it all, I’d disband the company and apply as a hotel chef.

Or maybe rent a small shop and open a little restaurant, enough to support myself.

But since she doesn’t want me cooking, helping out a little should be fine.

No wonder the produce at this upscale supermarket is so fresh—just rinse it and it’s ready; no picking through bad vegetables because anything spoiled gets replaced promptly.

I was just doing the small tasks of cutting vegetables and handing bowls.

Suddenly, my phone screen lit up with a WeChat message.

I picked it up and saw it was from Zhao Xinze.

[Star emoji]: Are you with Ji Leqing right now?

I glanced at Ji Leqing; she was focused on cooking and hadn’t noticed me.

I took the phone into the room and called him.

“What’s up, Xinze?”

“When did Ji Leqing come back to the country? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Zhao Xinze’s tone sounded a bit resentful. I didn’t understand why he was upset, felt uncomfortable but held back from saying anything.

“I only found out today myself.”

---

“Jiang Jian, do you take me for a fool? Only today you find out and you’re already living together?!”

“How do you know? Were you driving behind us?”

I frowned, gripping the phone tighter.

I had planned to find a chance to tell him that after divorcing Xu Zhixia and having nowhere else to go, I started renting with Ji Leqing. But I didn’t expect he’d been following us. A surge of anger rose inside me.

We’ve been brothers for years, working hard side by side. Why does this feel like you caught me cheating?

“Jiang Jian, didn’t you always say you valued Xu Zhixia more than your own life? You cheated after five years of marriage?”

“I thought you were some pure-hearted warrior, but you’re just a freeloader cheating on your wife. I really look down on you!”

“Zhao Xinze, don’t bullshit me—you’re the one who cheated!”

“Between Ji Leqing and me, there’s absolutely nothing; we’re just roommates!”

Zhao Xinze laughed mockingly on the other end.

“Jiang Jian, you really take me for an idiot. Those living in Bi Jiang Mansion aren’t like that—they don’t care about rent, it’s trivial to them.”

“For Ji Leqing to rent with you? Don’t make me laugh. You just couldn’t get enough of Xu Zhixia’s support, now you’re leeching off Ji Leqing too!”

“Damn it, how do you have such good luck, mooching off two women at once?”

“Zhao Xinze, what kind of crazy nonsense are you spouting today? Say another word like that and we’re done as brothers!”

I was so angry at Zhao Xinze’s words that my stomach hurt. I held my stomach and slowly sat down.

“I’ve already told Xu Zhixia I want a divorce. Where was your sense of justice before?”

“What, suddenly you’ve turned into a righteous moral guardian? Seeing me with Ji Leqing, you’re here to defend Xu Zhixia?”

“Don’t tell me you fancy Xu Zhixia yourself. She’s short of men right now, why don’t you give it a try? Maybe she’ll like you!”

“As long as you can bear her wearing a green hat obediently, then you can mooch off Xu Zhixia too!”

Suppressing the stomach pain, I unleashed a torrent of curses at that bastard Zhao Xinze.

Damn it, is his brain flooded from the rain? Or does he actually like Xu Zhixia?

After I finished cursing, the line went silent. I didn’t bother replying and hung up.

I turned and saw Ji Leqing standing at the doorway.

“When did you come in?”