A Family Feud and a Feigned Innocence

Jian Ye’s thin collar was violently seized by the young man, his slight frame lifting slightly off the ground from the force.

Jian Song, seething with rage, had insults already on the tip of his tongue when he was abruptly cut off by the boy’s panicked shriek.

“Cousin! I was wrong! Don’t hit me!!!”

The words exploded like a clap of thunder, and Jian Song, standing so close, was almost deafened by the sudden outburst.

The Jian family servants, who had already been observing the situation from a distance, heard the young master’s shouts and immediately knew something was amiss. They rushed over, one after another, to restrain Jian Song.

“First Young Master! Please don’t be impulsive! The Young Master surely didn’t mean it!”

“That’s right, First Young Master, there must be some misunderstanding!”

“Today is a lovely day for a family gathering; let’s not let a small matter sour the mood. The Elder Master is hoping for harmony between you brothers.”

“If anyone ends up with a bruised face and it reaches the Elder Master, it will only upset him further.”

Jian Song: ???

‘When did I ever say I was going to hit him?’

By the time Jian Song regained his senses, he found himself surrounded by a group of house servants, all earnestly lecturing him with a stream of persuasive words, their faces filled with concern.

They had, in effect, hammered home the narrative that the ‘First Young Master was about to strike the Young Master.’

“I’m just…” Jian Song tried to defend his innocent self.

“First Young Master, don’t be angry!”

“First Young Master, calm down!”

“I’ll have someone retrieve your luggage right away!”

The servants, fearing the First Young Master might resort to physical violence, spoke with astonishing speed.

Jian Song stood with his mouth agape, watching the boy, who had once again collapsed to the ground, huddle with his hands over his head, trembling. He instantly realized that in the contest of who was more innocent, he had clearly lost.

His cousin had always been adept at feigning innocence, but today, he had truly outdone himself.

Jian Song couldn’t quite pinpoint it, but he felt that Jian Ye’s return to the main residence this time carried a different aura than before. He just couldn’t put his finger on what it was.

‘Perhaps it’s just a misconception, thinking that just because he dyed his hair back, he can now pretend to be a good grandson in front of Grandpa? Just wait and see how I’ll complain about this guy later!’

Seeing the servants quickly retrieve his suitcase, Jian Song couldn’t be bothered to deal with it himself and simply tossed it to them.

He glared at Jian Ye, annoyed. “I don’t want the things inside. Cousin, don’t forget to compensate me. Even among brothers, accounts must be settled clearly—not a single cent less.”

Jian Ye deliberately dragged his feet, slowly and with effort, managing to stand up. He limped, touching his leg, and pouted. “Cousin, I’m out of money.”

Jian Song scoffed. “You’re out of money? What about what your parents left you?”

Jian Ye’s expression hardened as he glanced past Jian Song, remaining silent. He lowered his head and whimpered, “The money they left is being managed by Grandpa.”

Elder Master Jian, fearing Jian Ye would squander his inheritance, had taken charge of it, providing Jian Ye with a sufficient monthly allowance for his living expenses. Jian Song was aware of this arrangement.

However, he also knew that Jian Ye’s parents had left him a villa worth hundreds of millions. Any single item within that villa held significant value.

Jian Song had long coveted Jian Ye’s possessions, resentful that such a useless person could possess so much.

‘If only all of it could be mine…’

Jian Song thought darkly, a wicked smile playing on his lips. “Grandpa gives you a considerable living allowance each month. It’s more than enough to compensate me for those items. You live in a villa with a butler to care for you every day; you don’t even need to spend that money. Don’t tell me you’re broke; I won’t believe it.”

“But I really have spent all my money this month,” Jian Ye said, looking earnestly at the young man.

“It’s only the beginning of the month, and you’ve already spent it all? Did you spend it on that boyfriend again? You spendthrift, he doesn’t even want you anymore! And you’re still throwing our Jian family’s money into his arms!”

“I didn’t,” Jian Ye weakly retorted.

“You’ve completely disgraced the Jian family! How could I have a brother like you?” Jian Song grew more animated with each insult.

Finally, in a fit of pique, he declared, “I don’t care; you must compensate me for these things. If you’re out of money, why don’t you sell a few of those old items your parents left—”

“Silence!” A deep, aged voice boomed from behind them.

Jian Song’s face instantly paled. He turned to see the newcomer, his legs nearly buckling. The moment before, he had been strutting like an arrogant rooster, but now his comb wilted. He murmured, “Grandpa, I… I didn’t mean it like that…”

Jian Ye scoffed inwardly. ‘A piece of garbage, bullying the weak and fearing the strong.’

Minutes earlier, he had spotted Elder Master Jian approaching, but had pretended not to notice. Jian Song, that arrogant fool, was prone to speaking too much and making mistakes.

The more Jian Ye feigned utter weakness, the more the other party’s desire to oppress him grew. This continued until Jian Song uttered blasphemous words, enraging Elder Master Jian, who had just arrived.

Everyone in the family knew that Elder Master Jian’s favorite was his youngest son, Jian Zhengshu, Jian Ye’s father. Had it not been for his accidental death, the future of the Jian family’s business would very likely have fallen to Jian Zhengshu.

Elder Master Jian had been deeply saddened and regretful over Jian Ye’s father’s passing. He had intended to mentor Jian Ye, but unfortunately, his youngest grandson was utterly useless, even causing such a massive embarrassment in front of the Mo family not long ago.

Elder Master Jian was profoundly disappointed in Jian Ye, and because of the previous incident, even felt a sense of disgust. Yet, this child was Jian Zhengshu’s son. If he were to completely abandon Jian Ye, Elder Master Jian would be unable to face his deceased son and daughter-in-law.

Upon hearing that his eldest and youngest grandsons were causing a commotion in the courtyard, he had rushed over, fearing another major incident. At first, Elder Master Jian assumed Jian Ye was acting up again, but on the way, a servant explained that Jian Ye was being bullied by Jian Song. Elder Master Jian felt a slight sense of relief, not taking it too seriously.

He likely thought it was just a squabble between brothers, and as long as it wasn’t like the last time, with Jian Ye threatening to end his life, Elder Master Jian could accept it. However, upon arriving and hearing Jian Song speak so disrespectfully of his deceased uncle and aunt, and even using the matter to extort money from his younger brother, a surge of anger flared in Elder Master Jian’s chest.

“You harbor such thoughts, coveting the things in your uncle’s villa. Listen to the beastly words you’re spewing!”

Elder Master Jian stepped forward, the pair of jade beads he was constantly fiddling with almost thrown from his hand. “You brat! I think you’re itching for a beating! You need a good lesson!”

“Ah, Grandpa! I was wrong! I spoke without thinking! I just said it carelessly! Please… please don’t hit me!”

Jian Song was terrified that the jade beads would fly at him; those things had some weight to them and could definitely split a skull if they hit someone’s head. When Elder Master Jian truly lost his temper, it was no laughing matter.

He had heard that when his father was young, he had made a mistake and had his leg broken by Grandpa. As the leader of the Jian family, Elder Master Jian was absolutely ruthless when he needed to be.

It was precisely for this reason that Jian Song so desperately wanted Jian Ye to be humiliated in front of Grandpa. Last time, when Jian Ye embarrassed the Jian family in front of so many people, enraging Elder Master Jian, Jian Song had secretly gloated for a long time.

He had intended to continue tripping Jian Ye up in front of the Elder Master this time, but instead, he himself had been caught red-handed and thoroughly scolded. Jian Song, of course, knew those words shouldn’t have been spoken openly, but seeing Jian Ye’s cowering, meek demeanor earlier had made him lose control, and he accidentally said something that touched the Elder Master’s inverse scale.

Grandpa detested anyone in the family coveting his youngest son’s inheritance, and Jian Song deeply regretted speaking so quickly. It was all Jian Ye’s fault! If it weren’t for that kid, he wouldn’t be so unlucky!

Jian Ye was a jinx. Sometimes, Jian Song even harbored the malicious thought that this useless cousin should have died in the accident with his unfortunate parents. Such a thought, Jian Song naturally dared not voice aloud.

He was simply jealous that Grandpa had always favored the Third Branch, while their First Branch never seemed to gain any advantage. His father, Jian Zhengqing, also disliked Jian Ye’s father, and this animosity extended to Jian Song, who had always picked on Jian Ye since childhood.

Over the years, through his tireless efforts, Jian Ye’s reputation had indeed been ruined. The entire family despising Jian Ye was the sight he most wanted to see.

This time, he had merely made a small verbal mistake. Although Grandpa was angry, he would probably forget about it soon enough. In contrast, that little good-for-nothing Jian Ye’s detestable impression was surely already etched into the DNA of everyone in the family.

‘In this family, Grandpa will definitely dislike Jian Ye more,’ Jian Song thought, gloating inwardly. Sure enough, after scolding Jian Song, Elder Master Jian turned his attention to Jian Ye, who had just been helped up by the servants.

“And you? What’s this about running out of money? I heard everything just now. I remember giving you a million last week. Where did you spend it all in just one week?”

“What?! A million? Grandpa, you give this kid more pocket money than you give me!” Jian Song was incredulous. He had thought Grandpa would give Jian Ye at most one or two hundred thousand, and even that he considered too much. He never expected that, unbeknownst to him, Grandpa was still so biased!

“You shut up!” The Elder Master couldn’t be bothered to explain to the elder grandson; the younger one’s problem hadn’t been resolved yet. Although he knew Jian Song had been the aggressor in today’s incident, Elder Master Jian’s impression of Jian Ye had always been poor. Consequently, upon learning that his allowance had been so lavishly squandered, he showed Jian Ye no kindness.

While the Jian family was not short of money, Elder Master Jian did not approve of the younger generation indulging in extravagance and debauchery simply because their family was wealthy. If a junior had the ability to earn their own money, then they could spend it however they wished; that was their capital, and Elder Master Jian had no right to interfere.

However, Jian Ye was a “three-no” person—not the internet’s “no house, no car, no savings” kind, but rather no brains, no ability, and no ambition, akin to a timid coward. Now, he was also without parents. Such a person, contributing nothing to the family, was currently living off past wealth and would continue to do so. Elder Master Jian had no expectation of this youngest grandson achieving anything significant; being a parasite was acceptable. But he was destined to lose the right to freely dispose of property, a rule set by the Jian family.

Facing Elder Master Jian’s interrogation at this moment, Jian Ye felt no panic whatsoever. He hadn’t touched the million Elder Master Jian had given him. Since taking over the original owner’s identity, he had been planning for his future life.

In his previous world, he was an expert at saving money, believing it should be spent wisely. He would never squander money like the original owner, always ensuring he had a fallback. Jian Ye currently had a small private fund, but that didn’t stop him from claiming to be broke in front of everyone.

The young man patted the dust off his trousers and pouted. “That money… that money was used to…”

Jian Song’s heart bloomed with delight, and he sneered incessantly. “To coax that gigolo who dumped you, right!”

“…used to buy Grandpa a gift,” Jian Ye’s words came out simultaneously with Jian Song’s.

Everyone was stunned. Jian Ye pretended not to have heard properly, his eyes wide with feigned shock. “Cousin, did you just call Grandpa an old gigolo?”

“???”

Jian Song nearly coughed up blood. ‘What the f*ck? Not only do you have comprehension problems, but you’re also deaf, you bastard!’