The Shattered Gift

“What old gigolo? I was talking about your little… Ugh, never mind! That’s not the point!”

He had nearly been led astray by that boy.

Jian Song pointed at the young man’s nose and declared, “Jian Ye, stop slandering me! Everyone in the family knows about your scandalous affair with that pretty boy, so what are you still pretending for?!”

‘If Yu Wei knew the Jian family saw him as nothing more than a pretty boy, he’d probably be just as furious and twisted as Jian Song is now,’ Jian Ye mused internally.

“It’s bad enough you gave him money, but then you lied to Grandpa, claiming you bought him a gift. Doesn’t your conscience ache?” Jian Song crossed his arms, feeling quite pleased with his performance.

He glanced out of the corner of his eye at the ashen-faced elder beside him, a faint smile touching his lips.

‘Jian Ye, let’s see how you’ll talk your way out of this one!’

The young man ignored Jian Song’s words, touching the left side of his chest as he looked at Elder Master Jian. “Grandpa, I’ll give you the gift when we reach the main hall. I was ignorant before and made you angry. Your grandson knows he can’t mend the pain in your heart, but I still wish to try and fulfill my filial duty.”

“Grandpa…” The young man’s voice choked with emotion as he spoke. “I will listen to you obediently from now on and never cause you worry again.”

Elder Master Jian’s anger had been thoroughly stoked by Jian Song’s exaggerated claims, but now, under the gaze of his young grandson’s watery eyes, his heart instinctively softened.

Jian Ye had inherited the best features from both his parents; all the most beautiful traits had been passed down to him.

The brief moment of eye contact made Elder Master Jian momentarily dazed, as if he were seeing a young Jian Zhengshu.

Especially after Jian Ye dyed his hair back, the resemblance was even more striking.

Jian Song felt as if he had punched a cotton ball, seeing Jian Ye completely disregard him. Even the elder was beginning to be moved by Jian Ye’s feigned innocence. The fire he had so carefully fanned was about to be extinguished!

Seeing this, Jian Song quickly interjected, “Grandpa, don’t listen to Jian Ye’s empty boasts. Don’t you know his true nature? He’s definitely trying to deceive you again—”

“Enough.” Elder Master Jian waved his hand impatiently, cutting Jian Song off.

To be honest, the elder wasn’t sure if Jian Ye was telling the truth, but he didn’t want to dwell on it any longer.

At the very least, Jian Ye had shown him remorse and regret for his foolish actions last time.

As long as the young man didn’t remain stubbornly deluded, nothing else truly mattered.

“Everyone, let’s go inside. Arguing in the courtyard so early in the morning, you’ve scared away my birds!”

Elder Master Jian’s birds were free-range; they would fly into the courtyard to eat at certain times and return to their cages to sleep at night. They were quite clever.

Seeing the change in the elder’s expression, Jian Ye knew the previous incident was now behind them. He let out a sigh of relief.

He knew Jian Song must be seething inside, so he deliberately walked ahead, adopting an arrogant stride, even wiggling his hips twice.

After all, the elder was at the very front and wouldn’t see his sudden change in demeanor.

Jian Song, trailing behind, widened his eyes.

‘Damn it! I knew this brat was faking it in front of Grandpa! Now he even dares to provoke me?’

Jian Song couldn’t stand anyone acting smug in front of him. If someone put on more airs than he did when he was in a bad mood, he would definitely—

“You little good-for-nothing, get out of my way!” Just as Jian Ye was about to step into the main hall, Jian Song kicked out.

Jian Ye had long been wary of what was behind him, knowing that fellow couldn’t hold back and would make a move. He anticipated the attack and dove forward.

Jian Song’s foot missed his back by a hair’s breadth.

Though he hadn’t been kicked, the young man ahead of him flew into the center of the main hall like a ball, crashing heavily to the ground.

“Ah!” Jian Ye let out a dramatic, soul-piercing shriek, channeling his entire acting career into that single sound.

Inside the main hall.

Jian Ye’s eldest uncle, eldest aunt, and those from the second branch had already arrived.

His second cousin, Jian Shishi, was leisurely applying nail polish to her alluring hands, looking utterly at ease.

The elders were sipping morning tea, their harmonious facade masking underlying treachery.

The seemingly calm scene was shattered by the young man who suddenly flew into the room.

The tremendous commotion startled everyone.

In an instant, the sound of a teacup falling, a nail polish bottle rolling, and everyone’s exclamations merged into a chaotic, lively symphony.

Jian Shishi stared at her new dress, ruined by nail polish, and stood up, screaming as if her world had collapsed, “Jian Ye! Haven’t you caused enough trouble already?! Why does everything turn into a mess wherever you are?!”

“Oh dear, what… what kind of fuss is this now?” Eldest Aunt Zhu Yan smoothed her hair, her face pale with shock.

“A dignified young man of the Jian family can’t even walk steadily! What an embarrassment!” Eldest Uncle Jian Zhengqing’s expression was stern, his brows furrowed with disdain.

“Ah, Elder Brother, don’t say that. Xiao Ye is still growing; perhaps he’s calcium deficient. We can have the kitchen prepare more supplements for him. Still, it’s true a boy shouldn’t be so frail,” Second Uncle Jian Zhenghua interjected, trying to smooth things over.

“He’s just a sissy! A good-for-nothing! And he’s being led around by a man, he’s utterly stupid! Don’t say you know me when we’re out; it’s humiliating!” Jian Shishi was still lamenting her dress, so naturally, she had nothing good to say about Jian Ye at that moment.

Second Aunt Tao Xuemei, standing nearby, pulled her arm, signaling her not to say too much. The elder was still here. She feigned concern, advising, “It’s just a dress; your younger cousin didn’t do it on purpose.”

Jian Ye clutched his chest, unable to get up for a long time.

Among such a large family, not a single person came forward to help him when he fell, nor did anyone ask if he was hurt.

This was Jian Ye’s first time back at the main residence since transmigrating into the book. As a newcomer, a simple test had already revealed the cold indifference prevalent in this household.

These people could truly talk. He had waited for ages for this round of speeches to finish.

Just as it was finally his turn to perform, Jian Song, who had followed him in, spoke again.

“Are you freaking doing this on purpose again? What exactly are you trying to do?!”

Jian Song hadn’t been able to join the ‘loving family’ group chat earlier because he had been dumbfounded by Jian Ye’s antics.

He was certain he hadn’t kicked the other boy, yet the boy had rolled a considerable distance.

It almost made him wonder if he could use a Kamehameha.

[System 748: All personnel present, lights in position, audience seated, stage ready. Host, please begin your performance quickly.]

[Jian Ye: Mind your own green tea value backend. You’re not cut out to be an MC.]

[System 748: Oh.]

Facing the barrage of malicious words from all sides, the young man remained silent, slowly propping himself up with his hands. Suddenly, he seemed to realize something and frantically fumbled in his embrace.

When he pulled out a pile of fragments, tears finally streamed down his face.

He sobbed uncontrollably, speaking in broken gasps, “Grandpa… I’m… I’m so sorry… The gift your grandson wanted… wanted to give you… it’s broken, wuwuwu!”

Everyone looked on, seeing only a few pieces of sky-blue porcelain in the young man’s hand. Clearly, before it shattered, it must have been a beautiful vessel.

Elder Master Jian recognized it at a glance as a Ru kiln celadon cup.

He was the biggest tea lover in the family and had collected many tea sets over the years.

Earlier, when he heard Jian Ye say he had spent his entire month’s living allowance to buy him a gift, he hadn’t taken it seriously.

Now, seeing his young grandson sitting on the ground, crying a river of tears while clutching the celadon fragments, his heart immediately twisted with pain.

It was as if not just an inanimate object had shattered, but his very soul.

Elder Master Jian had not spoken earlier, clearly observing everyone’s actions and words directed at Jian Ye.

He suddenly realized that he had never truly paid attention to the child’s plight.

He had always ignored what others said about the boy.

He had never considered whether those words were harsh or whether they would hurt a child.

When all these things erupted before his eyes at once, he profoundly felt the young man’s helplessness.

Yet, in the face of such disgusted remarks, Jian Ye offered no resistance, seeming not to care at all, as if he had long grown numb.

In that moment, the young man’s eyes were only fixed on the shattered Ru kiln celadon cup, his face etched with such profound sorrow and sadness.

In that instant, Elder Master Jian saw the child’s earnest intention. This child genuinely wanted to give him a gift and was truly apologizing and repenting.

“Quick, quick, help the young master up! Why are you all standing there gawking?!”

As soon as Elder Master Jian spoke, the surrounding servants quickly rushed to help. The atmosphere in the main hall had been somewhat terrifying earlier, and no one dared to move.

Everyone in this household knew whose lead they should follow.

They had all seen how the young master had fallen—it was the eldest young master who had kicked him fiercely from behind.

That kick looked heavy, likely delivered with all his strength. Otherwise, how could the porcelain in the young master’s arms have shattered?

However, with the masters and madams in the hall, the servants dared not speak the truth directly, let alone step forward to help Jian Ye.

Only when the elder spoke did they finally breathe a sigh of relief, able to openly assist the young master.

Jian Ye was helped up, his entire body still trembling from his sobs.

“Ye’er, come here.” Elder Master Jian softened his expression and beckoned to him.

The young man timidly walked over to the elder, and then a large, aged hand gently rested on his head.

Elder Master Jian stroked his young grandson’s head, so tenderly that he seemed utterly unlike the angry elder from before.

“There, there, don’t cry. Grandpa understands Ye’er’s intentions.” Elder Master Jian picked up a piece of the broken porcelain from Jian Ye’s hand and examined it. “This Ru kiln celadon cup is indeed of superior quality. It must have cost you a month’s living allowance.”

Jian Ye mumbled softly, “Even more than that…”

Elder Master Jian paused, then burst into laughter. “Are you complaining that Grandpa usually gives you too little pocket money?”

Jian Ye pursed his lips. “Your grandson wouldn’t dare… Grandpa gives me more than enough money. It’s just…”

“Just what?”

“It’s just that today I ruined something in Elder Cousin’s suitcase, and Elder Sister’s dress also…” As he spoke, the young man cautiously looked up at Jian Shishi, as if terribly afraid of being blamed.

Elder Master Jian was touched by Jian Ye’s small gesture. Clearly, the child hadn’t done it on purpose.

If Jian Song hadn’t forced Jian Ye to carry his suitcase, would the contents have broken? And as for Jian Shishi’s dress, didn’t she know how it got dirty herself?

How could this also be blamed on Jian Ye?

Elder Master Jian immediately made a decision. “Those are minor matters. Grandpa will compensate them for you. You don’t need to worry about it anymore.”

“Grandpa! Why are you siding with him?!” Jian Shishi exclaimed, agitated.

Jian Song was even more incredulous. “Exactly, Grandpa! My camera and laptop still have a lot of pictures and data stored on them! You—”

“Both of you, shut up!” Elder Master Jian roared, and the two instantly recoiled like quails, shrinking their necks.

Elder Master Jian’s aura was too powerful; even Jian Ye, standing right in front of him, trembled from the profound voice.

Truly worthy of being the head of the family, the patriarch of the Jian family, their pillar of support.

He needed to cling to this powerful figure even more firmly!