The Natural Enemy of Brats

At 5:50 in the evening, Wen Xi got into the passenger seat of Jiang Jibai’s car, but Jiang Jibai hadn’t arrived yet.

She sat in the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, and sent Jiang Jibai a WeChat message.

[Jiang Jibai, I’m already in your car. Where are you?]

Half a minute later, Jiang Jibai replied.

Jiang Jibai: [Two minutes.]

Wen Xi had just typed the word [Oh] but hadn’t sent it yet when a new message notification appeared at the top of the screen.

She exited Jiang Jibai’s chat window and glanced at it.

Her stepmother Jiang Youyi had sent a video in their family group chat and even @-mentioned her.

In the video, her half-siblings Wen Leran and Wen Yiran were sitting in the back row in children’s safety seats, smiling brightly at the phone.

Jiang Youyi was filming while saying, “Tell your sister we’ll be there soon.”

Wen Leran and Wen Yiran immediately spoke in unison.

“Wen Xi-jiejie, we’ll be there soon! Welcome us!!”

The video was very short.

After tagging her in the group, Jiang Youyi sent another message.

Mom: [Xixi, your little brother and sister miss you a lot. They even brought you gifts. We’re almost there. See you soon~]

Wen Xi edited a message and replied in the group chat.

RiceCake: [Okay, thank you little brother and sister. See you soon.]

After sending it, Wen Xi stuffed her phone back into her bag and leaned against the seat.

The smile on her face disappeared.

When Jiang Jibai opened the car door, he saw the girl who had been extremely excited in the morning now slumped listlessly in the passenger seat.

He got in, fastened his seatbelt, and started the car without asking her anything.

Wen Xi also didn’t feel like talking.

Originally she had planned to bring up the “forced kiss” again on the way.

But ever since Jiang Youyi sent that video of Wen Leran and Wen Yiran, she had completely lost the mood.

It wasn’t that she hated her father remarrying and having children besides her.

It was that Wen Leran and Wen Yiran were nothing like the innocent angels shown in the video.

Those two kids were practically little demons.

A large reason why Wen Xi rarely visited her father’s house was because of them.

When they arrived at the hotel, Jiang Jibai parked the car and got out first.

Seeing that the girl seemed glued to the passenger seat, he walked around the front of the car, opened the door, and looked down at her.

“Not getting out?”

Wen Xi looked up at him and said, “Jiang Jibai, you’re really handsome.”

Jiang Jibai had no reaction at all.

Wen Xi wrinkled her face.

“I suddenly don’t want to go eat anymore. Jiang Jibai, can you go by yourself?”

“What do you think?” Jiang Jibai said.

Of course not.

Wen Xi answered herself in her mind.

Resigned, she unfastened her seatbelt and got out with her bag.

Jiang Jibai walked ahead.

Because Wen Xi didn’t want to go upstairs, she walked as slowly as a turtle and soon fell far behind him.

He entered the elevator first.

When he didn’t see the girl following, he held the door-open button and patiently waited.

After dozens of seconds passed and she still hadn’t appeared, he released the button and was about to step out to check where she had gotten lost in the lobby when she finally slowly walked in.

The elevator mirror was crystal clear.

Jiang Jibai stood tall beside her in a formal suit.

In the mirror he saw the girl beside him looking worried.

Her emotions were obvious, so he spoke calmly.

“Today it’s only my second uncle and aunt as strangers. Their personalities are good. No need to worry.”

Wen Xi glanced at him but didn’t respond.

She wasn’t worried about his uncle and aunt at all.

When Zou Jiayun mentioned having dinner together this morning, Wen Xi had forgotten that those two bratty kids would also come.

“Ding—”

The elevator arrived.

The doors opened.

Afraid the girl might refuse to come out and ride the elevator back down, Jiang Jibai blocked the door with his hand and looked down at her.

“Go out.”

“…Okay.”

They were already here.

There was no retreat now.

Wen Xi slowly stepped out of the elevator.

But the moment she took one step outside, two devil-like childish voices suddenly rang out.

“Wen Xi-jiejie!”

Wen Xi jolted.

Before she could even see who it was, she felt two small bodies hug her legs with four little hands.

Jiang Youyi’s voice sounded beside them.

“Xixi, don’t let them hug you! They just ate chocolate and their hands are dirty!”

“…”

Wen Xi didn’t even need to look down to know she had worn the wrong white dress today.

Jiang Youyi rushed over and lifted one child in each hand.

Seeing the two black stains on Wen Xi’s skirt, she immediately scolded them.

“Look what you did to your sister’s dress! You naughty brats! When we get home you’re standing against the wall to reflect!”

The two children were seven years old, barely reaching Wen Xi’s waist.

Wen Leran wore a cute pink princess dress.

Wen Yiran wore a tiny tuxedo.

Under Jiang Youyi’s scolding, they apologized in unison.

“Mommy, we’re sorry.”

Jiang Youyi looked apologetically at Wen Xi.

“Xixi, I’m really sorry. I was chatting with your dad at the entrance just now and didn’t hold them back. They just missed you so much. Don’t be angry. I’ll buy you a new dress later. See if you have a spare one in your car for now.”

But Wen Xi had come in Jiang Jibai’s car.

Jiang Jibai came out of the elevator at that moment.

He glanced at the two children beside Jiang Youyi, then at the four obvious black stains on Wen Xi’s white skirt.

He took Wen Xi’s hand.

“Wen Yan hasn’t arrived yet. I’ll have her bring a dress on the way.”

Wen Xi followed him as his large hand held hers.

She frowned and said quietly, “If I go in like this I’ll look so sloppy, Jiang Jibai.”

Pointless complaint.

Jiang Jibai simply led her inside.

Most of the people had already arrived in the private room.

It wasn’t very lively yet.

When Wen Xi entered, Wen Junru noticed her clothes first.

Confused, he asked, “Xixi, why are you dressed so dirty for dinner?”

Jiang Jibai pulled out a chair and placed a hand on Wen Xi’s waist, letting her sit down.

Then he said to Wen Junru, “Xixi cared a lot about this dinner. Her siblings just dirtied her dress outside. You misunderstood.”

Wen Junru paused.

Jiang Youyi came in holding the two children’s hands and quickly explained.

“Jibai is right. Don’t blame Xixi. The kids were too excited when they saw their sister and rushed to hug her. They were eating the chocolate you gave them, so that’s how the dress got dirty.”

Wen Junru looked at his children and smiled.

“They’re just kids. Xixi, don’t argue with them. They just missed you. I’ll ask my secretary to bring a dress.”

Jiang Jibai said from beside Wen Xi, “No need. I already asked someone to bring one.”

“Good, Jibai is thoughtful,” Wen Junru said.

Jiang Youyi sat down with the children.

Jiang Jibai’s second aunt smiled and called out to Wen Xi.

“So this is Xixi. What a beautiful girl. Jibai, you’re really lucky.”

“I’m the lucky one, Auntie,” Jiang Jibai replied.

He turned to Wen Xi.

“This is Second Aunt. That’s Second Uncle. Say hello.”

Wen Xi temporarily put aside the frustration about her ruined dress.

She smiled politely.

“Hello Second Uncle, Second Aunt. I’m Xixi.”

Second Uncle’s name was Jiang Guangqi.

Second Aunt was Chen Yuan.

They were Jiang Wenyan’s parents.

Looking at Chen Yuan’s face, Wen Xi realized Jiang Wenyan indeed resembled her a lot, especially their beautiful fox-like eyes.

They gave Wen Xi a meeting gift.

It was a Vacheron Constantin Égérie watch worth about 1.5 million yuan.

She accepted it and thanked them politely.

Then she turned to Jiang Jibai.

“Did you tell them I like watches?”

Jiang Jibai leaned close and whispered.

“Is there a problem?”

“No problem,” Wen Xi said.

“I just want to thank you. Your family is really thoughtful. They even asked about my preferences before giving a gift.”

“Wen Xi, that’s basic social etiquette.”

Wen Xi glanced at Jiang Youyi enthusiastically chatting with Chen Yuan.

Not everyone actually cared about such details when giving gifts.

When Jiang Wenyan arrived, everyone from both families was finally present.

She had brought a dress from a mall boutique for Wen Xi.

Wen Xi went next door to change out of the dirty dress, and dinner officially began.

Jiang Jibai didn’t talk much.

Wen Xi also had no mood to talk with those two little demons around.

Only the elders chatted at the table.

They talked about business, gossip, and even whether the two of them should hold a wedding.

When Wen Xi heard the word “wedding,” her eyes lit up.

Even if Jiang Jibai never mentioned Qiao Zhinian…

If they held a wedding, then the boss getting married meant the artist under the company would definitely attend.

She immediately turned to Jiang Jibai to talk about it.

But before she could speak, someone called her.

“Xixi.”

It was her stepmother.

Wen Xi straightened and looked over.

“What is it, Mom?”

Jiang Youyi smiled.

“Are you full?”

They had eaten nearly forty minutes already.

Wen Xi couldn’t lie.

“More or less.”

“Then take your brother and sister out to play for a bit, okay? Kids can’t sit long. Your dad and I still need to talk about the wedding with your future mother-in-law. We can’t leave.”

Wen Xi frowned slightly.

Jiang Youyi added, “Of course if you don’t want to, I’ll take them out myself. I’ll ask your father about the wedding later.”

Her voice wasn’t quiet.

Everyone at the table could hear it.

Zou Jiayun and Chen Yuan both looked over smiling.

To them this was a very small request.

Wen Xi sighed softly.

Then she smiled lightly.

“Okay. I’ll take them out for a while.”

The two children had already gotten off their chairs and were standing hand in hand on the carpet.

They looked beautiful and well-behaved from the outside.

Wen Xi stood up and reached for Wen Leran.

“Let’s go.”

They smiled sweetly.

“Okay! We’re going out with Wen Xi-jiejie!”

Jiang Jibai had also finished eating.

He watched Wen Xi leave with the two children.

He wiped his hands slowly with a napkin, preparing to follow.

The girl had been strange all evening.

And when Jiang Youyi spoke earlier, he had noticed the droop of her brows.

He had already guessed what had been bothering her.

But before he could stand up, Zou Jiayun called him.

“Agù, you and Xixi are the ones getting married. Don’t let only us talk. Do you plan to hold a wedding? When?”

All the elders looked over.

Jiang Jibai paused and answered a few sentences.

…

Meanwhile, Wen Xi took the two kids to the hotel’s children’s game room.

The moment they entered, the two immediately revealed their true nature.

They shook off her hands and even stomped on her foot.

“Hmph!”

Wen Xi wasn’t surprised at all.

“You two play here. I’ll wait outside.”

She had no intention of staying with them.

“You dare leave? I’ll cry and tell Daddy you hit me!” Wen Yiran threatened fiercely.

Wen Leran crossed her arms.

“That’s right! I’ll testify! Daddy will scold you!”

“Fine,” Wen Xi said.

“I’ll just sit here and watch you play.”

They were finally satisfied.

“Wen Xi, how did you find a husband so quickly? Are you a fox spirit?” Wen Yiran asked while stacking blocks.

“The book says fox spirits die miserably. Will you die too?”

Wen Xi ignored him and played a mobile game.

“Wen Xi! I asked you something!”

Angry, Wen Yiran threw a block at her leg.

“Are you mute?!”

Wen Leran also began throwing blocks.

Wen Xi glared.

“Throw again and I’ll hit you.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Wen Yiran laughed proudly.

“If I cry and tell Daddy, you’re finished!”

He grabbed a pile of blocks and ran toward her to smash them on her.

Wen Xi pressed a hand on his forehead to stop him.

“Don’t provoke me. Go play properly.”

Unable to move forward, Wen Yiran got angry.

He threw the blocks and bit her arm.

“You brat—if you bite me again I’ll really hit you!”

Wen Xi shook him off.

He fell to the ground.

Wen Leran rushed over and began hitting Wen Xi’s shoulder.

“You bad Wen Xi! You pushed my brother! I’ll never let you come to our house again!”

The two children surrounded her and started hitting her together.

Wen Xi stood up and stepped toward the door.

“Are you playing or not? If not, I’ll take you back.”

“Wen Xi, you’re all talk,” Wen Yiran said smugly.

“Daddy only loves us. If we cry you’ll have to apologize.”

Wen Leran added, “Isn’t it because your mommy wasn’t a fox spirit that Daddy divorced her? Or maybe she’s ugly and bad so Daddy didn’t want her.”

Wen Yiran echoed.

“Your mom is an ugly bad villain! And you’re a fox spirit who seduces men! You’re the same kind!”

Wen Xi pressed her lips together.

“Say one more word about my mother and I won’t be polite.”

“Hmph! I will make you look bad!”

Wen Yiran ran forward to head-butt her.

But before he could reach her, a foot suddenly appeared beside him and tripped him.

“Ahhh—!!!”

He fell forward and hit his forehead on the ground.

Wen Xi looked up.

Jiang Jibai stood beside her expressionlessly.

The foot had already withdrawn calmly.

Wen Leran rushed forward.

“You bad Wen Xi! You hit my brother!”

Jiang Jibai pushed her forehead lightly.

She stumbled backward and fell on the carpet.

Both children burst into loud crying.

Jiang Jibai said coldly, “No crying. Cry again and you’ll get beaten.”

The children immediately stopped.

“Come apologize,” he said.

“We won’t!”

“We’re telling Mommy and Daddy!”

They tried to run to the door.

Jiang Jibai stepped forward and blocked it with his long legs.

“Apologize.”

The children trembled.

Wen Xi leaned beside him and whispered ominously.

“Don’t forget. This big brother said if you cry again he’ll kick your butt.”

“His shoes are very hard. One kick and your butt will split into four pieces.”

“And he’s not afraid of Daddy.”

The two children trembled with tears in their eyes but didn’t dare cry.

“Apologize,” Wen Xi said.

Wen Yiran sniffed.

“Sorry, Wen Xi.”

Wen Leran followed.

“Sorry, Wen Xi.”

“Call me sister,” Wen Xi said.

“Again.”

“Sorry, jiejie.”

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“Xixi, Jibai, are you inside?”

It was Jiang Youyi.

The two children immediately burst into loud crying again.

Jiang Youyi rushed in.

The children clung to her legs crying.

“What happened?” she asked anxiously.

Before they could speak, Jiang Jibai said calmly,

“I scared them and made them cry. Sorry, Aunt Jiang.”

The children didn’t dare contradict him.

Zou Jiayun scolded lightly,

“Why did you even come here? Let Xixi watch them. Your cold face scares even your father.”

She then smiled apologetically at Jiang Youyi.

“I’ll buy the kids toys later.”

Jiang Youyi laughed gently.

“It’s fine. Kids are brave. Jibai didn’t mean it.”

She took the children away.

When the room was quiet again, Wen Xi turned toward Jiang Jibai with shining eyes.

“Jiang Jibai, you’re the natural enemy of bratty kids!”

She had never been able to deal with those two.

She couldn’t hit them, couldn’t scold them, and her father always sided with them.

But Jiang Jibai had made them cry in minutes.

“Your father favors them a lot?” Jiang Jibai asked.

“They’re seven. I’m twenty,” Wen Xi said.

“They live with him every day. Of course he loves them more.”

“So you just endure it and let them insult you?”

“You heard that?”

“They act innocent in front of adults. No one believes me when I say they’re vicious.”

“That’s why I rarely go to my dad’s house.”

Jiang Jibai looked down at her puffed cheeks.

“You’re young, but you endure a lot.”

“…Are you mocking me?”

Wen Xi narrowed her eyes.

Then suddenly she smiled.

“Jiang Jibai, I suddenly remembered something.”

“Let’s go back,” he said.

“No!”

She rushed to the door and blocked it with her back.

“You still owe me an explanation for forcibly kissing me.”

“What explanation do you want?”

“I told you already. I want to hear my idol’s voice!”

“I don’t have his WeChat.”

“Then add him.”

“Can’t.”

Wen Xi pouted.

“You forced a kiss on me, made my lips swell, even bit my tongue—”

“Wen Xi. No need to repeat it,” Jiang Jibai said.

“Let’s talk.”

“Talk about what?”

“You think I took advantage of you and owe compensation?”

“Yes!”

“You took huge advantage of me!”

Jiang Jibai looked at her calmly.

“Then kiss me back. I won’t resist.”

Wen Xi froze.

“That doesn’t count!”

“When a man kisses a woman, he benefits. When a woman kisses a man, she benefits even more!”

“Then do whatever you want to take advantage of me,” Jiang Jibai said.

Her eyes immediately sparkled.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Can I touch your abs?”

“Yes.”

“Can I give you hickeys?”

“Yes.”

“Anywhere?” she asked excitedly.

He glanced at her coolly.

“Why are you looking at me like I’m a pervert?”

“I mean your chest too!”

“Yes.”

Encouraged by his calm response, Wen Xi grew bolder.

“Then…”

She pointed under his shirt.

“Can I touch here too?”