A Potion for Jealousy

“…”

Bai Chen’s expression darkened. Was that an accusatory tone? No one had ever dared speak to him like that. Usually, it was either reverence or fear. Even though the speaker was his nominal “father,” this tone still grated on Bai Chen’s nerves.

Noticing Bai Chen’s grimace, Bai Qiao quickly stepped between them. Bai Zhou snorted, then turned and walked to the sofa in the inner room. He sat down without a word, but an oppressive aura began to radiate from him, slowly spreading through the entire house. The vast living room fell silent, the atmosphere suffocating. If this mood could take shape, the whole room would be filled with black mist.

Bai Chen walked silently into the house. He was already annoyed by that inexplicable fight. His body was exhausted, his wounds barely held together—some were starting to tear. And now he had to stand here and read someone else’s mood? When had Bai Chen ever endured such treatment? Even when wounded, he would be surrounded by caretakers upon returning home.

Accustomed to such treatment, Bai Chen had been restraining himself a lot lately. But the moment he entered and felt that strange pressure, his mood plummeted. He no longer hid his irritation. Instantly, a powerful aura overwhelmed Bai Zhou’s oppressive force. Without pressing further, Bai Chen just wanted to go upstairs and clean up. This time, no one stopped him. The reason? They were stunned by Bai Chen’s ferocity. Even Bai Zhou hadn’t expected that his own son, at just eighteen, could overpower a middle-aged man who had maneuvered through decades of business intrigue.

“Huff…” Bai Chen collapsed onto the edge of the bed, pulling off his tattered shirt. Blood was seeping from the wounds. He took a roll of white bandages from the nightstand and roughly wrapped his injuries. His technique was clumsy; some wounds remained exposed. After all, when had he ever had to bandage himself before?

*Knock knock knock!*

A knock at the door. Bai Chen frowned slightly, then rose to open it.

Bai Qiao looked at Bai Chen’s wounds and raised an eyebrow. She had intended to talk about what had just happened, but it seemed this wasn’t the right time.

“Hey? What are you doing?” Bai Chen watched curiously as Bai Qiao unwrapped the bandages he had just applied.

“I didn’t expect someone as strong as you to make such a mess of it!” Bai Qiao teased without restraint.

“You know how to do this?” To her surprise, Bai Chen didn’t get angry. Instead, seeing her like this actually calmed his irritation.

“Yeah, I used to get into fights all the time. I’d get hurt, and after watching others do it enough, I picked it up,” Bai Qiao said seriously.

“Not bad, actually,” Bai Chen said, examining the bandages. They weren’t as good as those from professional medics, but certainly better than his own work.

“…” He wanted to say something caring or grateful, but pride held him back. In the end, they just stood there in silence.

****

The matter wasn’t pursued further. Bai Zhou had to rush back to the company for an urgent matter, and Bai’s mother, aware of the situation, said nothing. The incident faded like a ripple in a calm lake, quickly subsiding without causing a storm.

But before leaving, Bai Zhou said, “I don’t care what happened. You’re my son. Just stay safe.” Those simple words brought Bai Chen an unfamiliar warmth. He couldn’t forget them.

The next morning, they went to school as usual. The two were back to being close, walking together. Bai Qiao had made a true friend, and Bai Chen was as dominant as ever at the academy. But Miko’s dark gaze unsettled Bai Qiao. She had a… bad feeling.

After school, Miko walked in the opposite direction from home, slipping into a dark, hidden hut. Inside, an aged, sinister voice spoke: “Beautiful young lady, what can I do for you? I see your color—green, deep green. It signals extreme jealousy.”

“I… I need…” Miko clenched her fists, as if resolved. “I want a potion that can make someone forget another person and fall in love with me instead!”