Chapter Thirteen: Full of Vitality

Jiang Yingnan remained silent, his cold gaze fixed on Du Zhiye.

Time passed by in tense increments, and Du Zhiye grew increasingly anxious. Tonight, she resolved, no matter what means she must employ, she would make Jiang Yingnan stay.

Determined, Du Zhiye took action. She pulled Jiang Yingnan’s arm, rose, and planted a gentle kiss on his lips. “Second Young Master,” she murmured.

Her voice was soft, so soft that it sent shivers down the man’s spine.

Jiang Yingnan licked his lips, grasped Du Zhiye’s chin, and kissed her deeply.

Desire overtook him, and he paid no heed to anything else; he did not stop until dawn.

Du Zhiye tried to endure, thinking she would take photos once Jiang Yingnan fell asleep. But she hadn’t expected him to have such stamina; while her eyelids drooped and sleep claimed her, he remained vigorous.

…

The next day.

By the time Du Zhiye woke, Jiang Yingnan was already gone.

She gazed at the disheveled bed, inhaling the lingering scent in the air, and cursed herself, wishing she could knock her own head to pieces.

Her time was running out, and after indulging Jiang Yingnan so thoroughly, she wondered if she would have another chance.

But there was no time to dwell on regret, for Du Qi called her.

His tone was curt, commanding her to return home immediately.

Du Zhiye could have ignored the summons, but recalling the recent car accident, she decided to go back.

She did not expect to find Tao Ranming and Jiang Yingnan at the Du family house.

Seeing them together unsettled her. Steeling herself, Du Zhiye turned to Du Qi and asked, “Why did you want me to come home?”

Du Qi was stern. “I heard you’ve been having a disagreement with Ranming?”

Du Zhiye understood immediately. She glanced at Tao Ranming and said, “It’s not a disagreement. We’ve broken up.”

Tao Ranming sat on the sofa, visibly tense. Hearing her words, he opened his mouth to speak.

Du Qi’s brows shot up in anger. “Nonsense!” he thundered at Du Zhiye. “You’re engaged! How can you just break up like that?”

Du Zhiye’s tone was calm. “He cheated.”

Tao Ranming paled and instinctively stood. “I… Zhiye, I’m sorry…”

He didn’t get to finish; Du Qi cut him off. “Ranming was in the wrong, but you can’t be so willful.” His voice rose, “Ranming only made the mistake all men make, and he knows he was wrong. Why must you be so unforgiving, refusing to let go?”

Du Zhiye’s mother, Ye Qingcheng, had done the same years ago—when she discovered Du Qi had a mistress, she decisively filed for divorce.

Du Qi had pleaded with her, but Ye Qingcheng was resolute.

He even tried to threaten her, saying if she divorced him, she would never see Du Zhiye again. Ye Qingcheng still refused to forgive him.

Afterward, Du Qi used various means to make Ye Qingcheng’s life difficult.

Yet, no matter how hard things became, Ye Qingcheng never begged him for help.

Later, she met a foreigner and left to live abroad with him.

Du Qi knew Ye Qingcheng would never return. Still resentful, he married Du Xin’s mother, Yan Xiufang.

“This is not up to you,” Du Qi declared. “Let Ranming apologize to you, and that will be the end of it.”

Du Zhiye sneered, her gaze icy as she looked at Du Qi. She articulated each word clearly: “My affairs are not for you to decide.”

Her expression was exactly the same as Ye Qingcheng’s years ago—calm, resolute, proud.

Du Qi’s chest heaved with anger. He pointed at Du Zhiye and said, “I am your father. I must make the decisions in your life.” He paused, then added, “Today, you’ll move into Ranming’s house. From now on, you’ll live together.”