章節 13: the Silent Monster
Tang Shilin gently patted Ye Xinxin's back, the weight of concern in her touch. "It's alright now. Let's have breakfast first," she said, her voice calm but firm. "I'll help you, I promise."
Ye Xinxin slowly pulled away from her embrace, his eyes red-rimmed, nodding silently. He wasn't hungry—not for food, not for anything; a deep frustration gnawing at him, one he couldn't escape. The confrontation, the harsh words, and most of all—Ye Xinren felt like he was drowning in an ocean of his own helplessness.
What could be worse than the cold shoulder of a partner you've poured your heart into? He had once felt loved, cherished by Jiang Yanxu. But in a blink of eye, Jiang Yanxu seemed a stranger. Every part of Ye Xinren screamed—why? What did I do wrong?
Gladly, the softness of Tang Shilin's voice grounded him. At least someone cared. He stood, randomly picking at the menus.
Tang Shilin took a seat, watching Ye Xinren move to the table, but as soon as his back was turned, her expression hardened. A cold fire flickered in her eyes, rage simmering beneath her calm. Her fingers gripped the edge of her chair as her mind reeled. Jiang Yanxu—her stepson, the man who had sworn to protect Ye Xinren, the man who once demanded their wedding be hurried—now the same man who had turned his back on Ye Xinren in such a cruel way.
She couldn't understand it. There had been nothing but love in Ye Xinren's eyes when he married Jiang Yanxu. Tang Shilib had seen it, everyone had. So why was Jiang Yanxu treating him this way now? How could someone so fiercely protective of Ye Xinren before, now act as if he couldn't care less?
Like what she learned, Jiang Yanxu would be mad to anyone who dared harm Ye Xinren. But now? He was the one causing the harm.
Tang Shilin clenched her jaw. This wasn't just about a spat or a miscommunication. No, Jiang Yanxu was pushing Ye Xinren into a dark corner, and Tang Shilin wasn't going to let that slide. She would get to the truth, even if it meant tearing apart Jiang Yanxu's cold exterior, layer by bloody layer.
She could feel the familiar fire of determination in her veins, but she knew better than to act rashly. Tang Shilin wasn't that fool. Jiang Yanxu was dangerous. He had his father's blood, his arrogance, and his ruthlessness. His power within the Jiang Family was unmatched—no one dared challenge him.
And yet, despite the distance she kept, Tang Shilin had to admit, Jiang Yanxu was the only one in the Jiang Family she could never completely tame.
But now, with Ye Xinren in pain, she couldn't let this go. If what Ye Xinren had said was true, then she had no choice but to act. She could tolerate a lot for the sake of peace, but not this. Not when it came to her son-in-law.
Tang Shiliu had been patient for years. Now, she felt that the moment was drawing near. She had been married to Jiang Yanxu's father for years, and her stepson had barely acknowledged her. He resented her presence, just as he had resented her son. But she wouldn't back down. She was more than just a stepmother; she was a force to be reckoned with.
But no matter how powerful she was, Jiang Yanxu was not an easy opponent.
And the truth was, she had never truly broken through to him.
---
On the other side, Jiang Yanxu stood at the bow of a ship, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The sea was calm, but inside, a storm raged. His chest tightened with each breath. His mind churned, replaying the events of this morning, his actions towards Ye Xinren. The slap still burned on his face, and Ye Xinren's palm seemed to linger there.
Jiang Yanxu had never felt so … disconnected. He wasn't used to feeling helpless, especially when it came to matters of the heart. His entire life had been spent in control, and yet, now, he couldn't even manage the one thing that mattered most.
He clenched his fists, trying to push the thoughts aside, but they came rushing back. His past, the years in prison, had left scars he didn't know how to heal. His memories of Ye Xinren before the time apart were clouded, vague. He had forgotten who he used to be, the man who had loved him so fiercely. Now, all he knew was the pain of their separation. The distance between them was more than physical—it was something he couldn't bridge.
A voice cut through his thoughts.
"Boss Jiang, what are you doing here?" A man approached with a polite smile.
Jiang Yanxu turned, his expression unreadable. Wen Haoyi stood before him, concern flickering in his eyes. "Brother, what's wrong? You seem … off this morning."
Jiang Yanxu didn't respond. His gaze shifted back to the sea, his face as cold and impassive as ever. He had become a mask of himself, and nothing could pierce it. The world knew him as the indifferent and calculating one. They had all gotten used to his silence. They had no idea how much it cost him to stay this way.
Wen Haoyi watched him for a moment, then sighed softly. But he said nothing more. He had learned long ago not to push Jiang Yanxu when he was like this. He would wait.
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