It was no wonder Jiang Lai felt surprised. After all, when they were negotiating in bed last night, he had been quite cold toward her.
Yet now, he was calling her "honey" and acting as her protector.
It all felt so surreal.
Of course, Jian Yue felt the same sense of unreality. He knew his hunch was right—his brother was harboring a secret crush! Otherwise, why would he care so much about a mere partner in a contract marriage?
Even now, Jiang Yi still couldn't believe it. She widened her eyes and stuttered, "Are you two really married?"
Jian Yue jumped in, "What else would we be?"
Even with him saying that, Jiang Yi refused to accept it. Her face contorted, and she began to shriek, "I don't believe it!"
Jian Yue rolled his eyes. "Who cares if you believe it or not?"
As he spoke, the expressions of the three members of the Jiang Family turned equally ugly. Inside, however, Jiang Lai was applauding—she really loved Jian Yue’s fighting spirit!
Throughout the entire exchange, Jin Shengshi hadn't interrupted once. The Jiang couple, skilled in reading the room, realized at that moment that Jiang Lai and Jin Shengshi had likely actually registered their marriage.
Though Jiang Lai still carried the Jiang Family name, and to outsiders they were a family unit, they knew the difference between their own daughter and their adopted one.
If it had been Jiang Yi marrying into the family, they would have been absolutely thrilled. But if it were Jiang Yi, she would have someone powerful backing her, and once she grew arrogant, she would no longer be at their beck and call.
Furthermore, they had just struck a deal with the Gao Family. Now that they had taken the Gao Family’s benefits but were unable to deliver the bride as promised, they knew the Gao Family’s temperament—they wouldn't let them off easily.
At the thought of this, cold sweat began to bead on Jiang Qianfeng’s forehead.
He looked at Jiang Lai, who was leaning tenderly against Jin Shengshi, and forced a gentle smile onto his face. "Xiao Lai, it was my fault for being impulsive just now. Look, I’m apologizing to you. Can you forgive your father?"
This was the first time in the 18 years since the Jiang Family adopted her that Jiang Lai had heard Jiang Qianfeng lower his head and apologize.
Honestly, hearing him forced into a plea for mercy felt quite satisfying. But just because he apologized didn’t mean she would accept it.
When no answer came, Jiang Qianfeng’s mask of fake gentleness became hard to maintain. Fearing he might act rashly, Qi Yuzhen quickly tugged on Jiang Yi, then turned to Jiang Lai with her usual gentle tone.
"Xiao Lai, your mother and sister are apologizing to you, too. You’ve been sensible and obedient since you were small; I believe you won’t hold this against us."
Hold it against them?
Jiang Lai silently repeated the words to herself. Tsk, just listen to how lightly Qi Yuzhen said that. She wasn't some saint—how could she not hold it against them?
In the past, she didn't hold a grudge only because she was isolated and helpless; even if she did, no one would have cared. But now, with a heavyweight like Jin Shengshi backing her up, she *could* hold a grudge—why would she waste the opportunity?
Turning her head to scan the three people opposite her, she furrowed her brows slightly and then nestled coquettishly against Jin Shengshi’s chest.
"Honey, my face still hurts so much~"
She was delicate, and her voice was even more so. It was clear she was demanding that Jin Shengshi seek justice for her.
Jiang Yi’s eyes widened instantly. "You!"
Jiang Lai looked at her with feigned innocence. "Sister, what's the matter?"
Jiang Yi hated this "pick-me" act of hers and wanted nothing more than to slap her, but when she felt the icy, indifferent gaze of Jin Shengshi, she silently swallowed her anger.
Seizing the moment, Jian Yue unleashed his fighting spirit once more.
"My sister-in-law’s face is swollen like this—do you really think a casual 'sorry' is enough to make up for it?"
Jian Yue represented Jin Shengshi. The three members of the Jiang Family wanted to retort, but they were afraid of infuriating Jin Shengshi, so they remained silent.
Playing dead didn't work with Jin Shengshi. The man’s dark eyes locked onto Jiang Lai’s swollen face. He ran his thumb gently over it and asked, "Is it only your face that hurts?"
He was offering her a ladder, and Jiang Lai wasn't stupid; she climbed right up. She leaned into his arms, looking frail.
"My ears are ringing a bit, my chest feels tight, and I feel dizzy." She let out two sobs and said with a look of fright, "Honey, I haven’t been hit so hard that I have a concussion, have I?"
She made the situation sound very serious. For a moment, everyone in the room had their own thoughts.
Jin Shengshi: He was actually looking forward to the moment she would meet Xie Siwan.
Jian Yue: My god, his sister-in-law was a drama queen reincarnated!
The three members of the Jiang Family, however, were panic-stricken—Jiang Lai was clearly trying to force them into a corner.
Just as they were feeling restless, Jin Shengshi lazily lifted his eyelids and spoke slowly in a cold, thin voice.
"Mr. Jiang, my wife has developed all sorts of health issues from your slap. Don't you have anything to say for yourself?"
There was no emotion in his voice, yet an invisible pressure descended upon Jiang Qianfeng’s heart.
Since an apology didn't work, then there was only one thing left...
Terrified that Jin Shengshi might take action against the Jiang Family, Jiang Qianfeng did not hesitate. He slapped himself across the face.
*Slap—*
The crisp sound of the strike echoed in the air. To Jiang Yi and Qi Yuzhen, it sounded like a thunderclap. Jiang Qianfeng had always been the backbone of the mother and daughter; all their dignity stemmed from his support. Yet now, he was slapping his own face.
But to Jiang Lai, it sounded like heavenly music.
Still, how could heavenly music have only one note? Shouldn't it be a series of notes forming a beautiful melody?
Just as she was thinking this, Jiang Yi’s shrill voice rang out.
"Jiang Lai, has your conscience been eaten by a dog?"
"Dad has been good to you; why must you humiliate him like this!"
Following close behind, Qi Yuzhen begged bitterly from the side.
"Xiao Lai, your father truly knows he was wrong. He shouldn't have been so impulsive as to hit you. Look, he’s already slapped himself. Can we please let this matter go now?"
The word "no" was already on the tip of her tongue. But the man’s voice above her spoke first.
"Let it go?"
Jin Shengshi’s expression was cold and stern. "You think you can just brush this off with one slap? You people are far too good at making deals."
"My wife has thin skin. Mr. Jiang, your slap has left her dizzy and disoriented." His voice turned icy. "But looking at the slap you just gave yourself, let alone feeling dizzy, I’d bet if I asked you to walk across a balance beam right now, you wouldn't even wobble."
"..."
His intent was clear. He wasn't going to let this go so easily.
Helpless, Jiang Qianfeng gritted his teeth and, with a look of total humiliation, continued to slap himself.
The crisp sounds continued, and Qi Yuzhen and Jiang Yi sobbed continuously.
Jiang Lai, however, felt a sense of immense satisfaction.
Heh.
This was only the beginning. Every ounce of pain the Jiang Family had caused her, she would calculate and collect from them, one by one.