Jiang Yi continued, "Tell me, what benefits does your Jiang family have that I can sell them?"
The tone of the person on the other end went cold, "What's with that attitude? Do you think the Jiang family or I owe you? Don't forget your position."
He paused for a moment then asked, "Now tell me, what's the matter with the Tang family? And how did you obtain the Annan post? Tell me everything clearly."
He was quite astonished when he obtained this news. Though the Tang family wasn't a huge family, they had some foundation at Jiangnan as well as money. This kind of family was massacred cleanly within just a night, so it was really shocking. Everyone thought that the Tang family must have provoked some family and made an enemy out of them, but after researching it, he found out that Jiang Yi had obtained benefits from this. Not only was his case from the past redressed, but that personage from the border region of Jiangnan had also helped him with reinstated to his former position.
This kind of matter was just unheard of.
He had made use of his connections to suppress this nomination, but that personage from Jiangnan's border region had preserved with letting Jiang Yi get this position in spite of the different intentions of the Imperial Capital. He couldn't understand the reason for this and thus got angry.
Jiang Yi laughed, but his mind was full of rage at this moment, "Why should I tell you when you weren't willing to help us and left us to die?"
Things like familial love had never existed since a long time ago, right from the moment he had stepped out of the family's doors 20 years ago. It was only his naïve belief that there was still some chance to return.
"Y-You impudent…"
"Beep-Beep-Beep…"
Jiang Yi didn't wait for him to flip out and hung the call. There was no need to hear his nonsense or to his scolding as he wasn't worthy.
It made sense that the Jiang family hadn't helped him 12 years ago because he hadn't bowed his head to them and begged them. Therefore, he still held a bit of hope towards the family. But this time, he had laid down all his pride and begged for his son, Jiang Xiu's life yet their response had thoroughly shattered Jiang Yi's heart.
Since they weren't willing to act in such a grave situation where the life was at stake, there was no need to hold any delusions.
Only, it was after all the family that raised him. After ending the call, Jiang Yi revealed a sad face and didn't smile anymore after returning to his seat.
Lin Yueling guessed from his face that the call had come from the Imperial Capital, "Didn't you want to do an amazing task? Make them see who's better. You can still do it. We have the chance to achieve it."
"You're right!" He raised the wine cup and downed the warm white spirit down his throat. "Little Xiu, quickly fill the aspiration form, or else you will miss the chance. Which one will you join? The Imperial University or the National University?"
Since the relationship was thoroughly broken off, there was no need to deliberately avoid them. Jiang Yi felt that there was no need to make his son renounce an excellent opportunity.
Jiang Xiu understood that his father had moved on.
"Maybe the Imperial University…"
In the previous timeline, Cheng Lingsu had chosen the Imperial University. When he had gone to the Imperial Capital to find her, he felt as if he was a weak student entering the sacred ground. Jiang Xiu yearned to join the Imperial University.
"Imperial University is fine good. It seems like Susu is also planning to join there. You both can look after each other. Mother will focus on taking care of your father in Annan."
After having the meal, Jiang Yi and Lin Yueling left for Annan. Jiang Xiu was planning to make Wang Xintong arrange a car for them, but people from Annan had come to receive them.
After sending his parents off, Jiang Xiu called Tang Wenchong, "Find out where Cheng Lingsu is working."
After a few minutes, Jiang Xiu appeared at a convenience store.
He looked at Cheng Lingsu arrange things on the shelves through the glass door. Her long hair was messy and stuck to her forehead, glued to it due to the sweat.
If Cheng Hanlin hadn't harmed the Jiang family, no matter how cold Cheng Lingsu had treated him or mocked him, he would've repaid the favor of her saving his life, such was his nature. He would gift her whatever she wished, whether it be glory, splendor, wealth or rank. But everything had begun with Cheng Hanlin selling out his friend, and this made Jiang Xiu feel very unwell.
"Aaah!"
Cheng Lingsu cried out. The box was too heavy so she dropped it down as her hands couldn't steady her grip in time.
"It's alright!"
A youth who worked along with her came running and comforted her instead of scolding. He also helped her pick up the scattered goods.
Jiang Xiu could make out from his infatuated gaze that it was another person who had lost himself to Cheng Lingsu's charm. Such were beauties, they were popular no matter the place.
"Let me do it. It's difficult for a girl to lift such a heavy thing. If you find anything heavy later on, call me…"
The two of them set up the goods on the shelf together.
"Thank you!" Cheng Lingsu replied softly.
The youth's cheeks blushed when he heard her skylark-like voice. He felt as if a feather was tickling his heart.
"Susu, are you free tonight? I want to invite you to a movie…"
Cheng Lingsu shook her head lightly, "Did you forget that I'm on the night shift?"
The youth recalled it, "Oh, next time then."
Although he was refused, the youth wasn't discouraged at all. He knew it wasn't easy to pick up a pure and pretty girl like Cheng Lingsu and that it required a lot of perseverance and willpower to slowly move her heart.
"Let's get to work."
After that youth left reluctantly, Jiang Xiu walked inside, "Looks like you're working quite well."
Cheng Lingsu turned back, and the light smile on her face went rigid, replaced by a nervous expression, "W-Why are you here?"
"I can't come here?" Jiang Xiu questioned her.
"No, I didn't mean that. I was just surprised that you came to find me."
Her mind was quite keen. She could feel that Jiang Xiu was less oppressive this time but still indifferent to her.
He was indifferent to her before, but Cheng Lingsu could still sense that there was an intense emotion which was either love or hatred hidden behind that indifference previously, but it wasn't there now.
He called himself 'this deity' to increase his loftiness before her but didn't do so now.
"I came to tell you that I plan to enter the Imperial University."
Cheng Lingsu mummed.
"Although my mother wishes for us to get together, you don't like me, and I too don't have any feelings for you. You know what kind of person I am. I am a wolf, and a wolf wouldn't get together with a hare. Let alone, after understanding the matters which happened in the past, there's no need for us to go down such a path. It's better to part our ways from now on."
"That's why I don't wish to enter the same school as you."
Cheng Lingsu bit her lips, "You won't let me enter the Imperial University?"
"I'll compensate you." Jiang Xiu told her.
He took out a bank card and handed it over to her, "There's a million inside the card. This money is enough for you to smoothly finish your university education in the Imperial Capital. It's enough for you to even go abroad."
In the previous timeline, Cheng Lingsu had chosen to go abroad to break free from Jiang Xiu.
And now, Jiang Xiu was helping her do that.
Money was what Cheng Lingsu needed the most right now for her parents' livelihood as well as her tuition fee. She already had intentions of going abroad to study. Before the college entrance exam, their family had already planned to send her overseas to study if she couldn't pass the requirements for the Imperial University or the National University.
Cheng Lingsu reached out to take the card, but Jiang Xiu pulled the back, "From now on, stay away from my mother a bit. Don't call her if she doesn't call you and also find a boyfriend as quickly as possible…"
The expression on Cheng Lingsu's face changed. She couldn't help but raise her head to look at him. She understood that he was making the boundaries clear to her. She took the card he presented her again with much difficulty, "Okay!"
After that, Jiang Xiu left the place. Once he left the convenience store, tears welled up at Cheng Lingsu's eyes, slowly sliding down her cheeks.
That youth had once again appeared before her, "Susu, why are you crying?"
Only then did Cheng Lingsu realize that she was crying, so she rushed to wipe them. She too didn't know why she was crying. She should have felt happy that she had finally got rid of him and even gained a million bucks.
When she raised her hand to wipe her tears, the youth looked at the bank card in her hand. It wasn't an ordinary card but instead a golden card, which meant that it was loaded with money.
"Who is he?"
He was quite jealous.
Cheng Lingsu shook her head and didn't reply to him. She received the bank card inside her purse then returned back to work, but she became quite dejected.