Shadow Heir II: Dark Glory - Chapter 21

“Jiang Haobing got beaten up. Pretty badly, from the sound of it.”

The girl in sports wear spoke as she tugged down the zipper on her quick-dry jacket.

Just moments ago, the tight-fitting outerwear had been clinging to her body, tested to its limits in ways the designer never intended.

On the nearby sofa, a woman in a satin nightdress sat cross-legged. She blurted out, “Then go give ‘em hell! He’s busting his ass studying in Linzhou—how can we let him get humiliated like this?”

“He’s been coddled since birth. What could humiliate him?”

The girl in sportswear folded her jacket neatly and set it aside. Then she knelt to untie her sneakers and slid off her long white socks, revealing slender, pale feet that caught the light like polished jade.

Her feet were stunning—delicately shaped toes with a pearly luster. The kind of feet that would make a foot fetishist spiral into obsession.

She shot an exasperated look toward the woman.

“Auntie, I told you back then, we should’ve sent that useless brother of mine straight to the army. But none of you had the heart. Now look—he’s not even in the capital anymore, but the trouble still clings to him like a second skin.”

The woman on the sofa had a more voluptuous figure, her body exuding mature charm. Large, dramatic curls framed her face, and under the glare of the vanity lights, her creamy skin practically glowed.

Despite the loose simplicity of her sleepwear, the brand tag alone could bankrupt most people. She lounged like an imperial concubine lingering in bed, the robe only adding to her languid allure.

“Jiang Wanxing, he’s still your brother. You’re such a cold-hearted big sister,” she said while putting the face mask on her face. “You’re gonna stress your poor aunt into early wrinkles.”

She called herself ‘Auntie,’ but her skin was flawless—smooth as silk, without the slightest trace of age.

“Aunt Fang Qianxue, my parents are long gone. Of course, I’ve had to keep a low profile. Sure, Grandma’s side is wealthy, but that doesn’t mean Jiang Haobing gets a free pass to act like a spoiled brat.”

Jiang Wanxing switched to full name mode, her tone turning colder.

“And driving a G-Wagen as a freshman? What kind of image is that? I’d bet anything—he picked that fight himself.”

She knew her brother’s personality all too well.

Fang Qianxue waved a manicured hand as if it were no big deal. “So what? What’s the point of making money if the kids can’t enjoy it? Hey, once you find yourself a man, I’ll gift my future nephew-in-law a G-Class too!”

Jiang Wanxing gave her aunt a sidelong glance, eyes landing—unintentionally—on that scandalously pale cleavage. She sighed.

“Fang Qianxue, is your brain growing out of your chest? Coddling Jiang Haobing into a half-wit benefits neither the Jiang family nor the Fang family.”

Fang Qianxue pouted, but still looked smug. “Whatever. Your aunt’s got money to burn.”

Then she leaned in, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

“But why tell Haobing you’re leaving for Linzhou in a few days when you’re going tomorrow?”

Jiang Wanxing’s gaze sharpened. “Bai Xuyang’s been running wild in the capital for too long. Now he’s opened a club in Linzhou and already got it snatched right out from under him. I’m going early to see what kind of force could make him eat dirt.”

She paused, then added with mild interest, “I also heard Grandma’s trying to matchmake Mu Qianyu with my cousin, but something went sideways. I want to see what’s up.”

Previously, Mu Xudong had pushed hard to marry Mu Qianyu off to Fang Jingyang, Jiang Wanxing’s cousin.

Fang Qianxue asked, “Didn’t Bai Xuyang chase you for years? You still haven’t agreed?”

“He’s alright as a friend. But as a boyfriend? Ugh. Dull as hell.”

Jiang Wanxing stretched lazily, muscles rippling under smooth, flawless skin. Every line of her body screamed vitality.

“I can’t stand men who spend all day worshipping the ground I walk on. It’s boring.”

“What’s wrong with a little worship! I like it when men fawn over me!” Fang Qianxue shrieked, grabbed a throw pillow, and hurled it at her niece.

Jiang Wanxing twirled into a spinning kick that sent the pillow flying across the room. Laughing, she teased, “You’d better hurry up yourself, Fang Qianxue. While you’re still in your prime, pick one of your simping lapdogs and give me a decent uncle. Wait too long, and all you’ll get is some divorced dude with kids.”

With that, she turned and headed up the stairs. Even the simple act of climbing revealed the fierce elegance of her athletic body.

“You ungrateful brat! Talking to your aunt like that!” Fang Qianxue shouted after her. “And hey! If you meet any handsome guys in Linzhou, remember to send me photos!”

——

By the time Su Wuji woke in his hotel suite, it was already 10 a.m.

He washed up and wandered out of the bedroom shirtless—only to freeze in place.

Sitting on the sofa was a young woman in a beige, loose-fitting suit.

Mu Qianyu.

The sleeves of her blazer were rolled up to the forearm, and though her hair still flowed over her shoulders, it was styled, with the ends curled and her sideburns tucked behind her ears. The whole effect was poised, refined, businesslike, but soft.

Su Wuji, dressed only in a pair of boxer shorts, instinctively turned to retreat.

Mu Qianyu set down the magazine in her hands and smiled. “You’ve already let me clean your wounds. What’s left to be shy about?”

“Still gotta keep some dignity,” Su Wuji chuckled awkwardly. “When did you get here?”

“I’ve been here for over an hour,” she replied gently. “Manager Xiao, let me in.”

She stood and walked behind him, eyes landing on the scabbed-over wound she’d caused.

“Healed surprisingly fast.”

“Told you. Just a scratch.” He waved it off with a grin.

Truthfully, it wasn’t mino, but that healing powder worked wonders.

Mu Qianyu nodded toward the bedroom. “Anyone in there?”

“Funny thing,” Su Wuji laughed. “If you’d come yesterday, you might’ve caught a whole pile of ladies in my bed.”

“Word is, you’re a notorious playboy who never sleeps alone,” Mu Qianyu said with a soft smile. “You planning to change that lifestyle?”

Then—without asking—she walked straight into the bedroom.

It was small but spotless, aside from the unmade bed.

Surprisingly tidy, considering his reputation. Shouldn’t it be littered with sheer lingerie and strewn with fainting beauties?

Su Wuji followed her in, grinning. “So? Meeting expectations?”

Mu Qianyu didn’t answer that. Instead, she asked casually, “Would it be alright if I started dropping by now and then?”

She wanted to come over?

She didn’t meet his eyes when she said it.

“Of course! If you’re here to play mahjong, that means I won’t have to hunt for a fourth anymore!”

Play mahjong, my ass.

Mu Qianyu ignored that and changed the subject. “Uncle Chen told me everything you had him pass along.”

“Oh?” Su Wuji scratched his head. “I forgot what I even said to him.”

She smiled faintly. “By the way—Little Pang. He has Asperger’s, doesn’t he?”

“Nope. He’s just brain-damaged.” Su Wuji tapped his temple.

Mu Qianyu chuckled. “Asperger’s is a form of autism—difficulty with emotional communication, reading people. In his case, it manifests most obviously in one thing… he can’t lie.”

Su Wuji’s eyes narrowed. “So what did he tell you?”

Mu Qianyu’s eyes glimmered, lips curling. “Nothing at all.”

Su Wuji looked devastated. “Crap. He probably told you the color of my underwear.”

Mu Qianyu couldn’t help laughing, and then finally got to the real reason she came.

“Oh, right—could I ask you to come with me to Linmu Insurance today? I need to formally accept my shares.”

“Just the two of us?”

She thought for a moment. “We can bring Little Pang.”

Su Wuji grinned. “Man, this feels like a couple going out for the day… dragging along their dumb kid.”

Mu Qianyu didn’t respond. But her earlobes flushed a gentle pink.

She walked to his wardrobe with calm grace and opened the doors.

Su Wuji snickered. “Relax. No girls hiding in there either.”

To his surprise, Mu Qianyu pulled out a beige shirt, held it up to him, and said lightly, “Wear this one today. It looks good on you.”