The younger sister pretends to be hypnotized, and her older brother gets addicted.

"Knock knock knock—"

The rapid knocking on the door, like pebbles hitting the water, shattered the tranquility of the lounge.

"Jiang, are you alright? I brought a doctor!"

Ruan Mingzhu's voice interrupted Jiang Yanci's further actions.

His brow furrowed, and a sinister glint appeared in his eyes.

But Ruan Yang seized the opportunity at that moment, like a startled butterfly, and broke free from his side.

But after running two barefoot steps, her knees buckled and she collapsed, her skirt spreading out.

The moonlight streamed in from the terrace, illuminating her slender, delicate back, making it resemble a jade pipa.

The red marks he had just left on her snow-white neck were still vivid, their beauty undiminished even by antique jewelry.

……

Jiang Yanci walked to the door and opened it only a narrow crack.

The room was dimly lit, and the warm yellow floor lamp was mostly blocked by his figure. Even when Ruan Mingzhu stood on tiptoe, she couldn't see through the light inside.

God knows how worried she was about Jiang Yanci and Ruan Yang being alone in the same room.

If Senior Jiang ends up with Ruan Yang, then I'll have really been working for someone else's benefit!

Nguyen Minh Chu spoke hastily:

"Senior Jiang, are you alright? I really didn't know my sister was so vain. To stay at the Jiang family, she actually tried to seduce you and even sent me a video to show off! I'm taking her away right now!"

Jiang Yanci's gaze was cold. "Get out."

A single word, light and indifferent, yet it felt like a slap across Nguyen Minh Chu's face.

She was stunned.

Although Jiang Yanci was aloof and taciturn in my memory, I had never used such ruthless words before.

"Senior Jiang, I know you hate it when my sister drugged you, but I'm innocent..." Her voice was filled with grievance. "I'll take her away right now and let Mom and Dad teach her a lesson!"

"She's not here." Jiang Yanci's gaze was icy. "After delivering the champagne, Yangyang left, and then you showed up. Ruan Mingzhu, do you really think you're so clever?"

Nguyen Minh Chu paused, a chill creeping down her spine.

She protested, "No! It must have been Ruan Yang who said that; she's framing me!"

She pretended to be wronged.

But with just a glance from Jiang Yanci, someone came up, gagged her, and dragged Ruan Mingzhu away.

"Bang."

The door closed behind him, and everything fell silent again.

On the sofa, Ruan Yang curled up into a small ball.

Her soft white dress was wrinkled beyond recognition, which she clutched tightly to barely conceal the mess. Her slender white toes curled up at the edge of the blanket, like a frightened young animal.

Jiang Yanci walked back to her, his expression having regained some of its usual gentleness.

However, the dark flame in his eyes had not been completely extinguished.

"Sorry, there's something wrong with the champagne."

"I just believed the video that Nguyen Minh Chau showed me, and I thought you were the one who drugged me."

Ruan Yang, wrapped in a blanket, kept her head low, revealing only a section of her bright red earlobe. She shook it gently and said, "It's okay... It's my fault. I was also at fault for giving Ruan Mingzhu an opportunity."

She was the one being bullied.

How can she still be so well-behaved?

The next second, Jiang Yanci spoke:

"Yangyang, we're getting married next month."

Ruan Yang was completely stunned. She looked up and met his dark eyes.

"What...?"

Jiang Yanci looked at her earnestly with his dark eyes, "I will take responsibility for you."

"No, no need." Ruan Yang realized what was happening and quickly refused. "Brother didn't do it on purpose. He was under the influence of drugs, and... nothing happened between us."

She has always respected Jiang Yanci as an elder brother, how could she marry him?

Besides, with my brother being so outstanding, he will surely meet a girl he truly loves in the future, and together they will walk down the aisle and live happily ever after.

Instead of being forced to marry her out of some sense of responsibility.

Moreover, she realized a terrible concern.

The eldest brother was about to announce tonight that he had recognized her as his younger sister, but the crystal chandelier inexplicably fell down.

It's as if she has a curse; whoever is nice to her will suffer bad luck.

Ruan Yang dared not imagine what kind of accident might happen to her older brother if he really married her.

Ruan Yang clutched her dress and hurriedly stood up. "I...I'm leaving now."

Jiang Yanci grabbed her wrist.

That wrist bone was incredibly thin; he could even feel the rapid pulse when he circled it in his palm.

Ruan Yang was startled.

She instinctively covered her mouth with her other hand, leaving only her wet eyes visible.

Jiang Yanci's eyebrows twitched slightly. "Afraid I'll kiss you?"

"No, it's not..."

He held her smooth shoulders and turned to the full-length mirror.

In the mirror, her cheeks were burning red, her eyes were watery, and her lips were swollen and moist.

The marks on the side of the neck, collarbone, and even lower down resemble fallen plum blossoms on the snow.

Each and every one of them has nowhere to hide.

Jiang Yanci leaned down, close to her ear, and whispered, "If you leave like this, everyone will know what I did to you."

The hot breath burned behind her ears, making Ruan Yang's ears feel like they were on fire.

"Otherwise... Brother, you should leave first."

Jiang Yanci sighed, his voice hoarse with a hint of suppressed resentment, "I'm not in a good position to go out right now."

Ruan Yang lowered her gaze and immediately understood what was going on. Her face turned so red it was almost bleeding, and she dared not ask another question.

Very nice.

I want to kiss you again.

A fleeting glint of desire crossed Jiang Yanci's eyes. "I'll call Fiona."

After saying that, he picked up the cigarette case on the table, pushed open the door to the terrace, and walked into the night.

Fiona arrived quickly.

Seeing Ruan Yang's appearance, he remained calm and asked no questions. He quickly redid her makeup and helped her change into a high-necked dress.

Before leaving, she turned her head and said something in German to the tall figure on the terrace.

Jiang Yanci neither turned around nor answered.

He stood dashingly in the night wind, a scarlet dot flickering between his fingers, and bluish-white smoke shrouded his angular profile as if covered with a thin veil.

Even though it's so close, it feels like you can't see it clearly.

Ruan Yang bit her lip.

She always felt that something about her older brother was different.

But she couldn't quite put her finger on what was different.

……

After Ruan Yang left, Jiang Yanci dialed Yao Jinzhi's number.

"Mom, the wedding will proceed as planned next month."

Yao Jinzhi's tone was somewhat delighted, "Okay, when is Xiao Zhuo coming back to get married?"

"It's not Jiang Zhuo's wedding," Jiang Yanci uttered three words, "It's mine."

"...What?"

Yao Jinzhi paused, thinking she was hallucinating.

Jiang Yanci did not offer any further explanation.

After hanging up the phone, he stubbed out the cigarette between his fingers.

The phone screen is a family photo.

In the photo, eighteen-year-old Ruan Yang stands next to Jiang Zhuo, smiling brightly.

The smell of nicotine did not extinguish the fire; instead, it burned even brighter.

He lowered his eyes, his thumb gently rubbing against his fingertip, as if the soft, warm, and delicate touch from before still lingered.

He opened his second brother's WeChat and sent him a message.

[Jiang Yanci]: I promise you, I'll help you hypnotize Yangyang. The wedding will continue when you return to China.

[Jiang Zhuo]: That's great! Thank you, brother!

The younger brother even thanked him.

Jiang Yanci's eyebrows twitched slightly, but he did not reply.

From childhood to adulthood, he always gave in to Jiang Zhuo.

But this time.

Jiang Zhuo, please let your brother have his way.

Next time we meet, remember to call Yangyang "sister-in-law".