Engagement Annulled? Now The Husbands Kneel and Beg for Her Favor

Inside the hospital room, Jiang Qingli said goodbye to Fang Chi.

Professor Xu, standing beside her, led Jiang Qingli out while explaining the patient’s condition. She listened attentively, her focus unwavering.

As she pushed the door open, Mo Sinan called out to her, ”Miss Jiang, you have a phone call.”

Jiang Qingli acknowledged him and walked past Xie Youchen.

Her expression was calm, as if she didn’t know him well.

But only Xie Youchen knew that as she passed by just now, in a shadow unnoticed by anyone else, she had gently squeezed his fingertip with her own.

Before he could instinctively squeeze back, she quickly pulled away and quickened her pace toward Mo Sinan to take the call.

Xie Youchen’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His gaze followed her, not leaving her for a single moment.

Only when his friend beside him asked again did the young man reply nonchalantly, ”What’s up?”

Song Zhizhou rubbed his chin. ”I feel like you’ve been in an abnormally good mood lately.”

He and Xie Youchen had been old classmates for years. Ever since they first met, he felt that Xie Youchen possessed a maturity beyond his age and even frequently suppressed his emotions.

The first time he’d clearly sensed any negative emotions from him was probably when Jiang Qingli and Baili Jing made their relationship official on social media. They were out drinking that night, and Xie Youchen had learned how to smoke. Standing there in the hazy night, he had the whole brooding heartthrob vibe going on.

Song Zhizhou had suspected he might have a secret crush on Jiang Qingli, but Xie Youchen’s words and actions never crossed any lines. He just seemed like the meddlesome older-brother type they had grown up with.

He had even thought Xie Youchen was doomed to be listless for the rest of his life.

However, recently, Xie Youchen had visibly relaxed a lot. The last time Song Zhizhou went to see him, he overheard a few subordinates saying that Marshal Xie had suddenly sent several large red envelopes in the group chat, clearly in a good mood.

Something that could make this old stick-in-the-mud happy...

’Could it be that things are progressing with that online girlfriend?’

Song Zhizhou gave him a suggestive look. ”Big progress in the love department, not bad.”

Xie Youchen paused slightly. ”You know?”

Seeing him admit it, Song Zhizhou chuckled. ”Who do you take me for? Of course I could guess.” He bumped Xie Youchen’s shoulder. ”An iron tree blooming—what a rare sight! Will I be drinking at your wedding soon?”

Xie Youchen said, ”It’s not a good time to make this public. It needs to be kept secret.”

Song Zhizhou grinned, saying considerately, ”I get it. The issues with the Xie Family aren’t sorted out yet, so it’s not convenient... Don’t worry, buddy, I’ll keep it a secret for you.”

Xie Youchen hadn’t expected someone with Song Zhizhou’s boisterous personality to accept this fact so calmly. A hint of relief appeared in his eyes as he looked at him. ”Thanks.”

”Hey, we’ve been brothers for so many years, don’t mention it!” Song Zhizhou waved his hand dismissively.

However, Song Zhizhou was actually quite curious about the kind of person Xie Youchen would fall for. Just as he was about to ask for a photo, Jiang Qingli, having finished her chat with Professor Xu, started walking toward them from a short distance away.

Seeing Song Zhizhou’s wide grin, Jiang Qingli asked, ”What are you two talking about? You look so happy.”

Song Zhizhou shook his head.

He had a sworn duty to protect his brother’s happiness. He had to remain tight-lipped, even to the girl he considered a little sister from a prominent family.

So he just gave a mysterious smile. ”You’ll find out later. In any case, it’s a good thing.”

The smile on Baili Jing’s face, who was beside the girl, faded slightly as he openly took Jiang Qingli’s hand.

...

The call was from Ouyang Lu, the president of the Healing Association.

The man on the other end first thanked her respectfully, then explained that he was in the Third District for a conference. The payment for this mission would need to be discussed later, but he had already sent a large quantity of Repair Gemstones to her residence.

Before hanging up, Ouyang Lu added that Jin Li had entrusted them with transferring all his assets to Jiang Qingli’s name, and asked her to go through the necessary procedures when she had time.

After Jin Li’s parents passed away, he had been living with the Fang Family. His assets consisted mainly of scholarships and his salary. The fact that he was willing to give all of this away showed how much he cared for his cousin.

Jiang Qingli didn’t think it was inappropriate. Since Jin Li was willing to give it, it meant her work was worth that much. She scheduled an appointment to handle the paperwork for the following Monday.

It was already late, and Baili Jing had to go to the Second District the next day for an offline promotional event for his movie, so he left first.

Before he left, Baili Actor hugged his female master and whispered a few words in her ear.

The tips of the girl’s ears turned pink. She shot him a glare, and he just smiled and stroked her warm cheek.

The handsome man and beautiful woman were a very eye-catching pair.

Watching from a distance, Song Zhizhou remarked, ”Those two really seem to have a great relationship.”

When he got no response, he turned to see Xie Youchen’s face had darkened. He was looking at him with a gaze full of displeased condemnation, as if Song Zhizhou were a traitor on the battlefield, boosting the enemy’s morale.

Song Zhizhou: ”...?”

’Why does he have that sour look on his face again? Is it because his online girlfriend isn’t around, and seeing his little sister and brother-in-law being so affectionate is making him feel lonely, empty, and cold?’

After thinking for a moment, Song Zhizhou patted his good friend’s shoulder. ”Hey, you’ll get used to this kind of thing eventually.”

Xie Youchen looked away and let out a heavy, cold snort.

But he didn’t refute it.

...

The supervision center was in a remote location, so Mo Sinan had them stay for dinner.

After eating, the group parted ways in the garage.

Entering and exiting the supervision center required clearing procedures, so they had to wait in the car for a few minutes before leaving.

The Jiang Family’s driver had taken over for Baili Jing, sitting steadily in the driver’s seat, his eyes strictly fixed forward.

Xie Youchen and Jiang Qingli got into the car from opposite sides. After Jiang Qingli was seated, she lowered the window and waved to Song Zhizhou. ”We’re heading out! See you next time, Brother Zhizhou.”

”See you next time, Qingli.”

Song Zhizhou waved, and behind him, Mo Sinan and a few researchers also smiled and nodded.

Inside the car, the two of them sat with a gap between them. Xie Youchen was raising the partition, and after sitting back, Jiang Qingli was looking at her terminal. Their relationship appeared quite ordinary.

’I’m so dirty-minded,’ Song Zhizhou thought. ’How could I make such petty assumptions about what’s going on between my best friend and the little sister from a good family!’

’They’re clearly just pure childhood friends!’

What Song Zhizhou didn’t know was—

The moment the window was fully raised, the young man who had been so prim and proper just a moment ago pulled the girl onto his lap, his hand cupping the small of her back as his thumb caressed her gently.

Jiang Qingli was about to wrap her arms around his neck, but she caught sight of someone approaching in her peripheral vision. Her constantly vigilant nerves jolted, and she instinctively tried to pull away, but Xie Youchen held her leg down and whispered that it was fine.

He deactivated the car’s soundproofing function, and Jiang Qingli heard a researcher outside let out a sigh of relief. ”That’s great, Miss Jiang! I’m so glad you haven’t left yet. I needed to talk to you about something.”

Jiang Qingli asked in a hushed voice, ”What is it?”

The researcher explained, ”It’s like this: based on our projections, Mr. Fang Chi will need about three more healing sessions to lower his contamination value enough to recover. His situation is rather unique; after his contamination value is lowered, he’ll need to undergo psychiatric treatment, so the next few healing sessions may need to be scheduled close together.”

”We’ve prepared a schedule and have already sent it to your email. If it conflicts with your availability, we can discuss it further.”

Jiang Qingli said, ”Okay, I understand. Thank you.”

”Of course.”

After the person finished speaking, Xie Youchen reactivated the soundproofing, and all outside noise was cut off.

Xie Youchen had just been teasing the girl and hadn’t planned on doing anything more.

So now he simply held her, kneading her shoulders and neck with just the right amount of pressure to help her relax.

Jiang Qingli was indeed exhausted. She leaned against Xie Youchen’s shoulder, thoroughly enjoying it. ”How did you get so good at giving massages?”

”There are some relevant books in the study. I read a few in my spare time.”

Xie Youchen’s tone was casual as he said this, with no intention of seeking credit.

But it was obvious who he had learned it for.

Jiang Qingli’s lips curved into a smile. Just as she was about to praise him, her terminal suddenly vibrated.

On the screen, a young man’s gentle smile was displayed, and the contact name—the single word ”Husband”—was especially glaring.

She had been coaxed into changing the contact name and didn’t think much of it herself, but seeing it with Xie Youchen made her feel a little guilty. She reached out to cover the screen.

Xie Youchen picked up the terminal and placed it in her hand, his voice calm:

”It’s a call from your husband.”