After settling his luggage, Qin Jiang drove to Jing University under the watchful eyes of Mo Da and Mo Er.
His phone rang, and seeing a familiar name, Qin Jiang answered.
"Jiang Ge, if you go off the radar again, I'll start thinking Bai Chuchu tricked you into some shady business in northern Myanmar!"
"Say 'Daddy,' and Daddy will give you real-time updates on the latest gossip at Jing University."
"By the way, the news about you messing up Senior Li Hao's research project has been announced on the broadcast station. The school's decided to expel you. Have you figured out how you're going to handle it? Don't make your fifth sister take the fall for you again. You've worked hard to become the student council president at Huajing University, with a bright future ahead. If you make your fifth sister take the blame and get a bad reputation, your life will be completely ruined by the Qin family."
Song Jie's loud and dramatic voice came through, leaving Qin Jiang momentarily stunned.
Song Jie was Qin Jiang's good buddy from his lower-class days in the Qin family. They grew up together, having been adopted by the same family when they were kids.
Song Jie was smart, and after getting into Huajing University, they reconnected. The brothers were back together after a long separation.
Song Jie's current girlfriend, Jiang Kexin, had also grown up with them. Although they lived modestly, their relationship was strong and positive, with a hopeful future.
But Qin Jiang knew that Jiang Kexin was now very close to Bai Chuchu, and one of Bai Chuchu's rich admirers, Wu Yu, had started pursuing Jiang Kexin, showering her with gifts. After getting what he wanted, he dumped her, leading Jiang Kexin to tragically take her own life in front of Song Jie.
After Jiang Kexin's suicide, Song Jie spent all his meager savings on lawyers, but his efforts were too weak. Sometimes, even speaking out was a luxury for the poor.
In his past life, while he was imprisoned by Yan Liang at Liangyue Manor, Song Jie's desperate phone call for help never reached him.
He only saw in the news that Song Jie's death had brought some social attention, exposing Wu Yu's shamelessness and Jiang Kexin's death, but Wu Yu was only jailed for a few days before being released. The public's interest quickly shifted to new scandals.
His brother's death brought only a little bit of attention and faded quickly. The rich continued their lavish lives, still close to Bai Chuchu.
When Qin Jiang learned of Song Jie's death, he went wild trying to escape Yan Liang and vented his anger directly on Yan Liang, hitting her and telling her to leave.
He could feel the entire Yan family holding their breath in that moment. But he was ready to face death; it couldn't be worse than what he'd already lost.
Imprisoned and missing his friend's call for help, he blamed Yan Liang and himself for being useless.
He waited quietly for Yan Liang to get angry and torture him to death. But instead of her usual cruelty and ruthlessness, Yan Liang gently wiped a tear from Qin Jiang's eye, looking confused and hurt, and said, "Ajiang, I'm sorry."
For a moment, even Yan Liang's pride as the only daughter of the Yan family seemed to bend for him.
"What good is 'sorry'? Will it bring A Jie back to life? Yan Liang, you're a monster. You have no friends or family who love you, so you want me to lose mine too. You're so cruel."
But Qin Jiang wasn't accepting her apology.
He knew how to hurt Yan Liang, so he kept stabbing her heart with his words.
He went on a rampage, destroying Liangyue Manor, turning everything into ruins.
After letting out his anger, Yan Liang only had the remnants cleaned up and the manor restored to its original state.
From then on, she stayed by his side, afraid he'd do something foolish. She didn't lock him up again, giving him the chance to steal the Yan family's secrets and escape.
Thinking about his brother's fate in his past life, Qin Jiang was determined that this time, he would not let Song Jie's fate repeat itself.
He wouldn't take out his anger on Yan Liang anymore. She was just a fragile woman craving his love. As long as he obeyed her and stayed by her side, Yan Liang didn't really want to imprison him. She only did it because she didn't want him to escape.
This time, he wouldn't run away.
He was going to stay with her for life.
"Son, I understand your intentions now."
"Don't worry. I didn't ruin Li Hao's research project, and I'm not going to let Qin Xianyun take the blame. She should own up to her mistakes herself!"
Song Jie laughed excitedly, barely able to believe it. "Oh my gosh, our President Jiang finally gets it?"
"Since you became student council president, you've had to clean up Qin Xianyun's mess many times, almost getting into trouble yourself. Are you really going to ignore your fifth sister's well-being this time?"
Qin Jiang nodded. "I get it now."
"Got any ways to make money recently? Any college competitions?"
Although Song Jie came from a modest background, he was hardworking and excelled academically. He was an adopted child and didn't use his family's money for college. He lived off part-time jobs and prize money from school competitions, so he was always first to spot high-prize contests.
Short videos were just starting to become popular, and many influencers were benefiting from the trend. While it was a good time to get into it, Qin Jiang knew that in a few years, the short video boom would be supported by strong talent and new AI technology.
As college students, they were laying the groundwork for technical skills and culture. With technical support, starting AI research early would be a solid bet.
Top talent was abundant at Huajing University, and once involved in projects with mentors, it became clear that research patents were the most lucrative. Major companies were eager for them.
But considering these things was still a bit far off. For now, he needed to stabilize his position with the school committee. His future was long, and he couldn't stop here.
"Of course I do. But didn't you just win the gold medal in Huajing University's research competition? That's 20,000 yuan, enough for a year's living expenses. Did you really spend it on a designer bag for Bai Chuchu?"
Song Jie was frustrated.
"Wake up, man! Bai Chuchu doesn't need another sycophant. I saw her yesterday with a rich kid, playing hard to get…"
Mentioning Bai Chuchu made Qin Jiang's eyes darken. He sneered, knowing Bai Chuchu's true colors. On his deathbed, while being drained of blood, this vile woman had proudly admitted that she had goaded Wu Yu into sleeping with Jiang Kexin and then exposed Jiang Kexin's private photos online, driving her to suicide.
All because Jiang Kexin was as beautiful as she was but outperformed her academically, threatening her position as the campus beauty…
This wretched woman not only destroyed herself but also ruined his brother's life!
"Is that so?"
"Where is Bai Chuchu now?"
Qin Jiang gritted his teeth, itching to tear her apart immediately.
Mo Da and Mo Er, who were monitoring him, felt a chill run down their spines: !!!
It's over!