CHAPTER 1414: CHAPTER 1414: THE RESENTFUL WIDOW ON THE VERGE OF DEATH (4)

"Second Brother is pursuing Qiao Qiao, but Qiao Qiao doesn’t want him to. I think Second Brother’s method is pretty effective. From now on, I’ll also pester you relentlessly until the day you accept me." Xiao Ji said as he naturally took Su Hongxing’s handbag.

Su Hongxing froze on the spot. Thinking about Xiao Ji pestering her relentlessly—if Ye Qilan saw it, wouldn’t he hold a grudge? How miserable would her days become?

Speaking of which, it was all Ye Shiqing’s fault. If it weren’t for him, Xiao Ji wouldn’t suddenly decide to use such a persistent approach on her.

Not long after, Ye Qilan returned to Qingmu Garden as well. As soon as he walked in the door, he saw the scene of Xiao Ji circling around Su Hongxing. That scene was infuriating no matter how he looked at it. To someone who didn’t know better, it might seem like Su Hongxing was Xiao Ji’s wife.

He put down his briefcase, and before Su Hongxing noticed he was home, he let out a heavy cough.

Su Hongxing peeked out and saw Ye Qilan had returned. She immediately ran over to him, proactively linking her arm with his. "Dinner will be ready soon. Do you want to go upstairs and change into something more comfortable before coming down?"

Ye Qilan’s gaze was intense as he looked at Xiao Ji and replied coldly, "No need!"

Xiao Ji had tried to make moves on Su Hongxing while he wasn’t home—how could he let Xiao Ji have any chance?

Seeing Ye Qilan’s cold expression, Su Hongxing wisely shut her mouth. At this moment, it was better for her to stay quiet and not stir the pot. At the very least, she should stick close to Ye Qilan to ensure Xiao Ji would feel some restraint.

Just as Su Hongxing predicted, Xiao Ji did indeed restrain himself when Ye Qilan appeared. But wherever she went, he still followed, regardless of the murderous look Ye Qilan shot him. It didn’t faze him in the slightest.

Meanwhile, Ye Shiqing was surprising everyone.

Usually such a cold and aloof person, he was meticulous in his care for Qiao Qiao. Even Su Hongxing couldn’t help but praise him, "If Xiaoqiao marries Second Brother, she’ll definitely be spoiled like a princess."

"I’ll also spoil you like a princess," Ye Qilan immediately declared.

Su Hongxing rolled her eyes at him. "I’m talking about Xiaoqiao right now. I used to think Second Brother was just a rough guy, but now I see he’s very thoughtful."

The way he treats Qiao Qiao is unique—subtle yet considerate, not the least bit unpleasant. Clearly, he’s an attentive man, so unlike what one might expect from someone with a military background.

"That’s because Second Brother has met the woman he loves," Xiao Ji interjected with a hint of admiration.

Upon hearing Xiao Ji address Ye Shiqing as "Second Brother," Ye Qilan shot him a cold glare.

Xiao Ji turned his gaze and met Ye Qilan’s venomous stare head-on, then smiled faintly. "Seeing how Second Brother pursues Qiao Qiao, I realize I’ve been too conservative before. From now on, I’m going to follow Second Brother’s example. Amou, I’ve already decided—even if it costs me my life, I’ll cling to you and never leave."

Su Hongxing felt a jolt in her heart as her scalp prickled. Pretending not to hear Xiao Ji’s words, she laughed awkwardly, "I’ll go check the kitchen—dinner should be ready soon!"

Without another word, she quickly bolted into the kitchen. Only by escaping the invisible siege of Ye Qilan and Xiao Ji could she finally breathe freely.

A few days ago, Xiao Ji wasn’t so present, and the pressure wasn’t as intense. But now that Xiao Ji had fully stepped in, she could feel the oppressive weight imposed by the two men.

The situation didn’t look promising. She could only play dumb and do her best to avoid any conflict between them.

During dinner, Qiao Qiao kept her head down, focused on eating, while Ye Shiqing kept adding food to her bowl. Given her usual small appetite, her face sank as she looked at the growing pile of food.