CHAPTER 626: CHAPTER 615: VICIOUS VILLAIN

Jiang Hongcai spoke his mind, and Luo Sitian had no choice but to hold back further comments, though her complexion turned an ugly shade of iron blue.

Standing to the side, Jiang Yi looked at Ye Qiu thoughtfully, as if seeing her for the first time. Avoiding eye contact, Ye Qiu bowed her head silently amidst Jiang Hongcai’s shamed anger and Luo Sitian’s irritation, just as usual.

The dinner that day was consumed in silence, not only because she had finally risen to rebel, but also because Jiang Cheng had not returned home again.

"Such lack of manners, who knows who raised him, not a shred of gratitude." Jiang Hongcai cursed indirectly, but Ye Qiu would not buy into his act, finishing her meal swiftly and retreating to her room.

"Indeed, she’s grown wings now, not even listening to her own mother anymore." Luo Sitian set her chopsticks down heavily, with a tone filled with vexation, not only because Ye Qiu had undermined her in front of her husband and stepson, but also because she would have to do the housekeeping of the spacious villa by herself hereafter.

"Aunt Luo, let me help you wash the dishes later!" Jiang Yi gently put his chopsticks down and offered politely.

Jiang Hongcai frowned, but sensing his displeasure, Luo Sitian quickly declined, "No need, no need. Your hands are meant for reading, writing, and doing great things in the future. How can we let you do such work? Auntie can manage on her own, it’s no big deal."

Sure enough, upon her words, Jiang Hongcai’s frown eased. Luo Sitian breathed a sigh of relief, and Jiang Yi apologetically smiled, "Auntie, sorry for the trouble."

"It’s not trouble, not trouble at all, it’s what I should do." Luo Sitian chuckled, but only she knew the bitterness in her heart.

Jiang Hongcai was rather traditional. He believed that since he earned money for the family, Luo Sitian should take care of everyone. As for hiring a maid? If a maid did everything, what was the purpose of marrying her?

And in this family, no one held a higher place in his heart than Jiang Yi. He would oppose anything that slightly threatened Jiang Yi. Thus, since marrying into this family, Luo Sitian was extremely cautious around her stepson. Regardless of his attitude towards her, as long as he spoke, she would heed his words as if they were imperial decrees, even more effective than Jiang Hongcai’s own.

Having Jiang Yi help her wash the dishes? That was simply out of the question.

After dinner, Jiang Hongcai, as usual, watched TV on the sofa, with Jiang Miaomiao running around. As for Jiang Yi, he knocked on Ye Qiu’s room door, while Luo Sitian, her carefully maintained hands stained with grease, continued to wash with a darkened face.

"Is there something you need?" Ye Qiu opened her room door and spoke in a low voice, head still bowed.

Jiang Yi smiled warmly and handsomely, which could easily win over any ordinary young girl - handsome, good-tempered, and academically excellent.

Indeed, the former occupant of this body had been fond of him, but Ye Qiu was different. She even considered Jiang Yi’s actions to be clichéd and immature.

While he was disdainful towards his brother and stepsister, he still accepted their favorable sentiments, basking in their affection and naivety, only to deal them a harsh blow as they grew up.

People always said Jiang Cheng was cruel and cold-hearted. In her view, Jiang Yi, with his wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing facade as the handsome school star, was even more detestable. She was only fifteen, yet he was flirting with his stepsister - could he have any shame?

"Sister Ye Qiu." Jiang Yi reached out, attempting to pat Ye Qiu’s head, but she sidestepped, looking back at him with wary eyes.

Jiang Yi awkwardly retracted his hand, then smiling naturally once more: "You mentioned earlier that your grades weren’t good. How about I tutor you?"

Jiang Hongcai turned down the volume of the television when he heard the commotion.

Ye Qiu lifted her head, her eyes full of innocence and astonishment: "Big Brother, did you only find out today that my grades aren’t good? Mom often talks about this at dinner, I thought Big Brother knew!" As she spoke, she lowered her head again as if ashamed.

"This..." Jiang Yi, who was only seventeen after all, lacked his later composure and cunning, but he quickly continued, "It’s my fault. Next term I’ll be in my senior year, and I need to study hard to get into a good university. I’m sorry, Ye Qiu, I’ve neglected you. But can I make it up to you now?"

He was extremely humble in his approach. If Ye Qiu had really been a naive fifteen-year-old girl, she might have actually been deceived, but she wasn’t, especially since Jiang Hongcai had already stood up upon hearing Jiang Yi offer to tutor her.

Indeed, Jiang Yi was his most cherished child and the one to take over his legacy; he wouldn’t let Jiang Yi waste his time teaching her!

This was Jiang Yi’s ruse—he offered to tutor Ye Qiu to elicit her goodwill, but Jiang Hongcai would surely put a stop to it. Jiang Yi could then gracefully withdraw, and since it wasn’t him who refused, Ye Qiu should still be grateful to him.

This was just like when he said he would help Luo Sitian wash the dishes. He intentionally made such an offer because he knew Jiang Hongcai would never allow it.

Jiang Yi has always been like this, saying a few words that endear him to others but actually never doing anything.

See, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, it’s Dad who insists on stopping me.

"No need, Big Brother, it would be too much of a distraction for you. If your tutoring took up your time, Uncle Jiang and Mom would blame me. If it hindered you from getting into your dream university, I would be the criminal. I can study on my own," said Ye Qiu, looking genuinely fearful.

"I..."

Jiang Yi was about to speak, but Ye Qiu interrupted him, smiling apologetically: "Big Brother, if you really feel bad, how about you tutor me after you finish your college entrance exams next year? And our second brother too, his grades aren’t good either. By then it would trouble Big Brother, but since we’re a level behind you, with your help, we’ll surely be able to get into a good university too."

Jiang Yi’s breath halted; he never expected Ye Qiu to suggest such a thing, especially since he never intended to tutor her. And now to include Jiang Cheng as well?

Just thinking of that name darkened his mood. If it weren’t for Jiang Cheng, Mom’s illness wouldn’t have worsened.

Tutor him and Ye Qiu? Jiang Yi was utterly unwilling. His siblings’ failure to do well would reflect on him as the elder brother not teaching them properly?

Should he be blamed for their stupidity? Ridiculous. He wouldn’t waste his time on such people.

But future matters remain uncertain; he might need to use them one day, so it would be best not to reject the idea completely.

"Alright, I’ll keep my notes for the future, to teach Ye Qiu and my second brother," Jiang Yi said with a smile, though inwardly he was planning what excuse he would use to refuse in a year’s time. After all, Dad would support him.

And as for Jiang Cheng, with his current behavior, would he take his studies seriously? Perhaps it would only serve to make Dad despise him more.