Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 42

In Jiang Jingda’s office, an unexpected scene was unfolding.

He Lang had just toured the company and, feeling tired, decided to rest in the office without disturbing Jiang Jingda’s work.

Jiang Jingda, though saying everything was fine, had long since stopped signing documents. He moved to the sofa, kissing He Lang’s brow.

This gentle demeanor made Jiang Jingda more tempted, and he couldn’t help but become more intimate.

A sudden noise came from the doorway, and a female figure hurriedly entered, clearly seeing the scene between the two.

He Lang, startled by the commotion, was immediately comforted by Jiang Jingda, who patted his back as if soothing a child.

Since no one could easily enter his office, Jiang Jingda had become somewhat lax. He hadn’t expected Meng Xinyue to be so audacious, breaking protocol by rushing to his floor and directly barging into his office, thus witnessing this intimate scene.

Meng Xinyue’s expression, however, was abnormal. She showed no confusion or surprise; instead, her eyes sparkled with a triumphant smile, as if everything had turned out just as she had hoped.

He Lang was shielded by Jiang Jingda and couldn’t see her expression clearly. Realizing his presence might be awkward, he quickly gathered his things and left, claiming he didn’t want to disturb them.

Jiang Jingda was about to speak when Meng Xinyue, with a strange smile, saw He Lang out.

“What are you doing here? The case has ended. Miss Meng, you have no reason to come to Jiang’s now, let alone barge into the president’s office,” Jiang Jingda said, his mood soured by the interruption and the loss of his cherished moment.

Meng Xinyue’s demeanor was unpredictable, appearing increasingly alien to Jiang Jingda.

She slowly took a seat on the sofa, pondering for a long time and keeping silent as if savoring the suspense.

After she had her people investigate Jiang Jingda’s schedule, she found something troubling—he seemed to have an unusual connection with that young master. She had even followed a private investigator to observe them, and their conversations and flirtatious behavior suggested they were more than just brothers.

This revelation was disturbing. She hadn’t expected the man she was interested in to be not only homosexual but also involved with her own brother.

No wonder he had always been so indifferent towards her. After her anger subsided, Meng Xinyue began plotting, realizing this was a way to suppress him.

Since she had removed him from her list of potential partners, Meng Xinyue abandoned pretense and directly threatened him to propose an engagement and ensure Jiang’s next project continued to collaborate with the Meng family, using Jiang’s support to overcome her family’s current crisis.

Jiang Jingda turned around expressionlessly, uncertain of his thoughts.

Meng Xinyue had initially been confident but, seeing his indifference, her tone grew harsher, “Think about it yourself. How will people view you? Hmm? Jiang’s is still under the care of your adoptive father, right? Are you going to let it be affected because of you?”

She scoffed deliberately, trying to provoke a reaction from Jiang Jingda, but it was futile.

Meng Xinyue had mustered significant courage to threaten Jiang Jingda. Seeing him remain expressionless and indifferent only made her more anxious. Finally, she compromised, “I only want you to be engaged to me. Let’s each take a step back! I only want the Meng family’s support, not interested in exposing your situation.”

At this point, she no longer expected Jiang Jingda’s love. As long as she could have the status of Mrs. Jiang and get his help, she could silence the original wife in her family and no longer be troubled by her.

Jiang Jingda considered for a long time before nodding.

He wasn’t afraid of exposure. In fact, he would rather make his affection for He Lang public to deter others from targeting him.

However, he never lived solely for himself; he carried the burden of Jiang’s.

And Jiang’s was something He Lang valued. Jiang Jingda could disregard his reputation but couldn’t allow Jiang’s to be disgraced.

When the news of their engagement spread, He Lang felt he might have been the last to know.

Despite Jiang Jingda’s efforts to conceal it, it was only a delay.

He Lang sighed slightly, surprised that Jiang Jingda actually went through with the engagement. He had no intention of interfering with Jiang Jingda’s feelings, but if Jiang Jingda continued with this woman, he hoped he would be cautious to avoid unforeseen issues.

The engagement party was quite lively, though the guests were mostly from the Meng family. Meng Xinyue, dressed elegantly, clung to Jiang Jingda as if announcing something.

Jiang Jingda’s old classmates were also present. They initially admired Meng Xinyue’s beauty, but upon seeing He Lang, they immediately shifted their attention, recognizing him as the little boy from before and eagerly approached him.

Xiao Yang, with a radiant smile, tried to pinch He Lang’s cheek as he used to do in their childhood but hesitated under Jiang Jingda’s gaze, pulling back and changing the subject, “Your brother is getting married. Aren’t you going to say something?”

He Lang raised his glass and delayed taking action. What could he say?

Under the guests’ watchful eyes, he casually offered his blessings, “Wishing my brother and sister-in-law a lifetime of happiness, growing old together, and having a happy family.”

Jiang Jingda nodded, clinking glasses with him in a brotherly fashion, though he nearly crushed his own glass in a pained grip.

It turned out that receiving blessings from the one he loved was so hurtful. Every word seemed to slice at his heart.

After offering his blessings, He Lang felt overwhelmed by the occasion and chose to go home for some fresh air.

Jiang Jingda seemed increasingly busy lately, but this was a good thing. He Lang saw Jiang’s news in the papers every day—new funding, successful projects, rising stocks, and expanding scale.

It seemed that Jiang’s ability was impressive, and as long as no unexpected issues arose, success was just around the corner.

He Lang also relaxed, spending his days idly, neglecting his studies, and traveling around.

But life is rarely so calm. One day, when he received a call from a familiar number, the voice on the other end felt strangely distant.

It was Jiang Jiao.

The warm smile and mischievous eyes from his memories resurfaced. He Lang came to his senses and greeted him.

“Have you forgotten about me? Why haven’t you come back—”

Jiang Jiao’s usually clear and cheerful voice was now low and hoarse, starting with this question.

When he saw the note He Lang had left that day, he had panicked for the entire morning. But after thinking it over, he figured He Lang’s sudden return to the country might be due to important matters, which is why he left without a word. So, he decided to wait patiently.

He had considered calling He Lang but couldn’t get through, as He Lang had likely changed his number after returning to the country.

After waiting so long, Jiang Jiao thought He Lang must have finished dealing with his affairs and couldn’t wait any longer. He had someone check and obtain his new number. If he weren’t so tied up in the UK, he would have gone straight to find him.

Jiang Jiao was desperate to get news and a response from He Lang, especially since the last line on the note about compensating for the breach of contract had been weighing on his mind.

Unfortunately, He Lang’s tone was colder than before, leaving Jiang Jiao feeling disheartened and defeated. He kept asking whether He Lang had resolved his matters in the country and when he would return to the UK.

But after pleading for over ten minutes without a response from He Lang, Jiang Jiao, feeling a mix of frustration and anger, resorted to threatening He Lang with the contract, demanding he return immediately.

He Lang was still bound by the labor contract, and Jiang Jiao could potentially cause him some trouble using the contract’s clauses.

Jiang Jiao’s tone might have been too harsh, causing He Lang to frown. Even if Jiang Jiao was doing it intentionally, He Lang found it offensive and reconsidered his previous thoughts of staying in the UK.

When Jiang Jiao brought up the contract with a hint of threat, He Lang felt as if he were being used.

And He Lang despised being used.

He Lang lowered his gaze, unwilling to argue further, and simply told him, “I will compensate for the breach of contract, Mr. Jiang.”

“No—no, darling, I truly love you—” The voice on the other end suddenly shifted to a high, panicked plea.

He Lang had already hung up the phone expressionlessly.

He appreciated Jiang Jiao’s investment experience and management skills that had helped him secure significant funding in a short time, allowing him to address the company’s financial issues. 

But he couldn’t respond to his feelings. There was no other option but to sever ties, though he might try to make amends in the future if the opportunity arises.

Jiang Jiao’s situation felt like an accident and a brief encounter in this world. He Lang decided to move on.

However, not long after, Jiang Jingda’s phone rang with an unclear tone: “Did you book a flight to the UK?”

The same question came from both his phone and the voice behind him. He Lang turned in surprise to find Jiang Jingda standing silently behind him, watching him intently.

Jiang Jingda seemed different, his seemingly calm eyes concealing a brewing storm, waiting to erupt. After a long pause, he spoke in a hoarse, somber tone.

“Lang Lang, are you leaving?”

The author’s note: High tension ahead… Could it be that the brother is turning dark?