Chapter Fifty-Seven: Excessive

Li Xiaoqing looked at Jiang Xiaotian with sincerity, her words equally earnest.

Jiang Xiaotian’s smile froze on his face. His eyes flickered, and the inferiority he thought had long since vanished seemed to resurface from within. He hadn’t expected that the very first time Li Xiaoqing reached out to him, the first time she spoke to him kindly, would be for this reason.

In fact, he couldn’t bring himself to go either, but since Li Xiaoqing had taken the initiative and even suggested treating it as a birthday gift, she was clearly leaving him no room to refuse.

Having said so much, Jiang Xiaotian didn’t protest further. He simply nodded slightly, “Alright, I agree. Then let me wish you a happy birthday in advance.”

With that, he was about to close his door, but Li Xiaoqing stopped him, looking conflicted. “Um… that’s not what I meant, you know. My friends are all from wealthy families…”

Jiang Xiaotian nodded, “I know. That’s why I agreed.”

Li Xiaoqing pressed her lips together, murmured a response, and returned to her room.

As Jiang Xiaotian closed the door, his heart sank. He had always tried to get along with his cousin, ever since his uncle brought him home. But life wasn’t like a story—where problems could be solved just by stepping up. The truth was, his cousin was wealthy, attractive, and rarely encountered problems she couldn’t resolve herself. Even if she did, it would never be his place to help.

Thus, he’d never had a real chance to mend their relationship. Even when he’d previously insisted on not attending her birthday or staying home for New Year’s, it was only to avoid her displeasure.

Yet, he hadn’t realized she disliked him to such an extent.

Thinking back on his actions, Jiang Xiaotian felt both helpless and ridiculous.

That night, he couldn’t sleep no matter how he tried. His chest felt tight and uncomfortable. When Ling’er messaged to ask how things were, he thought for a moment before replying that everything was fine, just like every other year.

And it was true—Li Xiaoqing had always disliked him; he’d just never truly realized it.

The next morning, his aunt left early for work, while Li Xiaoqing, beautifully made up, went out with friends to enjoy the New Year holiday. Soon, only his uncle and Jiang Xiaotian were left at home.

Perhaps finally understanding that nothing he did would ever allow him to truly belong in this family, Jiang Xiaotian felt a sense of release. He went about his day without tiptoeing around anyone.

Li Zhiyuan kept his promise. He took Jiang Xiaotian shopping and bought him several sets of clothes. He didn’t care whether they suited him, only that they were expensive, wanting to make up for lost time.

Once they’d finished shopping, his uncle brought him to a rather luxurious-looking restaurant for lunch.

As fate would have it, the moment they walked in, they spotted Li Xiaoqing surrounded by a group of attractive young men and women. Seated beside her was a well-dressed young man, clearly the son of a wealthy family.

Li Zhiyuan’s expression darkened. He strode over at once, “Xiaoqing!”

Li Xiaoqing was chatting and eating with her friends, but the moment she saw her father, she panicked. “Dad… what are you doing here?”

Li Zhiyuan glanced around, his face less than pleasant. “Didn’t you say you were going to a classmate’s house to study?”

His tone was tight with suppressed anger. With so many people present, he didn’t want to embarrass his daughter.

But before she could respond, the young man beside her stood up. “Hello, sir. It’s like this: we really did come to study for the exams, but everyone was hungry, so I took the liberty of inviting them here to eat.”

He spoke with confidence, taking responsibility for everything.

But Li Zhiyuan was unmoved. He stared at the young man, his tone unfriendly, “And you are?”

Unfazed, the young man replied, “I’m Xiaoqing’s classmate, my name is Yang Feng. This restaurant is one of my family’s business holdings, so it’s no trouble at all. Are you here for lunch, too? If so, please allow me to treat you.”

His words were both polite and tactful, leaving no room for reproach. Even Li Zhiyuan, faced with such manners, relaxed his expression somewhat. “Oh, hello.”

That should have been the end of it, but Li Zhiyuan knew his daughter too well.

He ignored the young man and turned directly to Li Xiaoqing, “Since you’re out with friends, why couldn’t you invite your cousin along?”

At his words, everyone’s attention shifted to the man standing quietly at Li Zhiyuan’s side. Dressed plainly, Jiang Xiaotian had almost blended into the background.

Hearing his uncle’s question, Jiang Xiaotian was startled. “Uncle, please don’t say that. Xiaoqing came here to study, why would I tag along?”

But to Li Xiaoqing, this scene seemed utterly hypocritical. Her father was even publicly criticizing her for the sake of this “parasite.” When had she ever suffered such humiliation?

Having intended to explain herself, she now couldn’t be bothered. She stood up and said directly, “Yes, I came here to have fun. Why should I bring him? I don’t get it—why do I have to include him with my friends? Frankly, if we split the bill, could he even afford it?”

Li Zhiyuan was stunned. He’d never expected his daughter to say such a thing!

“How could you speak to your cousin like that?”

But Li Xiaoqing, still fuming, retorted, “What did I say that was wrong? Look at how he’s dressed! He doesn’t even own decent clothes! He couldn’t even get into a place that requires formal wear—how am I supposed to bring him along?”

Jiang Xiaotian could only force a bitter smile. He didn’t want to lose face, nor did he want his uncle and cousin to argue over him.

“No, Uncle, you misunderstood Xiaoqing. She did ask me last night if I wanted to come, but I refused.” He made up an excuse on the spot.

Li Zhiyuan was left speechless, while Li Xiaoqing, shocked by Jiang Xiaotian’s words, stared at him. Yet, still angry, she continued to glare.

“You heard him! He didn’t want to come, so what does this have to do with me?” Li Xiaoqing vented all her frustration, then sat down, refusing to engage further.

Li Zhiyuan was furious, and Jiang Xiaotian, fearing things would get out of hand, quickly pulled him away.

“Let’s go, Uncle. We’ll eat somewhere else—this place really is too expensive.”

Back at the table, Li Xiaoqing’s friends tried to comfort her, especially the wealthy young man, who was especially gentle.

Outside, Li Zhiyuan heaved a deep sigh.

“Xiaotian, why did you do that? I know she never would have asked you to come. Doesn’t it make you angry?” Even as an onlooker, Li Zhiyuan felt his daughter had gone too far.

But Jiang Xiaotian just shrugged. “Don’t be upset, Uncle. She really did ask me, and even if she hadn’t, I wouldn’t mind. She’s right—we’re not from the same world anymore. We have nothing in common, so there’s no point forcing it.”

Jiang Xiaotian had changed. Since Li Xiaoqing disliked him so much, there was no need to seek her out or provoke her.

Looking at Jiang Xiaotian, Li Zhiyuan felt helpless. He said nothing, only patted his nephew’s shoulder. “You really have grown up. You’re a man now. Come on, let me treat you to an even better meal.”

After this incident, the atmosphere at home turned tense.

That evening, when Li Xiaoqing returned and saw Li Zhiyuan watching TV in the living room, she didn’t even greet him.

When his aunt heard what had happened, she scolded Li Zhiyuan harshly, berating him for embarrassing their daughter in front of so many people. Her voice was so loud that Jiang Xiaotian could hear every word from his room.

“Li Zhiyuan, you’ve gone too far! Xiaoqing is your daughter! Jiang Xiaotian is just your nephew. Was that necessary? If Xiaoqing didn’t want to bring him, that’s her right! I agreed to let him come back—that was already generous enough. Do you believe I’ll send him away tomorrow?”

His uncle, who had been silent until now, suddenly erupted, “Watch your mouth! So what if Jiang Xiaotian is my nephew? Before my sister died, she begged me to take care of him. All these years, what have I ever done for him? Do you have to dislike him so much?”

Jiang Xiaotian listened to all of this. To be honest, it hurt.

Forget it. He’d leave tomorrow. There was no reason to stay for Xiaoqing’s birthday anymore.

Just then, the door opened again.