Jiang Yi looked down. "It's fine."

Liang Yan nodded in satisfaction. "Good, good. Study hard and listen to your brothers. Don't defy them. Just like today, it was very good."

Jiang Yi had managed to stand beside Zhong Lin and even receive his gentle care. During dinner, she sat with Zhong Cheng and Zhong Wenyue, and everything seemed quite harmonious.

Liang Yan repeated with a beaming smile, "Very good. I see the Zhong brothers are treating you well. Be sure to listen to them."

Zhong Yunde beckoned from across the room. Liang Yan, her face alight with a smile, moved towards him.

"Be a good girl and wait for your brother. Mom is leaving now."

Jiang Yi watched her mother's retreating figure, her eyes darkening. Her mother seemed happy since marrying Zhong Yunde. Her expression was bright, her complexion rosy, and even her gait exuded contentment.

"Jiang Yi," a voice called from behind her.

She turned to see Zhong Cheng approaching, followed by Zhong Lin descending the stairs and heading towards them.

The three of them exited together.

Zhong Cheng consulted his phone, then looked up, searching for a familiar car.

"Your uncle?" Zhong Lin asked.

Uncle? Jiang Yi's ears perked up, and she looked in the direction Zhong Cheng had been looking.

"Yes," Zhong Cheng confirmed. "I'll be going now." He turned to Jiang Yi.

"Bye," she said.

Zhong Cheng gave her a long look before walking towards the car. Jiang Yi watched him get in.

Inside the car, Zhong Cheng addressed the man beside him, "Uncle."

The man's gaze remained fixed on the window, his response a quiet, "Mm."

His posture was relaxed, his expression unreadable, his eyes unwavering, as if he were simply observing the scenery outside.

Zhong Cheng didn't suspect a thing.

As the car pulled away and passed the gates of the Zhong residence, a figure flitted by. The man's gaze shifted to the rearview mirror, catching sight of the young woman staring intently at the car.

He didn't look away until her figure disappeared from view.

She looked familiar. He'd seen her two months ago at the wedding banquet. Zhong Yunde's new wife's daughter. Jiang Yi, he believed.

The Zhong family car arrived, and Zhong Lin called to Jiang Yi, "Don't stare. Let's go."

"Oh," Jiang Yi replied, joining Zhong Lin in the car. Only then did she realize his tone had been laced with something akin to jealousy.

Jealousy? Impossible.

But then, the partition in the car rose, and he pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her neck, his mouth capturing hers in a fierce, urgent kiss.

She wasn't so sure anymore.

Was he actually jealous?

"Mm..." she moaned.

Zhong Lin's thumb pressed against her lips, parting them.

"Don't get distracted," he murmured before kissing her again.

The sounds of passion filled the back of the car.