Chapter 124.

Chapter 124.

The Xie family’s achievements were built on unclean hands. If this madman wreaked havoc, they might meet a quicker demise.

Frustrated yet powerless, Mr. Xie knew he was outmatched and feared a mere talisman could be his undoing.

Back at the snack shop, Xie Qingfeng comforted his foster parents and joined them for a meal before reluctantly leaving under Jing’s reproachful gaze.

No sooner had he shut his front door than he found himself lifted off his feet, confronting Jing: “Did you lose your mind?” This was the foyer!

Jing, grinning, placed him on a shoe cabinet, leaning in: “It's fine. Even if my brain’s squashed, nothing can stop our enjoyable weekend…” He’d waited all day, hindered only by Mr. Xie’s interference.

He might have even had a second round by now.

He resolved to further suppress the Xie family – too much bad luck.

——

Xie Qingfeng stopped paying attention to the Xie family, busy with his studies, and Jing didn't bring them up to avoid upsetting him.

He next heard about the Xie family close to his graduation.

Recently, Xie Qingfeng was engrossed in his final project and thesis, spending most nights at school, sleeping a whole day and night after finishing.

Waking in a dimly lit room with the curtains drawn, he stayed put, too groggy to move.

Embraced upon waking, Xie Qingfeng merely twitched a finger, resigning himself to Jing’s hold.

Jing didn't disturb him, seemingly considerate of his recent busyness, only kissing his cheek softly: “You’re finally awake. I was about to infuse some internal energy into you.”

Xie Qingfeng, too lazy to open his eyes, replied drowsily, feeling languid and unwilling to move: “Why not just use a jade stone to replenish my spiritual energy? Isn’t that stronger than your internal energy?”

Jing chuckled, nuzzling his neck: “I actually have a better method, more effective than internal or spiritual energy.”

Piqued with curiosity, Xie Qingfeng asked: “What is it?”

In the darkness, Jing’s voice grew more playful, whispering near his ear: “Dual cultivation.”

Xie Qingfeng: “…” Why didn’t he just say ‘ascend to heaven’?

Jing winced as Xie Qingfeng pinched his waist, now stronger with advanced cultivation: “Are you trying to murder your own husband?”

Xie Qingfeng huffed: “Say ‘murder’ one more time, why don’t you?”

Jing clutched his chest dramatically: “After all these years, can’t I even claim to be your dear husband?”

Annoyed by his theatrics, Xie Qingfeng retorted: “Cut the drama, don’t imitate Hao Jixin.”

Hao Jixin, recently in a romantic relationship, was overly affectionate in their presence, mimicking their behavior in retaliation, addressing his girlfriend as ‘dear wife’ in a cloyingly sweet manner.

Jing responded: “Got it!”

Xie Qingfeng, still not wanting to move, asked: “What time is it?”

Jing tightened his embrace: “You’ve slept for a whole day and night. It’s just seven now. We’re not going to the office today, sleep a bit more.”

Xie Qingfeng agreed, not sleepy but too content to get up.

Jing suddenly remembered something: “Oh, by the way, I didn’t tell you because you were busy, but Xie Weihuan died a few days ago.”

Xie Qingfeng, startled by the name he hadn’t heard in a while, asked: “How did he die?”

Wasn’t he in a vegetative state?

Jing had long stopped inquiring about the Xie family, finding it beneath him to even spare them a glance.

Still, Hao Jixin, being neighbors with the Xie family for years, inadvertently heard news, especially after the Xie family's bankruptcy and the sale of their villa.

Given Xie father’s past misdeeds, many were eager to revel in his downfall. Even without seeking out information, Hao Jixin heard plenty through the grapevine.

Jing explained, “The Xie family couldn’t afford Xie Weihuan’s caregiving and medical expenses. Coupled with his brain death, they decided to discontinue his life support.”

Xie Qingfeng, somewhat surprised, remarked: “I thought the Xie family would care for him a few more years. Weren’t they still financially afloat for another year or two?”

Even post-bankruptcy, the Xie family had some assets, enough to avoid immediate destitution.

Jing chuckled, “Accustomed to luxury, the Xie family squandered the remaining funds. They maintained a facade, hiring domestic help and trying to rebuild connections for a comeback, which only hastened their financial ruin.”

Last month, the Xie parents, now penniless, let go of their staff and sold their car, moving into a rented house. Their only income was the monthly allowance sent by Xie Weisheng from abroad.

Barely enough to keep them fed, they couldn’t afford Xie Weihuan’s care.

Their downfall, several years ahead of expectations.

Last month marked their financial rock bottom; this month, they abandoned their ‘beloved son’.

After hearing this, Xie Qingfeng lay back down, then patted his stomach: “I’m hungry,” lazily hinting at Jing.

Jing hummed, getting dressed, “See, you’d be helpless without me.”

Xie Qingfeng, smiling, agreed: “Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right.”

Jing turned, suspecting insincerity: “You’re just humoring me.”

Xie Qingfeng replied playfully, “Not at all. How could I ever do without the incomparably perfect, talented, handsome, and skilled Chef Jing?”

Jing was satisfied, though he wished Xie Qingfeng had said ‘husband’ instead of ‘Chef Jing.’

But he’d waited long enough; soon, he’d proudly be called ‘husband’.

Xie Qingfeng, excelling academically, was set for a guaranteed postgraduate placement. He only needed to focus on graduating and then report for his next academic chapter after the summer.

Being recommended for postgraduate studies, he remained at C University.

Jing's company had launched several branches, but the one in C city remained unchanged. Content beside Xie Qingfeng, Jing had no intention of moving.

While a larger house had its perks, their current home was just perfect for two. Jing had converted his original room into a guest room, making himself at home in Xie Qingfeng's room.

He even replaced the casually purchased bed with a larger one, eliciting several days of laughter from Hao Jixin upon discovering this.

Jing, not one to be outdone, stepped up his training regimen. After extensive training, Hao Jixin was no longer the weakling he used to be and managed the intensified regimen with ease.

With improved physical fitness came heightened energy, making him exceptionally diligent in his tasks, though he soon realized something amiss.

However, understanding the situation was one thing; quitting was not an option.

After all, Jing's compensation was too generous to ignore.

As a veteran in the branch office, and with the boss hands-off, Hao Jixin practically had the final say. With the company flourishing, it even overshadowed his father's business, making him the envy of relatives during family gatherings.

That feeling was simply exhilarating.

The envious glances and his parents' pride during the New Year made everything worthwhile.

He just hoped Jing would be more involved in the company's operations. His casual approach – appearing when he pleased and leaving as he wished – was too lax.

But what could he do? This situation affirmed his initial impression of Jing when the company started: Jing was unpredictable and unorthodox.

On his graduation day, Xie Qingfeng rose early, donning a full suit that lent him an air of composed restraint. In his attire and hairstyle, he increasingly resembled the national teacher he was before his time travel.

Jing Xi, carrying breakfast, stopped in his tracks at the sight, and then... whistled at Xie Qingfeng.

Xie Qingfeng, in the midst of adjusting his tie, stumbled at the sound, looking incredulously at Jing Xi: "Have you lost your mind?" Why whistle?

Jing Xi coughed softly: "I was just admiring how handsome you look."

Xie Qingfeng rolled his eyes: "I know whether I look good or not, but clearly, you are unaware of how rogue you appear."

Jing Xi gave him a pitiful look: "Has the love already faded? Am I being rejected now?"