Chapter 114: The Mad Dog Places a Bet (Chasing Wife 1.0)

Chapter 114: The Mad Dog Makes a Bet (Wooing the Wife 1.0)

Early the next morning, while everyone was still asleep, Situ Jing took Bai Yu back to Yun Jing.

Bai Yu didn’t ask Situ Jing why they were returning in such a hurry; he figured work was probably busy and required his immediate presence.

Considering his tight schedule, it was already very kind of Situ Jing to have taken him on a trip.

Bai Yu obediently got into the car with Situ Jing, but he was still very sleepy, his eyelids heavy and fighting to stay open.

He didn't last long before his eyes closed and he leaned against the car window.

Situ Jing pulled Bai Yu into his arms, holding his shoulder with one hand while reviewing company documents on a tablet with the other.

When they arrived at Mandu City Airport, Situ Jing woke Bai Yu up, and the two boarded a private jet together. Bai Yu promptly fell asleep again.

Bai Yu thought he might be so tired because he had played too hard the day before.

Situ Jing didn’t notice anything unusual about Bai Yu’s drowsiness either—after all, Bai Yu tended to fall asleep easily whenever they traveled.

By the time they returned to Yun Jing, it was only 9:30 in the morning. The eastern sky was filled with golden dawn light, and the streets were bustling with traffic.

Situ Jing had Secretary Zhou take Bai Yu back to Yanting, then took another car to Situ Hui’s residence.

When they arrived at the mansion’s entrance, two soldiers checked the license plate and the occupant inside before respectfully allowing them entry.

As soon as Situ Jing got out of the car, Situ Hui’s adjutant approached him. "Eldest Young Master, the Patriarch is having tea in the garden and requests your presence."

This blond, blue-eyed alpha adjutant had been by Situ Hui’s side for many years and was considered a trusted aide. No matter where Situ Hui’s position changed, he would bring him along.

As Situ Jing followed the adjutant toward the garden, he casually remarked, "Aunt is in a good mood. She just returned to Yun Jing last night and is already having tea in the garden so early this morning."

The adjutant’s expression remained unchanged as he respectfully led the way. "I wouldn’t say she’s in a good mood. Perhaps she just thinks the garden air is fresh and wants to breathe it in to clear her mind."

Situ Jing’s eyes darkened slightly as he continued walking toward the garden.

After passing along a winding path, an angel sculpture fountain came into view. Beside the fountain stood a round French-style pavilion, surrounded by clusters of blooming tulips.

Many birds flitted among the trees, chirping.

Situ Hui was reclining in a seat inside the pavilion, her expression indifferent. She wore a dark green military uniform, and the military boots on her long legs gleamed coldly, exuding an intimidating presence.

On the table sat an exquisite bone china tea set, with a teapot emitting faint wisps of steam.

Situ Jing walked up to Situ Hui. "Aunt."

Situ Hui lifted her eyelids and glanced at him calmly. "Sit."

Situ Jing sat down opposite her. The adjutant poured him a cup of tea and then retreated behind Situ Hui.

Without beating around the bush, Situ Hui drank her tea and said, "When you took the position of Patriarch, you promised to have an heir within two years. One year has already passed. I’d like to hear your thoughts."

Situ Jing took a sip of tea. The high-quality Tieguanyin tea had a refreshing fragrance. "Isn’t there still time before the deadline?"

Situ Hui crossed her long legs and scrutinized her nephew. "Are you really going to wait until the last minute to act? That’s not like you."

Situ Jing placed his hands on his knees, rubbing his knuckles. "Aunt should know that I’ve been troubled by Abnormal Hormone Syndrome. Although the situation has improved, not every omega can tolerate my hormones. These things can only be taken slowly."

Situ Hui couldn’t help but let out a light, mocking laugh. "When you asked me to help you secure the Patriarch position on the day of your father’s wedding, why didn’t you say ‘take it slow’?"

"Since you’ve done this, you must fulfill your promise. Otherwise, when the two-year deadline arrives and you haven’t delivered results to the hundreds of family members, not only will I lose face in front of everyone, but you can also forget about keeping your position as Patriarch."

"I still hold 8% of Hengyu’s shares. Since I can push you up, I can also pull you down."

Situ Jing frowned. He didn’t like being threatened. "I will handle this matter properly."

Situ Hui extended her right hand to the adjutant, her robe slipping to reveal a section of her slender, muscular arm.

The adjutant immediately understood, taking a cigar case from his bag. He handed a rolled cigar to Situ Hui and lit it with a lighter.

Situ Hui exhaled smoke, looking at Situ Jing. "How do you plan to handle it? Let me hear it."

Situ Jing was long past the age of being lectured, and his aunt’s questioning already displeased him.

However, he didn’t show it. After a pause, he said, "Aunt only needs to know that I will handle it properly. That’s enough."

Situ Hui narrowed her eyes amidst the smoke and waved at the adjutant.

The adjutant placed a thick stack of photos in front of Situ Jing.

"I’ve always believed that my nephew is very rational and decisive, able to distinguish what’s important. That’s why I’ve never intervened and trusted that you could handle your private affairs. But now, I see signs of things getting out of control, and I have to remind you."

As the Chief of Staff of the military department, Situ Hui also managed the military intelligence agency. With her firm methods, obtaining Bai Yu’s information was effortless.

Situ Jing’s gaze briefly swept over the photos. The top one showed the two embracing at the ski resort.

Since he was teaching Bai Yu to ski at the time, the photo only captured a blurry side profile of Bai Yu.

Next to it was a photo of them eating at a restaurant. Bai Yu was using a fork to pick up a piece of asparagus, which Situ Jing didn’t like, but he ate it anyway.

There was also a photo taken through the window of the second-floor bedroom in Yanting, showing Bai Yu with his arms around Situ Jing’s neck as they kissed.

Although it was somewhat inappropriate for these private intimate photos to be presented by his aunt, Situ Jing felt a secret thrill inside.

Just through these few photos, one could sense the warmth and happiness between them, enough to surpass the joy Alex had brought Bai Yu.

On the surface, Situ Jing remained expressionless. "Aunt, don’t worry. Everything is under control. It hasn’t reached the point of being out of control."

Situ Hui tapped ash into the ashtray, her sharp gaze sweeping over the handsome young man in the photos. "Is that so?"

"When there are clearly better options, you insist on clinging to a beta with a terrible background, who’s been divorced and has twice dragged you into scandals and life-threatening dangers. If this isn’t loss of control, what is?"

After learning about the fight between Alex and Situ Jing, Situ Hui had already warned Situ Jing once.

At that time, Situ Hui only thought Bai Yu was a plaything he fancied, who happened to clash with Alex, and advised him not to make things too ugly.

It was perfectly normal for a top alpha to keep one or two playthings, as long as they didn’t cause trouble.

Situ Hui hadn’t intervened seriously because she believed Situ Jing always handled things impeccably and would never cross the line.

But when Situ Jing was detained by the Yin family in Mandu City, and Situ Hui was about to use her connections to get him out, she learned that Situ Jing had already left Mandu City, returning to Yun Jing on a private plane in the rain.

Shortly after, Situ Hui found out that Situ Jing had gone to a luxury yacht in Jiayu Harbor—and that yacht exploded half an hour later.

This made Situ Hui suspect that there was something fishy going on.

After investigating, she was furious to discover that this boy was also entangled with the leader of the assassination organization that had kidnapped Situ Hui.

Situ Hui, stationed long-term in the military, had seen all kinds of scenes and people.

She couldn't help but strongly suspect that Bai Yu's purpose for staying by Situ Jing's side was far from innocent.

Due to the tense situation at the southern border at the time, the military commander had ordered Situ Long to remain there to maintain order, leaving her unable to personally intervene. She could only send people to discreetly keep tabs on the situation in Yunjing.

It wasn’t until recently that Situ Long found some free time and returned to Yunjing specifically for this matter.

Situ Jing said, "He’s not what you think, Aunt."

A look of surprise flashed across Situ Long’s face as she looked at her nephew in disbelief. "I can’t believe you would say something like that. Don’t you know his background? His father was the mastermind behind your brother’s kidnapping."

"I know. He hates his stepfather, and that incident also injured his right hand. Now that Qiao Yihan and Tall Guy are dead, this matter is over. There’s nothing left to pursue." Situ Jing’s tone was completely calm, exuding an air of unquestionable authority.

His demeanor only fueled Situ Long’s anger. She angrily extinguished her cigar in the ashtray, sending sparks flying. "Based solely on that highly decomposed body, can you really conclude that Qiao Yihan is dead?"

"I’ve shown you the intel reports. Qiao was trained from a young age by a retired foreign agent as a professional assassin. The fact that he single-handedly wiped out all members of the assassination organization created by that agent shows how formidable he is. He wouldn’t die so easily."

Situ Jing remained composed. "I’ve considered that as well. After Qiao Yihan’s case was closed, I sent out a team to search for the remaining members of the assassination organization. As of now, even if Qiao Yihan is still alive, it’s highly unlikely he’ll reappear in Yunjing. Please rest assured, Aunt."

Situ Long shook her head helplessly. "Aren’t you afraid that everything Bai Yu has done is an act to gain your trust and affection, only for him to kill you one day?"

"He won’t."

Situ Jing was certain of this. After all, even after their contract ended, Bai Yu showed no intention of continuing their relationship. Even now, his acceptance level remained at 50%.

Situ Long slammed her hand on the table, causing the tea in the bone china cup to spill over. "Even so, you shouldn’t show exclusive favor to a Beta who can’t bear children, ignoring the deadline set by the family. You know your status—we are inherently different from these ordinary people. Associating with them only lowers your own standards!"

Situ Long rarely spoke so harshly to Situ Jing.

She knew how much the car accident at age twelve and his father’s inaction had traumatized him, and how he had worked his way to where he was today.

Now, seeing signs that Situ Jing was spiraling out of control, she felt compelled to pull him back from the brink and make him realize the madness of his actions.

Situ Jing slowly raised his eyes, meeting Situ Long’s gaze squarely. "I know what I’m doing, Aunt."

At that moment, a bird landed on a tree near the pavilion, chirping as it pecked at the fruit.

A ruthless glint flashed in Situ Long’s eyes. She drew her sidearm and, without aiming, shot the bird down.

A few gray feathers floated slowly in the air as the bird fell to the ground with a thud.

"I’ve given you a year to enjoy your time together. That’s enough. Before the deadline arrives, I expect to see action from you. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to take action."

Situ Jing clenched his fists on his knees, his voice turning icy. "Are you going to kill him?"

Situ Long placed the gun on the table and raised an eyebrow. "That depends on your actions. Everything I do is for the sake of this family."

Situ Jing took out his phone and played a recording. "Listen to this, Aunt."

A raspy, elderly male voice spoke first: "How could you get a divorce?!"

Then, Situ Long’s own voice followed: "I’ve realized that your idea—'a marriage without love can last a lifetime and even become true love'—is fundamentally flawed. If spending enough time with someone merely makes you accustomed to them, that’s not marriage; it’s a cold, business arrangement. I’m sorry, but I can’t continue like this."

Before joining the military, Situ Long had been married to the young omega heir of the Chen family. However, less than two months into the marriage, she filed for divorce.

The incident caused an uproar in Yunjing, severely straining the relationship between the Chen and Situ families.

Situ Jing’s grandfather had severely criticized Situ Long at the time. Situ Jing, then only seven or eight years old, happened to be present.

Situ Jing turned off the recording. "With the precedent of your and my father’s failed arranged marriage, do you still think you can persuade me?"

Situ Long’s lips twitched. She never imagined that her past words would one day be used by Situ Jing to argue against her.

Yet, this was also what she admired about him.

"Precisely because of this, neither your father nor I were suited to lead the Situ Family as Patriarch. Do you intend to follow in our footsteps?"

"Don’t forget, high-ranking alphas must pair with high-ranking omegas to produce heirs with superior genes. This is the tradition of the Situ Family and the reason our family maintains its S-class Alpha genes."

Situ Jing frowned, his thin lips pressed into a tight line. "I assume you didn’t call me here just to scold me, Aunt?"

The adjutant placed a card in front of Situ Jing, bearing the words "National Pheromone Research Center."

Situ Jing asked, "What is this?"

Situ Long clasped her hands together. "This is an appointment card for the National Pheromone Research Center. I want you to get pheromone testing."

The National Pheromone Research Center housed the nation’s pheromone database, where many went to find highly compatible partners through pheromone matching.

Due to his pheromone abnormality syndrome, Situ Jing had never submitted his pheromone sample for testing. Now, it was mandatory.

"This isn’t just my decision—it was unanimously approved by the family. The matching results will be disclosed to the entire family."

Situ Jing casually picked up the card, examining it. "Aunt, how about we make a bet?"

Situ Long asked, "What bet?"

"I’ll undergo pheromone matching. But if no compatible omega is found, I hope you and all other family members will allow me to handle my marriage as I see fit. In return, I will ensure the family’s assets experience another growth cycle."

Situ Long detected a challenge. "There’s no need for a bet. The higher your pheromone level, the more omegas you can be compatible with. The pheromone database contains two billion samples—more than enough to find a compatible omega for you."

Situ Jing raised an eyebrow, placing his hands on the table, assuming a negotiating posture. "By 'compatible,' I don’t just mean pheromone compatibility. I also mean compatibility regarding background, education, taste, and personality. If any aspect doesn’t suit me, I have the right to reject. Do you agree?"

Situ Long paused for a moment. "Very well, as you say."

Situ Jing stood up, slipping the stack of photos into his suit pocket. "Aunt, I’ll take my leave now."

Situ Long watched as Situ Jing left the pavilion and walked away, sensing that his surface-level compliance was merely a prelude to something else.

"Do you think he’d really dare to challenge me?"

The adjutant replied, "There’s no need to worry too much. The young master hasn’t yet met the right omega. Once he realizes that an omega’s soothing and attractive qualities far surpass Bai Yu’s, he’ll come to his senses."

"Besides, betas have an extremely low conception rate. Even if he’s dissatisfied with all the matched omegas, Bai Yu would never be a suitable marriage candidate for him."

The adjutant’s words slightly improved Situ Long’s mood.

"As long as Situ Jing cares about the business empire he built and doesn’t want this beta to die, he should stay rational."