Chapter 201: Chapter 201: My Own Silly Son
Jiang Xia stood up from the sofa. He hadn’t seen his older brother in three years, so he happily walked over and gave him a hug.
A flicker of emotion crossed Wen Te’s eyes. He patted his shoulder. "Xiaxia, this is great. You’re finally back."
"I’m sorry, I..."
There was a hint of tears in his gray-green eyes. Jiang Xia looked up at him, not understanding.
Mr. Jiang, however, snorted coldly. "Xiaxia, come here."
Jiang Xia tilted his head, looking from his father to his older brother, and walked over in confusion. "What’s wrong?"
Just then, Wen Te’s father, Wen Sen, also walked in.
"Xiaxia, long time no see."
The father and son’s identical gray-green eyes gazed at him gently. Jiang Xia was very happy to see his uncle and older brother, but when he turned to see his own father’s dark expression, he simply stood where he was and smiled, not going over to them.
’They haven’t seen each other in three years, so why do Uncle and Father’s relationship seem so bad now?’
Mr. Jiang’s expression was already sour, but it grew even angrier upon seeing Wen Sen. He suppressed his rage and said, "Xiaxia has only been back for two days. I don’t want to lose my temper. You two should leave. Don’t force me to kick you out."
Wen Sen frowned. "Jiang Hua, that incident was just an accident. You’re being far too petty."
"Besides, isn’t my son’s life a life, too?"
"An accident?"
Mr. Jiang sneered. "Such a coincidence? In the battle against the Insect Clan on the Capital Star three years ago, your son just happened to get injured, forcing my son to take his place? Xiaxia had never killed an Insect Clan member before, nor did he have any combat experience. And for a massive battle like that, you tricked him into going to the front lines..."
Wen Sen’s expression darkened, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes. "As the older brother, Wen Te has gone to every battle the noble families have fought over the years. He had Xiaxia substitute for him just once. How is that tricking him?"
"Xiaxia is a 2S Beastman. He’s obviously better suited for the battlefield."
Jiang Hua refused to listen. In his eyes, everything seemed far too coincidental.
’If Wen Te had gone, why would his Xiaxia have suffered the agony of a spiritual power collapse? Why would he have been separated from them for three years?’
Wen Te has A-level spiritual power; he wouldn’t have been affected by the Mutated Insect Clan at all.
"Just go. You’re not welcome in my house."
The arrangement between Jiang Xia’s mother’s Beast Husbands was the same as most. They each built a house around the female’s residence, and the female would visit and stay overnight with the different males according to a schedule or her mood.
Therefore, Wen Sen’s house and Jiang Xia’s were only two or three hundred meters apart.
Jiang Xia and Wen Te were close in age and had been good friends since childhood.
Seeing Wen Te’s heartbroken and downcast expression, he couldn’t help but say, "Father, Uncle isn’t wrong. Big Brother has already given so much. It was fine for me to go into battle, really."
"Besides, he didn’t trick me. I volunteered."
Hearing this, Wen Te looked at him, moved.
Mr. Jiang rolled his eyes at his son and sighed melancholically in his heart. ’I’ve protected him too well all these years. He’s gotten older, but not any smarter.’
’It would be better if he just got married off quickly.’
For now, Mr. Jiang remained stubborn. Whether as a love rival or because of his son, he didn’t want to see Wen Sen and his son.
He tried to send them away again.
Wen Sen didn’t want to be further humiliated, but his expression remained gentle as he looked at Jiang Xia. "Xiaxia, since you’re all right, your brother and I can rest easy."
"Your brother happens to be free lately, so come over to our place and hang out if you want."
Jiang Xia looked at his father, then at his older brother who was watching him with an expectant expression, and nodded hesitantly.
Perhaps because they hadn’t seen each other in three years, he found that after the initial excitement of their reunion faded, he felt a sense of distance from his older brother.
After Wen Sen and his son left, Mr. Jiang pulled his son’s arm, and the two of them sat down on the sofa.
His expression was still awful. He couldn’t help but poke his son’s forehead. "You... you... you’re a grown man now, I really don’t know what to say to you."
Jiang Xia pressed his lips together, aggrieved, and muttered, "Then don’t say anything."
Mr. Jiang was about to die from anger, but this was his son, after all. He calmed himself and began to patiently persuade him. "It’s not that I’m insisting on suspecting Wen Te, but think about it carefully. What was his injury at the time?"
"It was his arm. A Treatment Pod could have healed that in an hour."
"But how did he just happen to get injured right when the Insect Clan appeared and it was time to fight? Besides, he’s an A-level Beastman. An injury like that wouldn’t have stopped him from going into battle."
Although Wen Te had been the one to fight in battle for Jiang Xia’s family all these years, his efforts had not gone unrewarded. After all, Du Yi only had these two sons. Since Wen Te shouldered the combat duties, Du Yi and the other Beast Husbands directed many resources his way. Even the A-level female he was matched with was found through Du Yi’s connections. While her Fertility Value couldn’t compare to the young lady of the Bai Family, she was still one of the most outstanding females available.
However, Wen Te was only engaged for now. He said he would wait until Jiang Xia returned before getting married.
In contrast, his own son had wasted away in Black Star Prison for three years. Before that, his health had been poor, forcing him to recuperate at home. He was clearly such a powerful 2S Beastman, yet the female he supposedly liked was a "scrap female."
Although Jiang Hua’s heart ached, he didn’t have high expectations for his son. As long as his son was happy, that was enough.
He had already endured so much hardship in prison; his father didn’t want to stand in his way anymore.
Mr. Jiang was doing his utmost to guide his son and give him earnest advice.
Perhaps the three years on Black Star weren’t as peaceful as Jiang Xia had told his family. In that time, Jiang Xia had learned a thing or two from the others there.
He understood his father’s meaning. After a moment of silence, he said, "I know."
"But, Big Brother really didn’t trick me."
Jiang Xia still repeated himself.
Maybe it really was too much of a coincidence, but back then, he had always felt guilty for letting his big brother shoulder the responsibility of fighting. So, when his brother got injured and asked if he was willing to take his place, he agreed without a moment’s hesitation.
He was a 2S Spiritual Power Beastman, not some coward who feared the Insect Clan.
Even after spending all those years in prison, he never regretted going to battle. At least he, Admiral He, and the others had successfully protected the people. And now, he had been even luckier to meet Lanlan.
As he thought about it, a gentle, joyous light sparked in his eyes. "Dad, the heavens really are looking out for me. I like Lanlan so much. I’m so happy I was able to meet her."
A child raised with straightforward love is never stingy in expressing it.
Jiang Hua was simply helpless against his son. Seeing him so happy, he could only curve his lips in a resigned smile. "Right. Go for it. My son is so outstanding, work hard and compete to be the main husband."
Jiang Xia’s expression stiffened. He tugged at his sleeve, conflicted. "Ahem, that might be a little difficult..."
"Difficult? How is that possible? Xiaxia, you’re a Level 2S Beastman. How could that female dare to not take you seriously?"
Jiang Xia had always considered himself excellent, powerful, and special in Lanlan’s heart. But when it came to competing for the position of main husband, he was, for once, feeling a bit of pressure.
He mumbled, "It would be one thing if it were anyone else, but Admiral He and the Eldest Prince are also in the picture..."
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