Chapter 39

uan Baisui shook his head. “With you, Dad, Little Dad, A‑son, Zuo Jun… and Nian‑nian all believing in me, there’s nothing to feel wronged about.”
He knew they’d both been running around for his sake. It was Duan Yan who’d quietly pushed Hu Chun to flip and release the recording.
And Xu Yi had done even more, cutting off cooperation with Rong Chuang halfway through their biggest joint project. Most of Rong Chuang’s liquid funds were tied up in it. If Xu Yi pulled out now, the whole thing might grind to a halt. Their capital chain could even snap.
It was Xu Yi’s way of sticking up for him.
He’d never had much patience for injustice.
And he’d never been able to bear letting his children eat loss.
In his own way, he spoiled his stepson too.
“If you’re in a bad mood, take a couple of days off,” Xu Yi said. “Your father and I can handle the company.”
“Little Dad, are you sure you’re okay to be out?” Duan Baisui asked. “What did the doctor say?”
“The doctor said he should stay home,” Duan Yan answered before Xu Yi could. “But he wouldn’t listen. I couldn’t stop him. When he gets riled up he looks ready to scratch people’s eyes out.”
Xu Yi: “…”
“You don’t have to worry about me,” Duan Baisui said. “Something like this isn’t going to crush me. I’m not that fragile.”
Xu Yi sighed. “You’ve always been like this. You’ve never made things hard for me or your father. Sometimes I wish you’d be like other kids—more rebellious, a little less sensible.”
“My rebellious phase is long over,” Duan Baisui said with a faint smile.
All those years abroad—racing, extreme sports—his parents had never known. That had been his version of rebellion.
“By the way, does Nian‑nian know?” Xu Yi asked anxiously.
“With all the noise, it’d be hard for him *not* to,” Duan Baisui said helplessly. “He’s been comforting me these past few days. He’s been very good. Not once has he doubted me.”
Xu Yi nodded. “That’s good.”
After a pause, he asked, “And that Ju Xiao…”
“I’ve never met him alone, not once,” Duan Baisui cut in quickly. “Everything Rong Jin said is nonsense.”
“See?” Duan Yan drawled. “I told you our son knows his limits. He’s a grown man. He thinks things through. You don’t have to worry so much. Focus on getting better. Who knows—he might make you a grandfather one of these days. You can’t keep treating him like some kid.”
“A son is a child to his parents no matter how old he is,” Xu Yi shot back.
“Fine, fine,” Duan Yan said with a helpless smile.
He stood and slipped an arm around Xu Yi’s shoulders. “You’ve vented your anger, seen our son, cleared things up. Can we go home early now?”
Xu Yi lowered his eyes. “Mm.”