Chapter 70

Wei Meng shouted, but no one dared to move. Outside, a loud and powerful dog bark could be heard. Ah Huang twitched its ears and began barking too.

At home, when it was the only dog, it was the king. When it barked, it was full of spirit. But now, compared to the one outside, the difference was clear. Ah Huang’s bark sounded weak and soft, like it had been bullied. After two barks, it stopped, tucked its tail, and ran to Bao Ning, looking aggrieved.

Bao Ning immediately remembered what Ji Yun had told her yesterday about giving her a mastiff.

Outside, Ji Yun and Wei Meng were about to fight. Bao Ning, worried that Ji Yun would be bullied, quickly got up, dressed, and nudged Pei Yuan, saying, "Stop sleeping, my brother is here."

Pei Yuan had been awake for a while. He still held a grudge against Ji Yun. This kid had been scheming to take Bao Ning away from him, even arranging a place for her outside. It didn't seem like something a brother-in-law should do.

He didn't move, lying there watching Bao Ning get dressed.

Bao Ning pursed her lips. She knew what Pei Yuan was thinking but had no time to talk to him now. She hurriedly tied her belt and went to open the door.

"Ji Yun, what are you doing with that spear? Put it down!"

Hearing Bao Ning's voice, Ji Yun felt relieved. He waved his silver spear in front of Wei Meng's face, then took advantage of his distraction to run towards Bao Ning. "Sis, that scoundrel didn't do anything to you, did he?"

This time, Ji Yun was really angry. He didn’t even bother with pleasantries, calling Pei Yuan a scoundrel every chance he got. When talking to Wei Meng, he called him a blue-eyed scoundrel.

Bao Ning tried to comfort him, "I'm fine, don't worry..."

Before she could finish, Ji Yun spat on the ground, "I’m going to fight him!"

"What are you doing?"

Bao Ning was stunned. She rushed to stop him, but Ji Yun had already stepped inside, planting the spear firmly on the ground and shouting, "Shameless scoundrel, come out now!"

Bao Ning felt dizzy. She quickly went inside, hoping to keep Pei Yuan from causing trouble. If she could just get Ji Yun to leave, everything would be fine. But before she reached him, Pei Yuan was already out, still dressed in the same white shorts from last night, bare-chested, showing his lean waist and abs.

Bao Ning felt even dizzier.

Pei Yuan stood still, one hand on his waist and the other pressing his forehead. He looked up and said calmly, "Who are you calling shameless?"

"I'm talking about you!" Ji Yun gritted his teeth. "In broad daylight, dressed like that, that's shameless. Bullying my sister without reason, that's shameless. Sneaking around at night like a rat, that's shameless! Do you have any rebuttal?"

Pei Yuan raised an eyebrow, nodded, and said, "A well-read boy sure speaks differently, all formal and proper."

Ji Yun glared at him, "You!"

Pei Yuan coldly replied, "But didn't your teacher teach you about manners and respect? I'm your brother-in-law, and here you are, calling me a scoundrel and shameless. Do you think you're in the right?"

Ji Yun scoffed loudly, "You're nobody's brother-in-law. Who ever acknowledged you? You're delusional!"

Pei Yuan crossed his arms and asked, "What do you want to do?"

Ji Yun pointed his spear forward, "I'm going to drive you out!"

Listening to their argument, Bao Ning felt a headache coming on. These two had never gotten along, and now that the pretense was broken, neither cared about keeping up appearances.

Bao Ning, still slightly biased towards her younger brother, knew he would be at a disadvantage in a fight.

She first tried to calm Pei Yuan, "Ah Yuan, don't get mad at a child. Go lie down."

Ji Yun seized the opportunity to mock, "I thought the Fourth Prince was so fierce, but he's just a sickly person."

Pei Yuan's eyes turned cold.

"Ah Yun," Bao Ning hurried back to stop Ji Yun, pulling him by the arm towards the door, "Calm down and go home. If your teacher at the academy finds out, you'll be in trouble."

Pei Yuan smirked, "I thought Young Master Ji was so talented and rich to buy an estate. Turns out you still have to study and get punished if you don't."

Ji Yun, with his competitive nature, couldn't be stopped. He stepped forward, pointing the spear at Pei Yuan's nose, "Let's fight if you have the guts!"

"You're just a kid. Fighting you would make me look like a bully," Pei Yuan straightened up slowly, raising his chin, "I'll stand here without moving and give you twenty moves. If you can scratch me, I'll admit defeat."

Bao Ning frowned, "Pei Yuan, what are you doing?"

Ji Yun charged forward, spear in hand.

He had learned martial arts and was one of the best among his peers, which made him proud. But his skills were no match for Pei Yuan, who saw him as nothing more than a flashy performer.

Ji Yun attacked with all his might, but after nineteen moves, he had only broken three vases and two chairs. Pei Yuan remained unscathed, showing him a "one" gesture and taunting, "Last move, little brother-in-law. Make it count."

At first, Bao Ning was anxious, but now she was numb, standing aside and watching.

Ji Yun gritted his teeth and lunged forward, spear swinging.

As the silver spear swept towards his face, Pei Yuan leaned back, his head almost touching the ground. Ji Yun, putting all his strength into the move, couldn't stop in time and stumbled forward. Pei Yuan sprang up, grabbed the spear's handle, and with a sudden force, snapped it in two.

The spearhead clattered to the ground, leaving Ji Yun stunned.

Pei Yuan stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and said, "Little brother-in-law, come visit often. If you want to learn martial arts, I'll teach you..."

Before he could finish, Ji Yun threw a bunch of beef jerky at Pei Yuan and shouted, "Lucky!"

Everyone turned to look where he was looking.

The mastiff, only two months old, was fierce but still a small puppy, barely reaching their knees. It had been subdued by Wei Meng and lay panting in his arms. Hearing Ji Yun call its name, the mastiff perked up, smelled the beef jerky, and leapt from Wei Meng's arms with such force that Wei Meng was knocked back, almost falling.

Lucky charged at Pei Yuan. He dodged its teeth but got scratched on the arm, drawing blood.

Bao Ning was shocked, "Ji Yun, what are you doing?"

Ji Yun, realizing he was in the wrong, felt guilty. His rash actions had injured Pei Yuan.

The mastiff, still eager to attack, was grabbed by Pei Yuan and thrown aside. It hit the ground, confused. A servant quickly brought an iron chain, and Wei Meng hurriedly secured the dog.

Such dogs were known for their ferocity, rumored to fight tigers and wolves. This one, only two months old and yet to be fully trained, showed promise of becoming a fierce and loyal guardian.

Pei Yuan's arm was still bleeding. Bao Ning didn't look happy. Wei Meng dared not stay any longer, tied the dog under the window sill, and quickly slipped away with his men.

Bao Ning hastily applied some ointment and bandaged Pei Yuan's wound, then took Ji Yun outside.

Ji Yun stood with his head hanging in the corner, and Bao Ning, exasperated, tapped his forehead, "You, with your hot temper, wanted to fight. If you want to fight, fight fair. What's with the underhanded tricks! Who taught you that?"

"...Second Brother-in-law," Ji Yun mumbled, looking up at her briefly before lowering his head again.

Bao Ning frowned, "It's one thing to learn business from him, but don't pick up other things!"

Ji Yun's voice was full of grievance, "I know I was wrong."

Bao Ning looked at him for a long time before sighing, stepping forward to tidy his collar, her voice softening, "Ah Yun, I know what you're thinking."

"Actually," Ji Yun's lips tightened, "I just want to do everything I can to make your life a little better."

Bao Ning cupped his face, seeing his eyes starting to redden, feeling her heart ache, "I understand."

Ji Yun hesitated for a moment, then hugged Bao Ning's shoulders, "In this world, you and Auntie treat me the best. When I was a kid, I swore to protect you both."

Bao Ning smiled at him, "I know, Ah Yun is a very good brother."

Ji Yun glanced inside the room, then said in a low voice, "I almost hated him to death yesterday."

Bao Ning knew who he was talking about and said nothing. Ji Yun paused and added, "But today, it seems he's not completely irredeemable. I'll give him another chance."

Bao Ning humored him, "Yes, give him another chance."

Ji Yun said, "Sister, remember, this manor is yours. You make the decisions. If he bullies you again, let Lucky chase him away. Feed Lucky well, and in three months, when it grows up, it won't just be able to deal with one Pei Yuan, even three won't be a match."

Ji Yun said fiercely, "Let it bite him to death!"

Bao Ning laughed, "Alright, I'll remember that."

Ji Yun continued, "I'll always have your back, no matter what decisions you make. Don't be afraid. If worse comes to worst, when I grow up, I won't care about titles or ranks. We have money. I'll take you and Auntie to a beautiful place, and we'll live a simple life. Forget about Pei Yuan."

Bao Ning nodded, "Okay."

Ji Yun wiped his eyes, "I'll leave tomorrow morning."

"Study well when you get back," Bao Ning said with a smile, linking her arm through his as they walked outside. "I've prepared some things for you—food and clothes. Some aren't ready yet. I'll have someone send them to you tonight."

Ji Yun agreed, just about to say something, when he heard footsteps behind him.

Pei Yuan had come out at some point. His long legs quickly brought him to Ji Yun's side, where he replaced Bao Ning's arm with his own.

Bao Ning was bumped aside, helplessly walking beside Pei Yuan.

Ji Yun felt extremely awkward being held by Pei Yuan.

He had changed his opinion of Pei Yuan. He used to think this man was cold and arrogant. Now, it seemed he was also shameless. They had been fighting just now, and now Pei Yuan acted as if nothing had happened. Truly a good actor. Was he putting on a show for his sister? But even if he was acting, did he have to hold him? It was really greasy and annoying.

Pei Yuan escorted Ji Yun out of the small courtyard, patted his shoulder, and said with concern, "Take your time. I'll visit Auntie another day."

Ji Yun, unable to deal with his hypocrisy, responded with a perfunctory "Oh," cupped his hands, and hurried away.

Pei Yuan thought he had done well. Bao Ning had always been critical of his attitude towards her family. He thought his recent actions, escorting the guest and saying some polite words, should be considered an improvement.

Bao Ning had already returned to the house. Pei Yuan, feeling pleased with himself, walked back inside, only to find Bao Ning bending down, picking up the broken porcelain pieces from the floor, which were shattered during the fight with Ji Yun.

Pei Yuan's heart sank. He realized that this matter wasn't over yet.

Hearing him come in, Bao Ning pointed to the side of the bed, "Are you tired? Sit over there."

After speaking, she went to the sewing basket, pulled out a needle, lit a candle, and held the needle over the flame.

Pei Yuan asked, "What are you doing?"

"Last night, I saw you had two blisters on your foot, but it was too late to deal with them," Bao Ning blew on the hot needle, "I'll take care of them now."

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