If Jiang You’s parents were here, they would have surely mentioned her.
After all, the Jiang Family’s young uncle had boundless prospects. They’d want to curry favor with him, to have her make an appearance so he would remember her.
Jiang You didn’t say anything, nor did she have the chance to speak with that young uncle.
She didn’t mind. Her being here was just a formality, and she planned to leave as soon as dinner was over.
As the family was having dinner, a torrential downpour started outside.
They thought the rain would stop after dinner, but it showed no signs of letting up. In fact, it only came down harder.
Even so, some of the elders were still planning to leave, so Granny Jiang repeatedly urged them to stay.
Jiang Qi wanted to leave as well, but Granny Jiang kept insisting that he stay the night at the main residence.
"It’s not that I don’t want to, but I really have to return to the military district tomorrow," Jiang Qi said, holding Granny Jiang’s hand with a helpless smile.
"I think you just don’t want to spend any more time with this old woman," Granny Jiang said, pretending to be upset.
"Of course not," Jiang Qi hurried to say. "You’re the one I’d miss most of all."
"Mom, I have a business trip tomorrow, so I can’t stay over tonight either," the eldest uncle added with a gentle smile.
"Sigh. None of you want to spend time with this old lady anymore," Granny Jiang lamented.
The few of them continued their back-and-forth.
"It’s raining too hard. Everyone is staying at the main house tonight," the Old Master commanded.
Finally, silence. Everyone was staying the night.
The Jiang Family estate was massive; accommodating so many people was no problem at all.
Soon, the Jiang Family servants were leading them to their rooms.
Everything in the room was brand new. Jiang You grabbed a bathrobe and went into the bathroom to take a shower.
A servant would take her clothes to be laundered, and they would be ready for her to wear before she left the next day.
Meanwhile, after dealing with his relatives, Jiang Qi took the keycard a servant handed him. His eyes were downcast, his expression indifferent, revealing a hint of weariness and intoxication. "You don’t have to show me the way."
"Yes, sir." The servant respectfully withdrew.
Jiang Qi entered the room and pressed his temples.
His older brothers and cousins had been drinking and chatting with him all evening. Though he hadn’t wanted to overdo it, he’d inevitably had a lot to drink.
’You have to give face, after all.’
He didn’t notice the sounds coming from the bathroom and collapsed straight onto the bed.
The servant had given him the wrong keycard.
It was supposed to be 6, but he’d read it as 9.
Of course, a room could have more than one keycard.
And so, two identical cards opened the same door.
All because the servant misread the number.
Jiang You, completely unaware, had just finished her shower. As she stepped out of the bathroom, she was caught completely off guard by the sight of someone who had no business being there.
’Why is my young uncle here?’
The man was leaning against the wall, eyelids half-lowered, his long fingers idly playing with two identical keycards. Hearing the noise, he didn’t look up, only asking in a cool, casual tone, "Where did you get the keycard? Who sent you?"
Only after speaking did he look up. His gaze froze, and a new, profound intensity entered his eyes.
The young woman was fresh from her shower, looking exceptionally flushed and alluring. Her hair was silky, her lips were a natural red, and her soft, lovely eyes were slightly rimmed with pink from the steam. Her fair skin glowed with a faint blush from the warmth.
Jiang Qi wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or genuine thirst, but his throat suddenly felt dry.
’This woman must have pulled some strings to get into my room, or perhaps she was following someone’s orders.’
The moment Jiang Qi saw her, he felt a stir of arousal. He decided he didn’t want to refuse. ’At my age, it’s probably time I let myself indulge a little.’
Jiang You didn’t immediately process the man’s words. ’What’s wrong with my keycard?’
She was a little afraid of this young uncle of hers. He looked dangerous, like someone you shouldn’t cross.
He was her elder, after all, and she naturally held a certain reverence for her superiors in the family.
"A servant gave me..."
Jiang You answered his question reflexively.
But before she could finish, she was cut off.
"Come here." Jiang Qi’s amber eyes stared intently at her, his voice hoarse.
Jiang You hesitated for a moment before walking over. She looked at Jiang Qi, her heart pounding with uncertainty. "Un..."
Before she could finish her word, a powerful arm snaked around her waist, pulling her flush against him. The man bent his head and his lips descended on hers.
Jiang You’s eyes flew wide in shock. She had no time to react before the man’s lips captured hers.
His broad hand slid up to grip her soft thigh, continuing its journey upward.
Jiang You began to struggle violently, her expression panicked and fearful. "U-Uncle, what... what are you doing?"
"Don’t call me ’Uncle,’ and stop struggling." Jiang Qi’s brow furrowed, his voice raspy. "I’m not into roleplaying. Just be a good girl and cooperate. I’ll give you what you want afterward, just don’t get attached."
Jiang You’s lips were crushed by his once more. "Mmph! Mmph!"
’Even though we’re not related by blood, he’s still my uncle!’
The man’s black wolf ears and tail suddenly materialized. He bit down on her neck, his tail brushing restlessly against her calf. He was losing control.
Jiang You planted her hands on the man’s unyielding chest, still trying to push him away, but she was forced to arch her long neck back. A sharp pain lanced through her neck from his bite, and tears streamed from the corners of her eyes. "U-Uncle, I’m really your niece! I’m Jiang You!"
For some reason, Jiang Qi froze.
He couldn’t remember what his niece Jiang You looked like, but the girl’s inexperienced, frightened rejection made him realize she could very well be telling the truth.
’If she’d been sent to my bed, she wouldn’t be acting this... uncooperative.’
A muscle in Jiang Qi’s eyelid twitched violently, and his breath caught in his throat.
’I’m so screwed.’
Jiang Qi abruptly released her, pulling her bathrobe tight around her body. His amber eyes, still flushed crimson with desire, looked utterly mortified. "I’m sorry. I was mistaken."
His expression was a mixture of vexation and shame.
To make matters worse, his body was still aroused.
Jiang Qi swallowed thickly, his voice still raspy as he looked at her, his expression mortified. "Uh, Jiang You? My third brother’s daughter?"
Jiang You clutched the collar of her bathrobe, backing away as a prickling sensation spread across her scalp. "Yes."
"These two keycards are identical. The servant must have misread the number and given me the wrong one." Jiang Qi held up the two cards, his voice still incredibly hoarse. "Let’s just forget this ever happened. However, I was in the wrong, so I need to compensate you."
As he spoke, he lifted the terminal on his wrist. It took him a moment to find the contact info for his niece, Jiang You.
Jiang Qi transferred a sum of money to Jiang You. "I’ve sent you some money. If you have any other requests in the future, you can ask me for anything. Tonight was my fault."
Jiang You stood there, her lips pressed into a thin line, saying nothing.
Jiang Qi pressed his temples. "I’m sorry. You should get some rest."
Without another word, he turned and left.
Jiang You was completely stunned.
’How could something like this have happened?!’
’If it had been anyone else, she could have written it off. He was a gorgeous man with an eight-pack, after all. But why did it have to be her uncle?’
’They weren’t related by blood, but the titles were there. It would be mortifying to see him in the future.’
Jiang You knew overthinking it wouldn’t do any good, so she forced herself to get some rest.
’Anyway, that uncle of hers spent most of his time in the Third District and rarely ever came back. I’ll just have to chalk it up to being bitten by a dog and move on.’