Chapter 145 Numbing Oneself Through Work

Before dawn, Jiang Mohe woke up. The anesthetic effect lasted six hours, but his metabolism was faster than that of other supernaturals, so he recovered sooner. He moved his limbs slightly, still feeling a faint numbness.

He glanced at Xian Yuqing, who was lying by the bedside, one hand resting on his arm. After the anesthesia completely wore off, Jiang Mohe slowly got up and gently lifted Xian Yuqing, placing her back on her bed. Judging by her tired sleeping expression, she must have been worried about him earlier.

Jiang Mohe softly stroked her cheek with the back of his hand, his eyes shining with tenderness. A scene flashed through his mind—him gently kissing her forehead.

“Mm…” Xian Yuqing murmured and turned over.

Jiang Mohe snapped back to reality, his gaze toward her complicated. Why were such strange images persistently present in his mind? They seemed like his own memories, yet somehow not.

Lately, Jiang Mohe had begun investigating his past in the Jiang family, discovering discrepancies between what he remembered and the truth. For instance, he was originally very stubborn and paranoid, which led to his crushing defeat in the Jiang family’s power struggle, leaving him without a place to stand.

Even now, the Jiang family remained wary of him—not only because of his extraordinary abilities but also due to some secret involving the family. Yet, before returning to the country, he suffered a severe injury that caused him to lose his most important memories.

His own memories were lost, replaced partially by others’ memories, and he even possessed some abilities he did not originally have.

Jiang Mohe felt like a puzzle, confused and unable to find his way. But no matter what, he would always remember the voice deep within his heart: protect Yuqing!

He lingered a moment longer, then gently opened the balcony door and left.

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Since Xi Junle learned of the grudge between Madam Xi and Xian Yuqing’s family, he had stopped seeking out Xian Yuqing.

But Sun Ge was terribly worried!

Before, when Xi Junle accepted offers, he was picky, only participating in performances that met certain standards.

Now? He accepted all offers, even turning down no commercial engagements.

If this happened with another manager, it would be cause for joy. But Sun Ge was only afraid: why was the young master pushing himself so hard? What had triggered this?

He was scared but dared not ask. If Xi Junle got angry, his own livelihood would be at risk.

Madam Xi shared the same worry because she hadn’t seen her son for half a month!

She called Sun Ge: “Little Sun, do you want to quit or not? Taking so many jobs for Junle—is he some ordinary entertainer in showbiz?”

Sun Ge protested, feeling wronged: “Madam, I wouldn’t dare! Recently, young master Xi has been taking all the work on himself, and I’m just as distressed!”

Madam Xi sensed something was wrong: “Is Junle taking these jobs himself?”

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“Yes, yes!” Sun Ge nodded repeatedly. “I even advised him to take it easy once, but he told me if I didn’t want to do it, I didn’t have to.”

Oh, these days being a manager wasn’t easy!

Madam Xi now understood that her son was troubled.

After hanging up, she went straight to Xi Junle’s management company.

At that moment, Xi Junle had just finished a shoot and was resting in the office, preparing for an afternoon commercial gig.

Madam Xi bypassed reception and went directly to his lounge.

Sun Ge, waiting outside, saw Madam Xi as a savior.

“Madam, you finally came! Young Master Xi hasn’t slept well for two days. He just finished two shoots this morning and has a performance this afternoon. He can’t keep this up!”

Madam Xi immediately told Sun Ge, “Cancel the afternoon’s performance!”

“Madam, you should talk to young master Xi first.”

Without Junle’s consent, Sun Ge wouldn’t dare cancel anything.

Madam Xi waved her hand, signaling him to open the door.

Sun Ge opened the lounge door. Xi Junle lay on the sofa, his hand shielding his forehead, eyes closed.

Hearing the door, Xi Junle asked without opening his eyes, “Is it time already?”

“Junle!”

Hearing Madam Xi’s voice, Xi Junle opened his eyes and sat up. “Mother, what brings you here?”

Madam Xi sat opposite him, reproachful: “You haven’t been home for half a month. I had to come see you!”

Xi Junle looked exhausted. “I’ve been busy with work.”

Seeing the redness in her son’s eyes, Madam Xi felt a pang of heartache. “Our family doesn’t depend on you for money. Why take on so much work?”

Xi Junle didn’t answer.

Not working made him feel suffocated inside!

Madam Xi noticed something was off. “Junle, is something troubling you?”

“No.”

Xi Junle didn’t want to talk. He stood and asked Sun Ge, “Is it almost time for the performance?”

Madam Xi interrupted, “The performance is canceled.”

“Canceled?” Xi Junle frowned at Sun Ge.

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Sun Ge hurriedly said, “It’s Madam’s decision…”

Then he slipped away quickly.

Before Xi Junle could speak, Madam Xi asserted, “Yes, I told Sun Ge to cancel it! If you keep going like this, you’ll wear yourself out.”

“Mother…” Xi Junle sighed helplessly. “I know my limits. Canceling performances recklessly will hurt the company.”

“Losses are losses. The Xi family isn’t short of money,” Madam Xi snapped. “If you get sick from overwork, that’s far worse!”

Xi Junle lowered his gaze. “I’m not that fragile…”

In truth, he was very fragile. He couldn’t accept that he couldn’t be with Xian Yuqing!

But he couldn’t tell anyone, only bury himself in work to numb the pain.

Seeing his expression, Madam Xi had a faint premonition. “Junle, is it because of that girl from the Nangong family?”

“...” Xi Junle remained silent.

Madam Xi continued: “What, Yuqing rejected you, so you gave up? You have to be persistent to succeed!”

“It’s useless,” Xi Junle said, head bowed, voice filled with despair. “Yuqing and I are destined for no happy ending.”

“What do you mean by that?” Madam Xi was puzzled.

“Is your grandfather opposing it?”

“Mother…” Xi Junle looked up, almost pleading, “Please don’t ask anymore.”

Madam Xi had never seen her son so tormented. She was certain this was related to Old Master Xi. Only he would interfere with Junle’s personal affairs.

She didn’t press further, leaving the company and returning to the Xi family mansion.

Just inside the door, she met Xi Junle’s father.

“What’s the matter? Why the rush?”

Madam Xi pulled her husband into the bedroom. “Junle is being kept apart from Yuqing by his father. What do you plan to do?”

Xi Junle’s father was baffled. “What?”

The abruptness left him at a loss.

Madam Xi said seriously, “Father wants to break Junle and Yuqing apart!”