Chapter 3: Look Down on All Those Who Once Mocked You
Jiang Chi really could fight.
If a person’s physical stamina were directly proportional to their romantic prowess, then Jiang Chi definitely deserved to have a long list of exes.
Qin Yan was also someone who took fitness seriously—he could easily spend two to three hours in the gym without breaking a sweat. But walking out of the boxing gym with Jiang Chi, he felt completely drained.
Jiang Chi had exerted at least twice as much as Qin Yan, yet he still looked energized and refreshed.
Vitality surged through Jiang Chi’s body so powerfully it was almost overflowing.
He was strikingly handsome, with sharp, defined features and piercing eyes. When he locked onto his opponent, he looked like a panther poised to pounce—fierce, powerful, and unstoppable, exuding an overwhelming aura of raw masculinity that was nearly suffocating.
There was a strange kind of resonance that occurred between powerhouses—a king never bows to another king. Qin Yan couldn’t help but go into high alert.
It was like another male stepping into a lion’s territory.
Two tigers can’t live on the same mountain. The stronger someone is, the more likely they are to clash with another of equal force.
And yet, once they left the boxing gym, Jiang Chi reverted to a gentle, harmless persona.
The contrast was striking—and deeply intriguing.
After their workout, both of them had showered in the gym’s locker room.
Jiang Chi’s bangs were slightly damp, and he hadn’t put on his jacket. The custom-fitted dress shirt outlined his slim waist with perfect, fluid lines—leaving much to the imagination.
If Qin Yan hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would’ve found it hard to believe that such a narrow waist could generate such explosive power.
Jiang Chi’s physical limits were practically a mystery.
Then again, with that many exes, a bad waist just wouldn’t cut it.
Qin Yan’s father was a notorious philanderer with countless illegitimate children. Because of that influence, Qin Yan had always despised men who were promiscuous. But Jiang Chi was nothing like those frivolous playboys—he was not only brimming with empathy, but also genuinely gentle.
It was such a contradiction.
Qin Yan couldn’t explain the contradiction. No one had ever taught him how. Most of the time, he had been learning how to become a qualified head of the family. Compared to trying to decipher human emotions and personalities, dealing with company affairs was far easier.
He had never had any real friends—only subordinates and employees.
Thinking about the company made his earlier good mood wane slightly, and a wave of fatigue washed over him.
Seeing the weariness on Qin Yan’s face, Jiang Chi led him to a pawnshop.
He handed over his platinum cufflinks and wristwatch for appraisal. The watch was expensive, and the staff didn’t dare assess its value directly. Instead, they arranged for a specialist from the main store to evaluate it later.
Jiang Chi asked, “Is it okay if we stay at a hotel for now?”
Qin Yan replied, “I don’t have my ID. You dragged me out from the wedding backstage—I didn’t even get a chance to grab my phone.”
Mentioning his own bandit-like behavior of abducting someone, Jiang Chi couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.
Then, a sudden idea struck him.
The most dangerous place was often the safest. Even though Jiang Feng had claimed to kick him out of the Jiang family, Jiang Chi could still return to the apartment!
He never really listened to his older brother anyway. Jiang Feng was probably used to it by now.
—
Twenty minutes later, Jiang Chi and Qin Yan returned—to the loft apartment at the top floor of the hotel.
The vase Jiang Feng had smashed still lay shattered on the living room floor.
Jiang Chi stepped over the broken porcelain and took a quick walk around the two floors.
The apartment was spacious—over 200 square meters in total. Upstairs had just two bedrooms, while downstairs held the living room, dining area, and a study.
Jiang Chi turned to Qin Yan and said, “I’ll tidy up one of the upstairs bedrooms for you. I’ll stay downstairs.”
Qin Yan nodded silently.
He was tired.
The intense workout had left every muscle in his body sore, and he’d even pulled a muscle in his leg while throwing a sidekick at the gym.
It had been a terrible day in many ways—but strangely, Qin Yan was in a remarkably good mood.
Maybe it was the endorphins from the workout, but Qin Yan felt a rare sense of pleasure and contentment.
Leaning back on the La-Z-Boy sofa, he sat with a posture that was both upright and relaxed, no longer on guard like before.
“Your place, your rules. Need me to help with anything?”
Jiang Chi said no.
He went upstairs, thoroughly cleaned the bedroom, replaced the bedding with fresh linens, and even scrubbed the bathtub in the master bathroom.
Jiang Chi liked doing housework while thinking. The repetitive, simple tasks helped clear his mind. Whether or not he found answers to the questions in his head, the visible results of cleaning always brought him a tangible sense of accomplishment.
By the time he came back downstairs, Qin Yan had already fallen asleep on the sofa.
Jiang Chi didn’t wake him. He quietly retreated upstairs and turned off the washing machine that was still running.
The apartment settled into silence.
As he organized the items in the room, Jiang Chi pieced together the previous occupant’s life through the details left behind.
From the high-end designer clothes in the wardrobe, it was clear the original Jiang Chi had been someone flashy and extravagant—exactly the kind of “playboy” that matched all of Jiang Chi’s stereotypical impressions:
A man who lived a refined life, loved music, had good looks, great fashion sense, tasteful aesthetics, and was into fitness.
The wallet held VIP cards from bars, karaoke lounges, nightclubs—all late-night venues. His social media habits were similarly revealing: his WeChat was full of flirty contacts, over a dozen people he was messaging at any given moment.
His phone’s photo album was packed with selfies, particularly showcasing his abs, defined waistline, and sculpted back.
Clearly, the original Jiang Chi had been very pleased with his own looks.
These habits were completely different from Jiang Chi’s.
He almost never took selfies and didn’t like chatting on WeChat.
He had no idea what the original Jiang Chi did for work, or even what he studied. In the entire apartment, Jiang Chi hadn’t found a single book.
Jiang Chi was an engineering student. In university, he majored in Security and Protection Technology, and after graduating, he went straight into a PhD program with a full scholarship. He also worked part-time as a security systems designer, specializing in security solutions for public security bureaus, prisons, banks, and civil aviation departments. His work mainly involved video surveillance, intrusion detection, alarm signal transmission, and so on.
Simply put: anti-theft and anti-intrusion systems.
In films and TV shows, whenever the protagonist breaks into a location, it’s always packed with high-level security—full-coverage surveillance, infrared sensors, iris scans, mechanical locks, password input systems that lock down or trigger alarms after a few wrong tries, or even self-destruct sequences…
Jiang Chi was the one designing all of those systems.
Security technology evolves rapidly, requiring constant learning and skills updates.
Before getting pulled into the novel, Jiang Chi’s home was filled with books on his field—so he could stay up to date with the latest developments at all times.
To put it simply: if a security system is like a lock, then when a thief’s tools upgrade, Jiang Chi’s “lock” also has to level up. Otherwise, it’s no better than a lock made of paper—completely useless.
In the novel “Restless Longing”, in order to imprison Ji Yu, Qin Yan had installed a rather interesting kind of “lock” on him.
Ji Yu wore an ankle bracelet with a coded lock that only Qin Yan could unlock. If Ji Yu ever tried to step beyond the Qin family estate, the bracelet would begin emitting electric currents—intensity based on distance.
What was even more bizarre was that when the protagonists were together—gong and shou—the restriction no longer applied to the Qin family grounds, but instead to Qin Yan himself. As long as Ji Yu stayed within a 20-meter radius of Qin Yan, there would be no electric shock. But the farther he got from Qin Yan, the stronger the current.
The fact that it even had priority levels programmed into it? Jiang Chi had to admit—he was impressed.
He suspected Qin Yan must’ve been wearing some kind of signal jammer or proximity tag. But up until now, Jiang Chi still hadn’t been able to fully reverse-engineer that “lock.”
This kind of device was already pushing the boundaries of Jiang Chi’s professional understanding. Sure, novels could take liberties with logic—but science and technology were based on rules.
Jiang Chi was extremely confident in his own expertise. He simply didn’t believe there was a “lock” in this world he couldn’t crack.
If he ever got the chance to meet Qin Yan, Jiang Chi would love to ask him to introduce the designer of that lock. He was genuinely curious to understand the concept behind its creation.
He couldn’t help but wonder: What kind of mental state was that designer in when they came up with something like this?
In any case, as a hardcore tech geek, living in an environment without books or a proper workspace was making Jiang Chi anxious.
To ease the discomfort, he immediately went on an online shopping platform and bought a bunch of books related to his field.
Jiang Chi wanted to rebuild a home studio—but the specialized equipment was too expensive. He’d have to earn some money first.
He turned on the computer and drafted two full-coverage security system blueprints to sell online. These two designs were highly practical, cost-effective, and consistently the bestsellers among all his engineering blueprints.
Of course, blueprints were just conceptual products. To actually implement them, they had to be tailored to the specific layout of a site—just like interior design mockups online. Every location had its own quirks, and achieving true full coverage required the designer to adjust countless details by hand.
There could be no sloppiness in security engineering. Everything had to be tightly sealed and flawless. When it came to real-world application, even a millimeter of deviation could lead to major flaws. A five-centimeter gap between surveillance cameras could create a blind spot half a meter wide.
That’s why Jiang Chi wasn’t afraid of anyone stealing his blueprints.
In fact, when it came to security engineering design diagrams, it was the people stealing them who should be afraid.
Once he started working, Jiang Chi was fully absorbed, completely unaware of how much time had passed.
By the time he finished drawing the two blueprints, night had already fallen.
Jiang Chi rubbed the back of his neck and rolled his shoulders. When he stood up from the desk, his legs were a little numb from sitting too long.
Downstairs, a nightlight in the corner cast a soft, warm glow.
As the city lights began to glow, the massive floor-to-ceiling windows framed a dazzling nightscape.
Qin Yan was already awake, sitting on the sofa, gazing at the flow of traffic outside.
He rarely slept in unfamiliar environments, but the past few days had left him utterly exhausted.
Since returning to the country, he had been pretending to be unconscious—maintaining that act around Su Xiaowan and the others meant staying hyper-aware at all times, so he wouldn’t give himself away.
Su Xiaowan was all honeyed words and hidden daggers, crafty and suspicious. Qin Yan had to be constantly on guard when dealing with her.
Then Jiang Chi, in a stroke of brilliance, mistook him for Ji Yu and dragged him away from the wedding venue. Now the Qin household must be in utter chaos—an ideal time to slip through the cracks and gather information.
The messier the situation, the easier it was for the foxes to reveal their tails.
As he mulled this over, Qin Yan heard footsteps and knew Jiang Chi had come downstairs.
Jiang Chi stepped off the last stair and turned on the main light. “What do you want to eat? There’s only a box of pasteurized eggs in the fridge.”
For fire safety reasons, apartments like this usually weren’t equipped with gas lines. The wide, open-concept western kitchen confirmed it—there was no stovetop, just a built-in induction cooker, and even the protective film on it was still intact.
The apartment’s original owner clearly wasn’t someone who cooked.
Jiang Chi wasn’t much of a cook either, but he could manage things like noodles and frozen dumplings. He often worked late on design projects and needed something to eat in the middle of the night.
In the novel, Ji Yu seemed to really like hotpot—but the main character never said it outright. It was always hinted at through little details.
For example, when someone else mentioned liking hotpot, Ji Yu would echo, “Me too,” or the narration would note how he reached out for more food during hotpot scenes.
Ji Yu was sensitive and reserved, with a chilly exterior. He never expressed what he liked or disliked—you had to guess.
As an illegitimate child, Ji Yu was acutely aware of his place in the world. He rarely voiced any wants or needs. The fact that he married Qin Yan was, at best, a political alliance and an attempt to ward off ill fortune—at worst, it was being sold to the Qin family.
In the Qin family, Ji Yu was even more like a guest in someone else’s house. He had to be extremely cautious, never willing to say a word more than necessary, while Qin Yan, on the other hand, was a person with a very strong desire to control. The more Ji Yu stayed silent, the more Qin Yan wanted to force him to speak.
The two main characters had conflicting personalities, both carrying a certain amount of pride. Even when misunderstandings arose, they never addressed them, which added a lot of complications to their relationship.
No wonder people say it’s a love that’s doomed from the start.
Jiang Chi thought to himself, realizing that Qin Yan and Ji Yu were not suited for each other at all. No wonder one ended up dead and the other went mad in the end.
Could he really reverse the plot and change Ji Yu’s tragic fate?
If he couldn’t change it, then Ji Yu wouldn’t have many years to live, would he?
The characters on paper were completely different from the living, breathing person in front of him. Ji Yu had never lived a free and carefree day in his life; he had always been controlled and pitiful.
When Jiang Chi thought about how the “Ji Yu” in front of him might not live for many more years, he couldn’t help but treat him a little better.
He took two bottles of water from the fridge, opened one, and handed it to Qin Yan, asking, “Want hotpot?”
Qin Yan didn’t have any particular preferences when it came to food. “Anything is fine. Do you want hotpot?”
Jiang Chi, considering Ji Yu’s awkward personality, didn’t deny it. “Yeah, I really like hotpot. How about you?”
Qin Yan casually responded, “Me too.”
It was just like it was written in the book.
Jiang Chi showed an expression of “just as expected.”
He curved his lips, gazing at Qin Yan with an oddly affectionate look.
Qin Yan: “???”
Jiang Chi didn’t say much, quietly ordering hotpot takeout.
…
The hot pot was steaming, and the marble table was covered with various meats and vegetables. There were dipping sauces, including oil and sesame paste, and finely chopped cilantro and fresh red chili peppers, placed in small individual dishes, making everything look very appetizing.
Through the misty white steam, their faces weren’t quite clear.
Jiang Chi didn’t look at Qin Yan, and Qin Yan didn’t look at Jiang Chi.
Having skipped a meal, both of them were a little hungry. The red oil broth was enough to whet their appetites. The smell was spicy, numbing, fresh, and sweet—it was irresistibly tempting.
However, both pairs of chopsticks reached into the clear broth at the same time.
Jiang Chi and Qin Yan exchanged a glance, both surprised by the other’s choice.
“You don’t eat spicy food?” Jiang Chi picked up a piece of lettuce and put it in his bowl. “I thought you liked spicy food.”
Qin Yan’s expression remained unchanged as he thought: ‘It’s Ji Yu who likes spicy food.’
He had no interest in pretending to be someone else, so he simply told the truth. “I don’t eat spicy food.”
Jiang Chi stirred the sesame paste in his bowl. “I thought people who like hotpot all eat spicy food.”
Qin Yan dropped some noodles into the pot. “Then why don’t you eat?”
Jiang Chi replied, “It’s too late now.”
Qin Yan glanced at Jiang Chi.
The other’s bowl was filled with nothing but vegetables, not a hint of meat in sight.
Jiang Chi ate elegantly, picking up lettuce with the tips of his chopsticks and slowly chewing from top to bottom.
The lettuce was crisp, making a subtle ‘crunch’ sound with each bite, but it wasn’t unpleasant.
Jiang Chi gave off the first impression of being sharp as a knife, but after getting to know him, he was warm and gentle, like a well-mannered herbivore.
Qin Yan turned his gaze away, looking instead at the noodles boiling in the pot. “So you’re so concerned about your health?”
Jiang Chi swallowed the vegetables in his mouth. “Mm, living healthily means living longer.”
In the business world, people who talk about taking care of their health are often the ones who secretly indulge in all kinds of vices—meat and vegetables, smoking, drinking, and all sorts of temptations. The more someone struggles to control their desires, the more they like to use grand excuses to boast about their self-restraint.
What kind of person is Jiang Chi, really?
Qin Yan couldn’t figure it out.
He lacked experience interacting with people his own age.
Just back from abroad, Qin Yan felt unfamiliar with the customs and culture in the country and found himself constantly observing Jiang Chi, quietly learning from him.
There were huge differences between life abroad and at home, and since Qin Yan had decided to reform the Qin family’s business in the country, he naturally had to make sufficient preparations in advance.
Jiang Chi was a good subject for observation.
Lost in thought, Qin Yan unknowingly ate quite a bit.
The steam rose, obscuring Qin Yan’s somewhat cold expression. As he was deep in thought, his eating became slow, almost appearing somewhat obedient.
Seeing the person in front of him eating with such appetite, Jiang Chi felt a great sense of satisfaction.
Experiencing the joy of feeding someone, Jiang Chi felt content and finally understood why so many people enjoy doing good deeds.
It was just treating Ji Yu to a hotpot, but the sense of accomplishment Jiang Chi felt was stronger than completing ten design drafts.
Taking the anxious and fearful Ji Yu out of his difficult situation felt like rescuing a pitiful stray kitten from the rain.
Looking at the kitten in their arms, everyone couldn’t help but think: ‘Without me, it would die.’
He wanted to clean the little kitten, take it home, watch it go from being wary to relaxed, and then gradually grow up, becoming confident, proud, and majestic, more beautiful and imposing than any delicate, pampered purebred cat.
This cliché of a redemption story was enough to satisfy every man’s inner heroism.
Jiang Chi had already begun to imagine: with his support, Ji Yu would rise up, achieving success in his career, reaching the peak of life, and becoming a famous painter—
In the novel, Ji Yu loved painting and dreamed of becoming a painter, holding his own solo exhibition, but no one ever cared about Ji Yu’s dream; they even found it laughable.
Qin Yan even mocked Ji Yu, telling him not to daydream.
It was too much!
Tomorrow, he would turn the other bedroom upstairs into a studio!
…
After dinner, Jiang Chi started cleaning the dishes, rejecting Qin Yan’s offer of help. “You don’t need to do anything. Go watch TV.”
How could a painter’s hands be used to wash dishes?
Jiang Chi’s gaze softened. “How could I let a guest do the work? You’re here to enjoy yourself.”
Qin Yan thought this was just the local custom of hospitality. Watching Jiang Chi bustle around without feeling awkward, he made a mental note that when visiting in the country, guests didn’t need to do any work.
Jiang Chi told him to rest, so Qin Yan calmly sat on the sofa and watched the evening news.
Seeing Qin Yan’s relaxed expression, Jiang Chi felt very pleased.
Jiang Chi silently swore: ‘Since I pulled you out of the wedding scene, I won’t let you fall back into the abyss.’
‘I will make you stand at the top, looking down on all those who once mocked you.’
