I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2281 - 1450: I Avoid Her Sharpness? (2)

"Men are meant to wed upon reaching adulthood, and women too. One day, you will build your own family."

This subject undoubtedly stirred an inexplicable annoyance in Cao Jinse. Likely, every little sister experiences the same.

"What time are we living in? Who insists marriage is essential for life? I refuse to marry."

"Don’t speak out of frustration. If you remain unmarried, how will I answer to our parents after we pass away?"

"Cao Xiugo, why can’t you mention something uplifting? Moreover, I’m no weight on you. My choice to marry or not won’t burden you at all. The vital point is for you to thrive in your own life, alright?"

"That’s not your call to make."

Cao Xiugo tilted his head toward the heavens and stated, "A brother acts as a father figure; it’s an ancient custom. If you’re not faring well, how could I possibly fare well?"

Cao Jinse gave an exasperated laugh, "In what way am I not faring well? Are you wishing ill on me? I’m excellent, extremely content, brimming with joy, understand?"

Cao Xiugo nodded, "Fine."

Cao Jinse dropped to the ground, stretching out lazily with no regard for appearances, as though longing for a straw mat to recline upon, using the sky as cover and the earth as her mattress.

"Xiao Song arranged to meet you; it concerns Lan Peizhi, correct?"

"Yes."

Cao Jinse responded assuredly, "He vowed to assist me."

"The bond forged in childhood can’t be ignored; in critical moments, you can count on him."

Lan Peizhi dominates more than just the underworld; those days of raw combat are over. It demands true bravery to oppose her without justification.

"Real friends reveal themselves in hard times."

Whatever their motives—be it a sense of obligation—taking action is genuinely touching.

"I turned down his assistance."

Cao Jinse shot back, unsurprising Cao Xiugo in the least, "Xiao Song intends well, yet his involvement would only tangle things further."

Cao Jinse shot him a look.

Isn’t everything already tangled?

"Brother, are you testing my understanding? How does his participation complicate matters? Jinhai can rally forces, so why can’t I enlist aid?"

"Is it comparable?"

"Why wouldn’t it be?"

Cao Jinse fired back, holding his stare.

"So why reject his help then?"

Cao Xiugo avoided pushing for a reply, instead flipping the question her way.

Cao Jinse grew quiet, saying nothing as she swiveled to stare at the stars anew.

Hmm.

Scant in number.

Yet faint, shimmering specks dotted the expanse.

"Even now, are you still mindful of his sentiments?"

Cao Xiugo murmured softly near her ear, "Has he ever spared a thought for yours?"

Cao Jinse’s jaw clenched faintly before she smoothed her features, "I don’t grasp your meaning."

"Not grasping it is fine, so long as you’re not feigning ignorance."

"It’s unrelated to him."

"How are you so certain? It matches Lan Peizhi’s approach, but defies reason."

"Then what sense does pulling Lan Peizhi in make? What does he gain?"

Cao Xiugo mulled it over briefly, "Appears there’s no tangible gain."

Commerce carries territorial traits as well. For a "East Sea Gang" member like Lan Peizhi to back Jinhai Industry seems reasonable, yet it falls short of persuasion—at least in the eyes of the siblings.

The more probable scenario.

Lies in someone manipulating from the shadows, prompting Lan Peizhi to stake her claim decisively.

Though merely a hypothesis.

It remains flawed, riddled with inconsistencies under examination.

Thus, Cao Jinse refuses to accept it.

"Yet no matter what, Aunt Lan has her sights set on me—that much is undeniable."

Cao Jinse murmured gently.

Having released her pent-up feelings.

Now, she must confront the truth with clear-headedness.

"A rare prodigy of her era, Lan Peizhi’s cunning eclipses her ferocity; the web of alliances and benefits she’s spun across decades demands respect."

Cao Xiugo rested his hands on his knees, head angled upward slightly, contemplating the starry night.

In this instant, he speaks far beyond a mere Kyoto instructor.

A bladeless heavy armament, profound expertise masked as ineptitude.

This individual has perfected "sitting tight and biding one’s time."

"If she merits caution, then what recourse exists? Her blade is already unsheathed."

"Perhaps."

Cao Xiugo proposed gently, "Dodge her edge temporarily?"

Cao Jinse appeared deaf to her brother’s taunt, scoffing contemptuously.

"Me, evade her strike?"

"This feud pits Jinhai against me; she meddles, and I must retreat?"

Cao Xiugo’s lips curved faintly.

"You'd better think it over carefully—once the bow is drawn, there's no going back."

"Why do I need to think carefully when others aren't bothering to?"

Cao Jinse, unusually permissive for once, declared, "If she wants to mediate for Jinhai, then I'll grant her that wish."

Normally, this would be the moment to weigh the advantages and disadvantages, to offer sage guidance—maybe set up a suitable occasion for everyone to gather, sip tea, enjoy some treats, and discuss matters calmly. Yet Cao Xiugo showed zero interest in counseling her.

"If you're in the mood to act, then just go for it."

"Brother, you're not turning into Youmao, are you—wishing for the world to descend into chaos?"

Cao Xiugo's laid-back demeanor aroused suspicion in Cao Jinse herself, the very one at the center of it all.

"The world's chaos or peace means nothing to me; all that matters is my little sister's happiness."

"..."

Unexpected displays of affection can be the most unnerving.

Cao Jinse parted her lips, "Brother, cut it out; this side of you feels so strange to me."

Cao Xiugo let out a sigh, "Do you believe anyone in this world cherishes you more than your own brother?"

Cao Jinse chuckled, "You're just trying to paint yourself in a flattering light."

"What? Has some guy out there shown you more care than I have?"

"Hehe, who can say for sure?"

Cao Xiugo shook his head, "Silly girl."

"Brother, you've never called me that before."

"I hadn't noticed it until now."

How could anyone deny she was silly?

Despite the deep betrayal from someone she trusted and admired so much, even as she stood on that Kyoto stage witnessing the drama unfold, she harbored no grudge against the offender.

Even as her big brother stood up for her and directed the accusations at that individual, she still rushed to offer defenses on his behalf.

"Do you hold any grudges against your brother?"

"Why on earth would I complain about you?"

"If I hadn't pressured Jiang into taking a stand, none of this would have happened."

He refused to let anyone off the hook lightly.

Precisely.

Women ensnared by their feelings remain utterly sightless.

Still, from his vantage point, personal involvement was inevitable.

"So in the end, it all boils down to your fault."

Cao Jinse pretended to have an epiphany.

Cao Xiugo shook his head with a sigh, "Once a girl's grown up, she can't be held back."

Cao Jinse nudged his arm playfully, "Don't get upset; I was only teasing. You're Cao Xiugo, the guy who dominated all of Four-nine City—don't act so small-minded."

In those days.

Her brother possessed such irresistible charm.

He served as the nighttime fantasy for every highborn lady in Kyoto.

Lan Peizhi and her group of elegant women have all settled down with families now, but once upon a time, how many pined for her brother?

"Brother, could it be that they're stirring things up this time because your past indifference wounded too many hearts..."

"So it's my fault again?"

"Haha."

Cao Jinse let out an awkward giggle, "Just idle talk."

"Fine, draw up a list first, and I'll check if it's truly on me."

"Haha..."

Cao Jinse burst into hearty laughter, resting her head on her brother's shoulder as her joyful sounds carried far away.

In the side courtyard.

Fresh from a shower, Youmao noticed Miss still hadn't come back, so he set out to search once more, finally spotting Miss and Young Master seated on the ground, shoulders touching, chatting and laughing merrily.

Moonlight cascaded softly like flowing water, casting dappled shadows from the trees that draped the resting rooftops like a tender quilt.

A home's true warmth has little to do with how many occupy it.

Youmao started to call out but held back, unwilling to shatter the precious mood. A grin spread across his cherubic face without him realizing, as he observed silently from a distance before slipping away unnoticed.