Brandonâs heart hurt so badly looking at Ji Lingâs sad and aggrieved expression. Hearing Jing Sui's blunt words just now, heâd suddenly felt as if a bomb had been triggered. All the dissatisfaction heâd held inside his heart instantly burst out.
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You clearly know how much Ji Ling loves you. He just wants you to pay more attention to him; to spare him another glance. But even with this knowledge, youâd still scorn him and trample over his heart unscrupulouslyâŠÂ
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As if his sincere feelings were just dirt under your shoes.
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Do you know how he died last life? I bet that even if you hurt him like this, heâd still give his life for youâŠ
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But would you care? Probably not.
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The boyâs sincerity shouldnât be reciprocated like this.
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Brandon held in the anger surging in his chest, and looked at Jing Sui coldly. He said in a sarcastic tone: âYour Majesty, it isnât appropriate for you to dispute with a child like this, is it?"
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Jing Sui lightly fixed his eyes on Brandon. Heâd felt something had been wrong with Brandon just now, and at this moment, heâd finally confirmed it. However, what puzzled him most was why Brandon would want to defend one of those rich kids he used to look down on the most, and instead, neglect one of his comrade-in-arms.
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This was totally illogical.
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The one he shouldâve protected was Ning Yu.
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Jing Sui turned his head and looked at Ning Yu who hadnât said a word since earlier. He had his eyes lowered and his presence diminished. Jing Sui furrowed his brows slightly.
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Ning YuâŠdidnât seem to think any of this was strange.
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Heâd just stood there quietly like a bystander.
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A moment later, Jing Sui looked back and said lightly, âSince youâve mentioned it, Brandon, then I naturally wonât bother any longer.â\n
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Jing Sui was disgusted by Ji Ling's misconduct, since the boy was so stupid as to come and provoke Ning Yu at a time like this and mess up his plans. Thatâs why he said heâd have Ji Ting discipline him. However, since Brandon objected and Ning Yu had no opinion, then there was naturally no need to displease Brandon.
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Compared to Brandon's support for him with the army, this trifle with Ji Ling was too trivial to matter.
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While Jing Sui was ready to throw it under the bridge, Ji Ling wasnât. It wasnât easy coming across such a good opportunity, so how could he let Brandon just ruin it?!
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He immediately stepped forward, looked at Jing Sui with his eyes flushed red, and persistently asked, âWhat did I do wrong? Nothing! Are you saying I canât even beat this lower link?!âÂ
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Jing Suiâs expression turned slightly cold. His thin lips pressed tighter, as if he was restraining his temper.
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Brandon saw Ji Lingâs adamant persistence, and felt distressed and helpless. Although he knew that the youth was like this only because he loved Jing Sui too much⊠doing this was like making trouble out of nothing. It was completely groundless.Â
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As it felt like the two sides were at a standstill, a cool voice resounded from the side.
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Carlos was dressed in a black tuxedo, looking elegant and poised. He leaned lazily on the tree trunk with his silver and black cane in hand. Ji Ling didnât know how long heâd been watching from the side there, but at the moment, the corners of his lips were raised up. Lifting his line of sight, Carlos said with a chuckle: âThe little dear is absolutely right. Thatâs just a lower being. How could he not be allowed to hit him?â
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Jing Suiâs pupils constricted and his expression turned cold. He looked at Carlos intensely.
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At the same time, Brandon also lost his temper. Although, between the two, heâd chosen to defend Ji Ling instead of Ning Yu, that was because his guilt from last life had tipped the scales of his heart. It didnât mean that he could tolerate Carlos, that bastard, humiliating his comrade-in-arms!
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Carlos met their eyes, and casually looked at Jing Sui.  He smiled and said slowly: âIsnât that right? Your Majesty-"
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The last two words were said with a long exaggeration, as if there was a trace of sarcasm and provocation in them.
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Jing Sui's expression changed a little.
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Ji Ling turned to look at Jing Sui, wanting to see his reaction. Although last life, Carlos had only watched the show from the side and didnât join the mix, a lot of things were different this time. Thatâs why Ji Ling wasnât that surprised at Carlosâ appearance. While Carlos' attitude wasnât really importantâŠ
 \nthe male leadâs attitude was crucial.
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The atmosphere felt frozen right now, like an ice abyss thousands of feet deep.  Even breathing sounds were clearly audible.
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Amongst the silence, Jing Sui looked directly at Carlos; his golden eyes were cold and icy. He said steadily: âMajor Ning Yu is a brave soldier. As a citizen of the imperial empire, he deserves his due respect, so please retract your inappropriate words, Carlos."
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Carlos looked at Jing Sui.
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After a while, he shrugged his shoulders and gave a languid laugh: âIt looks like Your Majesty is set on protecting him then?"
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Jing Sui looked at him lightly. His tone was calm, but carried the authority of an emperor: "Yes."
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Ji Ling saw Jing Sui defend Ning Yu very strongly in front of Carlos, and really wanted to give him a thumbs-up. I love reliable brothers like you! You canât perform a role better than that!
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The tears swimming in his eyes from before had finally flowed out.
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Brandon looked at the youth staring at Jing Sui in a daze and crying silently. His heart hurt so badly, like it was being gripped by a hand. Heâd always known Jing Sui was rational to the point of being ruthless. He knew that he wouldnât stay his hand for anybody⊠but seeing a scene like this⊠made him feel, for the first time, anger and dissatisfaction for this friend he used to be so familiar with and trust in.
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You just want to go against Carlos, and don't actually care whether the boy will misunderstand and get hurt.
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Even if you hurt other people, you donât realize itâŠÂ Â
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Or you know, and just don't care.
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Brandon clenched his fist tightly and closed his eyes in pain. Was he really qualified to reproach Jing Sui though? Seeing a scene like this reminded him of himself last life.
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Was I also like this last life, not caring at all and hurting the youth?
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Ji Ling looked at Carlosâ dark expression, and remembered he was the type of big villain who would kill at the slightest disagreement. Thatâs why he didnât dare bash Ning Yu in front of him again. Suddenly enlightened, he realized that even if he couldnât mention Ning Yu, he could bring up Jing Sui! Besides, the emperor was someone Carlos really wanted to kill, yet couldnât be killed!Â
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Ji Ling felt that he was simply too clever. He swallowed Ning Yu's name that was on the tip of his tongue, and instead, began to dutifully pile aggro on Jing Sui. He cried: âHis Majesty also said that heâd tell my father to discipline me⊠Am I such an unreasonable person in his eyes?"
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Carlos looked at the youth being resentful, and again remembered many things from last life. The depths of his eyes turned cold, and he couldn't help but want to murder Jing Sui.
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Ji Ling thought, Both of them were big shots anyway. This way, he wouldnât implicate someone innocent. He acted like his life depended on it, and asked with his eyes red: "I love him so much, so why doesn't he like me⊠He has to go and like a lower being. Whatâs so good about that guy?â
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Carlos stared fixedly at him for a long time, and then he breathed out slowly. The depths of his eyes were as dark as a vortex. He gently embraced the shaking and trembling boy in his arms. His voice was soft and low as he said: âDon't like him then.â
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How could that be possible? Even if I die, I have to âlike' Jing Sui!
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Ji Ling insisted: "I like him though!â
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Carlos looked at the boyâs bright and stubborn eyes. Even if he scorned and hurt you like this, your feelings for him are unchanged. Why not hurry up and accept the reality?Why must you persevere even when youâre hurt black and blue?
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Whatâs so good about that man to warrant your affections?Â
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He doesn't deserve your feelings at all.
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Carlos closed his eyes and opened them again. The gentleness and tenderness in his eyes was covered by cold cruelty in the end. He laid one hand on the young man's shoulder, lowered his head slightly, and looked down into the boyâs eyes, saying: âYou still donât understand?"
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Ji Ling stared at him dumbfounded.
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He saw Carlos' thin lips part, and say in a low, cool voice: âNo matter what you do, he wonât like youâŠâ