[System, how much longer until I complete the mission?]
[23 days.]
[So I’ll be alive in 23 days, right?]
[Yes, but remember, you must maintain your current boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. If Jiang Yichen breaks up with you, all your efforts will be in vain.]
[Got it.]
Xing Luo slowly opened her eyes and looked at herself in the mirror. It felt like she hadn’t truly smiled in a long time.
But it was fine—only 23 days left.
She just needed to grit her teeth and hold on a little longer.
The hairdryer dried her hair. Jiang Yichen ran a hand through his own hair. “Let’s go eat.”
“Okay.”
The Jiang family’s old estate.
Jiang Yichen’s mother, Song Wan, sat on the sofa while Ji Yan peeled lychees for her on the side.
“Auntie, lychees are the best this time of year. I picked out every single one of these myself.”
Ji Yan smiled as she eagerly played up to Song Wan.
Song Wan took a lychee and bit into it. The fruit was juicy and sweet.
“Very sweet. You’re such a thoughtful girl.”
Ji Yan’s eyes curved into a smile. “It’s my pleasure, Auntie.”
Song Wan said, “I’ve already asked Yichen to come over. I’ll talk to him about your marriage soon.”
Ji Yan pretended to be shy, lowering her head slightly and speaking in a demure voice, “Whatever you say.”
Song Wan saw through Ji Yan’s little act. “You and Yichen grew up together. Naturally, I’m fond of you.”
“It’s just that Yichen has a wild streak and likes to play around. That’s just how men are. Once he gets here, I’ll have a word with him.”
Ji Yan smiled bashfully. “Understood, Auntie.”
Just then, the butler opened the front door. “Young Master, you’re back.”
As soon as the butler’s voice rang out, Ji Yan immediately walked to the door to greet him. Her tone rose with excitement, and the corners of her eyes betrayed an irrepressible smile. “Yichen, what took you so long?”
Jiang Yichen didn’t look at Ji Yan. He walked straight over to Song Wan. “What’s so urgent that you called me here?”
Song Wan glanced at the time. “I called you this morning, and now it’s already noon.”
Jiang Yichen said coldly, “I had company matters to handle.”
Song Wan shot him a look. “I went to your company and asked. You never showed up this morning.”
Jiang Yichen sounded somewhat impatient. “Did you call me here just to scold me?”
Ji Yan, standing nearby, quickly interjected, “Yichen, Auntie missed you and wanted to have lunch with you.”
After saying that, she winked at Song Wan.
Song Wan smiled knowingly. “That’s right. It’s been a while since you had a meal with your mother.”
She turned to the butler and said, “The young master is dining here today. Have the kitchen prepare a meal.”
The butler replied, “Yes, Madam.”
Song Wan patted the empty seat beside her on the sofa and smiled. “Come, sit.”
Jiang Yichen moved over reluctantly.
Song Wan had been pressing him so urgently that he’d had no choice but to rush over from Xing Luo’s place.
He’d assumed it was just an ordinary mother-son meeting, never expecting Ji Yan to be there too. Jiang Yichen had a pretty good idea what Song Wan wanted to talk to him about.
Jiang Yichen sat down next to Song Wan, and Ji Yan immediately followed, taking the seat beside him.
She leaned her body toward him, nearly pressing half of herself against Jiang Yichen.
Jiang Yichen glanced at Ji Yan from the corner of his eye, then shifted closer to Song Wan.
Ji Yan didn’t notice his subtle movement—her gaze was fixed entirely on Jiang Yichen’s face.
Song Wan looked at Ji Yan. “Ji Yan, go to the kitchen and tell the chef to prepare a bowl of bird’s nest soup.”
Hearing the instruction, Ji Yan immediately stood up. “Of course, Auntie.”
When mother and son needed to talk, Song Wan naturally didn’t want a third person present.
Song Wan watched Ji Yan disappear into the kitchen, then turned to Jiang Yichen. “Yichen, you’re not getting any younger. It’s time to settle down and finalize your marriage.”
Jiang Yichen wasn’t at all surprised by Song Wan’s words. He let out a scoff. “So you brought Ji Yan here for this?”
Song Wan said, “Ji Yan is a child I’ve watched grow up, and you two have known each other since you were little. She’s a good match for you.”
Jiang Yichen replied, “You and Uncle Lin were childhood sweethearts too. Why didn’t you marry him back then?”
“You—” Song Wan was so angry she couldn’t speak for a moment. “I’m talking about you. Why are you dragging me into this?”
Jiang Yichen curled the corner of his mouth. “You didn’t marry your childhood sweetheart, so why should I? What, is Uncle Lin not good enough? I think he’s far more considerate than my father.”
Song Wan looked around nervously, glaring at him. “Don’t ever say things like that again. What would your father think if he heard?”
Jiang Yichen looked at Song Wan coldly. “Then don’t bring up marrying Ji Yan again. What would my girlfriend think if she heard?”
Song Wan stared at Jiang Yichen, momentarily stunned. “Are you serious about that girl?”
Everyone in the Jiang family knew Jiang Yichen had a girlfriend outside, but they all assumed he was just playing around, so no one took the girl seriously.
But hearing Jiang Yichen’s tone now, Song Wan realized he might actually mean it.
“Yichen.” Song Wan spoke earnestly. “If you want to play around, I have no objection. But you can’t take it too far. We looked into that girl—she’s pretty and has a decent job. But—”
“No buts.” Jiang Yichen cut her off. “I haven’t had my fill of fun yet. I don’t want to get married.”
“The little girl?” Song Wan asked again.
Jiang Yichen leaned back against the sofa, speaking lazily, “She’s not in the category of someone I’d consider marrying.”
Not getting married, not being pressured to marry—that was something he and Xing Luo had agreed upon from the start.
Over the past year, Xing Luo had never brought up marriage, and he naturally hadn’t included her in the scope of marriage consideration.
After hearing this, Song Wan also leaned back, looking at him with earnest eyes. “Then let the girl go. Don’t hold her back. She’s not getting any younger. Setting her free would be good for both you and her.”
Jiang Yichen crossed his legs and spread his hands open. He closed his eyes, and all he could see was Xing Luo’s face.
And the image of her lying beneath him this morning, her red lips slightly parted, tears seeping from the corners of her eyes.
“No.” Jiang Yichen said resolutely.
“You child.” Song Wan said sternly. “You won’t marry her, but you won’t let her go either. What kind of nonsense is this? You’re already 29.”
“I’ll consider marriage when I’m 30.” Jiang Yichen opened his eyes and said slowly. “There’s no rush now.”
“Smack.” A slap landed on Jiang Yichen’s shoulder. “You’re not in a rush, but the girl is. Her best years are being wasted by you.”
“I’ll give you three months to break up with that girl and marry Ji Yan.” Song Wan said firmly. “No discussion.”