Wen Yan’s parents visibly relaxed at that moment, their faces breaking into smiles that mingled relief and gratification.
Mrs. Wen immediately rose and walked over to her daughter, affectionately taking Wen Yan’s hand. Her voice was filled with emotion and anticipation:
“Yan Yan, I’m so glad you’ve come around! I know this feels sudden and awkward for you, but this is Li Yanzhou we’re talking about! Do you have any idea how many people can only dream of this match? What kind of family are the Lis? And Li Yanzhou himself—what kind of man is he? Taking over such a massive conglomerate at such a young age, his capabilities, looks, and family background are all top-tier! I’ve made inquiries. Although people say he’s a bit cold, his character is upright, his conduct clean—there’s never been a whisper of any messy scandals about him! He’s leagues better than those spoiled rich kids who just party and squander their family’s money!”
Mrs. Wen grew more and more animated as she spoke, as if she could already see her daughter’s glorious wedding and her future as the envied Mrs. Li:
“Once you’re with him, you won’t have to work so hard chasing news stories anymore. You can work if you want, or just stay home as a wealthy lady if you don’t! Would the Li family ever treat you poorly? Our family may be comfortable, but compared to the Lis… Ah, anyway, Yan Yan, this is a tremendous opportunity. You must seize it!”
Listening to her mother’s string of pragmatic, utilitarian words, Wen Yan felt that stifling sense of absurdity—which had just been forcefully suppressed by her grandfather—rise up in her again.
She withdrew her hand, her tone somewhat stiff. “Mom, I didn’t agree to this to become some wealthy lady. Besides, whether Li Yanzhou even takes a liking to me is another matter entirely.”
“How could he not take a liking to you?” Mr. Wen chimed in at this point, adjusting his glasses. His tone was more rational than his wife’s, but equally filled with absolute confidence in this match:
“Yan Yan, don’t underestimate yourself. Your education, looks, professional skills—none are lacking. Your temperament is good too. Most importantly, this was decided by your Grandpa Li and your own grandfather. Old Master Li has always been a man of his word. Since he’s taken a fancy to you, even if Li Yanzhou has some reservations, he won’t openly defy his grandfather. Moreover…”
Mr. Wen paused, a shrewd glint flashing in his eyes. “Li Yanzhou has only recently taken full control of the group. Internally, things may not be entirely stable yet, and externally, various forces are watching. A stable marriage with a respectable family background, one that secures the old master’s full support—for him, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. He’s a smart man. He knows which choice to make.”
Her father’s analysis was calmer and cut straight to the core, laying bare the cold calculations of interest behind this sudden arranged marriage right before Wen Yan. It made her heart turn cold.
Wen Guohua listened to his son and daughter-in-law, stroking his beard and nodding repeatedly, clearly in full agreement.
He looked at Wen Yan and added earnestly, “Yan Yan, your father makes a good point. That boy Yanzhou—his capabilities are unquestionable, it’s just that his personality is a bit solitary, a bit cold. But don’t worry, with me and your Grandpa Li here, he wouldn’t dare treat you poorly! This marriage is nothing but beneficial for you and for our family! Just go along and meet him once, go through the motions. After that, things will naturally fall into place.”
“Fall into place…” Wen Yan murmured the phrase under her breath, finding it utterly ironic.
Was her marriage really going to be “naturally settled” like this, through the scheming and profit-driven considerations of the elders?
Looking at her grandfather’s triumphant smile, and the eager anticipation and faint pride in her parents’ eyes, all the words Wen Yan wanted to say—to refute, to fight for her own right to choose—were stuck in her throat.
She suddenly felt a deep sense of helplessness. In this family, under the banners of “for your own good” and “family interests,” her personal wishes and feelings always seemed to be easily overlooked and overridden.
“I understand,” she finally replied softly, lowering her gaze, her voice devoid of emotion. “I’ll go.”
With that, she no longer looked at the joyful smiles on the three elders’ faces. She turned and silently walked to her room.
In the hallway, the lights were bright, but they couldn’t penetrate the gloom and despondency in her heart at that moment.
This feeling of being arranged and having no control over her own life deepened her resistance and stirred an indescribable sense of panic toward the upcoming Saturday and the man named Li Yanzhou.
Almost at the same time, the atmosphere in the Li family’s ancestral home was tense.
Li Yanzhou had also been summoned back by his grandfather with a phone call.
At the dinner table, only the grandfather and grandson were present.
The dishes were exquisite, but neither had much appetite.
Old Master Li put down his spoon and looked at his grandson, who was eating silently with an indifferent expression. He spoke slowly, “Yanzhou, clear your schedule for tomorrow, Saturday.”
Li Yanzhou looked up at his grandfather, his gaze calm and unruffled. “I have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning.”
“Cancel it,” Old Master Li said in a tone that brooked no argument. “Tomorrow, you’ll come with me to ‘Lanting’ to meet someone.”
Li Yanzhou frowned slightly. “Meet whom? If it’s any of the families mentioned before—”
“Not them!” Old Master Li interrupted him, a faint smile appearing on his face. “It’s the granddaughter of my old comrade-in-arms. Her name is Wen Yan. She works as a host on the financial channel of Xijing TV—very outstanding. Our families know each other well, and you’re at the age to settle down. Go meet her and get to know her.”
A blind date. Another blind date.
A flicker of impatience and weariness passed through Li Yanzhou’s eyes.
He set down his chopsticks, his voice cool and clear. “Grandfather, I’ve said it many times: I don’t need marriage. The Li Group doesn’t need any form of alliance marriage to solidify its position right now. My time and energy should be spent on more valuable pursuits.”
“What do you mean, you don’t need marriage!” The smile vanished from Old Master Li’s face, replaced by anger and deep disappointment. “You’re thirty years old! Living alone in that huge house—what kind of life is that, so cold and empty? Your parents passed away early, and all I’ve hoped for is that you could start a family soon, with someone by your side who cares for you. You look down on those society girls, saying they’re too scheming. Fine! Now it’s your Grandpa Wen’s granddaughter—a simple, decent family, with old ties to ours. I’ve inquired about her too: steady, down-to-earth, focused on her career. She’s just right for you!”
“Just right?” Li Yanzhou’s tone remained unchanged. “A ‘rightness’ based on elders’ sentiments and limited investigations isn’t the ‘rightness’ I need. Grandfather, my marriage shouldn’t be a tool to fulfill your wishes. I have my own plans and considerations.”
“Your plan is to never marry and spend your whole life with the company?!”
Old Master Li slammed the table and stood up in a rage, pointing a trembling finger at Li Yanzhou, his chest heaving violently. “Li Yanzhou! Are you trying to kill me with anger? I’m old, I don’t have many years left—all I want is to see you settle down. Is that so wrong?”
He grew more agitated as he spoke, suddenly clutching his chest, his face contorted in pain. He swayed unsteadily and slumped back into his chair, his breathing becoming labored and strained.
“Grandfather!” Li Yanzhou’s expression changed instantly. He rose to support the old man, a flicker of genuine worry and panic finally breaking through his usually calm and unreadable eyes. “Are you all right? Where is your medicine?”
Old Master Li closed his eyes and waved a weak hand. “It’s… it’s nothing… just an old problem… aggravated by you…”
Looking at his grandfather’s pale face and tightly shut eyes, Li Yanzhou felt something strike hard against the cold, solid wall within him.
He knew his grandfather’s health was generally stable, and that this episode was likely exaggerated for effect—a form of pressure. Yet, the accusation of “making his grandfather ill” was a burden he could not bear.
Having lost his parents early in life, it was his grandfather who had accompanied him, supported him, and helped him secure his position as president of the Li Group.
This familial bond was the only warmth in his otherwise cold world.
After a tense silence, Li Yanzhou closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them again, they had returned to their usual deep calm, though beneath that calm lay weariness and resignation.
He released his hold on his grandfather, took a step back, and spoke in a low, emotionless voice:
“Fine. I’ll go tomorrow. Rest now—I’ll call the doctor.”
Hearing his grandson’s concession, Old Master Li seemed to relax slightly. The hand clutching his chest slowly lowered, and he cracked open an eye, speaking weakly:
“No need for the doctor… I’ll be fine after a rest…”
“Mm.” Li Yanzhou acknowledged, watching until his grandfather was settled again before turning away. His steps were heavier than when he had entered as he left the dining room.
Soon after, the study door closed softly.
Alone under the lamplight, Old Master Li’s face showed no trace of the earlier pain or weakness—only deep helplessness.
“Yanzhou, Yanzhou… Grandfather had no other choice,” the old man murmured to himself, gazing out at the dense night beyond the window.
Meanwhile, in the study, Li Yanzhou leaned back in his chair and rubbed his temples.
A blind date with a stranger—forced upon him by his grandfather’s “illness” and the weight of family obligation—had now become an unavoidable task for tomorrow.