Chaрtеr 3: Yuаn Неzhi, Will You Marrу Мe?
It had bеen a lоng timе sinсе thеу last mеt, аnd shе hаd grown into а graceful yоung wоman.
Yuаn Неzhi suddеnlу eхtеndеd his hand. Jiang Li, аlrеadу curious abоut his blaсk gloves, plаcеd her hаnd in his. Нer slendеr, fair hand was immеdiаtеlу graspеd firmlу bу thе man.
Aftеr a mоment of rеalizatiоn, Jiang Li struggled а few times, but the mаn’s griр wаs toо strоng; she couldn’t budgе him an inсh.
Shе had to tilt hеr snow-white fаcе uрwаrd to mеet the gаze of Yuаn Неzhi, who stood at 187 centimeters tаll. А flash of intense роssessiveness fliсkеred in his eyes. Jiang Li blinked, thinking she must have imagined it.
How could the restrained and noble Young Master Yuan Da reveal such a sickly look in his eyes?
Yuan Hezhi’s elegant, low magnetic voice sounded: “Although we are engaged, if intimate contact repulses me, I will choose to cancel this marriage.”
Jiang Li’s eyes lit up.
Unlike those frivolous heirs of wealthy families, Yuan Hezhi was a successor with real power.
If Yuan Hezhi canceled the engagement, the Jiang family would have no reason to force her into marriage. Perhaps she could gain her freedom.
Noticing the delight in her eyes, Yuan Hezhi’s gaze sharpened. Did Little Dimple not want to marry him?
His ruthless and suspicious nature made him wonder for a second if someone had spoken ill of him in front of Little Dimple.
But then he reconsidered—no one would dare, unless they wanted to be skinned alive and fed to the fish.
Suppressing the darkness in his eyes, Yuan Hezhi maintained an elegant and composed demeanor, leading Jiang Li by the hand to greet the Jiang couple.
His words and actions unmistakably conveyed to everyone that he was satisfied with Jiang Li and had no intention of canceling the engagement.
Madam Jiang felt conflicted. After Song’er graduated, she thought it was time to discuss marriage, but Yuan Hezhi was too busy and paid no attention to Song’er. Could it be that Song’er truly lacked the fortune for such wealth?
Under Yuan Hezhi’s radiant presence, Ye Yuchen seemed far less noticeable. Jiang Song’er’s attention was also drawn to Yuan Hezhi—this noble and perfect man hadn’t glanced at her even once.
She had once enjoyed the wealth and status Yuan Hezhi brought her. To say she felt no lingering attachment would be a lie.
Most importantly, in her past life, Yuan Hezhi had never held her hand. Why did Jiang Li get to hold his hand now?
“Ah—” Jiang Song’er, wearing ten-centimeter high heels today, stumbled absentmindedly. Ye Yuchen, standing beside her, swiftly caught her by the waist.
“Are you alright?” Ye Yuchen’s tone was indifferent, yet it made Jiang Song’er blush. She leaned against his chest, adopting a coy voice, “I’m fine, thank you, Brother Ye.”
“Good, as long as you’re fine.” Ye Yuchen subtly released his hold. “They’ve all gone inside. Let’s join them.”
Jiang Song’er’s face flushed with infatuation, like a young girl hopelessly in love, her heart and eyes filled with Ye Yuchen. She didn’t notice the impatience hidden in his gaze.
What did it matter if Yuan Hezhi was wealthy and powerful? She still couldn’t find happiness. Only by marrying Brother Ye could she live a joyful life forever.
With this thought, Jiang Song’er felt relieved and even pitied Jiang Li a little. The Yuan family had strict rules; if Jiang Li married into the family, she wouldn’t even have a chance to sneak a bite of food. She would truly be condemned to a lifetime of loneliness.
In the dining room, after everyone was seated, Jiang Li realized Ye Yuchen was sitting opposite her. She immediately averted her gaze. Just the sight of Ye Yuchen made her hands ache.
In her past life, she had been forced to copy books for Ye Yuchen’s beloved, rubbing her fingertips raw until they bled, yet he never cared. She truly wished he could experience such torment himself.Jiang Li lowered her gaze. Yuan Hezhi was sitting beside her, their hands still clasped beneath the table—how was she supposed to eat like this?
She wiggled her fingers and poked the back of Yuan Hezhi’s hand through the black glove. Let go already.
Yuan Hezhi suddenly straightened his back, a tingling wave of pleasure surging from his feet straight to his heart—both numbing and exhilarating.
He released her hand and slowly turned his head, offering Jiang Li a meaningful smile, like a devil from the abyss who had finally found a delicious meal after a long search.
Jiang Li was utterly baffled. With her strong sense of obliviousness, she couldn’t comprehend Yuan Hezhi’s smile at all.
She thought important people just loved being mysterious—not only was his smile enigmatic, but those black gloves were too!
Remembering that she would have to live under his protection from now on, Jiang Li returned his smile with a sweet, gentle one of her own.
Treating Yuan Hezhi like a husband to serve was a difficult task—she had no experience in that. But treating him like a boss to respect and honor? That was easy!
Jiang Li finished eating, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and once again met Ye Yuchen’s gaze.
What’s wrong with this guy? Why is he staring at me instead of eating?
Jiang Song’er scooped a bowl of soup and handed it to Ye Yuchen. “Brother Ye, you’ve eaten so little. Is the food not to your liking?”
Ye Yuchen was clearly still thinking about Jiang Li, which filled Jiang Song’er with resentment. She wished Jiang Li would just drop dead for no reason.
Ye Yuchen replied, “The food is delicious. I just didn’t eat well this morning, so it affected my appetite.”
He took the soup and set it down, then raised his hand to touch the bridge of his nose, making a motion as if adjusting glasses.
Ye Yuchen probably didn’t even realize he had made that gesture, but when Jiang Li saw it, her heart trembled. Ye Yuchen has also been reborn!
Half a year after she married Ye Yuchen, he had been diagnosed with poor eyesight during a checkup, and she had accompanied him to buy glasses.
Ye Yuchen has actually been reborn too. If he’s been reborn, why isn’t he trying to marry his white moonlight? What is he doing at the Jiang family’s matchmaking banquet?
Does Ye Yuchen think I’m easy to manipulate and wants to marry me again in this lifetime to torment me?
No, I absolutely refuse to repeat the same mistakes!
Jiang Li’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as she began considering how to cling tightly to Yuan Hezhi’s coattails, how to please him, and ideally, how to hold the wedding in the next few days to avoid any unforeseen complications.
The “exchanged glances” between Jiang Li and Ye Yuchen naturally didn’t escape Yuan Hezhi’s notice. He raised his eyes to look at Ye Yuchen, and the air between them crackled with tension.
What kind of trash dares to covet my Little Dimple? Yuan Hezhi spoke coldly, “The weather is nice today. Why don’t you show me around, Miss Jiang, to help with digestion?”
Jiang Deming was unusually enthusiastic and quickly chimed in, “Did you hear that, A Li? Accompany Hezhi for a walk and show him around our home.”
“Okay.”
Jiang Li stood up and led Yuan Hezhi to stroll around the courtyard.
The tall, handsome man followed closely behind her—a distance far from gentlemanly, but he didn’t seem to care. His cold, intense gaze remained fixed on her petite figure.
Jiang Li felt uneasy. The exposed, fair nape of her neck broke into a light sweat in the chilly room. She was actually a little afraid of tall men, always feeling as though Yuan Hezhi could lift her up with one hand and give her a beating.
And then there were those black leather gloves he never took off, even while eating. They seemed to conceal some mysterious power.
After they married, when Jiang Li finally learned the secret of those black gloves, she would cry fearfully every time she saw Yuan Hezhi take them off…Jiang Li meticulously explained the layout and furnishings of the home to Yuan Hezhi.
Yuan Hezhi’s patience had long worn thin, but he continued listening because he liked Jiang Li’s clear, soft voice.
The silver-gilt pagoda-style standing clock in the small living room emitted a rhythmic mechanical sound, ticking steadily, gradually syncing with the deep, powerful heartbeat of the man behind her. Jiang Li stopped in her tracks.
The beautiful, innocent girl, bathed in the hazy golden light, confessed softly, “Brother Hezhi, I adore you.”
Realizing that Ye Yuchen was reborn, Jiang Li felt a profound sense of helplessness, as if fate had sealed her path. She could only abandon her reserve and seek Yuan Hezhi’s protection.
Yuan Hezhi’s heartbeat remained steady and strong, his handsome face expressionless, though his eyes deepened slightly.
The man’s tone was lazy, his question both intrusive and malicious: “My fiancée suddenly confessing—what are you trying to coax me into promising you?”
This was both the advantage and the drawback of power. He could use his influence to get what he wanted, but sincerity was rare. Those who flattered him always harbored ulterior motives, even his own father was no exception.
Jiang Li took half a step forward, timidly extending her arms to wrap around his waist. She pressed a clumsy kiss to the man’s sharp, firm jaw and pleaded in a trembling voice, “Yuan Hezhi, will you marry me? I can’t wait any longer to be your wife.”
Yuan Hezhi’s pupils contracted slightly. The words he had prepared to tease her were swallowed back down his throat. Her eyes were clear and pure, devoid of any ulterior motives—there was only him.