Сhарter 4: The Оvеrprotеctive Еldеst Yоung Маstеr of thе Yuаn Fаmilу
Jiang Li tilted hеr pretty, anхiоus faсе uрwаrd, lоoking vеrу muсh like a littlе kittеn in neеd of shelter, whiсh madе one’s heаrt softеn.
Yuan Неzhi lowerеd his gaze and sаid in а hоаrse voiсе, “Аlright, аs you wish. I’ll instruсt my fаmily to еxpеdite the siх rites and arrаngе thе wedding аs sоon as pоssible.”
“Тhаnk you, Вrother Нezhi!”
Тhе wеight in Jiang Li’s hеart lifted. Shе hadn’t eхреcted Yuan Hezhi to be so асcommodating аnd еven forgot thаt shе was still holding onto the man’s waist.
From a distance, it looked as though a beautiful young palace maid was seducing the powerful regent, softly and sweetly recounting her hardships and begging for his mercy.
The regent’s hands hung at his sides, his tall and imposing figure unmoving, as if he, too, was somewhat tempted by her fragrant, delicate, and tender body. Everyone in this world had their hardships, but hers were exceptionally sweet and enticing, stirring desires that had lain dormant within him for twenty-eight years.
The regent, both cruel and gentle, lightly patted her little face and praised her in a deep, magnetic voice as a ‘good girl,’ telling her to wait patiently, for all her wishes would come true.
Suddenly remembering something, Jiang Li released Yuan Hezhi’s waist and took a step back.
“If I make you angry after we’re married, will you make me eat only bitter melon? I don’t like bitter things—they make me feel awful all over.”
Yuan Hezhi frowned, his handsome face turning serious. “No one will force you to eat bitter melon. Once you marry me, you’ll be the matriarch of the Yuan family. No one will dare slight you. You can eat whatever you want. Has anyone ever punished you like that?”
Jiang Li shook her head and said no. He seemed even angrier than she was, and this realization warmed her heart.
Ye Yuchen never hit her, but if she disobeyed him, he would punish her with various torturous methods, leaving her unable to voice her suffering.
In comparison, Yuan Hezhi was so normal. Jiang Li didn’t expect her husband to dote on her—she just wanted him to be a normal person!
Yuan Hezhi had a meeting in the afternoon and couldn’t stay long at the Jiang residence. After bidding farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Jiang, he left.
Before leaving, he sat in his Maybach, rolled down the window, and said to Jiang Li, “No need to see me off. Go inside—your face is already sunburned.”
Jiang Li stood under the eaves, smiling as she watched Yuan Hezhi leave, the little dimples on her cheeks sweet and soft.
Yuan Hezhi felt a slight itch in his teeth and really wanted to bite her little dimples.
If not for years of cultivated restraint, he might have acted like a reckless young man, sticking his head out of the car window to watch her until she disappeared from sight.
Yuan Hezhi opened his phone and sent a message in a certain WeChat group: I’m getting married.
Within three seconds, the WeChat group erupted.
[Is this for real? It’s not April Fools’ Day today!]
[The Buddhist prince of the capital is still counting his prayer beads, so why is the Buddhist prince of Hong Kong getting married?]
[Young Master Yuan, your aloof and abstinent persona is crumbling. Tell us you’re joking!]
[Laughing to death, which girl has such poor taste to fall for a wolf in sheep’s clothing!]
[Probably rumors reached his ears, so he’s marrying and having kids to prove he’s capable.]
[Stop talking nonsense, @Yuan Hezhi, who are you marrying?]
Yuan Hezhi chuckled in exasperation and kicked these bored bachelors out of the WeChat group.
Then, he dialed a phone number without a saved contact. The man’s voice was cold and ruthless. “Find out who forced Jiang Li to eat bitter melon. Once you find them, make them eat bitter melon. I want to see them suffer so much they end up in the hospital needing surgery.”The driver’s eyelids twitched violently. It seemed the young master really liked Miss Jiang, already stepping in to protect her.
Whoever had become the young master’s target was truly unfortunate.
He knew all too well the young master’s methods. It wasn’t just about breaking a person—he could easily bring down an entire company.
One had to believe that some people were born to rule this world.
Ye Yuchen had originally planned to leave, but Jiang Song’er couldn’t bear to see him go and insisted he stay for afternoon tea.
Jiang Song’er was Jiang Deming’s biological daughter, so Ye Yuchen couldn’t treat her as casually as he did Jiang Li.
Seeing Ye Yuchen’s awkward predicament, Jiang Li felt a surge of satisfaction.
She turned to the Jiang couple beside her. “I woke up too early today. Mom, Dad, you two chat. I’m going back to catch up on some sleep.”
Madam Jiang responded absentmindedly, “Go ahead.”
How did such a good marriage with the Yuan family end up falling on Jiang Li’s head?
Years ago, after losing her beloved five-year-old daughter, she had adopted the four-year-old Jiang Li from an orphanage. Within a few months, Madam Jiang had moved past the grief of losing her child and threw herself entirely into the jewelry company she had founded.
She never sent Jiang Li back to the orphanage. The Jiang family had been wealthy for a century now, and raising one more girl was more than manageable.
Most importantly, the Jiang family needed a daughter; otherwise, the marriage alliance with the Yuan family would become void. Who in Hong Kong wouldn’t want to board the Yuan family’s ship?
Madam Jiang had never regarded Jiang Li as her own daughter. She intended to use Jiang Li to keep the Yuan family interested until her biological daughter was found. Of course, it would be her own daughter who married into the Yuan family.
The Yuan family had been wealthy for centuries. Not only had they amassed a mountain of wealth, but their influence was enough to sway politics abroad. According to the Yuan family’s rules, only children born to the wife had inheritance rights. No matter how many illegitimate children there were, they wouldn’t get a single cent.
Madam Jiang had even considered that Song’er might lack the ability to manage the Yuan family’s internal affairs, but that wasn’t a big issue.
The Yuan family had plenty of capable wives and young ladies. Song’er could easily be a hands-off lady of leisure, living a comfortable life as a wealthy wife.
This perfect marriage had never been intended for Jiang Li from the start.
If there was any guilt, Madam Jiang felt none. What mother wouldn’t favor her own daughter? She was simply doing what any mother would.
Just as Jiang Li reached her bedroom door, Jiang Song’er called out to her.
“Don’t rush back to your room. Brother Ye has something to say to you.”
Jiang Li was puzzled. “What is it?”
Ye Yuchen looked at Jiang Song’er.
Jiang Song’er said, “You two talk alone. I’ll step aside.”
Jiang Li was even more confused. Jiang Song’er kept such a tight watch on Ye Yuchen, yet she was willing to let him speak alone with another woman.
But she wasn’t willing.
Jiang Li said, “Brother Ye and I have no secrets. There’s no need to talk alone. Let’s just say it in front of my sister.”
This was tactful, and Jiang Song’er gave her an approving look.
Ye Yuchen’s expression was complicated, his demeanor gloomy and unhealthy, even more so than in her past life.
“A Li, why did you suddenly fall for Yuan Hezhi?”
The jealousy was palpable. Jiang Li thought for a moment—Ye Yuchen would never be jealous over her. It must be his competitive nature at play.
In her past life, Ye Yuchen had always been trying to outdo Yuan Hezhi, but effort was nothing in the face of talent. Yuan Hezhi had never even considered him a rival.Jiang Li: “Yuan Hezhi is taller, more handsome, wealthier, and respects me more. It would be strange if I didn’t like him.”
Ye Yuchen stepped forward. “Yuan Hezhi is wealthier, so you changed your heart? A Li, you used to be a woman untouched by the filth of the world, carrying an air of scholarly grace. When did you become so vain?”
Jiang Li wanted to laugh.
In her past life, Ye Yuchen had praised her the same way—admiring her beautiful handwriting while tormenting her relentlessly. It was truly hypocritical.
“Mr. Ye, we aren’t even friends. How can you speak of a change of heart?”
Jiang Li walked into the bedroom and closed the door.
Jiang Song’er held Ye Yuchen’s arm, comforting him. “Jiang Li is a gold-digger. She doesn’t like you. We are the perfect match made in heaven.”
Ye Yuchen didn’t want to speak. His pale, gloomy face seemed on the verge of breaking.
Jiang Song’er’s heart raced. Brother Ye was so devoted—he cared so deeply for Jiang Li even without a confirmed relationship. If she married Brother Ye, she couldn’t imagine how much he would love her. He would surely give even his life for her.
“Brother Ye, I want to marry you soon. I’ll go talk to Mom and Dad about picking a date right away!”
Ye Yuchen pressed his lips together. Anyone could see his reluctance, but Jiang Song’er didn’t care. Her father had shown Ye Yuchen immense kindness—who else would he marry if not her?