Chaрtеr 9: Is Тhis Соnsidered an Indirесt Kiss?
Thе Yuan familу’s mаrriаgе рrоpоsаl dеlеgation аrrived early, аnd аfter sоmе сhееrful cоnvеrsаtion, it was оnlу half рast seven.
Тhe Jiаng family prеpаred sеvеral pоts of sweet riсе dumрlings fоr breakfаst, sуmbоlizing thе couрle’s futurе harmonу and cоmpletеness.
Jiang Li felt hungrу аnd аsked fоr а bowl of sweеt ricе dumрlings with taro рaste filling.
Shе lovеd swееt foоds and tarо pastе, sо thеse dumplings suited her taste perfесtly.
Yuan Hezhi wаlkеd up behind Jiang Li. Тhе man was tall and broad-shouldered, completely overshadowing her slender and delicate frame.
Jiang Li took a bite of the taro paste dumpling, her cheeks slightly puffed, and glanced at him as if asking, “Aren’t you having breakfast?”
Yuan Hezhi was fastidious and had lived a privileged life for twenty-eight years, never having eaten from a communal pot.
He also refused to eat from one.
Seeing the reluctance on the man’s handsome face, Jiang Li said, “You’ll get hungry if you skip breakfast. Have a few dumplings, at least.”
She lifted the spoon in her hand slightly—a small white ceramic spoon holding half a dumpling.
Her intention was to show Yuan Hezhi how delicious the dumplings were.
But to Yuan Hezhi, it seemed like his willful and pampered wife was insisting on feeding him.
Wouldn’t spoiling her like this before they were even married only make her worse?
Yuan Hezhi lowered his head and took the spoon into his mouth, swallowing the half dumpling without savoring it, afraid he might spit it out.
His deep, lazy voice sounded, “You eat the rest.”
Jiang Li’s beautiful peach blossom eyes widened in surprise. She hadn’t meant to feed Yuan Hezhi!
She was just urging him to eat out of politeness. Whether he ate or not was up to him—why did he have to eat hers?!
Jiang Li lowered her gaze to the small white ceramic spoon. Was this considered an indirect kiss?
She wanted to change spoons but didn’t dare openly show her disdain.
Who could understand? She was fastidious too!
This scene was witnessed by Jiang Song’er, who slammed her bowl of dumplings onto the table with a sharp clatter, drawing several glances.
Madam Jiang quickly smoothed things over for her daughter, asking, “Did you burn your mouth?”
Jiang Song’er replied with a pitiful “Mm-hmm.”
Thinking her daughter had actually burned herself, Madam Jiang hurriedly fetched ice for her to hold in her mouth. “Don’t eat the dumplings anymore, or you might burn yourself again.”
She then instructed the kitchen to prepare Jiang Song’er’s favorite cream toast and ham sandwich.
Although Jiang Song’er had only been brought home at fifteen, Madam Jiang doted on her biological daughter dearly. When Jiang Song’er threw tantrums and refused to eat, Madam Jiang wished she could feed her herself.
Jiang Song’er tightly grasped Madam Jiang’s hand, her emotions in turmoil. “Mom, do you think I made the wrong choice? In my dream, Yuan Hezhi was cold and ascetic. Apart from money, he was unwilling to give me anything, even refusing to consummate the marriage.”
“If he really is like in my dream, I’d rather die than marry him. But if he isn’t like in my dream, wouldn’t I be at a huge disadvantage?”
“Brother Ye is wonderful, but ten Ye families combined can’t compare to the Yuan family. I can’t bear to part with Brother Ye, but I’m also afraid Yuan Hezhi might not be like in my dream…”
She knew her mother would likely scold her for being greedy if she said this, but unexpectedly, Madam Jiang didn’t reprimand her. Instead, she calmly said:
“The one who saved Old Master Yuan was your biological grandfather, not Jiang Li’s. Originally, you were the one who should have married Yuan Hezhi. If you decide to marry him, I’ll help you deal with Jiang Li.”
Jiang Song’er bit her lip, hesitating.After eating a few glutinous rice balls, Madam Yuan dabbed the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief. Her well-maintained, plump oval face scanned the surroundings as she asked curiously, “Where is A Li? I haven’t had a chance to speak with her since arriving.”
Someone called Jiang Li over to Madam Yuan.
Yuan Hezhi’s expression cooled slightly as he stood beside Jiang Li, appearing quite protective of her.
Madam Yuan’s smile deepened. She had been worried that Yuan Hezhi might not like Jiang Li—otherwise, wouldn’t there be no entertainment to watch in the future?
“A Li, how much of the sutra you’re copying for Old Madam have you finished?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the gazes of the Yuan family converged on Jiang Li.
Jiang Li was still savoring the taro paste glutinous rice balls when Madam Yuan’s question instantly put her on high alert.
The trap Madam Yuan had set yesterday was waiting for her to step into it today.
It wasn’t, as she had guessed, that Madam Yuan was luring her into presenting a sutra to Old Madam to earn her dislike.
Indeed, if Old Madam were to get angry, Jiang Li’s defense would implicate Madam Yuan, and the fire would burn back onto Madam Yuan herself.
Madam Yuan wouldn’t do something so foolish.
What Madam Yuan wanted was for Jiang Li to lose face in public—what a foolish, sycophantic act it would be to curry favor with Old Madam by presenting a sutra.
Last month, Yuan Hezhi had embarrassed her in the group, so today she would make Jiang Li lose face!
Jiang Li losing face meant Yuan Hezhi losing face.
Seeing Jiang Li remain silent, Madam Jiang hurriedly said, “A Li has been very diligent. She started copying the sutra yesterday, but it’s only been a day—I’m afraid she hasn’t copied much.”
Madam Yuan: “When A Li said yesterday that she wanted to copy a sutra for Old Madam, I thought the time was too short and she probably wouldn’t do it well. Why not bring it for me to see? If it’s just average, it won’t be worthy of Old Madam’s eyes.”
Well, well, well—now it had become her own initiative to copy the sutra for Old Madam, and Jiang Li couldn’t even argue.
At this point, even Madam Jiang sensed something was off. Today was the day for the marriage proposal and betrothal gifts—why bring up the sutra out of nowhere?
Jiang Li stood slender and frail, seemingly helpless, but her mind remained calm as she analyzed: Madam Jiang was clever, but clever as she was, she wouldn’t stand up to Madam Yuan for Jiang Li’s sake.
Jiang Li looked up at Yuan Hezhi, her captivating peach-blossom eyes pitiful and pleading, like a small animal seeking his protection.
Indeed, she was a small animal—a cunning little fox. Suddenly, he wanted to see what she would do next.
Yuan Hezhi slipped one hand into his pocket, his indifferent attitude suggesting he hadn’t received her plea for help.
Jiang Li sighed inwardly—men were all unreliable pigs’ trotters!
Fortunately, since her rebirth, she had never planned to rely on anyone else.
Jiang Li said, “Since Madam Yuan wants to see it, I’ll go fetch it.”
Jiang Song’er, who had been watching from the sidelines, nearly choked. Couldn’t Yuan Hezhi see that Madam Yuan was making things difficult for Jiang Li?
He was such a clever man—he must have noticed, but he chose to stand by and do nothing. Whoever caused the trouble should solve it. In her past life, Yuan Hezhi had treated her with exactly this attitude!
Yuan Hezhi was still Yuan Hezhi—cold-hearted and ungrateful, not a bit changed!
Jiang Li’s life after marrying into the Yuan family would surely be difficult. Jiang Song’er felt a secret delight—thank goodness she was marrying Brother Ye in this lifetime.
Just then, Jiang Li returned. She handed a red box to Yuan Hezhi, her soft voice tinged with uncertainty. “I don’t know if Old Madam will like it. Please take a look.”
Madam Yuan measured the red box with her eyes—its size was just right for holding a sutra.”Hezhi, what are you hesitating for? Hurry up and open it. Your wife writes in such elegant calligraphy—the sutra she copied must be a delight to behold,” she urged.
A few members of the Yuan clan whispered among themselves. The old matriarch couldn’t stand hearing a single word about Buddhism these days. Rushing to present a sutra to her—was it foolish or just plain stupid?
Hezhi’s new bride was truly outrageous!
Yuan Hezhi’s slender, long-fingered hands slowly lifted the lid. Jiang Li imitated Madam Yuan’s wide-eyed expression, full of anticipation, excitement, and eagerness.
Madam Yuan: ?
A sense of foreboding stirred within her.
Yuan Hezhi took out a scroll about the length of a forearm from inside and said in a calm, composed voice, “Since this piece is Miss Jiang’s gift for Grandmother, of course she should be the first to see it. I won’t open it.”
It wasn’t a sutra after all!
Madam Yuan’s face turned ashen. She had been outmaneuvered by Yuan Hezhi once again.
After lunch at the Jiang residence, the Yuan family’s betrothal procession finally set off on the return journey.
Yuan Hezhi sat in the Maybach, legs crossed. Even in relaxation, his noble and upright posture remained exceptionally elegant.
On his lap rested the rosewood box. The corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly—he had underestimated her.