No matter what Big Brother Ruan said, he couldn’t change their minds.
In the kitchen, Ruan Tang was washing dishes while Big Brother Ruan spoke with guilt, “Tangtang, I’m sorry.”
“I never expected them to be so stubborn.”
“But don’t worry, I’ll think of another way.”
Ruan Tang continued her task without pausing, humming in acknowledgment before saying, “I’ll think of my own solutions too.”
The reason she had told Cai Xiaolan about Su Jincheng’s marriage proposal was because their current objectives aligned.
She hoped Cai Xiaolan would interfere and tightly hold onto Su Jincheng.
Of course, she wouldn’t place all her hopes on her either.
After all, when positions differ, even family members won’t help you.
She believed it was more reliable to handle her own affairs herself.
Seeing Ruan Tang’s excessive calmness, Big Brother Ruan grew anxious, “Tangtang, do you actually want to marry Su Jincheng too? Why do you seem completely unconcerned!”
Ruan Tang paused her movements and looked at him, “What would you consider as being concerned, Big Brother? Making dramatic scenes and threatening suicide?”
“If I used death to pressure Mom and Dad, what do you think they would do?”
Big Brother Ruan blurted out, “They’d listen to you.”
Indeed.
Compared to money, life is more important.
“If I told them marrying Su Jincheng would make me unhappy, what do you think they’d do then?”
Big Brother Ruan shook his head: “They wouldn’t care. They’d only insist on their own views.”
Yes.
Happiness compared to money isn’t important at all.
“So I believe my life is more precious. I don’t want to gamble with it—that would be disrespectful and dismissive of its value.”
“Moreover, if my threats succeeded and they didn’t get the money and jobs, and your lives turned out contrary to their expectations, do you think they’d resent me forever?”
Big Brother Ruan fell silent.
Because they would all emotionally blackmail their younger sister for life.
If her life turned out poorly, they’d say, “Who told you not to listen to us? You deserve to suffer.”
Therefore, Ruan Tang wanted them to give up on their own.
Her mother often said she spoke without thinking and easily offended people, but actually she just didn’t care about those people.
She still cared about this family and didn’t want to burn bridges.
Furthermore, her parents’ obsession with money and jobs had already solidified—it couldn’t be changed by her crying a few times or making scenes.
She didn’t agree with their methods, but she could understand them.
After all, she had once thought that as long as she could stay in the city, she could marry anyone.
But now…
For some reason, she didn’t think that way anymore.
Big Brother Ruan never expected Ruan Tang to have considered so much, and so deeply.
He used to think she was just quiet, sensible, and non-confrontational.
Now he realized she was actually clear-headed and perceptive, knowing exactly what she wanted.
After understanding this, Big Brother Ruan turned and left.
Another important reason his parents insisted on this marriage was Ruan Xiangbei’s job.
In that case, his younger brother couldn’t remain uninvolved either.
Unaware of Big Brother Ruan’s thoughts, Ruan Tang went to the Jiang family with the clothes Jiang Shu had bought for her after everyone had left for work.
The Jiang residence wasn’t far from the Ruan home, just two alleys away.
Before Ruan Tang reached the Jiang household, she spotted Jiang Ye pacing back and forth at the entrance.
She let out an involuntary soft laugh.
“Isn’t it hot standing under the sun?”
As she approached, Ruan Tang said with a smile.
Jiang Ye stared intently at Ruan Tang, watching her approach him step by step.
The corners of his mouth lifted sharply, his narrow eyes brimming with laughter.
Roguishly handsome and carefree.
“It’s really hot.”
“But I don’t mind.”
“Dummy.” Ruan Tang’s lips twitched as she replied with a single word.
Jiang Ye simply smiled without responding, leading Ruan Tang into the courtyard.
Passing through the Hanging Flower Gate, Ruan Tang looked around in surprise. “Your home is so big, even larger than our compound.”
“After you marry me, this will be your home too.”
Ruan Tang didn’t address his comment, instead asking, “Is your mother not home?”
“No, they’ve all gone to work.”
As he spoke, Jiang Ye headed first toward the West Wing.
Ruan Tang followed him.
Jiang Ye had her sit by the table and handed her a bottle of Arctic Ocean soda.
“It’s still cold. Have some to cool off.”
Ruan Tang casually placed her bag beside the table leg and accepted the soda.
Perhaps because it had just been opened, the orange liquid was still fizzing with bubbles. Ruan Tang took a sip through the straw.
It was icy cold, with a strong orange flavor.
“Tastes good.”
Jiang Ye looked at her flushed cheeks and chuckled, “I bought plenty. Take them all with you when you leave.”
His tone was so generous, as if the soda didn’t cost anything.
Ruan Tang shook her head. “No, thank you.”
Jiang Ye didn’t press the matter, instead pointing at the bag. “Why did you bring these things back? Do they not fit?”
Ruan Tang glanced at the bag and smiled. “They fit perfectly and look very nice.”
“But my room is quite small, so I brought them over for now.”
No matter how small the room, a few pieces of clothing could always be stored.
Jiang Ye sighed inwardly. Silly girl, she can’t even come up with a proper excuse.
He didn’t question further, instead following her lead. “No problem. I have plenty of space here, you can store them anywhere.”
“My mom has been looking forward to my marriage for a long time. These cabinets were made months ago. Even if you brought all your belongings, they’d fit.”
Ruan Tang looked at the row of cabinets.
They were standing wardrobes she had never seen before—stylish, elegant, and very beautiful.
They probably had ample storage too.
But…
She lowered her gaze, staring at the soda in front of her, and said softly, “Jiang Ye, I want to marry you.”
“But I can’t promise I will.”
“If you’re not in a hurry, could you wait for me for half a month?”
She didn’t know how long it would take to change her parents’ minds, but making him wait too long didn’t seem right either.
Jiang Ye actually laughed out loud.
Ruan Tang looked up at him, her confused eyes full of bewilderment.
Leaning back in his chair, Jiang Ye waved a hand dismissively. “It’s fine. If it weren’t for my mom pressuring me, I wouldn’t be in a hurry to get married either.”
“I have all the time in the world to wait for you.”
Since she didn’t ask for his help, he would give her all the time she needed.
Whatever she couldn’t handle, he could quietly assist with behind the scenes.
As for getting married—he was actually quite eager.
After all, having too many spring dreams was bad for his health.
Ruan Tang was somewhat surprised, feeling that something wasn’t quite right, but she couldn’t figure out what.
So she didn’t dwell on it.
Having said what she needed to, Ruan Tang suggested leaving.
But Jiang Ye was reluctant.
“Stay a little longer.”
Ruan Tang tilted her head. “Do you have something else?”
Jiang Ye’s eyes darkened slightly.
No. But he could find something.
“I want to convert this side room into a bathroom. Help me take a look and see how it would be best to renovate it.”
Without giving Ruan Tang a chance to refuse, Jiang Ye stood up and walked toward the southern part of the room.
The main house of the Jiang family’s Siheyuan had two side rooms—the eastern one was the kitchen, and the western one was a storage room.
Both the East Wing and the West Wing have an annex room each, and the annex rooms are connected to the main rooms with a door installed in between.
Jiang Ye pushed open the door, and Ruan Tang followed him inside.
It was empty inside, clearly having been prepared long ago.
She looked around; it was larger than any room in her house.
She asked Jiang Ye, “Isn’t it a bit wasteful to use such a large space as a bathroom?”