Because of the matter of marriage, He Jiayu and Tong Sijing had argued several times.
Tong Sijing’s mindset was that no matter how outstanding or excellent her son was, he needed to marry a woman who could provide him with significant support. Only then could his position become more secure. She never considered anything else, only insisting on imposing her own ideas onto him.
But He Jiayu didn’t need any of this. The reason he had come this far and become the designated successor of the He family was entirely due to his own abilities and methods. Perhaps marrying a woman from a similar background would sound better or look more favorable, but at most, it would only be adding icing on the cake.
In his view, Tong Sijing’s insistence that he must marry a woman who could help him was perhaps, as Xu Zhiyuan had said, a denial of his abilities.
She wanted to elevate the importance of a suitable woman in his life, yet she never considered whether she herself was such a person.
Tong Sijing’s pupils contracted slightly as she stared at He Jiayu in shock and disbelief, seemingly unable to understand why he would say something so hurtful.
“I am different,” Tong Sijing said stiffly, though her confidence was far from solid.
Of course, her confidence was lacking because she truly hadn’t provided much support to her husband or son.
This wasn’t meant to belittle Tong Sijing. The Tong family’s circumstances back then were indeed decent, but they were only about the same as the Xu family’s. At that time, the gap between the Tong family and the He family was just like the gap between the Xu family and the He family now—a vast chasm. If Tong Sijing’s own theory were applied, she would never have been able to marry He Hongjie.
“What’s the difference?” He Jiayu didn’t want to deal with Tong Sijing’s irrational behavior in the future, nor did he want his wife to suffer because of it. “Mom, I’m an adult. I know what I want, and I’m someone with ability and methods. I don’t need so-called support to add icing on the cake. What I want is a pure and genuine soulmate, not a wife I have to constantly figure out even after coming home.”
“Mom, think it over carefully. Zhiyuan and I are heading back now.”
Without lingering any longer, He Jiayu wrapped his arm around Xu Zhiyuan and left.
Tong Sijing stood there in a daze. He Jiayu’s words had indeed struck her hard, but she quickly snapped back to reality, her face flushing with anger and stubbornness.
She still hadn’t come to her senses.
When He Hongjie entered the room and saw her expression, he understood without even thinking.
Actually, Tong Sijing hadn’t been like this at the beginning. Otherwise, He Hongjie wouldn’t have fallen for her.
He shared a similar mindset with He Jiayu—wanting a relatively simple wife. Dealing with the scheming and deceit outside was exhausting enough. Who wouldn’t want to come home and completely relax in a peaceful, clean environment?
Such an environment was unlikely in the extended He family. If there was ever a day without conflict, it would be like the sun rising from the west. But in his own home, He Hongjie hoped for warmth, purity, and simplicity.
At first, such an ideal environment had indeed existed. But after He Jiayu was born, Tong Sijing’s mindset began to shift. She seemed to want more, and even the purest things began to deteriorate, eventually blending into the larger environment.
“This Xu Zhiyuan is really too cunning. Jiayu is even starting to defy me because of her,” Tong Sijing complained to him.
He Hongjie’s expression was indifferent. “Your son isn’t someone easily influenced. Xu Zhiyuan has some capabilities, but she’s not enough to affect your son to this extent.”
Tong Sijing widened her eyes. “What do you mean? Are you saying I’m being unreasonable? I want him to marry Shiman for his own good. Don’t you know He Hongyan has always been eyeing his position?” She sat angrily and resentfully in her chair. “Everyone says Grandfather He has high hopes for Jiayu, but clearly he favors He Hongyan the most. Otherwise, why would he so easily arrange a marriage for Jiayu, while finding He Hongyan a fiancée who’s the eldest daughter of the Lu family?”
From the marriages alone, one could see Grandfather He’s favoritism.
He said he would hand the He family to He Jiayu, yet He Jiayu’s marriage engagement could be casually promised away.
As for He Hongyan, the Lu family was on par with the He family, and the Lu family’s eldest daughter’s uncle was a high-ranking official with great power.
On the surface, the He family was managed by He Jiayu, who was gradually taking control. In reality, He Hongyan was biding his time, waiting for the day to replace He Jiayu.
Grandfather He’s favoritism wasn’t limited to this either. Tong Sijing even believed that Grandfather He chose her son precisely to pave the way for He Hongyan, because everyone’s attention was mostly on He Jiayu, with few caring about He Hongyan.
Seeing her indignant and discontented appearance, He Hongjie didn’t try to persuade her.
He had advised and hinted before, but Tong Sijing never listened, only believing her own deductions.
Further words were useless; Tong Sijing would only think he wasn’t helping his own son and was siding with outsiders.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Sitting in the car, Xu Zhiyuan was conflicted and hesitant, unsure how to begin.
She felt very sorry, regretting that she shouldn’t have said those things. She should have held back at the time, so He Jiayu and Tong Sijing wouldn’t have argued.
But she truly couldn’t hold back then—not only because Tong Sijing kept using that Zhan Shiman to provoke her, but also because she felt wronged on He Jiayu’s behalf.
In her view, Tong Sijing simply didn’t trust He Jiayu’s abilities and was negating him.
Actually, she should have endured it and comforted He Jiayu afterward. Now, she had made everyone unhappy.
He Jiayu was somewhat irritated, but he had already calmed down shortly after leaving the old mansion. He wasn’t speaking now because he was secretly observing Xu Zhiyuan’s expression.
He was also afraid Xu Zhiyuan might be upset by Tong Sijing’s attitude, but she wasn’t. Instead, she seemed more concerned about his emotions. Watching her expression shift from regret to conflict to self-blame, his hidden irritation completely dissipated. His heart felt as if soaked in warm water—very comforting.
His hand unconsciously landed on her hair, then gently ruffled it.
“You—”
“I’m sorry, I should have held back.”
They spoke almost simultaneously.
Their gazes met—Xu Zhiyuan’s eyes were glistening, while He Jiayu’s were gentle as he pulled her into his embrace.
“Hold back what? I married a wife, not a ninja,” He Jiayu said. “I’m happy. Being defended like this feels really good.”
Leaning against him, Xu Zhiyuan looked up uncertainly. “You’re not angry?”
“Why should I be angry? Even if I were, it would be because of my mother, not because of you,” He Jiayu replied. “This problem didn’t arise because of you—it has always existed and needs to be resolved eventually.”
“But don’t listen to Mom’s nonsense. My relationship with Zhan Shiman is limited to knowing each other but not being close. I didn’t have anyone I liked before, and the person I like now is you.”