Lu Zhoushan agreed so readily that the second son of the Lu family was even more delighted. After saying a few more words, he returned to his room to rest. Mr. and Mrs. Lu, feeling unusually merciful, finally let him go instead of keeping him there with endless questions.
Back in his room, Lu Zhoushan lay on his bed.
For one of the few times in his life, he found himself unable to sleep.
His thoughts kept drifting back to Jiang Xiaoci—her smiles, her frowns, her joy, her anger, every vivid expression she had shown that day. She was only eighteen, yet at times she was so calm and rational that she seemed far older than her years.
For example, she had gently expressed concern for his health twice in one day. Her tactful consideration had caught him completely by surprise… and warmed his heart.
Yet at other moments, she was just like a carefree young girl.
Whether it was while watching the movie or during dinner, her happiness, her annoyance—every emotion was lively and genuine.
Lu Zhoushan couldn’t help smiling.
Only after spending time with her did he realize that girls could have so many different sides.
It was… rather fascinating.
Closing his eyes with that smile still lingering on his lips, he finally drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile, Lu Yaozu was having a completely different night.
As he lay in bed, anxiety gnawed at him.
He kept wondering when the Jiang family would come looking for him.
He had already carried out his plan and even boasted about it to others. What if Jiang Xiaoci had no intention of seeking him out?
Only then did he realize that his scheme wasn’t foolproof.
What if Jiang Xiaoci had another marriage prospect?
Wouldn’t all his efforts end up benefiting someone else?
Thinking back to how his grandparents had personally asked about the marriage that evening, he had been forced to lie to save face.
No matter what, the marriage between the Lu and Jiang families could not be allowed to fall through.
He decided he couldn’t wait any longer.
Tomorrow, he would go to the Jiang residence himself, sound out Jiang Xiaoci’s intentions, and push their marriage discussions forward.
Early the next morning, Lu Yaozu put on a freshly polished pair of leather shoes and changed into brand-new clothes. Even his hair was meticulously styled.
Standing before the mirror, he admired his spotless appearance.
In his own eyes, he looked handsome, elegant, and distinguished. Surely any young woman would be captivated by him.
Satisfied, he smiled confidently before setting off for the Jiang family home.
Several loud knocks echoed through the courtyard gate, each one louder than the last.
Inside, Jiang’s mother was busy preparing breakfast. Hearing the noise, she called toward her daughter.
“Xiaoci, go see who’s knocking so early in the morning.”
Jiang Xiaoci had just finished washing up and changing clothes.
Hearing her mother, she answered, left her room, crossed the living room, and opened the courtyard gate.
Standing outside was Lu Yaozu.
He was dressed to impress, carrying himself with exaggerated care, a fawning smile plastered across his face.
The moment Jiang Xiaoci saw him, her expression darkened.
Simply seeing him was enough to ruin her mood.
“Lu Yaozu,” she asked coldly, “why are you at my house again? What do you want?”
Her voice was icy, and every part of her posture radiated caution and distance.
The smile on Lu Yaozu’s face froze.
Deep down, he was furious.
He silently vowed that once they were married, he would teach Jiang Xiaoci a proper lesson—show her how a woman ought to treat her husband.
For now…
He would endure it.
He wanted to see how much longer she could remain so arrogant.
His smile returned as he held out the breakfast he had brought.
“Xiaoci, I haven’t seen you for several days, and I’ve really missed you. I happened to have some free time today, so I came to visit you. I even brought you breakfast—from the most expensive breakfast shop in town.”
Jiang Xiaoci glanced at the food in his hands, undisguised disgust flashing across her face.
“My family already made breakfast.”
“I don’t need yours.”
With that, she started to close the door.
Panicking, Lu Yaozu quickly blocked it with his hand.
Though his smile had become stiff, he continued pretending to be sincere.
“Xiaoci, just give me a chance. I truly like you.”
Jiang Xiaoci let out a cold laugh.
She couldn’t even be bothered to humor him anymore.
“Lu Yaozu, stop acting.”
“You don’t like me at all.”
“You only want to marry me because Bai Miaomiao’s family has a younger son, and they’re demanding an outrageously expensive bride price.”
Lu Yaozu’s heart skipped a beat.
How does she know about Bai Miaomiao and me?
But he quickly regained his composure.
“Xiaoci, you’ve misunderstood. I don’t have those kinds of feelings for Bai Miaomiao.”
Jiang Xiaoci looked at him with open contempt.
“Everyone at school knows what’s going on with Bai Miaomiao’s family.”
“Don’t treat me like an idiot.”
“Whether it’s a misunderstanding or not—you know the truth yourself.”
Lu Yaozu’s expression turned ugly.
Only then did he understand how Jiang Xiaoci had learned about it.
He hadn’t expected Bai Miaomiao’s family affairs to have become common gossip throughout the school.
Instead of reflecting on himself, he only felt even more sympathy for Bai Miaomiao.
Living in such a family must have been so hard for her.
At the same time, resentment toward Jiang Xiaoci grew stronger.
Why was Jiang Xiaoci so fortunate?
In his eyes, she wasn’t worthy of having such good luck.
Bai Miaomiao was clearly better than Jiang Xiaoci in every way, yet she had suffered hardships ever since childhood.
Jiang Xiaoci, on the other hand, had grown up in a wealthy family, pampered and spoiled by her parents.
That was why she had become so willful, so rude—
Bold enough to glare at him whenever she pleased.
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Suppressing his rage, he forced himself to say,
“Xiaoci, what’s between us has nothing to do with Miaomiao.”
“Don’t drag an innocent person into this.”
“I sincerely want to be with you.”
He’s already calling her ‘Miaomiao,’ Jiang Xiaoci thought mockingly.
And he still claims she has nothing to do with this?
She said impatiently,
“Whether she’s innocent or not is your business.”
“I’m not interested.”
“And I don’t want to know.”
“Don’t come to my house again.”
“I already made myself perfectly clear last time.”
“I will never agree to marry you.”
Rejected once again, Lu Yaozu could barely maintain his composure.
“Xiaoci, why push me away like this? Even if we’re not discussing marriage right now, we can still be friends first… get to know each other…”
The moment Jiang Xiaoci heard that, she felt sick.
Friends first?
Get to know each other?
How shameless can he be?
Just then, Jiang’s mother noticed her daughter still hadn’t returned after answering the door.
She walked outside.
“Xiaoci, why are you still standing out here?”
As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw Lu Yaozu standing outside the gate, locked in a standoff with her daughter.
Her expression immediately darkened.
Ever since learning that Lu Yaozu had secretly reported their family, how could she possibly remain polite toward him?
She didn’t even bother pretending.
In an unusually stern tone, she said,
“Xiaoci, come inside and eat.”
Lu Yaozu was stunned.
The last time he visited, Aunt Jiang had treated him warmly.
Why was she being so cold this time?
Jiang Xiaoci wasted no time.
While he was still standing there in shock, she shoved the gate shut with all her strength.
Bang!
She immediately slid the bolt into place.
Locked outside, Lu Yaozu’s face flushed bright red with anger.
He seethed inwardly.
“This Jiang Xiaoci has absolutely no manners!”
“And her mother is no better.”
“She didn’t even scold her daughter, nor did she have the courtesy to invite me inside for a seat.”
“The Jiang family really does have the arrogance of capitalist elites—looking down on everyone else!”