Xu Suyu looked at the old man before her. Though he gave off an imposing, battle-hardened aura, he treated her with unmistakable kindness. She was filled with confusion.
She did urgently need a marriage to change her current situation—but this was her first time meeting Old General Jiang. Why would he help her?
“Old General Jiang, why are you helping me? You probably don’t even understand my circumstances. I’m from a capi—”
Old Master Jiang cut her off directly.
“I just heard Xiao Han outside say that your grandfather was the head of the century-old Xu family in Miancheng. Was his name Xu Yixuan?”
Xu Suyu was surprised. “General Jiang, you knew my grandfather?”
“Knew him? Decades ago, your grandfather saved my life. He hid me in the cellar of your old residence so I could escape enemy pursuit. When I returned to the army, he even donated a large amount of supplies to support the troops.
“I never expected something would happen to him. Don’t worry—I’ll have people investigate his case. Since you’re Brother Yixuan’s granddaughter, that makes you my granddaughter. When a granddaughter is in trouble, how could her grandfather not help?”
As he spoke, he frowned and looked toward Jiang Xun.
It was this brat… honestly, not exactly presentable!
“My grandson doesn’t have the best reputation, but at least he can serve as a tool to help you temporarily avoid this crisis. How about you bear with it and marry him for now?”
Jiang Xun was utterly speechless. “Old man, is there anyone who badmouths his own grandson like that? I’m at least—”
“You’re nothing! Shut up!”
Jiang Xun rolled his eyes. “Even Zhou the Skinflayer never skinned his own grandson. Only you, old man, have such a black heart!”
Old Master Jiang lifted his cane, and Jiang Xun instantly jumped several steps away.
Beside them, Han Guozhang looked worried. The Jiang family’s grandson was practically a blazing pit of fire—what decent family would willingly marry their daughter into that?
He anxiously signaled Han Shumo with his eyes.
Han Shumo saw it. Though he hesitated briefly, he avoided his father’s gaze and remained silent.
Growing increasingly anxious, Han Guozhang stepped forward.
“Old General, there’s no need for you to arrange Suyu’s marriage. When she came, Uncle Xu wrote to our family. He entrusted Suyu to my son, Shumo.”
Han Shumo frowned, displeasure evident in his eyes as he looked at his father.
Old Master Jiang naturally knew that compared to his own troublemaking grandson, Han Shumo was far more reliable. This child had always been the “other people’s kid” in the compound—good at everything. Marrying Suyu to him would indeed be the better choice.
He said gravely, “Xiao Han, I can see your father truly likes this girl. When he heard I wanted Suyu to marry Jiang Xun, sweat broke out on his forehead. Clearly, he knows Jiang Xun isn’t good husband material.”
Jiang Xun hissed and glanced at Han Guozhang. “Is that what you mean?”
Han Guozhang: …
Old Master Jiang shot him a glare. “Don’t you know what kind of thing you are? Get lost to the side.”
Jiang Xun clicked his tongue and leaned lazily against the wall, posture careless. “Fine, fine. You’re discussing my marriage but won’t let me speak. You’ve really made me laugh from anger.”
Old Master Jiang turned back to Han Shumo.
“I heard at the door just now that Brother Yixuan once saved your life too. For his sake, I’ll give you one more chance.
“If you want to repay his life-saving grace by marrying Suyu, then I’ll recognize her as my god-granddaughter and be her backing from now on. But if you refuse, you’ll never get another chance.”
Before Han Shumo could speak, Han Guozhang rushed in, “Marry! Marry! Shumo will file his marriage application tomorrow.”
Han Shumo objected immediately. “Dad! I already have someone I like. Since Old General Jiang has arranged a marriage for Comrade Xu, why must you force me?”
“Good!” Old Master Jiang’s voice rang out. “Then Suyu will belong to the Jiang family!”
“Old General,” Han Guozhang glanced at Xu Suyu. Such a good child—handing her to Jiang Xun would ruin her. “Suyu is twenty-two this year, three years older than Jiang Xun. They’re not suitable.”
“Bullshit! When the woman’s three years older, you gain a brick of gold! Your son won’t marry her, and you won’t let my grandson marry her either? What, can you find someone better for her within three days?”
Han Guozhang fell silent. With Suyu’s awkward status as the daughter of a capitalist family, finding a suitable match within three days would indeed be difficult.
Old Master Jiang snorted. “If you can’t, then stop talking nonsense. Suyu, don’t worry. With Grandpa here, once you enter the Jiang family, I won’t let this brat bully you. So your grandfather won’t worry—just marry him for now.”
Xu Suyu turned to look at the young man leaning lazily against the wall.
His eyes curved slightly upward at the corners, his smile wicked and alluring.
“Hey, woman, I’m pretty fierce. If you dare to marry me, don’t expect me to coax you when you cry. I don’t do that, got it?”
Childish!
All she wanted was to escape the crisis. Whoever she married made no difference.
Xu Suyu nodded politely to Old Master Jiang.
“Grandpa Jiang, thank you. I’m willing to marry Jiang Xun.”
Han Shumo’s hand at his side clenched slightly, then quickly relaxed.
Jiang Xun pressed his tongue against his cheek, smiling with a pure, wicked mischief.
This little miss actually dared to marry him. She must have been too well protected as a capitalist young lady—she had no idea how dangerous the world was.
He wouldn’t mind teaching her.
Old Master Jiang was in excellent spirits, nodding repeatedly.
“Good, good, good! Suyu, go pack your things now and come home with Grandpa.”
Han Guozhang hurried forward. “Old General, our family has also benefited from Uncle Xu’s kindness. Let Suyu stay a few more days…”
He needed this chance to tell the girl exactly what kind of person Jiang Xun was—and perhaps use these three days to find someone else willing to accept her background. If that happened, she wouldn’t have to jump into a pit of fire.
Old Master Jiang glanced at Han Shumo, dissatisfied with the boy’s earlier performance.
“The Xu family showed your family such great kindness, yet as the direct beneficiary, you don’t care. If Suyu stays here, it will look like she’s leveraging old favors. There’s no need. Suyu, go pack your luggage and come home with Grandpa.”
Xu Suyu nodded. She stepped before Han Guozhang and bowed politely, thanking them for taking care of her over the past three days.
Han Guozhang felt ashamed. “Suyu, don’t say that. Uncle… has failed your grandfather’s trust.”
Xu Suyu smiled without blame, then turned and went back to her room to pack her things.
She stepped out.
Seeing that Jiang Sun was about to leave, the old master directly struck him on the back with his cane.
Caught off guard, Jiang Sun yelped in pain and jumped. “Ow! Hey, old man, why are you hitting people?!”
“Are your eyes just for decoration? Didn’t you see the bag in your wife’s hand? Get over there and carry it!”
Jiang Sun was displeased, but he still walked over. “Give me the bag!”
The old master thumped his cane against the ground. “Watch your attitude!”
You’re already making me act like a servant—what attitude do you still want?
He said in a sarcastic tone, “Young Miss, your humble servant has come to carry your bag.”