Xu Suyu smiled gently as she handed him the bag. “Thank you.”
Jiang Sun stared at her. This woman was beautiful when she wasn’t smiling—but when she smiled, she was breathtaking.
Three words suddenly sprang into his mind: delicate, spotless, soft and tender.
He couldn’t help but wonder—if he stole a kiss from a pretty little thing like her, how hard would she cry?
Xu Suyu had already turned and walked to the old master’s side, helping him along.
The old master was in an exceptionally bright mood.
He had thought Jiang Sun would remain a bachelor for life. Who would have imagined that a simple stroll would land him such a beautiful granddaughter-in-law?
He must treasure this child Suyu properly—couldn’t let that rascal bully her away.
After the three of them left, Han Guozhang looked at Han Shumo in disappointment.
“Shumo, do you know what kind of person Jiang Sun is?”
Han Shumo lowered his eyes. “I know.”
“You know? I truly didn’t expect this. From childhood to adulthood, I taught you with such care, raised you into the gentleman you are today. Yet you can ignore the life-saving grace your Grandpa Xu showed you, and just watch as his granddaughter jumps into a pit of fire.”
“Dad, how do you know that marrying me wouldn’t also be a pit of fire for her?”
“I understand you. You’re a good child. Once you marry her, you’ll take responsibility for her for life.”
“Yes, I would. But wouldn’t that also be a pit of fire for me? My life is also a life. I just want to spend it with the woman I love. What’s wrong with that?”
Han Guozhang looked frustrated. “Shumo, you’re being foolish! Suyu’s family background may not be ideal, but your Grandpa Xu was upright and kind—a man who benefited the world when he prospered. A child raised by someone of such character won’t turn out badly.
“But what about Wanqiu? Everyone knows her mother favors sons over daughters, is hot-tempered and always looking to take advantage. If you marry her, you’re marrying endless chaos. Your future life—”
“Dad, I don’t care! Wanqiu didn’t choose her family. That’s not her fault. If anything, seeing all the hardship she endured in her original family only makes me cherish her more. I love her. In this lifetime, I will protect her completely.”
“You will regret this.”
Han Shumo lifted his chin, his tone unwavering. “No. I absolutely, absolutely will not regret it. If I can’t marry Wanqiu, that’s what I would regret for the rest of my life.”
Han Guozhang never expected that the son he had personally raised so carefully would suddenly become so unreasonable.
His heart felt blocked with frustration, and he stormed out.
A relieved smile curved Han Shumo’s lips. Fortunately, he had been reborn before agreeing to marry Xu Suyu. In this life, his insistence had changed the future.
Xu Suyu would marry Jiang Sun and avoid disaster, while he could marry the woman he loved and live happily ever after.
When Xu Suyu followed them to Old Master Jiang’s house, she discovered that it was far better than the Han family residence.
A two-story house, large courtyards both front and back, complete with a personal guard and a cook.
There were many rooms, but most were already occupied. Xu Suyu was arranged into the room next to Jiang Sun’s on the second floor.
Because Jiang Sun was domineering, no one in the family liked living near him.
After unpacking, Xu Suyu went downstairs.
The old master was drinking tea in the living room. Jiang Sun, meanwhile, was slouched crookedly on the sofa, lazily cracking sunflower seeds.
The old master kicked Jiang Sun. “Get lost over there. Suyu, come sit by Grandpa.”
“Fine, I’ll get lost. Why are you so fierce?” Jiang Sun stood up, kicked aside the small stool blocking the coffee table, and shot Xu Suyu a defiant glance. “Hey, little weakling, I’ll tell you in advance—I’ve got a bad temper. Maybe I’ll even hit my wif—”
The old master raised his cane and swung it. Jiang Sun reacted quickly, dodging and catching the cane in one smooth motion. Tilting his head, he grinned roguishly. “Old man, look at that temper of yours. I was just scaring her a little, so she’ll behave in the future.”
The old master’s voice thundered, “Suyu is here to enjoy blessings, not to ‘behave’! Listen carefully—she’s the granddaughter of my savior. If you dare touch even a single finger of hers, I’ll skin you alive! Do you hear me?”
“Alright, alright, I hear you.” Jiang Sun lazily sank into a nearby armchair.
Xu Suyu looked at Jiang Sun.
He was nineteen this year. The deadlock between him and the old master would reach its fatal conclusion within this year.
Since she had received their kindness, she should try her best to help rewrite their doomed ending.
If she could truly save Grandpa, then when she divorced Jiang Sun and returned to her own grandfather in the future, she wouldn’t owe them anything.
She smiled gently at the old master. “Grandpa, there are some things I’d like to make clear with Jiang Sun first. May I?”
“Of course. From now on, this is your home. Say whatever you like.”
Jiang Sun sneered at her seriousness. “You little weakling sure have a lot of issues—”
The old master barked, “Jiang Sun! Shut up!”
Xu Suyu smiled. “Jiang Sun, from now on you may call me Xu Suyu, Suyu, or Sister Suyu. If you use any unpleasant nicknames, I’ll punish you. You don’t like studying, do you? Then I’ll make you read to me.”
Jiang Sun: …
“You woman—I’m marrying you to save you, and you dare repay kindness with ingratitude?”
“Some people say you’re unruly, arrogant, lawless, and have a terrible reputation.”
Jiang Sun grew irritated and sprang to his feet, pointing at her. “Hey, with my temper—”
Xu Suyu also stood and walked toward him, meeting his gaze directly. “But I don’t believe it. I will never understand a person through someone else’s mouth. I only believe the you standing in front of me. Even if the whole world says you’re unforgivably evil, as long as you say you’re not, I will believe you. And I will protect you unconditionally. So, Jiang Sun—you must not lie to me.”
They stared at each other for a long moment.
No one had ever stood on his side before. Not even the old man at home believed in him unconditionally. What right did this woman have to say she would?
“You think I’m a three-year-old? I won’t believe your nonsense!”
Xu Suyu smiled warmly. “I never tell lies. If I say it, I will do it. But since you are to be my husband, I also have standards. I once promised my grandfather that in this life, there are three types of men I will never marry: I will not marry a beast who brings calamity to the country…”
“I will not marry a lawless scoundrel, nor a heartless and ungrateful villain. So, you may be mischievous, arrogant, or even look down on others — but you must love your country and your family, abide by the law, and treat well those who love you.”
Jiang Sun cleared his throat, his tone proudly defiant. “I don’t need you to tell me what to do!”
Xu Suyu smiled gently and turned to look at the old master. “Grandpa, may I discipline him?”
“You absolutely may! Discipline him! From now on, he’s under your supervision.”
“Then… if he refuses to listen, can I hit him?”