Chapter 7: It Doesn’t Matter Who I Marry

“This is a choice between families, not between you and me.”

The words were cold and sharp, piercing through her ears and chilling her to the bone. He was truly heartless, treating everyone the same, yet drawing admiration from them nonetheless.

So many people wished they would be the one to bring the god down from his pedestal. So many people were eager and obsessed, chasing after him, only to be met with indifference.

An unbridgeable chasm, a vast expanse of the Milky Way, separated them.

“But that’s not right… No one can force you, you don’t care about family or reputation, if you don’t want to, no one can make you.”

Ning Qiutang looked deeply into his eyes. In her previous life, he was high and mighty, controlling everything. Even when Grandpa Jiang used the entire family to pressure him, he wouldn’t marry her. As long as he didn’t want to, no one could force him.

Jiang Sheng saw the conviction in her eyes, the belief that he would resist. A rebellious streak stirred within him, and he sensed that this woman seemed to understand him well.

A cold smile curled his lips. “Why wouldn’t I want to?”

“It doesn’t matter who I marry.”

Ning Qiutang was completely oblivious to the dagger he had just plunged into her heart. Her lips trembled, and she felt her heart bleeding. She clutched her chest, her face turning pale.

“You want to marry me?”

But he… he hated her the most, he was the most reluctant to marry her. Why?

Jiang Sheng stood up and walked towards her step by step.

His abyssal eyes seemed to hold a wild beast, his gaze fierce and savage, intimidating. “What, you don’t want to marry me?”

Ning Qiutang shook her head. As he approached, she took a step back, almost falling from instability.

He grabbed her slender arm with one hand, his presence dark and oppressive, making her gasp for breath.

“I want to break off our engagement.” This time, she spoke with unwavering determination. No matter what he wanted to do, she would escape this cannibalistic vortex.

Jiang Sheng tightened his grip on her arm, watching her courageous defiance with a cold smile. “You can try.”

Ning Qiutang was pulled towards him, the distance closing. The air was filled with the faint scent of bamboo and ink. She was nervous and uneasy, her arm was pinched painfully. Her eyes welled up with tears.

The girl raised her head stubbornly, her watery eyes like a pool of clear water, clean and bright. “I will try.”

“Let me go.”

“Jiang Sheng, let me go!”

She was angry. She shook off his hand, ignoring the pain in her foot, and turned to run.

Jiang Sheng frowned slightly, watching the girl limp away, her back determined and unwavering.

Ning Qiutang wasn’t the same anymore. The little girl who used to cling to him and chase after him had turned over a new leaf.

Something was wrong.

The astute and suspicious young man sensed something amiss.

During lunch.

Most of the Jiang family was present.

Grandma Jiang asked Ning Qiutang to sit with them, and also asked Jiang Sheng to sit beside her.

“Xiao Haitang, try this Dongpo pork, the kitchen said it’s good today.”

Ning Qiutang politely took a bite. “It’s delicious, Grandma.”

“Asheng, what are you standing there for, serve Xiao Haitang some food.”

Grandma Jiang glared at her clueless grandson. He didn’t even spoil his own wife, who would spoil him in the future?

Jiang Sheng directly placed the dish in front of Ning Qiutang. “Eat.”

Grandma Jiang rolled her eyes, wanting to say he was making a fool of himself again.

Ning Qiutang was used to it. It would be a miracle if he treated her kindly.

Jiang’s grandfather arrived and sat at the head of the table, scanning his unruly grandson with a sharp gaze. “What were you doing last night?”

Jiang Sheng replied without hesitation, “Living it up.”

Jiang’s grandfather slammed his fist on the table, his anger rising. “You’re so honest. Three days without a beating and you’re up to no good. Which one of the Jiang family is as idle and useless as you?”

The Jiang family’s crown prince truly embodied the privilege and power of wealthy families. Everyone in the circle shook their heads when they mentioned him. He was notorious for his wickedness, bullying, debauchery, and frivolous pursuits. This is how people formed their stereotypical image of a rich second-generation heir.

The elders of the Jiang family were baffled as to how their heir had gone astray. Their eldest and second sons were both outstanding individuals, destined for greatness. Yet, their youngest son was a complete disappointment, causing trouble every other day, requiring disciplinary action at least once a month.

This most intimidating, hot-tempered, and powerful crown prince in the capital city had become a psychological shadow for many.

“It’s not like I’m doing this for the first time,” Jiang Sheng said nonchalantly, not seeing anything wrong with his behavior.

Jiang’s grandfather was furious. He threw the bowls and chopsticks on the table at him. “Go to the ancestral hall. I want to see how tough you really are!”

He couldn’t understand why this jade, which was about to break, still couldn’t be shaped into something beautiful.

“What are you doing? Sheng hasn’t done anything terrible. I think it’s your pushy parenting style that’s making him rebellious.”

Jiang’s grandmother protested, defending her grandson.

Seeing the current situation, Ning Qiutang hesitated whether to continue with the matter of breaking off the engagement.

Jiang Sheng dodged the bowl and looked up at his grandfather without backing down. “Grandpa, you should take care of your health. Don’t get yourself killed by me.”

Ning Qiutang looked at the unruly young man beside her in disbelief. Who in the world could control this crown prince’s temper?

“You have something to say.” Jiang Sheng met her gaze and pushed her onto the stage to be his shield.

Jiang’s grandmother patted her husband’s back to calm him down and told her grandson to behave.

Jiang’s grandfather’s face was dark as he turned to the girl who had become meek and gentle. “Tangtang，what do you want to say?”

Jiang Sheng watched her with amusement.

Ning Qiutang was caught between a rock and a hard place. She couldn’t retreat, but she couldn’t stay either. With a heavy heart, she finally spoke up. “Jiang’s grandfather, I’ve thought about it for many days, and I’ve made up my mind…”

“I think Jiang Sheng and I are not a good match. Can we break off the engagement?”

Jiang Sheng sneered, his voice filled with malice. “You’re here to kill me.”

Ning Qiutang didn’t understand what he meant.

Jiang’s grandfather suddenly erupted in fury, standing up and roaring with rage. “Jiang Sheng, I’m going to beat you to death today!”

“Bring him to the ancestral hall!”

The butler and the others were about to move.

Jiang Sheng stood up on his own and said emotionlessly, “I’m not running away. I’ll go myself.”

He turned and walked towards the ancestral hall.

Jiang’s grandmother, who had been holding back her husband, remained silent.

Ning Qiutang felt something was wrong. She immediately said to Jiang’s grandfather, “Jiang’s grandfather, this is my own decision. He hasn’t done anything. A forced marriage won’t bring happiness. Besides, it’s just a childhood engagement. There’s no need to…”

“Alright, stop talking. Pretend I didn’t hear anything today.”

Jiang’s grandfather stared at her for a few moments before walking towards the ancestral hall with steady steps.

Jiang’s grandmother looked at her with a complex expression. “Tangtang，did Sheng bully you? Why are you suddenly breaking off the engagement? It’s an arranged marriage, not a child’s play. How can you just break it off like that?”