Chapter 18: This Jiang Xiaoci Really Has No Manners

He agreed so readily that the second son of the Lu family was naturally overjoyed. After finishing what he had to say, he returned to his room to rest. The Lu elders, showing rare mercy, also let him go and didn’t continue bombarding him with questions.

Back in his room, Lu Zhoushan lay down to rest but, unusually, found himself unable to sleep.

He was still thinking about Jiang Xiaoci—her every expression and emotion, her joy, anger, sorrow, and delight. Though she was clearly just eighteen, sometimes she displayed a calmness and rationality that didn’t match her age.

For example, the way she had, twice, so tactfully expressed concern for his health and considered things from his perspective—it surprised him and warmed his heart.

But other times, she was like a child. When watching movies or eating, the way she looked when she was happy or angry was so vivid and lively.

Lu Zhoushan couldn’t help but smile. Only after spending time with her did he realize that girls could have so many sides—she was quite interesting.

He closed his eyes, the smile still on his lips, and fell asleep just like that.

Compared to him, Lu Yaozu’s mood couldn’t have been worse.

That night, as he lay in bed, he grew anxious.

He kept wondering when Jiang Xiaoci’s family would come knocking. The deed was done, and he had already spoken publicly about it. What if Jiang Xiaoci didn’t plan to come to him at all?

It was only then that Lu Yaozu realized this plan wasn’t foolproof. If Jiang Xiaoci had another suitor in mind, wouldn’t he just be handing her to someone else?

And thinking back to how even his grandparents had personally asked about the engagement, he had lied for the sake of his own pride. At this point, the marriage alliance with the Jiang family could not afford to fall through no matter what.

Lu Yaozu didn’t want to wait any longer. He decided to take the initiative—he would go to the Jiang family the next day and sound out Jiang Xiaoci in person, hopefully pushing the marriage forward.

Early the next morning, Lu Yaozu put on leather shoes and a fresh new outfit. He even styled his hair meticulously.

Standing in front of the mirror, he admired his head-to-toe polished appearance, feeling dashing and confident. He believed that any young lady who saw him would be smitten. Smiling with satisfaction, he set off for Jiang Xiaoci’s home.

The courtyard gate was knocked on several times—each louder than the last. Jiang’s mother was busy preparing breakfast and, hearing the noise, called out to her daughter:

“Xiaoci, go see who it is outside. Knocking so early in the morning.”

Jiang Xiaoci had just finished washing up and changing. Hearing her mother, she responded and stepped out of her room, crossed the living room, and came into the courtyard. When she opened the door, she saw Lu Yaozu standing there, dressed to the nines with a fawning smile on his face.

Her expression instantly darkened. Just seeing Lu Yaozu annoyed her. She asked directly, “Lu Yaozu, why are you at my house again? What do you want?”

Her tone was cold, her demeanor clearly alert and distant.

Lu Yaozu’s smile froze. He felt deeply displeased. He thought to himself that once they got married, he would definitely teach Jiang Xiaoci a lesson, so she’d know what kind of attitude a woman should have toward a man.

For now, he swallowed his irritation. Let’s see how long she can stay this proud and arrogant.

He plastered the smile back on his face and handed the breakfast he’d brought to her, looking eager and obsequious.

“Xiaoci, I haven’t seen you in a few days. I really missed you. Since I had some time today, I came to visit—and brought you breakfast. It’s from the most expensive place in town.”

Jiang Xiaoci looked at the breakfast in his hand with visible disgust. She said coldly, “We have breakfast at home. I don’t need it.”

With that, she went to close the door.

Lu Yaozu hurriedly blocked it with his hand. His smile was already stiff, but he still tried to appear sincere and said, “Xiaoci, just give me a chance. I really like you.”

Jiang Xiaoci let out a cold laugh. She wasn’t interested in playing along and directly exposed him without mercy:

“Lu Yaozu, stop pretending. You don’t like me. You just want to marry me because Bai Miaomiao’s family has a younger brother and asked for a high bride price, so now you’ve turned to me.”

Lu Yaozu was shocked inside. How did Jiang Xiaoci know about his situation with Bai Miaomiao?

But he quickly composed himself and replied calmly, “Xiaoci, you’ve misunderstood. I don’t have that kind of relationship with Bai Miaomiao at all.”

Jiang Xiaoci looked at him with disdain. “Everyone at school knows about Bai Miaomiao’s family situation. Don’t take me for a fool. Whether it’s a misunderstanding or not, you know best in your heart.”

Lu Yaozu’s expression turned ugly. Now he understood how Jiang Xiaoci knew—he hadn’t realized Bai Miaomiao’s family situation was such a well-known topic at school.

That only made him pity Bai Miaomiao more for growing up in such a family. And it made him resent Jiang Xiaoci all the more—why should she be so lucky?

He thought Bai Miaomiao was so outstanding, better than Jiang Xiaoci in every way, yet had suffered all her life.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xiaoci came from a privileged background, pampered by her parents since childhood. That’s what made her so spoiled and rude—daring even to treat him with such a bad attitude.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He forced himself to hold back the anger and said, “Xiaoci, whatever’s between us has nothing to do with Miaomiao. Don’t drag in innocent people. I really want to be with you.”

He even called her “Miaomiao” and still claimed it had nothing to do with her.

Jiang Xiaoci replied impatiently, “Whether she’s innocent or not is your business. I’m not interested, and I don’t care. Don’t come to my house again. I already made it clear at school—I won’t agree to marry you.”

Rejected again, Lu Yaozu couldn’t keep his composure. “Xiaoci, why must you shut people out so completely? Even if we’re not talking about marriage right now, we could still be friends—build some feelings first…”

Jiang Xiaoci felt nauseated hearing this. Friends first to build feelings? He really had the nerve to say that.

Jiang’s mother, noticing that her daughter hadn’t returned after opening the door, came out to check: “Xiaoci, why are you still outside?”

She immediately saw Lu Yaozu standing at the gate, still pestering her daughter, and her expression darkened.

Now that they knew Lu Yaozu had secretly reported their family, Jiang’s mother had no more patience for him—not even a hint of politeness.

She spoke sternly, for once, “Xiaoci, come in and eat.”

Lu Yaozu was dumbfounded. Just a few days ago, Jiang’s parents had been kind and cordial to him. Why were they suddenly so cold?

Jiang Xiaoci didn’t hold back either. Taking advantage of his shock, she slammed the courtyard gate shut and locked it.

Left outside, Lu Yaozu’s face turned red with anger. He fumed inwardly:

“That Jiang Xiaoci, she really has no manners. And her mother too—doesn’t even tell her daughter to be more polite. Didn’t even invite me in to sit. This Jiang family is just a bunch of capitalist snobs who look down on people.”