Xiao Anlan’s handsome face was full of displeasure, and the corners of his mouth, usually turned up in a smile, were now pressed into a straight line.

When he smiled, he was a charming and dashing young master. No one would have guessed that when he wasn’t smiling, his face could be so cold and stern, almost frightening.

But Madam Xiao was his mother, the one who carried him for ten months and gave birth to him, so she naturally wasn’t afraid of her son. She continued fanning herself as she said, “This marriage was arranged long ago in your grandfather’s generation. Originally, it was your aunt who was supposed to marry into the Yu family, but she eloped with someone before the wedding, causing both families to lose face. Master Yu even left the country because of it.

Your grandfather was a man of integrity and sincerity; once he gave his word, it was as good as a bond. He felt deeply ashamed by his children’s reckless actions, so much so that he personally went to the Yu family to apologize, and fell ill upon returning.

Master Yu, however, was a magnanimous man. He said he wouldn’t hold a grudge, and the friendship between the two families would remain unchanged. But your grandfather couldn’t rest easy. After you were born, he went back to the Yu family and arranged a child marriage between you and the yet-to-be-born Miss Yu.

In the early years, the two families interacted frequently. Later, after the two elders passed away, and because your father and I weren’t as attentive, we gradually drifted apart. Three months ago, while you were in Britain, Master Yu came to visit personally, asking if the old agreement still held.

This marriage was something your grandfather arranged. Your father and I can’t go back on it, especially since I’ve met Miss Yu. She’s only sixteen, at the prime of her youth, and her appearance and demeanor are impeccable. She’s gentle and sensible, too. Many families in Liucheng would be eager to marry her. Marrying you should be seen as a blessing for us, but you seem unhappy about it?”

Xiao Anlan remained silent, his face cold.

How could he be happy? Of course, he wasn’t.

He had never imagined that an arranged marriage would happen to him.

After spending three or four years studying abroad, his thinking had become similar to that of the people there—he valued free love and living in the moment. Why would he want to marry a fiancée he had never even met?

But this marriage was something his grandfather had arranged, and the old man had passed away. He couldn’t make a scene and let his grandfather be remembered as someone who broke promises.

Moreover, causing a fuss would likely damage Miss Yu’s reputation. While he didn’t want to marry her, he certainly didn’t want to hurt an innocent girl.

Madam Xiao, feeling sorry for her son, softened her tone. “I understand that you young people today have your own ideas and want to oppose old feudal practices and pursue free love. I’m not saying that’s wrong, but we have to be mindful of our promises. This marriage was something our family sought out. If we go back on it now, where would that leave the Yu family? What about Miss Yu?

Anlan, here’s what I suggest. I’ll prepare a gift, and you can visit the Yu family. You might as well meet Miss Yu. Who knows, you might like her at first sight. If you truly don’t, we can take our time to figure things out. How about that?”

Xiao Anlan had been considering this himself. However, his intention was different—he wanted to persuade Miss Yu to back out of the engagement together with him.

If they both agreed to break the engagement, they could convince the elders to dissolve it amicably, preserving both families’ honor and protecting Miss Yu’s reputation.

Seeing him nod in agreement, Madam Xiao quickly arranged for the family driver to prepare the car. She fetched a gift box she had prepared in advance and personally saw him off.

As the car drove out of the courtyard, Madam Xiao sighed.

What a dilemma. Fulfilling her father-in-law’s wish would wrong Anlan; going along with Anlan’s wishes would make her unable to face her father-in-law during ancestral rites. And how could she explain this to the Yu family?

..

Unlike the Xiao family’s modern Western-style mansion, the Yu family still resided in a traditional Chinese courtyard, with a carved, black-lacquered main gate flanked by two stone lions.

In the Yu family’s back courtyard, Miss Yu Wanru was sitting by the window, reading a book of poetry.

The weather was stifling, and although a basin of ice was placed on the floor, it did little to cool her down. She had been staring at the same page for ages, unable to concentrate. Putting down the book, she gazed absentmindedly at the lush trees outside the window.

Her maid, Han Qing, suddenly burst in, flustered. “Miss! Miss!”

Yu Wanru turned her head. “It’s so hot, and you’re running around like that. Be careful not to get heatstroke.”

Han Qing waved her hand, gasping for breath. “Forget about heatstroke! The Xiao family’s young master is here!”

Yu Wanru’s heart skipped a beat. She averted her gaze and said calmly, “If he’s here, Father will take care of it. Why are you so anxious?”

Han Qing gulped down some sour plum juice and, seeing her mistress’s shyness, giggled, “I’m not anxious—I’m excited for you.”

Yu Wanru shot her a look. “You mischievous girl.”

She was gentle and soft-spoken, and even her scolding lacked any real bite. Han Qing wasn’t the least bit intimidated.

Grinning, Han Qing leaned closer. “I happened to be helping Madam at the front when Young Master Xiao arrived. Do you want to know what he looks like?”

Yu Wanru gave her a sidelong glance, then turned her face back to the window. “You can look all you want. I’m not interested.”

Knowing her mistress was shy, Han Qing didn’t tease her further. “I only caught a glimpse from a distance, but Young Master Xiao is tall and broad-shouldered. He was dressed in a suit with a bowler hat, looking very impressive. Even their driver was different from others!”

Although Yu Wanru kept her eyes on the window, pretending not to care, her ears were keenly listening. As she listened, she began to picture a tall, well-dressed man in her mind.

This man was her future husband…

She suddenly felt her cheeks grow warm and lowered her head, fidgeting with the fan in her hand to hide her embarrassment.

Han Qing, sitting on a footstool by her feet, recalled the recent events and clenched her fists in indignation. “Now that the Xiao family’s young master is back, let’s see what tricks the Sun family has left!”

Yu Wanru snapped out of her thoughts and was about to respond when a middle-aged woman entered the room.

Han Qing quickly stood up to greet her. “Aunt An, what brings you here?”

Yu Wanru also stood up. Aunt An had served her mother for over twenty years and was like a half-relative to her.

Aunt An’s face was all smiles. “Young Master Xiao has come to visit and wants to meet the young miss. Madame asked me to help dress you up.”

At this, Han Qing eagerly pulled Yu Wanru to the dressing table. “Aunt An, make Miss Yu look stunning so Young Master Xiao won’t be able to take his eyes off her!”

Yu Wanru’s face flushed bright red. “You cheeky girl, stop that!”

…

Aunt An had just finished dressing up Yu Wanru when Han Qing returned from gathering information. “Young Master Xiao is already waiting in the garden. Madam asked Miss to go out.”

Yu Wanru immediately stood up, nervously twisting her handkerchief. She took a couple of steps, then retreated, looking at Aunt An for reassurance. “Auntie, do you think I look alright?”

Aunt An patted her hand. “Miss. Young Master Xiao is polite and humorous. You’ll get along well.”

Han Qing added, “Yes, when Lu Lanhua served tea to Young Master Xiao earlier, I heard him thanking her.”

Feeling somewhat reassured, Yu Wanru allowed Aunt An and Han Qing to accompany her to the garden.

From a distance, they saw three people seated in the pavilion. Two of them were Madam Yu and Master Yu, and the unfamiliar face must be Young Master Xiao.

Yu Wanru peeked shyly, but when the people in the pavilion seemed to notice her, she quickly lowered her head.

Master Yu called out cheerfully, “Wanru, come meet Anlan.” Then he turned to Xiao Anlan. “Nephew, this is my daughter, Wanru.”

Xiao Anlan, with keen eyesight, had noticed them when they rounded the corner. He discreetly observed Yu Wanru. Indeed, as his mother had described, she was a reserved and elegant young lady, exuding a gentle and delicate charm, quite different from the lively, modern schoolgirls of the time.

After everyone was seated, Xiao Anlan greeted, “Good afternoon, Miss Yu.”

Yu Wanru stole a quick glance at him, noting his polite smile. She thought he seemed approachable. Unable to hold his gaze for long, she focused on the table, softly replying, “Thank you. Good afternoon to you too.”

Madam Yu took her daughter’s hand, smiling at Xiao Anlan. “Our Wanru is just a bit shy. Please don’t mind her, Anlan.”

Xiao Anlan smiled and shook his head. “Not at all.”

Madam Yu exchanged a covert glance with Master Yu, who subtly nodded in understanding.

Madam Yu then suggested, “Why don’t you young people have a chat? We older folks won’t intrude.”

Yu Wanru secretly tried to hold her mother’s hand, but Madam Yu pretended not to notice.

Xiao Anlan, having come with the intention of clarifying matters with Miss Yu, naturally agreed.

Soon, everyone else had left, leaving the two of them alone.

Having never been alone with a man before, especially one who was to be her future husband, Yu Wanru felt so shy that she couldn’t lift her head.

Xiao Anlan, on the other hand, wanted to get straight to the point. He began, “Miss Yu, I came today to discuss something important with you.”

Hearing his serious tone, Yu Wanru hesitated for a moment before finally looking up at him, her face still tinged with pink. She said earnestly, “Please, go ahead.”

With her shy demeanor and moist eyes, she resembled a lotus flower adorned with morning dew.

Xiao Anlan unexpectedly felt a pang of hesitation in his heart. Would his words hurt her?

Before this moment, he had never imagined he would waver.

Yu Wanru, seeing his silence, gently called, “Young Master Xiao?”

Xiao Anlan turned his gaze away, avoiding her eyes. “Miss Yu, to be honest, I only learned about this engagement today. When our elders arranged it back then, neither your opinion nor mine was sought. I believe this doesn’t align with my true intentions. I came today to ask you to consider carefully, as this concerns our lifelong happiness. I also hope you will join me in persuading our elders.”

As he spoke, Yu Wanru’s face gradually lost its color, turning pale. She felt as though she had been publicly humiliated, filled with feelings of embarrassment, shame, and regret. These emotions weighed heavily on her chest, forcing her to clench her lips and dig her nails into her palms to keep the tears in her eyes from falling.

After a long silence, she finally raised her head and, in a soft voice, said, “I understand what you mean. Rest assured, I will explain things to my parents.”

Seeing her pale face and trembling lashes, Xiao Anlan felt a growing unease in his heart.

But at this point, further discussion would be futile. He clenched his fists, stood up, and said, “Thank you for your understanding. I will visit again to formally apologize.”

With that, he strode away. Yu Wanru remained seated, finally letting the long-suppressed tears stream down her face.

Madam Yu, smiling, escorted Xiao Anlan out. When she returned and saw her daughter in tears, she quickly asked, “What happened?”

Yu Wanru wiped her tears, her voice tinged with a sob. “Mother, let’s break off the engagement with the Xiao family.”

“What?!” Madam Yu was shocked. “Wanru, don’t be foolish. The Xiao family is such a prestigious household, and Anlan is a fine young man. Where could we find a better match? Besides, the Sun family is still watching us like a hawk! Only the Xiao family can stand up to the Sun family in this town. If we cancel the engagement, they’ll immediately pounce on us! Would you rather marry into the Sun family, where you’d be mistreated? I’d rather die than see you suffer that fate!”

Madam Yu grew increasingly emotional, even shedding tears.

Yu Wanru, now calmer, shook her head. “Mother, Young Master Xiao doesn’t like me. Since that’s the case, why force it?”

Madam Yu continued to cry, “No, we can’t call off the engagement. How could I let that brute from the Sun family ruin my daughter? My poor Wanru…”

Feeling her mother’s sorrow, Yu Wanru handed her a handkerchief to wipe her tears and choked out, “Mother, I understand your concern for me. But Young Master Xiao’s mother surely cares for him just as much. If the Sun family pressures us, we can’t just push that burden onto the Xiao family. How would we be any different from the Sun family? I don’t want that, Mother. Please listen to me.”

The more sensible Yu Wanru became, the more heartbroken Madam Yu felt. Yet she could do nothing but hug her daughter tightly, and the two of them wept together.