Chapter 6

Over the years, this was the first time Jiang Gannian had seriously looked at his youngest granddaughter.

When she was born, she was as small as a little kitten, so tiny that he had doubted whether she would survive.

His eldest and second sons had only given birth to boys—a bunch of wild little monkeys who were nothing but trouble.

So, despite already having one granddaughter, he and his wife had a special fondness for this youngest one. His wife had named her “Tiantian,” hoping that she would have a life free of hardships, filled only with sweetness.

However, ever since she was taken back by her third uncle at the age of five, she had become increasingly withdrawn and rarely visited them at the family compound. Even when she did, all he remembered was a vague, shadowy figure.

But today, for the first time, this granddaughter sat before him, vivid and full of life, looking up at him with a calm yet unwavering gaze, carefully observing his expression.

Had she really changed so much overnight?

Or was she truly shaken this time, leading to such a drastic transformation?

Jiang Gannian pushed these thoughts aside and quickly considered his options.

The situation had already reached the point of no return—there was no way he could have Jiang Hongmei marry Cha Jiuzhang now. Otherwise, the sisters would end up sharing a husband, which would be absurd.

If he simply changed the bride and had Jiang Tiantian take her sister’s place, it wouldn’t technically violate the agreement between the two families, since she was also a Jiang family daughter.

The only downside was that it would be unfair to Jiang Tiantian.

If he remembered correctly, she still had six months before turning eighteen. Was it really right to marry her off so soon?

And what about her education?

The national college entrance exams had long been reinstated, and she was supposed to start her final year of high school next month.

Jiang Gannian felt a headache coming on, but he steeled himself and asked directly:

“Tiantian, Jiuzhang is a good young man. If Grandpa asks you to take your sister’s place and fulfill the family agreement by marrying him, would you be willing?”

“I would.”

Huh?

Jiang Gannian hadn’t expected her to agree so readily. After hesitating for a moment, he gently tried to persuade her.

“Tiantian, think carefully. This is a lifelong decision. Don’t make a choice you’ll regret.”

Jiang Tiantian smiled brightly.

“I’m willing! Jiuzhang is so handsome, and Grandpa Cha is very kind. I like it here.”

“I really am willing.”

Jiang Gannian couldn’t remember the last time he had seen his granddaughter smile. For a moment, he felt like he was looking at his late wife—when she smiled, she had the same warmth.

His eyes grew misty, and he asked again in a hoarse voice.

“You’re sure? No regrets?”

Jiang Tiantian nodded. “Mm, no regrets.”

“What about your studies?”

“The college entrance exam is next year. Are you willing to give it up?”

“Grandpa, you can transfer my school records here. I can continue my studies while staying here, and it won’t affect my exams.”

Actually, the original Jiang Tiantian had been an excellent student when she was younger. Books had been her only source of comfort.

However, whenever she scored too well, her mother and sister would react with jealousy and sarcasm, making her feel suffocated. Eventually, she had given up and let her grades slide, lingering in the middle of the class rankings.

Jiang Tiantian silently mourned for the pitiful girl she used to be.

“The teaching quality here isn’t as good as in the provincial capital,” Jiang Gannian reasoned. “Tiantian, I don’t think you need to rush into this. I’ll talk to Grandpa Cha and propose that today’s event be a formal engagement. You can officially get married when you turn twenty.”

“That way, Jiuzhang would only have to wait two more years.”

“Actually, if Jiuzhang is willing to move to the provincial capital, you two can settle down there as well. Their family originally—”

“Grandpa,”

Jiang Tiantian suddenly raised her voice, cutting him off. “I want to stay here now.”

Jiang Gannian frowned. He truly believed his plan was best for her, yet she didn’t seem to appreciate it.

“I fell in love with Jiuzhang at first sight. I don’t want to be separated from him.”

“He’s so good-looking—surely many women will fancy him. If I leave, what if someone else steals him away? Where would I go to regret it?”

“So, I have to stay and keep an eye on him.”

Jiang Tiantian lowered her head, pretending to be shy, fiddling with her fingers.

“Besides, I already spent the night with Jiuzhang.”

“In the countryside, plenty of girls get married at seventeen or eighteen.”

“This is just me adapting to local customs.”

Oh my god.

Even Jiang Tiantian herself almost shuddered at the sugary-sweet tone she had just used.

At that moment, Cha Jiuzhang walked in, carrying a tray of tea.

The moment he stepped through the door, he heard that entire outrageous speech.

His footsteps paused slightly, but his expression remained composed as he continued inside and placed the tea cups down.

“Grandpa Jiang, this is the special hangover tea my grandfather made. It’ll help with your headache.”

Then, he gave Jiang Tiantian a strange look before quickly retreating from the room.

However, the faint redness on the tips of his ears betrayed his embarrassment.

Jiang Tiantian, for once, actually blushed.

Oh my god.

She had only said all that to ensure she could stay, but the other party had overheard everything. This was beyond embarrassing.

Jiang Gannian was momentarily stunned by her bold declaration, then burst into laughter at the scene before him.

Alright, then~

What was he even worrying about?

Clearly, these two young people were already interested in each other.

He wiped a hand over his face.

“Fine. Since you’ve said all that, what else can Grandpa say?”

“I’ll go discuss it with Grandpa Cha right away.”

“Wait, Grandpa.”

Jiang Tiantian stopped him, hesitated for a moment, then spoke again.

“Grandpa, since I’m replacing my sister as the bride, shouldn’t the dowry also go to me?”

Jiang Hongmei didn’t want to marry, yet she wanted to keep the dowry? How could it be that easy?

Besides, Jiang Gannian had privately added quite a bit to the dowry to strengthen the marriage alliance. She knew for a fact that there was a pair of heirloom jade bracelets among the items—something Jiang Hongmei adored.

“Don’t worry. What’s rightfully yours, Grandpa won’t let you miss out on.”

Jiang Gannian reassured her firmly.

“Also, I’ve been completely wronged in this situation. Mom and Sister forced this on me, trying to make me take the fall. They completely disregarded family bonds, causing me immense emotional distress.”

“As compensation, I think it’s only fair that I get something extra, don’t you think?”

This time, Jiang Tiantian was determined to make her mother and sister pay. Not only would they fail to trick her, but they’d also have to suffer a real loss.

Jiang Gannian looked at her with a complicated expression, then sighed.

That mother and daughter had truly hurt Tiantian this time.

After a moment of thought, he finally spoke.

“Alright. Your grandmother still has a small house in the provincial capital. It’s a bit remote, but the environment is peaceful. I’ll transfer it to your name.”

“That way, if you and Jiuzhang ever return to the city, you’ll have a place to stay.”

He hadn’t expected this girl to become so bold and sharp overnight.

But that was a good thing.

If she could stay this way, he wouldn’t have to worry about her future anymore.