Chapter 35

The Shen family had produced a top university student and was preparing to host a banquet to thank the teachers. Shen Tianming, however, wore a bitter expression, devoid of any joy. His grandfather had deceived him by saying that doing well on the exam would give him leverage for negotiations. Yet as soon as the acceptance letter arrived, the family began planning an engagement with the Han family, even suggesting combining the thank-you banquet with the engagement celebration for a double celebration.

Shen Tianming found Han Qingqing and resented his own helplessness. “My grandfather said that since I’ve enjoyed the protection of the Shen family, I must fulfill the agreement. Han’s grandfather saved my grandfather’s life years ago, and without him, there would be no Shen family. I have to honor the marriage contract; it’s fate. Qingqing, we are destined but not fated to be together. Since I’ve decided to get engaged to the Han family, I must take responsibility. We shouldn’t see each other anymore.”

Han Qingqing burst into tears. It’s funny how people react—something they once discarded as unimportant suddenly becomes precious the moment it is no longer theirs.

Han Qingqing first went to the Jiang family in tears. Liu Jinyun couldn’t stand by and do nothing. Shen Tianming was, after all, a college student from a respectable family. The Jiang family had no way to find a better match for Han Qingqing, so they could not let this opportunity slip away, even if it meant resorting to some tactics.

Liu Jinyun approached her husband, urging him to appeal to the Shen family. “Qingqing is your biological daughter. You wouldn’t truly abandon her, would you?”

The question was laughable. Before Jiang Ruan’s true background had been revealed, she was also a biological daughter, yet she was sent to the countryside with her age changed. When had Jiang Baomin ever cared?

Jiang Baomin had no intention of embarrassing himself by intervening. “The arranged engagement was set from the beginning. It belongs to whoever it belongs to. What good would it do if I went? You aren’t allowed to go either.”

The eldest brother and his wife were currently on good terms with another family and resented their mother and sisters-in-law. They wouldn’t get involved even if they had a legitimate reason, let alone without one.

The second daughter-in-law used the excuse that Han Qingqing had come back home and that there wasn’t enough space, and she took her husband back to her parents’ house. The second son said, “Mom, with Dad and Big Brother around, do you expect me to intervene? Aren’t you afraid of becoming a laughingstock for the Shen family?”

Han Qingqing was no longer the carefree little princess she once was. She had failed her college entrance exams, and her fate was to become a worker just like her sister and mother. When it came to running a business, small-scale entrepreneurs all had to do the work themselves—whether it was catering, setting up a small stall, or working as second-hand goods dealers. Han Qingqing wasn’t capable of any of that.

The Han family had previously paved the way for her future; failing the university entrance exams was nothing to fear because she could take over her mother’s easy and respectable job. But now, with no one in the Jiang family to rely on, she panicked and ran to seek help from her friend, Mu Xuehui.

“Huihui, Shen Tianming said he’s following his family’s arrangements to get engaged to Jiang Ruan. What should I do? Oh, did you organize all this renovation yourself? You’re amazing, Huihui.”

Mu Xuehui inwardly scoffed. Even the proud young lady had learned to flatter.

Han Qingqing had arrived while Mu Xuehui was negotiating with workers about the renovation of her snack shop. She had high standards, and the workers were asking for more money. She was arguing for a fair deal. Although a snack shop could make some small profit no matter what, she wasn’t aiming for small gains. She intended to build a franchise brand.

She had chosen braised chicken rice as the main dish because she knew of a poultry farmer who would soon face difficulties. If she could help him, securing the supply would not be a problem.

Putting aside the renovation matters, Mu Xuehui pulled Han Qingqing aside to sit and said, “Qingqing, if you don’t want to give up on Shen Tianming, you need to make a choice.”

She whispered something into Han Qingqing’s ear, and Han’s eyes widened in shock. “No, Huihui, I can’t do something like that. If I get engaged this way, I’ll never be able to hold my head high in the Shen family. I’ll always be inferior.”

Mu Xuehui was blunt. “If you can’t do it, then you’ll just have to watch as Jiang Ruan snatches Shen Tianming away. Imagine, a fool getting married to a college student—you’ll spend your life envying her.”

Jiang Ruan had completed Qin Yan’s treatment, and according to the plan, he should now be able to walk without difficulty. By the time the new semester began, he could walk confidently to school. Just imagining that day made Jiang Ruan happy.

However, every time Qin Yan tried, he would fall after a few steps. This was the most extreme method of treatment, and if it failed, she had no other options left.

Jiang Ruan’s face grew pale, and her expression turned dejected. “I’m sorry, Brother Qin Yan, I couldn’t heal you.”

The timing of Jiang Ruan’s treatment had been meticulously calculated. In fact, the day he received the acceptance letter, Qin Yan was already capable of standing. But he had hidden this fact because he wanted to reveal it at the perfect moment to surprise everyone.

Keeping his secret from Jiang Ruan, Qin Yan wanted to see how delighted she would be at the time.

Suppressing his amusement, he said, “This is already a great improvement, so you could say you’ve cured me.”

But how could this be considered cured? In a post-apocalyptic world, Jiang Ruan’s clinic would have been smashed by angry patients. She was not happy.

There was another troubling matter. “Brother Qin Yan, I need to take a few days off.”

Taking time off was not a problem; Qin Yan could walk up to her at any moment and surprise her. Would she be so startled that she’d jump? Just the thought of it made the corners of his mouth curl up.

He asked, “What do you need time off for?”

Jiang Ruan replied, “An engagement. My stepfather and Grandpa Shen have decided on the engagement.”

“What about your own opinion?” Qin Yan’s voice grew cold.

Jiang Ruan scratched her head. “I don’t know. My stepmother said it’s a good match. They all seem happy about it, and besides, it’s a contract. Wouldn’t it be bad if I broke the agreement?”

“Do you like Shen Tianming?”

“I don’t know what liking is. I feel happier looking at a plate of braised pork than at him. But I don’t dislike him.”

What she didn’t say was that being with Qin Yan made her happy. If it were between Qin Yan and the braised pork, she would definitely choose Qin Yan.

But what was the point of saying that? Her stepfather and stepmother had said that once the engagement was set, she could no longer work as a nanny at Qin Yan’s house. They said the engagement carried a sense of obligation, and after getting engaged, she couldn’t continue to care for another man full-time, even if he was disabled.

Initially, she thought she could fully heal Qin Yan’s leg, so it wouldn’t matter if she wasn’t around anymore. But now, with this half-successful treatment, what went wrong? Jiang Ruan racked her brain but couldn’t figure it out.

“Are you not coming back after the engagement?” Qin Yan’s voice had turned emotionless.

“Yes, I’m sorry. I initially agreed to work here for five years, but I’m breaking the contract. Do you want any compensation?”

“No need. You can leave now.”

Jiang Ruan looked up at him, realizing she could still work for a few more days.

Qin Yan turned his head away. “Go. I don’t need you anymore.”

Jiang Ruan stood up and slowly walked to the door. “Then I’m really leaving.”

Qin Yan didn’t turn around or speak. What could he say? Tell Jiang Ruan not to listen to the adults’ nonsense about an arranged marriage?

He couldn’t say it. She had parents and siblings, and it was an arrangement set by the elders, who were still alive. If even Shen Tianming couldn’t fight against it, what right did Qin Yan have to ask Jiang Ruan to rebel?

Qin Yan clenched his teeth. Besides, from Jiang Ruan’s attitude, she seemed indifferent to love. What was love, anyway? It wasn’t even as practical as a bag of rice.

Suddenly, Qin Yan called Liang Yong and asked him to personally keep an eye on Han Qingqing.

Jiang Ruan didn’t even come to collect the three days of wages she had just earned that month. Qin Yan waited day after day, but Jiang Ruan never showed up. Anxiety crept into his heart.

What was he afraid of? Was it the fear that, once Jiang Ruan was engaged to Shen Tianming, she would spend all her time with another man?

But Jiang Ruan working at his house as a nanny was just a job. At first, he even considered sending away the scruffy girl who thought she was just playing a role.

Upon hearing the news from Liang Yong, Qin Yan couldn’t help himself. He had Liang Yong buy a new black tracksuit, complete with a hat and mask, and snuck out of his own house in the middle of the night, climbing the wall.

Seeing Qin Yan’s long, straight legs as he climbed over the wall with ease, Liang Yong was almost startled into shouting. “Brother Yan, your leg is healed?”

He had heard about the young nanny’s daily foot soaks and massages for Qin Yan. Who would’ve thought they actually worked? If Qin Yan’s leg was healed, then he could attend university!

Liang Yong grinned with joy.

Qin Yan covered Liang Yong’s mouth. “Keep it down. I don’t want anyone else to know yet, especially not my mom.”

Liang Yong nodded and led Qin Yan to a guesthouse, pointing at a room with its lights on. “In there. I saw Han Qingqing make a call at the front desk, and shortly after, Shen Tianming arrived. He’s not the kind of guy to do anything shady, but who can resist a desperate woman throwing herself at him? After all, Shen Tianming does have feelings for Han Qingqing. So, Brother Yan, what’s our plan?”

Qin Yan thought to himself, Shen Tianming promised not to see Han Qingqing, yet here he was, rushing out at night to meet her in a dubious guesthouse.

A man without principles would likely continue to stray after marriage, whether physically or emotionally. Shen Tianming was not a good match for Jiang Ruan.

Qin Yan asked, “Liang Yong, since I owe my recovery to Jiang Ruan, do you think I should help her out?”

Liang Yong thought, Qin Yan still won’t admit it, but he definitely likes the young nanny.

“Of course. Jiang Ruan’s a kind-hearted girl, so we should help.”

“Make the call.”

“To her brother or Grandpa Shen?”

Qin Yan grinned. “Neither. Call Jiang Baomin and Liu Jinyun. If Han Qingqing wants this treasure, she can have it—but not without some trouble.”

Han Qingqing and Shen Tianming were caught in the act by Jiang Baomin, who kicked the door open. The two were huddled together, crying.

Seeing that it was the girl’s parents who barged in, Shen Tianming was terrified. He explained that Han Qingqing had called him, saying she didn’t want to live anymore, and he came to comfort her. They had been in the room for only fifteen minutes, and he had even gone out to get a bottle of hot water. The staff could testify that nothing had happened between them.

Liu Jinyun reacted quickly, recognizing a golden opportunity. She grabbed Shen Tianming and said, “You’ve ruined my daughter’s reputation. You have to take responsibility.”

Shen Tianming turned pale. “Don’t talk nonsense. Our clothes are perfectly intact. How could you, as her real parents, bear to destroy your daughter’s reputation?”

Jiang Baomin turned around and slapped Liu Jinyun, then dragged Han Qingqing over, scolding her for her poor judgment. “Do you think the Shen family will respect you if you use such tactics to steal Ruan Ruan’s engagement? You’re gravely mistaken. Even if they swallow their pride and marry you, you’ll never be able to hold your head high in your in-laws’ home.”