Chapter 36

Just as Shen Tianming was about to get engaged to Jiang Ruan, he went to a guesthouse to meet another girl at night. Regardless of whether anything happened between them, the engagement between Jiang Ruan and the Shen family was off the table.

Jiang Baomin arrived at the Shen household with Han Qingqing. Old Master Shen was so furious that it took him half an hour to come out and meet them. By the time he emerged, he had regained his composure.

Old Master Shen suggested reporting the incident to the police, to formally register the case and clarify the situation before discussing further actions.

However, Liu Jinyun opposed this idea. “How can we report such a scandal to the authorities? Don’t the two children have reputations to protect?”

During that half-hour, Old Master Shen had been analyzing the pros and cons with his son and daughter-in-law. With Shen Tianming having been admitted to a prestigious university, his reputation couldn’t afford any blemishes. Any future career prospects could be jeopardized if a rival were to bring up this incident of “messing around” with a girl in a guesthouse.

Even if Han Qingqing could prove her innocence now, who could guarantee their relationship would always remain harmonious? If they broke up someday, she could still use this incident to ruin Shen Tianming.

Shen’s mother, who had previously liked Han Qingqing, now regretted her support. If she had known it would come to this, she would have rather proceeded with Jiang Ruan. At least Jiang Ruan had a simple, sincere heart.

Shen’s mother faced the situation as if it were a great battle. “If we don’t file a report with the police, the reputations of both families will be damaged. If the Jiang family doesn’t care, we cannot afford this disgrace. Don’t you want to know whether it was a normal visit or something improper between the two?”

While Liu Jinyun tried to resist, Jiang Baomin agreed to involve the police.

Han Changfeng had to handle the matter. In his rage, he grabbed Shen Tianming by the collar and slammed him against the wall. “How could you go comfort another woman when you were already discussing an engagement here? You’ve read so many books, but have they all gone to waste?”

Shen Tianming, ashamed and silent, did not dare to argue.

After sorting out the sequence of events, it was established that Han Qingqing booked a room at the guesthouse after dinner. She called Shen Tianming at 8 p.m., and the front desk confirmed that the call lasted six minutes. Shen Tianming arrived at the guesthouse at 8:36 p.m., and a staff member testified that he came out to get hot water at 8:42 p.m. Jiang Baomin then stormed into the guesthouse at 8:50 p.m.

Both Han Qingqing and Shen Tianming stated that they had only been chatting, and to avoid suspicion, Han Changfeng had a colleague record their statements.

Old Master Shen then said, “The matter is clear now. Han Qingqing and Shen Tianming have been close friends since childhood. Tianming went there to console a friend. Let’s have all the parties involved, along with the parents from both families, sign this conclusion.”

Although Liu Jinyun was reluctant, she couldn’t stop the face-conscious Jiang Baomin from signing.

Old Master Shen, with his discerning eye, saw that Han Qingqing was willing to resort to any means to achieve her goals. He wasn’t going to sacrifice his grandson, nor would he let Han Qingqing get her way.

He asked Shen Tianming to sit by his side, saying, “I promised to give you a choice, but I didn’t follow through, and that’s partly why we’re in this mess. I share some of the blame.”

The sudden apology from his grandfather made Shen Tianming feel even more ashamed. “Grandpa, please don’t say that. It’s my fault.”

Old Master Shen continued, “Tianming, a person has to take responsibility for their choices. By ruining the engagement, I’ve let your Grandpa Han down. I cannot acknowledge you and Han Qingqing as a couple. I won’t attend your engagement, and the family will no longer provide you any support. As for your parents, I can’t control them. You need not come to Grandpa’s house anymore.”

Was this the severing of ties? Shen Tianming felt deep remorse and knelt down. “Grandpa, I was wrong.”

Old Master Shen patted him on the shoulder, his voice heavy with sorrow. “It’s not your fault alone. I didn’t raise you well. Go now. Let your parents discuss matters with the Jiang family.”

Han Qingqing felt a chill in her heart. Without Grandpa Shen’s backing, she wasn’t acknowledged by the Shen family.

Shen’s mother was even colder towards Han Qingqing than her husband was. She asked him, “Is breaking off the engagement with the Jiang family an option?”

He let out a bitter smile. “With people scheming as they are, would they let such an opportunity pass? Right now, our son’s heart is fully set on Han Qingqing. It’s better to let things flow than to force them. This generation isn’t like ours; nowadays, until a couple is actually married, anything can happen. Don’t forget, our son attends a top university where there are plenty of outstanding individuals. His perspective could very well change.”

Shen’s mother felt like she was choking on a mouthful of blood, and her anger almost overwhelmed her. Yet her husband’s words made sense. Causing a scene wouldn’t change the outcome, and it would only drive their son away.

While discussing the engagement details, Shen’s mother made an agreement with her son. “You can get engaged now, but marriage must wait until you graduate from university.”

“Four years? That’s too long,” Liu Jinyun objected. After all, they had snatched the engagement; waiting might lead to further complications.

Shen’s mother responded with a faint smile. “Your grandfather has disowned him and even made arrangements with a lawyer to revoke his inheritance rights. In the future, Tianming will have to rely solely on himself. If he doesn’t complete his studies properly, how will he support a wife and children?”

Since Han Qingqing was not old enough to legally marry, Liu Jinyun reluctantly agreed. “Fine, but as soon as he graduates, they must get married.”

Internally, Shen’s mother sneered, planning to revisit the situation when the time came.

With most issues settled, she laid down a firm warning to her son. “Shen Tianming, you’ve brought shame to your grandfather’s legacy. At least spare your parents. Before you’re married, there must be no cohabitation, no secret hotel visits. If you get someone pregnant before marriage, you’ll drive your mother to despair.”

Blushing with embarrassment, Shen Tianming swore that nothing like this would ever happen again.

“What about Ruan Ruan?” Shen Tianming asked, feeling deep guilt toward Jiang Ruan. For a young woman to suddenly have her betrothal broken off in favor of another was bound to invite scorn and ridicule.

“Why didn’t you think of Ruan Ruan when you took that call?” Shen’s mother was furious enough to want to hit him, but her anger was even stronger towards Han Qingqing, who had gone as far as to seduce her son. Even if they married, who could guarantee she wouldn’t charm others in the future?

This was her home, and she didn’t wait for the guests to leave before scolding her son in the backyard. Afterward, she addressed Jiang’s family with a thinly veiled sarcasm, “Your family is satisfied now, but I still have to apologize and make amends to the Han family.”

Without sparing Han Qingqing a glance, Shen’s mother wiped at her eyes as though in distress, playing to Shen Tianming’s sympathies. “Han Qingqing’s parents are not easily placated. Even though I’m apologizing and accepting the blame, it might not be enough. Son, be mindful in the future and don’t let me have to bow and scrape again.”

Shen Tianming, filled with regret, knelt and apologized. “Mom, I’m sorry. I won’t let you down again.”

With a victorious smile, Shen’s mother walked past Han Qingqing and her mother.

Han Qingqing felt so distressed she could faint, tears streaming uncontrollably. She hadn’t even entered the household yet, and her relationship with her future mother-in-law was already at rock bottom.

Liu Jinyun, however, was delighted. She took Han Qingqing home and informed her eldest daughter that the engagement was settled.

“Old Master Shen may have disowned his grandson, but that’s just for show. Once there’s a great-grandchild, he’ll naturally come around.”

Jiang Jianchun was happy for her sister. “Qingqing, don’t let your guard down. Keep a close eye on Shen Tianming. It would be best if you got pregnant next year and settled the marriage early.”

“But his mother won’t allow it,” Han Qingqing said sadly.

“That mother-in-law of yours is tough, but don’t listen to her. Keep your man under control, and later on, you can live separately and avoid her interference.”

At that moment, an elderly woman from the Liao family barged in, looking for Jiang Jianchun to go home and do chores. After Liao Chunxing had left his job, he told Jiang Jianchun that given their situation, a low-profile marriage without a formal banquet would be best.

The elderly Mrs. Liao scolded, “The Jiang family sure knows how to raise daughters. Each one is skilled at attracting men. Dachun, you’re already a daughter-in-law of our Liao family. Stop running back to your parents’ place for no reason. There’s cooking and laundry that still need doing, and if you don’t wash the bedsheets soon, Da Bao and Xiao Bao will have no place to sleep tonight.”

Jiang Jianchun’s life after remarriage was a far cry from what she experienced with her former in-laws. Her previous mother-in-law helped with the household chores and took care of the children, and even her husband lent a hand after work.

But the elderly Mrs. Liao was the most vicious mother-in-law Jiang Jianchun had ever encountered. She did nothing herself and was always criticizing. Now she even followed Jiang Jianchun to her parents’ house just to hurl insults.

Liu Jinyun was about to step outside and engage in a shouting match, but Jiang Jianchun held her back, saying, “Forget it, Mom. I’ll endure until Da Bao and Xiao Bao go off to college, then things will be better.”

As they were leaving, a construction crew entered the old courtyard, with over a dozen workers and even a designer supervising the renovation on-site. Even Granny Huang’s two rooms had been emptied for the renovation.

Jiang Jianchun was surprised. “Did Granny Huang sell her house?”

“Yes, the same buyer purchased it. They seem to be in a rush to renovate, probably planning to move in soon.”

Jiang Jianchun was pleased. “Granny Huang’s house has finally been swindled away by Jiang Ruan. Let’s see her end up homeless.”

The elderly Mrs. Liao snapped, “What a wicked heart you have. Are you planning to make me homeless too in the future?”

Jiang Jianchun couldn’t be bothered to argue with her and left.

The entire courtyard had been sold, except for Liu Jinyun’s two rooms, which they couldn’t sell because they still needed to live there.

That evening, Jiang Jianchun discussed with Jiang Baomin, “Qingqing is about to get engaged. Shouldn’t we at least do a basic renovation of the house?”

Jiang Baomin disagreed, saying they didn’t have the extra money for renovations. The mysterious buyer was already renovating, and with so many workers, it was clear they were rushing to finish. There was a good chance that by the time Han Qingqing got engaged, the neighbors would have their renovations completed, making their own home look even shabbier, which would be embarrassing during the engagement.

Liu Jinyun then had a sudden idea: she wanted Han Qingqing to get engaged from the Han family home, so she went to discuss it with Han’s mother.

…

The mysterious buyer everyone was speculating about turned out to be Qin Yan. He first spoke with Granny Huang, who surprisingly agreed to sell the house to him. He arranged for Granny Huang to stay at Liang Yong’s home while the renovations were underway and planned to move her back afterward.

He had already purchased the two rooms belonging to Jiang Ruan’s elder brother and sister-in-law, and Jiang Ruan’s aunt and uncle were even easier to negotiate with. When they heard there was a buyer, they automatically lowered the price a bit and hastened the transfer process. Qin Yan set a strict timeline of half a month for the renovation, aiming to complete it just before Han Qingqing and Shen Tianming’s engagement.

Qin Yan instructed Liang Yong to keep an eye on the Jiang family’s activities. Liang Yong investigated and reported back to Qin Yan:

“Liu Jinyun is truly shameless. She even tried to arrange for Han Qingqing to get engaged from the Han family’s house, but Han’s eldest uncle rejected the idea. He said she could come back, but only if the two sides agreed to sever ties and not maintain any relationship as relatives. Han’s eldest aunt is a cultured woman, and her insults are truly impressive—she put Liu Jinyun in her place without even using any harsh words.”

“And what about the Shen family?” Qin Yan asked.

“Shen Tianming’s grandfather had a long talk with Han’s eldest uncle. The Han family, including Han Changfeng, all calmed down after that.”

Qin Yan was curious. “What did Old Master Shen promise to make the Han family swallow their anger?”

Liang Yong thought to himself that Qin Yan was overestimating him; no matter what, he wouldn’t dare to sneak over the wall of a police officer’s house to eavesdrop. He chuckled, “Ruan Ruan said she doesn’t know what they talked about either.”

Qin Yan was taken aback. “You asked her to find out?”

Who else could he turn to for such precise insider information?

Feeling anxious, Qin Yan pretended to ask casually, “Since the childhood engagement was snatched away, how is she holding up?”

More than just “holding up”—she was eating well and sleeping soundly. She even said that if her family hadn’t kept her home, she would have gone back to continue working as a nanny.

Liang Yong suspected Qin Yan was just being stubborn and refusing to admit his feelings for the young nanny.

He said, “Not well at all. She’s doing terribly. Every time she steps out, people point fingers at her, saying that the Shen family rejected her because they thought she was foolish. It’s pitiful. Ah, she’s usually so optimistic, but she’s cried and hasn’t come out of the house since.”

Qin Yan knew that Jiang Ruan would never cry over a man. He was certain of this. He stared at Liang Yong.

Meeting Qin Yan’s calm gaze, Liang Yong raised his hands in surrender, smiling. “Alright, alright, she’s doing just fine. But the Han family won’t allow her to return as a nanny. Yan, you won’t be able to hide your injured leg when the school term starts. Are you and the young nanny really going to go your separate ways?”

Qin Yan had been sitting by the window waiting for days, but even though the engagement was called off, she still hadn’t come to see him.

He had originally wanted to have a good conversation with Jiang Ruan, but it seemed she had no other thoughts about him. She just didn’t come, treating him like any other employer. This realization made Qin Yan uneasy.

As he was lost in thought, his mother, Miao Shufang, arrived to comfort him, saying she didn’t think the Han family would allow Jiang Ruan to return as a nanny.

Qin Yan had anticipated the Han family’s attitude but didn’t expect Jiang Ruan wouldn’t come back either.

Suddenly, he said, “Mom, I want to ask you to go to the Han family and propose a marriage arrangement for me.”