Chapter 45 – I Marry You, Willingly

Zhao Guixiang looked at her with the same attitude as always, as if she hadn’t noticed anything unusual at all, like she hadn’t seen a thing.

Not only that, she even praised her cooking.

Jiang Yunhe felt guilty and awkwardly responded. Fortunately, the uncomfortable situation didn’t last long. It was just three people eating, no alcohol, so it was over in about ten minutes.

As soon as Zhao Guixiang put down her chopsticks, she started ushering him out. Her actions were so practiced, she didn’t even bother being polite.

“Pei Han, you should go now. I want to talk to my daughter. She’ll be staying with me tonight. Come pick her up tomorrow morning and then head to the county to register the household.”

“Alright, thank you.”

“Great-aunt, I’ll walk him out!” Jiang Yunhe quickly stood up. How could she feel at ease letting him go back alone? “I promise I’ll be back right after sending him to the door. I won’t delay even a second.”

“Fine!” Zhao Guixiang agreed. After all, she was young once too. She wasn’t unreasonable. Kids these days—what they’re thinking is only natural.

Besides, these two…

Zhao Guixiang shook her head. Though she didn’t say a word, the expression on her face said everything. No need for the pair to explain a thing.

Jiang Yunhe blushed and pulled Chu Peihan outside.

Chu Peihan coughed lightly and followed.

He couldn’t deny what he felt deep down. Truth be told, as long as Jiang Yunhe showed him the slightest affection, he had zero resistance.

That much, he was certain.

Outside, under the hazy moonlight, everything was eerily quiet. The two of them walked along a country path, and for a moment, it felt like the world consisted of just the two of them.

That feeling was…strangely pleasant.

Jiang Yunhe occasionally turned to glance at him, as if debating whether or not to say what she had in mind. If she didn’t say it…

“The money—you don’t have to pay me back,” Chu Peihan spoke first. “Yunhe, I’m marrying you willingly. Just take it as a bride price for your family.”

“That’s a waste!” Jiang Yunhe said sincerely. “Besides, even if it’s a bride price, it should go to me, not them. Chu Peihan, I told you just earlier to live wisely.”

“I will. From now on, I’ll listen to you.” Chu Peihan replied genuinely. “You’ve seen it too—I’m a bit careless with money. So I’ll need your help.”

“…”

Why did that sound like he was trying to push responsibility onto her?!

She wasn’t marrying him to play the role of housekeeper. On the contrary, she was planning to enjoy life once married.

Chu Peihan didn’t think there was anything wrong with what he said. After all, that’s how his family did things—it was just carrying on tradition.

“If you’re still angry, I’ll make it up to you later.”

“Chu Peihan, is that what I’m mad about?!” Jiang Yunhe was about to explode. It wasn’t that she was upset about the thousand yuan—it was just that even giving it to a beggar would be better than giving it to them.

“But the bride price…” Chu Peihan looked a little confused. He didn’t have much experience in this area and, privately, he thought she made a lot of sense.

“Alright then, let’s change the subject. Do you think they’ll just let this go?” Jiang Yunhe already had an answer in her heart, but she wanted to talk to him about it.

She didn’t want this situation to cause future conflict between them. That would be absolutely unacceptable to her.

Just as Chu Peihan was about to speak, a faint noise came from the side!

“Who’s there? Come out!”

“Hmm?”

“Jiang Yunhe, do you really not want me anymore?” Chen Yu’an appeared before her again, looking hurt. “I heard… you’re going to marry someone else.”

“…”

Ugh. Here comes the buzzkill.

Jiang Yunhe saw it was him and didn’t even feel like speaking.

Honestly, he was like an annoying fly that just wouldn’t die—popping up now and then for attention. What, was he afraid she’d beat him up again?

Otherwise, why was he standing so far away and choosing this exact moment—when she was with Chu Peihan—to speak?

Ridiculous.

Chu Peihan heard his words and put two and two together. Jiang Yunhe had already mentioned him before. Even if it was only a naive crush, it was enough to irritate him.

But it didn’t matter.

His fiancée had been young and naive, briefly fooled by a scumbag—it happened.

But this guy?

He was unforgivable.

“Chen Yu’an?”

“You know me?” Chen Yu’an was startled. Clearly, he didn’t expect him to know his name. But that just made things easier!

He immediately puffed up with arrogance.

“Chu Peihan, she doesn’t love you. You’re just a substitute. If you’re smart, return her to me now, or I won’t be so polite.”

“You won’t be so polite?” Chu Peihan almost thought he misheard. Was this guy for real?

“Yes. Take my advice: if a woman doesn’t love you, marrying her won’t end well. In the end, you’ll just be a miserable couple, loathing each other.”

Chen Yu’an spoke quickly. Clearly, he’d rehearsed this line many times in his head.

Jiang Yunhe truly didn’t want to get physical. But some people just wouldn’t stop, saying all kinds of nonsense.

She and Chu Peihan were practically engaged—about to register their marriage. And now this clown shows up spewing garbage? Who wouldn’t be angry?!

Her expression grew darker by the second.

Chen Yu’an avoided her eyes, clearly scared to look at her. But if he didn’t say anything, he’d feel suffocated. He thought they’d bullied him.

Even someone as soft and gentle as Fang Mianmian had been bullied to tears by them.

He had to save face!

“Yunhe, you can’t hate me just because I couldn’t give you money…”

“I’ll hate your mother!” Jiang Yunhe rolled up her sleeves, ready to beat him down. Damn it, just because she hadn’t fought back before didn’t mean she was weak.

“Easy now, don’t get too worked up. It’s bad for your health,” Chu Peihan said in his usual calm way, patting her on the head with his height advantage, trying to soothe her.

“But he’s spouting garbage, deliberately trying to ruin—” Jiang Yunhe’s brows furrowed tightly. She couldn’t swallow this rage. If there had been something between them, fine.

But there was nothing!

Everything he said was meant to stir up trouble. Since that was the case, why show him any mercy?

And then, in the next moment—