/grovels sorry for the fuck-up QAQ
The correct chapter order is posted now!
Zhu Tong suddenly stopped.
Zhu-zong… his father, then?
Does Jiang Wan know the purpose of his father letting him come to the banquet today?
Didn’t she come with Qin Junhong?
Zhu Tong turned his head.
Jiang Wan smiled as she swirled her glass of wine. “Can we talk now?”
“…”
In the lounge specially arranged for Zhu Tong by Aunt Lian, there was a rectangular coffee table with a single sofa on each side. Both individuals sat on their respective sofas, with a considerable distance between them.
Jiang Wan gestured with her eyes and said in surprise, “Young Master Zhu… Are you sure we want to talk like this?”
Zhu Tong said lightly, “Sorry, I am allergic to strong-smelling perfume.”
Jiang Wan: “…”
She had never met anyone who rejected her so thoroughly.
Seeing her silence, Zhu Tong took the initiative and said, “Tell me, what does my father want by bringing me to this banquet?”
Jiang Wan said, “Your attitude doesn’t seem like you’re seeking clarification.”
Zhu Tong replied, “I’m not insisting on knowing either.”
“…”
Jiang Wan smiled, put the wine glass on the coffee table, raised her eyes and said, “Young Master Zhu… aren’t you fearless? Because you think Zhu-zong can’t do anything to you?”
Zhu Tong frowned slightly.
What does she mean?
“Just what are you trying to imply?”
Jiang Wan looked at him silently for a while. With narrowed eyes, she said, “It seems that you really don’t know anything.”
But since he doesn’t know, why did he have that attitude towards her just now on the open-air balcony?
Looking at Zhu Tong’s reaction, it was obvious that he knew her and was guarding against her.
Although her reputation isn’t great, her status is undeniable. Even if some people dislike her in their hearts, they still treat her with utmost courtesy on the surface.
In A City, no one has dared to express their disgust for her so clearly like Zhu Tong did.
If it wasn’t because of knowing about her transaction with Zhu Shoushan, then… it means he truly didn’t regard her highly.
Jiang Wan’s eyes flashed with interest as she smiled and said, “Zhu-zong’s ability to keep secrets really is remarkable. But when it comes to Young Master Zhu’s lifelong matters, I thought Zhu-zong would at least reveal a little to you.”
As early as Jiang Wan talked to him on the balcony, Zhu Tong had a vague guess.
Who is Jiang Wan? What good can it do to be approached by her, especially with her reputation of having many little lovers just a little older than he is?
But when she mentioned “lifelong matters,” Zhu Tong still felt a coldness in his heart. He had thought he was numb to it, but now he felt a prickling pain as if being jabbed by needles.
Is that what he meant?
Jiang Wan’s words crushed the last trace of hope in his heart: “A few days ago, I proposed a marriage alliance between our two families to Zhu-zong, and he agreed.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
At the moment, Zhu Tong has only one thought in his mind: ‘Is Father crazy?’
He is only seventeen!
He clasped his hands slowly and looked up at the adult woman sitting opposite of him.
Jiang Wan sat with her legs crossed, and was smiling at him. She has a friendly expression.
Zhu Tong suddenly realized that Zhu Shoushan had broken to the bottom limit of his disappointment. He never thought that his so-called father could stoop so low.
If he could treat himself like this, what about Xiao Xin?
What are he and Xiaoxin to their father?
He was silent for a while, then said coldly, “How did you know me?”
He didn’t believe that Jiang Wan would target him for no reason.
A person flashed in his mind, and Zhu Tong’s voice dropped deeper. “You know me from Qin Junhong?”
Jiang Wan was slightly surprised.
His mind could spin pretty fast.
“Young Master Zhu is smarter than I thought.”
“…”
That’s just an admission.
Upon realizing that it was Qin Junhong, Zuo Tong became calm instead. He looked at Jiang Wan and said, “I won’t enter into a marriage alliance. I believe Miss Jiang’s decision to enter into a marriage alliance is not because she likes me.”
If it’s really for a family alliance, Jiang Wan could have better options. And if she wanted to enter into a marriage alliance, she wouldn’t have been so infamous for her “flirtatious tendencies” for so many years.
Jiang Wan said, “It wasn’t at first, but it may be now.”
According to her investigation, the young master of the Zhu family has been hospitalized for years and maintains an indifferent attitude towards everything.
When the marriage alliance was mentioned, he clearly showed repulsion, but he quickly adjusted his emotions and even had already figured out how to reject her.
Very interesting.
Zhu Tong calmly said, “Why do you want to marry me?”
Jiang Wan truthfully explained, “It’s what the board of directors demands. If I don’t get married, I’ll have to relinquish my position as the head of Jiang Conglomerate.”
Zhu Tong: “Then why did you choose me, specifically?”
Jiang Wan said in an ambiguously seductive manner, “Perhaps it’s because you are good-looking?”
Zhu Tong said, “Lies. It’s because I’m dying.”
“…”
Jiang Wan raised her eyebrows slightly.
Zhu Tong said, “Miss Jiang, I assume you’ve already investigated before proposing this marriage. I suffer from a serious illness and am a frequent visitor to the ICU. Doctors have repeatedly stated that my current health condition could lead to my death at any moment. By choosing me, you can satisfy the demands of the board of directors without worrying about future complications. Since my time is limited, after my passing, you’ll still be a free woman, able to enjoy the benefits of the marriage between our families.”
Jiang Wan didn’t refute him. She smiled softly, “You are right, but there is one thing, it is not my benefit, but our benefit.”
“…”
Jiang Wan said, “Since you can guess that it was Qin Junhong who introduced you to me, I assume you also know what kind of person your stepbrother is. He praised you highly in front of me, knowing who I am and what kind of boys I like. And Zhu-zong… your father. After I presented him with a proposal for a shipping project, he almost immediately agreed to the deal I proposed. Considering the current situation of the Zhu family, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it’s like entering a dangerous situation for Zhu-zong, right?”
Zhu Tong was somewhat surprised that she would bring up Qin Junhong’s “sinister intentions” proactively. Previously, Qin Junhong had brought her to the birthday banquet, and their relationship seemed to be quite close, didn’t it?
She just told everything about the transaction?
Shipping project… is it just for a project?
He suddenly wanted to laugh a little.
Jiang Wan continued, “If you agree to the marriage alliance, I can help you leave the Zhu family, and I can also make Qin Junhong pay the price. Even if it’s the entire Zhu family, I can help you with whatever you want…”
“Thanks, but I don’t need it.”
Zhu Tong interrupted her in a soft voice, “I won’t marry you.”
Jiang Wan asked, “Why?”
Zhu Tong was silent for a while and said, “I have someone I like.”
Although Jiang Wan was a “romantic” person, she still had a proper bottom line. She wouldn’t force the other party.
She doesn’t care who she deals with; she always talks about mutual consent.
Perhaps she didn’t expect this response from Zhu Tong. Jiang Wan hesitated for a moment and then said, “Oh? I wonder what kind of person has caught Young Master Zhu’s eye?”
Zhu Tong originally just said it casually, but when Jiang Wan asked, a person clearly appeared in his mind.
His heart skipped a beat, his ears turning slightly red. Trying to maintain composure, he said, “This doesn’t concern Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Wan has been paying attention to his reaction, and can’t help but be a little surprised.
He’s telling the truth?
He suddenly thought of the beautiful boys she saw him hanging around in that bar last time.
Jiang Wan’s smile grew even broader as she scrutinized Zhu Tong for a moment before suddenly saying, “Well then, I can abandon the marriage alliance of the two families.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
He was a little surprised.
Is Jiang Wan this principled?
If so, doesn’t this mean that she just loses her intellect the moment she falls for the heartthrob in the future? As long as it fits her “principles,” will she unconditionally like the man?
He felt that she agreed way too easily.
“But I have one condition.”
Zhu Tong: “What conditions?”
Jiang Wan looked at him and said, “You have to tell me what your relationship is with Cheng Chen.”
Zhu Tong was slightly startled.
His cousin?
What does this have to do with his cousin?
Zhu Tong furrowed his brow imperceptibly, but before he could speak, Jiang Wan continued, “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. But remember, you owe me a favor for this, Young Master Zhu.”
His moment of surprise and hesitation was enough to explain a lot of questions.
“…”
Zhu Tong thought to himself, ‘I don’t need Jiang Wan to “break off” the engagement to cancel the marriage alliance. Why should I owe her a favor for this?’
As he’s trying to refute, Jiang Wan’s expression suddenly changed.
She suppressed the playful look in her eyes and said seriously, “Regarding the cancellation of the deal, it’s up to you to talk to Zhu-zong about it. Let me give you a helpful advice: sometimes it’s necessary to make a clean break. Not all parents in this world are worthy of expectations.”
“…”
What on earth did this woman come to find him for today?
Jiang Wan picked up the glass of wine she had placed on the coffee table earlier and began to savor it slowly.
She didn’t leave in a hurry. After finishing the conversation, she sat for a while before leaving the lounge.
After the door of the lounge was closed again, Zhu Tong’s face darkened completely.
Marriage.
Turns out he still has value in his dad’s heart as a tool for marriage, even if he’s only got one breath left.
He doesn’t have any goodwill towards his father.
But still, it’s true he never made a “clean break” too.
It’s not an easy thing to do.
–
Outside the lounge, the banquet continued.
As Jiang Wan did not leave from the balcony at the end, he returned directly from the lounge to the main venue of the banquet. Perhaps he saw it, or perhaps he had been watching all along. Not long after Jiang Wan left, someone entered.
Zhu Shoushan walked into the lounge, looked at the youth sitting on the sofa with his head bowed, and walked over and said, “Tongtong, what’s wrong? Is there anything uncomfortable?”
When Zhu Tong heard his caring voice, an unspeakable sense of irony appeared in his heart.
He didn’t look up and said in a low voice, “I felt a little tired. Dad, let’s go back home.”
“…”
Before Zhu Shoushan came, he thought about Zhu Tong’s attitude. He might complain or be angry. He had already thought of a reason to appease him, but he never expected that Zhu Tong would be so calm.
He didn’t think too much about it. But still, even if Zhu Tong wanted to make trouble, it would be better to go back to do it at home than here, in public.
He said gently, “Okay, Dad will take you home.”
Saying that, he reached out his hand to help Zhu Tong up, but before he could reach him, Zhu Tong had avoided him and got up and walked towards the door.
Zhu Shoushan couldn’t help frowning.
When they left the banquet hall, they ran into Auntie Cheng. As soon as she saw Zhu Shoushan, her expression soured. Upon hearing that Zhu Tong was tired, she immediately wanted to take him away, but Zhu Tong politely declined her offer.
Although she was very disappointed, she did not force Tongtong to go with her.
On the return drive, Zhu Tong sat in the back seat near the window, keeping the maximum distance from Zhu Shoushan.
Looking at the night scene flashing by outside the car window, his mind kept pulling him to think about Shao Ming.
Wanting to be by his side, enjoying leisure and ease; wanting interesting daily life both on and off campus.
He suddenly wanted to see Shao Ming. It’s as if… so long he could see him, all this turbulent emotions swirling around could be appeased.
But there was still no reply from him.
What is Shao Ming doing now? Why didn’t he reply?
He somehow felt aggrieved.
But why did he feel that way?
He and Shao Ming have no obligations to reply to each other as soon as possible. On top of that, even if Shao Ming replied to him, what could he say?
Telling him that he was forced to marry a woman he barely knew?
Shao Ming probably thought that he was making it up.
What was his father thinking when he agreed to Jiang Wan’s deal?
What was he thinking whenever he saw his own son, taking furtive glances at him?
Wouldn’t it be better to say it to him bluntly?
The car stopped outside the villa gate, and without saying a word, Zhu Tong got out of the car and walked into the villa gate ahead.
The familiar hall felt unfamiliar to him after being away for so long. He sat down directly on the sofa.
Zhu Shoushan was at the door, took off his coat and handed it to the maid, and then hesitantly walked towards the living room.
He ordered the servant to warm up a glass of milk for Zhu Tong. Then, he sat down on the sofa next to Zhu Tong.
Zhu Tong’s attitude made him feel strange.
It’s neither as indifferent as before, nor as resentful and angry as he imagined.
When Jiang Wan emerged from the lounge, her face bore her usual social smile. She was neither hurried nor flustered, and without saying goodbye, she left the room. Whatever she and Zhu Tong discussed in the lounge remained unknown to Zhu Shoushan.
He didn’t know how to broach the subject of the marriage deal with Zhu Tong either.
The servant quickly brought up the milk. After Zhu Shoushan took it, he handed it to Zhu Tong and said, “You hardly take part in this kind of occasion, so you must feel very uncomfortable, right? You must not eat much, so drink a cup of warm milk first.”
Zhu Tong’s face did not waver, and he raised his hand to take it.
Zhu Shoushan breathed a sigh of relief and said in deep thought, “I heard that you met Jiang Wan in the lounge today. You two chatted for quite some time, no?”
Zhu Tong held the milk but didn’t drink it. He tilted his head and said, “If you’ve already arranged everything yourself, do you still need to hear about it?”
Zhu Shoushan froze suddenly.
Zhu Tong pretended not to see and continued, “The engagement has been called off. We were discussing this matter in the lounge.”
Zhu Shoushan’s breathing was obviously hurried for a moment.
The marriage is canceled? How can that be?
The marriage was brought up by Jiang Wan, how could she agree to cancel it?
And he arranged for Zhu Tong to go to the banquet today, just to let the two get to know each other first. How did Zhu Tong know about the marriage?
Zhu Shoushan reluctantly said, “Tongtong, what are you talking about? How could Dad…”
Zhu Tong interrupted him. “Jiang Wan told me personally.”
“…”
Zhu Shoushan paused, and his brows slowly tightened.
Zhu Tong looked at him and said, “Dad, you asked me to marry the Jiang family, have you asked my opinion?”
Zhu Shoushan finally felt guilty and couldn’t meet Zhu Tong’s eyes. He sat up straight on the sofa and said, “This matter is not as you think. I was planning to tell you after some time. Since you already know, I won’t hide it from you. Jiang suddenly proposed the marriage arrangement… it’s indeed true.”
Zhu Tong listened in an indifferent manner.
Zhu Shoushan continued, “But I won’t force you on this matter, I just want you to try to get in touch with her first. If you don’t want to, then I…”
“I do not want to.”
Zhu Shoushan was choked by his words.
He seemed to have a headache, lightly pressing his forehead. Then he turned his head and said, “Your current unwillingness is because you still don’t understand Jiang Wan. The reason she proposed the marriage is also out of necessity. She needs a nominal husband to control Jiang’s family. Even if you two marry, it’s only in name. She will only respect you and won’t…”
Zhu Tong said solemnly, “I’m only seventeen years old.”
“I know you’re only seventeen years old, and I didn’t plan to let you get married now. You two can get married after you…”
Saying that, Zhu Shoushan suddenly stopped.
Zhu Tong looked at him blankly.
The previous second he said he wouldn’t force it, and now it’s already “let’s settle the marriage first.”
In his heart, he didn’t care whether Zhu Tong was “willing or not”.
Realizing that he was leaking his true intention, Zhu Shoushan’s expression contorted.
He tried to make amends, saying, “You also know that your health isn’t good. If there’s someone else to take care of you, wouldn’t that be a good thing? Dad is busy every day, and Xiao Xin is also studying. If you get married, both your sister and I can feel more relieved, right?”
Zhu Tong felt cold in his heart. He couldn’t even feel the warmth emanating from the cup of warm milk in his hand.
Does Zhu Shoushan know that Jiang Wan was brought in by Qin Junhong? Maybe he doesn’t even care. He’s only interested in the background of the Jiang family and the benefits it can bring him.
Zhu Tong suddenly smiled and said, “You think now that Qin Manwen can no longer reassure you, right?”
Zhu Shoushan’s face changed suddenly, “What did you say?”
“Isn’t it?” Zhu Tong looked directly at him and said, “You married Qin Manwen because you want someone to take care of me and Xiao Xin, so you don’t need to take care of us by yourself?”
“You…”
“Now that Xiao Xin has grown up, she doesn’t need someone to take care of her anymore. Because of Qin Junhong’s hoarding of properties behind your back, you kicked him out of the Zhu family, and as a result, you don’t trust Qin Manwen either. You need someone new to take over me, someone who can get rid of me as a trouble and improve your relationship with the Jiang family. Plus, there’s the already secured shipping project. Zhu-zong, you truly deserve to be called a businessman.”
Anger appeared on Zhu Shoushan’s face.
He hadn’t expected his usually obedient and sensible son to confront him so directly today, nor had he anticipated that Jiang Wan, his “ally,” would sell him out so completely!
She even told Zhu Tong all about the shipping project. Did Cheng Qingsong know?
While he was angry, there was also a trace of panic in his heart.
But Zhu Tong had already set down the milk and stood up. “I won’t accept the marriage alliance. I came back with you just to tell you about this.”
He only came back here to take away some of the things that he still left in the room.
“Tongtong is back? After such a long time away, why are they arguing? What happened?”
A voice came from the entrance of the stairs, Qin Manwen looked concerned and walked quickly towards the living room.
Zhu Tong looked up and didn’t intend to pay attention.
Since his father has already moved to “send him away”, Qin Manwen was no longer valuable to him.
Zhu Shoushan married Qin Manwen not because he liked her. After she, the “pawn” had outlived her usefulness, what will she face?
Zhu Tong was no longer interested in knowing.
He bypassed Qin Manwen and went upstairs directly.
In the living room, Zhu Shoushan stood up suddenly and said, “Is it because of that poor boy named Shao Ming?”
Zhu Tong’s footsteps paused. He slightly turned around.
He guessed right. The “new friend” Zhu Shoushan mentioned on the phone last time was Shao Ming.
How did Zhu Shoushan know about Shao Ming? Did he had someone go to Gongshui County to spy on him or something?
His silence was interpreted by others as agreement. Zhu Shoushan’s complexion changed, his mood no longer gentle. He frowned and looked at Zhu Tong, saying, “What’s good about that boy? He approached you with a purpose, for your status. He’s just a bug in the mud wanting to climb up with you. Someone like him won’t be of any help to your future. You actually dare to defy me for him! If I had known you would turn out like this, I wouldn’t have agreed to let you transfer to that kind of garbage place in the first place!”
Zhu Shoushan obviously misunderstood something, but Zhu Tong did not intend to explain.
He didn’t know who was misinforming his relationship with Shao Ming in front of his father.
So Zhu Shoushan arranged a marriage for him so impatiently because he was afraid that he would be with Shao Ming, that he would bring back a poor boy who would not be of any help to him?
Zhu Tong’s heart sank slightly, and he said coldly, “What about you?”
Zhu Shoushan became speechless.
Zhu Tong responded, “You treat me as a tool for marriage. Aren’t you trying to climb up using the Jiang family? Are you nobler than others? You refuse to acknowledge Grandfather’s help. You want to prove yourself to him because of your pathetic pride. You want to strengthen yourself with the Jiang family, hoping Grandfather will look up to you. But your actions will only make Grandfather look down on you even more. You deserve his contempt!”
He spoke with almost no emotions. But his words were sharp enough to pierce the heart.
Qin Manwen was stunned by his words.
Is this still the taciturn and indifferent Zhu Tong from the past?
Zhu Shoushan’s face reddened rapidly, as if something had touched a raw nerve. Enraged, he strode towards Zhu Tong, unable to restrain himself from raising his hand. However, before his hand could fall, he noticed Zhu Tong’s face rapidly paling.
Before he could notice what Zhu Shoushan was attempting to do, Zhu Tong heard a mechanical prompt ring in his mind.
‘The white moonlight’s favorability has decreased by 15%. Your favorability level is 44%. Host, please make persistent efforts to raise it back up.’
Zhu Tong felt his heart twitch.
15% decrease? ? Why?
Isn’t he now separated from Shao Ming by 108,000 miles1not literally that far, just a figure of speech.?
And isn’t this number a little unlucky?
Before he could react, the voice in his head rang again.
‘Congratulations! You gained +21% of the white moonlight’s favorability. Your current favorability is 65%.’
‘Congratulations! You gained +5% of the white moonlight’s favorability. Your current favorability is 70%.’
Zhu Tong: “…”
Zhu Tong: “???”
The fuck is happening?
Having just experienced the ups and downs of life, Zhu Tong suddenly felt dizzy. Everything before his eyes became blurry, and in an instant, his body tilted and he collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.
![Don’t run, its not marked yet! [Entertainment circle]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/d0ed5cbffda6d3c0e77d4bdf8824237a.jpg "Don’t run, its not marked yet! [Entertainment circle]")
