anwhile.
Imperial City.
The Ye Family, still awake in the early hours.
On the contrary, Ye Zhan was called to the study by Old Master Ye and his father, Ye Zhangming, to discuss serious matters.
Talk of serious matters.
In reality, it was about his marriage.
Tonight’s birthday banquet for Old Master Ye was effectively a matchmaking banquet for Ye Zhan.
Many wanted to form alliances with the Ye Family, but only a few families deed worthy by Old Master Ye were given consideration.
"Ah Zhan, think it over carefully tonight, and tell us tomorrow whether you will marry Shi Zhen or Shi Xi."
After a long silence, Old Master Ye’s voice was sowhat hoarse and deep.
Shi Zhen was Old Master Ye’s choice for a granddaughter-in-law.
Shi Xi, however, was proposed by Ye Zhangming, though not his suggestion, but by that person.
No one knew how Shi Dongping managed to persuade that person to act as a matchmaker for his daughter, yet tonight, that person suggested marrying Shi Xi to Ye Zhan.
A woman who had lost face just hours ago.
Ye Zhangming was actually unwilling.
But he couldn’t publicly refuse that person, so he tossed this difficult issue onto Ye Zhan.
Truly a father who pits his child.
In front of the sofa, Ye Zhan stood tall and straight, frowning slightly, his deanor cold.
He didn’t want to accept either of his father and grandfather’s proposals.
And with no room for negotiation, he rejected bluntly, "I will marry neither Shi Xi nor Shi Zhen. Grandpa, Dad, if you really like them, you can recognize them as your god-granddaughter and god-daughter, or introduce them to those subordinates you admire."
If they wanted to force him, they could only do so when he’s dead by having him marry in the underworld.
Don’t be deceived by Ye Zhan’s outward appearance resembling a refined noble gentleman; his calm, elegant exterior easily misleads people.
But he possesses firm resolve and strength in his very bones.
Old Master Ye reacted imdiately, slamming a hand on the table, "Ah Zhan, what are you saying? If you won’t marry Shi Zhen or Shi Xi, tell which woman you intend to marry, and don’t say you’re still thinking of Qingqing."
Ye Zhangming’s expression also changed slightly, and upon seeing his father’s anger, he suppressed his own ire. "You heard Mo Ziye at the press conference this afternoon. Clearly, he acted that way towards Shi Xi because of Qingqing."
"You’re asking to marry a woman that Mo Ziye wouldn’t even take, Dad?" Ye Zhan sneered.
Ever since his mother passed away, his relationship with Ye Zhangming has been fraught with tension.
Ye Zhangming’s face showed a hint of embarrassnt, awkwardly explaining, "I’m not saying you must marry Shi Xi, but you should understand that the Shi Family’s influence is expanding at a rate we can’t estimate or prevent. Even that person spoke on behalf of the Shi Family. If you have a way to refuse, I won’t say anything."
"And Grandpa, is he also being coerced?" Ye Zhan’s tightly pressed thin lips exuded a frigid determination.
Unless it’s the woman he wants to marry, nobody can force him.
Old Master Ye was caught off guard, his expression fluctuating between hues, and exhaled heavily, "I think Shi Zhen is a good choice. If you marry into the Shi Family, whether it’s Shi Xi or Shi Zhen, it would benefit your promotion."
"Grandpa, I want to rely on my own abilities."
"But if you boldly offend the Shi Family, they’ll trip you up. Do you think relying solely on ability is enough? It’s not the enemies on the battlefield that are terrifying, but the conniving ones behind your back."
Old Master Ye’s words toward the end caused him to gasp slightly.
Ye Zhan was the sole heir of the Ye Family, their only hope, the only continuation regardless of his dissatisfaction and estrangent over the years.
Ye Zhan’s handso features remained unwavering throughout Old Master Ye’s words, and he simply replied, "I won’t accept either of the Shi sisters."
He turned and strode out of the study, leaving Ye Zhangming and Old Master Ye staring at each other.
——
G City
On the late-night road, fewer vehicles passed, especially on the route to the suburbs, making cars even sparser.
The sa journey took almost ten minutes less.
Mo Ziye felt Qingqing chose to return to the Qin Family not because it was her territory, but because other than the servants, there was no one else there.
His ho was different.
Even though it was late, returning ho might not surprise his parents.
At the Qin Family, the servants stayed in the servant quarters.
He led her hand into the dark living room.
He didn’t turn on the lights.
Instead, he unlocked his phone for illumination, guiding her upstairs.
Qin Qingqing didn’t know whether it was nervousness or excitent; from the mont they entered the living room, her heartbeat lost rhythm uncontrollably.
Her little hand, held in his palm, restlessly wriggled two fingers out, clutching his long, strong fingers.
The man beside her glanced sideways, lips pressed lightly, leading her up the stairs.
"Brother Ziyi."
"What, afraid?"
Pulling her into the room, Mo Ziye exerted force to pull and push, pressing Qin Qingqing’s soft body against the wall by the door, simultaneously closing the door with his foot.
In the darkness, his lean form pressed close to hers, gaze burning, breath hot upon her face.
Qin Qingqing’s breath hitched.
Just as she intended to deny, her little mouth was blocked.
...
[In cold weather, asking for votes, support, and warmth!]
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