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“Alright, since everyone is here, let's settle this matter today!” Jin Zhongshu said, clearly pleased with the gathering. With everyone present, he was determined to resolve his son's issues; otherwise, people would say he couldn't even manage his own son.
Jin Chengyan remained silent, still kneeling on the floor without even a cushion beneath him, his knees pressed against the wooden surface.
Qiao Nuo chose to avert her gaze, believing that out of sight would mean out of mind.
Unexpectedly, her eyes met Ruan Shengyu's.
From their brief encounter at the Jin Mansion, Ruan Shengyu had developed a wariness towards Qiao Nuo. Their few words exchanged in the restroom at the hotel only deepened Ruan Shengyu's disdain.
When had her life come to a point where Qiao Nuo could dictate terms?
What shocked her most was that just when she thought she had finally been accepted by Jin Zhongshu and could step into the Jin Family Mansion, she received the news that Qiao Nuo was married to Jin Chengyan!
It turned out that Jin Zhongshu had summoned her merely to humiliate her once more.
“Jin Chengyan, since you and Miss Qiao have already registered your marriage, our Jin Family cannot treat her poorly. I've already chosen an auspicious date for your wedding; prepare yourselves to attend!” Jin Zhongshu didn't even glance at Ruan Shengyu. If it weren't for this matter needing resolution, someone like Ruan Shengyu would never set foot in the Jin Family's door.
Qiao Nuo was bewildered by how things had escalated. She looked at Jin Chengyan's back; he said nothing but knelt there with a straight back. It was unclear whether he was angry with Jin Zhongshu or with her.
“Old Jin, why didn’t you discuss this with me?” Yu Xin looked at her husband with dissatisfaction, upset that he had taken matters into his own hands without informing her.
Jin Zhongshu glanced at the upright figure of Jin Chengyan and snorted lightly before speaking kindly to his wife. “This is all our son's fault; we can't let the girl suffer.”
“But don’t you know that the Qiao Family has just gone bankrupt? Qiao Nuo’s father…” Yu Xin whispered, avoiding mentioning Qiao Nuo’s painful situation.
Jin Zhongshu suddenly realized he had overlooked that detail.
“True, given what the Qiao Family has just gone through, it’s indeed not suitable to hold a wedding right now. However, since Qiao Nuo is already our daughter-in-law, we cannot let her feel wronged. We should announce it to the entire family and include her name in the family register.”
The whole family listened to the conversation between Jin Zhongshu and his wife. It was clear they had accepted Qiao Nuo despite her being from a bankrupt family and having a vastly different background from the Jin Family. When it came to choosing between Xizi and Qiao Nuo, they would undoubtedly choose Qiao Nuo.
And through it all, Qiao Nuo felt she had no place to interject.
She had a prior Contract with Jin Chengyan, and how to handle this matter depended on him. He mentioned holding a wedding, and it seemed she had no reason to refuse.
If he said no wedding, she couldn't cry and demand that Jin Chengyan give her one.
His ultimate goal was simply to make Ruan Shengyu confront her feelings.
Now that the parties involved were present, Qiao Nuo could clearly see Ruan Shengyu's expression of deep sadness and regret upon learning about Jin Chengyan's marriage.
“Dad, I’ve said it from the beginning: marriage is my own affair. Whether I hold a wedding with Qiao Nuo or not, whether I end up with Ruan Shengyu or Qiao Nuo, it’s my choice. If you truly want to impose your will on me, then I am willing to relinquish my identity as the heir of the Jin Family.” For the first time in many years, Jin Chengyan spoke this way to Jin Zhongshu.
Six years ago, he lacked such courage and could only let his father dictate his life. Now, six years later, Jin Chengyan was strong enough that even without the identity of the Jin Family heir, it wouldn’t affect him at all.
However, he did not expect that when these words were spoken, the angriest person would not be his father but her mother.
Without warning, Yu Xin rushed in front of Jin Chengyan and slapped him hard across the face in front of everyone.
The force was considerable enough to turn Jin Chengyan's face to the side.
“Jin Chengyan, are you really willing to give up the entire Jin Family for a woman? Is this what the Jin Family has taught you all these years? You’ve disappointed me so much!” Yu Xin exclaimed in anguish before turning her gaze to Ruan Shengyu.
She certainly knew that this matter was ultimately for Ruan Shengyu.
“Ruan Shengyu, my son is willing to give up his identity as the heir of the Jin Family for you. As a woman, don’t you feel particularly proud? But let me tell you, as long as Jin Chengyan walks out of this house today, you will have no place in Qin Cheng!” Madam Jin displayed not only her gentle side but also her ruthless nature. “Jin Chengyan, I mean what I say! You better be careful!”
Ruan Shengyu's face turned pale. She had always been the target of blame from the Jin Family, but she never expected that Jin Chengyan would be willing to give up even his status as heir for her.
In fact, what stood between her and Jin Chengyan was not a lack of feelings but rather their family disparities.
Silence fell over the living room; it was a long silence.
Standing there, Qiao Nuo finally saw clearly through this family drama.
At the same time, she realized just how much Jin Chengyan cared for Ruan Shengyu, willing to go against his entire family just to be with her.
"Ruan Shengyu, how lucky you are!"
"I am already married to Qiao Nuo. Please do not involve Ruan Shengyu in any matters; she is merely a friend to me. If I can't even qualify to have friends, what difference is there between me and a walking corpse?" Jin Chengyan said in his characteristic deep voice.
Once again, he used Qiao Nuo as a shield.
Qiao Nuo had always known her role: she was merely a tool for Jin Chengyan, a catalyst for his relationship with Ruan Shengyu. However, when she truly realized this, it still hurt her, especially when she discovered that her feelings for him were no longer as pure as they once had been.
Jin Zhongshu felt a throbbing pain in his temples from Jin Chengyan's words. He looked up at Qiao Nuo.
In this situation, he felt the most innocent party was undoubtedly Qiao Nuo.
"Qiao Nuo, your marriage to Jin Chengyan is indeed unfair to you." Apologizing for his son made Jin Zhongshu feel utterly embarrassed. "If you have any requests, please feel free to bring them up."
Now, all eyes turned to Qiao Nuo, except for Jin Chengyan, who remained upright on his knees, showing no sign of remorse.
And what could Qiao Nuo possibly ask for?
However, since Jin Chengyan insisted that they were husband and wife, as one of the signatories on the contract, Qiao Nuo could only go along with him.
"I don't feel wronged; everything he does is with my consent. I also believe that he has no relationship with Miss Ruan anymore. If he truly loved Miss Ruan and married me, then such a man is not worth keeping." Whether this statement was partly true or false, Qiao Nuo did not know.
But she clearly saw Jin Chengyan's body twitch slightly.
She also noticed Ruan Shengyu take an unsteady step back upon hearing her words, grabbing onto something to avoid embarrassment.
Jin Zhongshu was equally surprised by Qiao Nuo's response; despite his son's display of emotions, Qiao Nuo still spoke up for him.
However, this was good too; it could completely sever the bond between Jin Chengyan and Ruan Shengyu.
"Yes, if Jin Chengyan is really playing both sides, then he is not a man of our Jin Family!" Jin Zhongshu's words pointed directly at Ruan Shengyu.
Today, Ruan Shengyu was facing an unprecedented blow.
She recalled how, even after falling from grace, she had wanted Jin Chengyan to come to her. Back then, she had told Xu Lin that she had nothing left except for Jin Chengyan.
But now it seemed she didn't even have Jin Chengyan anymore.
She had thought that Jin Chengyan would always wait for her, that no matter how far she went, as long as she said she was tired, he would open his arms to embrace her.
"I think... you all must have misunderstood!" Ruan Shengyu's desolate voice emerged, causing Qiao Nuo to feel a chill run down her spine.
The protagonist of this grand drama had shifted once again.
"Why are you blaming me? I haven't done anything over the years. I never asked Jin Shao to make me famous, I never obstructed him from being with other women, and I never demanded that he stay by my side! All of this... was his own choice. May I ask Mr. Jin and Mrs. Jin, one of you invited me here while the other vowed not to let me go—what exactly did I do wrong? Is it my fault that I am attractive and your son favors me?"
Everyone: "!"
To hear such words from Ruan Shengyu was indeed surprising.
"Furthermore, the Jin Family Young Mistress you acknowledge isn't necessarily any more capable! You think finding two people to tarnish my reputation will ruin me? Jin Shaonai nai!" Ruan Shengyu faced Qiao Nuo directly, splashing a bucket of dirty water onto her!
No one expected Ruan Shengyu to bring this up at such a moment, not even Jin Chengyan.
The scene seemed to grow even more chaotic.
"I didn't!" Qiao Nuo denied vehemently. "I have no grudge against you; why would I hire someone to violate you?"
This was something Qiao Nuo had yet to come to terms with.
"Hah~" Ruan Shengyu let out a light laugh filled with mockery. "Because the one you love doesn't love you back; his heart isn't with you!"
Upon hearing these words, it seemed that everyone understood. Qiao Nuo, driven by love turned to hatred, had targeted Ruan Shengyu. As long as she tarnished Ruan Shengyu's reputation, Jin Chengyan would no longer be with her.
It seemed reasonable enough.
Moreover, Qiao Nuo's earlier words indicated that she truly loved this man!
Thus, it was not surprising that she would do such a thing for the man she loved.
In an instant, Qiao Nuo felt trapped in a dilemma.
As for Jin Chengyan, he had no intention of coming to her defense.
Qiao Nuo felt utterly isolated. Looking at those unfamiliar gazes, she wished she could disappear right then and there!
“Qiao Nuo, is this true?” Jin Zhongshu asked. Although he was dissatisfied with Ruan Shengyu, he did not want someone with such a despicable character as his daughter-in-law.
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