Seeing Liu Xiaoli turn pale from Chen Bo's intimidation, Jiang Cheng felt a sense of satisfaction but also some pity. Some might wonder, how could a few words from Chen Bo frighten Liu Xiaoli so much? After all, she wasn't someone who had never faced tough situations. Was she really scared so easily by just a few harsh words?
The truth wasn't that Liu Xiaoli lacked mental strength but that Chen Bo had deliberately released a bit of his imposing aura. Chen Bo was genuinely skilled, a master of the 'Six Beasts Form,' particularly proficient in the tiger and bear forms. According to the internal martial arts ranking, Chen Bo had reached the pinnacle of the 'Dan Jin' level, only a step away from the 'Seeing God' realm where one breaks through the void. Such a person could be considered almost a terrestrial immortal.
The true aura of such a person is not something ordinary people can withstand, as it contains their spirit and will. To put it in more understandable terms, it's like a tiger in the mountains whose mere presence can scare timid creatures to death due to its natural 'tiger's might.' The tiger is the king of all beasts, and its spirit and will cannot be infringed upon by ordinary animals.
That's why Chen Bo only released a hint of his aura; otherwise, it could have genuinely terrified someone.
Jiang Cheng also somewhat understood Liu Xiaoli's thoughts. Her intentions were for the good of Liu Yifei, wanting her to have a better life. If Jiang Cheng were just an ordinary member of the Jiang family, she would undoubtedly agree to this marriage. Unfortunately, Jiang Cheng wasn't a native member of the Jiang family. Although he was the old man's grandson, he had grown up outside and had no contact with the Jiang family. And now, with the old man nearing the end of his life, how many would treat him differently?
However, although Jiang Cheng understood her, he did not agree. Moreover, her words had clearly insulted him, so he didn't stop Chen Bo from scaring her. After all, Jiang Cheng wasn't someone with a gentle temper; he lived by repaying kindness and avenging wrongs.
Now that he felt better, they could continue discussing matters.
After Chen Bo left, Liu Xiaoli's complexion improved significantly. Hearing Jiang Cheng speak, she couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean?"
"I mean that you don't need to consider my status in the Jiang family so lowly," Jiang Cheng said directly.
Hearing him speak so bluntly, Liu Xiaoli's face showed a bit of embarrassment, but it quickly faded. "As long as you understand my intention, that's good. I know I'm looking out for Qianxi's best interest. You can say I'm opportunistic, but for Qianxi, I have no regrets!"
Jiang Cheng nodded, his eyes showing appreciation, "That's why I said before, having a mother like you is a fortune for Qianxi."
"But..." Jiang Cheng smacked his lips and said, "While you're looking out for her, have you considered Qianxi's feelings?"
Liu Xiaoli fell silent.
After a while, she said, "I haven't considered her feelings, but I'm her mother, and I naturally won't harm her."
Jiang Cheng smiled, "This kind of thing is pointless to argue about. You have your views, and I have mine, and neither of us can convince the other right away. But let me clarify one thing: although what Chen Grandfather said earlier was unpleasant, he wasn't wrong about one thing. This matter is indeed finalized because it was decided by my grandfather! He likes Qianxi very much and wants her to be his granddaughter-in-law, so it's a done deal. He's still the head of the Jiang family, and his word is final. It's difficult to change his mind."
Jiang Cheng's words made Liu Xiaoli turn pale again, "That's just your opinion, and the Jiang family agreed that if you two don't get along, the engagement will still be voided! Do you like Qianxi? Are you sure Qianxi likes you?"
Hearing her say this, Jiang Cheng laughed, "I wasn't sure before, but after hearing you, I know now. Qianxi probably does like me a bit!"
As he said this, Liu Xiaoli sighed, "Yes, Qianxi does have a slight unusual feeling for you, but it could just be a young girl's complex thoughts. It might not necessarily develop into love over time."
Nodding, Jiang Cheng said, "You're right; a girl's mind at this age is the most complicated, and it's hard to guarantee how long Qianxi's feelings will last. But I'm very certain of my feelings. I really like Qianxi!"
"Huh?" Liu Xiaoli looked at him in shock.
Jiang Cheng looked at her seriously, "From the moment I first saw Qianxi, I knew I wouldn't like any other girl in this lifetime. So, I've been working hard, acting, in the hope that one day I'll have the strength and confidence to pursue Qianxi. Unfortunately, fate has played a trick on us, and we ended up with this engagement. But since it's Heaven's arrangement, I accept it. I'll work even harder in the future, for Qianxi and for our future!"
Hearing him speak so earnestly, Liu Xiaoli's heart softened a bit, but not enough. "I can see you're sincere, but that's not enough to prove you can take care of Qianxi for a lifetime. Besides, she's still so young..."
"I can wait until she grows up!" Jiang Cheng continued seriously.
Liu Xiaoli said helplessly, "What I mean is that you're both too young, neither of you understands love, let alone marriage. Wait a few more years, and you might not think the same way."
"I'm truly sincere about Qianxi, even if it takes another lifetime!" (Even in the last lifetime!)
But Liu Xiaoli still shook her head firmly.
Seeing her unyielding, Jiang Cheng said somewhat helplessly, "Auntie, I generally understand your thoughts, but again, I must say, you're underestimating me!"
Liu Xiaoli looked up, scrutinizing him, and asked, "Does the Jiang family support you in any way?"
"My grandfather gave me a sum of money this morning," Jiang Cheng said, tilting his head, "A lot!"
"How much?"
"Three hundred million—" Jiang Cheng whispered.
Liu Xiaoli gasped; it was a huge amount, but still not enough for a lifetime.
"—dollars!" Jiang Cheng added, learning from his grandfather.
Liu Xiaoli coughed, caught off guard.
She smiled awkwardly, "Your grandfather really dotes on you!" Her face was noticeably softer than before.
The Jiang family's trials were only known internally, and few outside families like the Lins, who had long been friends, knew the details. So Jiang Cheng wasn't worried Liu Xiaoli would expose him and confidently boasted.
"What other support do you have besides financial?" Liu Xiaoli continued.
"My grandfather also arranged an assistant for me this morning. It was Chen Grandfather's son just now, a Ph.D. in business administration with an MBA," Jiang Cheng continued.
Liu Xiaoli was
now thoroughly reassured. With financial and talent support, Jiang Cheng indeed had a high status in the Jiang family.
Indeed, as the old family head's grandson, how could the family neglect him?
She didn't know that the so-called financial support was a loan Jiang Cheng had taken from the family, and the so-called talent support was a personal aide specially arranged by the old man for his grandson, and there was only one.
Sometimes, ignorance is indeed bliss!
But they still needed to set some ground rules.
"There are some things I still want to clarify with you in advance," Liu Xiaoli said seriously.
"Go ahead," Jiang Cheng was all ears.
Liu Xiaoli stated, "First, Qianxi is still young, so we haven't explicitly told her about the engagement. So, I hope you won't mention it either, at least not until she's eighteen."
"That's fine." Jiang Cheng wanted to experience the feeling of love anyway and didn't want to bring up the engagement all the time.
"Second, also because Qianxi is young, I hope you two don't start a romantic relationship yet. Wait until she's eighteen, okay?"
"That's... okay." Dating a little girl wasn't interesting anyway; better to wait until she's older.
"Third, this..." Liu Xiaoli seemed a bit hesitant, blushing slightly, "I know young men are curious about certain things, but Qianxi is too innocent, like a blank sheet of paper. I don't want you to hurt her. Those things... can you wait until she's twenty?"
"Huh?" Jiang Cheng's face reddened, discussing such matters with his future mother-in-law was indeed a bit embarrassing.
After thinking it over, although Liu Xiaoli's condition seemed excessive at first glance, it was also for protecting Liu Yifei, and Jiang Cheng could accept it. After all, from the moment he knew about their engagement, Jiang Cheng had considered her his future wife. A husband and wife should respect each other for life. Those things, although Jiang Cheng was interested, he wasn't a beast. In his view, such an act between two people must be based on love and affection to be a true union of spirit and flesh, not just a venting of desires.
Moreover, his mental age was already at the level of an uncle, not some creepy old man. He naturally wouldn't want to do such beastly things to a little girl. Better to wait until she's older!
Besides, Liu Yifei would be twenty in five years, by which time Jiang Cheng's success or failure would be clear. If he succeeds, all will be well; if he fails, he won't have wronged anyone.
Perfect!
"I agree to this third condition too," Jiang Cheng nodded.
"Hmm!" Seeing Jiang Cheng agree so readily, Liu Xiaoli's impression of him improved slightly, realizing he was indeed serious, not just playing around.
"But Auntie, normal friendship interactions won't be restricted, right?" Jiang Cheng also put forward a suggestion.
"Of course, that's fine. I'm not unkind. But these few years are the golden period for your career development, so try not to be too distracted," Liu Xiaoli advised.
"I understand!" Jiang Cheng nodded, then revealed a mischievous smile, "So, privately, can I start calling you..."
"Don't you dare!" Liu Xiaoli laughed and cut him off, "Wait until you're truly married to Qianxi. I think I'll be very happy to hear you call me that then."
"Hehe!"
Chen Bo, listening outside, chuckled to himself, "One plays the tough guy, the other the nice guy. It works! But Young Master Cheng's eloquence is indeed impressive, he's already won his mother-in-law over."
As dusk approached, Jiang Cheng encountered Liu Yifei returning from the old man's place. The old man had taken a liking to Little Miss Liu and had kept her all afternoon.
"Big brother Cheng, Grandpa Jiang is really a nice person! Look, this is what he gave me." Liu Yifei smiled at Jiang Cheng, showing him the gift from the old man — a pair of jade bracelets!
Anything the old man gave was top-notch. Although Jiang Cheng didn't know much about jade, he knew that the most precious among green jades was the imperial green, also known as emerald. Transparent like glass, the jade is a pure green, upright and unerring, looking like green glass. The pair of green jade bracelets on Little Miss Liu's wrist was exactly that imperial green.
It was nearly dusk now, and the setting sun's rays shone on the bracelets, casting a captivating glow. The girl's skin, fragile as a baby's, shone even more enchantingly under this light.
Seeing the little beauty's joyful smile as if she'd found a fun toy, Jiang Cheng smiled tenderly, "As long as you like it!"
"Hmm! But big brother Cheng, Grandpa Jiang seems to be very sick. He looked pale!" Liu Yifei tilted her head and said, her smiling face showing a hint of concern.
"Grandpa is old now, over eighty years old."
"Oh, I see!" Liu Yifei nodded in understanding, "But when I called him 'Grandpa' a few times, he seemed very happy, and his complexion improved a bit!"
Seeing Liu Yifei's proud look, Jiang Cheng grinned, feeling she was a cute little girl. He couldn't help but flick her little nose, like Li Xiaoyao teasing Zhao Ling'er in "The Legend of Sword and Fairy," "You're so adorable, of course, Grandpa likes you."
Touched by him, Liu Yifei instantly blushed, jumping aside and stammering, "But Grandpa also teased me, saying he wanted me... wanted me..."
"To be his granddaughter-in-law, right?" Jiang Cheng laughed.
"Ah! Big brother Cheng, you're naughty! Taking advantage of others!" Liu Yifei said coquettishly, "Hmph! I won't talk to you anymore!"
"Hehe!" Seeing her face so tender, Jiang Cheng chuckled helplessly, "So, do you agree? Hmm?"
"I... I..." Liu Yifei's face turned even redder, but she seemed unwilling to appear weak in front of Jiang Cheng, proudly raising her head like a little peacock, "Of course, I disagree, unless you can make me the next 'Audrey Hepburn'!"
Jiang Cheng shook his head, "There's only one Audrey Hepburn, unique and irreplaceable!"
Liu Yifei's smile collapsed instantly, the little beauty indignant, "Can't you just flatter me a bit!"
But after saying that, she blushed again, as her words sounded very much like the banter between lovers.
Smiling at Liu Yifei, Jiang Cheng suddenly became serious, "Everyone is unique; you should aim to be the one and only Liu Yifei! Throughout my life, I will make you the most famous female star in the world, I promise!"
That was the most solemn promise Jiang Cheng had made in his life.