Li Jiayuan felt so awkward. She had thought that Zhang Zhentian would be polite to her, but his directness caught her off guard. Seeing Zhang Zhentian's attitude, it seemed he had no intention of being with her. Then why had his father arranged a blind date between them? Why did this happen? Could there be some hidden reason?
Old Master Zhang watched Li Jiayuan as she zoned out, waving his hand in front of her face. Seeing that Jiayuan didn't react, he called out to her again.
"Oh, Uncle, were you calling me? I'm so sorry, I just spaced out!" Li Jiayuan apologized after snapping back to reality and seeing Old Master Zhang eagerly looking at her.
"Jiayuan, what are you thinking about that's making you so lost in thought? I've been calling your name several times and you didn't respond," Old Master Zhang asked her curiously.
"Uncle, it's nothing, really. I just got lost in thought seeing your son!"
"Hahaha[Happy Happy] Jiayuan, then let me ask you a question, and you have to answer me honestly, alright?"
"Sure, Uncle, go ahead and ask."
"Jiayuan, do you like my son, Zhentian?" Old Master Zhang asked, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhentian was stunned and then suddenly stood up with a roar, "Dad, what are you talking about? Don't you know I already have someone I love? I've told you more than once that I want to be with the woman I love. How can you make such a decision for me without my consent?"
Upon hearing Zhang Zhentian's words, Li Jiayuan felt a surge of anger. It seemed that Old Master Zhang had arranged a blind date between her and his son without the latter's knowledge. What kind of act was this?
"Uncle, what does Zhentian mean by that? Does it mean that you asked me out for a blind date with him, and he didn't know about it?"
Old Master Zhang, upon hearing this, quickly started to make excuses for his son, as if worried Li Jiayuan would reject his son.
"Jiayuan, listen to me, Zhentian is just having trouble letting go of that woman right now. As soon as you two are together, he'll quickly forget about her, I promise you that," Elder Zhang tried to reassure her.
"Dad, have you said enough? As I've said, I will not give up on Xia Jing. Stop trying so hard to find me blind dates. I don't need them; I have Xia Jing and that's enough. I've told you many times, asking for your approval to be with Xia Jing, but you wouldn't agree. And now you trick me into another blind date arrangement. How can you do this? If Xia Jing finds out, she definitely won't be happy!"
Li Jiayuan's face turned extremely ugly after listening to Zhang Zhentian's words. Seeing that Li Jiayuan was on the brink of rage, Old Master Zhang knew that things were beyond repair. Looking at his disappointing son, who had ruined the carefully arranged meeting, it made him want to rush up and slap the unfortunate child.
"You worthless thing, shut your mouth." Old Master Zhang was furious.
"Uncle, it seems your son doesn't have those kinds of feelings for me, so let's cancel this engagement. It's not like I, Li Jiayuan, have no suitors. Many are pursuing me; your son is not a necessity. Was it necessary to purposely arrange a meeting, only to have your son perform an act about how much he loves that other woman? Isn't this too insulting?" Li Jiayuan, angry, slapped the table and stood up.
Li Jiayuan's words seemed casual, but Old Master Zhang knew it was a sign that she had been deeply offended. Therefore, Old Master Zhang could only redirect his anger toward Zhang Zhentian.
"You get out, get out, I don't have a son like you, get out of here," the elder now truly infuriated, "How could I have fathered such an unfilial son? Are you trying to anger me to death?"
Seeing how things had escalated, Zhang Zhentian knew it was better not to say anything further. He glared at Li Jiayuan and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
"Jiayuan, please don't be mad. I will definitely have a serious talk with him later, okay?" Old Master Zhang was now pleading with Li Jiayuan.
Seeing Old Master Zhang in this state, Li Jiayuan already knew his purpose and couldn't help but look down on him in her heart.
"Uncle, it's not that I have to be with Zhang Zhentian. Yes, I admit, I do fancy your son. To be honest, between you and your son, I admire your son more. He lives his life openly and is willing to give up someone like me, who is in a better position, for the person he truly loves. I can't help but respect that! But, uncle, I don't definitely have to marry your son, so I think we can put an end to this matter!"
Upon hearing this, Old Master Zhang knew that Li Jiayuan truly didn't want his son anymore. The old master could only curse his son a thousand times over in his heart.
"Uncle, let's be clear, what is your purpose?" Li Jiayuan looked at the old man before her with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. For the sake of his company's future, he was even willing to sacrifice his son's happiness in exchange. Although he appeared kind and benevolent, Li Jiayuan realized he had such intentions.
"Jiayuan, uncle here has no other purpose. I just don't want my son to go astray."
Li Jiayuan was stunned to hear this. What does 'going astray' mean? Could it really be that she had misunderstood something?
"Uncle, what do you mean by that? Could you please clarify?"
"Jiayuan, uncle will tell you, but you must not let Zhentian find out. Can you help your uncle?"
"Uncle, you go ahead and tell me first. Only after you tell me will I know if I can help or if I will help."
Old Master Zhang thought it made sense; he couldn't expect her to help him without saying anything first. "Jiayuan, Zhentian has fallen for a woman from a Mercenary Group... You know how such things are unacceptable in wealthy families. Sigh." Old Master Zhang told Li Jiayuan about Zhang Zhentian and Xia Jing's situation, which made Li Jiayuan feel downhearted.
"Uncle, I'll think about it. I can't respond to whether I can help you right away. Please give me some time to think it over!"
Old Master Zhang's mood lifted, and he said goodbye to Li Jiayuan and left.
After being sent out by Elder Zhang, Zhentian went to look for Xia Jing, eventually finding her at the Mercenary Group where she worked. He grabbed Xia Jing and rushed off with her.
"Why are you avoiding me? And whose car were you in that day?" Zhang Zhentian shouted at Xia Jing.
"You didn't come to find me after I left that day. Why do you care to find me today?"
"I'm asking you, do you really want to be with me?"
"Yes, I genuinely want to be with you, but your dad doesn't agree. He even said that I'm with you only for your family's money!"
"If you really want to be with me, then come with me right now."
"Let's go have a drink first."
Zhang Zhentian and Xia Jing went to the bar to have drinks. Feeling happy, Zhang Zhentian drank quite a lot, while Xia Jing drank less. As Zhang Zhentian was gradually losing consciousness, Xia Jing said she needed to use the restroom. After letting Xia Jing go to the restroom, he was helped into a room by a woman and mistook her for Xia Jing. Taking advantage of his drunken state, he forced himself on her, and this woman was none other than Li Jiayuan, the match he had previously been set up with.