Jiang Chenyu, without a second thought, called his assistant in front of his father, "Cancel the acquisition of the Gu family."
His words were as cold as ice, the decision final. Standing up from his seat, he looked down at his father. "But don't expect me to treat her well. She doesn't deserve it."
With that sharp declaration, Jiang Chenyu turned on his heel and left the study, his heart filled with an inexplicable frustration. The moment he stepped outside, his eyes caught sight of Gu Nuannuan, standing silently by the wall. Her eyes, filled with a mix of defiance and pain, met his. The fire in her gaze was unmistakable—a silent rebellion burning within her, restrained yet fierce.
He glanced at her for a moment, his expression unreadable, then walked past her without another word. The cold distance between them seemed to grow with each step he took.
As soon as he disappeared from view, Gu Nuannuan stepped into the study. Before she could finish her sentence, "Mr. Jiang, you promised that as long as I married in—"
Mr. Jiang's voice sliced through the room, cold and authoritative, "Don't mention this matter to anyone in the family again. The crisis of the Gu family has been resolved, and Chenyu won't act against them in the future."
His tone was final, but Gu Nuannuan wasn't satisfied. She couldn't trust verbal promises anymore, especially when it came to her family's survival. Blocking Mr. Jiang's path, she stood her ground and demanded, "Empty words are not enough. I need it in writing. I want a receipt."
The audacity of her request caused the housekeeper's eyes to widen in disbelief. No one ever dared question Mr. Jiang's word, and certainly not ask for it in writing. Mr. Jiang's face darkened with irritation, his temper flaring at the insult of having his integrity challenged by a mere girl.
Sensing the storm that was about to erupt, the housekeeper quickly intervened, stepping forward and speaking in a placating tone. "Second Young Madam, the master always keeps his word. Over time, you'll come to understand this. If he has said the Gu family will be protected, then they will be. There's no need for a written agreement—after all, we are all family now. Such things only create unnecessary distance."
The housekeeper's subtle hint was not lost on Gu Nuannuan. While she still felt uneasy, she understood that pushing further might cause more harm than good. Begrudgingly, she nodded, accepting the housekeeper's advice, even if her heart still harbored doubts.
Mr. Jiang, however, was not so easily appeased. His anger simmered beneath the surface as he stormed out of the study, muttering darkly, "If she wasn't necessary, my Jiang family would never accept such a daughter-in-law."
The housekeeper, knowing how volatile the situation had become, followed closely behind, attempting to calm him down. "Master, please, she's young and straightforward. Others may not understand why she married into the Jiang family, but we do. From her perspective, it's natural for her to be anxious—especially when the second young master himself threatens to buy the Gu family on their wedding night. She's still worried about her family."
Jiang Lao's face softened slightly at the housekeeper's words, though his irritation lingered. "Send someone to keep an eye on both of their rooms tonight. I don't want any more incidents."
"Yes, master," the housekeeper responded obediently.
Meanwhile, Gu Nuannuan, though she knew she had angered Jiang Lao, couldn't shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at her. *What if the Jiang family forgets their promises?* She had learned the hard way not to trust easily, but she also knew confronting Mr. Jiang again wasn't an option. For now, she would have to be patient, though it didn't sit well with her.
As she walked through the hallway, deep in thought, a commotion downstairs caught her attention. Curious, she approached the railing and looked down, only to see Jiang Chenyu at the center of the chaos.
He was leaving.
The housekeeper and Mayor Jiang were both trying to stop him, their voices echoing through the large hall. "Second Young Master, tonight is your wedding night. It's unlucky to leave on such a night! You should be with the Second Young Madam," the housekeeper pleaded.
Mayor Jiang, who had just arrived, also joined in, "Chenyu, you're no longer a child. Nuannuan is your wife now. You have to take responsibility for her. If you leave tonight, how do you expect her to face the family tomorrow?"
Jiang Chenyu's patience was wearing thin, and his tone was dismissive. "Brother, you know why I got married, don't you? This wasn't a marriage of love—it was a marriage of orders. But there were no orders about sharing a bridal chamber. Don't try to stop me—you can't."
Determined to leave, Jiang Chenyu started towards the door again, but Mayor Jiang quickly blocked his path. "Nuannuan is watching you."
At the mention of her name, Jiang Chenyu paused and glanced up. There, on the second floor, was Gu Nuannuan, watching the entire scene unfold. She stood in her reception dress, her eyes locking onto his. For a moment, their gazes met, and something flickered in Jiang Chenyu's eyes—perhaps a moment of hesitation, or maybe just a fleeting thought. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, but then, without another word, he brushed past Mayor Jiang and left the Jiang family's old house, disappearing into the night.
Gu Nuannuan remained standing at the railing, her heart heavy. The man she had married had just walked out, not only from their wedding night but from her life, as if she didn't matter. "What now?"