Jiang Chenyu sat back in his chair, his mind racing with possibilities. The Gu family's unexpected move to return all the orders without explanation was not something he had anticipated. He had expected them to use the marriage as leverage to secure favorable deals or at least some sort of advantage from the Jiang family, especially with so many projects hanging in the balance. Yet, their decision to withdraw so abruptly left him unsettled.
His assistant stood by quietly, awaiting further instructions, while Jiang Chenyu's thoughts churned. Could it be that Gu Nuannuan wasn't as uninvolved in her family's dealings as he initially thought? Or perhaps the Gu family had some larger plan that he wasn't privy to?
"Has there been any word from the Gu family at all? Any new developments we've missed?" Jiang Chenyu asked, his eyes narrowing as he considered the possibilities.
"None that we've been able to track. They've been unusually quiet, sir," the assistant replied. "It's almost as if they're deliberately avoiding any interaction."
Jiang Chenyu drummed his fingers on the desk, his mind working through the puzzle. Something wasn't adding up. The Gu family was known for being ambitious and calculating. This kind of behavior was not in line with their usual tactics.
"Keep an eye on them," he finally said, his voice sharp and decisive. "I want to know the moment anything changes. I don't like surprises."
The assistant nodded and left the room, leaving Jiang Chenyu to his thoughts.
As he stared out of the large window of his office, his thoughts shifted back to Gu Nuannuan. She was a mystery too. She had boldly approached him with her terms earlier, something he hadn't expected from the seemingly naive girl he had married. Her proposal had been pragmatic, and while he had brushed her off initially, he had to admit that her suggestion wasn't without merit. Moving out would indeed simplify things. He wouldn't have to deal with her or the constant meddling from his family. And her indifference toward him pursuing his own life was... convenient.
But there was something about the way she handled herself that gnawed at him. She wasn't like the other women in his life, the ones who either fawned over him or sought to manipulate him for their own gain. Gu Nuannuan was different—sharp-tongued, but also strangely detached, as if she wasn't afraid of what their marriage would bring. It was almost as if she had nothing to lose.
"Gu Nuannuan," he muttered under his breath, thinking back to her stubborn defiance. For someone who claimed to have little interest in their arrangement, she certainly knew how to hold her ground.
Just then, his phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. It was a text from his father, Mr. Jiang.
"Come to the house tonight. We need to talk about your priorities."
Jiang Chenyu frowned. His father's attempts to control him were nothing new, but the timing of the message only added to the weight of everything that was already on his mind. Between the Gu family's strange behavior, his father's constant pressure, and the brewing conflict with his new wife, it seemed as though the entire world was conspiring to keep him on edge.
He stood up from his chair, straightening his jacket. It was going to be a long day.
---
Back at the Jiang household, Gu Nuannuan had just finished changing into a more casual outfit. Her conversation with Jiang Chenyu earlier had left her feeling both satisfied and apprehensive. While she had managed to assert herself, she knew this was only the beginning of the complicated life she had married into. The Jiang family dynamics were a mess, and navigating them would require more than just sharp words.
Still, her thoughts kept drifting back to the second point she had made during their conversation—moving out. If she could convince Jiang Chenyu to leave the Jiang estate, things might become more bearable. At least she wouldn't have to constantly deal with the scrutiny of his family, particularly Wei Aihua. That woman seemed determined to make her life difficult.
As she descended the stairs, she saw Mr. Jiang in the sitting room, deep in conversation with the housekeeper. The patriarch of the Jiang family looked every bit as formidable as he always did, his brows furrowed in thought.
"Nuannuan," Mr. Jiang called out as she passed. "Come sit with me for a moment."
Gu Nuannuan hesitated for a moment but then walked over, sitting down across from him.
"How are you adjusting to life here?" he asked, his tone softer than she expected.
She smiled politely. "It's... an adjustment, but I'm managing."
Mr. Jiang nodded, his gaze sharp. "Good. I know this family can be overwhelming, but remember, you're part of it now. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to come to me."
Gu Nuannuan blinked in surprise. This was the first time Mr. Jiang had offered any sort of support. She had expected the cold indifference that usually came with these kinds of powerful families, but his words almost felt genuine.
"Thank you, Dad," she said, her voice soft.
He waved her off. "I'm sure Chenyu can be difficult. He's always been that way. But don't give up on him too easily. There's more to him than meets the eye."
Gu Nuannuan nodded, unsure of how to respond. She didn't know if there was more to Jiang Chenyu or if she even wanted to find out. Their marriage was a farce, after all, and she had no illusions about what her place in this family was.
As Mr. Jiang continued talking, Gu Nuannuan couldn't help but wonder if her life was about to get even more complicated.