Ruan Jiu didn't know how she had returned to her room.
The moment the door closed, a flood of complex emotions rushed towards her like a tidal wave.
Grief, heartache, pain, helplessness, resignation...
These feelings threatened to drown her.
She slumped to the floor, her eyes unfocused.
She trembled as she opened her mouth, wanting to let out a hoarse scream, a desperate shout.
But in the end, she found that she couldn't make a sound.
Tears welled up in her reddened eyes and fell one by one to the ground.
All she could think about were the words the old Master Xie had said to her.
She knew she was unworthy of Xie Jingchu.
She knew it!
She had always known!
That was why she had never dared to face her own feelings or reciprocate his affection.
In fact, looking back, all these years, she had been working hard to master the art of business and learn various skills.
Wasn't it all so that she wouldn't be overshadowed when standing beside Xie Jingchu?
But why had the high wall she had built in her heart been slowly broken down by the person she respected the most?
The so - called match of social status, the so - called prejudice of family background.
It had become an insurmountable chasm between her and Xie Jingchu!
Just then, her door was pushed open.
Xie Jingchu saw that her eyes were dull and her pale, haggard face was like a blank sheet of paper.
He was instantly terrified. He knelt down and pulled her tightly into his arms.
His voice trembling, he asked, "What's wrong?"
Ruan Jiu buried her head in Xie Jingchu's arms, removing all her pretenses and bursting into tears.
The emotions that had been pent up in her heart finally found an outlet.
Xie Jingchu just held her quietly, his eyes filled with心疼, unable to utter a single word.
After an unknown amount of time, Ruan Jiu stopped crying.
Looking at the wet patch on Xie Jingchu's chest, a mixture of her tears and snot, she suddenly felt embarrassed and lowered her head in silence.
Originally, after learning that Ruan Jiu was to marry Xie Yanchuan in ten days, Xie Jingchu had rushed over immediately, wanting to ask her what had happened.
He never expected to see this scene when he entered the room.
Even now, his heart still ached.
"What did the old man say to you?" Xie Jingchu asked, his eyes solemn.
The sense of grievance welled up in Ruan Jiu's heart again. Pouting, she said, "He said I'm not worthy to be with you."
Hearing that this was the reason for Ruan Jiu's heart - wrenching sobs, Xie Jingchu's eyes lit up with uncontrollable joy.
But even though he was overjoyed, he couldn't show it at this moment.
He couldn't just stand there grinning while Ruan Jiu was crying her eyes out.
So, he gently stroked Ruan Jiu's head and comforted her, "He's old and muddle - headed. I'll find a doctor for him to have a good check - up tomorrow."
Ruan Jiu was amused by his words. She sniffed and continued, "He also said he would send me out of Qinzhou."
Xie Jingchu收起 the smile on his face and lowered his eyes. "So you agreed to marry Xie Yanchuan?"
Ruan Jiu nodded.
"That old fool is really senile. I'm going to talk to him right now!"
Saying that, Xie Jingchu immediately wanted to rush out.
Seeing this, Ruan Jiu quickly stopped him.
"Don't go!"
"If I don't go, I'll lose my wife!" Xie Jingchu said anxiously.
Hearing this, Ruan Jiu blushed.
She buried her head even lower, afraid that Xie Jingchu would see.
"You're such an adult, yet you still talk so boldly."
Xie Jingchu seemed to be dissatisfied and said petulantly, "Is A Jiu嫌弃 me for being old?"
"I didn't mean that." Ruan Jiu raised her eyes, looking helpless.
"Then why did you agree to marry that brat?" Xie Jingchu said jealously.
"It was just a stopgap measure."
Ruan Jiu rubbed her forehead.
Who was comforting whom here?
"That's easy." After saying that, Xie Jingchu grabbed Ruan Jiu's wrist and wanted to drag her out.
"What are you doing?" Ruan Jiu stared at Xie Jingchu suspiciously.
"Go and talk to the old man clearly. It's me who has been pestering you. If I can't marry you in this lifetime, I'll shave my head and become a monk."
"Are you crazy!" Ruan Jiu exclaimed.
Immediately, she quickly pulled her hand back.
She was afraid that he would really drag her to say such things to the old Master Xie.
Ruan Jiu then said, "Grandfather seems to be hiding a secret, which is why he said these things to me."
"But he can't just arrange marriages randomly!"
"Come on, I already have a plan. As long as you don't interfere."
She couldn't let Xie Jingchu go against the old Master Xie because of her.
Moreover, not only was the eldest branch always eyeing Xie Jingchu, but the third branch also had their own schemes.
She would never let Xie Jingchu be in danger.
Seeing her unyielding expression, Xie Jingchu had no choice but to agree.
He wrapped his arm around hers and said coquettishly, "I'll do whatever you want."
Was this still the Fourth Master she knew?
If others saw this, they would surely think that Xie Jingchu had been possessed.
Suddenly, Ruan Jiu seemed to remember something.
She suddenly pushed Xie Jingchu away.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her gaze became extremely sharp.
"Why are you looking at me like that? It's creepy." Xie Jingchu couldn't help but shiver.
Ruan Jiu didn't say a word. Her face turned colder, and her brows showed a hint of sternness.
"What... what are you doing?" A thought flashed through Xie Jingchu's mind that she had been possessed by something.
Scared, he quickly reached out his hand to feel her forehead.
Unexpectedly, Ruan Jiu waved his hand away.
She said coldly, "The things Wanwan said in the main hall today, you told her to say them, didn't you?"
"Yes... yes, but weren't these all discussed by us?"
Ruan Jiu snorted. "I'm asking about the last thing she said."
Xie Jingchu nervously swallowed his saliva. "How could that be?"
Seeing Xie Jingchu's evasive eyes, it confirmed what Ruan Jiu had suspected.
Although Su Wan was simple - minded and straightforward, she would never expose their secrets in front of everyone.
The only explanation for Su Wan's abnormal behavior today was that Xie Jingchu must have used some means.
Ruan Jiu took a few steps back and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
Her gaze fixed, she said, "Do you want to confess yourself, or should I force you to talk?"
Xie Jingchu pursed his lips.
He knew he couldn't escape this time.
So he told her everything.
It turned out that he had found Su Wan and told her that even if the plan succeeded today and Ruan Jiu broke off the engagement with Xie Yanchuan.
With Ruan Jiu's personality, she would still have concerns.
Their relationship might never progress.
So he repeatedly begged Su Wan to help. As long as she told everyone about their relationship, he would handle the rest.
After hearing this, Ruan Jiu was skeptical.
He said he had repeatedly begged her, but he might have forced Su Wan to do it.
"A Jiu, I just want a proper title." Xie Jingchu stepped forward, grabbed the corner of Ruan Jiu's clothes, and gently shook it.
The sternness in Ruan Jiu's brows faded. Her beautiful peach - blossom eyes were hazy and gentle, filled with water.
Her thin lips parted slightly.
"Then just wait."
"What? Wait again?"