Su Yuning choked on a mouthful of food. Shocked by Jiang Beili's audacity, she was at a loss. She took a big gulp of water before she could catch her breath.
"Are you okay?" Jiang Beili wrinkled her face, retorting disdainfully. "I didn't come here specifically to see you."
Jiang Beili spread his hands indifferently, clearly not believing Su Yuning's words. He obviously thought she was being insincere.
Su Yuning didn't want to be labeled as a "clingy woman." She was about to argue with Jiang Beili.
But Bai Wenxi thought it unnecessary. She pinched her sister's hand under the table. "Yuning, let's eat quickly. I have to go to the Starry Art Museum this afternoon."
She had already made an appointment with Yao Chunmei to negotiate at the museum. Bai Yunxi had also sent a message urging her. Bai Yunxi was quite enthusiastic about finding a wealthy person to pay off her mother's debts.
Jiang Beili could tell that his elder brother and sister - in - law were not fond of this blind date. However, he didn't care at all.
Just thinking of his father's exhortations gave him a headache. For this kind of exchange of interests, it required a tacit understanding. He wasn't unaware of Miss Su's slight resistance.
So he didn't need to waste any more time. Jiang Beili simply ate a few mouthfuls and then got up to say goodbye.
Jiang Beihuai immediately chased after him and stopped him in the hall. In fact, Jiang Beihuai didn't have a deep friendship with this cousin, so he didn't know what to say to him sincerely.
He just wanted to stabilize him, at least prevent his uncle from constantly causing trouble for the Su family.
"I understand all your father's arrangements for you," Jiang Beihuai said. He was too embarrassed to point out that his uncle wanted to use his son's good looks to curry favor with the powerful. Instead, he used a very euphemistic way of speaking.
"I met the head of Yaodong Group a few days ago. They think you're very suitable."
Jiang Beili remained expressionless and didn't come closer to ask questions. Jiang Beihuai had to force himself to continue. "The eldest daughter of Yaodong Group is also very outstanding. Her family background matches ours well."
Jiang Beili suddenly interrupted him, still with that cold and ice - like face. "Brother, I know my father can be unreasonable sometimes and loves to daydream."
He criticized his father mercilessly, seemingly not caring about his father's face. "My father always wants to take advantage of the Jiang family and also wants you to introduce me to girls from wealthy families."
"To be honest, I'm not interested in being a son - in - law of a wealthy family at all."
Jiang Beihuai didn't expect his cousin to have such an attitude. He probed tentatively. "But Uncle has high hopes for you."
He deliberately used a nicer way of speaking to save Jiang Beili's dignity. "He's just afraid you won't be able to marry a suitable wife, so he's very concerned about your marriage."
However, Jiang Beili casually pushed aside the stray hairs on his forehead. His cold eyes stared straight at Jiang Beihuai.
"My father has always wanted to take advantage of your influence for my benefit. Don't you even care about this?" His dark eyes were like ice - cold daggers. "My father even fantasizes that if I can marry Miss Su, he can get help from sister - in - law and ask her to put in a good word for him with you."
This was a blatant calculation. Of course, Jiang Beihuai knew what his uncle was up to.
But since his uncle hadn't fallen out with the family, he could only turn a blind eye and pretend everything was harmonious.
Jiang Beili continued to pierce through the false harmony of the big family, still with a sarcastic tone. "Brother, you don't need to worry about me. I'll handle my father myself."
After saying this, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and sauntered away, not even bothering to pretend basic respect.
Jiang Beihuai knew this cousin had always been free - spirited and unique. But it was only now that he realized how truly different and extraordinary he was.
Bai Wenxi had a headache just thinking about her grandma's stubbornness. Their back - and - forth talks had been useless.
She hadn't fulfilled the promise she made to her uncle and aunt. She felt so frustrated.
But Su Yuning was more open - minded. "Sister Wen, look on the bright side. Everyone has their own destiny. Forced relationships may not be bad. You and brother - in - law got married through a blind date, and you seem to be living a happy life."
"I'm old enough to handle things independently. Don't you have any confidence in me?"
Since her sister was so considerate, Bai Wenxi didn't have the heart to refute her. She only swore in her heart to become stronger so that she could protect the people she cherished.
Although Bai Wenxi felt guilty that she couldn't cancel the blind date, Su Yuning was satisfied after a good meal. When leaving the Jiang family, she even specifically said goodbye to the old Mrs. Jiang.
She was an optimist. Although she wasn't keen on the family - arranged marriage, at least she had seen a handsome guy today. It was worth the trip.
Bai Wenxi, however, had a completely different personality from her cousin. The sense of powerlessness in her heart lasted until this afternoon.
Bai Yunxi had been waiting at the art museum for a long time, but Yao Chunmei was late. Moreover, it was obvious that she was in a state of hangover.
Bai Wenxi endured her disgust and managed to maintain her composure to continue talking to her step - mother.
But as soon as she opened her mouth, Yao Chunmei let out a loud belch. A foul smell of the previous night's alcohol rushed towards Bai Wenxi, making her feel nauseous.
Bai Wenxi quickly covered her nose. "What's wrong with you? You knew we were going to talk today, but you're still drunk."
Bai Yunxi was surprisingly sober today. She just stood aside, with her eyelids drooping and staring intently at the ground, as if she could find something special on the floor tiles.
No matter how much Yao Chunmei rambled on, she remained expressionless, with stiff limbs, looking like a puppet, as if nothing had to do with her.
Yao Chunmei came to meet her step - daughter during her busy schedule because Bai Wenxi promised to help her pay off the debts.
Those guys who were blackmailing her with nude photos and private videos were pressing hard. Yao Chunmei had secretly sold some jewelry, including the dowry that Su Xingfei had brought into the Bai family when she got married.
She wasn't brave enough not to return the property that Bai Wenxi's mother had left in the Bai family. She just hoped to make up for it with something else in the future.
But she didn't dare to tell Bai Wenxi these plans, for fear that her step - daughter would get angry and refuse to pay off the debts.
Bai Wenxi took out her checkbook. Yao Chunmei's eyes immediately lit up.
Then she glanced at her dumb - founded daughter and started swearing. "What's the use of raising you? I can't count on you at all. Your husband's family has power and wealth, but you can't even get a single cent to pay off your mother's debts."
Bai Wenxi shook the checkbook. The rustling sound attracted all of Yao Chunmei's attention.
She was like a hyena seeing its prey, constantly swallowing her saliva and staring fixedly at the blank check, as if it were stacks of hundred - dollar bills.
Since Bai Zhongxun's death, she rarely showed a kind and caring side. "Wenxi, if you can help me get through this difficult time, I'll definitely help you manage your father's art gallery well. And I'll promote his documentary internationally."
Yao Chunmei boasted extravagantly. "I'll make Zhongxun's documentary compete internationally. I'll surely make your father famous overseas."
She was spitting as she talked, but Bai Wenxi remained unmoved. She calmly tore off a check and held it in her hand without writing.