Second Uncle was speechless. His thoughts seemed to be firmly grasped by this young man, leaving him no room to maneuver. Moreover, judging from the matter of offering incense to the family god, Ren Yuanhao’s perceptiveness was quite astonishing. After his words, Second Uncle’s perception of the young man had already begun to shift.
Ren Yuanhao did not finish speaking. Instead, he turned behind First Uncle and whispered, “First Uncle, I, Ren Yuanhao, have always detested men with such strong control. That’s right, in my eyes, your family background is prominent, and you indeed have the capital to boss me around as an unknown junior. I can tolerate this, but you are forcing Ouyang Rui to choose someone she doesn’t like. This, I cannot agree with.”
“It is not your place to comment on our family matters.”
“Oh? But now I feel it concerns me. After all, I am Ouyang Rui’s boyfriend. Her business is my business.”
First Uncle slammed the table again and roared, “Ouyang Rui, listen to me. If you do not agree to the marriage arranged by our family today, then all of our family’s resources will be closed off to you!”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfang’s face turned ashen. “Big Brother~ this~”
“Don’t call me Big Brother. Rui’er has been spoiled by you all, which is why she is so willful and headstrong. If she doesn’t agree to marry Jiang Li today, then our Ouyang family will not acknowledge such an unfilial descendant!”
At this moment, Ouyang Rui suddenly retreated several steps and knelt before her grandfather in an open space. There was a hint of bitterness on her face. After all, she had already taken on fifty percent of the burden of Ouyang Enterprises, helping her father and uncles manage the company. She had developed deep feelings for it, and the company was flourishing with her almost frantic efforts, showing no signs of decline. She was even nicknamed the ‘Desperate Third Daughter’ by the company employees.
However, her efforts were met with such resolute words today, how could she not feel heartbroken?
“Since First Uncle has said so, then Rui’er can only sever ties with the Ouyang family and will never marry Jiang Li, even if it costs her life!”
Jiang Li’s chopsticks suddenly dropped from his fingers. His previously transcendent and refined expression was as if covered by a layer of dark clouds.
“You beast! I’ll beat you to death, you beast!”
First Uncle raised his chopsticks and was about to smash them at Ouyang Rui. Unexpectedly, Ren Yuanhao grabbed his hand, and no matter how he struggled, he was helpless.
“Wait, Rui’er, this is not a game. I am not worth you doing this.”
“No, do you know? Yesterday, when I was drinking at Yunxian Hotel, out of boredom, I saw you. At that time, I thought you were just a reckless young man. Seeing your friend being ridiculed by two pampered disciples, I thought you would endure it silently. But you didn’t. You must know that those two scoundrels are considered local tyrants in Yun Jin City. Their temperaments and status are no less than Old Master Zhu’s son. Yet you, as a newcomer, casually stepped forward and taught them both a lesson. At that moment, the light reflected on your profile, like an angel. In that instant, my whole body felt electrified. I knew that the person belonging to me, the person I longed for, had finally appeared!”
Ouyang Rui’s face was filled with tears. Ling’er, on the side, opened her mouth wide and stared with disbelieving eyes. She asked, “Sister Rui, you’ve only known him for one day. Is your affection greater than that for your childhood sweetheart brother? Ling’er doesn’t believe it, doesn’t believe it!”
“I didn’t believe it before either, until I met you. I feel I have let go of all the modesty a woman should have, letting that little girl you saved frantically inquire about you. Then, I learned your name, and also learned that you saved everyone attending the Xia family’s banquet yesterday through your own efforts. From that moment on, I had a feeling that your name would one day resonate throughout Yun Jin City!”
As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Li’s expression froze, like a corpse. His eyes were fixed on a single point, or perhaps had no focus. It was unclear if it was due to the overwhelming blow, but at this moment, he looked extremely gloomy, like the sky before a storm.
Meanwhile, Ren Yuanhao finally understood everything he wanted to know and also knew how fervent the woman speaking to him felt towards him. However, he could not imagine how things had reached this point. He had fantasized countless times whether a woman would be willing to betray everything for him. Now, this fantasy, which he thought could never be realized in his lifetime, had actually become a reality so quickly.
All of this felt like a dream. And after waking from this dream, he himself would become a phantom, disappearing before Ouyang Rui. By then, Ouyang Rui would have nothing. Ren Yuanhao did not want to see such a result.
At this moment, Ouyang Shuo, who had not participated in the argument, suddenly burst into laughter. “You brat, I knew this name sounded familiar, but my brain was spinning like rusty gears, and I just couldn’t recall it. Hearing Rui’er say it, I suddenly realized, it was indeed you who saved the Xia family members, Ren Yuanhao. You’ve got some interesting points, kid. Rui’er, you can get up too.”
Hearing the ancestor speak, Ren Yuanhao felt that there was hope. He immediately released his hold on First Uncle, and Ouyang Rui also stood up from the cold floor.
“Rui’er, it seems we understand your feelings. As for you being willing to sever ties with the family for a man, I still have to say, blood is thicker than water after all. Eldest Brother, you too, why are you arguing with Rui’er? If you don’t want me to die of anger, all of you sit down properly and eat the meal.”
Ouyang Shuo picked up his chopsticks and sighed. “Look at you, the food has gone cold. Qingfang, have someone take it to be reheated.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Li silently stood up, cupped his hands towards the elders. No one could see the expression on his face. They only felt that his voice was much colder than before. “Esteemed elders, since I have come and received my answer, the meaning of this meal is gone. I shall take my leave.”
Jiang Li left his seat without waiting for anyone to respond. Ling’er followed closely behind, looking back at her Sister Rui while whispering something softly.
After the two left, Ouyang Shuo slowly said, “Rui’er, what you said just now has really angered that brat Jiang Li.”
Ouyang Rui did not reply. The sudden silence made her extremely embarrassed. After all, she had just confessed completely. If Ren Yuanhao did not accept, she would have lost face completely.
At this moment, Ren Yuanhao also felt very apologetic. So, he secretly made a decision and said very solemnly, “My two uncles, Ren Yuanhao knows a divine doctor who might be able to treat the stubborn illnesses you two suffer from.”