Soon, Grandpa contacted Jiang's father and asked him to make the trip to the hospital to discuss the marriage.
On that day, Zhan Bei Jue once again realized the ugliness of human nature.
After many years, Zhan Bei Jue was vastly different from his younger self, yet Jiang's father greeted him with apparent warmth.
It was as if they were next-door neighbors who had never lost touch.
He recounted the incident where he saved Zhan Bei Jue and the old man, time and again, as if afraid everyone would forget his immense kindness.
The old man smiled and appeased him throughout.
Finally, the conversation turned to the wedding.
Before the old man could even outline his plans for their wedding, Jiang's father preempted him with his opinions.
"Nan Fang is not only beautiful but also has a temper to match. To be honest, marrying into your family is a step up for her."
"If she does anything wrong in the future, please bear with her. You can also tell me. Rest assured, I am a person who upholds justice over kinship."
"If she dares to be unreasonable with you, I will certainly discipline her."
"Heh heh. As for the wedding, I've discussed it with her mother at home."
"Uncle, you are not in good health, and the company is busy. Moreover, our factory has also encountered many problems recently. Perhaps we shouldn't hold a wedding."
"Nan Fang is still a student, so it's fine not to have one, although it's a pity for Ah Jue. But these are all temporary."
"When the situation improves later, and Nan Fang gives your family a child or two, we can have a make-up celebration. Wouldn't it be better to have double happiness?"
Honestly, Zhan Bei Jue had no intention of holding a wedding at the time.
Firstly, with his grandfather's illness, he had just taken over the group's operations. He was not proficient in many areas, and he had to learn and manage the overall situation, being overwhelmed every day.
Secondly, his grandfather was suffering from illness in the hospital, yet he was expected to put on a show of affection and joy in front of everyone. He could not fake it.
So, after Jiang's father finished speaking, he accepted on behalf of his grandfather, "Alright. I'll listen to Uncle Jiang."
Jiang's father was first taken aback by his prompt agreement, then shook his head.
"Ah Jue is handsome, academically brilliant, and respects his elders. Nan Fang is truly fortunate to have met you."
"Alas, we are all human. If only my son could be like you."
He had another son later?
Zhan Bei Jue immediately recalled Jiang Nan Fang's attire every time he saw her at school.
No wonder she always wore men's clothing. Could it be that she was wearing clothes her younger brother no longer wanted?
"Nan Fang has a younger brother?" Zhan Bei Jue asked.
Jiang's father nodded, "Yes. I forgot to tell you, not two years after saving you both, Nan Fang's mother fell gravely ill."
"To treat her, I spent all our family savings and incurred a lot of debt."
"Alas, don't mention it. Those years were miserable, but in the end, we couldn't keep her."
"Later, I met another woman. Not only did she not mind that I was poor, but she also felt sorry for Nan Fang. We got together."
"I feel I owe her a lot. After so many years with me, raising my daughter and giving me a son, I haven't given her a good life. I'm getting old, and the debt keeps growing..."
His version of the "family history" was vastly different from what Zhan Bei Jue had heard at school.
If, as he claimed, the woman he married later was so good, then it should have been a poor but happy family.
Why did Jiang Nan Fang end up as a half-disfigured tomboy?
The old man, being a shrewd observer, could discern the intention of seeking financial help through his words.
So, he promptly replied, "It must have been hard for you raising Nan Fang all these years."
"Although we are not holding a wedding, we will still give our Zhan family's granddaughter-in-law the respect she deserves."
"I will offer five million as a betrothal gift. Have Nan Fang come to our house tomorrow. What do you think, little Jiang?"
Jiang's father happily agreed, and the house was decorated that day. The next day, Jiang Nan Fang entered the Zhan family's doors.
Unfortunately, Zhan Bei Jue did not see her on their wedding day.
His grandfather's stroke worsened overnight, and he suddenly lost the use of one side of his body. Zhan Bei Jue stayed at the hospital for three days before returning home.
He returned home in the morning, the weather was bright and sunny.
However, the joyous new house felt devoid of life.
Apart from the housekeeper and maids, Jiang Nan Fang was nowhere to be seen.
Zhan Bei Jue initially didn't want to eat breakfast, but to inquire about his wife, he feigned a posture and sat at the dining table.
"The Madam is not here today?"
The housekeeper replied, "Madam has gone to school. She said there are exams soon and she needs to get to the library early to reserve a study spot. She might be back late tonight."
She was only in her first year of university. Zhan Bei Jue understood.
"Did she change into the new clothes I had someone buy for her?"
"No. Madam is too thin, and the clothes don't fit quite right, so she hasn't worn them. But I've already asked Xiao Zhang to take them for exchange."
Based on his memory from years ago, Zhan Bei Jue had asked for the smallest size. How could it not fit?
"This brand doesn't have an extra small size, so there's no need to exchange them. Bring them back."
The housekeeper: "...Then..."
"Tell the kitchen to prepare more delicious food for her to gain weight. If she gains weight, they will fit."
"..."
The housekeeper's eyes flickered, and after a few seconds of hesitation, she told Zhan Bei Jue truthfully.
"But Young Master, apart from sleeping at night, Madam is basically not here during the day."
"She doesn't eat the late-night snacks we prepare for her when she returns at night."
Oh? Is she that busy?
Zhan Bei Jue waved his hand, "Then we'll talk about it on holidays."
With that, he went upstairs to wash up and sleep.
Having stayed up for two consecutive nights, he was exhausted and slept for an entire day.
In the evening, he was finally woken by the urge to urinate. He shuffled in his slippers towards the bathroom, but after only two steps, he thought he saw a ghost.
On the left side of the bathroom, on the bay window cushion, a large green object was slowly wriggling in the faint light from outside.
If Zhan Bei Jue hadn't smelled food, he would have kicked it.
"Snap!"
He turned on the ceiling light and finally saw the true form of the object.
It turned out to be Jiang Nan Fang, wearing a cartoon costume, eating instant noodles under the light!
"..."
The newlywed couple's first meeting was in such a scene. Their eyes met, and there was a hint of awkwardness.
After a few seconds, Zhan Bei Jue looked at Jiang Nan Fang, whose hair was messy and stuck to her face, her face dirty, and her mouth greasy, and spoke.
"Why are you here?"
His intention was actually, why are you sitting here eating instant noodles?
However, Jiang Nan Fang misunderstood. The flesh on her cheeks visibly reddened, and she nervously wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
"My dad said that we are married."
"...It's so late, why are you dressed like this?"
Her face turned even redder. "This... I'm sorry, I won't bring it in again."
Zhan Bei Jue had no intention of criticizing her for bringing things in. He opened his mouth to apologize. Why was she so sensitive?
"Haven't you eaten dinner yet? Did school end this late?"
"I've eaten!" Jiang Nan Fang turned to cover the instant noodle box. "I just suddenly felt a craving."