Chapter 820: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 820: Engagement and Land Reclamation (1)
The study was silent, with the three of them sitting around the tea table, facing each other. The fragrant aroma of tea lingered in the air, yet no one had the mood to savor the gradually cooling top-quality Yunwu tea at this moment.
Mo Yan nervously watched her father, unconsciously twisting her fingers. Even though she had been confident that she could persuade her father to agree to this marriage, the words were now spoken, and the prolonged silence without a firm response left her feeling anxious, like a suspect awaiting a final verdict in a courtroom.
Xiao Ruiyuan’s face betrayed no emotion, but the tight grip in his sleeves and his increasingly heavy breathing hinted that his inner turmoil was far from the calmness he projected.
After what seemed like an eternity, Mo Qingze finally raised his eyes, briefly glancing at Mo Yan before locking eyes with Xiao Ruiyuan. His gaze was sharp, carrying an unprecedented intensity. "Since you can't wait for three years, how can I believe that entrusting Yan'er to you is the right decision?"
Xiao Ruiyuan stood up, glanced at Mo Yan with deep affection in his eyes. Then, he turned his attention to Mo Qingze, speaking earnestly, "Uncle Mo, I will not make any promises to you here. But time will prove everything. I ask Uncle Mo for a chance to prove myself."
Mo Qingze fixed his heavy gaze on Xiao Ruiyuan. Seeing that Xiao Ruiyuan didn’t avert his eyes, he felt somewhat satisfied. At least, the words he spoke at this moment seemed genuine, not perfunctory.
"I admit you're a fine young man, and I believe in your character," Mo Qingze said with a slightly softer expression, continuing seriously, "But your personality and background... neither meet the criteria I have for choosing a son-in-law. Marriage is no trivial matter. Even if you both have feelings for each other, that doesn't guarantee you'll live a harmonious life together."
There were many couples in the world who loved each other deeply. In the beginning, their relationship was supported by affection; they admired each other’s strengths and tolerated each other’s flaws. However, marriage is never just about two people; it involves many external factors. Perhaps a casual remark from someone else could cause irreparable rifts between husband and wife.
As time went on, these small rifts could widen, eventually becoming a chasm that would completely separate the once-loving couple.
Both Mo Yan and Xiao Ruiyuan were proud individuals. Especially Xiao Ruiyuan, who was quiet and introverted, preferring to let things fester in his heart rather than express them. Mo Yan, on the other hand, was strong-willed and couldn’t be like ordinary women who humbled themselves.
If the two ever had a conflict in the future, and because of their pride, they didn’t address the issue openly, their relationship could suffer a rift. If they didn’t resolve it promptly, it would only grow wider, and they might end up like strangers.
This was Mo Qingze’s biggest concern, which was why he preferred the gentle-tempered, similarly respectable Shen Ji. Even if there wasn’t love at first, over time, affection would develop. At worst, they could live respectfully as strangers, which was far better than being estranged later in life, full of resentment.
Outside the study, under the window, Xin’er and the others were sneaking around, listening attentively to the conversation inside.
Zhen’er scratched her head, frowning as she whispered, “Second Sister, I heard Father praising Big Brother Xiao, but the latter part of what he said... sounds like Father doesn’t want Big Brother Xiao to be our brother-in-law!”
“I heard that too!” Xin’er nodded, thoughtfully adding, “Looks like things aren’t looking good. If Father really disagrees, we four should rush in and plead for Big Brother Xiao. No matter what, we’re familiar with him, and it’s better for him to be our brother-in-law than a stranger. Plus, Big Brother Xiao treats us so well. If he marries Big Sister, he’ll surely treat her well, too!”
(The End of This Chapter)
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