Chapter 6: Perhaps It's Worth Learning from Second Master Jiang

“I won’t learn from a dog!” The disgust in Xu An’an’s eyes was unmistakable at the mention of Jiang Yu.

She paused, the corner of her eye arching slyly. “But I suppose I could learn a thing or two from Second Master Jiang.”

Jiang Li’s gaze grew colder as he saw Xu An’an’s unconcerned demeanor. Suddenly, he closed the distance between them, taking her chin firmly in his hand. His lips parted, voice low and cool, “Perhaps I should be learning from you.”

“Last night you were in my arms, but you can turn around and burrow into Jiang Yu’s embrace just as easily.”

“You want everything, don’t you?”

“Xu An’an, I think you’re truly insatiable.”

He was so close—his cold, strikingly handsome face just inches from hers, as if tinged with some hidden fire. His words, though brief, dripped with biting ridicule.

Xu An’an’s almond eyes widened as she broke free from his grasp, retorting mockingly, “Second Master Jiang, why so angry? Isn’t this just mutual benefit?”

“Or perhaps you’ve developed real feelings for me over time?” As she uttered the word “time,” her tone grew pointed, deliberately reminding Jiang Li of the true reason for the entanglement between them. As for anything beyond that, it was best not to interfere too much.

At her words, Jiang Li’s dark eyes deepened, for once uncharacteristically silent in the face of her sarcasm. This side of him was a rare sight, and Xu An’an found it almost curious.

Just then, footsteps echoed from the corridor, growing nearer and nearer, accompanied by the curses of Shen Ying and her daughter. “Changing clothes for so long—did she run off again?”

Without time to think, Xu An’an hurriedly shoved Jiang Li into the dressing room and stepped out herself. Barely had she steadied herself when Shen Ying and her daughter burst in, making Xu An’an’s breath catch in her throat.

“Xu An’an, you really have some nerve making everyone wait for you!” Shen Ying spat, her disdain clear. “Do you really think you’ll soar to the top just by latching onto the Jiang family? You’d better spend more time thinking about that mother of yours, half-dead in the hospital, and prepare to be at our mercy for the rest of your life!”

Xu Wanwan rolled her eyes so far back they almost stuck, her scorn for Xu An’an plain as day.

Shen Ying, however, noticed the unease on Xu An’an’s face, her eyes narrowing. “Why are you blocking the door? Is someone in there?”

Xu Wanwan’s eyes lit up. “She’s definitely hiding a secret lover!”

“Move aside!”

Two fists can’t beat four hands.

The mother and daughter worked together—one shoving Xu An’an aside, the other barging into the lounge like bandits raiding a village, rummaging through every corner. Just as Xu An’an thought disaster was inevitable, Xu Wanwan found nothing—not even a shadow.

Unwilling to let go of such a precious opportunity to pin something on Xu An’an, Shen Ying searched the room again, even lifting the carpet as if suspecting a hidden tunnel.

Only then did Xu An’an’s heart finally settle. She had no idea how Jiang Li had gotten out—after all, this was the eighth floor!

“You’d best put away your little tricks and obediently marry into the Jiang family. Otherwise, you know what will happen.” Shen Ying’s face was dark, as if she sensed she’d missed out on some major secret—a secret that could have Xu An’an utterly in her grasp.

Just then, someone from the Jiang family came to urge them along, and only then did the three “peacefully” head for the banquet hall.

With Old Master Jiang mediating, Jiang Yu reluctantly apologized to Xu An’an and promised never to make such mistakes again, and the matter was glossed over with little fuss.

Of course, Xu An’an never expected a formal apology from the Jiang family. She forced a smile, saying all the right but insincere words.

A crowd gathered around Xu An’an and Jiang Yu. On the left, the menfolk and Jiang family elders exhorted Jiang Yu, “As the saying goes, a man must settle down before building his career. To achieve anything, you must first have a family.”

“Once you’re married, it’s time to rein yourself in.”

On the right, the Jiang family’s womenfolk beamed at Xu An’an. “You and Jiang Yu look every bit the perfect couple. Once you marry into the family, you’ll surely bring him luck.”

“That’s right. Our An’an is so fond of Young Master Jiang. Forget engagement next month—she’d marry him this instant if she could.” Shen Ying smiled sweetly, but her words were laced with malice, eager to paint Xu An’an as desperate to wed, even willing to throw herself at the Jiang family.

As expected, the womenfolk’s smiles faded a little, their gazes at Xu An’an subtly changing.

Xu An’an kept her smile fixed, as if oblivious to the insinuations, as if she neither heard nor understood—a marionette dancing on strings. After all, her mother’s life was still in Shen Ying’s hands.

Endure.

Endurance was all she had left.

Once the engagement was over and the Shen family had gotten what they wanted from the Jiangs, she would find a way to call off the engagement. As for marriage—never!

As if struck by a sudden thought, Xu An’an lifted her eyes.

She immediately spotted the tall, elegant silhouette standing at the edge of the crowd. The man, too, was looking in her direction, his expression indifferent, lips curved in a faint, cold smile—as if mocking her performance of false harmony.

Without betraying anything, Xu An’an looked away, turning to the Jiang women with an even brighter, more obedient smile than before.

Jiang Yu, beside her, noticed her distraction. Following her gaze, he saw nothing at all. Was he just being paranoid?

“What are you looking at?” A deep, magnetic voice suddenly sounded behind him. Jiang Yu started, hand shaking, and spilled red wine down his white shirt.

He was about to curse, but when he turned and saw those cold, fathomless eyes, he swallowed every word.

It was Jiang Li.

Old Master Jiang had told Jiang Yu to go change his shirt, calling Jiang Li to his side instead. Naturally, Jiang Li took Jiang Yu’s place.

“Your nephew’s about to settle down. And you? Still nothing?” someone remarked. “There are plenty of young ladies here tonight. Haven’t you taken a liking to any of them?”

Jiang Li tilted his head, glancing at the suddenly tense Xu An’an. The corner of his mouth lifted in a wicked curve. “I have. There’s one I fancy—she’s here tonight.”

The crowd was stunned. Old Master Jiang had urged him to marry countless times, but Jiang Li always brushed it off with work as an excuse. Now, he was being unusually forthright.

Old Master Jiang was overjoyed, looking around eagerly. At last, his years-long wish might come true.

“Which family’s young lady is it?”

“Is Miss Xu curious as well?” Jiang Li suddenly turned, his gaze settling on Xu An’an. His enchanting eyes seemed to ripple with light, though beneath the surface, a fierce undercurrent stirred.

In an instant, every eye in the room turned to Xu An’an.