Chapter Two: Failing to Recognize the True Dragon! (A Popular New Serial)

Old Master Jiang, with his head of white hair and clad in a Zhongshan suit, stood ramrod straight, his large eyes shining with vigor. Seeing Zheng Xuan arrive with her parents, he looked a little embarrassed, forced out a couple of dry laughs, and said, “In-laws, come in, please.”

In the crowd, Zheng’s father spotted Jiang Yu. His gaze flickered away, his face full of guilt.

Years ago, Zheng Xuan’s parents and Jiang Yu’s parents had met through business dealings. The two sides hit it off, finding in each other kindred spirits, and in that rush of late-found friendship, they sealed the marriage between Jiang Yu and Zheng Xuan over drinks, without much thought.

Now, coming here today, anyone with eyes could see—they were here to go back on their word.

“Where are Jiang Yu’s parents?” Zheng’s mother, always direct and unable to hold back, noticed their absence and blurted out the question without thinking.

Instantly, the atmosphere became tense and heavy. No one spoke, and even the faint smile at Old Master Jiang’s lips froze.

After a long silence, Old Master Jiang glanced at Jiang Yu, sighed, and said, “Jiang Yu’s parents had some personal matters in their business and couldn’t make it in time. Let’s begin. I can speak for both children.”

Everyone knew the truth—Jiang Yu’s parents would hardly dare show their faces here. No one needed to spell it out.

Jiang Yu’s second uncle wore a mocking smile, though he kept silent. For Jiang Yu’s family, today was a day of utter humiliation.

The eldest uncle shook his head and muttered to himself that Jiang Yu was a useless disappointment—being rejected by a woman at the door, what face was left to speak of? He nearly lost his temper then and there.

Jiang Yu’s face showed little emotion. Marriage should be about mutual affection and willingness; since Zheng Xuan was unwilling, he would respect her choice.

No sooner had they sat down than Zheng Xuan looked to Jiang Yu. “I’m sorry. I can’t marry someone who’s a stranger to me. We barely know each other’s existence, let alone have we met enough to be friends, much less husband and wife.”

Jiang Yu nodded calmly. “I understand. Matters of love should be of one’s own will. I can’t force you, and there’s nothing shameful or dishonorable about it. You owe me nothing. If you have a boyfriend, I wish you happiness.”

Everyone was taken aback, including Zheng Xuan herself.

These were not the words anyone expected from Jiang Yu. By his usual temperament, he’d be furious, blaming the world for his misfortune. Yet the words he spoke were filled with generosity, without a trace of anger.

Jiang Yu had lived five thousand years; his heart was as still as a deep well.

Besides, if she was unwilling, then let the engagement be broken—no need to make enemies of each other.

Zheng Xuan offered a polite smile, surprised as she looked at Jiang Yu. “What I feared most was you saying the Zheng family was overbearing and bullying your family. This marriage was settled without our consent in the first place. If you don’t mind, we can stay friends.”

Seeing the tolerance between the two children, the last trace of anger in Old Master Jiang’s heart dissipated.

But Second Uncle’s mocking, as if a fist had landed in cotton, found no purchase. His face flushed, stifled with pent-up frustration. He had hoped for Jiang Yu’s outrage to highlight his own triumph.

Jiang Ziyue stood up and spoke calmly, “Jiang Yu, thank you for your self-awareness. You’re indeed not worthy of Zheng Xuan. Insisting on this marriage would only wrong her in the end. Now that you’ve let go, you’ve earned my respect.”

Zheng Xuan quickly interjected, “That’s too much.”

Jiang Ziyue shook her head and looked at Jiang Yu. “I thought you’d make a scene, or go to extremes. Living out an ordinary life isn’t so bad. As for your... condition, the Jiang family will do its best to help you.”

At this, Zheng Xuan blushed slightly. Her family was well-off, after all—if people knew she was to marry someone impotent, how would her parents face others?

At this moment, Jiang Yu’s second uncle spoke. “So, Zheng Xuan, do you have someone in mind?”

Zheng Xuan shook her head. “Not at the moment.”

Everyone turned curious eyes on Second Uncle. His son, Jiang Shaoqi, felt a jolt of foreboding, sensing where his father was heading. He sized up Zheng Xuan—her figure was voluptuous, her legs long and shapely, already exuding a mature woman’s allure at such a young age. What would she become after twenty?

The thought made Jiang Shaoqi’s breathing quicken.

Second Uncle went on, “Since your family is here to break the engagement, even if Jiang Yu himself doesn’t care, it still affects the Jiang family’s reputation, doesn’t it?”

Zheng Xuan’s parents looked uneasy; they had anticipated this possibility before coming. They nodded. “We thought as much. If we just break the engagement, the Jiang family loses face, and ours becomes the villain.”

Zheng’s mother, her face glowing, smiled. “If Shaoqi and Zheng Xuan don’t mind, they can try getting along for a while. If it works out, we’ll pick an auspicious day for their wedding.”

“In that case, it’s not quite a broken engagement—we preserve the Jiang family’s honor and settle my concern. Xuanxuan is no longer young; it’s time she found someone to entrust her life to.”

Smack!

Jiang Yu struck the chair’s armrest, shattering it.

“Jiang Yu, what are you doing?”

Jiang Yu’s gaze was icy as he looked at Second Uncle. “Are you mocking me?”

Second Uncle chuckled. “You’ve already agreed to break off the engagement. Since you and Zheng Xuan are through, who she marries is none of your concern.”

Jiang Yu’s voice grew colder. “I just agreed to break off with Zheng Xuan, and here you are, in front of me, arranging an engagement between her and Jiang Shaoqi. If my parents hear of this, how are they to face the world?”

Second Uncle laughed again. “That’s your problem. Shaoqi was admitted to Peking University at eighteen and, after studying at a top university, can go abroad for further study. With our Jiang family’s connections, if he doesn’t soar in the military world, he’ll rise in business, leading the Jiang family to greater heights.”

“And you? Achieving nothing, even losing what matters most to a man. What do you have over Shaoqi? You fawn over women, only to be humiliated by a love letter. Years from now, your greatest accomplishment will be helping your parents run a small business, barely getting by.”

“In terms of achievement, who can you compare with—Ziyue or Shaoqi?”

Jiang Yu laughed. He stood and looked at Zheng Xuan. “You’ve agreed as well?”

Zheng Xuan hesitated, then said softly, “Only Shaoqi meets all my requirements.”

Jiang Shaoqi moved to stand before Jiang Yu, lowering his voice. “Since we were children, you could never outdo me—not in food, in favor, or in anything. Now even the woman is mine. What trump card do you have, to be so calm?”

Jiang Yu gave Zheng Xuan a long look. “You break off with me, and I have no regrets. But you’re wrong to accept Shaoqi in front of me. I only hope you won’t regret your choice one day.”

Zheng Xuan shook her head. “I’ve never regretted my decisions. Second Uncle is right—Shaoqi’s future is assured. As for you, your life will be mediocre. Don’t blame me for being realistic; this is the world we live in. No matter how good you are, you’ll never surpass Shaoqi.”

Watching Jiang Yu’s departing figure, Zheng Xuan took a deep breath. “Our generation bears too much pressure. Don’t fault me for talking about achievements—you can’t avoid the topic.”

Jiang Yu paused, then left.

Standing in the courtyard, he looked up at the azure sky.

“In your eyes, I am ordinary to the point of worthlessness. Yet you don’t know that I stand above the clouds, looking down on the Jiang family, on Yun City itself, and find them as insignificant as ants. Even Jiangbei Province, all of China, even this planet—none of it can obscure my sight.”

“I wonder if my six disciples are still searching for my remains at the foot of Cloud Cliff?”

Jiang Yu’s mood gradually calmed.

So be it. First, I’ll restore my cultivation, then find them. And then, I’ll let the Jiang and Zheng families see what true achievement means.

As Jiang Yu mused, the alluring Jiang Ziyue approached in high heels and spoke softly behind him. “Don’t blame everyone for being harsh. That’s life in a prominent family.”

“Neither you nor Zheng Xuan is at fault. Don’t overthink it.”

“We have a banquet tonight. Come and join us.”

Jiang Yu stood with his hands behind his back, not looking at her. “Tell me—what does it mean to be outstanding?”

Jiang Ziyue was silent for a moment, then, compelled by some impulse, replied, “In my view, only those who become dragons and phoenixes among men are outstanding. Just as Second Uncle said—soaring in the military or rising in commerce. Men should be like Li Hao, a hero who dominates Yun City, commands the winds and rain, and is known as the underground emperor.”

“Women should be like Gu Feifei, the national star—unparalleled beauty, adored by millions, standing above all. That is true excellence.”

She looked at Jiang Yu. “Your parents asked me to look after you, and I’m only heartbroken because you seem hopeless.”