Chapter Eighty-Nine: I, Zheng Xuan, Will Never Regret

Because of you, you are still not worthy of Jiang Yu!

Xia Ning stood with her hands behind her back, a touch of proud indifference on her stunningly beautiful face, as if ignoring everyone around her.

“It's a pity that you, perched so high above, have never realized this. One day, you will regret your shortsightedness deeply.”

The moment these words left her mouth, the bustling hall fell silent.

The eldest Miss Xia had spoken up for Jiang Yu. It was rumored they were friends in private, and now it seemed the rumors were true. Many people, wine glasses in hand, turned their eyes toward this unfolding scene.

Zheng Xuan bit her lip hard, her delicate figure swaying as if about to fall, sharp nails digging into her palm. She stubbornly raised her head and stared straight at Xia Ning: “You're talking nonsense. Xia Ning, I know you're Jiang Yu's friend. You’re only defending him because you can't bear to see what he's going through.”

“In terms of knowledge, skill, talent, and connections, Jiang Yu is merely average. In front of Jiang Shaoqi, he’s nothing. My marriage is my own business and no one else’s concern. Even if you know Jiang Yu, so what? Who here isn't wealthy? Who doesn't know a few big names?”

“No matter what you say, you can't change the fact that Jiang Yu is a good-for-nothing. There is nothing about him worth cultivating.”

As Zheng Xuan spoke, her emotions flared.

Perhaps it was seeing such an outstanding woman as Xia Ning stand up for Jiang Yu that struck a sensitive nerve deep within her.

The Jiang family members all gathered around, their faces dark with displeasure. Today was the engagement ceremony of Zheng Xuan and Jiang Shaoqi. Xia Ning, in front of so many guests, had belittled both the Jiang and Zheng families. Who could tolerate such a thing?

Were it not for Xia Ning’s status, they would have thrown her out long ago.

Jiang Shaoqi sneered coldly, fury smoldering in his heart. In his eyes, Xia Ning must have been incited by Jiang Yu to say these things. Jiang Yu was merely trying to salvage his dignity in such an embarrassing situation.

“Jiang Yu, are you even a man, letting another woman speak on your behalf?”

Jiang Yu still sat quietly, his teacup steady in his hand. He took a gentle sip and spoke, “I never asked anyone to speak for me. Xia Ning is merely stating a fact. Zheng Xuan truly isn’t worthy of me. If not for the sake of my grandfather’s reputation, I wouldn’t have bothered to attend this ceremony at all.”

At these words, the faces of the Jiang elders changed dramatically.

Jiang Yu’s words were nothing short of heresy.

Jiang Ziyue wished she could leap up and cover Jiang Yu’s mouth. He never seemed to know when to keep quiet and dared to say anything, often startling everyone with his words.

“Jiang Yu, enough!” Jiang Ziyue scolded hurriedly.

Jiang Yun’s face was thunderous as he sneered and demanded, “So, you look down on both the Jiang and Zheng families, and the distinguished guests who came today?”

Jiang Yu shook his head with a laugh. He slowly stood, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and nodded, “If you wish to see it that way, so be it. A few stray cats and dogs dare call themselves heroes? These so-called connections mean nothing to me.”

“How dare you!”

“Arrogant!”

Several voices cursed him at once.

“Jiang Yu, for the sake of your family, I’ve given you chance after chance, yet you squander them by speaking such insolence before your elders?”

“Good! Good! Good!” Jiang Yun laughed in his rage, repeating the word thrice. Today, Jiang Yu not only thoroughly offended the Jiang family, but insulted the honored guests of both the Jiang and Zheng families as well. Even if the old master were here, there would be nothing to say.

No matter how little the Jiang family cared for their own face, they owed the Zheng family and all their guests an explanation.

Jiang Yun declared loudly, “Let’s see how capable you are, Jiang Yu! You look down on the Jiang family? From this day forth, in the name of the Jiang family, I expel you. You are never to step foot in this house again.”

At these words, Jiang Ziyue’s face turned deathly pale. “Second Uncle, no!”

She leapt to her feet, running to Jiang Lingxing’s side, gripping his arm tightly. “Dad, please say something for Jiang Yu. Without the Jiang family’s protection, he’ll starve in the streets.”

Jiang Lingxing lowered his voice, forcing a bitter smile. “Say something? What can I say? The second branch runs the Jiang family now, and did you hear what Jiang Yu just said? Even if the old master were here, he’d have nothing to say.”

Jiang Ziyue, ashen-faced, hurried to Jiang Yun and pleaded, “Second Uncle, if you do this, how will you face Jiang Yu’s parents? Give him one more chance. I’ll make him apologize to everyone, until everyone is satisfied.”

Jiang Yun snorted coldly, “He brought this on himself. When I return, I’ll have the ancestral records brought out and erase his name. From this day onward, whatever Jiang Yu’s fate, it has nothing to do with the Jiang family.”

Jiang Ziyue looked at Jiang Yu with unwillingness. “Jiang Yu, apologize, quickly.”

A cold smile tugged at Jiang Yu’s lips. Since his rebirth, this was the first time he truly felt anger.

“Jiang Yun, you claim I lack respect for my elders, but in this house, since I was a child, my status has always been lower than that of the family dogs. Ever since I was diagnosed with Tianwei, you’ve forced my parents into small business in the county to save face. Behind their backs, you’ve made things even harder for me. At family meals, there wasn’t even a seat for me at the table.”

“The Jiang family has treated me worse than a dog. There is no warmth or humanity here—I have no reason to stay. Today, I, Jiang Yu, sever all ties with the Jiang family. Let this table bear witness!”

With that, Jiang Yu brought his palm down.

The table split into four, collapsing with a crash.

On the floor, a palm print was deeply embedded, cracks radiating outward. Yet, hidden beneath the table shavings, no one noticed.

Thud!

Jiang Ziyue sank to her knees, her voice breaking into sobs. “Jiang Yu, I beg you, just this once—can’t you yield, just once? Must you always go against everyone?”

In the vast Jiang family, only Jiang Ziyue still stood by Jiang Yu.

Xia Ning laughed coldly, bent down to help Jiang Ziyue up, and looked around at the faces of the satisfied Jiang family members. “You will regret today’s decision.”

With that, she picked up the microphone, her elegant figure moving through the crowd, finally stepping onto the stage.

At this moment, those who should have been on stage were Zheng Xuan and Jiang Shaoqi.

She raised her voice and questioned, “Zheng Xuan, do you think that because you reject Jiang Yu, there will be no one in this world who wants him?”

Everyone turned to Xia Ning, unsure what she would do next.

Her gaze softened as she looked at Jiang Yu. In a gentle voice, she said, “Today, before everyone here, I, Xia Ning, propose to Jiang Yu. No matter when, as long as he is willing, I will be his wife.”

Suddenly, Xia Qinghan gripped her hands tightly, her eyes fixed on Jiang Yu.

In that instant, Jiang Yu’s gaze toward Xia Ning grew much softer.

She clenched and unclenched her fingers repeatedly. Xia Ning, oh Xia Ning, ever since we were young, I have never been your equal. Perhaps it is because, when it comes to these great choices, I have never been as decisive or as bold as you.

A wave of astonishment swept through the hall. The Xia family’s heiress proposing marriage?

On one side stood Xia Ning, heiress of a boundless fortune and limitless future. On the other, a man cast out from the Jiang family, a so-called failure with no achievements. The difference between them was as great as that between a firefly and the bright moon.

The shock was overwhelming, hard to fathom.

It was as if a rich young lady was proposing to a beggar on the street—such a thing was beyond comprehension.

Yet, faced with Xia Ning’s proposal, Jiang Yu himself remained expressionless and silent. Many wealthy young men looked at Jiang Yu with burning envy.

Finally, Jiang Yu spoke. He looked at Xia Ning and sighed. “Why put yourself through this?”

Tears shimmered in Xia Ning’s eyes as she smiled. “I only hope that today’s act will stay with you for a lifetime. I, Xia Ning, am the first woman ever to propose to you.”

For the first time in years, Jiang Yu’s tranquil heart was stirred.

Zheng Xuan bit her lip until it bled, unable to maintain her composure any longer. She shrieked, “Xia Ning, enough! You just want to humiliate me. I looked down on Jiang Yu before, and I will continue to look down on him in the future. He’s just a good-for-nothing who talks big but can never measure up to Jiang Shaoqi.”

“So what if I, Zheng Xuan, am materialistic? So what if I am drawn to power? Jiang Shaoqi can take the Jiang and Zheng families to greater heights—can Jiang Yu do that?”

“I am heartless and petty—a villain. Are you all satisfied?”

At that moment, Xia Qinghan took a deep breath and looked at Zheng Xuan. “You will regret this, believe me.”

“No!”

“I, Zheng Xuan, will never regret it. Even if Jiang Yu, with your help, rises to greater heights in the future, I will not regret a thing!”

By the end, Zheng Xuan was screaming herself hoarse.