Forced to the Door

"Long time no see!"

"Hey! Cousin, why are you here too?" Su Chenyu asked.

Jing Chen asked: "Why? Only you are allowed to come?"

"Master Su, our master also has business in Huamen Town, so we are here to inspect it." Ye Feng replied.

"Tsk! You're the only one who trusts your master so much." Su Chenyu curled his lips.

"Jing Chen! It's really you, Jing Chen!" The old man said, walking in with delight.

"Hello, Grandpa Xu." Jing Chen said with a faint smile.

"You've gotten tall, boy! You're a grown-up now! And Ye Feng, you're not a kid anymore. I bet you're married by now, right?" the old man said approvingly.

Ye Feng didn't know how to answer.

"Haaah! Grandpa Xu, Ye Feng is still a bachelor, without a wife to love." Su Chenyu laughed, slapping his thigh.

"Cousin, I remember you should be seventeen this year. Your grandfather is still waiting for you." Jing Chen said.

"You... Fine, fine, it's just you two being all buddy-buddy. I feel like an outsider." Su Chenyu said, then sat down, picked up his cup, and took a sip.

The old man laughed and said: "Kids nowadays! When I was your age, my eldest child could already call me dad."

Mrs. Wang entered at that moment and said: "When you were Chenyu's age, your family was extremely poor. If you hadn't found a wife while you were still young, you would probably still be a bachelor now! I am the only one who pities you and is willing to be with you."

The old man said: "I don't like what you said, old woman! There were many girls who liked me back then! But in the end, I still think you are the most suitable to be my partner!"

"You old man have no shame! What are you saying in front of the children?" Mrs. Wang glared.

Su Chenyu smiled and said: "Grandpa Xu must have been handsome when he was young, otherwise how could such a virtuous, beautiful and generous Grandma Xu be willing to marry Grandpa Xu, am I right?"

Su Chenyu's words clearly delighted the pair, as he had praised both the old man and Mrs. Wang.

"Look, Chenyu is a child who knows how to talk. He can make people feel sweet just by opening his mouth." Mrs. Wang said with a smile.

The old man said: "Wifey, go tell the kitchen to make some extra dishes for lunch that Chenyu likes. And Jing Chen should have had our homemade hotpot before, right? Make sure to include that for him too."

Mrs. Wang rolled her eyes at the old man: "I've already told them! What are you trying to say it for?"

Su Chenyu raised his eyebrows proudly.

"Alright, old man." Mrs. Wang said: "Do your thing and let the kids talk."

The old man replied eagerly: "Good! Wenwu, make them feel at home."

"Will do, Grandpa."

Xu Wenwu introduced the Wen siblings to Jing Chen.

Jing Chen nodded politely to both of them.

"Big brother Xu." Jing Chen said: "Congrats on being top in the exams."

Xu Wenwu was a bit surprised, he'd never heard Jing Chen call him that before. He simply replied: "Thanks."

"Xu Wenwu, do you plan on working in government?" Su Chenyu asked.

"Yes." Xu Wenwu said firmly: "I want to protect the Xu family."

Su Chenyu warned: "The government world is tricky. One wrong move and you could be trapped. Some people might be friendly to your face, but they could stab you in the back."

Xu Wenwu nodded: "I understand. I just want to take care of my family and do my job properly. Nothing else matters to me."

"That's the right mindset." Su Chenyu continued: "Don't get too close to those government types. Keep them guessing about what you think. If they can't control you, it'll be their loss."

Xu Wenwu nodded in agreement.

Wen Yuan added: "Brother Su is right. My father always told me the same."

Since they were all around the same age, they quickly got along. As night fell, they kept chatting

.......

"Uncle Wen, I truly adore Miss Wen, and I'm begging you to let us be together. My father prepared these two chests of betrothal gifts, and I've added some of my own thoughts as well. I'll treat Miss Wen with utmost respect."

In Qingyun City's Wen Manor, Magistrate Wen and Madam Wen listened to Feng Zheng with mixed expressions.

Magistrate Wen spoke first: "Master Feng, thank you for your kind offer. Please tell your father that I appreciate his gesture, but we must decline. This match is simply not suitable for our family."

"Uncle, don't rush to reject me." Feng Zheng pleaded: "Let me explain further. If Miss Wen marries me, I won't ask for a single penny of dowry. Furthermore, I've brought five more chests of betrothal gifts. Once our families are joined, we'll be one big family. If ever the Wen family needs help, our Feng family will be there without hesitation."

The moment Feng Zheng stepped foot in the Wen Manor, Madam Wen felt an instinctive displeasure. She had heard stories of Feng Zheng's flirtatious nature and his numerous affairs. There was no way she would willingly push her daughter into such a fiery pit. Besides, aside from their aristocratic background, how could he possibly compare to Xu Wenwu in any way?

To deal with this awkward situation, Madam Wen declared: "Master Feng, I must inform you that my daughter is already engaged. How could she possibly accept your affections?"

Feng Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly as he retorted: "Aunt Wen, don't put me off. I've already checked, and there were no reports of Miss Wen being engaged. Were you perhaps trying to dismiss me with a made-up excuse?"

Madam Wen's face grew even more uncomfortable. Taking a deep breath to suppress her rising irritation, she insisted: "Master Feng, you're joking. I'm simply stating the truth. Why would I lie to you?"

Feng Zheng, now visibly displeased, pressed on: "Then might I inquire the name and address of this mysterious fiancé? I would like to know what kind of exceptional hero is worthy of Miss Wen?"

Magistrate Wen spoke firmly: "Master Feng, there's no need for such aggressive tactics. Marriage should be a mutual choice. My daughter has no interest in you. Trying to force something isn't wise."

With these words hanging in the air, the refusal was clear as daylight.

Feng Zheng's face darkened further, his voice cooling visibly: "I hope you think this through, Uncle Wen." He said: "In three days, I'll be back for my formal visit. If I don't see these two boxes when I come, consider this, they'll be here permanently."

With those words, Feng Zheng turned on his heel. He left the manor with his attendant in tow.

Madam Wen's face paled with anger: "How dare Feng Zheng be so arrogant!" She seethed: "Is he planning to steal us blind?"

Magistrate Wen, also clearly displeased, acknowledged: "Our Wen family can't compete with their Feng clan's influence. We can't afford to offend them too much."

He continued: "Feng Zheng has ulterior motives. Fortunately, Die'er isn't in Qingyun City right now. Otherwise, we might've had some unexpected trouble on our hands."

Madam Wen slammed her hand on the table: "If he dares touch my Die'er, I'll skin him alive!"

"Please, calm down, Wifey." Magistrate Wen soothed: "Die'er will be safe with Xu's family in Xujia Village."

"But what about after the three days?" Madam Wen asked: "What should we do then?"

"We'll just have to take things as they come." Magistrate Wen replied.

"It'd be so much easier if our Die'er and Wenwu were already engaged." Madam Wen mused: "The Xu family is kind and honest. Die'er would undoubtedly be happy with them."

"We can't force things." Magistrate Wen said: "It's entirely up to them now."

......

"Hey! Who does this big girl belong to? I saw her running around here last night."

Cui Cancan had always gone jogging early in the morning before the tourists woke up. But today, she slept in and rushed out after hurriedly getting ready.

Soon after she stepped out, she bumped into groups of tourists just waking up and breathing in the fresh air.

Hearing others talk, Cui Cancan's palms grew sweaty, and her heart skipped a beat. But then she remembered what Qibao had told her. She quickened her pace, ignoring the whispers, and ran straight ahead without looking sideways.