Chapter 11: Breaking off the engagement

The eldest daughter-in-law of the Qin family, fearing something might go wrong, blurted out nervously,"Yunyi, we called you here today because we have something to discuss—"

Before she could finish, Old Master Qin shot her a sharp glare like a blade. She immediately shut her mouth.

He then turned to Yunyi and said calmly,"Sit."

With composed grace, Yunyi walked over and took a seat on the sofa."Grandpa Qin, is there something urgent you needed me for?"

Seeing her calm demeanor, Old Master Qin instantly knew—this girl had already guessed the purpose of today's meeting.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly."Yunyi, now that your grandfather has passed, the Qin family should have taken the responsibility of caring for you. But even though you and Jiang Hui have a childhood engagement, the two of you clearly don't get along.I know forcing things never ends well. So, I wanted to hear your thoughts."

But Yunyi wasn't going to fall for that trap so easily."I'll go with what Grandpa Qin decides. After all, this engagement was arranged when you personally came to my grandfather."

Just like that, she kicked the ball right back to the Qin family.

Old Master Qin closed his eyes, then opened them slowly. After a long pause, he finally said,"Since there's no fate between you two, let's call off the engagement. This is my fault, Qin Tiezhu owes the Chu family. I will compensate properly."

Yunyi was no fool. There was no way she would decline any compensation.Back then, her grandfather had saved Old Master Qin's life. Instead of quietly repaying the debt, he had insisted on forming this marriage alliance. For what? No one was truly clueless.

Now that the Chu family had fallen into decline, he was breaking off the engagement shamelessly for the sake of his grandson.

Seeing Yunyi remain silent, he awkwardly asked,"Yunyi, do you have any thoughts?"

Yunyi swept her gaze across the room, voice clear and crisp:"Back then, you arranged this engagement out of gratitude for my grandfather saving your life. Now that it's the Qin family wanting to dissolve it, I'll leave it to your judgment. I have no objections."

Old Master Qin was immediately left speechless."This girl," he thought to himself, "is definitely no ordinary one."

Old Master Qin glanced at his eldest daughter-in-law, catching that wary look on her face—afraid he might "give too much" to Yunyi. His tone was calm but firm:"Yunyi, come with me to the study. We need to talk."

Madam Wu Lijuan, the eldest daughter-in-law, immediately tried to speak up, but one sharp look from Old Master Qin silenced her on the spot.

Yunyi was actually curious what he had to say. Ignoring Wu Lijuan's dagger-like glare, she stood up and followed him calmly into the study.

The real reason he asked to speak privately was simple: he didn't want his daughter-in-law to blurt out anything inappropriate and embarrass the Qin family.He knew her temper all too well—and more than that, he didn't want Chu Yunyi to witness the disgrace.As for the compensation he was about to give—well, the fewer people who knew, the better.

He gestured toward the chair opposite him."Sit."

There was no need to beat around the bush. Once the engagement was broken, ties between the two families would be over. He opened a drawer and got straight to the point."Yunyi, it's the Qin family that's wronged you. I—Qin Tiezhu—have failed your grandfather."

With that, he took out a property deed and handed it to her."This house was always meant to be yours. The only thing that's changed is the reason for giving it."

As Yunyi opened her mouth to refuse, he quickly interrupted her:"Don't say no. Only by giving this to you can I feel a little less guilty."

Though she said a few polite words of refusal, Yunyi had no real intention of rejecting the gift.This was perfect—a clean break. It repaid the old debt between the Chu and Qin families, and severed the last remaining tie between the original Yunyi and the Qins.

After a few exchanges back and forth, seeing that Old Master Qin was truly sincere in his gesture, Yunyi finally accepted the deed—her name already written on it.

When she stepped out of the study, her expression was unchanged.She quietly returned to her seat, as calm and composed as ever.

(End of Chapter)