Jiang Xiang Yang suddenly turned, glaring at her: “You stupid woman, don’t you understand? Your personality is too weak; I like brave and feisty women. You cry too much, and I hate women who cry endlessly. I like women with more curves.” He glanced at her, his words trailing off.
Jing Xin caught his look and quickly crossed her arms over her chest, shyly turning away.
She didn’t notice the inadvertent smile at the corner of Jiang Xiang Yang’s mouth, which hinted at tenderness and subtle indulgence.
“Xiang Yang, do you have someone you like?” she managed to ask.
Jiang Xiang Yang looked up at the sky, sneering softly: “Jing Xin, don’t you understand what kind of person I am? I’m a small-time hoodlum, a social outcast, garbage in the eyes of good citizens. I’m not worthy of marriage or children—they would only harm us both.”
These words did not discourage Jing Xin; instead, they drew out more tenderness from her heart. She didn’t want him to see himself that way.
Feeling the standoff was pointless and noticing dawn approaching, Jiang Xiang Yang said, “I’m leaving.”
He walked past Jing Xin towards the old car.
Suddenly awakening, she disregarded shame and dignity, hugging him from behind and speaking with deep emotion: “Xiang Yang, let me take care of you! I never want to see you hurt again, never want to see you living alone. Although I’m weak, I’ll care for you wholeheartedly. I’m completely alone now. If you don’t want me and my sister-in-law doesn’t want me, I have nowhere to go. Your mother gave me the Jiang family’s ancestral jade bracelet, saying I could become the Jiang family’s daughter-in-law whenever I want.”
But Xiang Yang, I hope you’re willing to marry me, not that I’m using your mother to force you. If you still don’t want to marry me, I’ll have nothing more to say. I won’t pester you.
Jiang Xiang Yang looked down at the emerald green bracelet around his waist, emitting a warm glow, as if it were meant for her.
He knew his mother liked Jing Xin, but entrusting her with something significant was more than mere liking. In his mother’s heart, she was deeply trusted.
