On the way to the university, Lin Yueling had pondered on the matter. The Jiang family needed Jiang Xiu the most for the marriage between him and the candidate from the Nangong family so they could form ties with the Nangong family. This need would only become more substantial as time progressed. She believed that completing the engagement between Jiang Xiu and Susu was the best possible way to avert him being used as a sacrificial piece and living under the Jiang family's control.
Everything would be different if Jiang Xiu got married. The Jiang family wouldn't be able to use Jiang Xiu. Even if the Jiang family persists on it, the Nangong family might not accept as they won't we willing to marry their granddaughter to someone who was married once. If Jiang Xiu had a child with Susu, then everything would be settled.
Jiang Xiu's eyes grew wide open, "What? You want me to marry Cheng Lingsu?"
"Yes. Either marry Susu or return to Jiangnan with me."
Though Jiang Xiu's prospects were quite good, they were quite worried as they understood the Jiang family and their character. They weren't good for Jiang Xiu and would inevitably suppress or even destroy him.
"Why?" Jiang Xiu asked.
"There's no why. Are you going to listen to your mother or not? If you don't, that means you are unfilial. I've raised you up while facing so many difficulties, are you going to disobey me now?"
"Mother, can't you say something reasonable?"
Lin Yueling said with determination, "I can't. Did anyone give you a reason when your father went to prison, and I got pointed out by everyone else? Did anyone give you a reason when I went to the marketplace to sell fruits? Did anyone give you a reason when I went hungry for 10 days, only eating a bun each day to save 50 bucks so that I can save up for your tuition fee…."
Lin Yueling was already on the verge of tears when she spoke till her, the tears were almost about to fall.
Jiang Xiu lowered his head in shame and didn't dare to say anything.
He was fully aware that his mother was blackmailing him emotionally, but he couldn't refute her because she was telling the truth. She had suffered the most all those years.
The worst thing was this place was the dorm entrance. Students went in and out from time to time, so it was really embarrassing.
Jiang Xiu said, "Mother, where are you staying right now? I'll take you to your hotel first."
Lin Yueling's eyes were red. She shook Jiang Xiu's hand off in a moody manner as he tried to calm her, "Don't shift the topic. Make a choice. Will you get married or return to Jiangnan?"
Jiang Xiu was helpless as well. His mother wasn't easy to deal with, "Mother, give me some time to think it over."
Lin Yueling beside the flower bed, "Think it over. I'll wait here."
Her intent was clear. She wouldn't give up till Jiang Xiu succumbed.
Jiang Xiu felt his head hurt. Though he had roamed the Immortal Martial Continent for 3 millenniums, experienced countless dangerous situations, all kinds of joys and sorrows, he was at his wit's end. The students who were passing by all looked at him. Anyone could figure out that this was a quarrel between mother and child. His dormmates stood on the veranda and watched the situation happening downstairs attentively.
"Mother!" Jiang Xiu sat down beside Lin Yueling. He felt that his mother was indeed worthy of being called a crafty daughter of the Lin family. "You have to believe me. Susu isn't suitable for me. She will only accompany me through happiness but won't accompany me through hardship."
"What's the problem with that?" Lin Yueling asked him.
"You think there isn't a problem?" Jiang Xiu questioned back.
She said, "For the time being, let's keep the issue of whether Susu is the kind of person you say she is aside. Many married couples in the current society are like birds of the same feather. They withstand hardships alone. Humans are quite weak, so they don't go through a trial if they can't withstand it and thus live an ordinary life till the end."
"Mother isn't forcing you to make a decision. Slowly think about it. Anyway, I've packed enough clothes for the fall season…"
This was some determination indeed. Even Jiang Xiu couldn't help but praise his mother.
"Alright. I'll return to Jiangnan with you." It takes 6 hours to travel Hang City to Annan. After returning to Jiangnan, she won't stay with me all the time, right? Jiang Xiu said, "Are you satisfied now?"
"Okay. Stand up now, I'll take you to the hotel…"
Lin Yueling stealthily added another sentence, "After returning to Jiangnan, you will marry Susu."
"Mother!"
Deity Xiu was about to break down, "Didn't I tell you to say something reasonable?"
"No. When your father…"
"STOP IT…"
"To sum it up, you're here to force me to marry Cheng Lingsu, but she has a boyfriend right now and wants to remove our engagement. What marriage are you talking about now?"
"It's all bogus. Susu told me."
Jiang Xiu exhaled a foul breath while feeling enraged. That woman… she actually dared to disobey my order and revealed the truth. Looks like she's indeed tired of living.
"You forced her, right?"
Jiang Xiu assumed a wronged expression and opened up his mouth as if he were dumbfounded, "I forced her, but she's quite greedy and haughty. Her current boyfriend is a person from the richest family in Shanghai, the Song family. He looks handsome too."
Lin Yueling said, "How long ago did this happen? Only a few days ago. Susu is a very reserved girl. Even an excellent body will fail to capture her heart after pursuing her prideful heart for 2-3 years."
"Cough. That's why I said she's greedy and haughty." Jiang Xiu retorted.
Lin Yueling's eyes turned colder, "Stop smearing Susu's name now. You made the Cheng family go bankrupt then destroyed the Tang family to appease our hatred. Mother admires your methods. A little child like Susu wouldn't dare to go against the famous Mr. Jiang of Jiangnan even if she had the guts to do it."
Jiang Xiu really felt admiration for his mother's judgment skills. Back then at the convenience store, he wanted to make a clear dividing line with Cheng Lingsu to end the previous life's grudges in this life to appease his mind. Cheng Lingsu wouldn't consider his command to get a boyfriend as an order just because he said it, it was only due to the pressure of his other identity as Mr. Jiang that she had done it.
"What? You have nothing to say now?" Lin Yueling took a book out from her purse, and swatted it at her palm, "Then let's strike while the iron is hot. Mother has brought the household register as well."
Our Deity Xiu almost coughed blood after seeing that conspicuously mottled household register, his mother was indeed too much. "Looks like you are completely prepared."
"Naturally, mother never starts a fight without ascertaining victory."
Jiang Xiu said, "Mother, even if we marry, it will just be a marriage contract. A family can't form unless there's emotion between the couple."
"Having a marriage contract is better than not having one."
You're indeed my mother.
Jiang Xiu got dragged out of the school by Lin Yueling. She wished to finish this up as soon as possible to avoid any unexpected developments. She didn't even return to the hotel and insisted on leaving for the National University.
Jiang Xiu remained calm during the entire journey.
Lin Yueling called Cheng Lingsu's number after they reached in front of the National University. She was born in the Imperial Capital, so she was familiar with the paths and gates. Even some of the alleys which hadn't gone any large-scale reconstruction remained fresh in her memory. They reached the destination right in time, "Susu, it's me, Aunt Lin."
Cheng Lingsu said, "Aunt, I'm busy right now…"
"Don't hang up. I'm at your university's entrance right now."
"Aaaah!"
Cheng Lingsu was in class right now, and it was also her primary subject. Everyone stared at her when she cried out. She apologized to them by bowing in a rush then bolted out of the classroom immediately, "Aunt, how come you're here? I'm coming over right now."
"Alright!"
Lin Yueling saw a flower shop on the roadside and hinted the driver to pull up. She got down along with Jiang Xiu and bought a bouquet of roses. "Hold it."
As they say, even if one were to die, they must do it in an honorable way!
"HOLD IT!!"
Jiang Xiu received it helplessly then followed Lin Yueling into National University.
The National University's gate was pretty and dignified. Currently, it was class time, but many students were entering and exiting right now. A girl in white clothes came out while running in canvas shoes.
"Aunt!"
Cheng Lingsu saw that not only Lin Yueling was here, but that demon-like big baddie as also there while holding a bouquet of roses. In flower language, roses represented love, but his expression seemed to say life was already meaningless.
The girl couldn't make sense of the situation and couldn't help but stop rigid in her tracks. The Imperial Capital was bit chilly as it transitioned into fall season during October. Trees stood on both sides, and their leaves swayed gently from the light breeze while sunshine scattered through them, making those autumn leaves look prettier.
The entire world appeared different.
"Son, say it!"
Jiang Xiu still wore the same expression as before, "Say what?"
"Propose to her!"
Cheng Lingsu's eyes grew wide in surprise. Aunt, you must be kidding, right? What are you planning to do? You are telling Jiang Xiu to propose to me? Am I hallucinating right now?
Jiang Xiu couldn't believe his ears. Mother, you're too much.
"Quick!"
He said, "Mother, you're kidding, right?"
"Are you going to propose or do you want to see me die in the middle of the road over there?"