The Byoukidere Is Her Sweetie
Chapter 394: 394: Jiang Zhi sends a marriage book to Xu Fang, engagement

Chapter 394: 394: Jiang Zhi sends a marriage book to Xu Fang, engagement

Lin Qiunan realized, “Xu Fang, are you pregnant?”

“…”

She let it slip.

Zhou Xufang, with a shy face, embarrassed by her premarital pregnancy, softly acknowledged with a sound.

Lin Qiunan glanced at her flat belly and moved aside to make a phone call, “Bixi, I’ll send you the address. Xu Fang is pregnant. Have Jingsong prepare the marriage document.”

Zhou Xufang, who had extraordinary hearing, “…”

She hurried to the restroom and sneaked a call to Jiang Zhi.

“What’s wrong?”

“Grandma found out, about my pregnancy.” She and Jiang Zhi had agreed not to tell anyone before three months, but she had become too complacent and forgotten.

Jiang Zhi thought it was something else, “That’s alright.”

“It is important.” Zhou Xufang felt the matter was quite serious, “She asked Lu Sheng’s father to prepare the marriage document.”

“Marriage document?”

In the twenty-first century, the term felt unfamiliar.

“Wait for me there, I’m coming now.”

When Jiang Zhi arrived, Yao Bixi was already there, Lu Jingsong had not yet come, and the sofa was covered with things for pregnant women to eat, use, and wear.

“I’ve prepared two sets of everything, one for Xu Fang and one for Lixiang. It was too hurried, I didn’t have time to prepare thoroughly, use these for now, I’ll send more later,” Yao Bixi opened a box, “This pillow has herbal medicine in it, it can calm the nerves.”

Jiang Zhi approached, and Zhou Xufang looked towards him.

He sat beside her, “She’s sleeping quite well.”

Madam Yao Bixi, experiencing being a grandmother for the first time, was very anxious and cautious, “She still needs to use it, the herb is beneficial for pregnant women.”

Upon receiving the news of Zhou Xufang’s pregnancy, she had consulted a high-society friend who had given birth to four children and had eight grandchildren, carefully learned from her, and then purchased these things, some of which were not available for sale, like the cobblestone mat for foot massages which she had bargained for from her friend.

“Jiang Zhi,” Lin Qiunan addressed him seriously, “I have something to ask your opinion about.”

Jiang Zhi stood up, “Let’s talk in Xu Fang’s room.”

The grandfather and grandchild went to the next room.

Lin Qiunan, worried he might feel uncomfortable, didn’t talk or ask much about Zhou Xufang’s pregnancy, but mentioned one thing, with a rather serious tone, “In grandma’s hometown, after a boy and a girl have settled their lifetime matters, the male’s elders must deliver a marriage document and bridal clothes to the girl’s family, and only after accepting the marriage document can they set the wedding date.”

Lin Qiunan’s hometown was a small town, and it was only after she married into the Lu Family that the whole family moved to Imperial City. When she got married, she followed the customs of her hometown, including the marriage document, matchmaker’s words, phoenix crown, red bridal veil, and a bridal sedan. Almost fifty years had flashed by in an instant.

“There’s no time to prepare the bridal clothes, I want to give Xu Fang the marriage document first,” she asked for Jiang Zhi’s opinion, “What do you think?”

Jiang Zhi didn’t quite understand these customs, “Is it like an engagement?”

Lin Qiunan nodded, “It’s an old tradition.”

In ancient times, marriage required three documents, including the betrothal letter, the gift letter, and the welcoming letter, and six etiquettes, which included proposal, requesting a name, receiving an auspicious sign, requesting a date, formally requesting the wedding, and welcoming the bride.

With changes in time, the three documents and six rituals were simplified; only very few areas still preserved some of the ancient customs, which were not the same as before, lacking the three documents, but still involving the delivery of a marriage document.

Lin Qiunan knew that Jiang Zhi had deep feelings for Zhou Xufang and that with Zhou Xufang now pregnant, it was necessary to secure an official status.

Jiang Zhi said, “I have no objections.” If it were not for the current inappropriate timing, he would have liked to manage the wedding as well.

“Alright, I’ll have Jingsong bring the marriage document directly.”

“What about the funeral?”

The Lu Family was still at the funeral home conducting the “funeral,” and Lu Jingsong’s presence was indispensable.

“Xinglan and Shengsheng being there is enough.”

Speaking of the Lu Family’s funeral, waves of mourning visitors came, and the Lu Family was in profound grief, successively sending people to the “hospital,” first Yao Bixi, then Lu Jingsong.

Mrs. Lu’s death had been sudden, with the eldest grandson Lu Xinglan suffering from a peculiar illness, and Lu Sheng being too young, the Lu Family was leaderless, and various demons and ghosts were stirring.

Outside the funeral home.

“Old Madam, would you like to go in?”

Xu Jiuru, dressed in black today, sat in the car and looked at the entrance of the funeral home, “No, if Qiunan sees me, she probably won’t leave with peace of mind.”

Her expression was forlorn as she remembered the past.

“I’ve known her for nearly fifty to sixty years now, almost half my life entangled together.”

She had only been eighteen when she met Lin Qiunan, and despite their completely opposite characters, they found themselves talking about everything unexpectedly. If it weren’t for the shockingly talented Third Young Master of the Lu Family, they might have remained friends for a long time.

“Don’t let us meet in the next life.”

In this life, let her not see Lin Qiunan and the deep love of the Third Couple of the Lu Family even under the ground.

Xu Jiuru had just returned to the Jiang Mansion.

Jiang Xiaolin hurried to see her, “Grandma, something has happened.”

She sat down, resting her feet, “What now?”

“The second uncle was just taken away by the people from the prosecutor’s office.”

This couple never gave peace of mind, one was still not retrieved, and now another had gone in, Xu Jiuru felt a headache, “What is it this time?”

“The second aunt made a statement, saying she created false accounts and embezzled three billion public funds to help the second uncle bribe.”

It turned out to be a family member sending another to jail.

Xu Jiuru had thought it was just a routine investigation, but she didn’t expect the situation to be so serious, “Did she provide any evidence?”

Jiang Xiaolin nodded in response, “There are account details.”

That was the end.

Xu Jiuru became anxiously furious, “What’s with this couple? Why have they suddenly turned against each other?”

If only Luo Changfang alone were involved, it would have been easier to handle, but Jiang Weili was involved in politics, and once mixed in, it became very tricky.

“It’s probably because of the second uncle’s affair.”

Her daughter-in-law was indeed too lacking in awareness. After thinking thoroughly, she instructed her eldest grandson, “Tell your dad, don’t interfere in Weili’s matters for now, and let’s see how things unfold.”

To discuss how the second house had suddenly rebelled, one must start from five hours ago.

Luo Changfang’s lawyer, Liang Pingyong, specialized in economic cases. That morning, he had visited his client in the detention center.

“Wu Ting has already confessed. She has email correspondences and financial evidence. There is basically no chance of acquittal in court.”

To start by stating there was no chance of winning, what kind of lawyer was this? Luo Changfang was greatly displeased, “What do you mean then, suggesting I plead guilty?”

Liang Pingyong was calm, speaking slowly, “There’s still a portion of the three billion that hasn’t been finalized, and there’s also no clear evidence proving you instructed Wu Ting to make up the three billion financial fraud.”

“The amount was negotiated face-to-face.”

“What I just mentioned was just an example. There are more loopholes like this that you need to carefully consider.” He looked at his client, advising, “You’ll have to plead guilty, but first sort out what needs to be admitted and what doesn’t.”

There were many loopholes in the law to exploit. If one couldn’t be acquitted, then let others bear the responsibility first.

Luo Changfang understood.

“Minister Jiang asked me to convey a message to you.”

Mentioning Jiang Weili made Luo Changfang emotional, “What did he say?”

Just one sentence, “Think more about your daughter.”

Spouses are birds of the same forest who fly separately at the approach of danger; Jiang Weili wanted her to bear the crime alone, using their daughter’s name to persuade her.

What was that father, who said “Think more about your daughter,” doing at this moment?

He was playing Tai Chi with his daughter.

“What’s the situation with that woman outside? Aren’t you planning to tell me?”

Jiang Weili only said, “Your mother’s affairs have nothing to do with her.”

Jiang Fuli didn’t believe his words, “If you don’t tell me anything, how would I know whether it has anything to do with her or not?”

“She doesn’t have that much influence.”

He was still making excuses for that woman, beyond that, he refused to discuss further.

Jiang Fuli found it extremely strange, all these unexplainable doubts, “If it’s not her, who sent those photos? What was the purpose?”

“I’m still investigating.”

Jiang Fuli looked coldly at Jiang Weili sitting on the opposite couch, “Isn’t that woman the most motivated? As long as my mom isn’t around, you can legitimize her.”

“Do you think your dad is so unreasonable?” Jiang Weili rebuked sharply, he was a seemingly friendly tiger in the outside world and very accommodating to his daughter, never speaking so harshly to her before, “So many are watching my position, one Lu Jingsong is enough for me to deal with, I can’t afford any mistakes or vulnerabilities, everything your mom does involves me, how could I let an outside woman affect our relationship.”

Jiang Fuli scoffed, “Then you still had an affair.”

Jiang Weili was at a loss for words.

Jiang Fuli stood up and went upstairs. Not long after, she received a call from a private detective.

“Miss Jiang, I’ve found information on that woman.”

“Send it over.”

The other party sent over the information.

After reading it on her computer, she immediately called back, “How did you find out my dad gave those shares to that woman and her son?”

Her instincts were right, that woman was not just a fleeting encounter, she had also borne her father a son.

“She boasted about it outside, saying that after she bore a son for a high-ranking official, she received a lifetime’s worth of shares that she couldn’t possibly spend all of.”

Jiang Fuli had figured it all out, no wonder her father always said, why wasn’t she a boy.

She went downstairs, pushed open the door to Jiang Weili’s study, and confronted him, “Dad, did that woman bear you a son?”

Jiang Weili immediately looked tense, “Who told you that?”

He didn’t deny it.

She asked again, “Did you also give your shares to your son?”

Jiang Weili stood up from his seat, his eyes red, his veins bulging, “Who exactly told you all this?”

Still, he did not deny it.

Jiang Fuli felt she had her answer, “Just tell me whether it’s true or not.”

Jiang Weili remained silent.

“No wonder mom told you to transfer all the shares to me, and you always said wait a bit longer, wait a bit longer.” She sneered, “So it was to leave them for your son.”

Jiang Weili was in politics, not managing family business affairs. The shares allotted to their branch of the family had been managed by her all these years. Being an only daughter, she thought it would go to her sooner or later, only to find that it was not hers at all in the end.

“Fuli, listen to me,” Jiang Weili said urgently, trying to explain, “Before your brother turns eighteen, he has no right to inherit, so the shares will still be managed by you—”

Managed by her, but not belonging to her, right?

Jiang Fuli couldn’t stand to hear it anymore, “Brother?” she scoffed coldly, “Mom only had me, where did this brother come from?”

Seeing her react so strongly, Jiang Weili felt uneasy and didn’t bother to explain further, he instructed, “Don’t let your mom know about this.”

Once she found out, there would likely be hell to pay.

Jiang Fuli slowly calmed down and then made a call, “Lawyer Liang, arrange for me to meet with my mom.”

Liang Pingyong replied, “I can’t arrange that, this case is being closely monitored, the parties and their families are not allowed to meet before the verdict.”

“Then pass a message to my mom.”

“Please go ahead.”

Right in front of Jiang Weili, she said, “My dad gave all the shares to his mistress and her illegitimate child.” She stared at Jiang Weili, “If you don’t want to go to prison, spit out what you’ve taken.”

Jiang Weili panicked, “Fuli—”

“Dad, you understood all I said, right?” A father unkind, no wonder she was unfilial, “If you don’t want mom to talk recklessly, transfer all the shares to my name by tomorrow.”

Jiang Weili was stunned on the spot, his daughter was truly ruthless.

An hour later.

Liang Pingyong called Jiang Fuli back, “Miss Jiang, your mother has exposed your father.”

“What happened? Didn’t I ask you to pass a message to her?”

“By the time I got to the detention center, it was too late.”

Actually, just an hour earlier, right after Luo Changfang had met the lawyer, she had “received” the DNA test results of Jiang Weili and his son, along with a photocopy of a share transfer agreement.

That illegitimate child had grown so much.

At that moment, she couldn’t think of anything else, her only thought was to go down with Jiang Weili.

Jiang Group.

Jiang Xiaolin sat in the executive chair, wearing gold-rimmed glasses with a chain, looking especially refined and scholarly. He pressed the speakerphone button and, holding a pen, bent over to write something, “Has the item been delivered?”

“It has been delivered.”

He hung up the phone, put down the pen, leaned back in the chair, and drummed his fingers on the table, waiting.

Eight minutes later, his father, Jiang Weikai, called.

“Your uncle has been taken away by the prosecutor’s office.”

Hmm, he had expected that.

Despite Luo Changfang’s versatility, she was easy to provoke—outrage her and she’d lash out.

Feeling good, he hung up his father’s phone and dialed another number.

“What?”

Couldn’t this woman be a bit gentler toward him?

He demanded like a lord: “I want to eat braised fish tonight.”

Tang Xiang asked, “What time do you get off work?”

“I’m stopping by the Jiang Family home, so probably around eight.”

She agreed, “Hmm.”

Jiang Xiaolin was surprised, “What’s going on? You’re being so obedient?”

That morning, when he asked her to help with his tie, he had to wheedle and cajole for ages.

“I’m in a good mood today; I won’t quibble with you.”

Her tone was light and cheerful.

How could her mood be bad? Luo Changfang and Jiang Weili were at each other’s throats like fighting dogs.

“Coincidentally, I’m in a good mood too, thought I’d tease you.”

Tang Xiang: “…”

What a weird sense of humor.

Just as she was about to hang up, Jiang Xiaolin asked her, “What is your relationship with Jiang Zhi?”

Tang Xiang rolled her eyes ungracefully on the other end, “No relationship; I just think he has a handsome face.”

She had followed Luo Huaiyu to the Jiang Family home during her junior year; it was the first time she saw Jiang Zhi’s face so close, and she was indeed a bit mesmerized then.

At that time, Jiang Zhi was lying on a small couch, covered with a large red fox fur blanket, his peach blossom eyes half-open, occasionally coughing—a beauty as fragile as they come, three parts weak and seven parts delicate.

She was captivated by appearances, enchated by his face, which seemed too ethereal for this world.

For that, Jiang Xiaolin had teased her for years.

Even now, he sarcastically jabbed: “You’re really shallow.”

Tang Xiang didn’t bother to justify, “Yes, I’m shallow, happy now?”

Jiang Xiaolin asked a question quite unlike him, “Is my face not good-looking?”

Tang Xiang refused to respond.

“Where is it not good-looking?” he asked, his tone carrying a hint of reluctant acceptance, “Tell me, I’ll get it fixed.”

“…”

Ever since Jiang Xiaolin had confessed his feelings, Tang Xiang felt like he had changed his core.

“Do you get along well with Jiang Zhi’s girlfriend?” he asked seriously.

Why drag someone else’s girlfriend into this?

“You seem to know a lot.”

His tone was more formal: “If I were not getting along with Jiang Zhi, would you break off your friendship with Zhou Xufang?” He wasn’t much of a filial son; if he were to clash with Jiang Zhi, it would be for profit, not related to the Jiang Family or Xu Jiuru.

That fox spirit, Jiang Zhi, who knows when he would come over to pull hair off his head.

“Mr. Jiang Xiaolin,” Tang Xiang reminded him, “why should I break off a friendship because of you?”

Mr. Jiang Xiaolin laughed flirtatiously, “Who knows if you might fall madly in love with me in the future.”

Tang Xiang hung up immediately.

At seven in the evening, Lu Jingsong arrived, accompanied by a silver-haired elder holding a wooden box wrapped carefully with red silk.

Inside the box, lay a marriage contract.