Chapter 203

Chapter 203

Naturally, all the talk about inspecting farmland and understanding the experimental fields was just high-sounding words put on for show.

And for the Jiang family, Han Zhang saw no need to waste time on pleasantries either.

So upon entering the house, he exchanged only a few brief pleasantries with the ill-at-ease Jiang parents before directly requesting to have a private word with Jiang Liu.

"This..." Jiang's father and mother exchanged glances, both their faces showing hesitation and worry.

The couple wasn't worried that Han Zhang might have any improper intentions toward their son. They had met Shen Qinglan before—a lad of such celestial bearing, how could their Liu Geer ever compare?

Could it be that Lord Han had come because he'd discovered Liu Geer secretly exchanging tokens of affection with Third Brother of the Han family? What were they to do!

Meanwhile, Jiang Liu, standing silently to the side with his head lowered, felt his heart in his throat, restless and fearful.

Although he felt that he and Han Sanlang were completely innocent—they had only met through the experimental field work, and over time, feelings had gradually grown between them—everything had begun with feelings and stopped at propriety, a natural progression.

But in the eyes of others, being poor was the original sin. People would surely think he was greedy for wealth and utterly shameless, deliberately trying to climb the social ladder by seducing him!

Did the Han family know about him and Sanlang? Were they angry? Or had Sanlang, because of his rejection, refused food and water and sought death like the lovestruck rich young masters in romance novels?

Why else would Lord Han personally come looking for him?

The more Jiang Liu thought, the more panicked he became, the more frightened. Scenes of his lover wasting away and seeking death for his sake flashed through his mind, and his eyes reddened, tears welling up.

Though he was born in a village and hadn't studied much, his parents doted on him and had taken him to teahouses in town to listen to storytellers—he was a man of the world!

So when Jiang's parents, though extremely reluctant, ultimately dared not offend Han Zhang and could only withdraw worriedly, leaving the door ajar as they departed—

Jiang Liu, his worry clouding his judgment, didn't wait for Han Zhang to speak. He looked up first, red-eyed, and asked in a trembling voice:

"Lord Han, is Sanlang... is something wrong with him?"

The moment those words left his mouth.

Han Zhang knew that Jiang Liu did have feelings for his cousin. His earlier rejection of the confession must indeed have had hidden reasons.

Since it was mutual affection, the marriage would be easy to arrange.

Han Zhang didn't intend to talk in bureaucratic jargon either. He let out a gentle sigh and said sincerely:

"Third Brother is in good health, but lately he's been weighed down by worries, with no appetite for food or tea—he's grown thin and haggard... Young Jiang, I know everything between you and Third Brother. I've come unannounced today precisely to ask you a few questions in person."

"I originally thought you had no feelings for my third brother, but seeing your anxious state just now, I realize you do care for him. If so, would you tell me—why exactly did you reject my third brother's true heart?"

"I..."

Upon hearing that Han Zhang was safe, Jiang Liu first felt a weight lift off his chest, but then he was stumped by Han Zhang's question.

He opened his mouth, but it was as if a thousand-pound weight were on his tongue. For a long moment, he couldn't utter a single word. He only reddened his eyes and twisted his fingers together in helplessness.

Seeing this, Han Zhang softened his tone and gently reassured him: "Young Jiang, no need to be nervous. I'm not here to interrogate you—I only wish to clarify matters."

"My third brother has a straightforward, earnest nature, and he values love above all else. If this matter isn't resolved properly, he'll never forget you for the rest of his life."

"Of all things, love wounds the deepest. If this isn't spoken of openly, either he'll be haunted by it for the rest of his days, never finding happiness, or he'll go down a rabbit hole of despair and waste away, dying of a broken heart. Young Jiang, could you bear to see either outcome?"

"..."

Jiang Liu shuddered all over at Han Zhang's blunt and weighty words, as if a boulder pressed on his chest, as if he couldn't catch his breath.

Of course he didn't want to see either outcome.

He had rejected Sanlang's affection precisely because he didn't want Sanlang to be dragged down by him—he wanted the other to be happy in the future!

Jiang Liu had dealt with Han Zhang before and knew that although he could be ruthless in his methods, he was a man of his word.

Back then, he had promised to settle things for him after suing Tongpan Yang and the others, and he had indeed kept his word—he hadn't had him killed to cover things up. These reassuring words now probably weren't just blowing smoke either.

After hesitating for a long time, Jiang Liu finally spoke, his eyes reddening as he voiced what was in his heart.

"...Lord Han, I know Sanlang truly treats me well right now. But the gap between us is just too great—it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it the difference between heaven and earth."

"I'm not a young man who knows nothing. I understand that life isn't just about feelings—it's also about the mundane necessities of daily existence."

"Even if Sanlang could endure the gossip around him for my sake, even if he could tolerate me helping out my folks back home for the rest of my life, I don't want to drag him down and make his whole life unhappy."

"Better to rip off the band-aid. He's sad now, but given time, he'll gradually forget. Once he moves on, all his days will be good ones."

"He deserves someone better, a more fitting match. Why... why must he be tied to me, enduring all that unfair treatment for no reason?"

Isn't truly loving someone simply wishing for their happiness in everything?

Jiang Liu knew Han Qinfeng would be heartbroken, and he himself couldn't bear it either, but he didn't regret his decision.

Han Zhang listened patiently to Jiang Liu's words, and only after he had finished and calmed down did he smile gently:

"I understand now. In the end, you simply feel that your humble origins make you unworthy of my third brother, and you fear holding back his future. But Young Jiang, have you ever heard the saying—'when taking a wife, choose virtue'?"

Jiang Liu looked at him with tearful, bewildered eyes.

Of course he'd heard that saying about choosing a virtuous wife, but could the word 'virtuous' possibly apply to him?

Remembering his childhood in the village—arguing with people, rolling up his sleeves to brawl—he felt his face grow hot. Even if others were generous enough to praise him, he'd be too embarrassed to accept it!

He said nothing.

Seeing his silence, Han Zhang wasn't in a hurry. His smile carried both tolerance and sincerity:

"Actually, Young Jiang, there's no need for such self-deprecation. What you may not know is that although my Han family is now an official household, just a few years ago, we were nothing more than ordinary farming folk ourselves."

"If my Han family were to look down on you because of social standing, wouldn't that be forgetting our own roots? Moreover, a bad wife brings misfortune for three generations. When my family considers a match, we've never cared only about family status—what matters is the character and conduct of the young women and men themselves."

"Young Jiang, your lively, straightforward temperament and your clear sense of who to thank and who to blame—that is what we call 'outstanding.' Your ability to make your own judgments and size up a situation—that is what we call 'intelligent.' Your courage to stand up to bullies for your family, and your willingness to hurt yourself for the long-term good of the one you love—that is what we call 'courageous and devoted'..."

"Even more rare is your cleverness and dedication in matters of farming, your talent for research—truly, you have a natural knack for agriculture. My third brother would be fortunate indeed to marry you."

This string of compliments left Jiang Liu totally floored.

He couldn't help but widen his eyes, pointing at himself in bewilderment, his voice stammering with disbelief: "Me? Outstanding in temperament? Intelligent... and, and virtuous?"

Him—the kind of feisty lad who would block someone's way, hands on his hips, cursing them out at the top of his lungs? Was this really praise, or a backhanded compliment?

And since when was knowing how to farm some remarkable skill? Any farming family knows how to work a few acres of land—how... how was that some great talent?

Having grown up in the village, barely able to read a few characters, Jiang Liu truly couldn't see his own worth.

"I say you have a real talent, and so you do. In any case, my Han family has never thought less of you, not even a little, and my third brother's feelings for you are wholehearted and true."

"If young Jiang is willing to take a gamble for my third brother, the Han family will sincerely ask for your hand; if young Jiang truly harbors fears and hesitations, I won't force you. I'll take my leave now and stop bothering you."

"No matter what becomes of my third brother in the future, that's his fate. The Han family will never blame or hold a grudge. Today, I only ask for a clear answer from young Jiang, so my third brother doesn't keep wearing himself out on hope..."

Han Zhang cupped his hands in salute, speaking with earnest sincerity, his face full of a big brother's care and love for his younger brother—it was genuinely moving.

Yet though the words sounded reasonable, in reality they left Jiang Liu no room to back out.

As long as Jiang Liu harbored feelings, he couldn't bear to watch Han Qinfeng suffer.

For a long while.

Jiang Liu drew a deep breath, as if using every last bit of his strength, then abruptly lifted his head. His reddened eyes met Han Zhang's directly, and with the desperate resolve of someone burning all bridges behind him, he said through tears:

"Lord Han! I'm willing to try! As long as Third Brother doesn't think less of me, as long as the Han family truly doesn't reject me, I... I'm willing to marry Third Brother!"

Third Brother treated him with such sincerity, and Lord Han had personally come to their door to show the Han family's sincerity—at this point, what more was there to fear?

Even if his marriage to Third Brother should one day end in sorrow, for the sake of Third Brother's true heart at this moment, he wouldn't regret it.

Why do people always say that flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns?

Because young people have that fire and boldness that, even when they know something's a mistake, refuse to turn back.

Han Zhang's eyes crinkled with a smile: "My third brother really didn't misjudge you. Young Jiang's devotion to him is equally deep and steadfast. Then it's settled—the Han family will send a matchmaker to propose on an auspicious day."

"Th-this... so soon..."

Jiang Liu's face flushed crimson. Was it really this urgent?

"As the saying goes, 'You snooze, you lose.' A fine match like young Jiang, with such character and such a heart, must not be let slip away by my third brother."

Han Zhang's hearty and amiable teasing instantly dispelled the unease and apprehension Jiang Liu felt over their family disparity, settling his heart at last.

Jiang Liu couldn't help but blush with shyness, yet in the end he didn't refuse the promise of the Han family's impending proposal.

He was no longer young, and the one seeking his hand was his beloved—honestly, he really couldn't wait to get married!