Qiren didn’t really care how much dowry Jianmin could give them because what the Xiao family could offer was not comparable to what the Wang family had offered.
“In-laws, don’t pay attention to the dowry.” Qiren didn’t really care about that.
But Zhan did not want Jianmin and Jingtong to use him like this without paying price. He was not reconciled because his parents got greedier.
“Dad, this is Zhan’s dowry, Zhan should decide whether to prepare it or not.” Yibo saw through Zhan’s mind at a glance.
Qiren looked at Zhan. Realizing that he had been ignoring his son-in-law, Qiren said, “You’re right. It’s up to Zhan.”
“Father, I consider this dowry as our respect and love to Yibo, no matter whether it is expensive or not,” Zhan first said to Qiren and then to Jianmin, “Dad, since the Wang family has shown such great sincerity, I don’t think you should treat it too lightly. No matter how much you prepare for me, the dowry will be shared by Yibo and me.”
“And aren’t you pleased with Yibo? Since I have found you such a good son-in-law, shouldn’t you award me? Otherwise, Yibo will think you don’t like him. Is it Darling?”
Zhan smiled the whole time, as if making a joke, making Jianmin and Jingtong have no chance to back down.
If Jianmin did not prepare any dowry, or did a poor job, it would not only be considered that he was not satisfied with Zhan, but also he did not like Yibo. They would not do anything to offend Yibo, so Jianmin had to show sincerity no matter what.
“How come… How come I am not satisfied with Yibo?” Jianmin was in a dilemma. He was so nervous that his back was wet with sweat, “Your mother and I are very satisfied with Yibo. Of course, it takes more time to select and prepare for this dowry to show our sincerity.”
Zhan smiled sweetly, but in his heart, he could not show much affection for his parents.
When they had given up on him five years ago, he had also given up his parents. Apart from that poor blood connection, they were truly strangers in affection.
“Mom and Dad, you gave Lingjiao 5% share of the Xiao Group when she married Darren, so I think you will do the same, right? So, I am going to have what Lingjiao could get.” Zhan would not be soft on them. He would not be generous when he had to fight for his own rights.
Jianmin and Jingtong were stunned, not expecting Zhan to mention it.
In fact, of course, if Zhan had married Darren, the 5% shares would have been his dowry, but things were unpredictable and they would expect there would be so many twists and turns.
When Zhan had such scandal it those days, he made the Xiao family and the Jin family lose face, but Lingjiao saved the Xiao family, and by marrying Darren, maintained the relationship with the Jin family, avoiding the two families to go against each other. Otherwise, how could the Xiao family work with the Jin family?
Therefore, they loved Lingjiao so much that they honored her with 5% share of the Xiao Group as dowry to the Jin family and to Darren.
Now Zhan had made even more achievements than Lingjiao, turning Yibo into their son-in-law. This was a good man every family would like.
Jianmin and Jingtong would laugh even when they fell asleep.
But when it came to the matter of the shares, they balked.
It was not that they didn’t care about Yibo, but that they knew Zhan wasn’t as obedient as Lingjiao was. Since they kicked Zhan out of the Xiao family, they had never treated him as a true son.
The years of separation had alienated them, and Jianmin and Jingtong couldn’t really trust Zhan with their 5% share.
“Dad, Mom, what’s wrong with you? If it’s too difficult, forget it.” When Zhan saw that they were hesitating, he pretended to give up.
“Jianmin, you can’t be so biased. If Zhan had married first, he would have had five percent of the shares. Since Lingjiao has gotten the dowry of 5% share in the Xiao Group, Zhan should have as well. Or I’ll be the first to object you.” Tingyu would always be on Zhan’s side.
Zhan thanked her grandmother for her trust and love.
“Jingtong, Zhan is your son as well. You should treat him fairly.” Grandfather also said to his daughter. He had never spoken to his daughter all these years.
“Mom and Dad, you can rest assured. Jianmin and I know what to do.” It was also the first time for Jingtong to talk to her father these years, and her eyes were a bit red.
“Zhan, it’s not difficult. You would have what Lingjiao had, and even more and better.”
As Tingyu and Grandpa had spoken for Zhan, Jianmin dared not have any objection in the face of Qiren and Yibo.
“Thank you.” Zhan was pleased with their answer.
Only with the shares, could he do what she wanted.
“Don’t be so polite.”
The matter of dowry was solved, and the waiter had served food, so everyone had dinner.
The wedding was formally put on the agenda, and would not be delayed.
After dinner, Yibo and Zhan went out with Grandpa. However, Grandpa suddenly fainted and had to be sent to the doctor.
Jingtong was shocked when her father fainted. Jianmin took his mother home first, and Jingtong followed to the hospital with Yibo and Zhan.
After father went through the rescue and was sent to the ward, Jingtong looked at her emaciated father, his gaunt and aging face, and the thin transparent tube connected to her father’s body… She was full of grief.
“What’s wrong with your grandfather?” Jingtong asked Zhan.
“In all these years you never went back to see Grandpa, and never called him… You didn’t even go back to your mother when she died… And now you are concerned about Grandpa? Isn’t that ridiculous?” Zhan sat there blankly, his eyes covered with sadness.
“Zhan, every time I called your grandparents, they hung up the phone when they heard my voice. I used to go back home, but they wouldn’t let me in. They even drove me out and threw my things away… They made me lose face in the whole village…”
Jingtong began to tell the past grievances, “Your grandparents did not leave me any face, and I will only face their endless blame when I went back…”
“They don’t want to see me, they don’t even take me as their daughter, so it’s not that I don’t want to go back but they don’t want to see me. I don’t want to go back and mess things up. Your grandpa didn’t tell me my mother had died, I didn’t know about it, and if I did, I’d have gone back…”
“And did you ever wonder why they didn’t want to see you?” Zhan looked at Jingtong with cold and resentment. “How nice my grandparents are. You don’t want to recognize them because they are from the countryside and because you like the bustling big city and the rich men, and you did something that crossed bottom line!”
“My grandparents have never done a bad thing in their life, but you killed a person and let them down. How could they forgive the mistakes you made!? So, my grandparents couldn’t face a daughter like you! And they couldn’t face their own conscience even more!”
“You… You know all about that? Your grandfather told you?” Jingtong remembered once…
“Grandpa didn’t say anything, but do you think I would be kept in the dark forever? I’m not the little boy who didn’t know everything, and I’m not the Zhan I was.” Zhan’s eyes were sharp as a knife, piercing into Jingtong’s heart.
But Jingtong’s heart had long been hard like a stone. She wouldn’t take these things to heart and wouldn’t feel sad or guilty.
“All these have passed. That man’s death had nothing to do with me. Why do you have to blame me for this? I didn’t like him at all. I wanted to be with your dad. Don’t I have the right to choose my own love and marriage?” Jingtong argued with Zhan.
“Do you think you would have been the son of the Xiao family if I hadn’t made the right choice? Would you have such a good life and good education from an early age? Will you have a childhood friendship with Darren or even marry Yibo?”
“If it is without me, you would never have been so successful as you are today! So, Zhan you don’t have the right to criticize me!”
“So, you did it all for me? I do thank you!” Zhan chuckled sarcastically, “I didn’t expect my own mother to be like that. What a master at making excuses. What a master at turning things upside down!”
“You know what? I am where I am today because I made the right choice. It has nothing to do with you! It’s my luck to marry Yibo!”
“Zhan, it should be my lucky to marry you.” Yibo finished the procedure and went to the VIP room. “It was your good will that brought you luck and then brought you to me.”
Yibo stepped forward and stood beside Zhan, holding around his shoulder to protect him.
Seeing that Yibo had come in, Jingtong pressed her lips and changed the subject. “What’s wrong with Grandpa? I’m his daughter and I have the right to know what happened. If you won’t tell me, then I’ll ask the doctor. He’ll tell me.”
Jingtong lowered her head slightly and was about to walk away from Zhan.
“I don’t think you can get anything out of it, so don’t make the trip in vain.” Yibo spoke softly.
No one would tell Jingtong the truth as long as he didn’t want her to know about it.
Jingtong stopped. She knew what Yibo said must be true.
“Grandpa’s illness has nothing to do with the past, so why don’t you tell me?” Jingtong said helplessly, “I know my father doesn’t want to see me, and I didn’t have much time to take care of him. But now that I know he is sick, I hope I can do something for him.”
“Is it true that Grandfather’s illness has nothing to do with you?” Zhan repressed the sadness in his heart, “That matter you thought has passed have never passed in the hearts of my grandparents. Only you think it has passed.”
“They kept it in their hearts, and suffered from it every day…. And you happily married Dad and lived your happy life. Grandma has died… Now Grandpa is counting his days. Are you satisfied?”
Jingtong was shocked. She didn’t believe what Zhan said.
After a while, Jingtong said, “It can’t be. You must be lying.”
“If you think I’m lying, then why ask me?” Zhan sneered, “Mrs. Xiao, please go back. I don’t think this place is suitable for you.”
“Zhan…” Jingtong muttered, “I didn’t mean that, but grandpa has always been in good health.”
“No matter how good he is, it cannot withstand a heavy blow, and the daily torture of the soul. This is caused by you! Grandma and Grandpa don’t want to see you, and so do I!” Zhan spoke out his dislike for Jingtong directly, “Get away, right now!”
Jianmin opened the door and saw Zhan driving Jingtong away, so he asked, “What are you doing?”
“You came just in time. Take your wife away,” Zhan said to Jianmin.
“What’s wrong with Grandpa?” Jianmin then asked.
“That’s not your concern,” Zhan responded coldly.
Yibo helped Zhan to sit down to calm down and said to Jianmin and Jingtong, “You guys come outside with me and leave him alone.”
Jianmin and Jingtong followed Yibo outside. Jianmin looked at Yibo blankly and said, “What’s going on here?”
“He doesn’t want anyone to know about Grandpa’s illness. Zhan and I are here to take care of him. You can go back. Don’t worry.” Yibo was polite to them. After all, he was nominally their son-in-law, so he didn’t want to push them too hard.
“Then let us know if something happens to Grandpa, or if he needs us.”
Jingtong knew that staying here was useless. As long as Yibo and Zhan didn’t want to talk about it, she wouldn’t know anything if she wanted to. “I will come to see Grandpa when he wakes up.”
After seeing off Jianmin and Jingtong, Yibo was back in the hospital room.
Zhan had come to his grandfather’s bed, holding his hands and looking at him tearfully, feeling very depressed.
“Life and death are the normal stages of live, Zhan, try to accept it.” Yibo understood his feelings.
The doctor said grandfather’s conditions would be deteriorated if he fainted. That meant they were closer to death.
“I see, but I couldn’t part with Grandpa.” Zhan pressed his forehead on his grandfather’s hand, and closed his eyes.
“I didn’t ask you to give up.” Yibo comforted him.
“Grandpa… His hand moved.” Zhan’s eyes were filled with surprise and tears.
Grandpa’s hand moved again, and then his eyes opened slowly, seeing Zhan and Yibo standing by his bed.
“Grandpa, you finally woke up.” Zhan held back his tears and smiled so as not to let his grandfather worry.
Grandfather looked over Zhan and said to Yibo, “I made you worry about me again.”
“Grandpa, your waking up is better than anything.” Yibo put his hand on Zhan’s shoulder and patted gently.
Zhan nodded, “Grandpa, how are you feeling? Are you all right? If there’s anything wrong? I’ll call a doctor.”
“No, I’m fine. I’m just tired and want to get some sleep.” Grandfather shook his head, looking at the two of them, who were also a little tired. “Please go back and rest. Fei is at home alone, and nanny not be able to coax her.”
“It’s all right, Fei is a good girl,” Zhan said. “I just want to spend more time with you.”
“Grandpa, if you’re tired, just take a rest. Zhan and I will go back soon.” Yibo understood Grandpa’s wish. He wanted them to go home and didn’t want to cause them too much trouble.
Grandfather nodded, slowly closed his eyes and continued to rest.
Yibo patted Zhan on the shoulder, pulled him to his feet, and motioned him to go to the break room to have a talk.
When they went to the break room, Yibo said, “Let’s go back. Grandpa will be under pressure if we are here. He will only feel relaxed when we leave, and there are professional careers to take care of him. If anything happens, the hospital will inform us in the first time.”
Grandpa had just woken up and wanted to rest again, just to escape and not to face them.
Grandfather always felt that he had been counting his days and that his illness could only cause them trouble. He was a strong man and didn’t want to rely too much on others.
Zhan could see that, so he agreed with Yibo, “Yes.”
Yibo and Zhan told Grandpa that they would come to see him tomorrow morning and then they left.
When they got home, Fei had gone to bed. But they still went to Fei’s room to see her. After kissing their daughter, they dragged themselves back to their room and then went to bed.
Zhan was always in a low mood because of his grandfather’s affairs. He thought his grandfather could have more chances to live, but he had already put life and death aside and chose to let nature take its course.
They had their own minds.
“The most important thing in life is to live happily.” Yibo didn’t want Zhan to be sad, “Grandpa understands your mind, but he has his own choice.”
“I couldn’t watch my grandfather fall over and over again… Every time he falls, he comes closer to death. I can’t bear it.” Zhan’s heart seemed to be held by an invisible hand, and at the thought of it, he felt so painful that he could not breathe.
“My grandfather is my family, the one who has always loved me since childhood.”
“I know. But it is Grandpa’s choice.” Yibo reminded.
Unless they could change Grandpa’s mind, otherwise they couldn’t really change the situation.
Zhan sighed, and he felt really helpless.
“Don’t think too much about it. Have a rest.”
Yibo had barely finished speaking when Zhan’s phone rang. It was from Carmen.
Zhan stared at the name on his phone for several seconds before he picked it up.
“Ms. Carmen, what’s up?” Zhan calmed himself down and spoke in a calmer tone.
“Zhan, I’m sorry to bother you so late… but I have no choice but to call you.” Carmen said apologetically in fear that Zhan would dislike her.
Zhan did not interrupt, but listened quietly to what Carmen had to say.
“Darren insisted on taking Lingjiao back and didn’t want to get a divorce… I can’t persuade him. His father will be furious if he finds out about it. What Lingjiao did couldn’t be accepted and forgiven by the Jin family…”
“I don’t want Darren and my husband to have quarrels because of this vicious woman. So, Zhan, please help me persuade Darren to break up with Lingjiao. I don’t want her to affect the Jin family and Darren anymore.”
“Darren won’t listen to us. But you grew up together, so he might listen to you, Zhan, please help me.”
Carmen was very sincere. It was her last resort.
Zhan was silent for a while and then replied, “Ms. Carmen, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“Zhan, are you afraid that Mr. Wang will get angry and misunderstand you? I know it is a little hard for me to do this, but the only person Darren will listen to is you because you saved his life. If Mr. Wang misunderstands you, I will go and make it clear to him that I only want your help and have no other ideas.” Carmen also understood that Zhan had his own views and concerns.
After all, Darren and Zhan used to be fiancées, so Darren could be regarded as Yibo’s rival in love, Few men could bear their wives to have any contact with their rivals in love.
“Ms. Carmen, first of all, I really don’t want Yibo to misunderstand me and make him unhappy, so I won’t go. Second, this is Darren’s business and his choice, and we have no right to interfere.”
“Thirdly, this is a matter between him and Lingjiao, so it is unnecessary for others to dissuade him. And fourth, I don’t think I have the power to change his mind because he’s an adult and he can take responsibility for his own choices.”
Zhan listed the four reasons calmly in one breath, leaving Carmen at a loss for words.
“Zhan, it’s rude of me to make such a request without thinking too much about you, but Darren is my son, and I don’t want him to be ruined by Lingjiao again. The only person I can turn to is you. I’m sorry, Zhan, Just forget what I said.” Carmen was very sad, but she did not want to push Zhan anymore.
“I have one word to say, I have never thought to destroy your life with Mr. Wang, nor have I thought that Darren can start with you again, but I still treat you as my family in my heart.”
“Zhan, you and Mr. Wang must be happy.” This was her blessing to Zhan.
After Carmen finished her words, she hung up the phone.
Zhan gripped the phone tightly, frowning, and felt that what she said was just like her last testament.
Seeing Zhan frozen, Yibo kept silent.
He took the phone from his hand and placed it by the bed. He asked, “Did Miss. Carmen call you to let you persuade Darren to break up with Lingjiao?”
Yibo was so smart that he could deduce everything from Zhan’s words.
Zhan had to nod his head and said, “I refused her.”
“I have known that and you have made so many excuses.” Yibo smiled, “You don’t need to be so nervous. I believe you can handle it well. This time I am so satisfied.”
Yibo took him in his arms and kissed on his cheek.
Zhan was angry, “What are you doing?”
It seemed that Zhan did so in order to get Yibo praise and recognition, but it was not the truth. He just didn’t want him to misunderstand and be unhappy because he cared him so much.
That was the respect for him.
“I am just kissing you.” Yibo said deservedly with pride.
Zhan turned his head and glanced at his face with the corner of his eyes, “I should never involve in such things. In addition, it is difficult for me to judge other’s domestic affairs. I have self-knowledge and I won’t do a thankless task. Moreover, my energy is limited so that I cannot manage so many things simultaneously and I am not as kind as Virgin Mary.”
“Though I don’t like Lingjiao and want to fight against her, I won’t do this because it is too stupid.”
Zhan was so clear about the situation.
Now that he was married with Yibo, he should give most respect to him rather than get tangled up with Darren so that nobody could frame him.
“Somebody will deal with her.” There was an extra meaning in his words.
Zhan was not a fool and he asked, “Do you mean Hepeng?”
“We have the common enemy.” Yibo held Zhan’s hand and fondled his fingers, “He has been released.”
“He nearly killed you. Why did you release him? Just to deal with Lingjiao? He is so dangerous. Aren’t you afraid that he will do something worse?” Zhan was so shocked.
“Don’t worry. Now that I can release him, I can also get him jailed again.” He kissed Zhan’s hands, “Don’t you believe me?”
“I didn’t mean that. He has no way back now. I am afraid that he will do something radical at all hazards. I don’t want you to be hurt again.”
Though Zhan had great confidence in Yibo, he is just a man but not a god and there is always something he can’t handle.
“Take it easy. He will only be radical against Lingjiao.” His voice was low and soft, which was just like honey flowing into Zhan’s heart and made him happy in a flash.
Yibo kissed on his neck and Zhan couldn’t refuse his touch. Quivering, Zhan was pulled into a wonderful world, where there was only Yibo.
I am obsessed with WangXian and YiZhan so much… currently love to read and write stories about them…
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I hope the author will finish this story. It’s almost two years yet no update