Chapter 3: The Promise

Thud, thud, thud!

A sudden rush of footsteps echoed as six tall bodyguards charged into the room.

“Keep an eye on her! She is not to take a single step outside the Xu family estate!”

Su Wenshan’s voice was low and commanding as he issued his order.

“Yes, Master,” the bodyguards replied in unison. Swiftly, they surrounded Su Yanran, preventing any possibility of escape.

Seeing this, Su Yanran was utterly broken. She couldn’t understand why her usually open-minded and gentle grandfather was being so domineering about this matter.

Was she truly to step into the halls of marriage with a complete stranger?

It was as if a needle pierced her heart. Face pale, Su Yanran instinctively looked toward Xu Yang.

Unlike her agitated state, Xu Yang’s expression was calm. He gazed at Su Wenshan, and after a moment, spoke in a measured tone:

“Old Master Su, you may be able to force your granddaughter, but you can’t force me. I will not marry her.”

“What?” Su Wenshan was stunned by his words, and surprise flashed across Su Yanran’s face as well.

“Xu, you’re aware of the Su family’s power. If you marry Yanran, you won’t be shortchanged. Once the wedding is complete, the Xu family will provide you with a house and a car. You won’t have to worry about money, and there will even be a gift of over ten million.”

“I said, I will not marry her.”

Xu Yang’s tone was cool, paying no attention to these offers.

Though Su Yanran was as beautiful as a fairy and came from a distinguished family, Xu Yang believed that good fortune never fell from the sky for no reason. Such a perfect opportunity landing on his head could only mean there was more beneath the surface.

On the other side, seeing the unwavering determination in Xu Yang’s eyes, Su Wenshan’s kindly face darkened, his voice turning cold and sharp:

“Xu Yang, this marriage was arranged between your grandfather and me. The two of us were close as brothers, and the engagement was set long ago. You should—”

“Close as brothers?”

Before Su Wenshan could finish, Xu Yang let out a cold laugh. His grandfather had been missing for five years, during which he had struggled to survive. If Su Wenshan and his grandfather had truly been so close, how could he have ignored Xu Yang’s plight?

For Su Wenshan to suddenly appear now, nearly coercing him into marriage, there had to be more to this story!

Xu Yang’s eyes glinted with sharp resolve as he fixed them on Su Wenshan, his laughter icy:

“Old Master Su, I may be poor, but I’m no fool! What’s really behind this marriage? You’d better tell me the truth.”

Though his voice was not raised, each word struck Su Wenshan like a hammer to his chest. Embarrassment flickered across the old man’s face.

Beside him, Su Yanran was equally shocked. Could there truly be a hidden reason behind this marriage?

After a long, awkward silence, Su Wenshan finally forced a smile and spread his hands.

“Xu, it seems I underestimated you. For someone so young, you have a sharp mind. Indeed, this marriage is not as simple as you imagine. Long ago, your grandfather and I had dealings, and yes, an engagement was arranged. But as my family prospered, we grew distant from your grandfather, and the matter was left unspoken. Now, however, the Chen family—first among Jiang City’s powerful clans—insists on marrying Yanran. That Zhai Xing is nothing more than a debauched ruffian. I refuse to see Yanran bullied in that household, so I thought of reviving this marriage agreement. If you and Yanran marry quickly, we can silence the Chen family, protect our family’s interests, and spare Yanran from that scoundrel’s mistreatment…”

Hearing this, Xu Yang couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Now that he had inherited the legacy of the Emperor, both his mind and body were far stronger than before. He had sensed from the start that something was amiss—and now, it was all as he had suspected.

“Xu Yang, you know how beautiful my granddaughter is. If you marry Yanran, I assure you, you will not suffer any losses,” Su Wenshan said earnestly.

Seeing that Xu Yang did not respond, he added, “If you have any other conditions, just state them. So long as I can do it, I’ll see them fulfilled.”

Hearing her grandfather’s words, Su Yanran hesitated. She had heard of Chen Xing from the Chen family—nothing but a notorious playboy, a wastrel. Between two evils, one must choose the lesser; by comparison, marrying Xu Yang did not seem so unbearable.

She stole a glance at Xu Yang, who, though plainly dressed, was tall and reasonably handsome. Her heart raced with an unfamiliar panic.

Yet just as Su Yanran was resigning herself to fate, Xu Yang suddenly looked up, his voice resolute:

“Old Master Su, I will not agree to this marriage. However, since you and my grandfather were old friends, I will not stand by regarding the Chen family’s forced marriage. Rest assured, I will persuade the Chen family to abandon this idea.”

Xu Yang’s declaration left Su Wenshan momentarily speechless. After a long pause, the old man could only shake his head with a bitter smile.

“Xu Yang, the Chen family is the leading clan in Jiang City—not only wealthy, but with many shady connections. You’re just an ordinary man, and you think you can persuade the Chen family to give up on Yanran? Young man, you’re being hopelessly naive.”

Su Yanran, too, looked at him oddly, murmuring under her breath, “This man, truly, ignorance breeds courage.”

Yet Xu Yang merely smiled, exuding calm and confidence as he raised two fingers.

“Two days. Give me two days, and I promise—the Chen family will give up any thought of marrying Su Yanran.”

“This…” Su Wenshan knew it was impossible, yet seeing Xu Yang’s confident demeanor, he found himself nodding unconsciously.

“Very well. I’ll give you two days. But if after two days the Chen family still insists on marrying Yanran, you must do as I say. Marry Yanran at once!”

“Agreed,” Xu Yang replied without a moment’s hesitation.