Chapter 8 Compensation by the Xies

Jiang Liu had expected his mother to behave in this manner. He remained calm and reversed the grip on his mother's hands. "Mum... I'm no longer young. I'm 27 this year," he said gently. Madam Jiang was impatient in nature and immediately retorted, "You want to get married? You can get any woman you like in River City, no, the entire country! You can find someone better with your eyes closed. Why do you have to pick an unwanted girl?" Her chief concern was their family's reputation. After all, they were a reputable household. It was only natural that the Jiangs would not think highly of a girl rejected by someone like the second son of the Xies, and there was also the debacle at the banquet to consider. "I'm very fond of her, Mum," Jiang Liu continued. Madam Jiang was momentarily stunned. "Didn't you just say that both of you have just met today?" "Yeah, and it was love at first sight. Furthermore, we shouldn't change our minds about such important matters. Both of you and all of the guests witnessed me and the lady saying our wedding vows in the presence of the pastor. We even... kissed. If... if you make me go against my word, what do you think will happen to her?" Old Man Jiang could not help himself. "Son, marriage is a life-changing decision. We can't get involved just because of pity or soft-heartedness," he said, cutting in. Jiang Liu laughed. "Dad, I don't really believe in 'universal love'. I'm no saint... I'm willing to get involved because... I really like her." His proclamation of love stumped his parents. They had never heard their son claim that he liked anyone before. Even during that time... he never mentioned anything to them. That incident was now taboo in the Jiang family; no one brought it up anymore, especially while Jiang Liu was around. As such, Madam Jiang could only ponder silently. She was really taken aback to hear her son tell her that he liked another girl. "You fell for her immediately after seeing her for the first time? Isn't it a little trifling?" she asked, still feeling unsure about her son's decision. In fact, she could not bring herself to accept this daughter-in-law that had just fallen into her lap. In her opinion, she should have been carefully handpicked, beautiful, and a young woman from a reputable family. "Mum... do you mean to say there's nothing such as love at first sight?" "Have you already made up your mind?" Madam Jiang questioned her son. From the way that he had been rebutting both her and her husband, she had a vague sense that it would be nearly impossible to persuade him to change his mind. Her son was an outstanding person, but he had a flaw—he was extremely stubborn. No one could persuade him once he had made up his mind. "I've decided that she's the one. I've also told my driver to send her to our family home." Jiang Liu's statement made his parents silent for a while. They decided that they would not push him further, even if they did not really agree with his decision. He had even taken the initiative to bring her back to their family home. With all that media coverage on the entire incident, they would not be able to answer to the Hua family if they sent her back to them. On the other end... the Xies were busy apologizing to the Huas. Xie Yun, the patron of the family, was especially eager. He had lost all of his dignity tonight. His second son was a well-known trouble maker. Even since he returned back home a few years ago, he had been involved in many scandalous affairs with female celebrities in the entertainment industry. Xie Yun had wanted to make his son settle down, but now, the young man had managed to screw it up all by himself. "I'm really sorry for what happened today, Brother Hua. I've already sent my people to grab hold of that good-for-nothing. I'll string him up and personally bring him to your residence to apologize to everyone." Madam Hua's expression changed before her husband could reply. "You're being too kind, Chairman Xie. It seems like our daughter isn't fortunate enough to marry into the Xie family." Just like this, the entire situation was worsened...