There are only two possibilities for Cui Congshuang's decision to get engaged to the Jiang family. First, Cui Congshuang was mentally ill. Second, there was an unknown secret behind this marriage, the most likely being a conflict of interest.
But what could a family like the Jiang family have that is so important to merchants that it can only be obtained through marriage?
"Does it take that long to think about this?" Cui Congshuang asked with a smile, "Or is this question really that difficult to answer?"
Jiang Rong came back to his senses, met Cui Congshuang's gaze, pursed his lips, and said, "Auntie, this engagement was originally supposed to be with my sister. I have no other thoughts about Mr. Shang."
Shang Shaoheng looked at Jiang Rong expressionlessly. Although he didn't say anything, Jiang Rong knew that the elementary school student must be angry again.
After all, a gifted person like him has never been rejected.
Cui Congshuang was also a little surprised and said, "I thought you two had a good relationship. After all, Ah Heng never brings anyone to Bailu Manor."
Jiang Rong coughed and said, "Really? I'm really grateful to Mr. Shang for taking me in."
Shang Shaoheng raised his eyes coldly: "You can get out now."
Jiang Rong: “…” You really hold a grudge!
"Ah Heng." Cui Congshuang disagreed, "It's so late, let them stay here for one night. What if they run into danger if they leave at this time?"
She ordered the servants to clean up a room for Jiang Rong and told her not to care about what Shang Shaoheng said.
"He's been like this since he was a child. It's not targeting you." Cui Congshuang said helplessly, "I didn't ask him to change when he was a child, and it's even more impossible now. Don't take it to heart, good boy, go to sleep."
Jiang Rong nodded and said goodbye to Cui Congshuang.
After the people left, Cui Congshuang's smile faded. He leaned back on the sofa and drank a sip of water. He said, "You asked me before why I wanted to get engaged to the Jiang family, and I didn't answer you. Now that you've met Jiang Rong, you should be able to see that I haven't treated you unfairly. The girl is so beautiful, it would be a pity to marry you."
Shang Shaoheng twitched the corners of his lips, his smile cold: "You came here just to see her tonight?"
"Don't be so hostile. I just heard that you brought someone back to Bailu Manor. I was curious, so I stopped by to take a look." Cui Congshuang put down the glass and smiled. "Don't worry, I didn't ask anyone to monitor you, and my people are not that capable."
Shang Shaoheng: "Now that you've finished reading, why don't you leave?"
"I'm your mother after all. Even if you're pretending, you should at least be a little warm to me, right?" Cui Congshuang said this, but she still stood up and said, "Forget it. You've been like this since you were a child. Since you don't welcome me, I'll leave first."
She took a few steps out, then suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Shang Shaoheng: "By the way, are you still not going to your father's death anniversary this year?"
"What should I do?" Shang Shaoheng asked back.
"Okay, okay." Cui Congshuang smiled helplessly, "Whatever you say. After all, I can't control you anymore."
Shang Shaoheng was the only one left in the living room.
His expression was as cold as the perpetually snowy mountains of the far north. The entire living room felt oppressive, as if a storm were about to break out. That was until someone poked their head out from the second-floor railing. Their long, raven-black hair cascaded down smoothly, and their eyes sparkled as they asked, "Mr. Shang, is there anything to eat? I'm hungry."
Shang Shaoheng: “…”
Shang Shaoheng said, "Get down."
"Okay." Jiang Rong went downstairs happily and sat down next to Shang Shaoheng obediently. "What are we having for supper?"
Shang Shaoheng pressed his temple and said, "Go to the kitchen and see for yourself."
Jiang Rong slipped into the kitchen and took a look around, then brought back two bowls of century egg and lean meat porridge. The rice milk in the porridge had come out, and it was very thick, making people's mouths water just by looking at it.
Jiang Rong sat cross-legged on the soft carpet, put a spoonful into his mouth, and immediately squinted his eyes happily: "It's delicious!"
Shang Shaoheng looked at her silently. Jiang Rong didn't care and continued to eat her porridge. After half a bowl of porridge was gone, she said, "You and Auntie are not on good terms?"
"How do you know that?" Shang Shaoheng curled his lips. "People outside think we have a very good relationship."
Jiang Rong propped up her chin. "Do you want to hear the truth or a lie? Forget it. You definitely want to hear the truth, so I'll be frank. You and your mother aren't very close. It's like two actors acting out a scene, playing the part of a loving mother and a filial son. But no matter how good your acting is, you're still resisting her. Your body language tells me you don't like her."
"Excuse me," Jiang Rong said with a light cough, "Are you sure they are mother and son?"
Shang Shaoheng sneered: "You want me to show you the DNA test report?"
Jiang Rong: "Wow, you really doubted that you were not her biological child, otherwise why would you go for a test?!"
Shang Shaoheng: “.”
"But this has nothing to do with me." Jiang Rong said, "I'm telling you this just to thank you for this delicious bowl of porridge."
She picked out a larger preserved egg and stuffed it into her mouth, then said slowly, "You're not so bad, at least she's still pretending to be nice to you. Do you know how my own mother treats me?"
"It's really strange," Jiang Rong said. "I'm the one who came out of her belly, but she only has Jiang Panyu in her heart. No matter what I do, she finds fault with me, saying I'm not as good as Jiang Panyu here or there. At first, I thought there might be something wrong with me and I should change. Later, I realized that in the eyes of someone who hates you, even breathing is wrong."
At this point, Jiang Rong shrugged and said, "From this, I've learned a lesson: when encountering problems, you should look for the reasons in others. That way, your troubles in life will be at least half as few."
Shang Shaoheng was silent for a moment before asking, "Do you often tell others about your miserable experiences?"
"Miserable? I don't think so." Jiang Rong said, "But there's a saying that goes, 'One's happiness is built on the suffering of others.' Perhaps my being even more miserable than you can give you some psychological comfort?"
Shang Shaoheng sneered.
It was a mocking expression, almost writing the words "What kind of idiot are you?" on his face. He leaned over and grabbed Jiang Rong's chin, looking into her eyes and said, "Do you know what's so ridiculous about you?"
"You actually compare the difficulties you faced from your biological mother with what I've been through. I don't know if you're naive or stupid."
Jiang Rong coughed, "...Can you please change your habit of grabbing people's chins all the time? Although you don't allow me to call you brother-in-law, I am indeed your aunt. Can you show some basic respect to your aunt?"
Shang Shaoheng narrowed his eyes: "Have you forgotten what I said before?"
Jiang Rong quickly said, "I didn't call you brother-in-law. Can't we even mention objective facts now?"
Shang Shaoheng looked at her for a while, then suddenly asked, "Why do you want to refuse the engagement?"
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