entanglements and choices
Elsewhere, when Jiang Wenfeng returned home, lunch had just been served. Steam was rising from the table. Jiang Heng put down his chopsticks, looked at his youngest son, who was still engrossed in his meal, and casually asked, "Which university are you planning to attend? What major do you want to study?"
"I want to study sports rehabilitation, but I haven't decided on a school yet." Jiang Wenfeng's voice was flat. Even when he was chatting with his family, his tone was a little distant and cold, as if he was too tired to say even one more word.
"It's okay, just take your time to think about it. If you need our help, just let me know." Jiang Heng continued his words, his tone full of indulgence.
"Yes, son, just do whatever you want to do. Your parents support you." Jiang Wan quickly responded and picked up a piece of vegetables for her son with chopsticks.
After lunch, Mom and Dad went upstairs to rest. Jiang Wenfeng followed them into the study and pulled out a thick photo album from the bookcase. He paused on a page and pointed at a smiling boy and asked, "Dad, who is this?"
Jiang Heng took a closer look and answered casually, "Zhou Yang, Zhou Xiao's son." He pointed at the girl next to him and raised his chin towards his wife, "This girl, honey, come over and see if you recognize her."
Jiang Wan leaned over and looked at her for a moment: "She looks like Zhou Yang's sister, right?"
"Even you're not sure, are you?" Jiang Wenfeng raised his eyes, scanning his parents' faces. Jiang Heng and Jiang Wan exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of doubt in the other's eyes.
"It's hard to say," Jiang Heng smacked his lips. "She calls Zhou Yang 'brother' and Zhou Xiao and his wife 'uncle' and aunt'. But according to public records, Zhou Yong has never been married and has no children."
"There are rumors outside that this girl is Zhou Xiao's illegitimate daughter." Jiang Wan lowered her voice, as if she was telling a secret.
"But according to Mr. Zhou's style, such a thing as an illegitimate daughter is impossible. Even if it really happened, he would never let the news spread." Jiang Heng retorted with a frown.
"Dad, help me find out which university Zhou Yang is in." Jiang Wenfeng suddenly interrupted their conversation with an unquestionable tone of certainty.
Jiang Heng was stunned for a moment, then replied without thinking, "Okay."
At this time, Jiang Wenqing pushed the door open and walked into the study. He leaned against the door frame, a faint smile on his lips, and teased, "My dear brother, who are you interested in?"
Jiang Wenfeng seemed not to hear him. He brushed past him expressionlessly and walked straight out of the study, leaving behind a soft sound of the door closing.
In the study, Jiang Heng and Jiang Wan looked at each other again, their eyes filled with confusion. "Zhou Yang?" Jiang Wan spoke first, looking at her eldest son. "Wenqing, you're almost 30, and you're not in a relationship or getting married. And now your brother suddenly wants your dad to inquire about a boy. What's wrong with you?" She paused, her eyes suddenly lighting up. "Hubby, how about we have a third child?"
Jiang Wenqing didn't respond. His eyes fell on the open album. He pointed at the girl in the photo and asked seriously, "When was this photo taken?"
Jiang Heng looked at his wife bewilderedly. Jiang Wan thought for a moment and said, "Your brother went to the Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting three years ago. You must have been on a business trip at the time, right?"
"Whose illegitimate daughter did you just say this girl is?" Jiang Wenqing's voice became a little deeper.
"It's either Zhou Xiao or Zhou Yong, what's wrong?" Jiang Heng was puzzled by his question and couldn't help but raise his voice, "What happened?"
Jiang Wenqing didn't answer. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of the photo, muttering to himself, "No wonder I can't find anything..." He suddenly frowned and asked, "Is this girl very close to Zhou Yong?"
"Close? I don't see anything special about them." Jiang Wan shook her head. "What's going on?"
Jiang Wenqing's mind flashed back to Xiaofeng's complete dependence on Zhou Yong during their visit to the grave that day, and he seemed to have the answer. He turned abruptly, strode out of the room, and said, "You won't have the chance to have a third child. Just wait until you have your grandchildren."
In the study, only Jiang Heng and Jiang Wan were left looking at each other, unable to come back to their senses for a long time.
Two days later, at the dinner table, Jiang Heng ate his rice and told his youngest son the news he had heard: "Zhou Yang is a third-year student at Ninghai University, majoring in business management."
Jiang Wenfeng paused holding the chopsticks, as if he had made up his mind. He raised his head and said, "I'll apply to Ninghai University."
With a clang, Jiang Heng's chopsticks fell directly onto the table. He stared at his youngest son with wide eyes, a look of disbelief on his face. Jiang Wan quietly kicked her husband under the table and winked at him, signaling him to stop talking nonsense. Jiang Heng looked at his eldest son as if for help. Jiang Wenqing got the signal, cleared his throat and said, "You should think about it carefully and look up the relevant information. Ninghai University... I don't know if there are any majors that interest you. Choosing a school should still be based on the major."
Jiang Wenfeng stood up suddenly, his chair legs scraping against the floor with a harsh sound, and he almost got knocked over. "I'm going to Ninghai University. I've decided." After saying that, he left the restaurant without looking back.
Jiang Heng looked at the empty seat and slapped his thigh regretfully: "It's all my fault. I encouraged him that day and told him to just do it after he has thought it through." He scratched his hair, looking like he had a headache.
Jiang Wenqing also frowned, protesting strongly: "Dad, Mom, is he your son or my son?"
The next day, upon receiving the last piece of information, Jiang Wenqing paused for a moment, then called Zhou Yong. His tone was unwavering, "President Zhou, I'd like to talk to you."
The air in the afternoon tea room was filled with the faint aroma of oolong tea. As soon as Zhou Yong sat down, Jiang Wenqing pushed a neatly arranged stack of documents in front of him, and the papers made a crisp sound when they collided.
"For Xiaofeng?" Zhou Yong's words trailed off softly, mingling with the crisp click of the tea needle prying against the tea cake. His gaze fell on the tense profile of the man opposite him. He clearly saw Jiang Wenqing's Adam's apple roll up and down three times before he squeezed out a word from between his teeth: "Yeah."
"These are my proof of assets, proof of education, proof of no criminal record, proof of being single, insurance policy, and the most recent physical examination report - the most comprehensive one done in your hospital." Jiang Wenqing spoke steadily while stroking the edges of the documents with his fingertips to align them, his slightly trembling fingertips revealing his nervousness.
Zhou Yong paused with his teacup in hand and looked up at him: "You should be able to find out that Xiaofeng's guardian is my brother."
"But she seems to have a closer relationship with you." Jiang Wenqing met Zhou Yong's gaze.
After hearing this, Zhou Yong smiled faintly, but did not respond. Instead, he asked, "Why don't you go talk to Xiaofeng directly?"
"She must have blocked me. I can't contact her, and I haven't been working part-time recently." Jiang Wenqing's voice lowered a few degrees, and a trace of loss flashed in his eyes.
"You know where she lives." Zhou Yong's tone was emotionless, as if he was stating a simple fact.
Jiang Wenqing tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his voice sinking: "You should know why I didn't go to her house."
"Because of Zhou Yang." Zhou Yong whispered, nodding unconsciously, as if he had already understood. "Now, what do you need me to do?"
"I hope you can help me ask her out. I want to talk to her, even if I'm rejected in person, I still want to know the reason."
"She and Zhou Yang were childhood sweethearts and were engaged."
Jiang Wenqing's pupils suddenly constricted upon hearing these words, and his fingers gripping the teacup tightened sharply. The tea in the celadon cup swayed, reflecting the tenseness of his jawline. His Adam's apple moved, and he asked with difficulty, "Isn't she your daughter?"
Zhou Yong slowly put down his teacup, his voice adding a touch of warmth. "Xiaofeng is the child of her parents' legal marriage, and her life story is simple. When she was seven years old, her father disappeared, and I proposed to her mother, but was rejected." He paused, a hint of melancholy in his eyes. "However, I have always wanted to have a daughter like this." He took a sip of tea, and his tone returned to seriousness. "Her mother passed away not long ago, and the scars are still very clear. She is now like a hedgehog with spikes erected, or like a piece of glass that shatters at the slightest touch - before it shatters, it will always hurt those who want to hug her. So... being with her will not be smooth sailing in the future. Have you thought it through?"
Jiang Wenqing remained silent, his fingertips unconsciously caressing the rim of his teacup. He understood that pursuing Xiaofeng had never been a romantic adventure, but rather a cautious march through a minefield, where every step could potentially trigger a hidden mine.
"Moreover, as her uncle, I will spare no effort to protect her and will never let any possible harm get close to her." Zhou Yong's voice was a little colder, as if he was silently warning her - if you want to get close to Xiaofeng, you must be prepared to be bitten by her sharp thorns.
After a brief pause, Zhou Yong's voice softened, carrying the earnestness of someone who had experienced it all: "What she needs isn't a savior, but someone who is willing to patiently walk slowly with her, someone who can catch her steadily when she stumbles."
Jiang Wenqing still didn't answer. The only sound in the tea room was the gurgling of the tea in the teapot, a melody that accompanied the silence. After an unknown amount of time, Zhou Yong picked up his phone, checked the time, and finally made his decision: "On the 20th, Xiaofeng will be out of school at 7 PM. I'll have her over."
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