When I found out she was returning to the country, I worried there might be another mishap, so I immediately sought her out and proposed to her. As I expected, she agreed without hesitation. Of course, the condition was that I had to help Zhou Mikang out of trouble.
I agreed, and I truly did strive for Zhou Mikang’s cause, but you also know my standing in the eyes of my father and grandfather—they wouldn’t act according to my wishes. Just as I was worrying about how to explain this to her, the Zhou family really came out unscathed.
I know she doesn’t have me in her heart, and she could never fall in love with me in this lifetime, but as long as I possess her, I am completely content. I have lost many things, and this is probably the only thing within my control.
Looking at his brother’s pained face, Huang Suai let out a deep sigh, "Even if she has another man in her heart, just wants to use you, and would kick you aside once you’re useless to her, would you still be willing to be with her?"
Without hesitation, Huang Xinlong nodded, "Yes."
Huang Suai turned her gaze towards Ye Meiru, "You’re aware of my older brother’s feelings for you, aren’t you?"
"Yes." Ye Meiru said with an indifferent face, "It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. If there wasn’t any benefit in it for me, why would I marry a freak so ugly that nobody dares to look at him?
I believe even if he wanted to marry some penniless country girl, she wouldn’t want to marry him. If you don’t believe me, go ask Chuxia whether she would marry Huang Xinlong or not?"
Huang Suai frowned at her, "Do you still think Chuxia is just a penniless country girl at this point? Ye Meiru, in terms of looks, you’re no match for her, in terms of talent, you’re not her match either. Stop deceiving yourself here.
You’re just jealous of her, aren’t you? That’s why you keep trying to hit her where it hurts the most. But do you really think she’s just a country girl?"
Ye Meiru’s face bore a mocking smile, "Do I even need to think that? She is indeed a country girl. What benefit has Chuxia given you that you defend her so? Could it be that you really ’love the house and its crow’?"
"You think that will provoke me?" Huang Suai said with a faint smile, "Yes, the Huang family did propose to the Zhou family, and we were indeed rejected, but this doesn’t mean I like Zhou Mikang, nor does it mean I’ve become furiously angry because of the rejection. Nor does it imply that from now on, I’m set to oppose his wife.
Let’s talk about something serious. You repeatedly say Chuxia is a country girl, so let me clearly tell you now, her family’s situation is not worse than yours. You know about the Lin Family of the Capital, right?"
"You mean Chuxia is from the Lin Family of the Capital?" Ye Meiru’s face showed disbelief, "How is that possible? My investigations showed that she’s just an ignorant girl who grew up in the countryside!"
"That’s right, she grew up in the countryside. But she is indeed a descendant of the Lin Family of the Capital. Her father is the descendant of the second child of the Lin family who has been lost for many years. And it was entirely Chuxia’s own efforts that the Lin Family managed to find her father.
Such a girl, I really don’t understand how you can say she’s just an uninformed country bumpkin. The way she was raised in the country, yet possesses so many talents that don’t match her upbringing—it’s all true. You saw today, whether in conversation or in her artistic talents, she stands out. I have to admit, I can only reach that level given the circumstances I had back then, showing my toughness and convincing everyone with my real abilities.
Ye Meiru, you better give up early. A girl like her, you can’t attack or seek revenge against her. Be careful or you might end up destroying yourself without realizing it."
Huang Xinlong, who had been quietly listening, frowned deeply and turned to Huang Suai, "Aiai, is everything you’re saying true?"
"Absolutely true." Huang Suai nodded earnestly, "I was there when my little aunt and uncle talked about it."
"You’re playing me?" Ye Meiru glared at Huang Suai, furiously, "You knew about Chuxia’s background all along, and you had already planned to get on her good side. So you deliberately showed up at the banquet, making people think you were there to help me when in fact, you were there to curry favor with her!"
"Do I need to curry favor with her?" Huang Suai looked at her, her expression serene, "Do you think I’m like you, who only knows how to act recklessly according to her whims, without caring whether her family gets dragged down, or whether her behavior tarnishes the family’s name?"