At this thought, she suddenly felt a pang of panic.
"Why should I care if there is a place for me in his heart or not?"
Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaoshan was immersed in his own thoughts as he spoke.
"I know you’re the daughter of a prominent and wealthy family, born privileged, while I’m just a country bumpkin. Therefore, I didn’t dare to hope for anything, I think it’s better for us to maintain our distance in the future."
There was a trace of emotion in Zhang Xiaoshan’s words, but mostly it was the harsh reality.
Jiang Man’s eyes welled with tears as she explained to Zhang Xiaoshan.
"You’re talking nonsense, that’s what other people think, not me. I’ve never been someone who despises the poor and fawns over the rich. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come to you. But, as you also know, the difference in our social status is a reality, It isn’t that I won’t agree to you, it’s that my father, my family, won’t allow it."
"All you know is that I was born privileged, but have you ever considered the responsibilities I carry as a leader’s daughter? You should have understood how dire my family’s situation is after hearing that bastard Zhang Jian, do you have any idea how severe my father’s illness is? Do you realize how high he climbed and how hard he’ll fall? Do you know how many people he’s offended to get to where we are now? What do you think will happen to my family if something truly goes wrong? When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; when the wall collapses, everyone pushes. Have you thought about how tragic my family’s fate will be then?"
"As my father’s daughter, who has enjoyed the glory and resources he provided, of course, I must repay him and our clan."
"If my father wasn’t seriously ill, if my family’s situation was normal, perhaps I would choose to forsake our status differences and be with you. But now, my family is like a damaged boat on a raging river, constantly being struck by violent winds and waves, on the verge of sinking. How can I be with you?"
Jiang Man’s last words were filled with a questioning tone, and her gaze towards Zhang Xiaoshan was sharp as a sword.
During this time, she had harbored an abundance of grief and helplessness, and now, in front of Zhang Xiaoshan, it all came pouring out.
Zhang Xiaoshan stood there stunned, momentarily at a loss for words. This update ıs available on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵※𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮※𝓷𝓮𝓽
He hadn’t considered all of that.
Jiang Man took a deep breath, composed herself, and wiped away the tear tracks from the corners of her eyes, speaking with a hint of resignation.
"Actually, from birth, the fate of someone like me has always been determined. I am but a pawn in the rise and fall of my family. What I need now is a man who can help my family through this crisis. Do you understand?"
"Maybe I can help you," Zhang Xiaoshan believed he had some confidence, now with the legacy from Dragon Girl.
But Jiang Man was unaware of such things and questioned Zhang Xiaoshan.
"Perhaps you’re a dark horse with potential. Given ten or twenty years, you could achieve something substantial, but I can’t wait that long."
"So you mean to say that you plan to find a man from a well-established family and trade yourself for it?"
"For my father, for the family, sacrificing myself isn’t out of the question," Jiang Man’s eyes held a mix of stubbornness and determination.
"I disagree..." Zhang Xiaoshan said, his emotions growing heated.
He wanted to say he disagreed, but the words did not come out in the end because it was clear he wasn’t in a position to disagree.
He stared into Jiang Man’s eyes and said each word deliberately.
"How about we make a bet?"
"A bet?" Jiang Man looked puzzled.