Chapter 268: Look at You
“You…”
Jiang Heng was so frustrated with his eldest granddaughter that he couldn’t get the words out, but Xia Hong at the side was enjoying the show. He just loved seeing the old man flustered, especially by his own granddaughter.
Finally, Jiang Heng mustered up the courage to say why he came here. “Come on now and go back with your grandpa. I found you a great match; from the top hundred strong bird country’s noble family, a fine young man, in my eyes, quite satisfactory.”
This only made Jiang Kekai even more upset. Her gaze sharpened with disdain: “I already said it. My marriage, my responsibility, no one else’s. End of story.”
“So, did you pick that kid? How ridiculous, she doesn’t have the right to make you happy. As your grandfather, I can’t just stand idly by and watch you walk astray.” Jiang Heng raged. “In any case, I will never approve of you and Xia Yu.”
“Is this how you found someone for me because of Xia Yu? That’s not all there is to it, right? Get to the point, don’t waste my time.”
Jiang Heng glanced at Xia Hong, then looked at Jiang Kekai. “Precisely. The main reason I brought you back is to get you engaged. If you sign the contract, our family can start collaborating with them. It’ll be very beneficial for the family.”
“So I’m just being used as a pawn here? Did Dad know about this?” Jiang Kekai sighed desperately. “Yes, he said you’d choose for yourself, hence I came personally.”
“What a master of passing the buck,” she muttered.
Despite that, Jiang Kekai kept her stance firm, “Forget it, Grandpa. I won’t agree to this. Tell them not to worry about this anymore.”
“How can you not understand how hard I’ve worked? Xia Yu, I know you still like her now, but what about later? Besides, she can’t offer you much more.” Seeing he was getting nowhere with his granddaughter, Jiang Heng was getting desperate.
“I want who I want!”
Right after saying so casually, Jiang Kekai’s face darkened seriously, “Grandpa, once you retire, mind your own business. Enjoy your peace, okay? And wasn’t Uncle the one recommending her? What’s he trying to do, and aren’t you suspicious?”
“Yes, indeed it was your uncle who recommended her—can’t he look after you? And I’ve done my research too, she…”
Before Jiang Heng could finish, Jiang Kekai stopped him impatiently, “Nope! It’s clear enough already. Time’s almost dinner, stay for food or you’re out.”
At first, Jiang Heng looked perplexed. Was his granddaughter kicking him out? Didn’t she used to respect him more?
He ended up blaming Xia Yu for everything and glared at Xia Hong, “See what your son did? Your things won’t get approved as long as I’m alive.”
Angry at last, Jiang Heng decisively left, making it clear. He’d hurried out hoping competitors wouldn’t notice the commotion.
Hearing Jiang Heng’s departure, Xia Yu cautiously peeked outside to see if that scary old man had gone.
Coincidentally, this happened right when Jiang Kekai spotted her. With an instantly transformed bright smile, Jiang Kekai said, “Okay Xia Yu, you can come out now. No one can touch you here with me around.”
Xia Yu cautiously checked, ensuring Jiang Heng was really gone before letting herself breathe again and exiting. For a moment, it got to her.
Then, Xia Hong couldn’t help but comment, “She didn’t dare come out when your little sister was going to be ‘taken’, such a chicken.”
He then looked at Jiang Kekai seriously, “Your feelings for Xia Yu I understand. I won’t interfere, but please keep Xia Yu away from family drama.”
Protect Xia Yu, clearly.
People could tell Xia Yu and Jiang Kekai were compatible. Given they liked each other so openly, it was unlikely for Jiang Kekai to marry in, thus he only hoped Jiang Kekai could protect Xia Yu.
“Of course.”
Dinner time saw Xia Yu visibly affected. Even though the steamed fish she loved was there, she just couldn’t focus.
Jiang Kekai had nothing better to do but feed Xia Yu directly. No matter how Xia Yu tried to avoid eats, when faced with Jiang Kekai’s offerings, she always opened her mouth…
As for studying together like they planned initially, who had the energy?
Realizing this, Jiang Kekai was also a bit helpless. Why does Grandpa act so easily persuaded nowadays? Must be old age.
But around evening, the four girls gathered in a small screening room to watch comedy films together for bonding time and to soothe Xia Yu’s shaken heart.
With the cooler weather, Xia Yu adjusted to the change by wearing her school coat, lessening gender identifiers. Hot days made short-sleeves clearer, but many feminine traits were harder to hide.
Once dressed up, Xia Yu felt confident, but she couldn’t explain why.
“At month-end testing results, congrats to Xia Yu, who improved one hundred twelve points from last month. She still lacks in English but excelled in other subjects. Everyone should learn from her example and not give up just because of a dip in grade. Past performance isn’t everything; your future is yet to be written.”
Xia Yu initially played with two dolls, but hearing Mr. He Gongxing praise her in-front of everyone, she instantly blushed. She remembered starting poorly, barely improving from last place to average grades.
Although disapproving inside, she was happy at the praise. “Great work, Xia Yu. Making a surprise out of yourself?”
After class, Li Jia and Guo Yao promptly turned to chat with Xia Yu, their bond deepening. Gao Xiaotian, meanwhile, had been waiting for class break. Now free, he pulled out his phone, “Xia Yu, check if the teacher’s coming, kick me if you see them.”
Sure enough, Mr. He walked in. Right for Xia Yu he was, and Xia Yu gave that absorbed-in-game boy a good kick for good measure.
Gao Xiaotian, quick to react, stuffed his phone in his sleeve, hiding his gaming.
Almost immediately, Mr. He reached beside and startled Gao Xiaotian, sweat forming. “Xia Yu, you performed well this time, keep it up. If there’s anything, ask me.”
Repeatedly praised, Xia Yu felt grateful yet awkward, “Thanks, Ma’am.”
“Alright, a special reward.” Mr. He placed a notebook and pen at Xia Yu’s desk. “But remember, fiddling with dolls during class isn’t right.”
“I get sleepy otherwise,” she replied.
“I see. Then, play dolls as much as you want, just don’t distract others.” His eyes moved to a trembling Gao Xiaotian, “How you can compare to your desk-mate? Always playing, hand over the phone.”
Gao Xiaotian hesitated but quickly handed his device to a friend, releasing a sigh of relief. But then, Mr. He failed to find the phone, and his palm dirtied. Not pleased.
He noticed wet wipes on Xia Yu’s desk, instantly switching to a smile. “Xia Yu, may I borrow some?”
Mr.
