After Becoming a Spare Tire, I Got Together with My White Moonlight - Chapter 61

Every eye in the room was fixed on Mr. Jiang.

He stood with his brow slightly furrowed, his face set in an expression of firm disapproval. He clearly had no intention of retracting his words. A deathly silence spread through the dining hall, eventually reaching the children’s table.

After what felt like an eternity of stillness, the elder Mr. Jiang was the first to regain his composure.

“Eat,” the old man said tonelessly. “Come to my study afterward.”

He was not prepared to argue with his son in front of everyone, but the instruction made the elder Mr. Jiang’s stance perfectly clear. This would likely be a session of persuasion rather than a consultation; Mr. Jiang’s personal opinion was evidently not the deciding factor.

The atmosphere at the table remained cold. It was only after the elder Mr. Jiang rose and left the room—and after Mr. Jiang had comforted his wife and followed suit—that the other guests dared to raise their voices.

The elder Mr. Jiang paused at the door, glancing back at Yan Guiqiu and Jiang Xuehe. “You two come over as soon as you’re finished eating.”

The two exchanged a look and nodded in silence. After sitting for a few more minutes for the sake of appearance, Jiang Xuehe stood up and led Yan Guiqiu toward the study.

The door was not fully closed. As they approached, the sound of Mr. Jiang’s voice drifted out. They instinctively stopped in their tracks.

“…What kind of ‘true emotion’ is love at first sight?” Mr. Jiang was saying. “It’s nothing more than an attraction to looks. If it were just a temporary fling, that would be one thing, but how can we, as elders, take it seriously?”

The elder Mr. Jiang let out a cold snort, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “When you were chasing after a university student back in the day, I didn’t see you having such ‘enlightened’ realizations.”

Mr. Jiang fell silent. When he had insisted on being with his wife, the reason he gave was that he had been captivated at first sight and could love no one else. While he had indeed remained faithful to her, using such an argument against the younger generation lacked any credibility.

After a long pause, Mr. Jiang spoke again. “We cannot joke with Xuehe’s lifelong happiness.”

The old man said nothing, allowing his son to continue.

“I know you aren’t satisfied with the candidates we found for Xuehe’s marriage alliance,” Mr. Jiang said, his voice tightening. “But we screened them carefully. Their backgrounds, character, and even their looks are top-tier. Xuehe would never suffer with any of them.”

The elder Mr. Jiang gestured for him to go on.

Mr. Jiang braced himself. “We can’t keep her at home forever. If she becomes an old maid, people will laugh at her, and then it will be too late for regrets. Affection is something that grows over time. Those young men come from families we know inside and out. An alliance would only benefit our company. Once she has a couple of children, she’ll have the foundation she needs to feel secure.”

“The same kind of ‘foundation’ her mother has?” the old man sneered. “Married into a wealthy family thanks to a child, producing nothing, wasting a college education to spend her days going from one party to the next? After all these years, the only thing she’s improved on is her ability to spot luxury brands.”

“…She contributes by maintaining our connections with other families. And she raised two children; she deserves credit for her hard work,” Mr. Jiang argued through gritted teeth. “Besides, I was the one who didn’t want her to work. Her health was never great. As her husband, I wasn’t going to make her work herself to death for me. It’s not like I can’t support her.”

He didn’t understand why the conversation had suddenly turned back to him. The old man had never truly liked his daughter-in-law, but after Jiang Xuehe was born, his attitude had softened, and he had never openly humiliated her. He had even turned a blind eye when Mr. Jiang gave his wife a nominal, unimportant position at the company.

Today’s “warning” at the dinner table was a rare occurrence. Mr. Jiang felt uncomfortable hearing his father’s blunt dissatisfaction; he respected his father deeply, but he did not want his wife criticized by anyone.

“Benefits? Hard work?” the elder Mr. Jiang let out a derisive laugh. “Do you have any idea that the value a single Jiang Xuehe can create for this company outweighs two of you plus Jiang Xueyang combined?”

The benefits of keeping Jiang Xuehe in the company—and the benefits the company would gain because of her—far outweighed anything a marriage alliance could provide. An alliance only secured temporary assistance from another family, which was essentially a transactional exchange. In contrast, Jiang Xuehe was a leadership talent capable of bringing actual profit and elevating the company to the next level.

It was Jiang Xuehe herself who had chosen to leave. Although the old man was angry, he couldn’t force her. He knew where the root of the problem lay.

“You should be grateful that Xuehe is someone who values her family. She remembered the kindness you showed her in the past, which is why she stepped back. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be standing here in a fancy suit talking to me today; you’d be begging on the street corner!”

The elder Mr. Jiang looked at his son—who remained silent in a state of quiet rebellion—and felt a wave of frustration. Did he not want to leave the company to his son? It should have been a simple matter of succession. He could have handed over the reins and left the rest to fate.

But his son’s ability was mediocre, and he had produced a daughter with undeniable talent. In a head-to-head comparison, even a blind man would know who to choose.

Even skipping a generation to let the grandchildren inherit shouldn’t have been an issue. He only had two grandchildren, and he wouldn’t live long enough to see any younger ones show their potential. The successor had to be one of these two. Regardless of which one took over, they were the biological children of Mr. Jiang; surely, they wouldn’t mistreat their own parents.

Yet the parents had positioned themselves as their daughter’s adversaries.

Ever since Jiang Xuehe entered the company during university, the obstacles Mr. Jiang placed in her path never stopped. Later, Jiang Xueyang joined in. They thought they were being subtle, hoping only to push her out of the company, but their tactics were transparent to both Jiang Xuehe and the old man.

The old man was utterly disappointed in them, to say nothing of the blow it dealt to Jiang Xuehe, who had grown up pampered and loved. Out of sentiment, and under the pressure and manipulation of her parents, she chose to yield.

The elder Mr. Jiang’s acceptance of Jiang Xueyang as the heir was a way to help Jiang Xuehe repay that debt of sentiment. He was more farsighted than she was; he knew Jiang Xueyang’s character would inevitably lead to trouble. With himself there to supervise, things were manageable. But if Jiang Xueyang showed no improvement, the old man would never feel safe handing over his life’s work to him, even if Jiang Xuehe didn’t return.

He had even considered grooming Jiang Xuyu. As he got older, the mogul became less concerned with traditional ideas of bloodline inheritance. It was best for a descendant to take over, but if that descendant was a fool who would squander the business, it was better to give it to a capable outsider; at least the name would live on.

These thoughts had circled the old man’s mind for a long time, but he had never voiced them to his son. He still held a tiny glimmer of hope that they would mature, take responsibility, and recognize their flaws. If they did, he wouldn’t dwell on the past.

Unfortunately, they never seemed to reflect on themselves. Instead, they took Jiang Xuehe’s sacrifice for granted. Now, they were pushing further, trying to arrange her marriage as well.

“…That’s not the same thing.” Mr. Jiang remained silent for a long time before finally defending himself. “Regarding the marriage, I truly want what’s best for her. It’s not just to use her or marry her off; it’s so she has security in the future, even if…”

He paused, as if suddenly realizing something, and swallowed the rest of his words. He simply said, “Everything else is negotiable, but as for the company… only Xuehe is out of the question.”

“Why only Xuehe?” the elder Mr. Jiang asked.

Mr. Jiang stammered but couldn’t give a clear answer. This was the question the old man had always found strange. When Jiang Xuehe was a child, her parents’ love for her was undeniable—even the old man had been secondary to them. As she grew older, before any major conflict had occurred, their attitude had suddenly and abruptly turned cold.

While Mrs. Jiang’s shift was somewhat traceable—she changed once she realized her daughter might overshadow her son in the line of succession—Mr. Jiang’s motives were harder to decipher. Long before Jiang Xuehe joined the company, he mentioned her to his father less and less. When she was little, he had joked that she was a lucky star who would bring the family to new heights. That showed he had once expected his daughter to create value for the company.

The mogul initially thought he was jealous of his daughter’s talent, but recently he had begun to wonder if there was another reason. There was a marked difference in how Mr. Jiang treated his two children. Even now, with the younger Jiang Xueyang effectively positioned above him, Mr. Jiang showed no resentment. He gave his son every bit of respect in the company and supported him overtly.

Given this contrast, a bizarre suspicion began to form in the old man’s mind.

“Is it because you think Xuehe doesn’t look like you?” the old man asked abruptly.

Mr. Jiang froze. His expression shifted several times. The elder Mr. Jiang was also taken aback; he had thought the suspicion absurd, but his son’s reaction suggested he had hit the mark.

“You…”

The old man’s face paled. But before he could say anything, a soft thud came from outside, like someone had kicked a flowerpot near the door. The two men inside snapped out of their intense conversation, realizing someone was outside. They had no idea how much had been overheard.

The elder Mr. Jiang closed his eyes to steady himself. He gave his son a cold look and said, “Leave us.”

Mr. Jiang lowered his head and retreated. Opening the door, he came face-to-face with the two women. Jiang Xuehe greeted him with a calm “Dad.”

Beside her, Yan Guiqiu couldn’t hide the shock on her face. In contrast, Jiang Xuehe was unnervingly composed, as if she had expected this all along.

“Xuehe,” the old man’s voice called from the room. “You and Guiqiu come in. I have something to say to you.”

Jiang Xuehe gave a slight nod to her father and pulled Yan Guiqiu into the study. This time, she didn’t forget to close the door. With a soft click, all sound was sealed inside.

The elder Mr. Jiang had initially wanted to change the subject, but seeing Jiang Xuehe’s expression, he felt he had to address it.

“…Did you already know?”

“Mhm.” Jiang Xuehe nodded. “I heard them arguing in their room once.”

And even earlier than that. Her mother would often touch her face with a look of nostalgia. Around the time Jiang Xuehe was born, Mrs. Jiang had an “old flame” whom she claimed to treat as a younger brother. She’d had a younger brother who went missing at age ten; later, an unrecognizable body was found in a reservoir, but the family refused to identify it, clinging to a hollow hope.

During university, she met a junior who looked remarkably like her lost brother. He was eager to be close to her, calling her “Sister” every day, and she naturally softened toward him. Because of the age gap, she didn’t dare claim him as her brother, but they stayed in touch even after she married.

Mr. Jiang, hearing about his wife’s childhood tragedy, was also willing to help this “brother.” But later, the man died in a car accident. Over time, his name was rarely mentioned in the house. To the rest of the Jiang family, he was just a nameless passerby.

But as Jiang Xuehe grew up, this “passerby” became a shadow over them. Years after the man’s death, Mrs. Jiang still commemorated him annually. Of her two children, she favored Jiang Xuehe, who looked more like her and the “brother.”

Mr. Jiang couldn’t help but wonder if his wife’s feelings were truly just sisterly affection. They didn’t argue about it often, but Jiang Xuehe had overheard them once or twice. At first, she didn’t think much of it, only worrying about their relationship. Later, she realized the root of the conflict.

Mr. Jiang truly loved his wife. Every argument ended with her crying until she nearly fainted. Afterward, he wouldn’t argue with her for a long time, indulging and coddling her until her mood improved. He never truly dug for the truth. Those few outbursts only happened when he lost control of his emotions. As he got older and more composed, he stopped bringing it up.

He knew that questioning his wife would break her heart, but the suspicion never truly vanished; it remained buried deep inside him. Consequently, Jiang Xuehe became the target of his redirected anger. Whether there was an actual bloodline issue didn’t matter—at least not initially. His wife’s attitude was the source of his anxiety and aggression.

And Mrs. Jiang? She was well aware of why her husband resented their daughter. Yet, while a paternity test or a major confrontation could have settled the matter, she chose to yield and remain submissive. Whether years of a wealthy lifestyle had dulled her spirit, or whether there were unspeakable reasons or other concerns, Jiang Xuehe didn’t know.

The reality was simple to Jiang Xuehe. Her family had once loved her, but one day that love vanished. She repaid the debt of their upbringing and considered them even.

Listening to her recount the past, the elder Mr. Jiang frowned in deep thought. Yan Guiqiu was also surprised. Not by the secret itself, but that Mr. Jiang could be so cold to a daughter he had raised and pampered for such a reason. Rumor had it that when Mrs. Jiang was pregnant and the paternity was uncertain, he had bravely stepped up to marry her. Yet, he had allowed Jiang Xuehe to suffer this undeserved misfortune.

The mogul caught Yan Guiqiu’s expression and thought she was also questioning Jiang Xuehe’s paternity.

“There was already one precedent; that fool should have known I would never allow a second!” the old man fumed, venting his anger on his son. He had investigated Mrs. Jiang’s past before she married in, which was why he had opposed the union so strongly. When Jiang Xuehe was born, he hadn’t taken any chances; the necessary procedures were followed.

Jiang Xuehe was undoubtedly of the Jiang bloodline. The mogul was certain of this. He hadn’t told the couple because he didn’t want to cause a rift or have them resent him; he had simply verified it for his own peace of mind.

His favoritism for Jiang Xuehe wasn’t just about blood, however. She had inherited the best traits of both parents: her mother’s beauty and her father’s focus. She showed none of their flaws—her mother’s pettiness and ruthlessness, or her father’s tendency to hold others to standards he didn’t follow himself. The mogul had once bluntly said that they were lucky to have produced such a daughter.

“Forget it, those two fools!” The old man scowled, unable to find the right words to scold them. He looked at the two women before him and sighed, swallowing his harsh words. “I’ll give them a piece of my mind later.”

“No need,” Jiang Xuehe said with a smile. She didn’t seem to care much. “Knowing that you’re still on my side is enough for me.”

The old man caught the implication in her words. “Oh?” He paced in silence for a moment, calming himself before sitting down behind his desk. “Tell me, what are your plans?”

“I want to establish a firm foothold in Yunhua City first,” Jiang Xuehe said softly. “The company’s focus has always been south of Yanling, but there’s great potential in the north. Yunhua City isn’t the most prominent in any single area, but it’s versatile and strategically located. It’s a transportation hub that connects all the surrounding cities…”

The old man listened intently, nodding occasionally. Yunhua City wasn’t a major metropolis, and its population skewed away from young adults. Aside from local businesses, few large corporations focused on the area. But it had its advantages, which few had noticed.

Jiang Xuehe had long had these thoughts. She had been worried about starting from scratch on her own, but with the backing of the Jiang family, things would be much easier. She was a woman of action; once she made a decision, a rough plan was already formed. She had intended to mention it and submit a formal proposal later, but seeing as her grandfather was angry with her father and clearly sympathetic toward her, she seized the opportunity.

She wanted to show him that her focus was entirely on her career and that she wouldn’t be broken by her parents’ neglect. She also wanted to strike while the iron was hot; the mogul’s heart was softened, leaving more room for her ideas.

“Uncle Song is still organizing the specific proposal,” Jiang Xuehe finished. “I’ll have him send it over as soon as possible.”

The old man nodded, clearly having taken her words to heart. He tapped the desk and raised a few minor questions. Yan Guiqiu stood by, listening intently. Her expression shifted several times as if she had her own ideas, but she didn’t speak up.

The mogul glanced at her. Once he was finished with Jiang Xuehe, he cleared his throat and tried to soften his expression. “Guiqiu, do you have any thoughts?”

Yan Guiqiu shook her head. “No.” The old man had identified the major points, and Jiang Xuehe had clearly considered them. His guidance would help her solidify her decisions. The remaining details were local matters that couldn’t be settled without field research.

Jiang Xuehe spoke up then. “I was thinking that after this month, if the Yan family is free, I’d like to invite them here to discuss an engagement.”

The mogul gave her a look. “Weren’t you hesitant just a moment ago? Why the sudden eagerness?” He was teasing her, implying she was afraid Yan Guiqiu would run away. But considering her father’s attitude, it was a fair concern.

“I wasn’t hesitant; I just felt it wasn’t necessary yet,” Jiang Xuehe answered seriously. “An engagement isn’t just a family meal; it requires a grand gesture to be meaningful. But Uncle Yan and Auntie Meng are very busy right now, so it might not be convenient.”

In those few moments, Jiang Xuehe had considered many practical issues.

“Then why aren’t you worried about convenience now?” the old man asked.

“I can’t control what my parents think, but this is my stance. It has nothing to do with them,” Jiang Xuehe said. “My future confidence and sense of security can only come from Guiqiu.”

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