After My Engagement Was Broken, I Married My Fiancé's Uncle - Chapter 5

Jiang Xingyuan couldn’t remember, so he decided to stop thinking about it altogether.

After finishing everything he needed to do, he prepared to pack up and head home. Before leaving, he picked up the clothes from the ground and draped them over the other person. “It’s late at night, don’t want you catching a cold.”

He acted as if he didn’t see the other man’s murderous gaze. Rubbing his nose, he actually felt he was being quite thoughtful.

At the Xie Family Ancestral Residence.

In the study, a middle-aged man dressed in a traditional Tang suit was focused intently on his calligraphy. His brush moved like flowing water, bold, vigorous, and powerful enough to penetrate the paper.

Seeing that Xie Rong’an remained silent, a rare trace of nervousness appeared on Xie Huai’s delicate face. He asked urgently, “Father, do you really intend to go through with the alliance with the Jiang family?”

He was terrified that his marriage would be finalized just like that. He had already sent people to look into the second young master of the Jiang family.

Word was that the boy had gone missing in his early years and lived as a vagrant in the slums, picking up many bad habits. He was a total street thug. He had only been recovered by the Jiang family two years ago, he was ignorant, unlearned, and constantly stirred up trouble, getting into street fights and brawling over boyfriends.

Furthermore, he was as stupid as a pig. In the last two years, he had cycled through three different schools and repeated two grades. While his peers had already taken the college entrance exams and were incoming freshmen, this second master of the Jiang family was still stuck in the eleventh grade.

Even though he heard the boy was decent-looking, Xie Huai had zero interest. He viewed him as a fool hollowed out by wine and lust.

How could he possibly marry such a person? Moreover, he already had someone he liked in his heart.

The more he thought about it, the more indignant Xie Huai became. Mustering his courage, he continued, “What’s so good about the Jiang family? If it were the Jiang family of ten years ago, perhaps they’d be worth a look, but they are on a downward slope now. Besides, the engagement was just a verbal agreement back then. Whether it counts or not is entirely up to your word…”

“A-Huai.”

Xie Huai immediately shut his mouth.

Finally finishing the last character, Xie Rong’an gently set down the brush. He picked up the fresh work and blew on the wet ink. “What did I teach you before?”

“You said… to stay calm and unhurried in all things.”

“You are so flighty, your practice in temperament is still lacking. Buddhist scriptures cultivate the soul, take this sutra.” Xie Rong’an handed over a book from the desk. “Copy it ten times a day. If there is anything you don’t understand, you may consult your Ninth Uncle.”

“A-Huai, as an Omega of the Xie family, your marriage has never been something you could decide for yourself. I hope you understand this truth sooner rather than later.”

“When the Jiang family arrives, do you know what you should do?”

“I understand, Father.” Xie Huai held the sutra, slowly lowering his eyes to hide the resentment flickering within them.

Time flew by, and soon it was the day to visit the Xie ancestral home.

“Do you remember the talking points I gave you? Once we are at the Xie house, don’t be as headstrong as you are at home. Don’t forget why you are there…” Jiang Hongyuan turned his head to look at the youth leaning his head out of the car window.

Jiang Xingyuan was currently incredibly excited. He had just heard that the entire fruit forest nearby belonged to the Xies. They had been driving for so long and still hadn’t reached the main gate.

When he turned back, he saw Jiang Hongyuan’s darkened face and wondered how he had offended the man this time. “By the way, what did you just say?”

Jiang Hongyuan felt a surge of nameless fire in his heart. He had been talking for ages, and it was all for nothing! But they were almost there, so it wasn’t the time for an outburst. He closed his eyes, suppressing his anger.

Seeing his father close his eyes with an expression that suggested he couldn’t be bothered to talk, Jiang Xingyuan thought: Fine, don’t talk then. Why get angry? He understood, old age meant a shorter fuse.

Soon, they arrived. As soon as Jiang Xingyuan stepped out of the car, his eyes lit up.

Before him was a massive ancient residence. Jade stone steps led to the entrance, and the solid wood doors were carved with auspicious birds and flowers. It was magnificent and ancient, making Jiang Xingyuan feel for a moment as if he had traveled back in time.

Inside, a row of servants stood to welcome them, dressed in uniform attire with polite smiles, guiding them inward. This was clearly an elite household, pavilions over water, deep courtyards, and meticulously landscaped greenery that put any public park he’d seen to shame.

They were soon led to an elegant, refined room.

“Brother Jiang, long time no see.”

A middle-aged man in a Tang suit walked over. He was tall, handsome, and possessed a scholarly aura. This was Xie Huai’s father, Xie Rong’an, the third ranked son of the family and a famous calligraphy master.

“Third Lord, you are far too kind,” Jiang Hongyuan stood up immediately to greet him with a smile.

Jiang Xingyuan followed suit: “Hello, Uncle Xie.”

Xie Rong’an’s gaze landed on Jiang Xingyuan. “This must be Xingyuan. Truly a fine looking young man.”

The youth before him stood as straight as a pine tree. His black hair was soft against his ears, and he wore metal-rimmed glasses over a high nose bridge, softening his striking eyes. His snow white skin was flawless, and in a simple white shirt, he looked polite and scholarly.

It seemed the rumors were a bit off.

Hearing the praise, Jiang Xingyuan was secretly overjoyed. He had woken up early for a professional styling session, he’d paid for this look, so it better work!

He lowered his gaze modestly. “I’m just average…”

Xie Rong’an nodded in satisfaction at his humble attitude. The two older men chatted for a while, though they didn’t mention the marriage. Instead, they spoke of calligraphy.

Jiang Hongyuan said, “Since attending your exhibition, Xingyuan has deeply admired your work. Though he’s a bit dull, he’s very interested in calligraphy and begged me to bring him to see you. Now that we’re here, perhaps you could take a look at his potential?”

Xie Rong’an seemed intrigued. “Is that so?”

Under Xie Rong’an’s gaze, Jiang Xingyuan forced a shy smile and nodded.

“I happen to be looking for a disciple,” Xie Rong’an laughed.

Jiang Hongyuan urged him, “Xingyuan, go write a few characters for your Uncle Xie to see.”

Jiang Xingyuan felt a headache coming on. Although he had crammed for a week, he barely knew his way around a brush. His writing was like chicken scratch, completely unfit for public viewing.

But since they asked, he’d do it. A “clumsy bride” has to meet the in-laws eventually. He wasn’t embarrassed, if anyone was going to lose face, it was Jiang Hongyuan.

Jiang Xingyuan was pushed to the desk. He grabbed the brush and, with a few swift strokes, finished his work.

When the two men stepped up to look, the smiles on their faces froze instantly. The atmosphere turned dead silent.

Jiang Hongyuan stared at the characters that looked like ghost talismans. How could it be this ugly?! He had made the boy take a week off school to practice. And this was the result? The characters were even missing strokes!

Feeling his face burn with embarrassment, he shot a fierce glare at Jiang Xingyuan. The boy rubbed his nose and lowered his head guiltily.

Unsurprisingly, Xie Rong’an never mentioned the discipleship again.

Jiang Xingyuan stood there like a human cardboard cutout. After listening to an hour of polite small talk, he began to feel drowsy. His gaze wandered to a blue and white porcelain vase nearby. The patterns were quite pretty.

Suddenly… CRASH! The vase shattered on the floor. Two pairs of eyes snapped toward him.

Jiang Xingyuan’s sleepiness vanished instantly. He scratched his head awkwardly. “I… I just accidentally bumped it. So sorry.”

“It’s no matter, as long as you aren’t hurt,” Xie Rong’an said. “It must be boring for a young man like you to listen to two old men chat. If you’d like, I’ll have someone show you to the back garden.”

Jiang Xingyuan: He couldn’t be more willing!

He was essentially kicked out of the room. Once outside the study, he felt refreshed. He followed a servant to the back garden and couldn’t help but gasp.

Holy crap! He hadn’t expected the garden to be this big, it was practically a small park. The Xie family was filthy rich.

“Don’t worry, I’ll just wander around here. You can go back to your work,” Jiang Xingyuan told the servant. He wasn’t used to being followed. The servant nodded and left.

Left alone, Jiang Xingyuan explored. The garden had rare flowers, transplanted trees, and even fruit trees. Large, red apples hung temptingly from the branches.

Finding himself alone, he felt an itch. His mouth watered. I’ll just see if any ripe ones fell on the ground. Picking one up shouldn’t be a big deal, right?

However, when he reached the tree, the ground was spotless. Not even an ant.

Tsk… rich people even keep their dirt clean.

Just as he was lamenting, an apple suddenly fell from the sky and landed right in his arms. A stroke of luck! He was beaming with joy when a voice came from behind him.

“Who are you?”

Jiang Xingyuan jumped. Since he was eyeing someone else’s fruit, his reflex was to shudder. To the observer, he looked like he was up to no good.

“What are you doing here, acting so suspiciously?”

He wasn’t being suspicious! He turned around, thinking the voice sounded familiar, and his eyes nearly popped out of his head. His jaw hit the floor.

Holy sh…! Why was Xie Chao here?

Talk about enemies on a narrow road!

With a thud, the apple fell to the ground. Ignoring everything else, Jiang Xingyuan turned and bolted!

Xie Chao froze for a second when he saw that face, a face he’d recognize even if it were burnt to ashes. But he recovered quickly, his expression twisting into a snarl as he gave chase.

“Jiang Xingyuan! Don’t you dare run!” he roared through gritted teeth.