The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife-Chapter 473 - 475. Mr. Jiang was hospitalized

"What on earth are you and your son talking about?" Mr. Jiang was confused.

"It’s nothing, Old Jiang. Chenxi is just joking with you. He doesn’t have a girlfriend. If he did, he would have brought her home by now. Come on, Chenxi, let’s eat."

Mrs. Jiang tried to interrupt Jiang Chenxi and kept giving him meaningful looks, but this time Jiang Chenxi was determined to come clean. Although Pei Yinong had told him to take it slow and that she could wait, he didn’t want to wait anymore. If he didn’t tell Mr. Jiang, Mr. Jiang would never know about Pei Yinong’s existence, let alone accept her.

"Dad, I do have a girlfriend. I’ve been meaning to tell you earlier."

"Chenxi," Mrs. Jiang raised her voice, "You can’t let your husband know about this; he really can’t handle it."

Mr. Jiang sensed something and interrupted Mrs. Jiang, "Don’t speak, let Chenxi speak." He looked at his son, his voice gentle, "Chenxi, having a girlfriend is a good thing. Which family’s daughter is she? Bring her home sometime to meet us."

Jiang Chenxi pursed his lips, "Dad, you know her. She’s Haohao’s mother, Pei Yinong."

Mrs. Jiang closed her eyes. This was it.

Mr. Jiang didn’t comprehend for a moment, "Chenxi, whom did you just say she is?"

"She is Pei Yinong, Haohao’s mother, and also my girlfriend," Jiang Chenxi repeated earnestly, with no sign of joking.

The smile gradually faded from Mr. Jiang’s face, his entire expression darkening. Given how both Mrs. Jiang and Jiang Chenxi had behaved, he had thought that perhaps Chenxi was attracted to one of his students, and that’s why Mrs. Jiang didn’t want him to speak. But now... his proud son indeed had given him a huge "surprise."

"You knew about this all along?" Mr. Jiang looked at Mrs. Jiang; her reaction earlier was way too strong if she hadn’t known.

Mrs. Jiang pursed her lips, "Old Jiang, I indeed knew about this for a long time, but I am opposed to them being together."

Mr. Jiang slowly turned his head to look at Jiang Chenxi, "So you’re in love with a woman who was pregnant before marriage?"

"Dad, Yinong isn’t what you think, she’s actually a very good woman," Jiang Chenxi tried to explain, but Mr. Jiang gestured with his hand, "Enough said, I do not agree with this. Break up with her immediately. Our Jiang family might not be as prominent as the Pei family, but we are a respectable family that cannot accept such a daughter-in-law."

"Dad," Jiang Chenxi’s expression changed slightly. Although he had anticipated his father’s opposition, facing it was still hard, "Dad, please don’t be so quick to dismiss this. Can you let me finish speaking?"

Mr. Jiang looked displeased, unable to believe his son had fallen for such a woman, "Even if you praise her to the skies, I will not agree. Jiang Chenxi, I am making my stance clear today—I do not approve."

"Dad, why are you being so narrow-minded? Yinong does have a son, but that doesn’t relate to her character. Seeing how Haohao is raised, you can tell she is a good mother. Do you think such a person would really be as others say? Rumors stop with the wise."

"Chenxi, stop talking," Mrs. Jiang interrupted her son, seeing her husband’s increasingly displeased expression. Anything further would be meaningless.

"Let him speak. I want to hear what else he has to say," Mr. Jiang said sternly.

"Dad, why won’t you give Yinong a chance to get to know her better? Once you’ve interacted with her, you’ll see she truly is a very good woman. The public’s perception of her is unfair."

"Fine. Since you keep saying she’s a good woman, would a good woman get involved with another man without being married? Okay, stepping back, in today’s liberal society, it’s normal for men and women to date before marriage; I can understand that. But a good woman would never have another man’s child without being married. With this alone, she shows she isn’t self-respecting. If a girl can’t even respect herself, how can she be good?"

"Chenxi, your dad is right. You and Pei Yinong really aren’t suitable," Mrs. Jiang echoed.

"Dad, what kind of thinking is this? Doesn’t a person have a chance to correct their mistakes? You’re a teacher yourself. You teach your students to recognize their faults and correct them. Why won’t you give Yinong even one chance? Moreover, this matter can only be said to be fate being unfair to her, causing her to meet a scoundrel. It’s not even her fault," Jiang Chenxi tried to reason with Mr. Jiang.

Mr. Jiang’s face turned livid. "How can this be the same? This isn’t about making mistakes; it’s about character. Regardless of the reasons, what she did clearly shows Pei Yinong’s character. Moreover, isn’t Haohao the child she had with another man? If you’re with her, what does Haohao count as?"

"Haohao would naturally be my child," Jiang Chenxi said matter-of-factly. "Dad, you can’t have double standards. Is it so hard to give Yinong a chance to be understood?"

"Unless I die, don’t even think about it. Pei Yinong is not allowed through the Jiang Family’s door. I can’t let the reputation of the Jiang Family be ruined by her," Mr. Jiang was adamant.

Jiang Chenxi grew angry too. He tried to speak logically to his parents, but they kept insulting Pei Yinong, repeatedly saying she was not worthy. "Dad, Mom, you always say Yinong isn’t good enough for me. May I ask what kind of girl is worthy of me?"

"Chenxi, although our Jiang Family isn’t extremely wealthy, we are more than sufficient. We don’t ask you to find a rich daughter-in-law, just one with a clean background, and Pei Yinong can’t even achieve that," Mrs. Jiang earnestly advised him. "Wouldn’t a more ordinary girl be better?"

"Isn’t Yinong an ordinary girl too? Mom, you’re being unfair to her."

"Jiang Chenxi, let me tell you, if you don’t break up with Pei Yinong, then you’re no longer my son, and you are not to step into the Jiang Family home again," Mr. Jiang suddenly realized why Jiang Chenxi had often brought Haohao to visit, aiming to sway their hearts. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, his face a mix of blue and pale.

"Old Jiang, don’t get agitated. Chenxi is thirty now. He understands these principles. Just talk to him properly," Mrs. Jiang saw her husband’s emotional state and quickly tried to console him.

Mr. Jiang brushed off Mrs. Jiang’s hand. "Why didn’t you tell me about this if you knew? That explains why you suddenly started arranging for him to meet girlfriends and find opportunities for them to spend time together."

"I was just afraid you would get agitated like you are now. You know the state of your health, don’t get worked up," Mrs. Jiang saw her husband’s complexion worsening and grew anxious. "Chenxi, apologize to your father and quickly break up with Pei Yinong. Can’t you see what you’re doing to your father?"

Jiang Chenxi’s expression was also grim. Since he had already spoken today, he intended to clarify the situation and state his position, also to prevent his mother from meddling further.

"Dad, Mom, I will not break up with Yinong. I love her and she loves me too. We plan to get married."

"No, I do not agree. Jiang Chenxi, if you marry her, I will place an advertisement in the newspaper to disown you," Mr. Jiang, trembling, pointed at Jiang Chenxi, his attitude resolute.

"Dad!" Jiang Chenxi raised his voice, And Mrs. Jiang was stunned. If that announcement were made, Jiang Chenxi’s reputation would be ruined. No matter the reason, as soon as others learn of a disowned relationship—especially in such a formal manner—accusations against Jiang Chenxi would be inevitable.

Ever since ancient times, filial piety has been highly valued in our country. If a person can’t even be grateful to their parents, how can he be considered a good person? There is no such thing as a bad parent; that is the reason.

"Old Jiang, speak nicely. Don’t talk about cutting off relations every time. Is this something to joke about?"

Mr. Jiang breathed heavily. "I’m not joking with him. I’m serious. Jiang Chenxi, I’m not discussing this with you. If you still want me as your father and this as your home, then break up with her."

Jiang Chenxi’s expression turned icy. He originally thought his father would oppose, but he hadn’t expected him to speak of cutting off their father-son relationship, realizing that nothing he said would matter. He stood up. "Dad, I will not break up with Yinong, and I’m not discussing this with you. Knowing you don’t want to see me right now, I’ll leave."

"You... you... you unfilial son, are you trying to infuriate me to death?" Mr. Jiang clutched his chest, furiously exclaimed.

Jiang Chenxi pursed his lips, about to say something, but was interrupted by Mrs. Jiang. "Chenxi, stop talking. You better leave now."

Jiang Chenxi looked at his mother and then left the house directly.

"Old Jiang, Old Jiang." No sooner had he reached the elevator when he heard his mother’s piercing scream. Jiang Chenxi’s face changed, and he hastily turned back home, only to find his father lying unconscious on the floor, with his mother frantically trying to administer medicine but spilling it everywhere.

*************

In the hospital.

Mrs. Jiang sat silently at the entrance of the emergency room. Jiang Chenxi stood beside her, "Mom, I’m sorry." He hadn’t expected to anger his father to this extent.

Mrs. Jiang, wiping her tears, ignored Jiang Chenxi’s words; her mind and vision were solely on her husband, who was currently being resuscitated inside. The saying goes, ’youthful spouses turn into lifelong companions.’ She and Jiang’s father had been married for over thirty years, their affection deep. This kind of love, tempered by time, might no longer be romantic love, but it was a kinship more binding than romance.

In her heart, she blamed Jiang Chenxi, but she harbored even more resentment towards Pei Yinong. Without her, their family wouldn’t have ended up like this. If something truly unfortunate happened to her husband, how could she face her son afterward?

"Mom, don’t worry, Dad will be alright." Seeing his mother silently shedding tears, Jiang Chenxi felt a deep ache.

Mrs. Jiang stood up, and with a loud smack, landed a harsh slap across Jiang Chenxi’s face, twisting it to one side; then smack, another slap landed on the other cheek. Jiang Chenxi said nothing.

Mrs. Jiang looked at her son, her eyes red and expression sorrowful, "This is the good son I raised, Jiang Chenxi, you’ve done so well."

"Mom, I’m sorry." Other than an apology, Jiang Chenxi didn’t know what else he could say.

"You should say sorry, but not to me. Your father, who gave life to you and raised you, is lying inside. You should say it to him."

Jiang Chenxi fell silent. Indeed, he was at fault in this matter.

"Tell me, do you want to break up with Pei Yinong now?"

"I’m sorry," Jiang Chenxi said softly.

Mrs. Jiang took a step back, staring blankly at Jiang Chenxi, "For a woman, you would treat your own parents this way... Jiang Chenxi, you’ve disappointed me deeply!"

Just then, the doors to the emergency room opened. Mrs. Jiang immediately approached, "Doctor, how is my husband?"

"He’s no longer in critical condition, but his health is poor, so as a family, try not to upset him," the doctor advised.

"Thank you, doctor, thank you," Mrs. Jiang said excitedly, following the nurse to the hospital room.

Jiang Chenxi followed behind, watching his father with an oxygen mask, speechless.

"You can go now. Your father and I don’t want to see you at the moment," Mrs. Jiang said coldly. "Go home and think about what you should do."

Jiang Chenxi pursed his lips and left the hospital room. He returned home and lay directly on his bed. With his father hospitalized and his parents’ disapproval of Pei Yinong deepening, he realized he had messed things up. What to do next, Jiang Chenxi felt utterly lost.

Pei Yinong called Jiang Chenxi, but got no response. Worried he might be ill, she drove to his house and rang the doorbell, but no one answered. Pei Yinong then directly took out the key to open the door.

The key was given to her by Jiang Chenxi during her last visit.

The room was pitch dark; Pei Yinong turned on the light and saw Jiang Chenxi’s shoes at the entrance, indicating that Jiang Chenxi was at home. She went straight to the bedroom and saw Jiang Chenxi lying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Chenxi," Pei Yinong called out. Jiang Chenxi came back to reality, then saw Pei Yinong and sat up, "Yinong, why are you here?"

"I tried calling you but couldn’t get through. I was worried something happened to you so I came over to check." Pei Yinong noticed the bright red slap mark on Jiang Chenxi’s face and her expression changed immediately, "Chenxi, what happened to your face?"

Jiang Chenxi turned his face away, "It’s nothing."

But as he turned, Pei Yinong saw another slap mark on the other side, and being the smart person she was, she sensed something, "Did you have a dispute with your parents?"

Jiang Chenxi gave a wry smile, "No, nothing like that. Don’t overthink it."

How could Pei Yinong not overthink it? If it weren’t his parents, who would hit him for no reason, and why would Jiang Chenxi willingly take it?

"Chenxi, tell me the truth, did you have a dispute with your parents because of me?"

"Really, I didn’t have a dispute with my parents," Jiang Chenxi denied.

Pei Yinong continued to look at him intently and asked, "If that’s the case, then what about the slap marks on your face? Don’t tell me you got into a fight acting like a woman, slapping each other."

Jiang Chenxi hesitated, "This isn’t a slap mark, I’m just having an allergic reaction." It took him a while, but Jiang Chenxi managed to come up with a reason he himself didn’t believe.

Pei Yinong looked at him skeptically, "Jiang Chenxi, do you even believe that yourself?"

Naturally, Jiang Chenxi didn’t believe it himself. He awkwardly smiled at Pei Yinong, "Yinong, please stop asking."

Pei Yinong sighed deeply and said softly, "Chenxi, I wish that when there are difficulties, I can share them with you, rather than you standing in front of me, shielding me from all the troubles." She was very serious.

Jiang Chenxi looked at her dazedly, knowing deep in his heart that this matter couldn’t be hidden for long. Besides, if Pei Yinong really wanted to be with him, then he’d have to pass the hurdle of his parents, something he couldn’t do by just shielding her.

Eventually, Jiang Chenxi told Pei Yinong about what happened at the Jiang family but hid the unfavorable opinions and comments his parents had about her.

Pei Yinong listened with a very calm expression. She had already known that Jiang’s parents wouldn’t easily accept her. So, when she heard that Jiang’s parents were against their relationship, she felt no surprise, especially since Mrs. Jiang had brought it up to her many times, even going as far as to introduce another potential partner to Jiang Chenxi to encourage him to break up with her.

"Yinong, whatever you want to say, just say it," Jiang Chenxi noticed Pei Yinong’s calm demeanor and couldn’t guess what she was thinking, so he spoke directly.

Pei Yinong stood up and went to the kitchen, returning with two ice packs in her hand, "Put these on for now. With your face so swollen, how are you going to school tomorrow? The students will see you and think something has happened?"

Jiang Chenxi didn’t know what to say and just sat there, letting Pei Yinong apply the ice packs to his face.

The next day, Pei Yinong visited the hospital where Mr. Jiang was staying. She found his room from the front desk and went straight there, holding fruits and some nutritional products. Mrs. Jiang, who opened the door, saw her and her expression changed instantly, "What are you doing here?"

Pei Yinong tugged at the corner of her mouth and spoke gently, "Auntie, I heard that uncle is sick, so I came to see him."

Mrs. Jiang looked at her coldly, "Not needed."

Pei Yinong’s expression remained unchanged as she continued in a gentle voice, "Auntie, I genuinely wanted to visit Uncle."

Mrs. Jiang’s face was still cold, and she stared fixedly at Pei Yinong, speaking in a cold voice, "If you really cared about him, you wouldn’t come here. Our family doesn’t want to see you." If it weren’t for her, Jiang Chenxi wouldn’t have argued with her husband, and he wouldn’t have been hospitalized for emergency treatment. Pei Yinong was the root cause. It was impossible for Mrs. Jiang not to resent Pei Yinong. If it weren’t for her good upbringing, she might have struck Pei Yinong the moment she saw her.

"Auntie, I am very sorry that my actions have caused Uncle so much suffering, but I came here today sincerely to see Uncle and to apologize to both him and you," said Pei Yinong, lowering her stance.

But Mrs. Jiang was unappreciative, her expression still icy, "If you really feel sorry, then leave Chenxi, break up with him."

Pei Yinong pursed her lips, "Auntie, I am sorry that my actions caused a dispute between them, but I can’t break up with Chenxi. I love him, and he loves me; I genuinely want to be with him."

Mrs. Jiang’s face darkened slightly, "If that’s the case, why did you come to the hospital today? Do you think their father-son conflict isn’t deep enough? What right do you have to apologize?"

"Auntie, I..." Pei Yinong was at a loss for words. Yes, in what capacity was she apologizing?

Realizing this, Pei Yinong placed the items she was holding on the ground, "Auntie, since you don’t want to see me, I’ll leave now. If you need any help, you can call me anytime."

"Stop." Mrs. Jiang stopped her, "Take the things you brought back with you. We don’t need them."

"Lihua, who are you talking to?" Mr. Jiang, who was in the room, heard the noise at the door and shouted.

Mrs. Jiang replied to the sickroom, "It’s nothing, just ran into an acquaintance and had a few words."

"Since it’s an acquaintance, let them come in and sit, why stand at the door?" Mr. Jiang was a bit puzzled.

"She has some family matters to attend to, so she left first," Mrs. Jiang responded and then looked meaningfully at Pei Yinong.

Pei Yinong’s lips tightened. After glancing at Mrs. Jiang, she averted her gaze and spoke softly, "Auntie, then I’ll leave now. Take care of yourself. I will have a good talk with Chenxi."

Mrs. Jiang watched Pei Yinong’s retreating figure, said nothing, and turned back into the sickroom.

In the afternoon, when Jiang Chenxi’s classes were over, he arrived at the hospital, only to be stopped outside the sickroom by his mother. His father had just woken up this morning, and his current physical condition couldn’t withstand any disturbances. After being provoked by Jiang Chenxi yesterday, Mrs. Jiang was really worried that seeing Jiang Chenxi today might upset her husband again, so she didn’t even let him in the door.

"Mom, how is Dad doing?"

Mrs. Jiang looked at her son, "You still remember that the person lying inside is your dad? I thought you only had that woman in your heart now," she said sarcastically.

A trace of regret flashed in Jiang Chenxi’s eyes. He really hadn’t expected things to turn out like this today, "Mom, I’m sorry."

"Don’t tell me you’re sorry. The person you should be apologizing to is yourself. Jiang Chenxi, think about it—we are your parents. Would we ever harm you? Letting you break up with Pei Yinong is for your own good. Do you understand that?"

Jiang Chenxi understood his parents’ intentions, but he couldn’t agree with their perspective.

"Mom, let’s not talk about this anymore. Please let me go in and see Dad, okay?"

Mrs. Jiang barred the door, not allowing Jiang Chenxi to enter. "Go back," she said. "Your father doesn’t want to see you right now. If you have any filial piety left for him, then don’t keep agitating him. His current health really can’t withstand your repeated provocations."

Mrs. Jiang was always gentle, so her harsh words to Jiang Chenxi were unusual, which showed she was truly angry. And this was all because of Pei Yinong. Thinking about this, Mrs. Jiang’s dissatisfaction with Pei Yinong only deepened.

"Mom, is Dad’s illness very serious?" Jiang Chenxi couldn’t help but worry about his father in the hospital room. He had come directly to the hospital without visiting the doctor’s office first, so he wasn’t very familiar with Mr. Jiang’s condition.

Mrs. Jiang looked coldly at her son, "Don’t you know what condition your father’s health is in?"

Jiang Chenxi had no words in response.

"Mom, then I’ll just sit here and wait. Call me if you need anything." Jiang Chenxi sat down on a chair outside the hospital.

"Go back," his mother said. "Your father won’t want to see you. Waiting here won’t help." Despite everything, looking at Jiang Chenxi, especially the obvious weariness on his face, Mrs. Jiang’s heart softened.

Inside, Mr. Jiang had heard his son’s voice and shouted, "Let him come in here." Mrs. Jiang, worried, glanced towards the hospital room and signaled Jiang Chenxi with her eyes, whispering, "Your father’s condition can’t take any agitation right now. Try to agree with him, just go along with what he says for now."

Jiang Chenxi neither nodded nor shook his head but walked straight into the hospital room and stood before the bed, looking at his father whose face was still somewhat pale, and lowered his head, "Daddy."

Mr. Jiang looked coldly at his son, "Don’t you dare call me Daddy; I can’t bear your ’Daddy.’"

Jiang Chenxi’s eyes darkened, "Daddy, please don’t say that. It was my fault yesterday; my attitude was wrong. I apologize to you."

Jiang Chenxi regretted having agitated Mr. Jiang the day before. He had only intended to be honest with Mr. Jiang about everything and to get him to accept Pei Yinong, but he had not expected that it would land his father in the hospital.

Mr. Jiang stared intently at Jiang Chenxi, "I’ll ask you one question, will you agree to break up with Pei Yinong?"

Jiang Chenxi’s eyes were filled with pain, "Daddy, must it be this way? Can’t you try to accept Yinong? Why must you always look at her through a prejudiced lens?"

Mr. Jiang’s face turned a shade of ashen, "If you still consider me your father, break up with her. If you insist on not breaking up, then don’t ever set foot in the Jiang Family’s door again. I will absolutely not allow such a woman to tarnish the reputation of my family."

Mr. Jiang’s words were incredibly harsh. Jiang Chenxi was very upset by his father’s remarks, seeing them as completely dragging Pei Yinong through the mud. However, considering his father’s health, Jiang Chenxi refrained from saying anything that might upset him further.

"Daddy, your health isn’t good right now; you should rest. I’ll come to see you another day." Staying any longer, he really worried that he would say something inappropriate and worsen his father’s condition.

"If you choose not to break up with her, then don’t come to see me anymore."

Jiang Chenxi’s footsteps paused as he left, but he did not look back and walked out of the hospital room.

"Chenxi, can’t you consider your parents’ feelings?" Outside the hospital room, Mrs. Jiang said sorrowfully. She had only this one son, who used to be her pride, but now brought her only heartache.

"Mom, I can promise you that Yinong and I won’t marry without your approval, but I won’t break up with her, nor will I be with another woman. If she breaks up with me, then I’ll wait for her my whole life. You gave birth to me and raised me, I can listen to you in everything, except this one thing. I’m sorry, Mom." Jiang Chenxi spoke very calmly, but his calmness conveyed a firm determination that Mrs. Jiang knew was sincere—he really planned on doing so.

"Chenxi, you’re stabbing your parents in the heart with a knife."

Jiang Chenxi closed his eyes, hiding the pain in them, "Mom, please don’t push me anymore."

Mrs. Jiang covered her mouth, tears dripping down as she watched Jiang Chenxi leave the hospital.

Leaning on the steering wheel, Jiang Chenxi looked anguished. He felt unfilial and sorry for the parents who had raised him, but he truly couldn’t bring himself to give up Pei Yinong.

*******

That night, at Charming Color.

When Han Yi and Shen Junyu arrived, Jiang Chenxi was already half drunk. Han Yi and Shen Junyu didn’t know about Mr. Jiang’s hospitalization. Seeing Jiang Chenxi like this, they were somewhat baffled and exchanged puzzled looks.

"Chenxi, what are you doing?" Han Yi frowned. Jiang Chenxi was usually a perfect gentleman and extremely self-disciplined. Having known him for so long and having gone out together countless times, it was very rare to see Jiang Chenxi like this; in fact, they had never seen him this way before.

Jiang Chenxi handed a bottle of liquor to each, Han Yi and Shen Junyu, "Don’t talk, just drink with me first." He then picked up another bottle from the table and poured it into his mouth.

Shen Junyu snatched the bottle from his hand, "Chenxi, have you encountered some trouble?" This behavior was really out of character for Jiang Chenxi.

"Just give me the liquor." Jiang Chenxi glared at Shen Junyu, "I called you guys here to drink with me. If you’re truly my brothers, tonight we won’t go home until we’re completely drunk."

Shen Junyu sat down beside Jiang Chenxi, "Chenxi, what on earth happened? This isn’t like you."

"What do you think I am in your eyes? A gentleman? A docile good child?" Haha, stop joking, please, I’m just an ordinary person," Jiang Chenxi was somewhat out of sorts.

Han Yi’s frown deepened, "Jiang Chenxi, you’re not sick tonight, are you?"

"I am sick, but I have no medicine," Jiang Chenxi chuckled.

"Is it because of Yinong?" Shen Junyu asked solemnly. Jiang Chenxi’s expression stiffened, and Shen Junyu knew he had guessed correctly, "What happened between you and Yinong?"

Jiang Chenxi lowered his head, and after a while, he looked up at Shen Junyu, "Jun Yu, what do you think is ’an equal match’?"

Shen Junyu and Han Yi, upon hearing this, immediately understood. Shen Junyu looked intently at Jiang Chenxi, "You told your parents about you and Yinong, and they disagreed?"

Jiang Chenxi gave a bitter smile, "Jun Yu, sometimes I really feel like having such clever friends around me leaves me with no secrets of my own."

Shen Junyu knew he had guessed right, "What’s their reason for opposing? Is it because of Haohao?"

"Not entirely," Jiang Chenxi spoke.

Shen Junyu understood; it must also be because of the fact that Pei Yinong had a child out of wedlock. Due to this, Pei Yinong’s reputation in Beijing was tarnished. Despite the great family background of the Pei Family, Pei Yinong remained unmarried, which was attributed not only to her own circumstances but also to that fact.

Now that she and Jiang Chenxi had finally come together, only to face the opposition of Jiang Chenxi’s parents, Shen Junyu truly felt sorry for his cousin.

"Chenxi, I don’t know how to say this, or from what standpoint I should say it. I’m your friend, but I’m also Yinong’s cousin."

"I know, so you don’t need to say anything tonight, just drink with me. Tonight, I just want to experience what indulgence feels like."

Shen Junyu and Han Yi exchanged looks and then sat down beside Jiang Chenxi, Han Yi picking up a bottle from the table, "Alright, tonight I’ll stay until we’re all thoroughly drunk."

"True brothers," Jiang Chenxi patted Han Yi on the shoulder.

In the room, there were bottles everywhere, and Shen Junyu, watching the two who were now staggering, felt a headache coming on, even the usually strong drinker Han Yi had fallen tonight.

"Jun Yu, I want to be with Yinong, to make her happy, but I also don’t want to make my parents sad. What should I do? How can I make my parents accept Yinong?" Jiang Chenxi murmured, slumped in his chair.

Shen Junyu looked at Jiang Chenxi and sighed deeply. He had met Jiang’s parents before and knew their character well—the Jiang Family was strict and rigid, especially Mr. Jiang, who was not likely to easily change his views and decisions. Considering the current situation, getting them to accept Pei Yinong seemed very difficult.

Shen Junyu helped the two into the car, then called Pei Yinong to ask her to wait at Jiang Chenxi’s home.

"Cousin, why did Chenxi drink so much?" Pei Yinong, seeing Jiang Chenxi’s unsteady walk, furrowed her brows, her eyes filled with worry.

"Let’s not talk about that now, just help him inside," Shen Junyu said.

Pei Yinong stepped forward to assist, helping Jiang Chenxi into the bedroom.

"I’ll leave him to you for now; I still need to take Han Yi home. That guy went crazy with Chenxi tonight; he’s completely drunk."

Pei Yinong nodded, "Okay, you go. I’m here, drive carefully tonight."

"No worries, I’ve called a designated driver." Although he hadn’t drunk much tonight, he had still consumed some alcohol and preferred to be safe, so he had called for a designated driver.

After dropping Han Yi off at home, Yu Xiaoxuan was aware that he had gone to accompany Jiang Chenxi tonight, so seeing his drunken state, she didn’t comment, "Brother Shen, thank you for bringing Han Yi home."

Shen Junyu smiled, "Chenxi was in a bad mood tonight; they drank quite a bit."

"I know, Brother Shen, be careful on your way back."

*******

Pei Yinong looked at Jiang Chenxi lying on the bed, her heart aching. She could guess some of the reasons why he had drunk so much. She went to the kitchen to make him a cup of honey water, "Chenxi, get up and drink this cup of honey water."

Jiang Chenxi was heavily intoxicated, but he was a good drinker and lay there quietly, only occasionally furrowing his brow, indicating his discomfort. As Pei Yinong helped him up, "Chenxi, drink the honey water."

Jiang Chenxi, holding Pei Yinong’s hand, drank the honey water and suddenly hugged her waist, "Yinong, you won’t leave me, will you?"

Pei Yinong was slightly startled, her eyes softening, "Yes, I won’t leave you." As long as you don’t give up on me, I will never leave.

Jiang Chenxi, his mind muddled from the alcohol, couldn’t hear what Pei Yinong was saying, just hugged her and muttered to himself, "Yinong, I love you, I really love you so much."

"I love you too," Pei Yinong said tenderly, whether Jiang Chenxi could hear her or not.