Chapter 301: Loved and Regretted, No Complaints, No Regrets

Xia Xiran wept as she smiled. "I really am brokenhearted."

"Brokenhearted?"

"I'm not going to chase after Jiang Muye anymore." Xia Xiran feigned a carefree air. "I really have no need to let myself sink like that. There are so many boys in the world. Why should I hang myself from one tree?"

She had hurt, she had loved, she had regretted. Now she had no complaints and no regrets.

So what if she got Jiang Muye in the end?

Were she and Jiang Muye even from comparable families? How much of Jiang Muye's heart truly loved her?

Even if she became a stand-in for Leng Ruoli, in the end she would never actually be Leng Ruoli. So why would she keep tangling herself up with Jiang Muye?

One person unhappy was better than three people unhappy.

The one she loved was Jiang Muye, so seeing him happy was enough.

"However long I love him, I'll use double that time to forget him. If double isn't enough, I'll use triple. If triple isn't enough, I'll use n-times. And if that still isn't enough, I'll use the rest of my life to forget him!" Xia Xiran took a long, deep breath, and felt the pressure in her chest vanish. "Sisters, I'm coming back to fight for the graduate recommendation!"

Hearing the most relaxed words, yet Xia Xiran had dredged up her deepest courage to say them.

Xia Xiran's heart was about to tear apart, but her face was filled with the most brilliant smile.

She saw the rainbow that had already appeared outside the car window, gorgeous and moving.

So this was how beautiful the scenery was after the wind and rain. She had fixed her eyes on the finish line all this time and never remembered the scenery along the way.

It was just like feelings. Wasn't it enough to remember the feeling of loving someone? Why pursue constant, never-ending entanglement?

Not everyone was lucky enough to reach the finish line.

"Huh? Um, Xiran, the graduate recommendation ended half a month ago. You didn't make the cut…" the Girl with Glasses said awkwardly. "We didn't have the heart to tell you before."

Xia Xiran: "…"

On the other end of the phone, her sisters began cheering her on. "It's fine, we didn't make it either. We'll take the grad school entrance exam together!"

"If there's no man, there are still besties!"

"Charge, long live being single~!"

"Xiran, hurry back. We'll drink and eat together, and throw you a celebration!"

Xia Xiran's eyes felt hot. She nodded firmly. "Okay, you guys wait for me to come back."

After hanging up, Xia Xiran leaned against the car window. She looked at the gorgeous scenery outside, as if a heavy burden had lifted.

If she couldn't reach the finish line, then she would take another road. All roads led to Rome.

…

After Xia Xiran left, the house returned to its former relaxed atmosphere.

Mother Jiang called out to the servants, urging them to hurry and cook for Jiang Muye and Leng Ruoli, and soon a table of good dishes was ready.

Mother Jiang beckoned to Leng Ruoli, smiling. "Come over, come sit by Auntie."

Jiang Muye shielded his wife and said to Mother Jiang, "Mom, don't scare her."

This was too enthusiastic. Leng Ruoli was timid.

Jiang Muye gripped Leng Ruoli's soft little hand and smiled at her. "Come, you'll be fine sitting next to me."

Mother Jiang watched Jiang Muye guarding Leng Ruoli and rolled her eyes. "Your mom isn't a wolf or a tiger. I'm not going to eat her. What are you watching her for?"

Jiang Muye muttered inwardly: When you get fierce, you're more dangerous than a wolf or a tiger.

"I'll just sit by Auntie." Leng Ruoli gave a gentle smile and obeyed Mother Jiang, sitting directly beside her.

Naturally, Jiang Muye sat on Leng Ruoli's other side, escorting and protecting her.

"Here, eat some meat. Look how thin you are." Mother Jiang's heart ached for her, and she placed beef in Leng Ruoli's bowl.

"You have to eat vegetables too, for balanced nutrition," Father Jiang reminded.

"Yes, yes, yes, eat both vegetables and meat." Mother Jiang chuckled and kept placing food in Leng Ruoli's bowl.

Leng Ruoli was flattered. "Thank you, Uncle, Auntie. This is already a lot."

"It's not a lot. Our family's chef is very skilled. Once you eat it, you'll definitely like it." Mother Jiang was thoroughly hospitable.

Jiang Muye immediately competed for affection. "Mom, you have a daughter-in-law and forgot your son?"

"Look at you, even getting jealous. Here, here, this whole plate of meat is yours!" Mother Jiang directly pushed a plate of beef over to Jiang Muye.

Jiang Muye chuckled. "No need for that. I can't eat it all by myself."

That was what he said, but he didn't hold back from stuffing beef into his mouth.

This beef was really fragrant, braised just right. The sauce and the meat slices blended together, rich and delicious. Once it was in his mouth, he could never tire of it.

Jiang Muye ate one piece and could not help but reach for the next.

"Here, have a bowl of soup each, to build yourselves up." Father Jiang began ladling soup for Jiang Muye and Leng Ruoli, very enthusiastically.

As a result, Jiang Muye, who was in the middle of eating, choked and coughed.

Take care of yourself.

He needed building up? How sturdy he was!

Not weak at all!

While Jiang Muye was coughing, Leng Ruoli immediately blushed and handed him a tissue.

Jiang Muye wiped the corner of his mouth and chuckled at Leng Ruoli. "You're the one who should be building yourself up."

Under the table, Leng Ruoli gave the palm of his hand a light pinch.

Jiang Muye secretly enjoyed it and laced his fingers tighter with Leng Ruoli's, sweet and happy.

"You two are still whispering. What sort of things can't we elders hear?" Aunt teased.

"Plenty," Jiang Muye said smugly. "For example…"

Just as Jiang Muye was about to shamelessly start talking, Leng Ruoli immediately covered his mouth. "Don't say it."

Seeing Leng Ruoli's shy appearance, the smile on Jiang Muye's face grew even wider.

He reached out and ruffled Leng Ruoli's hair, nodding repeatedly. "Fine, I'll listen to you."

The two of them exchanged glances, and the elders naturally rejoiced inwardly.

"I think we should pick a date," Father Jiang nodded.

"Why not just decide the child's name too? What should the generation's name be?" Aunt said with a smile.

"You guys are planning too fast," Jiang Muye called out.

Aunt rested her hand against her chin. "I'm just looking at how anxious you are. It's written all over your face that you're eager to marry Ruoli and bring her home."

"Is it that obvious?" Jiang Muye chuckled.

Leng Ruoli was bright red, her tender white little face full of shyness.

"Don't worry, we parents are very open-minded," Mother Jiang smiled. "We're not rushing you into marriage. It's up to the two of you whether you get married while still studying or after graduation."

As a mother, watching her child's relationship be so loving still made her happy inside.

Jiang Muye answered Mother Jiang frankly. "Marriage is definitely happening. It's already in the plan. I'll decide the specifics and let you know when the time comes."

"Good. When the time comes, we'll notify the in-laws and discuss the great matter of life," Father Jiang said heartily.

Aunt spoke to Leng Ruoli with great boldness. "Don't worry about the betrothal gift. Our Jiang family's strength is not to be underestimated. I treat Muye as my own child. I'll absolutely let you marry in with style."