Chapter 14: 14 Never Let Go!
"Wait!" Xu Muge shook her head, "don't go, it's too dangerous."
"We can't beat them..."
Her expression was bitter.
Liu Ya mocked, "Don't think your little Three-legged Cat Kung Fu makes you something special. Both the Lin Family and Luo Family are behemoths in Jiangcheng. Which one can you fight against?"
"Just don't end up getting us involved again! Haven't you caused us enough trouble already?"
Hearing Liu Ya's scolding, Qin Jiang gave a bitter smile and stayed silent in his rebuttal.
Liu Ya continued coldly, "Qin Jiang, you and Muge are no longer from the same world. If you really like her, then don't hold her back! She deserves better!"
"After Muge's beauty is restored, you have no idea how many rich young men will be vying to ask for her hand. Compared to those talented youths, you're worthless! My words may be blunt, but they are reality!"
"Mom, let me handle this." Xu Muge, hearing Liu Ya's harsh words, hurriedly interjected.
"I'll make it clear to him!" Liu Ya's tone was resolute.
Qin Jiang took a deep breath and said determinedly, "Then tell me, Auntie, what qualifications do I need to marry Muge?"
Liu Ya scoffed repeatedly, "A dowry of tens of millions! A betrothal gift of a million in gold! A proper and public marriage proposal! A grand wedding ceremony! Three thousand guests... These are just the basic requirements!"
"Which can you achieve?"
"Right now you have nothing at all. We can't bear to watch Muge marry you and suffer!"
Qin Jiang inhaled deeply, "Auntie, I will achieve everything you mentioned, and I will welcome Muge into my home in glory and splendor!"
"Enough!" Xu Muge scolded lightly, "Qin Jiang, stop deluding yourself. Our relationship ended three years ago! We no longer have any engagement between us!"
"Can you accept reality, please?"
"I don't want my parents and brother to live in such a filthy, gloomy, damp old shanty anymore! I don't want them to borrow from loan sharks over a small amount of money, almost getting killed..."
"Also, the reason the Lin Family came to us today is partly because of you!"
"Qin Jiang... these past three years, I've had enough. Please, let me go. I just want to live a better life..."
As Xu Muge spoke these words, her heart ached. She knew her words were heartless, but she had no choice! She still had feelings for Qin Jiang, but she had to bear with it...
"I can endure hardship, but I can't subject my family to suffer with me! That would be too selfish... Qin Jiang, forgive me!"
Qin Jiang's heart clenched, "Muge... are these truly your thoughts?"
Xu Muge herself felt a sudden pang of pain, but still resolutely nodded, "Yes. I'm going back to the Xu Family to take control as president! To restore my parents' status in the Xu Family, to let them return to a life of luxury!"
"These are things you can't provide for us."
"Qin Jiang, I no longer have any interest in love; I only want to focus wholeheartedly on my career. I don't owe you anything now, I, Xu Muge, have always been fair to you!"
Qin Jiang spoke solemnly, "Everything you said I can do! Just by a single word from me, you could stand atop Jiangcheng and no one would dare..."
Xu Muge looked at him with disappointment, "Qin Jiang! I know you're somewhat capable now, but can you talk sense? Do you find it amusing to boast in front of me?"
"What's the use of martial strength? Money, power, status—these are the fundamentals of this society! Many things can't be solved with just fists!"
"I..." Qin Jiang's words reached the tip of his tongue, then swallowed them back. "I will prove it with my actions."
He knew that Xu Muge always had a sharp tongue but a soft heart. If she truly had no feelings for him, why would she have kept an eye on him all these years?
Everything she did, all the words she spoke, Qin Jiang could understand! She could bear hardship with Qin Jiang, but she couldn't bear to see her family suffer!
Xu Muge, seeing the determination in his eyes, felt the indifference in her gaze melt away a bit, but her tone was still icy, "Fine, then I'll consider your proposal. I hope you won't disappoint me again..."
Hearing Xu Muge's words, Qin Jiang felt a burst of joy. He knew she was giving him a chance to make amends, and he had to seize it!
This time...
He definitely wouldn't miss or let down this girl again!
Liu Ya disdainfully said, "You just keep boasting! Your words aren't worth a punctuation mark to be trusted!"
"Now Muge's appearance has merely been restored, but what about everything she lost? She used to be the darling of Jiangcheng, the brightest star among the crowd!"
"And now? Our family of four is living a life of poverty in this broken-down place, all thanks to you! Do you think this makes up for what you owe her?"
Qin Jiang spoke earnestly, "Auntie, I will prove with actions that I can bring happiness to Muge. If I can't do it, and she wants to pursue a new life, I will bless her."
Xu Muge softened a little and sighed, "Qin Jiang, I didn't want to be so harsh either. I just... want you to be practical. I'm not the little girl I was before! The happiness I want is within reach!"
"I don't feel any security from a promise that's easily made; instead, it feels frivolous and perfunctory."
"I'm very afraid..."
Qin Jiang saw the tears flickering in her eyes and felt both heartache and guilt.
Xu Muge, however, suppressed the complex emotions in her heart and turned her face away, "You should go back and cool off for now. I want to rest. Also, don't go looking for Lin Jiaolong and the others. If something happens, nobody can save you!"
"Alright." Qin Jiang nodded, "In that case, I will take my leave now."
"Muge, rest well."
After speaking, Qin Jiang looked deeply at Xu Muge, then turned around and left. As he walked away, his gaze hardened.
After lighting a cigarette to calm his emotions, he suddenly stomped on the accelerator, heading straight for Qingya Pavilion!
Lin Jiaolong and Luo Shifei had people come to the Xu Family to make trouble, and they did things to Xu Muge that were lower than animals. Qin Jiang promised Muge he wouldn't trouble them, just to keep her from worrying.
But how could he let those two beasts go?