Using power to force marriage

Ruan Fu was very unhappy when she heard him say that.

"Am I some kind of object? Someone who can just take me away whenever they want?"

Zhao Jingnian was taken aback, and subconsciously explained, "That's not what I meant."

That's what you mean.

Her gaze was distant yet clear. "I am not an object; I am a living, breathing person. I have thoughts, judgments, and my own autonomy and right to choose."

"The reason we're together is because I actively chose you, not because I was passively kept by your side."

They love each other now, but if one day she stops loving him, she can leave at any time. No one can decide whether she stays or leaves; only she can decide.

"So you don't trust me at all, right? You think I'll leave you for another man."

After hearing her words, Zhao Jingnian's domineering and resentful expression vanished completely. "Xiao Fu, of course I believe you, but I don't trust him."

Ruan Fu sighed deeply and told him what had happened at the He family last night.

"His mother is currently missing, he has been disciplined by his family, has a high fever, and is being forced to marry into the Jiang family."

Ruan Fu and He Yiheng have known each other for 15 years, so of course she can't just sit idly by.

"He was burning up and barely conscious; he couldn't even stand. I was the only one there, so wasn't it only right that I helped him?"

Why did Zhao Jingnian start hitting people without even asking why?

"So, Xiaofu, you feel sorry for him, right?"

It's not heartache, it's sympathy, it's pity, it's feeling sorry for him.

Zhao Jingnian lowered his head, a self-deprecating smile playing on his lips, "You feel sorry for what happened to me when I was a child, and you also feel sorry for what happened to He Yiheng, so he and I are the same in your heart."

Ruan Fu could see the disappointment and unease in Zhao Jingnian's eyes. She reached out and cupped his face, her tone much gentler, "We love each other deeply. Why do you always think I would leave you for someone else?"

Is it that he doesn't trust her, or that he doesn't trust himself?

Both of them calmed down a lot. Ruan Fu pulled his clothes to wipe away her tears. "As for He Yiheng, I only feel sorry for him and pity him. I have known him for 15 years and I hope he can live a good life. He Yiheng did nothing wrong and should not have to bear such a heavy price."

"And what about me?"

Zhao Jingnian pressed further, "And what are your feelings for me?"

Ruan Fu answered frankly, "I love you, and that's my answer no matter how many times you ask."

The tears she had just wiped away started flowing again uncontrollably as she spoke, and she continued sobbing.

"I was heartbroken to learn about my lover's tragic childhood. I lost sleep over it, shed countless tears, racked my brains to celebrate your birthday, and tried my best to help you overcome that trauma. I want to heal your wounds, to help you let go of the past. I will always be by your side, accompanying you through countless springs, summers, autumns, and winters."

These are two completely different feelings, and there's nothing to compare them to.

Her rescue station has 20,000 to 30,000 stray cats and dogs, and she also sponsors many children in the mountains to go to school every year.

My feelings for He Yiheng are the same as those for stray cats and dogs, and for the children in the mountains. It's all just pity and sympathy, the compassion of an outsider for the suffering, and the hope that they can live a better life and get out of their suffering.

"If you're going to be jealous, you'll be so jealous you'll die of jealousy."

Ruan Fu clenched her fist and slammed it hard into his chest. "Zhao Jingnian! Aren't you supposed to be incredibly smart? How come you're so stupid about this?"

His Adam's apple bobbed a few times, and a thin layer of red appeared in his eyes, a mixture of shame and emotion.

"Xiao Fu, please forgive me? I was very foolish today, and I even hurt you."

He held the person in his arms tightly and apologized to her again, asking her not to be angry.

Zhao Jingnian has never really experienced being loved. He has spent years struggling in the dark, and has only tasted the flavors of scheming, self-interest, exploitation, and alienation.

The old man wouldn't show him any favoritism; he only wanted to see him and Zhao Qi fight it out. Zhao Yuzhou was too busy taking care of himself to protect him. Su Yao had been suffering from depression for years, and the mother and son were practically strangers.

Zhao Jingnian was used to competing for things; once he possessed something, whether it was a person or an object, he would hold onto it tightly.

Ruan Fu was the first ray of light to break into his dark and hopeless life. After living for so many years, he finally experienced what it felt like to be loved.

The feeling was too wonderful, and he dared not let go, unable to bear even the slightest risk of her leaving. That's why he felt so many emotions that went beyond reason.

"My arm still hurts, I'm not going to forgive you."

That's just how she is; she has a bit of a princess-like temper and is hard to appease.

-

Back home, Ruan Fu called Ruan Zhengyang and told him about He Yiheng's ordeal, hoping Ruan Zhengyang could help him.

He Yiheng was someone Ruan Zhengyang had watched grow up. When he was little, Ruan Fu often brought him to her home for meals, so they had some affection for each other.

He agreed and said he would find a way.

But this is ultimately a family matter for the He family, and Ruan Zhengyang could only speak a fair word for He Yiheng and could not interfere too much.

In the master bedroom, Ruan Fu took a shower and changed into clean clothes.

I had just come out of the bathroom when I saw Zhao Jingnian come in.

"You can sleep in the study tonight. I don't want to share a bed with you until my arm heals."

She's good at getting angry with people, but her heart is much softer than her words.

Zhao Jingnian just called the He family and said that He Yiheng is his friend and that the He family should not make things difficult for him.

Without having to do anything, a single phone call solved all the problems.

He Yiheng's mother has been sent home unharmed, and the arranged marriage has been cancelled.

In the hospital, He Yiheng, who had been in a coma due to a high fever, has also regained consciousness.

The Ruan family has maintained a distinguished reputation for centuries, never getting involved in other people's affairs or participating in any power struggles. Even with power and influence, they would never abuse their authority.

But Zhao Jingnian is different. He grew up in the Zhao family, a den of wolves and tigers, and knows best how to "bully others by taking advantage of one's power".

If the He family doesn't comply with his wishes, they can forget about having a place in the North City Chamber of Commerce.

Power is indeed a wonderful thing. People strive to stand at the top of the pyramid. When you want something, you don't need to fight a big battle. A simple suggestion is enough to make the other party compromise completely.

And Zhao Jingnian happens to possess such resources.

Ruan Fu ignored him, wrapped a hair drying cap around her head, and sat in front of the dressing table applying a face mask.

Her arm hurt terribly. When she saw the bruises on her body in the mirror, she instantly recalled the scene of Zhao Jingnian forcibly pulling her.

So annoying!

He walked up behind Ruan Fu and said gently with concern, "It's already November, it's getting cold, you must dry your hair."

It didn't matter if Ruan Fu ignored him; he would just do what he was supposed to do.

I got a hairdryer, took off the hair drying cap from her head, and dried her hair.

Ruan Fu did not resist. With a face mask on, she looked down at short videos and let him take care of her.

After drying her hair, she removed the face mask and looked up at the man behind her.

Zhao Jingnian has already apologized to her, and the misunderstanding has been cleared up. Although Ruan Fu is spoiled, she knows that some things should be left unsaid.

Standing beside her was her lover; there's no such thing as a grudge that lasts overnight between husband and wife.

She hooked her fingers around Zhao Jingnian's fingers and said softly, "It's already November, I'll be cold sleeping alone, you can hold me while we sleep."

-

(Waaaaah, conflicts should be resolved promptly!! I feel like Lao Zhao is exactly the kind of person described online: a father figure outside, a dog at home, a wolf in bed, a bank in his pocket, and a Qin Shi Huang serving tea and water, hahahahahaha)