Chapter 132: Would You Like to Marry Me?

“Ah Yao, so you actually…”
Jiang Yao took a few laborious steps forward. “How could I let someone like that scum off so easily? But if that recording really gets released, it might affect you too. That’s why I agreed to the trade.”
“Well, it’s all settled now,” she said, cupping Ye Yiyi’s small face. “From now on, you won’t have to fear him anymore… oh!”
“Ah Yao, I think I should accompany you to the hospital, or Cheng Yan Chi will scold me to death.”
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Cheng Yan Chi’s overseas call came through.
“What’s going on with you two? How could you dare do something so dangerous!”
Instinctively, Jiang Yao moved the phone away from her ear. “Isn’t it all settled properly?”
“Properly? Just mentioning this makes me angry. Luo Yixian—how dare he hit you? Are you okay? You need to get checked at the hospital immediately!”
Ye Yiyi pointed at the phone and shrugged, as if to say, See, I told you so.
Jiang Yao ran her fingers through her hair. “Alright, alright, I’m really fine. How’s Uncle Cheng doing?”
On the other end, Cheng Yan Chi glanced back at his father lying unconscious on the bed and paused thoughtfully. “He’s doing okay. He’ll be back soon. Wait for me.”
After hanging up, Jiang Yao took a deep breath.
After giving that scoundrel a lesson, her mood lifted, as if all the gloom of the day had been swept away.
She draped her arm over Ye Yiyi’s shoulder. “Let’s go. I’m in a good mood today, so how about we have another drink?”
Cheng Yan Chi returned three days later.
Uncharacteristically, he didn’t rush to see Jiang Yao as soon as he got back.
It wasn’t until a week later that he finally arranged to meet her.
The meeting place was not a cinema or a café, but the hospital…
Cheng Yan Chi looked far more haggard than before. Even the once crisply ironed white shirt hung loosely on him, his eyes heavy with fatigue.
“Sorry, Ah Yao, for calling you here. It’s my father—he wanted to see you.”
“Uncle Cheng? How is he?”
Cheng Yan Chi said nothing, instead leading Jiang Yao into the ward.
At the innermost room, they finally saw Cheng’s father lying in bed.
He was hooked up to all sorts of machines.
Cheng’s mother sat quietly nearby, wiping away tears, while Cheng Yan Chi’s elder brother, Cheng Mo Chi, comforted their mother.
Jiang Yao looked at the scene in surprise. “Cheng Yan Chi, didn’t you say Uncle Cheng was doing fine?”
“He didn’t want to worry you over the phone,” Cheng Yan Chi explained. “He slips in and out of consciousness now, but he said he wanted to see you.”
Cheng’s mother, upon seeing Jiang Yao, composed herself and gently patted Jiang Yao’s hand. “Good child, you really shouldn’t have been troubled to come, but you’ve seen how your Uncle Cheng is now.”
“Auntie, it’s no trouble at all. With Uncle Cheng ill, it’s only right for me, as a junior, to come visit.”
As they spoke, Cheng’s father stirred awake.
He struggled to lift his eyelids and, upon seeing Jiang Yao, weakly said, “Ah, you must be Ah Yao… you came…”
Though often slipping into unconsciousness, his mind was still clear when awake.
Jiang Yao hurried closer. “Uncle Cheng, it’s me. Are you feeling any better?”
Cheng’s father lifted his hand slightly and glanced at Cheng Yan Chi.
Jiang Yao gently grasped his hand.
“So truly a beautiful and endearing child,” Cheng’s father said. “Yan Chi has been spoiled since he was young; he never learned how to win a girl’s heart.”
“Dad!”
Cheng’s father smiled. “See, I told him, but he wouldn’t listen. Ah Yao, if you ever feel wronged when you’re with Yan Chi, just come to his mother or his big brother—let them stand up for you.”
“Uncle Cheng, Yan Chi wouldn’t bully me.”
“Good. Seeing how close you two are puts my mind at ease. As for my own health, I know my body well enough.” He coughed lightly, then noticed Cheng’s mother wiping away tears again.
“You don’t need to cry here. Everyone faces that day sooner or later. I’ve lived a full life and can accept it, but…”
He looked first at Cheng Mo Chi, then at Cheng Yan Chi.
“The eldest has married and has a child already. As for this second one,” he gestured vaguely toward Cheng Yan Chi, “he’s such a worry, never doing anything serious.”
“Dad, how am I not serious?”
Jiang Yao quietly nudged Cheng Yan Chi’s leg.
“See, still talking back to me,” Cheng’s father sighed, then turned to Jiang Yao. “Ah Yao, I know this may come as a surprise, but I’m afraid I don’t have much time. You two have known each other for many years and seem to care for each other. You’re a good girl, and if you don’t mind my Yan Chi, would you agree to marry him?”
“Dad!” Cheng Yan Chi interrupted again. “You only said you wanted to see Ah Yao. Why didn’t you tell me beforehand you were going to say this?”
Had he known his father would make such a sudden request, he never would have brought Jiang Yao to the hospital.
Wasn’t this just putting her in an awkward position?
Cheng’s father coughed again. “If I’m speaking, you be quiet. Ah Yao, I know it’s sudden, but rest assured, the Cheng family will never lack anything for you. Your Auntie likes you very much. If you agree, she will personally arrange the engagement ceremony. I know you have no family, but once you marry in, we will be your family. The Cheng family will always be your strongest support.”
“Uncle Cheng…” Jiang Yao bit her lip, hesitant to speak.
“It’s alright. Marriage is a serious matter and needs careful thought.” Cheng’s father patted her hand again. “Take some time to think it over.”
Outside the hospital, Jiang Yao looked up at the still-falling snowflakes, lost in thought.
Cheng Yan Chi suddenly appeared at her side. “Hey, you saw it too. My dad is sick and confused. Don’t take what he said to heart.”
Jiang Yao glanced at him.
Though his eyebrows still carried that rebellious edge, there was a weight in his eyes that no effort could erase.
And yet, he was trying to smile at her.
“But I’ve already taken it to heart.”
“Tch, why bother with him?” Cheng Yan Chi tightened his jacket around Jiang Yao. “If I’d known he’d say nonsense like that to you, I never would’ve let you come!”
“So you mean it’s not your idea?”
“Of course not!” Cheng Yan Chi swore.
“Then… you don’t want to marry me at all?”
Cheng Yan Chi: “…”
“Come on, Cheng Yan Chi, do you want to marry me or not?” Jiang Yao pressed on.
“Ah Yao, what you’re saying means…” Cheng Yan Chi looked at her with searching eyes, as if seeking an answer on her face.
“I agree,” Jiang Yao whispered softly.