Chapter 398 - 231: Father and Son’s First Late-Night Conversation, the Matchmaking Session

Chapter 398: Chapter 231: Father and Son’s First Late-Night Conversation, the Matchmaking Session

Jiang Sifan fell silent.

Of course, he felt something was wrong too, but he didn’t want to think the worst.

That was Wen Wan’s mother. He couldn’t say anything in front of Wen Wan.

Lu Fan saw what was on his mind and relaxed his tone slightly. "I had someone look into it," he continued. "Her grandfather’s illness really isn’t serious; he’ll be out of the hospital in a few days. But her mom was in such a rush to call her back, and she specifically chose to call when you were busy at the studio. Don’t you think that’s too much of a coincidence?"

Jiang Sifan’s fingers tightened around his teacup. His voice was strained. "What did you find out?"

Lu Fan didn’t answer directly. Instead, he said, "Wen Wan is a good kid—great personality, down-to-earth. Her mom used to ask her for money, and she always gave it. This time she was called back for something more than just money, I’m afraid."

"Then what is it?" Jiang Sifan looked up at him, a flicker of panic in his eyes.

Lu Fan looked at him and said slowly, "Her mother has arranged a marriage for her. The other party is from the next town over. His family is in the building materials business, and they’re willing to offer a betrothal gift of 288,000. Her mom wants to finalize the matter."

Jiang Sifan’s face went pale in an instant. The teacup in his hand trembled, and he didn’t even feel the hot tea that spilled onto his hand.

Seeing his reaction, Lu Fan felt a little emotional.

’This kid’s reaction is even stronger than I expected.’

"I had the man investigated. He’s eight years older than Wen Wan and has been divorced once. He runs a small building materials store in town with average business. A betrothal gift of 288,000 is considered high in their area, but her mom isn’t asking for that amount. She wants more."

Jiang Sifan became agitated. "She can’t do this! Wen Wan is still in school..."

Lu Fan nodded, his tone gentle. "That’s why I’m telling you." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

Jiang Sifan looked up at him, his eyes filled with anger, confusion, and a hint of panic he himself hadn’t noticed. "How do you know all this?"

Lu Fan answered frankly, "I had it investigated. Wen Wan has helped you so much; I can’t just stand by and watch her get taken advantage of. As for her mother, I already have people keeping an eye on her. If she tries to do anything to Wen Wan, we’ll know immediately."

Jiang Sifan lowered his head and was silent for a long time.

Then he looked up at Lu Fan, his voice a little hoarse. "Thank you."

"Don’t thank me. If you really want to help her, you should think about what you’re going to do tomorrow if her mother tries to force her." Lu Fan waved his hand and smiled.

Jiang Sifan didn’t say anything, his heart filled with a somber melancholy...

By the time Wen Wan followed Mrs. Wen home, the sky was completely dark.

The house was just as she remembered. The chicken coop in the yard was half-broken, and the main room’s light fixture was busted, replaced with an energy-saving bulb. Its pale white light cast an unflattering pallor on everyone’s faces.

Her younger brother wasn’t home. Her father sat in the main room smoking. When he saw Wen Wan come in, he just nodded without a word.

Wen Wan called out, "Dad." Her father grunted in acknowledgment and continued to smoke.

Mrs. Wen put down her bag and went to the kitchen to bring out a few dishes.

There was a bowl of stir-fried cabbage, a bowl of pickled vegetables, and a bowl of leftover braised pork from lunch that was mostly potatoes with only a few pieces of meat.

Wen Wan took a few bites and put down her chopsticks.

After dinner, Mrs. Wen cleared the dishes and sat down next to her. She began to probe indirectly, "Wan’Er, who were those two men who came with you today?"

Wen Wan answered truthfully, "One is my class monitor, and the other is his father."

Mrs. Wen’s eyes darted. She leaned in closer. "That class monitor... is he interested in you?"

"Mom, what are you talking about? We’re... just classmates. It’s not like we’re dating or anything." Wen Wan’s face flushed red, and she quickly waved her hands in denial.

Mrs. Wen just smiled and didn’t press the matter.

She took Wen Wan’s hand, her tone suddenly becoming very affectionate. "Wan’Er, Mom has something to tell you. There’s a Liu Family in the next town over. They’re in the building materials business and are very well-off. Their son is thirty this year, handsome and distinguished. He’s seen your photo and likes you a lot. They said that if you’re willing, they’ll give a betrothal gift of 288,000."

Wen Wan froze. Her voice changed pitch as she grew anxious. "Mom, what are you saying? I’m still in school!"

Mrs. Wen’s expression darkened, and her tone became hard. "What’s wrong with being in school? You have to get married eventually, don’t you? In a couple of years, your younger brother will be starting middle school, and he’ll definitely have to attend the one in the county. Your father’s back is injured again, and this is all the money we have. As his older sister, aren’t you going to help out?"

Wen Wan stood up, her eyes turning red. Her voice trembled. "Mom, is this the only reason you called me back?"

Mrs. Wen stood up too, speaking forcefully. "What do you mean, ’is this the only reason’? It’s true your grandfather is sick, and it’s true I wanted you to come back and see him. The Liu Family is well-off. You won’t be getting a bad deal by marrying into their family. And 288,000 is enough to improve our family’s situation for years."

Tears streamed down Wen Wan’s face. Her voice was thick with sobs. "Mom, I won’t marry him! I still have to finish school and get a job. I don’t want to get married so early."

"You’ll marry him whether you want to or not. They’re coming to the house tomorrow to meet you. You’d better clean yourself up and not embarrass me." Mrs. Wen’s expression grew even uglier, and her tone hardened.

Wen Wan stared at her mother as if looking at a stranger.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out.

Mrs. Wen spoke again, her tone even harsher. "If you don’t agree, then don’t even think about going back to school. You can leave when you’ve come to your senses."

Wen Wan’s tears flowed uncontrollably.

She turned and ran into her room, locking the door behind her. Then she threw herself onto the bed and cried.

...

Inside the Hilton Hotel in the city center, Jiang Sifan paced back and forth in his room, completely unable to sit still.

He picked up his phone, wanting to call Wen Wan, but then worried her mother might be nearby, which would put her in a difficult position.