Chapter 480 — The Cousin Calls Again
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Yet the more Wang Xinyan behaved this way, the more Kang Jinglong was drawn to her. If he were to bring home a woman who coveted nothing but money, he might not say a word against her, but he would certainly not be happy about it in his heart.
Wang Xinyan's conduct suited his taste exactly. The fleeting look in his eyes faded, and his gaze returned to its former clarity. He was a man of deep scheming; that he could endure years of grueling study was proof enough of how formidable his perseverance was.
"Hello, Wang Xinyan. My name is Kang Jinglong. I hope the two of us will get along well," Kang Jinglong said warmly, extending his hand to her with an easy confidence.
Had Kang Jinglong behaved this way from the start, Wang Xinyan would not feel the disgust she felt for him now. He was, after all, a sacrifice to his family's interests; even if she did not like him, she would not have despised him.
But the look that had flickered in his eyes revealed the impurity of his heart, and it made Wang Xinyan feel sick. Glancing at the hand he held out, she said coolly, "I'm sorry. I was locked up by my family before, and I haven't washed my hands in days."
"Ah?" Kang Jinglong was taken aback, and his face darkened—but only for an instant before he recovered his composure. Inwardly he was furious at Wang Xinyan for giving him no face, for declaring in public that she had been forced into this. How was he supposed to bear such humiliation? Yet he absolutely could not turn on her now. For one thing, she was a woman who stirred his heart, and there was no harm in pursuing such a woman. For another, for the sake of his family's interests, a junior like him could not afford to fall out with the Xiao family.
"It seems Xinyan is not exactly eager to marry into our Kang family?" Divine Doctor Kang said, somewhat angered by her words. Kang Jinglong could not speak his mind, but he certainly could.
The Kang family was not yet a great clan, but a marriage alliance benefited both sides, and the Xiao family understood this well. Old Master Xiao had already passed away, leaving only two juniors behind, so Divine Doctor Kang still felt entitled to play the elder and throw his weight around.
"This..." Xiao Ji was also rather vexed. He had not expected Wang Xinyan to be so utterly graceless on such an occasion. He was about to rebuke her when he caught Xiao Ben signaling with his eyes, and hastily swallowed his words.
In the Xiao family, Xiao Ji might be the figurehead, but Xiao Ben was the one full of strategy and cunning. Xiao Ji had come to understand this too: only with the brothers working hand in hand could they preserve the family fortune, so he had set aside the pride of leadership and deferred to Xiao Ben in everything.
"Elder Kang, she's a young girl—girls are thin-skinned. How could she agree all at once?" Xiao Ben said with a smile. "Matters of the young should of course be decided by the young themselves. We are only pulling the threads; in the end it rests with them. Let them get acquainted first—only with acquaintance can there be any next step."
Xiao Ben's words were smooth and diplomatic. Though they diverged from the original intent, Divine Doctor Kang could still accept them. It was plain that Wang Xinyan felt a strong resistance; the Xiao family had surely done a great deal of work already, and if he insisted on anything now, it would only make matters worse—which was the last thing he wanted to see. So the only thing to do was what Xiao Ben proposed: let the two young people get to know each other first.
"Since the two children have been introduced, it's all the better for them to have more contact in the future! I hear Xinyan studies in Songshan City? Then let Zhaolong go and see Xinyan on weekends when he has nothing to do," Divine Doctor Kang said with a nod.
"Xinyan, when I come to see you, you mustn't refuse me!" Kang Jinglong said to her with a smile.