Duan Jinghan stared in disbelief at the radiant woman on the grand screen.
Isn’t that Jiang Youli?!
What is she doing here?!
Wait—did she just say tonight’s welcome banquet was held in her honor?!
Because he hadn’t been able to pick up Jiang Youli that afternoon, Duan Jinghan had been in no mood to attend this banquet.
Which meant… Jiang Youli was the long-lost young lady of the Jiang Family?!
Duan Jinghan didn’t even know how to describe the turmoil in his heart.
Regret gnawed at him—why had he ever broken up with her?!
If he hadn’t impulsively ended things out of pride, Jiang Youli would now be his perfect match in status.
No more issues of being "unworthy" of each other.
“The one speaking must be your daughter—what grace and poise,” Duan Jinghan heard his father say, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Having known Jiang Youli for two years, Duan Jinghan was well aware of her charm.
Except for her background as a rural healer.
But now? She was a Jiang Family heiress!
Which meant he could rightfully marry her!
“Dad, I want to marry her!” Duan Jinghan blurted out, pointing at Jiang Youli.
The declaration made Jiang Yehan and Zhang Susu, who had been exchanging pleasantries with Duan Pinchao, freeze mid-conversation. They turned to stare at Duan Jinghan in shock.
Zhang Susu’s face darkened protectively. “Mr. Duan, who is this?”
Duan Pinchao coughed awkwardly. “Like your daughter, he’s also… a child I only recently brought home. Unlike your esteemed young lady, he hasn’t quite learned proper manners yet.”
Lowering his voice, he scolded, “Duan Jinghan! I brought you here to network with the young masters and ladies of high society, not to spout nonsense!”
Unrepentant, Duan Jinghan shot back, “Dad, you promised to make it up to me—that you’d agree to anything within reason. Well, my demand is simple: I want Jiang Youli as my wife!”
Zhang Susu’s expression turned icy. Her usually gentle voice sharpened with anger. “Even if Youli weren’t already betrothed, her marriage is hardly something you can decide on a whim!”
Duan Jinghan frowned. “What? Jiang Youli is engaged?!”
Jiang Yehan’s face hardened. “Mr. Duan, you really ought to discipline your son. Youli is our treasured daughter—we won’t tolerate her being disrespected!”
As Duan Pinchao hurriedly apologized, Zhang Susu abandoned decorum and stormed off.
“We won’t be entertaining you or your son tonight!” Jiang Yehan snapped before following his wife.
Duan Pinchao glared at his newly reclaimed son. “What were you thinking?!”
Duan Jinghan kept his eyes locked on Jiang Youli. “She’s my girlfriend! Of course I’d want to marry her!”
“Whether she was your girlfriend or not, she’s now a Jiang Family heiress! You were beyond rude!” Duan Pinchao hissed.
“I don’t care. Dad, what’s this about her being engaged?”
Duan Pinchao tilted his chin toward the crowd. “See that man in the wheelchair?”
Following his father’s gaze, Duan Jinghan spotted the strikingly handsome man seated there—the center of attention for many women in the room.
Pity he was a cripple.
“That’s Qi Huan, the eldest son of the Qi Family. Once the most celebrated prodigy of Jing City, the man countless heiresses dreamed of marrying. The Qi Family originally arranged his engagement to Jiang Yonghe of your Jiang Family. But after his accident, the Jiangs seemed reluctant to let Jiang Yonghe marry a disabled man. Odds are, they’ll have their newly returned daughter take her place.”
So the man who’d called himself Jiang Youli’s fiancé earlier was this Qi Huan?
No matter how illustrious his past, he was just a useless cripple now. What right did he have to stand in Duan Jinghan’s way?
---
Jiang Youli watched her beautiful new mother and dashing new father return in a huff. “Dad, Mom, what’s wrong?”
Zhang Susu fumed. “We ran into some impudent brat!”
Jiang Youli glanced toward the entrance—and instantly understood when she saw Duan Jinghan.
“Youli, you know that boy?” Zhang Susu asked.
Jiang Youli didn’t hide it. “Yes. He’s my ex. Dumped me the moment he found out he was a rich heir.”
“I see!” Zhang Susu’s disgust deepened. “He just announced he wants to marry you—as if you’re some object to claim!”
Jiang Yehan pulled her close, soothing her. “Don’t waste anger on trash. Ignore him.”
Zhang Susu exhaled. “Youli, we’ll pay him no mind.”
“Of course.” Jiang Youli nodded. If Duan Jinghan stayed away, she’d gladly do the same.
---
Grandpa Qi glanced at his grandson. “Stop pretending to focus. Go mingle with your fiancée already.”
Qi Huan smiled. “Gladly.”
With that, he wheeled himself toward Jiang Youli.
Nearby, Qi Yue finally spoke up. “Grandfather, I’ll also—”
Grandpa Qi cut him off coldly. “Go on. Broaden your horizons.”
Qi Yue’s smile stiffened, but he bowed respectfully. “Thank you, Grandfather.”
As he walked away, whispers followed:
“Even crippled, Qi Huan remains Grandpa Qi’s favorite.”
“The difference in treatment is obvious. Qi Yue looked downright pitiful just now.”
Qi Yue’s eyes turned glacial.
Pitiful?
No. The only one destined for pity was Qi Huan.
---
“That man beside you—your brother Qi Yue?” Jiang Youli mused, pushing Qi Huan’s wheelchair while eyeing the young man schmoozing with guests.
Qi Huan nodded. “Mm.”
Jiang Youli smirked. “You two don’t look much alike.”
Qi Huan joked, “Because I’m far better-looking?”
She laughed. “I’m serious!”
Qi Huan’s gaze settled on Qi Yue, his tone turning thoughtful. “Many say we’re nothing alike.”
“And you’ve never wondered why?” Jiang Youli arched a brow.
