Chapter 35: What Exactly Do You Want?

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Chapter 35: What Exactly Do You Want?

The conversation had suddenly turned toward him, and Lin Jianguo panicked slightly. He hunched his neck and, under Xue Chunli’s stern gaze, could only frown and say, “To be honest, Jianghai really hasn’t amounted to much these past few years. He’s always dreamed of making a fortune in business, but he’s all ambition and no ability. He hasn’t accomplished a thing.”

But the person he was describing was the Chen Jianghai of the past. The Chen Jianghai of today had long since changed.

Still, apart from Lin Wanqiu, there was probably no one present who would believe it.

After hearing Lin Jianguo’s words, Lin Wanqing frowned.

It seemed that her parents were thoroughly dissatisfied with this brother-in-law of hers.

Lin Wanqing glanced at Chen Jianghai and discovered that his expression had not changed in the slightest, as though the family’s words had nothing to do with him.

Seeing him like this, Lin Wanqing grew even more curious.

Could a man with such composure really be as useless as her parents claimed?

Xue Chunli continued angrily, “With that kind of character, everyone in the village knows about him. They all say that I raised such a fine daughter, only for her to marry a lazy good-for-nothing and ruin her entire life!”

The moment Lin Wanqiu heard this, her eyes reddened. Crystal tears streamed down her beautiful cheeks.

She had witnessed every change in Chen Jianghai over the past few days. Now, hearing her family criticize him, she felt wronged on his behalf.

Seeing this, Chen Jianghai quickly took Lin Wanqiu’s hand. “Wanqiu, Mom and Dad are only saying a few things. It’s nothing. Don’t cry.”

“Jianghai, they…”

Before Lin Wanqiu could finish, Chen Jianghai interrupted her.

“That’s enough, Wanqiu. Mom and Dad only want you to have a good life. They mean nothing else by it. I won’t take it to heart.”

“That’s right, Mom. Stop talking. Let’s eat first. We can discuss everything else later.” Seeing her sister’s expression, Lin Wanqing ended the subject early and gave Chen Jianghai an approving glance.

Regardless of anything else, this man certainly had a generous heart.

Even if he was merely putting on an act in front of her, it at least showed that he was deeply composed and calculating.

A man like this was absolutely not the worthless weakling her parents had described.

Xue Chunli wanted to continue, but Lin Wanqing stopped her with a look.

Seeing Lin Wanqiu’s appearance, Xue Chunli could only sigh helplessly.

“All right, all right, I won’t say anything more. Let’s eat, let’s eat!”

At last, Xue Chunli brought the subject to an end, and the family was finally able to begin their meal.

The atmosphere throughout dinner was oppressive. After all, the earlier conversation had put everyone in a poor mood.

When they finished eating, Lin Jianguo rose, intending to leave, but Xue Chunli immediately called out to him.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

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Lin Jianguo shrank his head and answered hesitantly, “I’m going to… take a look at the village entrance.”

“What’s there to look at?”

Xue Chunli exploded. “What could possibly be more important than your daughter’s lifelong happiness?”

Hearing this, Lin Jianguo did not dare say another word and obediently sat back down.

Lin Wanqing stood up. “Mom, I’ll talk to… my brother-in-law.”

With that, Lin Wanqing looked at Chen Jianghai.

Chen Jianghai understood at once. If he could not win Lin Wanqing’s approval today, getting a divorce would truly be difficult.

“All right.” Chen Jianghai rose and asked calmly, “Sis, where shall we talk?”

Lin Wanqing glanced at him. There was not the slightest trace of unease on his face.

Xue Chunli could not help speaking up. “Dear, he…”

“Mom, don’t worry.” Lin Wanqing waved her hand. “I know exactly what I’m doing. If he fails to meet my standards, then even if you refuse to let them divorce, I’ll make sure they do.”

She spoke with such absolute firmness that there was no room for negotiation.

Xue Chunli knew that her daughter was strong-minded. Seeing the confidence and authority she displayed now, she seemed certain of her decision, so Xue Chunli nodded in agreement.

Hearing her sister say this, Lin Wanqiu looked at Chen Jianghai with concern.

As her younger sister, she knew only too well how strict Lin Wanqing could be.

“Come with me.”

After saying this, Lin Wanqing walked outside.

Chen Jianghai patted Lin Wanqiu’s hand and gave her a reassuring look before following.

Once they reached the courtyard, Lin Wanqing looked Chen Jianghai up and down before saying, “Counting this occasion, we’ve only met twice.”

Chen Jianghai nodded. Their previous meeting had been at the time of his marriage to Lin Wanqiu.

Back then, Lin Wanqing had made a special trip home from out of town to attend her sister’s wedding, then hurried away again.

Chen Jianghai remembered clearly that, at the time, Lin Wanqing had been nothing more than a somewhat worldly village girl. She had possessed none of the commanding presence she now carried.

As for how she had developed such an imposing aura, Chen Jianghai had a vague idea.

In his previous life, he had heard rumors that Lin Wanqing had attached herself to a wealthy man.

Later, however, after Chen Jianghai left Linghai, he happened to encounter Lin Wanqing elsewhere and learned what had really happened to her.

Lin Wanqing was beautiful, capable, and skilled in handling affairs. She had initially worked in the restaurant industry.

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By chance, she caught the eye of a powerful local figure, who began pursuing her.

Lin Wanqing had always kept her distance from men like that, but unable to withstand his persistent advances, she decided to date him for a while.

That man operated in the gray areas of the local underworld and owned quite a few bars and karaoke clubs.

It was in places like those that Lin Wanqing had honed her efficient, decisive bearing.

When Chen Jianghai remained silent, Lin Wanqing said, “Your family helped my father a great deal when he was ill. Our entire family is grateful to you.”

“Sis, just say what you want to say.” Chen Jianghai had no desire to beat around the bush with her.

Lin Wanqing was somewhat surprised. She had intended to draw Chen Jianghai into the rhythm of her conversation, but a single sentence from him disrupted her plan.

“Very well.”

Seeing this, Lin Wanqing went straight to the point. “I’ll return the betrothal gifts twofold. You take the initiative and divorce my sister. How does that sound?”

Chen Jianghai was stunned. He had not expected Lin Wanqing to make such a demand.

Only moments ago, she had clearly taken Lin Wanqiu’s side, repeatedly speaking up for her.

But now…

“Sis, we can discuss anything else, but not this. It’s impossible.” Chen Jianghai rejected her outright.

Lin Wanqing’s brows drew together slightly as she asked in a low voice, “What? Is the money not enough?”

“This has nothing to do with money.” Chen Jianghai shook his head and replied solemnly.

Lin Wanqing pressed on. “Then what would it take for you to leave my sister?”

“Then let me ask you this: what would it take for you to support my being with your sister?” Chen Jianghai countered.

Lin Wanqing was visibly taken aback.

She clearly had not expected Chen Jianghai to ask such a question.

“You really want to stay with my sister?” Lin Wanqing asked.

Chen Jianghai smiled faintly and answered with complete seriousness, “She is my wife. Naturally, I intend to spend the rest of my life with her—to care for her, cherish her, protect her, and never let her suffer.”

Lin Wanqing studied his face, seemingly trying to find the slightest trace of insincerity.

But after looking for a long while, she found only calm and openness. He met her gaze without flinching.

“Then you’ll have to prove that you truly possess the ability to give my sister a happy life,” Lin Wanqing said slowly.

End of Chapter