5: Chapter 5 Proposing Marriage

The car pulled up smoothly in front of the two-story villa with a courtyard.

Zhu Wenhao pushed the door open and stepped out.

He scanned the modern building in front of him, clad in light-colored cultured stone.

Accustomed to the expansive grandeur of the Forbidden City's double-eaved hip roofs, this residence of a deputy department-level cadre felt exceptionally cramped.

He walked to the courtyard gate.

For sixty years of the Great Ming, whenever the emperor traveled, the roads were paved with yellow earth and officials knelt in welcome.

The act of knocking on a door was truly foreign to him.

He curled his index and middle fingers and rapped three times on the dark red security door.

The lock turned.

A middle-aged nanny wearing a floral apron poked her head out.

The nanny's gaze swept over Zhu Yuntong, who was standing on the steps.

He wore a charcoal grey high-end tailored suit; he looked young, but his aura was incredibly imposing.

The circle of top-tier second-generation heirs in Linjiang City was small, but this notorious young master Zhu rarely walked the straight and narrow, so the nanny didn't recognize him at all.

"Hello, who are you looking for?" the nanny asked, her tone tinged with scrutiny.

Li Juan stepped out from the back seat of the Audi.

She held an Hermès Birkin bag in one hand.

Her high heels clicked sharply against the bluestone pavement.

"We're looking for Secretary Su." Li Juan lifted her chin slightly.

Seeing the newcomer's demeanor, the nanny immediately put on a smiling face.

"Oh my, it's Mrs. Zhu. What a pity, Secretary Su went to the Municipal Party Committee early this morning. How about I go ask the Madam?"

"As long as Li Jiajia is home, that's fine." Li Juan used her name directly.

She couldn't even be bothered to use a superficial honorific.

The nanny's expression stiffened; she nodded repeatedly and retreated inside.

Li Juan turned her head to look at Zhu Wenhao.

"Go get the gifts. When paying a visit, the etiquette must be impeccable."

Zhu Wenhao turned and walked toward the car trunk.

He lifted two boxes of century-old wild ginseng from Changbai Mountain and two bottles of special supply Maotai.

He walked slowly up the steps.

The door was wide open.

Li Jiajia, dripping in jewelry, led her younger daughter Su Xiaoxiao out to greet them.

Li Jiajia had just turned forty, and the emerald necklace around her neck was extremely eye-catching.

Li Juan was wearing an elegant, understated high-end suit, with a piece of a smooth, white jade bracelet visible at her wrist.

The two women stood together.

A true lady from the Provincial Party Committee Compound, she completely overshadowed the second wife who had climbed her way up by getting pregnant.

"Sister Li, what a rare guest! Come in quickly!" Li Jiajia was all smiles, her tone laced with sycophancy.

"Jiajia, we came over rather abruptly today. I hope we haven't disturbed your peace," Li Juan said in a flat tone.

The group walked toward the living room.

Su Xiaoxiao, walking behind, happened to bump into Zhu Wenhao as he stepped over the threshold carrying the gift boxes.

Su Xiaoxiao's palms were covered in cold sweat.

How was this playboy standing here, completely unscathed?

She had been a key part of last night's scheme; she was the one who had handed that spiked juice to Su Qinghan.

Things had clearly spiraled out of control.

Su Xiaoxiao forced a smile and greeted him.

Li Juan responded casually and sat down on the mahogany sofa.

Zhu Wenhao placed the solid wood gift box on the side of the coffee table, sat down, and stared blankly ahead, eyes fixed on his nose.

The nanny served hot tea.

Li Jiajia held a white porcelain teacup, using the act of drinking to cover her panic.

Old Su was currently vying with Secretary Zhu Tianhe for the position of mayor; they had just set a death trap yesterday to ruin the Zhu family's reputation, and today, Secretary Zhu Tianhe's wife and son had come knocking.

Was this a confrontation?

Unfortunately, Old Su wasn't home, and she didn't dare to face Li Juan's challenge.

Li Jiajia's back stiffened, and she shrank into the sofa cushions.

Slight footsteps sounded from the second-floor staircase.

Su Qinghan walked down.

She wore a light grey casual cashmere sweater, her long hair pulled back with a claw clip.

She looked cool and plain.

Reaching the corner of the stairs, she paused.

Her gaze swept over the three people on the sofa, finally resting on the young man.

The man met her gaze, his expression indifferent.

Su Qinghan understood.

Yesterday at the hotel, he said he would teach her how to play the whole board.

Today, the first move of this counter-attack had been played.

Li Juan set down her teacup, beaming.

"Look, our protagonist for today has arrived."

Li Jiajia was confused.

"Protagonist? What protagonist?"

Li Juan nudged Zhu Yuntong with her elbow.

"You silly boy, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and tell your Auntie Li the important news."

Zhu Wenhao stood up.

He walked unhurriedly toward the foot of the stairs.

Su Qinghan stood on the steps, and due to the height difference, their eyes were level.

Zhu Wenhao extended his right hand and firmly gripped Su Qinghan's wrist.

Su Qinghan pivoted slightly on her heel, wanting to retreat.

The man's palm exerted a warning force, pinning her in place.

He pulled her down in one fluid motion.

Su Qinghan walked down the steps and was pulled to his side.

Their shoulders were extremely close, their posture intimate.

Su Qinghan dug her nails into her palms, forcing herself to relax and play along.

Zhu Wenhao turned around.

"Auntie Li."

He faced Li Jiajia, his hand still holding Su Qinghan's.

"The ospreys cry in the river isles. Since ancient times, settling down and starting a family has been a major life event."

Li Jiajia even forgot to respond.

"Su Qinghan and I have been seeing each other privately for three years."

"Previously, Su Qinghan was busy preparing for her postgraduate entrance exams at Renmin University, so to avoid distracting her, we kept this matter from our elders."

"Now that she has achieved academic success, I should also settle down and give both families an explanation."

Zhu Wenhao raised his left hand and pointed to the gift boxes by the coffee table.

"I asked my mother to accompany me here today for no other reason."

"I am here specifically to propose marriage to The Su Family and ask for Su Qinghan's hand."

Every word was resonant and clear.

The lid in Li Jiajia's hand slammed against the teacup, and the tea splashed out, scalding the back of her hand.

She even forgot to cry out in pain.

The juice cup in Su Xiaoxiao's hand wobbled, and a few drops of orange liquid spilled onto the carpet.

"Dating for three years? Proposing?"

Yesterday, Mayor Su Changming had gone to great lengths to set a trap, intending to pin the crime of coercion on the Zhu family.

Today, they had come knocking with great fanfare and generous gifts to propose marriage.

A complete removal of the firewood from under the cauldron.

This not only completely filled in yesterday's trap, but also turned the tables and put Mayor Su Changming on the spot.

If they agreed to this marriage, how could the in-laws continue to vie for the mayorship?

If they didn't agree, the Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee would be seen as a tyrant breaking up a young couple and obstructing their freedom of marriage.

If that reached the ears of the leaders at the Provincial Party Committee, it would look terrible.

Li Juan watched Li Jiajia's rapidly changing expression and added fuel to the fire at just the right moment.

"Jiajia, these two children kept it so well hidden."

"Old Zhu was so happy when he heard from Zhu Wenhao last night that they wanted to settle down. That's why he was urging me first thing this morning to bring Zhu Wenhao over to test the waters."

Old Zhu, Secretary Zhu Tianhe.

This was the Zhu family's stance.

Li Jiajia opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

As a second wife and stepmother, how could she dare to make decisions on behalf of Mayor Su Changming at such a critical moment?

"This... Sister Li, this is all too sudden."

Li Jiajia waved her hands repeatedly.

"Old Su is not home, and as a mother, I can't just give my consent directly."

Zhu Wenhao took over the conversation.

He turned his head and glanced at Su Qinghan, who was standing beside him with her head lowered in submission.

He released her wrist and instead placed his hand lightly on her waist.

"Major life decisions should naturally be made by Secretary Su."

"The Analects says, 'The noble man perfects the good in others.'"

"Secretary Su has always championed an enlightened atmosphere."

"Su Qinghan and I are in love, and I am sure Secretary Su will be happy to see this come to fruition."

The high praise was laid on thick.

Su Qinghan felt a chill run down her spine as she listened to the man's calm and collected words beside her.

Using the teachings of Confucius and Mencius as a weapon.

"Since Secretary Su is busy with official duties at the Municipal Party Committee, we will leave the gifts behind."

Zhu Wenhao stepped back half a pace, maintaining an impeccable posture as a junior.

Li Juan stood up and smoothed the hem of her clothes.

"The gifts have been delivered, and the message has been conveyed, so we won't intrude any further."

"Jiajia, when Secretary Su returns this evening, please do trouble yourself to speak with him properly."

Li Jiajia followed them out to see them off, her limbs stiff.

Even after the taillights of the black Audi disappeared at the intersection, she remained standing blankly outside the courtyard.

Su Xiaoxiao approached her, her voice tight.

"Mom, if Dad finds out about this, he'll kill someone."

On the second-floor balcony.

Su Qinghan stood before the glass railing, looking at the empty tree-lined road.

A skilled chess player plans for the momentum.

This game, it had come alive.