Chapter 4: I Can Change My Mind Now Too

Jiang Ran only feels a surge of hot blood boom— shooting straight to the top of his head.

Immediately his cheeks and the tips of his ears turn hot red.

The girl looks up, her eyes flicker, bearing a mischievous yet pure innocence, that soft, velvety "brother" and the barely perceptible pull on his neck, like a feather's tip tickling the most itchy spot of his heart.

The surroundings fell dead silent for a moment, then erupted into even more exaggerated heckling and whistling!

Whoa—!! Ran Ye! That's fine!

Where did this celestial sister come from, so skillful!

Ran Ye, this sincerity is enough, right! Hahaha!

Jiang Ran feels his heart about to jump out of his throat.

He's grown up, never shied away from fights, ignored teachers' and parents' scoldings, but never before, in front of so many people, has a girl… a beautiful girl, teased him in this way, making his face flush and leaving him at a loss!

He absolutely cannot lose this face!

Cough!

Jiang Ran coughs sharply, trying to suppress the heat on his face and the panic in his heart.

He grabs Su Ruan's wrist, still clutching one end of the veil, the touch delicate and slightly cool, making his heart flutter again.

He presses with his hand, pulling her sharply into his embrace, and the other hand naturally wraps around her waist that doesn't even fill a palm.

He lowers his head, speaking harshly, yet with unhidden embarrassment and forced proficiency, whispering in her ear: "Enough! How is it not enough! Little sister, you're so good at teasing, who taught you?!"

After speaking, without waiting for Su Ruan's reaction, he, as if to prove he's no rookie, sharply lowers his head, with a reckless force, precisely capturing the two soft, inviting lips that were slightly opened in surprise.

Mmm!

Su Ruan struggles symbolically, a trace of smile flickering in her eyes.

As expected, she's pure, kissing without method, relying only on brute force and impulse; the lips hurt a bit, but… the feeling isn't bad.

The surrounding heckling almost threatens to flip the Billiard Hall's ceiling.

Ran Ye is awesome!

Kissed! Kissed!

Damn! Ran Ye is mighty!

Jiang Ran, spurred by his brothers' shouts, feels more hot blood surge, pulls Su Ruan's arm tighter, naively yet domineeringly deepens the kiss, until the person in his arms feels so soft she almost melts, then he pantingly releases her.

Su Ruan's cheeks are flushed crimson, breathing slightly quick, the watery glint in her eyes grows, making Jiang Ran feel another bout of dry mouth.

He crudely wipes his lips with the back of his hand, his gaze flickering, daring not to look at her, yet forces himself to lift his chin, announcing to the surrounding dumbfounded brothers in a "no big deal" tone.

Stop staring! Never seen someone come to repay a favor? Fine! This bride… young master, I've taken her!

He turns to look at the seemingly infinitely shy Su Ruan in his arms, his voice unconsciously lowers, yet still with that swagger: "Keep your word! Offer yourself! In two days… in two days the young master will bring people to your home for a Proposal!"

He must hurry home to ask Grandma what preparations are needed for the Proposal!

Also, he must have his mother quickly prepare a new quilt cover!

Right, also needs to buy a new wristwatch!

This woman's delicate skin would look great with a watch!

Su Ruan lowers her eyelashes, softly "hm" a sound, the corner of her mouth curves with a triumphant arc.

As Su Ruan steps into that low, shabby doorway, the impatient Su Dazhuang immediately springs from the stool, his eyes, clouded by alcohol, stare at her tightly.

How's it going? Done yet? Has that Jiang Family brat nodded?

Wang Juhua and Su Yanhua also look on anxiously, while Su Yaozu, indifferent, lies on the bed with his legs crossed.

Su Ruan leisurely walks to the only decent chair in the room, sits down, smooths the red Skirt that actually doesn't fit her, then lifts her eyes to the eager father.

"Dad, Jiang Ran promised, said he'd come in a few days for a Proposal."

"Really?! Oh my! My dear daughter! You truly are dad's lucky star!"

Su Dazhuang instantly breaks into a delighted smile, rubbing his hands, as if already seeing the thousand‑yuan bride price and the various benefits Jiang Family will bring.

Wang Juhua also sighs in relief, a fake smile on her face: "Ah, it's because RuanRuan has skill! This move succeeded!"

Su Yanhua looks at Su Ruan with a complex gaze, feeling a bit sour yet relieved she doesn't have to face that supposedly reckless Jiang Ran herself.

But unexpectedly, the next second Su Ruan's tone shifts, still soft and syrupy, yet with a hint of coldness: "But dad, I've thought about it, and suddenly feel… I'm not forced to marry."

The atmosphere in the room instantly solidifies.

Su Dazhuang's smile freezes: "You, what do you mean?"

Wang Juhua instantly changes expression, shrill: "You damned girl! Are you playing us? Everything's settled and you want to back out? You black‑hearted little slut! Do you want your dad driven to death by creditors? Do you want this family to fall apart?!"

Su Yanhua adds: "Su Ruan, how can you do this? How can you renege on a promise?"

Su Yaozu, lying on the bed, sits up, grumbling dissatisfied: "Exactly! If you don't marry, should I become a son‑in‑law and take that tiger‑mom's beating?"

Su Ruan looks at the faces before her—angry, anxious, selfish—and laughs coldly inside.

She sighs lightly, appearing very troubled: "Dad, step‑mother, don't blame me. Look, Jiang Ran promised to marry me, but whether life after marriage is good or not is still up to me, right?"

"If later I'm dissatisfied, return to my natal home to complain, or even cause a Divorce… would this marriage become a feud? Can we afford to offend a family like Jiang?"

She pauses, looks at Su Dazhuang's suddenly pale face, and continues leisurely: "So, I can now completely choose not to marry."

"After all, we don't know whether marrying is a blessing or a curse. At worst, our whole family can shoulder the debt together; after all, we've endured hard days before."

"No! Absolutely not!"

Su Dazhuang is the first to jump up.

He can't even imagine creditors blocking the door, the household unable to lift the pot.

Compared to the unknown 'possible grievances', the present poverty and debt are the imminent knives!

He grabs RuanRuan's hand sharply, as if seizing the last lifeline, shouting urgently: "RuanRuan! Good daughter! You marry! You must marry!"

"As long as you obediently marry Jiang Ran, live well with him, dad… dad will prepare a Dowry for you! He'll make it thick! So you go out gloriously! Never let Jiang Family look down on you!"

Wang Juhua, hearing about the thick Dowry, feels a painful pang, about to retort, but Su Dazhuang glares fiercely: "Shut up! This isn't your place to speak! Long hair, short insight!"

He turned his head back, forcing a nearly ingratiating smile onto his face: "RuanRuan, you say, what do you want? As long as dad can make it happen!"

Su Ruan looked at her father's expression, feeling no ripple in her heart, even a little inclined to laugh.

She gently withdrew her hand, smiled, the smile sweet yet without any warmth.

"Dad, that's what you said. Then I guess… I'll think it over carefully."