Chapter 226: with translation of chapter title

Hao's mother kept urging her daughter for several days, saying all kinds of things, but the daughter simply wouldn't listen, dead set on marrying Song Jingyu.

She even went on a hunger strike over it.

Seeing her daughter grow thinner day by day, Hao's mother felt heartbroken—this was the daughter she had doted on since childhood, and she could not bear to see her suffer any injustice.

The mother and daughter stalemated for several days, and in the end Hao's mother could not hold out and gave in.

Hao's mother finally agreed, in her own name, to invite Song Jingyu to dinner at home so she could properly discuss her daughter's matter with him.

Upon hearing this, Hao Manru was overjoyed—she not only started eating again, but also deliberately put on her favorite dress and groomed herself carefully; seeing this, Hao's mother felt helpless, truly a case of "a grown daughter is hard to keep, and keeping her only brings worry."

Upon receiving Hao's mother's invitation, Song Jingyu's brow involuntarily furrowed; he knew what she wanted to say, but out of deference to his position he still had to come.

But it's better to lay things out upfront, so Hao Manru won't keep harboring fantasies and continue causing trouble for Su Ruo, knowing Su Ruo is someone who dislikes trouble.

That evening, Song Jingyu arrived as promised for Hao's mother's dinner; as soon as he entered, she warmly welcomed him inside.

Hao Manru wore a white dress, sitting demurely at one side of the table; when she looked at him, her eyes could not hide her smile.

Hao's mother ushered Song Jingyu to a seat at the table and said with a smile, "The disaster area's conditions allow only limited food preparations; please don't mind."

Song Jingyu replied respectfully, "Governor, Commissioner, you're too kind."

After that, they didn't stand on ceremony; Hao's mother picked up her chopsticks first, and during the meal she asked Song Jingyu many questions.

For example, how is his hometown? Has he had any trouble adjusting since returning? Has he encountered any problems or difficulties? He can always tell the organization, which will surely take good care of him…

Facing Hao's mother's questions, Song Jingyu answered each one, saying he had no problems and thanking the organization for its concern.

Seeing that the two had talked for a long time without mentioning her, Hao Manru grew anxious and tugged at her mother's sleeve under the table.

Knowing her daughter's temperament, Hao's mother dropped the pretense and smiled at Song Jingyu: "Young Song, you know that I and your Uncle Hao have always liked you; over the years we've watched you grow up in the military camp, gradually becoming mature and steady, just like watching our own child."

Upon hearing this, Song Jingyu immediately set down his chopsticks and said respectfully, "Thank you, Governor, Commissioner!"

You know that I and your Uncle Hao, the Master, and the Chief have only this one daughter, Manru.

We're getting older, and our greatest worry is this daughter. We like you and value you, knowing you are a responsible person. If Manru were to marry you, you would surely take good care of her.

Upon hearing this, Song Jingyu wanted to speak up and explain, but Hao's mother didn't give him a chance to speak.

Instead, she continued, "Over the years we've been busy with work and neglected our daughter a lot, and we feel guilty about it; now I just want to make it up to her properly.

Manru may have a little temper, but she is kind-hearted; I believe that if you two are together, you will surely be able to live a steady and happy life.

By then I will also join you, Hao, the Master, and the Chief, to support you, so that your little family will keep getting better.

You are a capable person with dreams and ambition; I believe you will understand what I am saying today.

As the old saying goes, marry a virtuous wife; the 'virtue' does not merely refer to temperament, but also to capability—meaning a wife who can help her husband, become his aid, and enable him to improve; that is what a truly good wife means.

I know you have been close to a medical student from Jingda University; she healed your leg, and your gratitude toward her is understandable.

But there are many ways to repay a kindness; marriage is not the only option.

If you are willing, I can help arrange a position for her at the Military District Hospital, even provide financial and housing subsidies, and I can also advocate for her; with a job, money, and a home, she would have enough to live comfortably for the rest of her life.

I am sure she would not refuse such a generous offer. What do you think?

At first, hearing that her mother wanted to arrange a job for Su Ruo and give her money and a house, Hao Manru felt unwilling.

That Su Ruo merely cured Brother Jingyu's leg, but that was her duty as a doctor; why should she receive these benefits?

But after her mother gave her a stern look, Hao Manru dared not speak; after all, compared to these things, Brother Jingyu is still the most important, and as for Su Ruo, she can only be said to have gotten lucky, receiving all these benefits for free—what a bargain for her.

Hao's mother, however, sees things more clearly than her daughter; she knows Song Jingyu is extremely sentimental, and if given too little, he would never be able to let go of Su Ruo, feeling guilty toward her—something Hao's mother definitely does not want to see.

Not only does Hao's mother hope Su Ruo will accept these offerings, but she also hopes that seeing their generosity, Su Ruo will become greedily desirous of more, even cause a scene, thereby ruining Song Jingyu's feelings for her—all the better.

But the key now is Song Jingyu's attitude; Hao's mother thought that having said all this, he would surely not refuse.

After all, as long as he weighs the pros and cons, he will know which marriage would be more advantageous to him.

Men are all ambitious; in their hearts career always outweighs family. Hao's mother does not believe Song Jingyu could resist this temptation.

However, the fact turned out to be exactly the opposite of what she expected—Song Jingyu showed not the slightest wavering at her terms.

In this world, perhaps many people, in order to climb up, would do things that betray their conscience, but he is certainly not among them.

Song Jingyu is ambitious, but he pursues what he wants openly through his own efforts, never relying on connections or underhanded means.

Even if he didn't like Hao Manru, or even if he truly liked her, he would not rely on her to seek advantages for himself.

In his heart, marriage requires fidelity; he would absolutely never use his marriage as a bargaining chip.

Therefore, Song Jingyu stood up solemnly and respectfully, gave a military salute to Hao's mother, and said, "I am deeply grateful for your high regard, but I already have a girlfriend.

My girlfriend may not be able to give me much help in my career, but she has given me a great deal of spiritual encouragement.

Moreover, she has saved me from danger on multiple occasions; without her, I might still be scattering seeds in the fields, and there would be no present-day Song Jingyu.

I have sworn that I will never let her down in this lifetime!

So, I'm sorry, but I cannot accept your kindness.