Bound by Destiny

Chapter 3 ◎Do Not Come Closer◎

In the living room on the first floor, a tense silence permeated the air, masking an underlying sharpness.

The servant quietly delivered the tea and quickly retreated without a word.

Jiang Yuanxin slightly lifted his hand, gesturing toward the young men opposite him. "Try it, this year's new tea."

He sat back lazily, his gaze openly assessing the two juniors across from him.

Xie Yunnan took a sip, but the unfamiliar taste made him frown, a trace of distaste flickering in his eyes.

Xie Jihuai, on the other hand, remained calm and unruffled, his expression betraying nothing.

When Jiang Yuanxin's eyes landed on Xie Jihuai's face, a flicker passed through his dark pupils.

Old Master Xie was a well-known figure in Jingbei, and the man he had personally groomed wasn't without merit.

But to be his son-in-law? He was still far from qualified.

"I invited you here for a reason," Jiang Yuanxin's voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Xie Yunnan silently suppressed his displeasure, mindful that Jiang Yuanxin was his elder, and kept his composure.

First, the strong tea, then the oppressive conversation—it wasn't hard to see that Jiang Yuanxin was testing them, laying down a challenge.

Unwilling to engage further, Xie Yunnan chose to remain silent, leaving the matter to his cousin, Xie Jihuai.

As the head of the Xie family, this was naturally Xie Jihuai's burden to bear.

The Jiang family was not to be trifled with.

Xie Yunnan found a perverse sense of satisfaction in watching his cousin about to face a difficult time under Jiang Yuanxin's scrutiny, his own gloomy expression easing slightly.

Xie Jihuai's slender fingers traced the rim of his teacup. He looked up, meeting Jiang Yuanxin's gaze steadily. His deep voice was calm. "Uncle Jiang, is this about the marriage alliance?"

Jiang Yuanxin chuckled softly, finally turning to face them properly. "The engagement was arranged by the old master. His discerning eye chose the Xie family because it was worthy."

His words raised the Xie family up, but they also set the stage for what was to come next.

"However, it's you younger ones who will marry. As parents, we must prioritize our children's wishes. I invited you today to hear your thoughts on the matter."

He didn't state his intentions outright—now wasn't the time to lay all his cards on the table.

In the world of business, the greatest mistake was to expose one's weaknesses too early. Once the opponent seized on that vulnerability, you'd be at their mercy.

Xie Jihuai's gaze dropped to the pale green tea in his cup, the surface rippling slightly. After a long moment, his voice remained steady. "I have no objections."

His words stirred a silent storm.

Jiang Yuanxin's eyes narrowed, the depths of his gaze as unfathomable as a dark, bottomless lake.

Xie Yunnan's eyebrows furrowed in disbelief as he stared at his cousin, shocked.

Everyone in Jingbei knew that the youngest daughter of the Jiang family had been pampered since birth, treasured like a precious jewel. Marrying such a woman would be akin to worshiping a goddess—she could not be touched, only revered.

Xie Yunnan couldn't help but wonder if his cousin was setting him up.

Of the two Xie cousins, he was closest in age to Miss Jiang. There was a high chance the engagement would fall to him.