Volume One, Chapter 62 She felt as though her dignity had been trampled mercilessly beneath his feet.

Xu Zhi pressed her lips together, struggling inwardly to find a way to utter that single word—“No.” Behind her, Xu Heping jabbed her back, his meaning unmistakable. Her mind went completely blank; how was she supposed to say it?

Liang Mushi looked up at her, noticing the clear resistance in her gaze. They all worried about the old man’s health at this moment, afraid to reveal their true feelings. Suddenly, he realized that Xu Zhi was just as opposed to marrying him as he was. He had never truly accepted this childhood betrothal, but seeing her like this left him uneasy.

“I…” Xu Zhi began, but Xu Heping cut her off.

“Uncle Liang, Zhi is absolutely willing,” Xu Heping said anxiously. “She respects your wishes.”

Xu Zhi’s back went rigid, her teeth pressed into her lip. Xu Heping had seized the moment, and now, if she dared say she was unwilling, it would seem she was disrespecting Old Master Liang’s arrangements.

Old Master Liang exhaled deeply. “Mushi, then it’s settled… We’ll choose a date around New Year’s, hold the engagement first, and after Zhi graduates… the wedding.”

Liang Mushi frowned. The old man had only asked Xu Zhi’s wishes, not his. He felt a simmering anger within, suppressed enough to darken his expression.

Liang Zhengguo suddenly spoke up, “Alright, Dad, don’t worry about this. Focus on your recovery. Wanwen and I will handle the engagement.”

Fu Wanwen, fearing Mushi might say something reckless while the old man was still bedridden, quickly added, “Yes, I’ll contact someone tomorrow to make arrangements. Dad, you must get well so you can attend Mushi and Zhi’s wedding in good spirits.”

Old Master Liang looked somewhat comforted. “Yes, do your best. The engagement should be grand—let everyone know that Mushi and Zhi… are truly meant for each other.”

There was a hidden message in the old man’s words, and Liang Mushi knew it was meant for him. The so-called engagement ceremony felt more like a performance for Chen Jing. He pressed his thin lips into a line, feeling as if he could no longer hold back. But when he saw the old man’s pale, haggard face, he swallowed his words.

The old man was far too frail; the Xu family trio didn’t linger long and left before noon.

Fu Wanwen and the nurse remained to care for the old master, while Liang Zhengguo and Liang Mushi escorted the three to the elevator.

As they waited, Liang Mushi hesitated before speaking, “Those things you said just now… they were to comfort Grandpa, right?”

He knew it wasn’t the right time, with both families present, but he couldn’t hold back any longer.

Liang Zhengguo ignored him, turning instead to Xu Heping. “Old Xu, I had intended to discuss this formally at your home, but things are a bit rushed now… Still, my view is the same as Dad’s. The children were betrothed as infants, and now they’re of age. What do you think?”

Xu Heping would never let such an opportunity slip by. “I understand. Entrusting Zhi to Mushi puts my mind at ease.”

Xu Zhi frowned. “Dad…”

She hadn’t finished when Liang Mushi reacted even more strongly, “What is this? Marriage isn’t something you can just decide so casually! I kept quiet just now so Grandpa wouldn’t worry, but has anyone ever respected my wishes?”

Liang Zhengguo shot him a glance. “Respect you? Until you bring home the daughter of a corrupt official and tarnish our family’s reputation?”

Even as he finished, Liang Zhengguo felt embarrassed and turned to Xu Zhi.

“Zhi… let’s be honest. Since you know, I’ll apologize here. This brat doesn’t know what’s important, and you know what he’s like… I hope you can forgive him. You two were promised, even if only verbally, and that can’t be taken lightly. Your Uncle Liang, your Aunt, and I have all chosen you as our daughter-in-law. Rest assured, if you marry into our family, you’ll never be mistreated.”

Liang Mushi felt utterly ignored, unable to hold back any longer. “Who’s getting married here? If you like her so much, why don’t you marry her yourselves? I want nothing to do with it!”

His final words rang out, firm as iron.

Unnoticed, the elevator doors had opened and someone walked out, casting a strange glance at the group lingering by the entrance.

They all stood still, no one entering the elevator, no one speaking.

Xu Zhi’s face was ashen. She knew Liang Mushi disliked her, but she hadn’t expected him to speak so harshly, especially in front of both families. Did she not deserve dignity? She felt her pride trampled underfoot, blood rushing to her head, her throat so constricted she couldn’t speak.

It was humiliating.

Liang Zhengguo, shocked, nearly raised his hand to slap Mushi again, but remembering they were in a hospital, he stopped midair, his hand clenched into a fist. “How can you talk like that?”

“Was I wrong?” If not for the setting, Liang Mushi would have stormed off long ago. “Meant to be? Dad, you must be joking. She has no personality at all…”

“Enough!” Liang Zhengguo’s anger boiled over. “Don’t think that speaking like this in front of Uncle Xu and Aunt Xu absolves you of responsibility. It’s settled! If you don’t want to, then go—go tell your grandfather right now!”

Liang Mushi’s breathing was heavy, his fists tightly clenched. Liang Zhengguo was deliberately provoking him, knowing full well he wouldn’t confront the old man at such a time.

Xu Zhi was unsteady on her feet; beside her, Zhao Nianqiao caught her arm. “Old Liang, I think your family should agree on things first. Zhi isn’t unwanted, and Mushi didn’t have to be so harsh—especially in public. If this marriage happens, how could he treat Zhi well? As her mother, I can’t be at ease.”

Xu Heping glared at Zhao Nianqiao in displeasure.

This was certainly not the place for such discussions. Liang Zhengguo said, “Alright, you should go home for now. When my father’s health stabilizes, I’ll personally visit, and we’ll talk then.”

Xu Zhi didn’t hear the rest clearly; Zhao Nianqiao supported her into the elevator.

Her thoughts drifted, Liang Mushi’s “I want nothing to do with it” echoing endlessly in her ears.

She looked up, dazed.

Before the elevator doors closed, her gaze met Liang Mushi’s.

His eyes were full of irritation and frustration, and for a moment, as their eyes met, he seemed stunned.

The elevator doors shut, descending.

Liang Mushi remained in a daze; Xu Zhi’s wounded expression lingered in his mind. Until now, he had been caught up in his own feelings—it was only then he realized what he had said.

But he hadn’t been wrong…

Liang Zhengguo was still scolding him, and the more he listened, the more frustrated he became. He decided not to return to the ward, instead slipping away to the stairwell.

He took out his phone, wanting to continue chatting with Chen Jing, but after pressing it, his hand fell to his side.

Xu Zhi’s face still filled his mind—those quiet, desolate eyes, brimming with despair.

She had never looked at him like that before. This was the first time.