IF Storyline • High School (First Part) – If Shang An died earlier
Jiang Yi’s parents came to the Shang family, ostensibly concerned about Shang Lu’s situation, saying, “Poor child, with both parents gone, you can’t find anyone to make decisions about important matters like marriage. You’re not young anymore; you should choose carefully in the future.”
Ruan Yin immediately understood that the Jiang’s wanted to dissolve the engagement. She had heard from Shang Mu about how much Shang Lu liked Jiang Yi. The usually gentle woman was a bit impatient at the moment and said, “Mr. Shang hasn’t been buried yet, are you in such a hurry to sever the relationship?”
“That’s what I said.” Jiang’s father directly sneered and said, “The engagement was just a casual remark. In this day and age, marriage is a matter of personal choice. We elders cannot control the affairs of the younger generation, and forcing marriage is illegal.”
For Father Jiang, the fate of Shang family was uncertain, and the siblings who had lost their parents wouldn’t inherit much.
He had to flatter Shang An for so many years, and now he could finally take a breath.
Ruan Yin wanted to say something, but she was stopped by Shang Lu.
Shang Lu asked, “Just what Uncle said. It was just a joke to begin with, just kids playing house. I didn’t take it seriously.”
Seeing Shang Lu being ‘sensible,’ Father Jiang naturally wouldn’t bully a junior here. After exchanging a few polite words, he left with a smile.
Ruan Yin looked a bit anxious as she glanced at Shang Lu, but she still comforted Shang Lu, saying, “Actually, what they said makes sense. In this era, marriage is a matter of personal choice. As long as you love each other, it doesn’t matter if your family disagrees.”
“No,” Shang Lu shook her head. This time she was sure of her feelings and said, “I’m grateful to Jiang Yi, and I do like him a little before, but now I feel nothing.”
Shang Lu found it strange.
Since recovering from her illness, the obsession with Jiang Yi seemed to have disappeared completely.
But she felt that it was a good thing. She just wanted to live for herself.
After confirming that Shang Lu wasn’t pretending to be strong, Ruan Yin sighed in relief and said, “You like sweets, right? I’m good at making desserts. Just let me know what you want.”
Shang Lu had many things she wanted to eat, but for some reason, she ended up asking for a box of cookies.
In the WeChat chat box, some unfamiliar classmates had sent her words of encouragement or comfort in these past few days.
Chi Yan also messaged her, but his messages were different from others.
It was just at the beginning of the winter vacation, but he asked if she had finished her homework.
Shang Lu found it strange but casually replied.
Soon, Chi Yan started chatting with her following her lead.
Before Shang Lu realized it, she had been chatting with Chi Yan for almost an hour.
Then Chi Yan sent her a message.
[ My family had a bookstore. Do you want to come and do homework together? ]
Shang Lu : “…?”
In her memory, Chi Yan wasn’t this studious, right?
But when Ruan Yin learned that a classmate had invited Shang Lu out, she supported the idea, saying, “Lulu, can you buy me boba tea when you come back?”
Shang Lu was initially hesitant, but since Sister Ah Yin had said so, she decided to go, even if it was just to buy boba tea!
So Shang Lu replied to Chi Yan.
[ What time? ]
The next morning, at the bookstore.
A steaming cup of milk tea and desserts were placed on the table, and Shang Lu couldn’t help but swallow her saliva.
“Didn’t we agree to do homework? Why is there delicious food and drinks?”
Chi Yan lazily leaned back in the chair, saying, “It’s early in the morning; eating something will give us energy to study.”
Shang Lu thought it made sense, mainly unable to resist the temptation of delicious food. So, she said, “Let’s wait for another half an hour before we start doing the homework.”
Half an hour later.
Chi Yan patted his head, “The manager has a Corgi. Do you like dogs? Want to go see?”
Shang Lu’s eyes instantly lit up, but she looked hesitantly at the exercise books on the table.
Chi Yan grinned, “We’ll definitely do it after half an hour.”
Convinced, Shang Lu rushed downstairs to find the dog and had a great time.
Half an hour later.
Reluctantly, Shang Lu returned upstairs and picked up the pen.
Chi Yan suddenly looked at passing staff and asked, “What are you doing?”
The staff had boxes filled with the latest and most popular romance novels for girls.
Shang Lu covered her mouth, “These are hard to come by!”
Chi Yan said, “Do you like them? Pick any you want.”
The staff added, “These sell really well. If you want them, take them now; they’ll sell out downstairs soon.”
Shang Lu exclaimed, “Really?” She wanted them!
Several novels she liked were placed nearby. Shang Lu glanced at the exercise book but couldn’t resist looking at the novels again.
Unable to resist any longer, Shang Lu put down the pen, “How about… waiting for another half an hour?”
Chi Yan was supportive, “Sure.”
In the end, Shang Lu spent the whole day there reading novels.
Oh, it’s so good!
Shang Lu felt satisfied, indulging in many different flavors of cakes throughout the day.
At the same time, Shang Lu also understood one thing. She looked directly at Chi Yan and said, “You didn’t come to do homework with me, did you?”
Chi Yan didn’t lie to Shang Lu, holding his face with one hand, “Just figured that out? I just wanted to make you happy.”
Shang Lu understood and sincerely said, “Chi Yan, you’re really a good person, a great person.”
Chi Yan chuckled, “Stop it. I don’t buy into the ‘good person’ label.”
Shang Lu took out a box of cookies from her backpack and handed it to him, “Then take this.”
Chi Yan took it, opened it, and ate a piece, praising, “It’s even better than last time.”
His mood seemed to have improved a lot.
Hearing Chi Yan say this, Shang Lu also became proud, “That’s right, Sister Ah Yin’s craftsmanship is the best.”
The unfamiliar name confused Chi Yan, “Who is Sister Ah Yin?”
Shang Lu held her face with both hands, “My Brother’s girlfriend, the most gentle and beautiful lady in the world!”
“Oh,” Chi Yan responded casually, throwing a cookie into his mouth.
Chi Yan’s attitude instantly displeased Shang Lu, and she questioned him, “What’s with your ‘Oh’? Don’t you believe it?”
Chi Yan locked eyes with her, “Of course, I haven’t seen her.”
To prove that Sister Ah Yin is the most gentle and beautiful lady in the world, that evening—
Chi Yan followed Shang Lu, slightly lowering his head, “Excuse me.”
Shang Lu handed boba tea to Ruan Yin, holding her hand, “This is my classmate. He… well, forget it. We’re doing homework together, and I wanted to invite him for dinner at home. Is it okay?”
After hesitating for a while, Shang Lu could only say this. She couldn’t admit that it was because Chi Yan didn’t believe her, so she brought him home to broaden his horizons, right?
“Of course, welcome,” Ruan Yin said. She asked about Chi Yan’s food preferences and then went to instruct the kitchen aunt to cook.
Shang Lu looked smugly at Chi Yan and asked, “Is it exactly as I said? But you must not have any inappropriate thoughts; this is my future sister-in-law.”
Chi Yan, however, looked at Shang Lu, smiled after a while, and said one word, “Idiot.”
Who cares if her Brother’s girlfriend is gentle and beautiful? It has nothing to do with him.
Shang Lu : “?”
No, what’s wrong with Chi Yan? Why is he so annoyed?
But Shang Lu quickly figured it out; Chi Yan must be envious and jealous.
Dinner time came.
Chi Yan was a chatty person. While eating, Shang Lu and Chi Yan occasionally teased each other, and the atmosphere was quite good.
Until the maid approached with great respect and asked, “Miss, Young Master Jiang is here. Should I let him in?”
Jiang Yi’s face was gloomy.
He knew that a huge change had occurred in the Shang family. His parents told him the engagement was canceled and asked him to cut off all ties with Shang Lu.
Jiang Yi thought he would be happy. After all, this had been his wish for a long time. But now that it was a reality, he felt an inexplicable annoyance.
Thinking that Shang Lu had deliberately not spoken to him for a long time, this displeasure peaked when he saw a servant send him a picture of Shang Lu and Chi Yan ‘dating’ in a bookstore.
What made Jiang Yi even more unacceptable was that he used to come and go freely in the Shang’s mansion, but now a strange servant dared to stop him at the door. It was truly outrageous.
However, Jiang Yi waited and waited but didn’t get to meet Shang Lu. Instead, he received the message from the servant, “Miss said she has no relationship with you anymore, Young Master Jiang, please leave.”
If I didn’t know that there’s many examples of men “who’s disdainful toward his own wife, cheating on her, and wanted divorce, but feeling angry and jealous when she’s happy with another man after the divorce”, I would think that Jiang Yi was somewhat like Soleil (My Fiance Fall in Love with My Sister Again). I would think that the plot also forced him to not fall for SL. But, JY is so much more of a scum and trashy fiance compared to Soleil (Soleil is a super trashy husband for the MC, tho). At least, he never use his fiance/wife like JY did. Either for selfish personal benefits or petty gain such as the bet in the previous chapter.
She couldn’t admit that it was because Chiyàn didn’t believe her, so she brought him home to broaden his horizons, right?
Fixed, thanks!