Previously, Jiang Cheng asked Fang Ruoye out on a lunch date. Driven by a strong desire to outstage his youngest brother, Jiang Wei just had to invite Fang Ruoye to a dinner date. And he specifically sent her a set of outfits to wear for that night, too.
They took pictures together to send to their group chat, and made Jiang Yue and Jiang Cheng both seething in anger.
Jiang Yue : "Ruoye is beautiful, whatever she wears. Brother Wei, there is no need to act so proud!"
Jiang Cheng : "You made Ruoye wait for a long time, how ungentlemanly of you, Brother Wei. The next time you cannot take her out for dinner in time, just send a message in this group chat directly. I will be there in a flash."
Jiang Wei :
Jiang Wei :
Jiang Wei and Fang Ruoye had a little laugh together while they read the replies from the other two.
And then Fang Ruoye put her phone away and said, "Brother Wei, I am thinking of renting an apartment close to Golden Dragon Academy. Can you find me a place to stay? It cannot be too expensive, because I only have enough funds to cover our living expenses for three months."
"Nonsense. You should continue staying in my penthouse. I will buy you a car to commute between home and Golden Dragon Academy. There is no need to worry about money, either. I have already set up a bank account for you, and I have also applied for a credit card in your name."
Jiang Wei pushed a black platinum card across the table. The new credit card sparkled under the gleaming chandelier light that illuminated their table. Fang Ruoye's jaw fell open in astonishment.
"This... Brother Wei, this is too much," she stammered.
Fang Ruoye was used to living a humble and frugal life since childhood. She had never applied for a credit card on her own accord. Throughout her seven-year marriage to Luo Yanming, they also never established a joint household account. Instead, monthly expenses were managed like individual salaries, and Fang Ruoye diligently saved any surplus in a trust fund for Luo Xianxian's future college education.
But now her eldest cousin did everything off the bat without even informing Fang Ruoye in advance.
Fang Ruoye was touched, not by the money, but by her eldest cousin's affection for her.
"Brother Wei, I am going to look for a job," she vowed as she pressed the credit card to her chest. "And I am going to pay you back for every cent you squandered on me."
Jiang Wei's face turned solemn.
"If you have even an ounce of respect for me, Ruoye, please don't. Do you want Jiang Yue and Jiang Cheng to laugh at me?"
"What? No, that's not what I want..."
Like a domineering CEO in the middle of an important business negotiation with a partner, Jiang Wei steepled his fingers in front of his chin and gave Fang Ruoye a penetrating stare.
"I haven't even talked about the seven years when you refused to meet up with me even for a cup of coffee, and all that for a bastard of a husband. Fang Ruoye, you owe us those seven years of pampering. Now that you are finally free, just let us coddle you until we are satisfied. I shall not be rejected."
Fang Ruoye swallowed hard.
In the end, with no counterargument to dish out, Fang Ruoye could only helplessly agree with Jiang Wei's demand.
"In... In that case... I will listen to Brother Wei's arrangement."
Like a man who had just closed a very advantageous business deal, Jiang Wei whipped up a smile and ordered a bottle of champagne.
"I heard that Director Zheng took you and Xianxian for a tour around the Golden Dragon Academy," Jiang Wei said while they were enjoying their dinner, venison steak with baby carrots, peas, and roast potatoes as side dishes. "How do you and Xianxian like it?"
"Very much," Fang Ruoye readily answered. "I still can't believe that Xianxian got into such a prestigious learning institute. All thanks to my beloved cousins."
A corner of Jiang Wei's lips tugged upward into a proud smile.
"Anything for our Ruoye and our Xianxian. Oh, and... Ruoye, can you spare some time on the weekend?"
"Yes, Brother Wei, of course. Do you need me somewhere?"
Jiang Wei dabbed traces of mushroom sauce off the corners of his lips before answering, "Our grandmother has just returned from her trip overseas. She would like to meet you and Xianxian. Why don't we all travel back to her hometown on the weekend?"
Fang Ruoye's heart skipped a beat when her grandmother came up in the conversation.
Seven years ago, Grandma Jiang expressed her disapproval toward Fang Ruoye's choice of husband. Fang Ruoye went against her wish and married Luo Yanming anyway, thus prompting Grandma Jiang to break off all relations with her.
Fang Ruoye never stopped pleading with her grandmother, but she never succeeded in coaxing the elderly woman.
Year after year, her messages and cards met with unwavering silence, leading Fang Ruoye to believe that in this life, her grandmother no longer wanted anything to do with her.