Chapter 315 - 280: On Suitability
Chapter 315: Chapter 280: On Suitability
With that, Xiao Man didn’t spare the others a glance. She simply lifted her chin at Jun Ran, turned with cold arrogance, and walked away.
The table fell silent for a moment before erupting in a clamor like a boiling kettle. "What? Did I hear that right? Tang Renqian’s granddaughter? She’s *that* one..."
"I heard my mom say there was a mix-up with the Tang family’s granddaughter. The one they doted on was actually another family’s child, while their own was lost and raised elsewhere—so that’s her?"
"Wow! A living legend! No wonder she seems so extraordinary!"
"She also mentioned the childhood engagement between the Gu and Tang Families. What did she mean by that? Could it be that she’s willing to go through with it? Why? We’re in a new era; she doesn’t have to abide by that at all!"
"Get real! If you don’t hold on to an outstanding man like Gu Shaojun, who else would you marry? Tang Manman doesn’t look like a fool. She knows exactly what she’s doing!"
"Well... that does make sense!"
From everything she had seen with her own eyes and heard from Gu Shaoling, Jun Ran understood Xiao Man to be the quiet, mild-mannered type—not one to speak up or take initiative. That was why she had felt so confident, manipulating the young girl to her heart’s content. But she had never, ever expected Xiao Man to pull a move like this. Caught completely off guard, she stood dumbfounded for a long moment. Then, as if her soul had snapped back into her body, she spun around and chased in the direction Xiao Man had disappeared.
Jun Ran found Xiao Man by a large potted plant in a covered walkway. She was talking with a couple of younger girls. Jun Ran caught her breath, then walked over, sent the other girls away, and said to Xiao Man, "We need to talk."
Xiao Man nodded and followed Jun Ran to a secluded corner. She could sense Jun Ran’s resentment and hostility toward her. Because of Gu Shaojun, she couldn’t back down, nor did she want to. The only option was to face it head-on, to lay everything out in the open.
"Tang Manman, you and Gu Shaojun are not a good match. Stop trying to associate yourself with him at every turn!"
"Whether we’re a good match or not isn’t your place to say. My relationship with Gu Shaojun is official and out in the open!"
"Those old feudal ideas won’t last. I’d advise you not to put your faith in them, and don’t get too caught up in this fantasy. Gu Shaojun is only going along with this because he feels he has no choice. When he finally comes to his senses and decides to end it, I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it!"
"You don’t need to concern yourself with that."
"Tang Manman, you’re a smart girl. Even if you can’t see the situation clearly yourself, you should understand after I’ve laid it out for you. Do you really think you can make Gu Shaojun happy?"
"I can!" Xiao Man’s reply was simple and clear.
Jun Ran frowned at her. "Have you even thought about it? How old are you? He needs to get married—are you even of age? By the time you’re twenty, he’ll already be thirty. He’ll be old, don’t you get it?"
"It doesn’t matter how old he is. He’s willing, and I’m willing. That’s all that matters!"
"You... What do you know? He’s not willing at all!" Jun Ran’s face flushed red with anger. "Gu Shaojun and I—*we’re* the ones who are perfect for each other!"
"What makes you say you’re perfect for each other?"
"We’re around the same age, we’re childhood sweethearts, and we understand each other completely! As modern young people of the 1980s, we share the same ideals and ambitions. We both have the right to a beautiful love! He can’t just keep giving in and languishing like this. One day, he’ll come to his senses and break free from the shackles that have been forced upon him. I know he likes me! We’ll eventually fall in love, and a marriage born from love is the only kind that can be truly happy!"
Jun Ran grew emotional as she spoke, her hands clasped together and her gaze turning distant. Two crystalline tears slid down her beautiful cheeks, creating a pitifully beautiful sight.
Xiao Man blinked, turning her head to look from side to side. If the setting had been different, she would have thought she was hallucinating. ’Is this a stage play? Jun Ran is the passionate female lead, and I’m just a supporting character.’
"Um, Jun Ran." Xiao Man decided against calling her Sister Jun Ran. ’We’re on opposite sides now, aren’t we?’
"I’m not trying to be presumptuous, and I don’t want to discourage you, but I have my own understanding of love. One thing I’m very clear on is that loving someone or not is a personal freedom; it can’t be forced. Gu Shaoling told me you want to ’compete fairly’ with me to pursue Gu Shaojun. But I don’t think you’re even qualified to compete with me, for two reasons. First, Gu Shaojun and I have a marriage agreement. Second, I have his promise, and he has mine, that when we come of age, we will date and then get married. If you continue after this, you’ll be on the verge of being a homewrecker. That’s called sabotage, not the ’competition’ or ’pursuit’ you mentioned!"