Chapter 110: No One Can Be Bound in the Name of Love

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Shen Xian: ???

The matriarch continued, “He really looks like a gigolo!”

Inside the room, everyone except Ning Cai was staring intently at Shen Xian.

This pretty boy is quite something.

He actually managed to coax Ning Cai—the one who usually ignores everything and often doesn’t understand a word people say—into such a good mood. How did he manage that?

Before Shen Xian could respond, Ning Cai said seriously, “Grandma, he’s not a gigolo!”

The matriarch looked suddenly enlightened, “Then I was wrong.”

“I should use a different term, what was it again?”

“Male model, yes, a male model!”

“Which nightclub did you work at as a male model?”

Ning Cai’s expression grew even more serious. “Grandma, he’s a musician—not a gigolo or a male model!”

“That’s not important,” the matriarch waved her hand dismissively. “Sit down and talk.”

Shen Xian felt like an animal in a zoo, being scrutinized by over a dozen people.

“How long have you two been dating?” the matriarch asked first.

Ning Cai thought for a moment. “Three years.”

Shen Xian said nothing.

Everyone’s faces turned grave. That meant she had already gotten together with Shen Xian by the time she fled Su Rulong’s engagement party?

If Su Rulong found out, wouldn’t he kill Shen Xian?

“Shen Xian, I’m asking you now: do you truly love Ning Cai, or are you after her family’s wealth?” the matriarch asked.

What kind of joke is this?

When have I ever liked Ning Cai?

And when have I ever coveted her family’s fortune?

Am I the type to live off a woman?

I wish I could, but no one pays me any mind.

But Shen Xian wouldn’t say it like that. As an old tea farmer, he answered carefully, sidestepping the point perfectly.

“This is the first time I’ve learned about Ning Cai’s family background. It shocked me deeply, but honestly, I felt no joy at all. Instead, I felt intense pressure and the urge to step back,” Shen Xian said earnestly. “Ning Cai is beautiful, pure in character, and well-born; to anyone else, she’s the perfect match. To me, she’s even more unattainable.”

I won’t lie to you: I don’t like Ning Cai, simply don’t.

But I won’t say I dislike her.

Instead, I say I’m not worthy of her.

Sure enough, the Yú family members’ expressions softened.

Even the eldest uncle relaxed his furrowed brows.

This kid is pretty sensible after all.

He can be cultivated; maybe one day he’ll be a sharp sword to reclaim the shares.

“If you stay with Ning Cai, are you planning to become a live-in son-in-law or marry her properly?” a middle-aged man asked.

He was of average height, very refined—Ning Cai’s second uncle, a real estate tycoon.

Among Kyoto’s wealthy families, the first generation to amass fortunes typically came from real estate, followed by mining and chemical industries.

The internet was still an emerging sector with no super-rich yet.

But that wouldn’t last long; many had already sensed the internet’s future potential.

Like Lin Zhiyin.

“If I’m ever forced to choose, I’d definitely marry Ning Cai. No one wants to be a live-in son-in-law,” Shen Xian winked.

How could he not understand what everyone was thinking?

But he was good at placating people.

Sure enough, their faces softened even more.

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Some were even beginning to like Shen Xian.

Even the eldest uncle found him less annoying than before.

“Ning Cai, come with me to the study,” the matriarch said.

Ning Cai nodded, then told Shen Xian, “Wait for me here.”

In the main hall, the dozen or so people tightened their circle, surrounding Shen Xian closely.

The atmosphere was a little intimidating.

But Shen Xian was completely unfazed.

“Ning Cai isn’t suitable for you,” the eldest uncle said. “No matter how much she struggles, Ning Cai will return to Kyoto. She’s twenty-five now. If she doesn’t take the civil service exam soon, it’ll be too late.”

“With the Ning family’s influence in politics, Ning Cai’s future is boundless—she might even enter the Imperial Household Department!”

Ning Zheng hoped Ning Cai would pursue a political career.

The Yú family was one hundred percent supportive, eager for Ning Cai to take the civil service exam tomorrow.

Why?

Because once Ning Cai enters politics, she must give up her vast wealth.

Civil servants cannot hold part-time jobs or have companies registered under their names. The group’s assets must be transferred.

Transferred to whom first?

Of course, to the Yú family.

Shen Xian couldn’t argue or interfere with their plans, nor could he meddle in Ning Cai’s life.

As the saying goes, without connections in the government, you can’t hold office. Had Ning Cai’s family lacked political resources, Shen Xian would have advised them that being an official doesn’t make much money; Ning Cai currently earns millions a year.

But Ning Cai’s family had those resources.

The moment Shen Xian saw Ning Zheng, he knew Ning Cai came from a political household.

Her eldest uncle was already a cabinet committee member; her aunt worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; her forty-year-old cousin was deputy party secretary of a prefecture-level city—just one step from becoming mayor, entering the rank of department head...

The political capital was terrifyingly immense.

The national civil service exam was next March; with Ning Cai’s intelligence, passing would be a breeze.

So Ning Cai’s stage was not in South Province but in Kyoto, or rather across the whole country.

Shen Xian also felt it was only right for her to return to Kyoto.

Would he interfere with Ning Cai’s life just because she liked him, or bind her in the name of love?

Absolutely not!

Not to mention, Shen Xian loathed the idea of aristocratic prejudices; even for Ning Cai’s future, he couldn’t choose to be with her.

Years later, if they ever argued, would she say it was because of him that she didn’t enter politics?

Shen Xian didn’t want to bear such blame.

He couldn’t carry that burden.

Now, Shen Xian preferred a simple life and simple love.

This kind of love confined within high walls was too complicated; it felt suffocating.

Regarding the eldest uncle’s words, Shen Xian agreed: “I understand. I won’t force Ning Cai into anything in the name of love.”

“Ning Cai listens to you well. Help us persuade her to return to Kyoto and enter politics,” the eldest uncle said seriously, sitting next to Shen Xian.

As he spoke, he took out paper and pen and quickly wrote a personal letter, pushing it toward Shen Xian: “We’re about to launch a new villa development in South Province. When it opens, you can use this letter to claim a villa of your choice!”

What generosity.

This was like a scene from a romance novel where the son brings his girlfriend to meet the wealthy mother-in-law.

The wealthy mother-in-law throws five million at her: “Here’s five million. Take it and leave my son.”

No difference at all.

Shen Xian chuckled, a trace of helplessness in his smile.

Under the eldest uncle’s expectant gaze, he folded the letter and tucked it into his pocket: “I agree.”

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The eldest uncle breathed a sigh of relief and patted Shen Xian’s shoulder. “You’re a smart guy. I like you. We’ll have many opportunities to cooperate in the future.”

From that moment on, Shen Xian completely gave up any possibility with Ning Cai.

Not long after, the matriarch and Ning Cai emerged from the study.

Ning Cai’s expression was unpleasant, and the matriarch’s was dark.

“I said, I’m not going back to Kyoto!” Ning Cai said coldly, turning to look at the matriarch. “The bet isn’t over yet. I can’t just admit defeat like this!”

The matriarch said, “Don’t be foolish, child. You can get married, but you must take the exam next year.”

“But marriage must be to someone of equal status.”

“Not reckless and headstrong!”

The eldest uncle gave the matriarch a knowing look, then said to Ning Cai, “Ning Cai, come over here. Maybe you should listen to Shen Xian’s opinion.”

Sigh.

Shen Xian sighed inwardly, stepped in front of Ning Cai, and spoke softly: “Ning Cai, marriage isn’t just about two people.”

“It’s about two families.”

Ning Cai frowned.

What did that mean?

Did Shen Xian not want to be with me?

“If I insist on being with you, don’t feel pressured. No one can change my decision,” Ning Cai said.

Shen Xian shook his head in front of everyone. “Ning Cai, I think you should be cautious. Listening to your family’s advice can’t hurt.”

The Yú family immediately praised Shen Xian.

Ning Cai lifted her head, biting her lip as she looked at Shen Xian, her eyes gradually misting.

This was her first moment of vulnerability.

Her gentle, beautiful face revealed a complex emotion for the first time.

Disappointment, sadness, confusion.

All at once.

Why?

Before we came here, we agreed.

You just needed to pretend to be my boyfriend, stand by my side, help me resist my family’s pressure, then I’d break off the contract with you. You wouldn’t have to worry about the eighty million penalty anymore.

But now, why are you siding with my family and pressuring me?

At this moment, her sparkling almond eyes were veiled in mist.

Shen Xian dared not meet her gaze but knew he had to be firm: “Ning Cai, no matter their motives, the path they’ve laid out for you is the best for you.”

Does Ning Cai like me?

She probably does, or at least she doesn’t dislike me.

Could I rely on her feelings and say, “Ning Cai, don’t be afraid. I support you. Go do what you want”?

Could I say or do that?

No.

To ruin someone’s future and prospects is the gravest crime.

Ning Cai fell silent, then her expression calmed. She stood up. “I understand.”

“I’m leaving now, everyone,” Shen Xian said, waving goodbye.

As the two walked away, the eldest uncle suddenly asked the second uncle, “Did you capture the moment Shen Xian accepted the gift?”

The second uncle said, “Yes.”

The eldest uncle nodded. “Add some pressure on Ning Cai. Find a chance to send it to her and say, ‘Look, this is the man you fancied. He left you over a few million. When she gets hurt, she’ll naturally return to Kyoto.’”