Capítulo 9: Annulment!
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The Cen family was on the verge of bankruptcy while the Mu family was thriving at its peak.
If Mu Yourong were to marry the fifth child of the Cen family, would that not mean that she would be at a loss? How could the Mu family's daughter be put in such a position?
However, how would outsiders perceive the Mu family if they were to annul the marriage now?
Just as the husband and wife were caught in a dilemma, Mu Yourong walked over from the side. "Dad, mom, why do both of you look sad?"
Shen Rong heaved a sigh and told Mu Yourong about the situation.
Mu Yourong possessed the memories of her past life, so she remembered the Cen family's return to Yunjing Province when they were on the verge of bankruptcy in the past.
It was within her expectations that the Cen family would return around this time.
Mu Yourong furrowed her brows ever so slightly at the thought of it. "What's the difference between the Cen family's business and a toad trying to swallow a swan?"
Moreover, she was more than just a swan! She was a phoenix that roamed the nine heavens!
A family on the verge of bankruptcy wanted her to marry into their family. Were they dreaming?
"That's right!" Shen Rong chimed in by adding, "How many years had it been since the agreement was made? And yet, they actually remembered it! Why don't they remember to measure themselves instead? How dare they wish for my daughter to end up in misery!? They're really shameless!"
Mu Yourong continued, "Dad, mom, there's no need for both of you to be part of this later. I will talk to them. It's already the twenty-first century! We pay great attention to the freedom of marriage and also the freedom to date. Anything that happens later will not be related to you, regardless."
She was given a new life when she was reborn. With the Goldfinger system in her grasp, she would not need to marry anyone unless they were worthy!
She wanted to marry Fifth Master Cen, who was standing at the peak of the pyramid. A small place like Yunjing could not bind her down! Who the hell was the fifth child of the Cen family anyway? Even though the fifth child of the Cen family was ranked fifth in the family, he was utterly unrelated to the Fifth Master Cen!
If the fifth child of the Cen family was Fifth Master Cen, the Cen family would not be on the verge of bankruptcy and would not need to rely on a marriage to solve their problem!
Mu Yourong had already used the Goldfinger system earlier to investigate this matter. If she was not mistaken, Fifth Master Cen was in the Mu family's banquet hall yesterday. All she had to do was to capture his attention.
She would not allow the incidents from her past life to repeat themselves.
Suddenly, the servant walked over. "Sir, madam, the Cen representatives are here."
"Invite them into the house, quick," said Mu Dabing with a wide smile.
It did not take long before two silhouettes appeared in the living room.
Madam Cen walked in front. Her hair was hoary with age, while her face was covered in wrinkles.
In stark contrast, the woman following behind her was glowing radiantly. There was no telling what her real age was!
One of these two women was Madam Cen, while the other was Cen Shaoqing's mother, Zhou Xiang.
Mu Dabing hastily walked to the door to welcome them.
"Madam, Mrs. Cen, when did you arrive in Yunjing Province? Why didn't you inform us in advance so that we can clean up the place to welcome you?" Even though he currently despised the Cen family from the bottom of his heart, he still needed to show some respect.
Meanwhile, Shen Rong hastily ordered the servants to make tea.
Madam Cen answered smilingly, "Dabing, you and your wife are too kind! This is Yourong, right? Little girl, you're really pretty!"
"You're too generous with your compliment. She's just a little rascal who can't be brought to the table."
His daughter was outstanding, of course! How could the fifth child of the Cen family deserve his daughter?
Mu Dabing had already ridiculed Madam Cen in his heart many times over! The old woman lived in vain for so many years! Why would she not take a look at the great disparity between the two families? They were on the verge of bankruptcy, yet they still had the courage to visit the Mu family.
After exchanging small talk, Madam Cen dived straight into the main topic of conversation by saying, "Dabing, let's not beat about the bush anymore since we're a family. We're here to discuss the two children's matter today."
Dabing feigned his confusion by asking, "The two children's matter?"
Madam Cen continued, "It's about the engagement between our Shaoqing and Yourong."
When the Mu family was on the verge of bankruptcy back in those years, it was the Cen family's patriarch, Cen Haifeng, who made a financial contribution to ensure the survival of the Mu family's business. In order to repay their kindness, the Mu family made a vow that if they had a daughter in the future, they would certainly betroth the daughter to the fifth child of the Cen family, Cen Shaoqing.
Cen Shaoqing was only four years old at the time.
Eight years later, a daughter was born into the Mu family.
Cen Haifeng had purposely rushed back from Beijing just to attend the child's full moon celebration. Moreover, he exchanged keepsakes with the Mu family. The strong connection between the two families was formed via the engagement, just like that.
Out of the blue, Mu Yourong chimed in, "Madam, I'm only 18 years old this year, and I don't want to think about the most important event in my life for the time being. Moreover, your Cen family is a rich, influential family. How can someone like me be a worthy match for Mr. Cen?"
Madam Cen did not ponder further on that, but she chuckled and looked toward Mu Yourong. "You're a worthy match; you're a worthy match! My sweet child, you're so pretty, so how can you possibly not be a worthy match for him? Don't worry. Since the engagement is already set, our Cen family won't go back on our word. I will certainly make Shaoqing marry you."
Upon hearing that, Mu Yourong's expression changed ever so slightly. The damned old woman was senseless! She was incapable of even discerning Mu Yourong's sarcasm.
It was obviously the Cen family's son who was not a worthy match for her!
The old woman made it sound like she was out of his league instead!
Bah!
Madam Cen was disgusting!
At that very moment, Mu Dabing and Shen Rong's expressions were rather unpleasant. What was the point of Madam Cen's remark? Why did she have not the slightest common sense?
Zhou Xiang furrowed her brows ever so slightly. Her sharp senses allowed her to detect that something was off about the husband and wife's expressions.
Then, she took a glance at Madam Cen, and their eyes met one another's. Their gazes changed ever so slightly.
Zhou Xiang smiled and stood up. "Brother Mu, sister-in-law, what my mother meant was that we made the trip this time to set a date for the two children's marriage. Now that the two children are grown up, it's good to give us peace of mind as their parents if we can set a date soon."
"Auntie, this is the most important event in my life. My parents can't make this decision for me." Mu Yourong added, "Don't make things difficult for my dad and mom anymore. Since you're here today, I shall clear up the situation. I only want to focus on my studies now, and I don't want to be distracted by other matters. It's best to call off the marriage between our two families now. We are no longer in a traditional society that allows for forced and arranged marriages."
Zhou Xiang was dumbfounded upon hearing that. Madam Cen was notably stunned as well. They could only keep their gaze on Mu Yourong.
Mu Yourong continued to speak, "I believe that Mr. Cen will certainly be able to find a girl who deserves him in the future." Only that the girl would not be her since she was out of his league!
Mu Dabing stood up in slight embarrassment. "Madam Cen, Mrs. Cen, the child doesn't know how to speak politely to the elderly. If there's anything in her statement that offends you, please don't argue with her."
"Dad, I'm already an adult! I have the right to choose!" Mu Yourong looked toward Mu Dabing with a determined expression.
Mu Dabing remarked, "Yourong is my only daughter. She is a determined and headstrong girl. I may be her father, but in truth, I'm utterly incapable of making decisions for her! Since the child is unwilling, we can't force her either… There's a saying that 'you can't force love'. Let's forget about the engagement."
Zhou Xiang maintained the presentable smile on her face. "Brother Mu, an annulment is not a joke. Our two families have a strong bond that has lasted for years. Moreover, Haifeng's last words prior to his death were that we must fulfill the engagement…"
Cen Haifeng was a man of his word, and he treated Mu Dabing like his own brother.
Even at the present height of the Cen family that was already far beyond the reach of the Mu family, the Cen family still kept their word!
They did not expect that… the Mu family would actually call for an annulment.
Moreover, Mu Yourong's comments made it seem that she was out of Cen family's league. Could it be that it was a delusion?
Zhou Xiang's reaction was out of Mu Dabing's expectation. He did not expect that Zhou Xiang would still shamelessly insist on going ahead with the marriage at this point. She was really thick-skinned!
"Oh, Mrs. Cen." Mu Dabing raised his head to look toward Zhou Xiang. "It's best for us to know our place. There are certain things that we've already spoken clearly about. You are a smart person, so why would you feign being confused?"
Capítulo 10: Return In Glory!
Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Upon saying that, Mu Dabing added right away, "I know that the Cen family is in a financial crisis now, and I still remember that it was the Cen family that helped us when our Mu family was in a difficult situation back in those years. However, you can't expect us to return the kindness just because we're grateful for your help. That's not how a noble person would act!"
The Cen family was in a financial crisis? Since when was the Cen family in a financial crisis? So it turned out that the Mu family wanted to annul the engagement because of this?
Zhou Xiang narrowed her eyes.
Mu Dabing waved his hand to summon a servant who came with a tray covered with a piece of red cloth. "Mrs. Cen, my old brother Haifeng gave me 100,000 bucks when the Mu family was in a crisis back in those years. Now, our Mu family is returning it twofold."
Haifeng gave him 100,000 bucks back in those years. They returned 200,000 now, so it was already considered a repayment of sorts.
Mu Dabing had removed the red fabric covering the tray while he spoke. There were stacks of brand new Renminbi notes on the tray and also a jade pendant. The pendant was in the shape of a dragon.
Zhou Xiang used to look up to Mu Dabing. However, she now felt as if it was her first day being acquainted with the man. Had she not witnessed it with her own eyes, she would never have believed that the man before her was Mu Dabing!
So it turned out that time really could change a man. The Cen family did not insist on the union between the Mu and Cen families by marriage back in those years, but Mu Dabing himself promised it.
Now, he wanted to cut ties with the Cen family and proposed an annulment after hearing the rumors that the Cen family was in a financial crisis. Yet, he still assumed a strong sense of righteousness.
He made a promise, yet he went back on his own word. He was simply hypocritical!
Noticing that Zhou Xiang did not speak, Mu Dabing furrowed his brows. "What is the matter? Do you think that it's too little? That's 200,000 bucks! Mrs. Cen, a person whose heart is not content is like a snake which tries to swallow an elephant."
She thought that it was a small amount! That was a little shameless of her.
Zhou Xiang looked at Mu Dabing again and said, "Mu Dabing! You're an ungrateful man devoid of gratitude!"
Had it not been for the 100,000 bucks from 25 years ago, could the Mu family sustain until now?
The Mu family was actually humiliating them by giving them 200,000 bucks. What a joke!
"How much do you want then? Give me a number!" Mu Dabing gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. "It's best for you not to be too thick-skinned when I'm showing you respect here, Zhou Xiang! There's a limit to my patience!"
Zhou Xiang took out another pendant from her pocket and smashed it ferociously on the ground. "Sure, since you insist on the annulment, I shall fulfill your wish then! The engagement between our two families has been called off! Our friendship has been broken off too! We shall be completely isolated from each other's lives! It's best that you do not regret this!"
Regret? Did Zhou Xiang really think that the Cen family was desirable?
Mu Yourong's gaze was tainted with mockery. "Auntie, please remember your actions today too. Never ever regret your choice and do something embarrassing later that goes against your words!"
Mu Yourong did not want to be affiliated with a fallen family like the Cen family. If they were to cut ties, they had to do it cleanly. This was to prevent the Cen family from causing trouble in the future.
Mu Dabing pulled out a few cash notes from his wallet and put them on the tray. "Mrs. Cen, our families have had a good relationship for many years. Here's some extra money; take it as a small token from me. It's not easy for you, a widow with kids, to survive out there. If there's really no other way for all of you to survive in the future such that you have to live on the streets, you can still seek refuge from our Mu family! We have a few spare servant rooms in the house; just think of it as our charity!"
Since he had already gone all out, there was no need for him to put up an act anymore. Anyhow, the Cen family was just a fallen family now.
Zhou Xiang picked up the other jade pendant and turned around to help Mrs. Cen to stand up. She did all this with a furious expression on her face. "Let's leave, mom!"
Mrs. Cen was a woman who had seen it all. Even though she was very furious, she did not express her rage.
"Mrs. Cen, you forgot to take the money!" Mu Dabing ordered the servant to send the money to her.
Zhou Xiang looked back ever so slightly and cussed for the first time in her life. "Our Cen family has no need for trifle money like this! You can keep the money for you to buy your coffins!"
With that, Mu Dabing chuckled aloud right away. He clapped and said, "Well, well, well! You're tough! You're spirited! I've finally witnessed it today; the personification of the statement - 'so poor that one only has their spirit left'!"
Had the Cen behaved more humbly and displayed their inferiority today, he would still show mercy and charity to them when they were kicked out of their home and onto the streets. Judging by the situation now, it seemed that there was no need for that anymore! What a group of ungrateful people!
The survival or death of the Cen family members was not related to him the slightest bit from now on.
Meanwhile, Zhou Xiang helped Mrs. Chen outside. A low-profile MPV was parked at the door. It did not even have a license plate.
Noticing that Zhou Xiang and Mrs. Cen were there, the driver hastily got out of the car and opened the door. "Madam, Mrs. Cen."
The expression on Zhou Xiang's face was barely discernible. She instructed, "Head back to the manor. Also, inform Uncle Lin not to come with the others."
"Uncle Lin and the others are almost here." The assistant seated next to the driver turned around.
For the first time, the Cen family prepared a large amount of dowry and ordered the butler, Uncle Lin, to deliver it straight from Beijing.
She counted the days and realized that the dowry was arriving today, coincidentally.
"Send them back by the way they came."
The assistant was stunned for a moment but then answered, "Alright."
Madam Cen and Zhou Xiang sat in the backseat. None of them uttered a word, and the ambiance in the car was tensed.
The car arrived at the manor, and Zhou Xiang helped Madam Cen back into the house before lashing out in a rage, "They've gone too far! They've really gone too far! Why hadn't I figure out that Mu Dabing is actually a little man who looks down upon everybody else!?"
Madam Cen patted Zhou Xiang's hand. "Alright, alright! Don't be angry anymore. Our Shaoqing can marry any girl that he wants. Mu Yourong is a naive, senseless girl. How is she worthy of our Cen family? And how does she deserve our Shaoqing!? It's a blessing in disguise to witness their true selves through this incident."
Mu Yourong was pretty; however, compared to the upper-class socialites from noble families in Beijing, she was nothing!
Countless people would do anything to marry Cen Shaoqing; yet, Mu Yourong was too ignorant to see that.
Upon contemplation, Zhou Xiang regretted not performing better earlier. "Mom, I should have thrown the money at Mu Dabing's head earlier! I should have busted his head!"
As the mother of the successor to the family, Zhou Xiang was fawned upon wherever she went. She could not even remember the last time she had been infuriated this way. She was too angry that she could not even think straight earlier.
"What's the point of fussing with people like that!? Calm down!" Madam Cen consoled her. "It's their failure not to appreciate what they have today; they will still have many days to regret it in the future."
"Hmm, you're right." Zhou Xiang nodded in acknowledgment. At the thought of this, she was no longer as furious!
Upon saying that, Zhou Xiang continued, "The engagement is considered called off. Mom, shall we head back to Beijing then?"
They were here for marriage matters. So, since the marriage was annulled, there was no point for them to remain in Beijing anymore.
"No, we can't go back yet." Madam Cen shook her head. "Yunjing City is a rich land fostering many talents. There are certainly quite a lot of outstanding girls here. I will stay here and choose a beautiful wife for Shaoqing and then return to Beijing in glory. It will also allow the Mu family to see that our Cen family's granddaughter-in-law is much more outstanding than Mu Yourong by a hundred... a thousand... a million fold!"
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