Chapter 2: Rather be single at the doorstep, than choose a jerk

Xu Jianan was somewhat surprised to see Yun Kai appear so suddenly, but then a smile blossomed across his face, as warm as spring returning to the earth, "Yun Kai, you're here, don't be afraid, I'm here for everything..."

His voice was gentle and clear, like a warm breeze brushing against one's face in March, his gaze indulgent and affectionate as if she were the most cherished person in his life.

Yun Kai looked at his hypocritical and loathsome face, his affected manner of speaking, and a wave of nausea welled up within her.

In her previous life, she had liked Xu Jianan and believed he liked her as well.

After the engagement was broken off, Xu Jianan confessed his love to her, and she had accepted him immediately.

But even after they got together, things remained the same as before, not at all like a couple, not even sharing a kiss.

At that time, she thought he was showing her respect.

It wasn't until after her face was ruined that she realized this man had always been insincere toward her, that everything he had done was deceitful and manipulative, leading to her being harmed and dying with eyes wide open in indignation!

"...No matter what happens, I will absolutely never let you marry that dead man Huo Tingzhou," Xu Jianan said, intending to reach out and touch Yun Kai's head.

Yun Kai's eyes flickered with ridicule and iciness, and she swiftly dodged his touch.

He still thought she was the same big fool from her past life, someone he could fool at will?

Her expression slightly cold, she spoke lightly, "On what basis do you decide whether I should marry Huo Tingzhou or not?"

Xu Jianan was taken aback for a moment, then responded, "Yun Kai, we grew up together, you know my feelings for you, so I definitely won't let you marry that short-lived ghost Huo Tingzhou and be his widow!"

After saying this, he stared defiantly at the elderly Mrs. Huo with a burn-the-boats attitude, appearing fiercely protective of Yun Kai.

Yun Kai's gaze grew colder as she warned, "Mr. Xu, please watch your words!"

He complained that he and the Xu family had it too easy and wanted to find trouble; she didn't want him to drag her and her mother into it.

Xu Jianan frowned, completely puzzled by Yun Kai's cold and distant attitude.

This woman liked him; she had always clung to him since they were children. It was impossible for her to refuse him and agree to marry a dead man, right?

His eyes shifted to the elderly Mrs. Huo standing by, and Xu Jianan suddenly understood.

She must have been threatened by that old woman of the Huo family?!

Xu Jianan raised his voice again, his tone more acidic and agitated than before, "Yun Kai, what happened? Is this old hag forcing you? You, old hag, are truly wicked. No wonder you lost your child in middle age and your grandchild in old age, leaving the grand Huo family with only you..."

"Shut up!!" Yun Kai shouted, her eyes filled with intense hatred.

No wonder Mrs. Huo sought revenge in her previous life; such vicious words made her blood boil.

She knew all too well the pain of losing one's family, the helplessness of being left alone.

She pointed at Xu Jianan, her tone frosty and sharp, "You are just our neighbor; I don't know why you are saying such things, but it's not your place to decide my marriage. I want you to get out, now, immediately!"

Xu Jianan's eyes widened in shock, disbelief filling his gaze, "!!!!!!!"

What was this woman trying to do? He had helped her break off the engagement, and now instead of being grateful, she was sabotaging him.

Heh—she had just asked him what right he had; this was clearly her playing coy, trying to force him to confess his love now. Who did she think she was?

Xu Jianan's eyes brimmed with mockery as he sneered, "Yun Kai, I'm doing all this for you. Since you think I'm meddling too much, then go ahead and marry a dead man!"

This ungrateful woman, he would wait for her to come crying and begging for his help!

With anger in his heart, Xu Jianan stormed off with a flick of his sleeve.

Yun Kai couldn't be bothered to give him a second glance, turning instead to face the elderly Mrs. Huo with composure, "Grandmother Huo, I am willing to marry your grandson."

The elderly Mrs. Huo's hand, which was fidgeting with her Buddha Beads, paused momentarily as she looked piercingly at Yun Kai.

The spacious and bright living room was illuminated, a huge crystal chandelier hanging in the air, the marble table shone like a mirror, and the marriage agreement lay neatly on top of it.

Before asking Yun Kai to sign, Mrs. Huo, with a stern countenance, sought to inquire once more about Yun Kai's willingness.

"Marriage is not a matter to be taken lightly. Even though I have promised you the freedom to remarry in two years, you are still entering into marriage. If you are unwilling, I will not insist," she said.

Without hesitation, Yun Kai replied with gravity and seriousness, "Grandmother, I have given it thorough thought. I am willing to marry Huo Tingzhou. Although he is no longer alive, I will honor him by taking good care of you in his stead."

This marriage had been clearly stated from the beginning by the Huo family as one of mutual consent, with no forceful abductions or strong-armed marriages.

In her previous life, she had been blind and heartless to misunderstand that the Huo family had forced the wedding, and had devoted her heart sincerely to Xu Jianan, not realizing she was opening Pandora's box.

In this life, she didn't want to speak of marriage or love; the way things were now was just fine.

Yun Kai did not shy away; she took the pen and signed her name on the marriage agreement!