Married with the Silent Wolf

Chapter 6: A Heart Awakens

This line of thought troubled not only Jiang Xin but also caused Mu Yize to waver: “If, in the end, the betrothal is not to the Fourth Young Master, then even if we forgo the benefits of the alliance, we must not sacrifice my beloved daughter’s future!”

They were not ruthless people driven solely by gain; it was Ling Yu, the patriarch of the Ling family, who had taken the initiative to approach them. He had first coveted the numerous awarded patents under their textile group, and also his alluring, brilliant daughter. Mu Yize had not accepted Ling Yu’s proposal outright but had discussed it at home with his wife and daughter.

Initially, the Mu family remained unconvinced. Then Ling Yu invited Mu Yize again to his office for a detailed discussion, offering the family’s ancestral snow-silk weaving technique as a bargaining chip, and earnestly recommending his Fourth Young Master, Ling Lie.

Mu Yize cautiously inquired, “Young people these days are fickle. If their temperaments clash after marriage, the union may not last long. In that case…”

To his surprise, Ling Yu responded with calculating assurance, “That is of no consequence. " We merely facilitate the match; should their marriage sour in a few years and lead to divorce, though it pains us as elders, we must respect their wishes.”

In other words, the old patriarch was condoning a marriage in name only. His true aim was to secure commercial advantage.

With this perspective — that their precious daughter would suffer no real loss, and that a nominal marriage could mutually benefit both families — Mu Yize’s heart gradually softened.

Moreover, once Ling Yu confirmed Ling Lie’s imminent return via the ring road, he promptly phoned Mu Yize, remarking, “My Fourth Young Master is coming back via the ring highway; his temper is somewhat peculiar.”

Mu Yize, astute as ever, understood Ling Yu’s implication and realized why Mu Tianxing had braved the rain to intercept Ling Lie’s car on the highway, deliberately stepping outside conventional behavior to attract his attention.

“I’m starting to think we should just give up,” Mu Tianxing muttered, clutching her small blanket and speaking with a pronounced nasal tone. Today, when I spoke to the Fourth Young Master, I was overwhelmed with guilt. I deliberately tried to catch his eye—what if he actually develops feelings for me? To toy with someone’s emotions is far worse than stealing their money! ”

Especially since she had heard Ling Lie actually speak to her, she was shaken.

Did he not fear she would reveal his secret?

Or did he trust her that much?

Though Mu Tianxing now knew the reason — Ling Lie had recognized her as the one who saved him six months ago in Qingcheng — her thoughts still lingered on that unforgettable moment:

His face, so infuriating yet compelling;

Those fathomless, obsidian eyes set in a mask of calm;

The silent yet warm hand that offered her a towel.

Her cheeks flushed, her heart fluttered uncontrollably. Such a fine gentleman, yet a wheelchair user — truly a pity!

Seeing her blush, Mu Yize gently took the ginger soup closer. It may be spicy, but it drives out the chill and warms the body. Close your eyes and drink it down, then cover yourself and sleep. Your mother will check your temperature again soon. ”

Mu Tianxing glared at the bowl with disdain, lamenting, “How does it always come back to this?”

“Come now, be good and drink it.”

“Nooo!”

“Listen to me!”

“Nooo!”

Ignoring their back-and-forth, Jiang Xin turned to fetch the fever medicine. Just as she reached the door, her phone rang.

She pulled it out, eyes brightening, and turned back to the couple. “Zeng Qian!”

Mu Tianxing tensed.

Mu Yize’s expression darkened. “Answer it!”

Jiang Xin slid her finger, switched on the speakerphone, and said, “Hello, Qianqian…”

“Sister Xin!” Zeng Qian’s voice brimmed with excitement. “ Our Fourth Young Master has just returned, and he’s agreed to propose to your daughter. "My husband said he'd be going to the Mu residence to present the betrothal gifts in the next couple of days, and he invited Miss Mu to come over on Saturday for dinner, to foster their relationship.

Jiang Xin froze momentarily, blinking at her husband in disbelief.

How could Ling Lie play by no one’s rules?

Given all these coincidences and his circumstances, it was impossible for him to be careless—how could he so easily consent to this union?

Could it be…

That, in Ling Lie’s eyes, whether he married Mu Tianxing or not, was utterly irrelevant?

Could he himself believe this marriage was merely a facade?

If that were true, then it suited them perfectly.

A spark flickered in Mu Yize’s eyes. Reading the silent understanding shared over years of marriage, Jiang Xin smiled knowingly and said on the phone, “Hehe, is that so? That’s wonderful. I’ll tell our Tianxing to keep Saturday free.”

“Hahaha, that’s great. Saturday is settled then. I’ll have the driver pick her up.”

“Alright, alright!” Jiang Xin paused briefly, then asked, “By the way, does the Fourth Young Master have any particular likes? Favorite foods, preferred drinks? Also, besides his fondness for Yunwu Nengming tea, does the patriarch have any special preferences?”

Since they were coming to present the betrothal gifts, the Mu family naturally wanted to observe proper hospitality.

“That Fourth Young Master is such an enigma, even my husband probably doesn’t know his likes or dislikes. "You all just treat him casually—we’re family, no need to fuss too much!” Zeng Qian replied, cutting off Jiang Xin before she could speak further. My husband’s calling me now. I’ve got to go. We’ll catch up tomorrow during the card game, okay? ”

“Oh, alright.”

“Bye-bye!”

The call ended.

Mu Tianxing’s minor illness was ultimately defeated by Jiang Xin’s fever medicine, triumphing over Mu Yize’s ginger soup.

Lying beneath the soft covers, Mu Tianxing closed her eyes but tossed and turned restlessly, sleep eluding her.

She was going to be married, because he had agreed to wedi her.

But why?

Surely his intelligence wasn’t so lacking as to miss even the slightest suspicion?

“Ahhh, this is so frustrating!”

Kicking her delicate feet wildly, Mu Tianxing finally threw off the blanket, sat up abruptly, grabbed her phone and the sticky note beneath her pillow, and sent a text message.

As evening descended after the rain, the sky blazed with endless resplendent sunset hues. Ling Lie sat in his room at his residence, slowly pushing his wheelchair toward the floor-to-ceiling window.

Suddenly, the chime of a text shattered the quiet.

Raising an eyebrow in surprise, a faint glimmer of hope stirred within him. Yet as he picked up the phone, a soft smile escaped his lips.

An unknown number had sent only three words: “Why?”

He knew without doubt—it had to be her.

Ling Lie did not reply but saved the mysterious number on his phone.

Once more, he gazed out toward the distant sunset, the myriad of tangled thoughts and weighty burdens in his heart seemingly dispersed by that single message—a marvel beyond explanation.