CHAPTER 286: CHAPTER 286: PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE

"You seem to have a deep understanding of me," Shen Zhaoli said with a persistent smile, his tone composed, "With that in mind, you should also know that, to me, age should not be labeled."

"You indeed are not an indecisive child, but regarding the current situation of the Wen Family, Wen Jiao might not be aware, but surely you know that I can’t hold on for much longer." Wen Yongwei looked Shen Zhaoli straight in the eyes, pausing between each word, "Now that you’re with Wen Jiao, you won’t gain anything."

"I want nothing."

"Does your brother understand your intentions?"

"I don’t need to consult my brother about my actions," Shen Zhaoli replied calmly: "My life, my decisions, don’t need to be approved by others."

Admiration flickered in Wen Yongwei’s eyes, but quickly, he continued expressionlessly: "You should understand Wen Jiao very well, knowing she has no feelings for you, that she doesn’t like you."

"Right now what’s important is not whether Wen Jiao loves me or not. As time goes by, I’m sure I can touch her heart. What I need now is just your approval," Shen Zhaoli said nonchalantly, his harmless appearance intact, but the assertiveness in his words was clear and vivid: "In the entire Xiangjiang, no one but me can afford to marry her."

Wen Yongwei quite liked Shen Zhaoli’s personality. This man, who seemed young and carefree, actually possessed stratagems and cunning. Wen Yongwei had no doubt about the truth in his words; indeed, it was as he said.

"Shen Zhaoli, I admire you, but I must remind you that you are mistaken. Marriage is not a matter concerning just yourself. If Wen Jiao is unwilling, I can’t force her to marry you," Wen Yongwei said with a smile, watching Shen Zhaoli’s surprise deepen his own smile: "Do you think that with Wei Shuqian and Wen Jiao’s engagement, I would have her marry against her will?"

"She likes Wei Shuqian."

"Yes, Jiaojiao likes him. Her feelings are more important to me than anything else as a father. Even if the Wen Family were on the brink of destruction, even if I may not be able to maintain it here, I wouldn’t let my daughter become a pawn to revitalize the Wen Family. My daughter is just my daughter."

Wen Yongwei looked at Shen Zhaoli, his appreciation intense, "You remind me of myself when I was younger, only you’re less experienced in matters of the heart. Love has nothing to do with reason."

Before sitting down with Wen Yongwei, Shen Zhaoli had no deep understanding of the man, simply assuming he was driven by profit.

But at this moment, Shen Zhaoli realized, maybe that wasn’t the case.

He suddenly understood why Wen Jiao was different from other women; she had a father who loved her wholeheartedly.

"Mr. Wen, I understand your words. May I have one hour? I have something I wish to discuss with Wen Jiao."

Wen Yongwei was startled for a moment and asked, "What do you want to say?"

"After one hour, you will know. Would it be convenient for her to come down?"

Wen Yongwei’s smile was playful, "Do you really think one hour is enough to change Wen Jiao’s mind and make her marry you?"

"Why not?" Shen Zhaoli smiled.

When Wen Jiao came downstairs, she had already changed into pajamas.

Seeing Shen Zhaoli, she first frowned and then angrily took a seat.

"Why haven’t you left? I’ve told you, even if we had to sleep on the floor, there’s no place for you here."

Shen Zhaoli looked at Wen Jiao and said under Wen Yongwei’s watchful gaze, with a gentle voice: "I’ve just proposed to your father that I wish to marry you."

"You..."

"Don’t worry, your father didn’t agree. He loves you very much. All decisions prioritize your feelings," Shen Zhaoli said calmly.

Wen Jiao was unsure, anxiously looking at him, "What are you trying to say?"

"Wen Jiao, do you think that in three years, you can become like Bian Yue today, capable of standing on your own? Can you support the Wen Group?" Shen Zhaoli looked at Wen Jiao with a sharp question, "Can you really hold up the family business?"

Wen Jiao was caught off guard, her expression changing, clearly at a loss.

"What does this have to do with you?"

"Your father is 68 this year. Under normal circumstances, he would have retired. Wen Jiao, he has been supporting the Wen Group because he loves you, allowing you to grow up carefree," he said, his tone calm, "But now, isn’t it time for you to truly grow up?"

"Shen Zhaoli..."

"I know you don’t like me. It’s very difficult for one to fall in love with a person. With Wei Shuqian in your heart, it won’t be easy to forget him, but Wen Jiao, you can’t live on memories for the rest of your life," Shen Zhaoli quietly looked at Wen Jiao’s pale face under the light, his voice still soft, "Marrying me, you might not fall in love with me, but I promise you loyalty and I can stand guard for your father over the Wen Family."

Wen Jiao thought, in fact, Shen Zhaoli had always been letting her have her way.

He is the true negotiation expert. If he wanted, she would have been defeated long ago. Those so-called verbal skills were nothing but his choice not to take her seriously.

Wen Jiao understood all the undertones of Shen Zhaoli’s words.

She knew about people mocking the failed marriage between Wei Shuqian and the Wen Family.

She knew about the difficulties Wen Yongwei had faced over the years, his powerlessness.

She lived flamboyantly and carefree because someone else was shouldering it all for her.

She knew it all.

In a daze, Shen Zhaoli had already approached her.

He looked down at her, speaking in a soft and slow voice: "Wen Jiao, I am your best solution. Aside from love, whatever you want, I can fulfill."

When Bian Yue woke up, she saw Shen Zhaoli there as well.

He was sitting at the dining table in the lobby, opposite Shen Jinci, chatting.

"I’ve decided to marry Wen Jiao," Shen Zhaoli sipped his coffee lightly and said indifferently: "After Bian Shu’s funeral, we will marry as soon as possible. I plan to keep the wedding simple, and after it’s over, I want to go on a honeymoon."

"Ah, congratulations."

Bian Yue stood not far away, her eyes filled with shock, feeling as if she had misheard.

Just a nap, and such a big event had occurred.

"You and Wen Jiao are getting married?" Bian Yue walked over to Shen Zhaoli in shock, "Since when have you two been together?"

"We’ve never been together," Shen Zhaoli smiled, relaxed, "Bian Yue, I’m someone who likes challenges. Wen Jiao is a challenging conquest, and I am very interested."

Shen Jinci gently held Bian Yue’s hand, his finger bones warm, softly saying: "Yueyue, let’s eat first."

Bian Yue had no appetite, she ate distractedly until she saw Wen Jiao, her mind elsewhere.

Wen Jiao was looking through a wedding planning book, sitting calmly in front of Bian Yue.

Bian Yue looked at her with surprise, "How did you end up with Shen Zhaoli?"

"We match well," Wen Jiao looked up at Bian Yue, as if matter-of-factly, "I think he’s quite suitable."