Chapter 479 — The Kang Family Proposes Marriage (Part Two)
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
So, having received this investigative report, Wang Xuben no longer opposed the match. Where else could one find such a good son-in-law? Not only a fine scholar but a man of fine character, and, most important of all, of fine family! With the support of the miraculous physician Kang, could his chain of pharmaceutical stores ever fail to flourish?
"Is that so... but Xiaoyan doesn't like him, and they've never even met — where is the foundation of affection?" Xiao Qinlin knew enough of Kang Jinglong's good character not to refuse outright, but at the thought that her daughter felt nothing for him, she still hesitated.
"Can affection not be cultivated? Besides, this is only an engagement — if it truly proves unsuitable later, the betrothal can be broken!" Xiao Ben said. "For now it is merely under the name of a marriage alliance, each side securing a little benefit. Let the two young people meet first; who knows but that affection may follow!"
"I suppose so..." Xiao Qinlin reflected that her second brother's words were not without reason. An engagement was not a marriage, after all; let the children meet and see. If it worked out, they would stay together; if not, then the betrothal could be broken.
"That's right — the whole Kang family is waiting outside! Hurry and bring Xinyan out!" Fearing the miraculous physician Kang might grow impatient, Xiao Ben urged her on.
"Very well, then!" Xiao Qinlin went into the inner room, and after a moment pushed out a wooden-faced Wang Xinyan.
Wang Xinyan could not understand how her parents had been persuaded by her two uncles. To have her engaged to a man she had never met?
Though her father had set out any number of reasons, and spoken of how good, how very good, this Kang Jinglong was, Wang Xinyan simply did not like him. She could never possibly fall in love with a stranger!
"Dad, is your company really so important?" Wang Xinyan raised her head and looked at her father, hoping he might change his mind.
"This..." Wang Xu was somewhat embarrassed, but the company was the lifeblood of his life's work, and he did not want to see it destroyed in a single morning.
"I understand." Wang Xinyan sighed and said faintly, "I can go out with you, but I have not agreed to the engagement."
"All right, let's go out first and talk later. Don't say anything when the time comes — who knows, you might take one look at him and like him!" Xiao Ben said with delight. "Kang Jinglong is a rare young talent!"
"..." Wang Xinyan said nothing more. There was no use saying anything more. Her parents had already agreed to the matter — how was Wang Xinyan to resist? How was she to change it?
But she had no intention of marrying a stranger. It was only an engagement, after all, not a marriage; when the time came she would find a way to escape. Wang Xinyan would absolutely never accept a marriage arranged by her family!
What era was this? That such things as arranged marriages still existed?
Xiao Ben led Wang Xinyan into the great hall of the Xiao family, and Kang Jinglong was instantly captivated by her clear, lovely figure. Though he had never had a girlfriend, that was merely to put on a show before his grandfather; in truth he was quite the lecher at heart and had long been hungry for women.
Now this Wang Xinyan was to be his rightful fiancee, and Kang Jinglong no longer needed to hide anything. However he treated Wang Xinyan, his family would have nothing to say.
Wang Xinyan frowned with some disgust; Kang Jinglong's lust-filled gaze made her very uncomfortable. So this was what they called a young talent? Wang Xinyan felt a measure of contempt — if young talents were all like him, then things really were in a bad way.