Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2408 - 2344: Does He Like Me?

Previously on Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s...

Chiang Xiao checked on Liu Guoying the next morning and was relieved to learn he felt refreshed after the previous night's events, confirming Hu Xiangyong had only drawn a small amount of his blood. Puzzled by Hu's swift method involving a ring and his apparent lack of fear over exposing his role in shooting Tyrant Meng, she pondered his insidious motives and considered seeking out Tyrant Meng, though his confinement in the Enclosed Camp made it impossible. Feeling guilty about her father's solitary efforts in D State, she headed to visit Chen Kaijin at District Three Hospital but was intercepted by Ji Yuzhi on the playground. They sat by the uneven bars, where Ji Yuzhi, admitting her desire to find a marriage partner, asked Chiang Xiao's opinion of Hu Xiangyong.

So?

Why not just seek out a dependable man to wed? Why tangle yourself up with a guy like Hu Xiangyong?

Ji Yuzhi was quite attractive too, and she held a solid position at work. Given her qualities, landing a suitable match ought to be straightforward.

Perhaps her expectations were simply set too lofty.

Jiang Xiao pondered this silently, realizing it wouldn't do to voice it directly to Ji Yuzhi.

Their acquaintance was too shallow from the start, hardly qualifying as friendship.

As mere administrative personnel at the school, Ji Yuzhi didn't even fit into a student-teacher dynamic with her.

Moreover, Jiang Xiao lacked deep insight into Ji Yuzhi's life; a subtle hint might backfire if it reached Hu Xiangyong's ears.

Thus, she simply sealed her lips.

"I believe Mr. Hu's background is truly impressive. I inquired about it—he mentioned a brief marriage in the past, lasting only half a year. His wife succumbed to illness, leaving him solitary ever since."

Succumbed to illness?

Strangely, this detail sparked an immediate wave of doubt in Jiang Xiao's mind.

At thirty-two years old—assuming that was accurate, which aligned with his looks—Hu Xiangyong would surely have tied the knot by now.

Yet, peculiarities surrounding him hardly came as a shock.

In fact, Jiang Xiao wondered if he'd ever actually wed at all.

Should a marriage have occurred, questions lingered about his wife's fate—whether she lived, or if illness truly claimed her.

"Oh."

"Oh?" Ji Yuzhi shot her a look and remarked, "How peculiar that I'm confiding this in you, a young lady like myself. Perhaps it's because we encountered him together that day, making it feel right to chat about. Jiang Xiao, you still haven't responded—what's your view on Mr. Hu?"

Jiang Xiao paused briefly before replying, "Bearded heavily, and affluent."

"Pff."

Ji Yuzhi couldn't suppress a sudden chuckle.

Her amusement lingered for some time, after which she lightly tapped Jiang Xiao's forehead with a finger. "You're quite the character, Jiang Xiao."

Bearded heavily?

Affluent?

Was that the sort of answer she'd sought?

"Beyond those traits, got nothing else to add?"

"Nope, since I barely know the man, what more can I offer?"

"Fair enough, yet don't you find him open-handed and direct? He shelled out such a generous sum for your artwork, after all."

Jiang Xiao resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"On that note, could you pass along to him that I must decline his request for the portrait commission? If it's just the scenery from that snapshot he desires, I'll handle it—for fifty thousand."

Ji Yuzhi's eyes bulged in surprise. "Why? You'd accept fifty thousand but not ten?"

She genuinely failed to grasp it.

Jiang Xiao shook her head. "I won't because I refuse to sell self-portraits of myself."

"But why?"

"No particular cause; I simply dislike the idea of my likeness displayed on some wall for countless unfamiliar eyes."

Jiang Xiao saw no folly in her stance.

"Still, fifty thousand..."

"My worth exceeds fifty thousand." Jiang Xiao offered a faint smile as she rose. "Teacher Ji, I've got matters to attend to, so I'll head out now."

"Hold on, Jiang Xiao."

Ji Yuzhi hesitated, gazing at her, then yielded to curiosity. "In your eyes, does Mr. Hu seem interested in me?"

At that, Jiang Xiao finally rolled her eyes for real.