Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2575 - 2511: Heartbroken Like a Knife

"Are you insane? Why refuse it? You rascal, what's running through your head?" Rage boiled in Old Meng as he swung his hand to slap the youth's back.

A resounding smack rang out, with Old Meng applying genuine strength on this occasion.

Yet Meng Xinian gritted his teeth and took it.

Face clouded in gloom, he declared, "I see through your worries. Isn't it solely because I'm the last Meng heir? Tell me, do you fear my death on the battlefield, or a wound so grave it ends our bloodline?"

"Isn't that merely for safety's sake?" Old Meng's fury made his temples pound fiercely.

"Naturally, we'd prefer you unscathed. Everyone prays for your well-being, yet you must face the 'what ifs,' understand? Those without lovers lack options, but you and Little share a bright future—marriage, children ahead. Where's the issue?"

Without certainty from him and Chiang Xiao, he wouldn't press the issue.

Still, their wedding was set for August 27th—what real change was there?

So why hold back now?

"I simply won't consent. True, you're wary of 'what ifs,' and so am I." Meng Xinian replied, "Should that 'what if' strike and I perish, would you condemn Little to lifelong solitude over me? That's unjust to her."

"What nonsense is this?"

Old Meng's anger flared once more.

"Should disaster befall you, couldn't Little seek another later?"

"Once she's shared my life... how can you guarantee no one scorns her? Alright, I admit, nobody would scorn her."

Truthfully, voicing such words pained Meng Xinian deeply. He loathed it, yet necessity forced him with Old Meng.

"Nobody would scorn her, but I refuse it. I can't bear her bearing my memories into another's embrace afterward."

Indeed, imagining Chiang Xiaoxiao in some other man's arms, smiling at him, blushing for him...

It tore Meng Xinian apart inside.

Uttering those lines shredded his heart like knives.

Thus, he vowed to return whole and safe.

"Who claims you'll face peril? Nobody expects mishap for you." Old Meng intoned gravely.

Not a soul among them desired harm to come his way.

"If danger's unlikely for me, why not wait for my return?"

"And if wounds cripple you?" Old Meng fretted. Tales abounded of battlefield maimings that doomed family lines.

"Injuries? I'll heal upon return. Even if incurable, kids matter little. If Little accepts, we'll share life as is forever. Curable? We'll have heirs post-recovery, correct?"

"You, you, you—aiming to send me to my deathbed?"

Old Meng reached total exasperation.

Securing Chiang Xiao's consent had taken immense effort, yet this boy now balked?

"Grandpa, Little and I settled it already. We'll handle all after my return," Meng Xinian soothed his voice. "Rest easy—I'll return safely."

"But you two obviously planned to..."

"Enough on this. My answer stays no." Meng Xinian rose. "Enjoy your tea; I'll assist Little."

As he departed, Old Meng heaved a deep, weary sigh.

Madness was closing in on him for real.