The Long-awaited Mr Han Chapter 3585 Untitled

Ever since Jiang Huaizhou informed Mr. Jiang of Dong Yujie's impending visit, a palpable nervousness had consumed Mr. Jiang for the entire day.

His first course of action was to meticulously clean the house.

While Mr. Jiang was generally diligent in household chores, performing cleaning duties daily, his standards for tidiness were exceptionally high on this particular occasion.

He then proceeded to the local market to procure fresh vegetables, recalling Dong Yujie's culinary preferences from years past.

A silent hope lingered that her tastes had remained consistent.

The preparation of ingredients occupied his entire afternoon, after which he began to anticipate Jiang Huaizhou's arrival, a time previously communicated to him.

Mr. Jiang commenced the preparation of dinner precisely half an hour before the scheduled arrival time.

He deliberately avoided starting too early, fearing the dishes would lose their warmth before Jiang Huaizhou and Dong Yujie even crossed the threshold.

The kitchen hood hummed audibly, creating a cacophony with the sizzle of stir-frying that largely drowned out other external sounds.

Consequently, he found himself frequently pausing his cooking to strain his ears for any noise at the door.

A distant doorbell chime reached him, but his heightened nerves initially convinced him it was a mere auditory illusion.

However, as the ringing persisted, Mr. Jiang promptly extinguished the stove's flame, set aside his spatula, and went to open the door.

Upon seeing Jiang Huaizhou and Dong Yujie standing together at the entrance, Mr. Jiang's reaction was noticeably delayed due to his overwhelming nervousness.

"You… you've returned," Mr. Jiang managed to stammer out, his voice laced with anxiety.

He nervously wiped his hands on his apron, then seemed to recall something crucial and quickly urged, "Please, come inside."

"Dad." Dong Yujie offered a greeting, her own voice tinged with apprehension.

Jiang Huaizhou was laden with the gifts Dong Yujie had brought.

He observed the strained atmosphere between Mr. Jiang and Dong Yujie.

Jiang Huaizhou then interjected, "Dad, Yujie brought these presents for you. Shall I place them in the living room for now?"

"Ah. Yes, certainly." Mr. Jiang nodded in agreement.

Jiang Huaizhou proceeded to carry the gifts into the living room.

Mr. Jiang found himself unable to meet Dong Yujie's gaze, a profound sense of apology weighing on him.

He felt a deep regret towards Dong Yujie.

"Was there… a traffic jam?" Mr. Jiang inquired tentatively.

"Yes, there was a traffic jam, which is why we are a bit late," Dong Yujie replied.

"That's perfectly fine. It's alright. I anticipated potential traffic delays, which is precisely why I didn't initiate cooking too early," Mr. Jiang explained. "This is just how it is in B City. The traffic congestion continues to worsen. Even the stringent license plate restrictions and the lottery system for vehicle registration have failed to alleviate this persistent problem."

"Please, take a seat. Dinner will be ready shortly," Mr. Jiang instructed.

"Allow me to assist," Dong Yujie offered.

"There's absolutely no need," Mr. Jiang responded swiftly. "I'm nearly finished. Please, just go sit with Huaizhou."

With that, Mr. Jiang retreated back into the kitchen.

Dong Yujie joined Jiang Huaizhou in the living room. Jiang Huaizhou smiled and asked, "So? Dad's demeanor wasn't too bad, was it?"

Dong Yujie let out a sigh of relief and whispered, "Dad has let go of his reservations. At the very least, he won't try to prevent us from dating anymore."

Jiang Huaizhou nodded, a smile gracing his lips.

Not long after, Mr. Jiang emerged from the kitchen, carrying a steaming dish, which he placed on the dining table.

Both Dong Yujie and Jiang Huaizhou promptly moved to help arrange the remaining dishes.

Although Mr. Jiang initially resisted their assistance, he eventually relented.

The three of them finished setting the table before finally taking their seats.

"Since you'll be driving tonight, I won't be serving any alcohol," Mr. Jiang stated.

"Understood," Jiang Huaizhou replied with a smile, nodding.

"To this..." Mr. Jiang raised his wine glass.

While Jiang Huaizhou and Dong Yujie abstained from alcohol, they poured themselves glasses of juice.

"Let's toast to Yujie's return tonight. Congratulations to both of you on becoming a couple," Mr. Jiang declared.

Dong Yujie looked at Mr. Jiang with genuine surprise.

Nevertheless, she clinked her glass with those of Jiang Huaizhou and Mr. Jiang.

"Please, try the food," Mr. Jiang prompted. "My cooking skills have significantly improved since my last meal."

Previously, Mrs. Dong had always been the one preparing meals.

Ever since their separation, Mr. Jiang had been compelled to manage his own culinary needs.

He practiced diligently, and while his skills might not have been exceptional, they had become quite adequate.

"Yujie," Mr. Jiang eventually said, his voice heavy with emotion. "I… I know that it was because of me that you..."

"Not at all," Dong Yujie quickly interjected. "I simply desired to travel and experience some new surroundings. It had nothing to do with you."

"I must have been one of the contributing factors," Mr. Jiang countered when Dong Yujie attempted to dismiss his involvement. "Don't be so quick to disagree. I was fully aware of the situation."

"I deeply regretted my actions after you departed," Mr. Jiang confessed. "After you left, I spent countless days lamenting my decision, wishing I hadn't intervened and stopped the two of you back then."

"Even though I didn't perceive it back then, my demeanor must have caused you pain. I was oblivious to how I acted and the way I regarded you."

"At that time, my sole thought was that I'd agree to anything to have you back. No matter the obstacle, I was prepared to accept it," Mr. Jiang stated, taking a drink.

He let out a sigh and continued, "Your mother intended to initiate a divorce later to make way for the two of you. I was aware of this. My acquiescence stemmed from my desire for your swift return and the hope that no regrets would linger between you two."

"Dad." Dong Yujie softly called out.

Mr. Jiang then offered a smile and remarked, "It is appropriate that you address me as Dad. There is no need to alter this form of address."

A sense of guilt washed over Dong Yujie as she gazed at Mr. Jiang.

Mr. Jiang gently said, "Please do not look at me with such a guilty expression. You bear no obligation to me. On the contrary, it is I who have wronged you."

"I was the one who proved inadequate, placing undue importance on my reputation above all else," Mr. Jiang asserted, taking another substantial drink.

Fueled by the alcohol, Mr. Jiang articulated sentiments he typically kept suppressed. "Now that you have reconciled, the two of you should build a harmonious life together."

"I will refrain from interfering in any matters. Every endeavor I attempted to control resulted in unfavorable outcomes. My interventions only served to create further complications," Mr. Jiang confessed, adding, "Your sole focus should be on living a good life together."

Dong Yujie found herself taken aback by these pronouncements from Mr. Jiang.

While she had anticipated his eventual acceptance, she had assumed he would still harbor some reservations.

And she had foreseen needing to allow him ample time to come to terms with the situation on his own.

However, Mr. Jiang's complete embrace of their relationship was unexpected.

Consequently, the meal proceeded without any lingering tension for Dong Yujie.

"Dad, I am truly grateful," Dong Yujie expressed.

Mr. Jiang smiled warmly and suggested, "We ought to arrange a family gathering for a meal soon."

"Dad, though I haven't yet shared this news with you," Jiang Huaizhou began, "I have already proposed to Yujie."

Mr. Jiang paused, momentarily stunned.

He harbored no objections whatsoever.

His sentiment mirrored that of Dong Yujie and Mrs. Dong; he had not anticipated Jiang Huaizhou's proposal so soon after their reunion.

"My circumstances differ from Yujie's in that we share a prolonged history. While we were not a couple previously, our acquaintance runs deeper than that of typical pairs," Jiang Huaizhou explained.

"Therefore, the conventional period of courtship to ascertain compatibility before marriage is unnecessary for us," Jiang Huaizhou continued.

"And what was Yujie's reply?" Mr. Jiang inquired, looking at Dong Yujie with a gentle smile.

"I accepted," Dong Yujie confirmed. "Given our present circumstances, there is no advantage in postponing matrimony further."

"Moreover, we have endured so much together," Jiang Huaizhou added. "And now that we are finally united, my greatest desire is to marry her. I will not find peace of mind until that day arrives. Without it, I fear I will be plagued by anxiety, constantly worried that circumstances might abruptly change."