Since the duo made their way out of Nan Zhengde’s study room, Bai Hua almost burst into laughter; she could barely hold back her joy.
She couldn’t believe she managed to achieve the plan she had in mind without any problem.
Losing herself in the process of thought, she started imagining her life after Nan Chen got married to Ouyang Qing. Soon, she would become Ouyang Qing’s mother-in-law, a woman affiliated with the Ouyang family.
Indirectly, she would be known as the representative of the Nan family and the Ouyang family. Apart from that, her identity as Nan Chen’s mother and Ouyang Qing’s mother-in-law would put her in a superior position amongst those from the upper echelon.
In short, she had emerged victorious without doing anything.
Nan Zhiyuan and Bai Hua had gotten married for years. Therefore, he could read his wife like a book.
“See? I have given you the opportunity to bring it up in front of Dad because I want you to take the credits.” Nan Zhiyuan tried to please his wife.
“Are you kidding me? Do you think I’m a fool? You’re the one who wants me to take the blame on your behalf if thing heads south!” Bai Hua was aware of his husband’s petty scheme all along.
“That has never been part of my plan. Initially, I was afraid Dad would turn you down. If that had been the case, I would try my best to persuade him to change his mind. However, there was nothing you could do to change his mind if he turned me down after I brought it up in front of him.”
“That’s enough, Nan Zhiyuan! Stop lying to me! Thankfully, he has given in to the proposal! To be honest, I didn’t expect he would agree to the proposal at all!”
“I can’t figure out the rationale behind his decision either. After all, he was the one who insisted on staying out of the youngsters’ way because he wanted them to choose their spouse on their own. I must say I’m surprised because he has given in to our request without a second thought.” Nan Zhiyuan expressed his point of view.
“Perhaps he has changed his mind since he’s getting old? No matter what, we should be grateful. I can finally revert back to Ouyang Qing!” Bai Hua got pumped up as she stated.
It was getting late, yet Nan Chen was nowhere to be seen because he had to work overtime again. Nan Zhengde instructed the butler to summon his grandson home immediately.
Coincidentally, Nan Chen had something to report to his grandfather regarding the construction of South City in Vietnam.
Nan Chen told his grandfather after he returned home, “Wang Shoucai had reached out to Nan Xing and proposed a solution. He told him Ouyang Duo would be able to resolve the issue.”
“How did things turn out in the end?”
“I have already put Nan Xing in charge of the negotiation. I told him to get Wang Shoucai to be the middleman between both parties, but he had turned Nan Xing down. He said he was in no position to meddle with the affair of both families when he was merely an ex-schoolmate of Ouyang Duo. The proposal was the only thing he had to offer.”
“How did things go on Nan Xing’s end?”
“Nan Xing dropped by to visit Ouyang Duo, but the latter wasn’t around as his secretary claimed he had traveled abroad for a trip. Therefore, they didn’t have a proper meet up.”
Nan Zhengde got up from his seat and paced back and forth. In the end, he asked, “What do you think?”
“Perhaps Ouyang Duo has something in his mind. In fact, I don’t think he’s abroad. It seems as though he wants us to prove our sincerity and offer him a certain something. I believe he will be ‘back’ the moment we offer him the thing he’s looking for.”
Nan Zhengde nodded and affirmed Nan Chen of his thoughts, “You’re right.”
“I can’t figure out the things he’s coming after. What do you think, Grandpa?”
“You’re the one they’re coming after,” Nan Zhengde stated.
“Me?”
“Yes. He doesn’t want to deal with Nan Xing. Instead, Ouyang Duo wants you to visit him and strike a deal with him. I believe he wants you to owe him a favor.”
Silently, Nan Chen paced back and forth in a similar manner.
“Nan Xing has the right to represent the Nan family as well. Why does it have to be me? Does Ouyang Duo wants to be regarded highly by others?”
“In the afternoon, Bai Hua and Nan Zhiyuan dropped by. Do you want to take a guess at the content of our conversation?”
“I don’t know. What did you guys talk about?”
“Those from the Ouyang family have proposed on behalf of Ouyang Qing. They want both of you to get married.”
Nan Chen was taken aback by his grandfather’s words.
“A marriage proposal?”
“It wasn’t an official proposal, but they made themselves clear of their wish to be affiliated with the Nan family. However, they weren’t in a hurry to rush both of you to get married either.”
Nan Chen was shocked because he didn’t see this coming.
Although he was aware of the affection Ouyang Qing had for him, it seemed impossible for her to initiate the proposal.
After all, she was a member of the renowned Ouyang family. She couldn’t possibly cast her dignity aside.
“Care to share your opinion with me?” Nan Zhengde probed because his grandson had remained silent for some time.
“Grandpa, do you think the proposal is related to the incident that has occurred in Vietnam?” Nan Chen asked in return.
Nan Zhengde shook his head and replied, “I can’t be certain.”
Nan Chen lost himself in the process of thought once again.
His grandfather added, “The Ouyang family is an equally renowned family. Ouyang Qing is a talented and good-looking lady who has graduated from a renowned institution. Therefore, I don’t think they’re trying to force you into submission by doing you a favor.”
Nan Chen shared a similar thought with his grandfather because he had encountered Ouyang Qing more than once before this.
She was a gorgeous woman from a wealthy family. Thus, she was popular amongst the heirs from different families.
A lot of men tried to court her. As long as she agreed to get into a relationship with any of them, she could easily forge a beneficial relationship with another renowned family.
In short, it didn’t make any sense for Ouyang Duo to resort to such an extreme countermeasure.
“Have you given in to their proposal, Grandpa?”
Nan Zhengde orated, “Do you think I can turn them down when they had made their intention clear? I don’t think I have the right to turn down their proposal even if the project in Vietnam didn’t encounter any sorts of problems. Otherwise, others would consider me slinging mud at them. The Ouyang family has been closely acquainted with the Nan family throughout the years. They have been pretty helpful back in the day. Frankly, I can’t possibly turn them down. In fact, we have nothing to lose either since it’s a great idea to have both families to be in-laws.”
Frowning, Nan Chen confronted, “Am I supposed to give in to their proposal as well, Grandpa?”
Nan Zhengde waved and informed his grandson, “I have never once intended to poke my nose into my children and grandchildren’s lives. This was the reason Nan Zhengde got married to Bai Hua and ended up as such. Previously, I chose to stay out of their marriage. Therefore, I won’t interfere with your life. I have faith in you. I’m sure you’re aware of the consequences of your action and decision.”
“Although I have given in to their proposal, you have never once given your consent. Perhaps those from the Ouyang family think the Nan family is under the guidance of some conservative and backward-thinking old fool. Thus, they might have misunderstood my words as your final decision. However, they’re wrong because I will never interfere with your marriage. I won’t force you to get married to someone you don’t love.”
Nan Chen felt a boulder lifted off his shoulders when he heard Nan Zhengde’s words of assurance.
“What should I do next, Grandpa?”
“I think it’s time for you to visit Ouyang Duo and sort out the problem in Vietnam,” Nan Zhengde blurted out his thought.
“Huh? If I show up in front of him, don’t you think he may misperceive I have agreed to accept their proposal?”
“Are you going to turn down their proposal?” Nan Zhengde asked in return.
“I don’t know because I don’t think I will get married so soon.”
“Is it because of Ning Ran?”
“No,” Nan Chen rebuked his grandfather’s assumption without any hesitation.
Nan Zhengde chuckled and teased, “You don’t have to lie. Although she isn’t the best candidate, she’s the mother of the kids. The fact you have considered getting married to her proves that you are indeed a trustworthy and reliable man.”
“Grandpa, can we put that aside for the time being? I’m trying to tell you I have no intention to get married for now.”
“Do you not want to get married, or do you not want to get married to Ouyang Qing?”
“Neither do I want any of those.”
Ouyang Duo caressed his beard and assured, “You have made yourself pretty clear, but you still have to pay Ouyang Duo a visit. With that being said, I’m afraid I can’t be of much aid as you have to decide on your next best course of action on your own. However, I have faith in you.”
