Chapter 14: Dissatisfaction

Pushing open the courtyard gate and stepping inside, Ning Rujun had already dispelled the coldness from her eyes and composed her expression.

If she was going to turn hostile, she would first handle her own affairs and only then act.

She greeted Zhang Lanya gently, then, feigning ignorance, placed the items she had bought into the kitchen.

No matter what Zhang Lanya’s true intention was this time, or what performance she intended to put on, Ning Rujun was determined to settle this marriage with Wei Zhitao once and for all.

Even if Wei Zhitao had already developed an intimate relationship with Feng Qingxue, or even if they were still in a stage of ambiguous affection, Ning Rujun no longer wanted to insist on this marriage.

With such resentment, it was hard for her to pretend nothing had happened.

A broken mirror, even if mended, would never be truly whole again; it had been shattered.

In her previous life, she had witnessed Wei Zhitao and Feng Qingxue suffer retribution and die miserably; her resentment had lessened, but she was even more unwilling to be with Wei Zhitao.

Since Zhang Lanya had come in person, and the situation with Feng Qingxue was still unclear, she could first handle the matter of breaking off the engagement to avoid further complications.

Regardless of whether Wei Zhitao would ultimately be with Feng Qingxue or not, she did not want to meddle in such a meaningless matter, nor continue to be entangled with a scoundrel like Wei Zhitao.

Even now, thinking of Wei Zhitao stirred a sense of aversion in Ning Rujun’s heart; she did not want to keep anything that would upset her.

Knowing Zhang Lanya was highly concerned with face, Ning Rujun planned to speak to her tactfully, following the hints Zhang Lanya had given, to resolve the broken engagement smoothly.

Lowering her eyelids slightly and using her bangs to shield her gaze, Ning Rujun avoided letting Zhang Lanya see her eyes, instead turning the scarred side of her face toward her.

This gesture was enough to provoke Zhang Lanya into hastening the matter of ending the marriage.

Earlier, seeing Wei Zhitao’s actions by the water had seemed odd to Ning Rujun; she wished this breakup would not become more complicated.

When Zhang Lanya noticed Ning Rujun had returned, she initially wore a polite smile, but when her eyes caught sight of the scars on Ning Rujun’s face, a flash of disdain quickly crossed her expression.

Even before Ning Rujun was disfigured, Zhang Lanya had thought she was unworthy of her son Wei Zhitao; now, disfigured and less beautiful, Ning Rujun was even less so.

By comparison, Zhang Lanya favored Feng Qingxue more.

Though Feng Qingxue had her own schemes, she was not disfigured and was quite attractive, making her easier to control.

Zhang Lanya wanted a daughter-in-law she could manage, one who would bring her son pride when out in public.

Ning Rujun was clearly disqualified.

Yet, in front of Ning Rujun and her family, Zhang Lanya quickly restrained her contempt, adopting a benevolent expression as she smiled and said, “Xiao Jun, I’ve come this time to discuss something with you face to face. Are you free now?”

Zhang Lanya’s straightforward approach to breaking off the engagement made Ning Zhengang and Xu Xiuhong uneasy; they disapproved of her eagerness.

They, too, felt uncertain about the marriage between their daughter Ning Rujun and Wei Zhitao.

The dissatisfaction Zhang Lanya showed before the marriage was already noticeable to them.

If the marriage went ahead and Zhang Lanya remained displeased, she would surely treat Ning Rujun harshly afterward.

They cherished their daughter and did not want her to suffer mistreatment.

Ning Zhengang and Xu Xiuhong wished to hear their daughter’s thoughts before deciding how to proceed.

Suppressing their dissatisfaction and anger, they sat quietly.

Xu Xiuhong held her daughter’s hand for support, hoping Ning Rujun would not feel shy or pressured into making a reluctant decision.

Feeling the concern from both parents and the comforting support from her mother, Ning Rujun’s heart warmed.

She gently patted her mother’s hand to signal she was fine and could handle the conversation with Zhang Lanya.

Obediently, she nodded and said, “Aunt Zhang, I have no other matters now. Please, say what you need to say; I’m listening.”

At this moment, Ning Rujun sat beside her mother Xu Xiuhong, speaking with a slight embarrassment as she lowered her head a little, continuing to show the scarred side of her face to Zhang Lanya.

This scene naturally deepened Zhang Lanya’s dissatisfaction.

Especially since Ning Rujun’s scars were so unsightly, the more Zhang Lanya looked, the more disdainful she became, further strengthening her resolve to end the engagement.

Otherwise, if her son truly married Ning Rujun, she feared being ridiculed and pointed at by others for a while.

With so many girls attracted to her son, Zhang Lanya had options and was least willing to let Ning Rujun become part of the Wei family.

If they did marry, she would not even want to attend the wedding banquet.

Of course, barring any unforeseen circumstances, she would absolutely not allow this marriage to be completed.

Her son Wei Zhitao was obedient; since there was still a chance to break off the engagement, they must seize it.

Once the breakup with Ning Rujun was successful, she would discuss with her son how to propose to the Feng family and quickly marry off Wei Zhitao to Feng Qingxue, settling her own concerns.

Still, coming to the Ning family this time to break the engagement, Zhang Lanya felt somewhat guilty.

The Ning family had always treated the Wei family well, helping the widow and orphan in many ways as in-laws.

To break the engagement so abruptly risked turning them into enemies.

To avoid the worst outcome, Zhang Lanya restrained her true temper and negotiated with the Ning family in a measured manner, hoping that after ending the engagement, they could continue to maintain cordial relations and support one another.

Suppressing her dissatisfaction and disdain, Zhang Lanya forced herself to ignore the scars on Ning Rujun’s face and smiled warmly.

“Xiao Jun, I’ve come to talk to you about your marriage to Xiao Tao.”

“Xiao Tao has probably already told you this, hasn’t he? He really likes Xiao Xue and only wants to marry her. As for you, he only feels sibling affection and has always regarded you as a little sister, with no romantic feelings.”

“Auntie also knows that when our elders arranged this marriage, it was unfair to both you and Xiao Tao. They didn’t ask for your opinions and made the decision without giving you any choice. That was very wrong.”