Chapter 18: Unexpected

Since the engagement was already agreed to be called off, Ning Ruyun naturally would not let her family’s watch remain in Zhang Lanya’s possession any longer.

At this moment, when mentioning the return of the betrothal token, Ning Ruyun seized upon Zhang Lanya’s stubborn pride as her point of attack. She intended to make Zhang Lanya feel embarrassed to back out in front of their entire family and prevent her from exposing her true greedy nature.

This stubborn pride that causes suffering—seeing Zhang Lanya’s face begin to contort with anger, yet still forcing herself to suppress her fury and maintain a graceful and genteel image, Ning Ruyun smirked inwardly. “Aunt Zhang, it’s not that our family is unwilling to part with that watch, but I have to consider Xiaoxue’s feelings more.”

“If the watch we used as the betrothal token remains with you, Aunt Zhang, and Xiaoxue finds out, I’m afraid she’ll think I still cherish Brother Wei and deliberately want to leave the watch with you to interfere in their relationship. That would cause a huge misunderstanding.”

“Aunt Zhang, if you like the watch, I will buy you one in the future as a gift, but this particular watch holds a special meaning that Xiaoxue understands. It’s better not to keep it with you.”

As she spoke these words, Ning Ruyun kept admiring Zhang Lanya’s twisted expression, her efforts to hold back the anger evident.

Zhang Lanya valued her pride so much that this time, Ning Ruyun could just take back the watch and simultaneously make Zhang Lanya suffer in silence.

Back when the engagement with Wei Zhitao was arranged, the Wei family had given a silver bracelet, and their family had given that watch.

Although it was a man’s watch meant for Wei Zhitao, Zhang Lanya had always kept it on her person, tucked in her pocket, and whenever possible, would take it out in front of others to flaunt, feeding her vanity.

After all, the watch was a keepsake left by Ning Ruyun’s grandfather, and it was quite valuable.

Zhang Lanya used this watch to show off and received many exclamations and compliments, which pleased her immensely. Naturally, she was reluctant to return it to the Ning family.

At that time, since the marriage had been arranged between her and Wei Zhitao’s grandfather, Ning Ruyun accepted it and gave this watch as the betrothal token for Wei Zhitao’s use without complaint.

But now, since the engagement was being called off, it was only right that the watch be returned to its original owner.

Ning Ruyun knew Zhang Lanya well enough to understand that if she didn’t demand the watch back at the right moment when Zhang Lanya couldn’t refuse, Zhang Lanya would never voluntarily hand it over.

Zhang Lanya was far too practiced in taking advantage of such situations.

Moreover, the watch was Zhang Lanya’s greatest asset for boasting. Without it, she would lose the confidence to flaunt herself before others.

Depriving Zhang Lanya of this opportunity to brag and causing her to lose face would be as painful as cutting into her own flesh.

Yet if Zhang Lanya refused to return it, not only might the marriage never be called off, but her true nature would be exposed before them, which she was unwilling to let happen.

Of course, Ning Ruyun’s words now were all considerate of Feng Qingxue’s interests, which made it hard for Zhang Lanya to outright refuse.

Zhang Lanya still knew what she wanted: for her son Wei Zhitao to marry Feng Qingxue and to call off his engagement to this “ugly” woman.

Besides, if this matter escalated, it would also be detrimental to Wei Zhitao and Feng Qingxue.

Not wanting the matter to blow up, not wanting to lose more face, and not wanting their family’s reputation to suffer, Zhang Lanya had many reservations.

Now, Ning Ruyun cared nothing for false pride and wished to sever all ties with Wei Zhitao and the Wei family, to completely resolve this engagement.

She would not forget this point, nor would she give Zhang Lanya the chance to use the watch as leverage later, nor allow her to continue to use it to save face or sell it for money.

Ning Ruyun insisted on forcing Zhang Lanya to return the watch right there and then.

As for the future, since they would have no more dealings, what was there to care about pride?

Hearing Ning Ruyun’s words, Ning Zhengang and Xu Xiuhong remained silent, no longer opposing their daughter’s decision to call off the engagement completely. They hoped the matter would be settled quickly to avoid further complications.

They had already lost trust in Wei Zhitao and Zhang Lanya.

Since Wei Zhitao was no longer a suitable match for their daughter Ning Ruyun, daring to shamelessly fancy Feng Qingxue while still betrothed to Ning Ruyun, and boasting so brazenly, having Zhang Lanya come on their behalf to call off the engagement without showing any respect for their family, they had completely lost hope in both Wei Zhitao and Zhang Lanya and would not try to salvage this engagement.

Moreover, since Zhang Lanya had come specifically to discuss calling off the engagement, it was only right that the betrothal tokens be exchanged back.

That watch had been used as a token out of respect for the engagement. Now that the marriage was off, what was the point of keeping it?

With things as they were, they would never allow themselves to be taken advantage of anymore, nor would they let Zhang Lanya, Wei Zhitao, or that shameless Feng Qingxue benefit at their expense.

With the situation as it was, Xu Xiuhong looked at Zhang Lanya with no warmth left—only indifference.

Zhang Lanya’s original plan had been to use the engagement breakup to make Ning Ruyun refuse, to create conflict, and thereby hold Ning Ruyun hostage.

But she never expected Ning Ruyun’s attitude to change so completely and so quickly, to agree to call off the engagement outright and demand the watch back, leaving no room for retreat.

How could a disfigured woman like Ning Ruyun have the confidence to do this?

This puzzled Zhang Lanya for a moment and only worsened her impression of Ning Ruyun. Looking at Ning Ruyun’s scarred face, she wished she could slap her a few times just to vent her anger.

According to Zhang Lanya’s initial plan, when she came to the Ning household to discuss calling off the engagement, Ning Ruyun should have been crying bitterly, desperate, and completely unwilling to call it off.

That way, Zhang Lanya could have seized the opportunity to demand more conditions, especially to keep the watch, and force the engagement breakup on her terms.

She had long prepared a scheme to manipulate public opinion, planning to take the watch and, after leaving the Ning household, destroy Ning Ruyun’s reputation.

But everything had turned out quite differently.