Using Marriage as Bait : Extra 19
Extra 19
Lu Wantang went to No. 3 High School to find Jiang Zhouming but couldn’t locate him. By chance, she ran into Jiang Zhouming’s friends, who informed her that he had gone to a nearby park with another man.
Lu Wantang was puzzled. She knew that many girls frequently came looking for Jiang Zhouming, but a man? Since the park wasn’t far away, she decided to take a look. However, just as she reached the park entrance, she ran into her brother, Lu Chengmao, who was walking out of the park.
“Brother?” Lu Wantang was surprised. “What are you doing here?”
Ever since Lu Chengmao joined Changheng, their father’s assistant had been accompanying him. At this moment, the assistant was holding an umbrella for him. Seeing Lu Wantang there, Lu Chengmao didn’t appear too shocked, as he was aware that she often came to this area to look for Jiang Zhouming.
Previously, Lu Chengmao had turned a blind eye to it, but now that he had made his position clear, he didn’t want Lu Wantang to continue associating with Jiang Zhouming.
“Come home with me. Don’t come here again.”
“Why not?”
“Of all the people you could be friends with, why would you choose someone with such poor character?”
Lu Wantang understood immediately. It seemed her brother had come to find Jiang Zhouming today.
“Poor character? Jiang Zhouming doesn’t have poor character.”
“If he doesn’t, then why does he often get into fights and hang out at bars?”
From where Lu Wantang stood, she had a clear view of the park entrance. As soon as Lu Chengmao finished speaking, Jiang Zhouming emerged from inside. He wasn’t using an umbrella, letting the rain fall freely on him. His hair and clothes were already soaked.
Perhaps because of the rain, Lu Wantang thought he looked dispirited. She also noticed his reddened eyes.
He seemed a bit dazed and stopped in his tracks as soon as he saw her. His gaze lingered on her for a long while before he seemed to snap out of it. Then he flashed her a carefree smile, one that masked his true feelings.
Seeing him like this made Lu Wantang’s heart ache. She knew he always pretended to be indifferent, but his forced nonchalance only made him seem even more pitiable.
“Didn’t you hear me? Let’s go,” Lu Chengmao urged.
Snapping back to reality, Lu Wantang blurted out, “I’m not leaving.”
It was probably the first time she had directly gone against her brother. Even Lu Chengmao was taken aback. His voice deepened as he asked, “Lu Wantang, what are you thinking?”
“You should go home first, brother. I’ll be back soon.”
Without waiting for a reply, Lu Wantang rushed toward Jiang Zhouming, holding up her umbrella for him and handing him a tissue. Jiang Zhouming stared blankly at her actions but didn’t take the tissue.
Not forcing him, Lu Wantang tiptoed to wipe the rainwater off his face.
“Why didn’t you go with your brother?” he asked.
His voice was hoarse, sounding as though a dead bird had lodged in his throat. It pained Lu Wantang to hear. She asked, “What did my brother say to you?”
“Nothing,” he replied with a careless smile. “Just some advice from a concerned brother.”
Jiang Zhouming wasn’t someone who easily showed his emotions. He often put on a facade of indifference. But when he did appear upset, it meant he was truly hurting.
She could tell he wasn’t doing well—far from it. Her brother must have said something harsh.
Grasping his hand, Lu Wantang said, “Jiang Zhouming, it’s okay. You don’t have to listen to my brother. He’s my brother, and I’m me. His opinions don’t represent mine.”
Jiang Zhouming looked down at their joined hands and smiled. But his reddened eyes became even more apparent. “Lu Wantang, don’t come looking for me anymore.”
“Why?”
“Your brother made it very clear today. His stance reflects your family’s stance. It’s obvious that your family doesn’t want you to be friends with me. Are you really willing to fall out with your family over me?”
“......”
Lu Wantang lowered her head. Jiang Zhouming let out a bitter laugh and pulled his hand away. “Go home, Lu Wantang. Don’t make your brother worry.”
Lu Wantang suddenly looked up. “Jiang Zhouming, can you wait until I’m independent? Once I’m independent, no one can control me anymore.”
Jiang Zhouming didn’t respond. His lips curved into a faint, bitter smile.
He took a step back, stepping into the rain. Raindrops hit his face as he said, “Go home, Lu Wantang. Stop looking for me.”
Then he turned and left, walking quickly into the rain without hesitation. The downpour made the air hazy, and his figure soon disappeared into the misty rain.
Lu Chengmao hadn’t left. He had been sitting quietly in the car, waiting. When he saw Lu Wantang approaching, he signaled the driver to pull over.
“Get in.”
Hearing his voice, Lu Wantang glanced at him before getting into the car. Lu Chengmao noticed her low spirits and wanted to ask her about it. However, her expression clearly showed she didn’t want to talk, and since Lu Chengmao wasn’t one to press for answers, they rode home in silence.
When the car stopped, she got out first. When the elevator arrived, she entered without waiting for him.
Lu Chengmao’s younger sister had always been close to him. She had never been so cold toward him. Not just today—she ignored him for days afterward. Even when he spoke to her, she didn’t respond.
Lu Chengmao couldn’t understand. Was Jiang Zhouming so important that he outweighed her own brother?
This strange atmosphere between the siblings didn’t escape Lin Xiyu’s notice. She called Lu Chengmao over to ask what had happened, and he explained briefly.
“I just don’t get it. What’s so good about being friends with someone like Jiang Zhouming?”
Lin Xiyu chuckled and said, “Your sister is growing up and forming her own thoughts.”
“She’s still a minor. How mature could she possibly be? Can she even tell right from wrong?”
“She may still be a minor, but she has the right to choose her friends.”
“Mom, would you really be okay with her being friends with someone like Jiang Zhouming?”
“Of course, I wouldn’t. But if that’s what she wants, I won’t interfere.”
Lu Chengmao’s face darkened, and he fell silent.
“Chengmao, you know, I had an older brother once. Not a biological one—your grandparents almost adopted him. Back then, he tried to ‘look out for me’ and stop me from being with your father. At first, I was happy to reunite with him, but I eventually grew to resent him. Even if he were my real brother, he had no right to interfere in my life.”
Lu Chengmao’s expression flickered. After a moment of silence, he asked, “You haven’t kept in touch with him?”
“No, otherwise you’d know about him.”
Lu Chengmao didn’t speak for a long time. Lin Xiyu continued, “Some things you have to think through yourself. Although Tangtang is still young, she’s not a child anymore. She has her own thoughts. As her brother, you can guide her but don’t force her to accept your advice. Even the closest siblings can drift apart that way.”
Lu Chengmao nodded. “I understand.”
That day, as Lu Wantang returned home, she saw a gift box placed on the table. Inside was a note with neatly written words:
“Sorry, I was wrong.”
The gift was from her brother—an anime-themed necklace. As expected of her brother, he knew exactly what she liked.
Receiving the gift made Lu Wantang genuinely happy. Although she had been angry with her brother, her anger dissipated the moment she saw the gift.
She wanted to thank him and ran out of her room, coincidentally bumping into Lu Chengmao as he emerged from the study. Lu Wantang playfully blinked at him and said, “Thanks, brother.”
Lu Chengmao smiled in return. “You're welcome.”
And just like that, the siblings reconciled.
However, while the siblings were back on good terms, Lu Wantang and Jiang Zhouming had not been in touch. She could tell Jiang Zhouming was avoiding her. When she tried to chat with him, he barely replied; when she asked him to meet up, he always found an excuse to decline.
Now in her final year of high school, with heavy workloads and tight schedules, Lu Wantang decided to focus on her studies and aim for admission to a better university. She didn’t have much time to address the issue with Jiang Zhouming.
Time passed until her 18th birthday. She invited her close friends to celebrate. Mr. and Mrs. Lu, understanding that it was her coming-of-age day, indulged her completely, giving her as much money as she wanted and wishing her a happy time.
Lu Wantang and her friends went to Absolute Bar, knowing that Jiang Zhouming would likely be there. She hoped to use the occasion to reconcile with him.
But she didn’t expect to witness this scene.
Jiang Zhouming, as the owner of Absolute, had a reserved seat near the entrance. As soon as she walked in, she spotted him. Unlike usual, where he would sit alone on the large sofa, this time, a girl dressed provocatively was seated beside him. She leaned into him, feeding him drinks. Jiang Zhouming had his arm draped over her shoulders, casually drinking the wine she brought to his lips. The scene resembled an ancient emperor indulging with his consort.
Jiang Zhouming quickly noticed her at the door. He waved a hand at her, as if greeting her. Lu Wantang couldn’t quite describe her emotions—she felt an impulse to rush over, separate the two of them, and scratch Jiang Zhouming’s face. His behavior seemed deliberately provocative, as if he was trying to upset her.
She coldly shifted her gaze and led her friends to a table. Sitting down, she deliberately ordered a large amount of alcohol, speaking loudly to ensure Jiang Zhouming could hear.
Jiang Zhouming, look. I’m ordering alcohol. I’m going to drink.
In the past, Jiang Zhouming always disapproved of her drinking, but this time, no matter how long she waited, he didn’t intervene. He continued to cuddle the girl, letting her feed him.
Lu Wantang drank too much. During the night, a few men approached her, trying to flirt. Remembering the woman with Jiang Zhouming, she intentionally slid over, leaving space for one of the men to sit beside her. He took the seat and started chatting her up.
She didn’t pay much attention, responding absentmindedly.
Jiang Zhouming had been keeping an eye on her. Seeing this, he frowned and silently cursed her foolishness.
The men were clearly troublemakers. Jiang Zhouming, familiar with such scenes, noticed one of them slipping something into her drink. His sharp eyes caught the move instantly.
Without hesitation, Jiang Zhouming shoved the woman beside him away and called over some bar staff. He whispered instructions, and the staff quickly moved to Lu Wantang’s table, escorting the men to the back and discreetly removing the drugged drink.
Lu Wantang and her friends, a group of freshly minted adults, couldn’t hold their liquor. After only two bottles, they were already drunk and sprawled over the seats.
Jiang Zhouming had people watch over them and then called Lu Chengmao. Before long, Lu Chengmao arrived, helping Lu Wantang up and arranging for his assistant to send the other girls home.
As Lu Chengmao fastened Lu Wantang’s seatbelt, a tipsy girl approached him with a dreamy expression.
“Brother Chengmao,” she called softly.
“Why haven’t you left yet?”
“I asked my driver to wait. There’s something I want to tell you.”
Lu Chengmao had a rough idea of what was coming, but he didn’t ask. He waited patiently.
Even though she was drunk, facing her crush still made her nervous. She bit her lip and wrung her hands before finally summoning the courage to say, “Brother Chengmao, I… I like you.”
Lu Chengmao wasn’t oblivious—he had long noticed the girl’s feelings. But since she hadn’t said anything, he pretended not to know. Now that she had confessed, he felt it necessary to make things clear.
“I’m sorry, Zhang Minmin. You and Tangtang are best friends and close as sisters. As her brother, I’ve only ever seen you as a younger sister too.”
Zhang Minmin stumbled back, as if struck by a heavy blow. Her face, already flushed from drinking, instantly turned pale.
Although she had anticipated this outcome, she couldn’t help but hope. Girls her age were often full of dreams. Even if deep down she knew it might only be a fantasy, she didn’t want to admit it. She wanted to take a chance, to hope that maybe, just maybe, her crush liked her too.
“Zhang Minmin, are you okay?”
The alcohol’s effects quickly faded, replaced by tears she couldn’t stop.
She started crying uncontrollably, sobbing, “I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m doing great.”
She turned and staggered to her waiting car, getting in and finally breaking down into loud, heart-wrenching sobs.
Lu Chengmao, used to rejecting girls, wasn’t fazed. He had done this enough times to become immune.
After leaving with Lu Wantang, Jiang Zhouming headed to a private room in the bar, where the men who had drugged the drinks were being held by the staff.
The leader of the group shouted angrily, “What’s the meaning of this? Why were we brought here?”
Jiang Zhouming stepped forward. Seeing him, the man demanded, “Who are you?”
“I’m the owner of this place.”
“Good. Then you’d better explain what this is about!”
Jiang Zhouming smiled—a warm, gentle smile that reached his clear eyes. His voice, calm and laced with amusement, said, “The reason you’re here is simple: so I can beat you up.”
It was Tangtang’s birthday—her coming-of-age celebration. Yet on such a significant day, she encountered these scumbags. Though the world might not always be kind, Jiang Zhouming wanted Tangtang to live in a beautiful one. And today, of all days, these vile men dared to taint it.
He led his staff in beating the group half to death before calling the police and handing over surveillance footage of them spiking drinks.
Jiang Yan personally came to the police station to pick up Jiang Zhouming.
“Getting into a fight and ending up at the police station? Do you think you’re still a child?”
As soon as they got into the car, Jiang Yan’s calm voice reached his ears. His tone was always like this—indifferent, devoid of any discernible emotion.
Jiang Zhouming let out a cold snort and said nothing.
“Was it for that girl from the Lu family?”
Still silent, but when the Lu family girl was mentioned, there was a fleeting evasiveness in Jiang Zhouming’s gaze. A father knows his son best, and Jiang Yan immediately picked up on the change.
“If you like her, go after her. Fighting in secret for her—who do you think that will impress?”
“Go after her? Do I even deserve to?”
“If you know you’re not worthy, then all the more reason to fight for it.”
“How? Like the way you treated my mom?”
Jiang Yan cast a frosty glance his way. Despite being in his early forties, he looked like a man in his thirties thanks to meticulous grooming. His gaze was chilling and piercing, and many times Jiang Zhouming felt that his father’s eyes resembled those of a dead man—someone who had been dead for a long time. Unavenged, filled with malice toward the world. Only such a person could have such a cold gaze.
“What about the suggestion I gave you last time?”
“I won’t go to the company.” Jiang Zhouming refused without hesitation.
When Jiang Yan was released from prison, everyone thought his life was over. He no longer had a place in the Jiang family. But this man’s cunning exceeded all expectations. He fought his way back into the Jiang family and reclaimed everything that had once been his. Now, he stood atop the family hierarchy again, with former adversaries crushed beneath his feet. Despite the stains on his reputation, no one dared to say a word.
Jiang Yan let out a sinister chuckle. “You don’t fight for what you love but throw your weight around elsewhere. If you think you’re unworthy of the Lu family girl, then make yourself stronger. In this world, strength commands respect. If you can make the Jiang family surpass the Lu family, you’ll have more authority than them. At that point, they’ll look up to you. Who could refuse you anything?”
Jiang Zhouming remained silent, but a flicker of determination appeared in his eyes. Yet soon, he sneered and said, “I don’t want to become someone like you.”
Jiang Yan wasn’t angry; he merely replied coldly, “You really are hopeless.”
Lu Wantang had no idea Jiang Zhouming got into a fight because of her. After a wild night on her birthday, life returned to normal. There was just over a month left until the college entrance exams.
Lu Wantang became unusually quiet for a long time, not just because she was focusing on the exams but also because of what she saw at the bar that night—Jiang Zhouming holding another girl. Since then, she hadn’t sought him out.
Zhang Minmin also became quieter. The once talkative girl who spoke of nothing but Lu Chengmao now refrained from mentioning him altogether.
In the blink of an eye, the college entrance exams were over. After such a long period of tension, everyone could finally relax. Some chose to travel, while others stayed home and indulged in endless sleep.
The day the exams ended, Jiang Zhouming heard a piece of news: Lu Wantang had a boyfriend.
At first, he didn’t believe it, but after investigating, he found it was true. Her boyfriend was the child of a family friend, with an excellent background and impeccable character—someone who seemed like a perfect match for her.
Jiang Zhouming thought he should be happy for her. She had grown up and found a great boyfriend. He should feel joy and offer his blessings.
But for some reason, he felt a heavy weight in his heart. Riding his bike around Qi Lake Park, he went lap after lap. The summer heat was oppressive, and he hadn’t prepared for it. The blazing sun made him dizzy, and his lungs felt like they would burst from exhaustion. But he kept going, numb to the strain.
From noon to night, he cycled endlessly. His clothes were soaked with sweat and then dried by the sun, over and over. He parked his bike at the park and sat on the observation deck, staring at the sunset.
This was a place he often came to with Lu Wantang.
She once had a strong aversion to school and often skipped classes. He’d follow her lead, and the two of them would buy snacks from a supermarket and cycle here to watch the sunset.
The lake glowed with a lively red hue, like luxurious silk draped across its surface. The setting sun turned the clouds fiery, while the shaded mountains were steeped in deep blue.
Despite the vivid scene, as he watched the sun dip lower, he felt a sting in his nose. The more he smiled through it, the more tears welled in his eyes.
Today, Lu Wantang wasn’t with him.
She never would be again.
“They say that if you make a wish at the moment the sun sets, it will come true. Jiang Zhouming, what would you wish for?”
“I have no wishes.”
He didn’t believe in wishes and never pinned his hopes on illusions.
But today, as the sun sank below the horizon, he silently wished:
Lu Wantang, may you find happiness.
“Jiang Zhouming.”
A voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts. He turned to see a girl walking toward him along the lakeside promenade.
The sun had already set, but the fiery clouds lingered on the horizon. The red light reflected in his eyes, and for a moment, he thought he was hallucinating.
But when he confirmed it was really her, he instinctively stood up.
Lu Wantang walked up to him, tilting her head as she asked, “What are you doing here, Jiang Zhouming? Were you waiting for me?”
He thought the sun must’ve gotten to his head, making him imagine things. They hadn’t spoken in so long, yet she still teased him so familiarly.
It felt unreal.
“Lu Wantang?” He wasn’t sure.
“Yeah, what? Don’t recognize me?”
“How… are you here?”
She winked at him. “I knew you’d be here, so I came to find you.”
“Find me?”
She had come looking for him. He didn’t know whether to be happy, but then he remembered she had a boyfriend. Self-mockery flickered in his eyes. “Why would you look for me? Won’t your boyfriend get mad?”
“Boyfriend? What boyfriend?”
He stared at her in confusion. Why did she sound so surprised?
“You don’t have a boyfriend?”
“No. Who told you that?”
“......”
Lu Wantang stepped closer and smiled mischievously. “So you thought I had a boyfriend and came here to sulk by yourself?”
“......”
“Jiang Zhouming, you care about me that much?”
She teased him as she always did, delighting in his embarrassment. She hadn’t changed one bit.
Jiang Zhouming didn’t respond for a long time, his emotions in turmoil. Just moments ago, he’d been drowning in heartache, convinced she’d moved on without him.
She had once promised she’d never let him go.
He’d thought he could let her go. He’d thought distancing himself was for her sake. But the moment he believed she’d found someone else, he realized he couldn’t. The pain was unbearable, and he’d wanted nothing more than to beat up the boy she was with.
But now, she told him she had no boyfriend.
An overwhelming sense of relief flooded him. His hands trembled with joy as he tried to steady himself, nodding. “Yeah, I care.”
Lu Wantang laughed, then stretched out her hand. Without hesitation, Jiang Zhouming pulled her into his arms.
He held her tightly, for fear that she would deisappear if he let go.
“Lu Wantang,” he called her name with a trembling voice.
“En?”
“Let’s be together.”
The girl chuckled softly. “Okay.”
Tears welled in Jiang Zhouming’s eyes, but his face lit up with a foolish grin. For the first time, the world felt so beautiful. He felt it in the sweet scent of the grass and trees around him.
No matter how dirty his background, no matter how humble his origins, his heart remained unyielding.
Call it delusional or naive, but he simply wanted to be with her.
He would become stronger, just as Jiang Yan had said. Only by becoming stronger could he earn the approval of the Lu family.
No matter the cost, he was willing to pay it.
Lu Wantang, your Jiang Zhouming won’t let you down.
(The End)
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