Girl, There's Something Wrong With You - Chapter 8

After Xing Yuanzhi became the heir to the clan leader, her first proposal was to promote the construction of public facilities in the Hejian Xing clan territory.

In short, to build more public baths and toilets.

Although, apart from a certain cleanliness-obsessed girl, most clan members didn’t care much about “being able to bathe anytime and anywhere”… Yet, out of respect for the heir to the clan leader, no one explicitly opposed it.

After all, large-scale infrastructure projects are hard to criticize; they ultimately benefit the clan and the people. So, they decided to give the future clan leader some face.

“Next, I plan to reform the Xing family’s clan affairs system,” Xing Yuanzhi said seriously in the dining room.

“Does the Ground Network plan to open public baths all over Jiankang City?” Cheng Jinyang asked with a smile, “To recreate a little Rome in the east?”

“Of course not,” Xing Yuanzhi frowned. “And, what is Rome?”

“Nothing, go on,” Cheng Jinyang replied.

“Currently, the transportation business of the Ground Network is basically assigned by package system,” Xing Yuanzhi said earnestly. “However, the profitability of the routes is highly related to the location. High-profit routes can make money effortlessly; low-profit ones, no matter how hard they work, can’t earn much.”

“I plan to lower the proportion of transportation business in the Ground Network’s assessment indicators and increase the proportion of intelligence business. This way, the efficiency and income of Ground Network employees will depend more on their own intelligence capabilities rather than the quality of the transportation route they are assigned, which is mostly determined by connections and luck at the initial job allocation.”

“A new official brings in new policies,” Cheng Jinyang said lightly. “Surely, some clan members will think you’re too arrogant, stirring things up right after taking office.”

“So what?” Xing Yuanzhi said coldly. “In a noble family, strength is respected. If they’re unhappy, let them rise to the sixth grade and argue with me.”

Cheng Jinyang: …

Ah Zhi has my golden finger; she’s indeed more confident in her words!

However, the reform of the Hejian Xing clan is naturally not something he, an outsider, should comment on.

Eating and drinking, after a few rounds of wine, Xing Yuanzhi’s face was slightly flushed. Her previously cold and otherworldly temperament now carried a trace of charm, which greatly surprised Cheng Jinyang.

Amazing, it turns out that keeping a cold demeanor usually, but occasionally melting a bit, has such a strikingly attractive contrast.

“Jinyang,” she said softly, coquettishly curling her finger, “come here.”

Cheng Jinyang leaned over, feeling his heartbeat quicken.

However, the expected kiss didn’t fall on his face. Instead, he heard Ah Zhi whisper in his ear:

“Bring the marriage contract and come to my house to propose.”

Cheng Jinyang: ?

He looked at Xing Yuanzhi again, only to see that she had already restored her composed and serious expression.

Want a kiss without being married? Dream on!

“Ahem, alright, alright,” Cheng Jinyang coughed and began to contemplate silently.

Marrying Ah Zhi is certainly no problem.

At the beginning, their engagement was merely an exchange of interests. However, after living together until today, it’s clear that Ah Zhi has already invested her true feelings.

If he were to refuse or delay marriage now, she would definitely turn from love to hate, potentially leading to a full-scale conflict between the Shendu Cheng family and the Hejian Xing family.

The hardest thing to repay is a beauty’s favor. Ah Zhi certainly couldn’t be let down, but what about the other girls?

If he formally engaged with Ah Zhi, the existence of the other girls would become awkward. For instance, if the Xie family came to propose to Miss Wang again, what right and face would he have to stop Wanrou from marrying if he was already engaged?

However, if he didn’t stop it and let the girls marry one by one, it would be impossible.

Pillow talk is the most persuasive; who can guarantee that their hearts wouldn’t gradually lean towards their husbands? If secrets were leaked, and he hadn’t yet reached the fifth grade, it would be a near-catastrophic disaster.

He ate awkwardly, feeling extremely conflicted. Xing Yuanzhi watched him, her eyes filled with a bit more tenderness.

Of course, she knew what Jinyang was worried about and that once they formally got engaged, it would heavily impact their current team.

However, my Jinyang agreed right away, proving he still cares about me.

As for how to deal with the other girls, it’s simple: those willing to be concubines, I, Xing Yuanzhi, am not an unaccommodating wife. After all, it would be very troublesome to lose even one member from the team.

But most of them probably won’t agree. It’s fine if you ladies stay here as long-term guests, but my Jinyang is already married.

You absolutely must not pull, hug, flirt, or be clingy with him. Otherwise, I will use my authority as the matriarch of the Cheng family to have all you shameless hussies thrown out!

Thinking of this, Xing Yuanzhi made up her mind. When the Shendu Cheng family comes to propose, she will expedite the process as quickly as possible.

The geese and lambs for the betrothal gifts have already been bought. When the time comes, they will be sent directly to the Shendu Cheng family, with Jinyang delivering them as the betrothal gift. The matchmaker from the Shendu Cheng family, who has been thoroughly vetted by Sister Yuexian, is a capable woman with clear speech and swift actions. She will come to take the horoscope and leave without any fuss.

After exchanging horoscopes, the next steps are setting the dowry and choosing a date.

The dowry is just for show; anything will do. The bride’s side doesn’t care, so how can the groom’s side delay? The sooner the date, the better, using the impending war as a reason to choose the nearest auspicious day.

As for any other troublemakers, they can be ignored. If anyone dares to cause trouble with my marriage, I’ll issue a notice for “disrupting a wedding” to their family, making their elders take them back!

……….

Commercial Street.

“Speaking of which, it’s been a long time since we sisters have gone shopping together,” Princess Nankang remarked.

“It’s because you’re always busy,” Princess Luling pouted. “Even if you have free time, you always go to see your dear brother first. When do you ever think of me, your real sister?”

“What’s this about dear brother and real sister? Where did you learn such melodramatic words?” Princess Nankang exclaimed in surprise. “Besides, if I don’t have time to find you, can’t you come to see your sister?”

“What for? To be your assistant?” Princess Luling retorted, “Last time you made me help you with data for an entire afternoon! Did you pay me a graduate student’s salary?”

“I can pay you if you want.”

“Get lost! You shameless sister!”

“Then I’ll leave.” Princess Nankang pretended to leave.

“Wait, wait!” Princess Luling quickly stopped her. “It’s all your fault! I almost forgot. Someone used connections to tell me that the Hejian Xing family plans to restart the marriage arrangement with the Shendu Cheng family.”

“Really?” Princess Nankang blinked. “That’s good news!”

“How is that good news?” Princess Luling was speechless.

“Xing Family’s Qingfeng, with her hair like a waterfall and skin like cream. Even I find her captivating, let alone Jinyang,” Princess Nankang laughed. “Or do you think your sister is narrow-minded and a jealous tigress?”