After Crossing Over to the Republic of China, I've Become a Heartthrob Chapter 40

Marriage Proposal Shura Field

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Returning to Yujiang Pavilion from the hospital and encountering Qiu Hongshang, Shi Yao wondered, since she was so skilled in medicine and could help him regain his memories, could she also help Han Pu wake up?

With her precious son back after much difficulty, Qiu Hongshang would naturally do anything she could to help him.

The next morning, the two of them returned to the hospital, where Qiu Hongshang personally administered acupuncture to Han Pu.

The procedure lasted several hours, with Qiu Hongshang completely focused on her task, and Shi Yao's palms sweating as he watched. But Han Pu did not open his eyes even after the treatment was completed.

Qiu Hongshang put away the medical bag and said to Shi Yao, "Whether he can wake up or not depends on tonight."

So Shi Yao decided to keep watch overnight. Qiu Hongshang was going to accompany him, but Shi Yao felt sorry for her and persuaded her to go back and rest after such a busy day.

In the middle of the night, Shi Yao couldn't hold on any longer and fell asleep.

Half asleep, Shi Yao felt someone gently caressing his hair and raised his eyes to see Han Pu's face.

His face was cool and handsome, elegant and gentle.

He smiled softly at Shi Yao, and Shi Yao remembered that the first time they met in the library, he had smiled like this.

Shi Yao felt the ideals in his heart begin to revive, like seeds breaking through the ground and sprouting after a spring rain, growing vigorously, cutting through the thorns and defying all the turbulence and darkness. 

They looked at each other and said nothing.

Han Pu held his hand, his palm warm.

Since Han Pu had awakened, Shi Yao's sense of idealism and childhood innocence had been rekindled!

He was determined to support Han Pu's ideals, to realise his own ambitions, and to rise to the occasion, despite the difficulties and dangers.

While studying under Qiu Hongshang and teaching at Xinmin School, Shi Yao's days became more and more fulfilling.

After a few months, he had mastered the basics of business. After that, he was determined to reform, relying on the overseas and domestic markets of the Yingzhou Chamber of Commerce, introducing modern business concepts, and starting a cross-border e-commerce business.

By setting up a logistics centre and courier stations, the business quickly captured the market with efficient services and low costs, earning a large amount of money within a short period of time and bringing great prestige to the Yingzhou Chamber of Commerce.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Shi Yao persuaded the three major chambers of commerce to allocate special funds to set up a charity relief organisation to provide food for the displaced poor and set up scholarships for Xinmin School. 

While Shi Yao was concentrating on his business, business was in full swing.

Outside, gongs and drums were sounding, and there were ten miles of red decorations, as if there was some kind of big celebration.

Shi Yao pushed open the window of his office and took a curious look.

So extravagant and wasteful? I don't know where the big shot came from to make such a big show.

With the intention of watching the excitement, who knew that this marriage proposal brigade was heading to none other than Yujiang Pavilion?

My god, they're not offering to buy a woman's life, are they? The redemption is so loud? It's really touching.

Shi Yao thought as he descended the stairs, wanting to get in on the action.

As a result, when he arrived at the front, he saw that the person who got out of the luxury limousine at the bottom of the stairs was none other than Song Liao.

The two of them met face to face, Shi Yao didn't know why, but Song Liao was holding a small red book in his hand and walking towards him.

What's that?

A marriage certificate?

No, he's never been married.

While Shi Yao was thinking wildly, Qiu Hongshang came over and stopped Song Liao, saying: "President Liao is making such a big show of suddenly visiting, I wonder what the reason for this is?" 

Song Yao said: "President Hongshang, as you can see, I'm here to propose a marriage."

Shi Yao: ? Excuse me? Excuse me?

Song Liao opened the red book, and it was actually a marriage contract between the Song family and the Shi family from many years ago.

Although he had heard of this history, it was the first time he had seen the contract with his own eyes.

Very carefully, Song Liao spread the marriage contract on the table, and said to Qiu Hongshang: "We were originally ordered by our parents, and the words of matchmakers; only because of fate, there were three twists and turns. Now, after experiencing a thousand waves, I have repented, and know where my heart belongs. I hope that you can agree to it, whatever the conditions are, I can agree to it."

Qiu Hongshang took a look at the marriage contract, but laughed and said: "President Liao, our two families did have a marriage contract. When Yao'er was displaced, your Song family took care of him, I've heard all about it. However, when Yao'er was at his most helpless, it was you who took the initiative to break off the marriage contract, is that not true?" 

Song Liao was silent for a while, but admitted: "Indeed, this is true."

"Then, you are the one who made the marriage contract, and you are also the one who took the initiative to break it." Qiu Hongshang looked displeased: "Is my Yao'er something that can be manipulated at will?"

Song Liao looked guilty: "At that time, it was indeed my fault, I was the one who wronged him."

"How much is a lip service apology worth?" Qiu Hongshang said: "It's not my intention to make things difficult for you, Yao'er is my only child, and I am his mother, the one who cares about him the most. President Liao, your Song family has treated the marriage contract as child's play, and there is a record of it, so how can I still believe in your marriage proposal?"

Although Song Liao was very disappointed, he also understood that her concern was not unreasonable. In order to express his sincerity, Song Liao presented his bride price, hoping that Qiu Hongshang would give him another chance no matter what.

Just after Song Liao left, Song Yuan arrived.

Not long after Qiu Hongshang sent Song Yuan away, Han Pu arrived.

Three proposals in one day, Shi Yao's head was spinning.

In the evening, Qiu Hongshang asked Shi Yao for his opinion.

Shi Yao said: "I'm so young, I don't want to get married yet, marriage is the grave of love."

Qiu Hongshang asked: "If you had to choose one, who would you choose?"

"What does Mother think?"

Qiu Hongshang said: "As a mother, I think Professor Han is the most suitable, he's stable and family-oriented, and has a good character. Song Liao was once unfaithful to you, but he is more sincere, not to mention that there was once a marriage contract between you two. Song Yuan is..."

"What's wrong with Song Yuan?"

"He's too deep, even Mother can't see through him, I'm afraid you'll be at a disadvantage."

My head hurts.

Let's go to bed first, we'll talk about it tomorrow.

In the middle of the night, someone knocked on the window, Shi Yao woke up and discovered that it was Jacob.

"What are you doing here?"

Opening the window, Jacob climbed into his room, and said with dissatisfaction: "I heard that today, many people approached you to propose marriage?"

".... Yes."

"What do you think, do you want to marry them?"

"I don't know, I haven't thought about it."

"Why don't you run away with me?"

Shi Yao: ?

"We'll go to England, far away from here, far away from all the troubles, and live in a world of our own."

"Jacob, stop making these jokes."

"I'm not joking. You're here, and you're bound by a lot of things. You and Song Liao are bound by a marriage contract; you and Song Yuan are bound by control and possession; you and Han Pu are bound by ideals of social responsibility; only with me are you truly free."

"What freedom are you referring to?"

"I won't bind you, I won't restrict you, I'll give you all my love, warm love, passionate love. You can do whatever you want, you can marry me or not, I'll stand by you wholeheartedly." Jacob's eyes were filled with passion: "You can be completely yourself."

Shi Yao admitted that he was a little moved.

But to drop everything here and go to England with Jacob? It was too risky.

Shi Yao said, "Thank you for inviting me, but I need to think about it carefully."

"Take your time," Jacob said, "but you'll have to make up your mind sooner or later, won't you?"

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: July 12, 2023