Chapter 61: How About Repaying the Debt with Yourself

Indeed, what made her think Jiang Hao would be willing to help the Su family? She was all too aware of how the Su family treated him; among so many people, who besides herself had ever spoken kindly to him? Who hadn’t greeted him with cold words, sarcastic remarks, or even used him as the subject of ridicule?

Take Su Tianming, for example—he had openly mocked Jiang Hao at family banquets and other gatherings more than once, making him the butt of his jokes. With everyone in the Su family treating Jiang Hao this way, why would he possibly feel compelled to step forward and help them through this crisis?

That was why Su Qingli fell silent for a long time, unable to utter a single word. She truly didn’t know how to respond to Jiang Hao’s question.

“Just go. Don’t come looking for me again.”

Jiang Hao let out a long sigh and stood up. But just as he turned to leave, Su Qingli suddenly rushed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him from behind.

“What are you doing? Are you trying to seduce me now?” Jiang Hao sneered.

Su Qingli shook her head, her voice trembling with sobs. “I really have no other way out, I’m at a dead end, Jiang Hao. I know it’s shameless for me to say this, but I really have no choice… If you have the power to help our family, then please, I beg you, help us. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to go to Pan Yixuan…”

“Are you threatening me?”

Jiang Hao turned and roughly pushed her away. After his recent cultivation, every part of his body had been nourished by the Red Jade Ring, and his physical strength far surpassed that of ordinary people. With just a casual shove, Su Qingli staggered back several steps and collapsed heavily onto the sofa with a thud.

She picked herself up, then covered her face with her hands and wept softly. The sofa was soft enough that she hadn’t hurt herself in the fall; her tears were for his coldness, for the bitterness she felt inside. Though they were still husband and wife, Jiang Hao now treated her as if she were an enemy. How could she not feel helpless?

“I’m not threatening you, I really am not. That’s just the reality. If you don’t help me, I have no one left to turn to but Pan Yixuan. What else can I do? If there were another way, I’d never go to that scum…”

Her shoulders shook as she wept.

“Didn’t you just say you’d rather smash your head and die than marry Pan Yixuan? And yet, not a moment later, you’ve already forgotten your own words?” Jiang Hao said coldly.

Su Qingli shook her head fiercely and cried out, “Of course I haven’t forgotten! I meant every word—I’d never marry Pan Yixuan! But to help my family survive this disaster, I have to seek him out, have to give myself to him… Once the Pan family steps in and helps us through, once this crisis is past, I’ll end my life. I’ll never marry him, never enter the Pan family!”

As she spoke, she looked earnestly at Jiang Hao. Tears still stained her cheeks, but her gaze was unwavering. Jiang Hao could see she was not lying; this truly was what she intended.

“To sacrifice yourself for the Su family—is it really worth it?” Jiang Hao felt a twinge of sympathy for her, but forced himself to keep his tone icy.

“It’s worth it. After all, I’m a member of the Su family, and my parents live there too. Even if not for myself, I must consider them,” Su Qingli replied in a voice full of sorrow.

Jiang Hao fell silent. He had never imagined Su Qingli would be willing to make such sacrifices for others. Her decision, her resolve—it all surprised him.

After a long hesitation, Jiang Hao finally let out a deep sigh and sat back down on the sofa.

“Very well. For your sake, I’ll help your family this once. But this is the last time. There will be no next time.”

The moment Jiang Hao finished speaking, a look of pure joy appeared on Su Qingli’s face. Unable to control herself, she grabbed his wrist and said, “Thank you, Jiang Hao! I knew you couldn’t be that heartless. You always have a sharp tongue but a soft heart—I know you better than anyone!”

After so many years of living together, Su Qingli certainly understood what kind of man Jiang Hao was. Perhaps that was why she had braved the rain to come to him now.

But Jiang Hao did not offer his help so easily. He looked at her seriously and asked, “If I help your family through this crisis, tell me, how will the Su family thank me? And how will you thank me?”

At this, Su Qingli was momentarily speechless. She was just one member of the Su family, not its head; she had no say over how the family might reward Jiang Hao. But she could decide for herself.

With that thought, she bit her lip and said, “I can’t decide how my family will thank you. But as for myself… whatever you want from me, I’ll give it.”

She leaned in, closing the distance between them by several inches.

They were already sitting quite close. Now, Su Qingli was almost pressed against him. The jacket she wore was loose, and after being pushed earlier, the zipper at her neckline had loosened. Now, the pale softness of her chest was clearly visible to Jiang Hao.

“So, you’re offering yourself as payment?” Jiang Hao smiled.

“If that’s what you want, I’m willing. We’re husband and wife after all, and now that you’re helping my family, I would never refuse you,” Su Qingli replied earnestly.

“Good.”

Jiang Hao suddenly swept her into his arms, then spun and tossed her heavily onto the sofa. His abrupt action startled Su Qingli, but she did not resist. Instead, she closed her eyes, quietly awaiting the approaching storm.

To Pan Yixuan, Su Qingli felt only revulsion. The very idea of giving herself to him—of so much as imagining such a scene—filled her with disgust. But Jiang Hao was different.

She and Jiang Hao had been together since university, and now they were married. She felt no resistance toward him. If they had never consummated their marriage, it was only because Jiang Hao’s performance these past few years had been so disappointing. Calling him spineless would not have been an exaggeration. Though she remembered the goodness he once showed, she couldn’t help feeling some measure of contempt for him.

But now, everything had changed. Their positions had been completely reversed. How could she possibly refuse him now?

Jiang Hao pressed down upon her, gripping her shoulders tightly. Su Qingli, in turn, wrapped her arms willingly around his neck. A delicate fragrance filled Jiang Hao’s senses, intoxicating him utterly.

After all these years of marriage, tonight, at last, he would truly make her his own.