Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Nanfei, who rarely gets up so early, said in a cool tone: "Young Master is now the son-in-law of your Great River Gang."

Ji Kongming's pupils widened: "What do you mean?"

Nanfei said, "Before the old gang leader left, he betrothed your gang leader to the young master. The wedding took place on the fifteenth of last month. On the wedding day, all the boat captains of the Great River Gang came. It was an unprecedentedly grand occasion."

Nan Fei had always disliked Ji Kongming, and he found it quite delightful to see Ji Kongming's surprised expression.

Ji Kongming said, "Impossible, I'm also a ship owner, how come I don't know?"

Nanfei walked up to him, his voice laced with sarcasm: "You were too busy drinking and having fun when you came back yesterday to know anything about this, were you?"

Ji Kongming said, "I don't believe it."

He reached out to push open the gate to Yaochi, but Nanfei stopped him: "Men and women should not touch each other. Now that the young master and the gang leader are getting married, it would be too impolite for you to enter their room so abruptly."

Ji Kongming swung his fist to push him away, but Nan Fei bent down to dodge and then slapped him back. The two started fighting in the courtyard.

Liu Lin shouted, "What are you doing? The old gang leader just left, and you're already fighting amongst yourselves..."

Nianyao slept soundly all night, but when she heard the noise, she quickly came out: "What's wrong? Why is everyone standing there?"

Ji Kongming's face was ashen as he pointed at Luo An: "Yaomei, you married him?"

Nianyao remained silent for a while, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Ji Kongming looked around and suddenly sneered, "Good, good, you're all quite something, keeping such a big thing from me. The old gang leader clearly knew that you liked me, and I liked you, yet he still married you off to this mute. He ostensibly had me escort the goods, but wasn't he just deliberately sending me away?"

Ji Kongming could tolerate others talking about Nian Yao, but he couldn't tolerate talking about her father. Her father was the person who loved her most in the world.

Nianyao protested, "How could it be that my father deliberately sent you away? Father originally planned to send Uncle Xu, Uncle Jiu, and Brother Xuesong, but you volunteered and insisted on going."

Ji Kongming glared at her, and Nianyao's voice softened: "Father made this decision suddenly before he passed away, very hastily. I was against it at first, but Father said that he had treated you like his own son all these years, and you had treated me like your own sister. If I get married, besides you, there will be one more person in this world to protect me."

Ji Kongming said, "So you agreed? He'll protect you? Look at him, can he really protect anyone? You should be thanking your lucky stars he won't be a burden. Is he good at escorting goods or fishing? Is he good at diving or steering a ship...?"

Nianyao said somewhat blankly, "He can cure illnesses. Father said that with a doctor by his side, injuries and serious illnesses can be treated in time, so he can leave in peace."

Ji Kongming said, "Wouldn't I protect you? Wouldn't I call a doctor for you if you were injured or seriously ill?"

Luo An turned and walked away, his steps light, yet each one felt like a weight on everyone's hearts. Nian Yao couldn't see his expression, but her intuition told her he was impatient.

Before Nianyao could say anything more, Ji Kongming raised his hand to stop her: "Don't make excuses anymore. Your father just looks down on me, so he deliberately sent me away. Ever since that mute came, no matter how much I try or how hard I try, the gang leader acts like he doesn't see it, but he treats that mute differently. Why?"

Ji Kongming had always taken good care of her, and this was the first time he had ever been so angry.

Nianyao instinctively felt a little hesitant: "I haven't completely agreed yet."

Ji Kongming said in disbelief, "What do you mean you didn't fully agree? You didn't marry him."

Nianyao said, "We didn't consummate our marriage. I slept on the bed while he slept on the floor. Father said I could divorce him after three years and then marry you."

Nianyao spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, leaving everyone else stunned.

Nanfei was the first to react: "What do you take the young master for? Someone who can marry and divorce whenever they want? If you want to divorce him, do it now. Someone like you is not good enough for the young master at all, okay?"

This is the highest point on Chongming Island, offering views of the vast river and the towering acacia trees. Luo An felt somewhat lost. Who had said that no tombstone should be erected, but rather a mound of earth should be laid beneath the acacia trees? Living a leisurely life on Chongming Island, he had long forgotten those old stories.

Liu Lin walked to Luo An's side: "Young Master, please don't take the things the gang leader and Kong Ming said inappropriately to heart."

Luo An is independent and unconventional. He probably doesn't take Nian Yao's words to heart. But just in case, Liu Lin still tried to reassure him.

Luo An nodded slightly, quite casually, seemingly not taking what had just happened to heart. Liu Lin wanted to say something, but seeing Luo An's indifferent expression, he held back.

Ji Kongming stood in the backyard for a long time, unable to swallow his anger. He walked over and reached out to put his hand on Luo An's shoulder. Luo An moved to the right with lightning speed, and Ji Kongming's hand missed.

Nan Fei stepped in front of Luo An, saying, "Don't touch the young master with your pig's trotters."

Ji Kongming was deeply supported by his gang members, but Nan Fei looked down on him. Normally, the two didn't interact much and avoided each other, so they lived in relative peace. But this time, they were at odds, neither willing to concede.

Liu Lin asked, "Kongming, what exactly do you want to do?"

Ji Kongming gritted his teeth: "Uncle Liu, since there is no place for me on the island, there is no need for me to stay."

Ji Kongming walked to the center of the square and blew his whistle three times, his voice urgent. The brothers, who hadn't yet set sail from the island that morning, all gathered upon hearing the whistle.

Nianyao chased after her: "Kongming-ge, what are you doing?"

Ji Kongming said, "Sister Yao, in front of all the brothers, I'm giving you a choice. It's either him or me on this island. Do you choose him or me?"

Everyone followed his finger and looked at Luo An. Luo An, dressed in a sky-blue robe, slightly raised his head and gazed at the horizon, as if nothing had happened. Apart from the river breeze ruffling his hair and the hem of his robe, he remained as still as a statue.

The brothers were filled with doubt about Nianyao and Luo An's marriage. It wasn't a question of whether they were a good match, but rather that Nianyao and Luo An were simply not compatible. In their eyes, Nianyao and Ji Kongming were childhood sweethearts and should naturally be together.

However, the marriage arranged by the old gang leader before his death, the wedding officiated by Qin Jiu, and the couple praying to the river god in front of all the ship owners—it seems inappropriate to just break off the engagement in less than a month, doesn't it?

First of all, I've seen men divorce their wives, but I've never seen women divorce their husbands.

Furthermore, even if a divorce were to be considered, it would have to be for one of the "seven grounds for divorce." Luo An is content and carefree, lives a simple life, and has superb medical skills... It seems there's no reason to divorce her?

Finally, in terms of looks, temperament, and presence... the leader actually came out on top.

The gang members looked at Luo An, then at Ji Kongming, their hearts filled with struggle.

The wedding was officiated by Qin Jiu, who stepped in to smooth things over: "Kongming, marriage is a big deal, how can it be done so hastily? This matter needs to be planned carefully and taken slowly. Brothers, everyone, let's disperse."

Just as the brothers were about to scatter like birds and beasts, Ji Kongming stopped them with a single sentence: "Since the leader cannot make a choice, then I will not force him. I will leave on my own."