Chapter 101: A Vow of Love

Jiang Fan stuck out his tongue and quickly waved his hand. "Please don’t let this reach my father-in-law or mother-in-law. Just mentioning them makes me tremble inside. If they find out it’s because of me that you’ve been wronged, our relationship is doomed."

Seeing Jiang Fan genuinely anxious, Wang Wenyu feigned seriousness. "That’s actually possible. If my family hears about this, we’ll need to rethink everything between us carefully."

At the mention of that possibility, Jiang Fan’s expression instantly changed. His brows furrowed, and a clear hint of fear appeared in his eyes. "Really?"

Repeatedly, reality had proven his place in Jiang Fan’s heart. He hadn’t returned from a trip to Guangzhou as agreed, and he seemed lost, as if without a soul. Wang Wenyu understood—it was because he feared losing her.

To reassure him, she took his hand and vowed, "Don’t worry. I agreed to be with you after serious thought and am ready to fight against my family. As long as you stay true in this fickle world, I, Wang Wenyu, will stand by you for life. No one will tear us apart."

Jiang Fan was an emotional man. He believed career failures could be retried, so facing powerful figures, he could be fearless.

But love was his weakness. His family, Li Jiuguan, and Wang Wenyu were the people he cared for most. He dared not imagine if he lost Wang Wenyu—would he still have the courage to face a turbulent, unsettled life?

Wang Wenyu held firm belief, but his inferiority complex made him think her parents were unreachable figures. Without their direct approval, he felt uncertain.

Hearing Wang Wenyu’s resolute promise, Jiang Fan was moved. He stayed silent in her arms, tears streaming uncontrollably.

Wang Wenyu stroked his head and asked, "What’s wrong? Don’t you trust your wife?"

Jiang Fan shook his head vigorously, turning away from her gaze to go to the bathroom to compose himself.

At that moment, Wang Wenyu saw the tears on his face.

She understood why he cried and began to ponder silently without disturbing him.

Returning to bed, Jiang Fan forced a smile, wanting to continue discussing how to best protect Xiao Yuxin from being implicated.

But Wang Wenyu was no longer in the mood. Holding his face in her hands, she examined him for a long time before saying, "I firmly believe you won’t disappoint me. Tonight, I want to truly become your wife."

She had fantasized about this countless times but never dared to act on it. Seeing Wang Wenyu’s serious expression, Jiang Fan felt a surge of apprehension. He looked at her and remained silent for a long moment.

After a mental struggle, he replied earnestly, "I do fear your parents interfering in our relationship, losing you, and even more, I fear being unworthy of you through my mediocrity. It’s these anxious, conflicting feelings that made me shameless in front of you but unwilling to force this matter.

"I know your heart aches for me, wanting to give yourself to me, but I am your man and your family. I can’t disregard your parents just for fleeting pleasure.

"Parents everywhere care deeply for their children. A relationship without parental blessing will leave lifelong regrets. The easiest way to gain your parents’ approval is for me to prove myself in my career. Only then will they feel assured to entrust you to me. With you by my side, I believe I can achieve this.

"Everyone has inertia. Now that I have you, I fear losing the drive I’ve had. So this matter must wait. Saying we’ll wait until our wedding night is too distant. I don’t have that kind of patience.

"But at least, I want to wait until I feel I’ve made progress at work, not like now where I haven’t truly found my footing. When that time comes, whether you say it or not, I won’t let you go."

Hearing Jiang Fan’s lengthy vow, Wang Wenyu felt both touched and deeply moved.

She excitedly snuggled into his arms and teased, "Anyway, I’m already prepared. Whether you can control your little brother down there is your business. I won’t remind you again!"

Jiang Fan affectionately pinched her cheek. "Don’t worry. As long as you never leave me, a man can hold up the sky for you."

After their tender exchange, the couple turned to discussing Xiao Yuxin’s situation again.

Since she was the cause of trouble, Jiang Fan said, "Chun Geng has always wanted to work with me, and he’s skilled. Why don’t we rent a room in this building and have Chun Geng move here? He can help at Sister Xin’s store and protect her at all times."

Wang Wenyu thought for a moment and shook her head. "Those causing trouble for her aren’t common thugs. Fighting won’t solve it. I won’t go to work these few days; I’ll stay at her store. After you and Luzi finish handling your matters, I’ll return to work. This way is safer."

Jiang Fan considered it and couldn’t think of a better plan, so he agreed to Wang Wenyu’s suggestion.

Having settled the matter, the couple embraced, ready to rest. Wang Wenyu sensed Jiang Fan’s passion hadn’t yet settled and teased, "If I fall asleep and you can’t hold back, wake me up. Don’t let me turn into a woman in my dreams!"

Jiang Fan scolded playfully, "You nagging wife, I’m already bursting inside. Could you not bother me?"

With no defenses in her heart, Wang Wenyu completely let go, pouting and coaxing, "If I don’t bother you, should I bother someone else? Let me hold your hand and check how long you can last before settling down."

"Alright, nagging wife, I’m sorry. Don’t move; I’ll be quiet soon."

In their playful contest, Wang Wenyu finally triumphed, contentedly drifting into sleep.

After she fell asleep, Jiang Fan’s mood finally calmed.

Still thinking of the promise made to Amy, Jiang Fan woke before eight in the morning. He dressed, kissed Wang Wenyu on the lips, and prepared to leave the rented room.

Drowsy, Wang Wenyu reached out and affectionately wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close. They lingered like that for a while before letting go.

Returning to Da Feng, Jiang Fan was late for work and went to the sewing line overseen by Amy.

A section chief managed four sewing lines, a supervisor managed one, assisted by two team leaders.

Amy was a manager and didn’t have to do manual work; the job wasn’t tiring but required long hours.

Seeing Jiang Fan come to find her, Amy quickly pulled him to her workstation, glanced around, and said, "Thank you for being so loyal, but my cousin has already found a job. He won’t trouble you anymore."

Seeing Amy’s nervous expression, Jiang Fan stared at her and bluntly asked, "Are they really that scary?"

Amy struggled internally for a while, then said gravely, "Deputy Manager Jiang, I’m just a girl, not as brave as you.

"I started in the shoe factory before I was sixteen. I used to work long hours under overload. When I returned to the dorm, my hands and feet felt numb. Even fetching a bucket of water to shower was difficult. When I had a fever of 38 degrees, I didn’t dare rest for fear of fines, pay cuts, or being fired.

"I finally got promoted to this position where work is lighter and pay is better. I’m afraid of accidents that might send me back to those days.

"I know you’re a man who stands up for justice. I’ve thought carefully these past days and still feel my cousin’s matter should be handled differently. I don’t want to invite trouble. I hope you understand."

Amy’s words made Jiang Fan weigh the pros and cons carefully.

To rise from the bottom to section chief required hard work, connections, opportunities, sometimes money, and the support of influential figures.

Everyone wants to live with dignity, but in a harsh reality where mere survival is uncertain, dignity is a luxury.

Amy had endured too many hardships and was thinking of her future—understandably so.