Even a master gets pressured to marry?

Wu Xiuli looked at the bank card her son held out, unable to hide the delight spreading across her face.

With this money, they would have nothing to worry about over the New Year. Even her daughter's tuition for next year was covered.

Happy as she was, she did not immediately reach for it. She knew exactly how he had earned this money. Her son had risked his life for it. How could she simply take it for herself?

"Tian, you should keep this money."

Wu Xiuli shook her head.

Jiang Tian froze at her words, then stood up. "Mom, what's wrong?"

Wu Xiuli smiled. "Son, you risked your life for this money. How could I just take it?"

Jiang Tian's face darkened. He grabbed his mother's hand and pressed the bank card into her palm. "Mom, what are you saying? What's all this about yours and mine? We're family. Don't you think talking like that puts distance between us?"

Seeing the anger on her son's face, Wu Xiuli grew a little flustered.

"Tian, that's not what I meant..."

Wu Xiuli tried to explain.

But Jiang Tian cut her off.

"Mom, I understand what you mean, but we're family. Please take the money. Think of it as a little compensation for these past ten years, okay?"

Jiang Tian spoke earnestly.

Looking into her son's sincere eyes, Wu Xiuli finally sighed helplessly. "All right, then. I'll hold on to it for you. Don't worry. Apart from our daily household expenses, I'll save the rest for when you get married."

Jiang Tian shook his head. "No need, Mom. Spend it however you like. If you run out, I can earn more. Besides, I don't even have a girlfriend yet. Isn't it a little early to talk about getting married?"

His mother rolled her eyes at him and chided, "That's why you need to hurry up! You're nearly thirty. Look at everyone else. Some already have two children, while your dad and I..."

Seeing his mother seize the opportunity to launch into a lecture, Jiang Tian quickly covered his ears. "Oh, um, Mom, I just remembered I have something to do. I'm heading out. Wait for me to come back for dinner..."

With that, he gave Jiang Chenglong a look and hurried toward the door.

Jiang Chenglong stared after Jiang Tian, momentarily taken aback.

Even a master like Mr. Jiang gets pressured to marry?

"Well, ma'am, I won't trouble you any longer either. Goodbye."

Coming to his senses, he smiled at Wu Xiuli, then hurried after him.

Watching her son leave, Wu Xiuli called out helplessly, "Hey, you silly boy, honestly..."

Out on the street, Jiang Tian let out a deep sigh of relief after escaping his mother's "relentless nagging."

Then he gave a helpless smile.

Was settling down and starting a family a trap no one could escape for their entire life?

Why did approaching thirty mean you had to get married?

Apart from carrying on the family line, how many people actually got together because of true love?

Jiang Tian could not figure it out. Even he could not truly fathom human emotions and desires.

If I ever really figured them out, I'd probably ascend to immortality on the spot.

Still, Jiang Tian was not actually opposed to marriage. On the contrary, he looked forward to a cozy life with a wife and children. He only resisted his mother's words because he did not want to settle.

Walking alone down the street, Jiang Tian involuntarily pictured that innocent, youthful figure again.

Su Ruoke, was she doing well?

If these past ten years hadn't happened, would we have ended up together?

While Jiang Tian's thoughts wandered, Jiang Chenglong caught up with him.

"Mr. Jiang, wait for me!"

Jiang Chenglong hurried to Jiang Tian's side.

Jiang Tian snapped out of his thoughts and glanced at him. "Why haven't you left yet?"

Jiang Chenglong froze. "Didn't you tell me to follow you?"

Jiang Tian frowned. "When did I tell you to follow me?"

"You winked at me!"

Jiang Chenglong was taken aback. Had I misunderstood?

Jiang Tian was utterly speechless. "I meant for you to get out of there. Were you planning to stay and listen to my mom's lecture?"

Jiang Chenglong's expression stiffened before he laughed. "Huh? I thought you wanted me to follow you."

Jiang Tian was completely at a loss for words. Then he said, "Forget it. Whatever you have to say, just say it."

Jiang Chenglong paused, then shook his head. "I don't have anything to say."

"Nothing?"

Jiang Tian snorted. "Then why did you bring all those bags of gifts to my house? Go on. What do you want?"

Realizing Jiang Tian had seen through his little scheme, Jiang Chenglong smiled awkwardly. "You really are exceptionally perceptive, Mr. Jiang. There is indeed something I came to see you about..."

"Stop!"

Before he could finish, Jiang Tian suddenly interrupted him. "If you're trying to invite me to join the Special Security Bureau, then there's nothing to discuss."

Jiang Chenglong had been shut down before he could even finish his sentence.

His face instantly flushed red with frustration.

"Mr. Jiang, won't you reconsider? With your abilities, it would be a terrible waste if you didn't serve the country!"

Jiang Tian's performance that night was still fresh in his memory. Missing out on an expert like him would definitely be a loss for their Team Seven!

"I told you, I won't join any organization or agency. Stop wasting your effort."

Jiang Tian's expression darkened slightly.

"But..."

"What? Don't you understand plain speech?"

The moment Jiang Chenglong opened his mouth, Jiang Tian shot him a look.

Jiang Chenglong shuddered and immediately shut his mouth. That gaze had been terrifying. He felt as though an incredibly vicious beast had set its sights on him.

Just as Jiang Chenglong found himself at a loss for words, his phone suddenly rang.

He took it out and answered immediately. After listening to the report from the other end, his expression changed.

"All right, understood. I'll head back right away."

He hung up, then looked at Jiang Tian.

"Mr. Jiang, although I know you don't want to join us, I still hope you'll give it some more thought. I have an assignment to handle, so I won't disturb you any longer. Goodbye!"

Jiang Chenglong gave him a small smile, then turned and hurried away.

Watching him leave, Jiang Tian raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Did the person on the phone just say Fusang had sent more people over?"

Although there had been some distance between them, Jiang Tian's keen hearing had allowed him to hear everything clearly.

But he did not care. After all, it had nothing to do with him.

After wandering around outside for a few hours, he received a WeChat message just as dinnertime approached.

It was from Zhang Miao.

"Tian, I'm off work. Where are you? Want to have dinner together tonight?"

Zhang Miao asked over WeChat.

After reading it, Jiang Tian readily agreed.

He had not seen Zhang Miao in ten years, and he did indeed have plenty he wanted to talk to him about.

Zhang Miao soon replied, sending him a location and asking him to meet him there.

Jiang Tian took a look, then called his mother to tell her he would not be coming home for dinner. He rose straight into the sky and flew toward the city center, disappearing into the night sky in the blink of an eye...