Chapter 9 [Witnessing my journey to becoming your fiancé...]

Everyone likes to hear praise, and Wen Lingshuang is no exception.

Even after hearing it countless times, I'm still happy to hear the word "beautiful".

Her raven-feather-like eyelashes drooped gently, her eyes falling on the index finger of his left hand. There was white ointment on the mark, indicating that it had been applied regularly. If her second uncle was right and the treatment was effective, the mark would disappear without a trace in three months at most.

After looking at her for a few seconds, she suddenly remembered something, looked up and asked, "By the way, what are you wearing?"

Jiang An wasn't particularly particular about his attire; as long as it was presentable and appropriate, that was fine. This press conference was different. Major top brands and industry insiders had caught wind of the event and had contacted him in advance. They wanted to use this opportunity to build a relationship with Jiang An and also to leverage his status for publicity. In the past, these brands would never have dared to be so arrogant, but such opportunities were rare, so they were willing to risk being blacklisted to give it a try.

Fortunately, Jiang An took this press conference very seriously, and his attire was indeed quite sophisticated, giving the luxury brands some opportunities.

The press conference featured a total of five haute couture suits: two suits that blended modern Chinese and contemporary styles, two suits with a more classic British cut, and one suit with an Italian Roman cut.

Jiang An chose a dark gray British-style suit, paired with a black shirt and a dark tie. The clear shoulder line, the fitted waist, and the high button placement gave him an overall dignified and serious demeanor.

After looking at the photos, Wen Lingshuang's gaze fell on the double-breasted vest. Several black buttons were fastened tightly at the waistline, perfectly accentuating his lean and muscular waist. She had seen him in suits and shirts before, but perhaps due to the tailoring, they lacked this sense of formality and...good looks.

It's as if beneath the double-breasted vest, the bulging muscle lines are tailored, soft yet firm.

She silently withdrew her gaze, indicating her satisfaction with the clothes, and lifted her skirt to walk towards the dressing room. Seeing this, Ah Shui and the stylist stepped forward to help her lift the skirt.

"I forgot to ask, isn't next Wednesday your ancestral worship day? How come it's changed so suddenly?" she asked as she walked.

Jiang An watched her retreating figure and said, "It was my suggestion to change the ancestral worship day. Don't feel pressured. Next Wednesday is the best time of the year. If you miss that time, the other days are not good."

Wen Lingshuang was taken aback and turned to look at him. "So, according to you, the wedding won't be held until next year?"

Jiang An leaned slightly against the Roman column, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Are you in a hurry?"

Wen Lingshuang choked.

It was just a casual question.

The way he said it made it sound like I couldn't get married this year.

Her red lips pressed into a thin line, her slender fingers gripping the hem of her skirt. She wanted to retort, but felt it wasn't enough to vent her anger. She forced a smile and said, "Yes, I wanted to inspect the goods beforehand, Mr. Jiang."

In case you have a physical disability.

In case you have scars.

What if you don't have any muscles?

These are all reasons she gave for returning the goods!

Having vented her anger, she walked into the changing room in her high heels.

Completely ignoring Jiang An's increasingly profound gaze.

In the changing room, Ah Shui helped untie the straps at the back of her clothes, hesitating to speak.

Although Miss is just moving to a different place after marrying into the Jiang family, in her opinion, apart from Mr. Jiang, no one in the Jiang family is a good person, especially Ms. Yao Fei, who is shrewd and capable, and has a much more ruthless appearance than the Madam. She wonders what will happen to Miss after marrying into the family.

Thinking of this, Ah Shui's eyes gradually reddened.

She sobbed twice, which Wen Lingshuang heard. She turned her head slightly and saw Ah Shui hanging her head, adjusting the bandages, her eyes red.

Ah Shui has been with her for many years, always by her side as far as I can remember. Apart from being short, he is excellent in every other way.

In addition, Wen Jinye did not have a second child, so Wen Lingshuang treated Ashui as her own sister.

Seeing that her eyes were red, he reached out and touched her face. "What's wrong, Ah Shui?"

"It's nothing," Ah Shui shook her head. "I just heard Miss talking about marriage, and I was worried about being bullied after marrying into the Jiang family. Mr. Jiang isn't Mrs. Jiang's biological son..."

She spoke in a very low voice, afraid that Jiang An outside would hear her, as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "If a conflict really breaks out, I'm afraid Ah Shui won't be able to protect you."

Right now, she's angry at herself for not being a man.

I wish it were a man.

Hearing her say this, Wen Lingshuang's heart softened completely. She turned around and hugged Ah Shui, whispering, "What are you afraid of? Haven't you heard of the art of checks and balances?"

"Huh?" Ah Shui, her eyes red-rimmed, nestled against Wen Ling Shuang's soft chest. Thinking that this soft spot would one day belong to Mr. Jiang, her eyes reddened even more. "What is the art of checks and balances?"

"That's why I said you're young." Wen Lingshuang pinched Ah Shui's cheek. "Just remember, to catch the thief, first catch the king."

Ah Shui seemed to understand but not quite.

He sniffed, "Who's the thief, and who's the king?"

The stylist chuckled softly upon hearing this and said, "Miss is already on the verge of capturing the king."

"..."

Ah Shui still didn't understand.

*

After the dress was finalized and the details were agreed upon, Jiang An left with his family.

Half an hour later, the car stopped at the entrance of a hutong (alleyway) on the east side of Beijing. The hutong was separated by a gate. Outside was the bustling city center, with cars coming and going, shoulder to shoulder. Inside the gate, two rows of neat courtyards stood side by side, with dozens of imported, expensive rosewood trees planted here. Sunlight filtered through the lush foliage, creating dappled, dancing spots of light.

Jiang Hanyu led Yao Fei inside, holding her hand.

Yao Fei had been feeling feverish and had a low-grade fever for the past few days, making her appear listless. The thought of the Jiang family postponing the ancestral worship ceremony because of Jiang An's press conference made her even more uneasy.

Having been married into the Jiang family for so many years, she knew very well that the Jiang family was a family with very strong traditional values.

Whether it's paying respects to ancestors, visiting relatives, or celebrating the New Year, everyone, regardless of their position or international status, must return obediently. This centuries-old custom was broken by Jiang An.

She turned her head and glanced at Jiang An.

Just one glance.

Then he took it back.

Jiang An's aura is indeed different now. Back when she first came to the Jiang family, she was thin, dark-skinned, and weak, like an ant that could be crushed with a single finger. With just a light press of her finger... with just a light press of her finger...

Yao Fei couldn't help but clench her fists.

Suddenly, she heard someone calling her from ahead. Looking up, she saw her sons, Jiang Xu and Jiang Qi. Upon seeing them, Yao Fei smiled again, "Why are you at the old house on such a hot day?"

The Jiang family has several hundred members, both direct and collateral relatives. Most of them live within the Second Ring Road. Even the Zijing Building across the alley is owned by Jiang Hanyu's second younger brother. Only the old man and his wife live in the old house. They need to return every year on the ancestral worship day, and on other days, it depends on the old man's mood.

The old man had many privileges and great power. Even at over seventy years old, no one in the Jiang family could match his real power.

Everyone fawned over him, respected him, and the younger generation did their utmost to be filial to him, but no one knew how much of this filial piety was genuine and how much was feigned.

Jiang Xu helped Yao Fei into the room and said, "Weren't we supposed to be discussing the marriage press conference? Grandpa invited us over for dinner to hear the Jiang family's opinion."

As he said this, Jiang Xu's gaze fell on Jiang An, and he said with a smile, "After all, this is a big deal, and we older brothers should also lend a hand."

Jiang An didn't speak. He walked to the rosewood chair next to him and sat down, crossing his legs. Sunlight streamed in from the wooden lattice window next to him, falling on his black suit and making him look noble and elegant. His deep eyes were devoid of any emotion. He placed one hand on the scar on his left index finger and said in a voice that was neither loud nor soft, "It's quite rare to hear you, Jiang Xu, say something like 'helping out'."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xu's expression changed drastically. He recalled the punch he had received in the Wen family's backyard, and both old and new grudges surged into his heart, making him about to lash out on the spot.

But just as he broke through his facade of calm, Yao Fei grabbed his wrist and gave him a meaningful look.

He was indicating that Old Master Jiang was present.

Jiang Xu glanced at Old Master Jiang and could only suppress his anger.

In fact, Jiang An's rise to power cannot be blamed on the old man's favoritism. When Jiang An was twenty-five years old, he was still working at the grassroots level of Xining Group. At that time, let alone illegitimate children, even an ordinary employee could step on his head. If Jiang Xu and Jiang Qi wanted to deal with him, they only needed to open their mouths. At the end of the year, by chance, Jiang An went to Nanyu Town on a business trip.

Jiang An, having witnessed something or someone, proposed the Nanyu Town project to his superiors upon returning to Beijing. When his superiors refused, he bypassed them and went directly to his grandfather. After a long and fruitful discussion, his grandfather slammed his fist on the table and assigned the project to Jiang An. Jiang An oversaw the entire process, from initial research and planning to fundraising, construction, and operation.

Currently, the GDP of the entire Nanyu Town has surged by 134%, significantly boosting the local economy and tourism industry.

With the Nanyu Town project, Jiang An's support and funding began to increase gradually. In 2015, he founded Xuyu Technology and completed the Series B financing within two years. In 2016, he reverse-acquired the listed company Ningxi Shares, realizing the integration of the intelligent warehousing business segment. In 2017, he acquired the Nanling white tea supply chain company, completing the upstream industry closed loop. Each of these achievements is enough to rival the seniority of the older generation, let alone his peers, and is almost a dimensional reduction and suppression.

It was not surprising that the group appointed him as its successor.

Surprisingly, he was able to turn the tide completely in such a short time.

He turned the tables, and Jiang Xu and Jiang Qi are in trouble now. Not only will they lose face in front of Old Master Jiang, but Jiang An has also gained control of most of the group. He used to crush them like ants, but now the tables have turned, and he is crushing them like ants.

The atmosphere became tense again without anyone noticing.

Jiang Qi couldn't bear to see Jiang Xu upset, so he spoke up for him: "What's there to be proud of? The eldest daughter of the Wen family is only pretty; she has no other redeeming qualities."

After saying that, he added, "If things are not peaceful at home, don't let it affect the company."

Jiang An's gaze slowly swept over them, tracing the marks, his tone extremely oppressive, "Have you been bored lately? I heard the group has a Xihai project, how about we transfer you there to oversee it?"

He wasn't asking a question when he said that.

Because he was in the Jiang family, he no longer needed to ask anyone's opinion.

He said he was determined to go to the West Sea.

Jiang Qi panicked and glared angrily at Jiang An. Before he could speak, Yao Fei laughed, "Jiang An, your brothers are just joking with you. Xihai is such a desolate place, your brothers can't handle it. Hey, tell me, why talk about work on such a good day? Let's talk about the press conference."

Yao Fei turned to look at Grandpa Jiang, "Let's set the date for next Wednesday. It's an auspicious day, very lucky. The only downside is that it clashes with the ancestral worship day."

Grandpa Jiang, stroking his cane, was in good spirits. When he heard about the ancestral worship day, he said in a calm tone, "This matter was discussed a long time ago. Old customs always have to make way for the newlyweds. Their happy marriage is also a blessing for the Jiang family. As for you, you have been busy organizing the press conference and ancestral worship for the younger generation. You've worked hard."

Yao Fei gave a forced smile and said, "It's not hard work, it's what I should do."

She slowly turned her head to look at Jiang An and said, "As parents, we should share the burdens of our children."

Jiang An met her gaze directly. His aura as a superior was extremely powerful. Even though he was just sitting there and his posture wasn't very upright, he used a lazy manner to resist the oppressive force. He lowered his eyebrows and said, word by word, "Thank you, Ms. Yao."

Yao Fei clenched her fists.

The very mention of Ms. Yao's name feels like a slap in the face.

She glanced at Jiang Hanyu.

Jiang Hanyu drank his tea, seemingly already accustomed to being called Jiang An, without making much of a fuss.

Yao Fei's fingernails dug into her palm, turning the surrounding flesh white, and she could only swallow her anger.

There is ample time.

Over the years, she hasn't been able to find any leverage over Jiang An. As long as Wen Lingshuang enters the house, she will have a handle on him. Regardless of whether he likes her or not, husband and wife are ultimately one. For the sake of interests and face, he will have to compromise. Only then will it be time to settle old and new grudges together.

The alley was quiet, and there were countless rooms. The old man invited the younger generation to stay for a few days after a meal.

He then called Jiang An to his room and handed him the family heirloom jade bracelet.

It's said to be a family heirloom passed down through hundreds of generations of the Jiang family, given to their future granddaughter-in-law.

The jade is translucent; it's clearly a top-quality piece.

I saw my grandma wear it when I was little, and now it's time to pass it on to Wen Lingshuang.

Her little hands.

It would look very pretty on.

"Don't take Yao Fei's words too seriously. That's just her personality, she can't change it." Old Master Jiang said slowly. "Considering that she has worked hard for the Jiang family, even if she hasn't made any great contributions, she should leave some room for maneuver in everything she does."

Jiang An nodded, put away the jade, and walked towards the door.

As Grandpa Jiang watched his departing figure, it was as if he were seeing Jiang Hanyu as a child.

So outstanding, so upright, so capable... yet it didn't come from Yao Fei's womb.

Uncle Yu, who had served Old Master Jiang for many years, looked at Jiang An's retreating figure and sighed, "What a tragedy."

Grandpa Jiang sighed, "I'm too old to control them anymore. Oh well, it's better to raise a lion than a bunch of cats with sharp claws."

Uncle Yu nodded and handed the teacup next to him to the old man.

The wind was gentle and the trees were still. Specks of sunlight filtered through the fallen leaves. Jiang An, carrying the jade, walked towards the west wing. Suddenly, he heard someone call him from behind. Turning around, he saw a boy of about eighteen or nineteen years old lurking in the doorway, peering at him. Seeing that no one was around, the boy ran out of the room and said, "Third Brother! I've missed you so much! Did you bring me a gift?"

Jiang An sighed and flicked the other's forehead. "Jiang Ting, shouldn't you be at school today?"

"I heard you were going back to the old house, so I took leave and came back." Jiang Ting smiled, revealing two tiger teeth. "I heard from my uncle that you two went to the Wen family for your engagement today. How was it? Isn't the eldest daughter of the Wen family as beautiful as the rumors say?"

Jiang Ting is the son of his second uncle, Jiang Xi.

He was one of the few juniors in the entire □□ who sided with Jiang An.

He calls me "Third Brother" all the time.

Jiang An raised an eyebrow slightly, "Legendary?"

"You don't know?" Jiang Ting scratched his forehead. "That Miss Wen is famously beautiful in our circle. A friend of mine said he saw her from afar, just one glance..." Jiang Ting curled up one index finger and exaggeratedly said, "He said he never wants to close his eyes again, because every time he closes them, all he sees is her."

"..."

That's not an exaggeration.

She is very beautiful.

"so what?"

"So you have to take me to your press conference!" Jiang Ting patted his chest. "I've already told my friends that I'll take pictures of Third Sister-in-law and show them to them! Let them be envious."

"No taking pictures," Jiang An said, pursing his lips. "You can't be so rude."

"Then I'll go ask her. If she agrees, she won't have anything to say, right?"

"..."

Seeing that he remained silent, Jiang Ting smiled and said, "I promise I will ask her very politely."

"...Whatever you want."

Anyway, if you piss her off, nobody will have a good time.

Jiang An turned and left.

Jiang Ting watched his retreating figure and muttered softly, "He must be very handsome, stunningly handsome, otherwise, how could my third brother, with his dog-like temper, possibly agree to a marriage alliance?"

*

After the date of the press conference was set, Wen Lingshuang entered a whole routine, spending her days eating, drinking, getting her hair and nails done, buying a lot of unnecessary luxury goods and collectibles, throwing parties with her girlfriends from time to time, and chartering private jets to go abroad to watch fashion shows. She hardly had a free day.

Her best friends, knowing she was going to marry Jiang An, didn't show it on their faces, but they were all worried inside.

The group chat was flooded with all sorts of psychological and self-redemption platitudes.

The purpose was to help Miss Wen, who had enjoyed a glamorous life in the first half of her life, to be more open-minded when she encountered marital problems.

After all, what's the difference between getting married, or marrying Jiang An, and being trapped in purgatory?

Anne: [So, does that mean after marriage you have to be a model daughter-in-law, serving your in-laws every day?]

Grace: [Oh no, this is terrible!]

Claire: [I've heard the Jiang family has very strict family rules and values ​​reputation highly, Shuangshuang, I suspect this is our last chance to see you.]

Anne: [Let's send off Miss Wen, who is about to marry into a top-tier conglomerate with assets worth hundreds of billions!]

Wen Lingshuang: [Are you guys out of your minds? This is a wedding, not a funeral. What about being a devoted daughter-in-law, serving your in-laws? Jiang An promised me that after the wedding I wouldn't live at the Jiang family home, wouldn't take care of my in-laws, and wouldn't even go to the ancestral rites.]

Anne: [...]

Grace: [...]

Claire: [...]

Wen Lingshuang tossed her phone aside, lay down on the bed to apply a face mask, and looked at her phone while applying the mask. Jiang An had sent her a message, which was full of information about the setup of the press conference venue and the list of guests and media. She casually flipped through it and saw Chen Xuanhe's name on the guest list.

His handsome brows furrowed.

Chen Xuanhe.

Why would you ask him for something?

They were neither high-ranking guests nor media reporters.

She highlighted the list, framed Chen Xuanhe's name, and sent the message: [?]

Jiang An: [Please invite him to be our witness.]

Jiang An: [Witness my journey to becoming your fiancé.]

Wen Lingshuang was stunned.

She actually sensed a hint of jealousy.

Is it just an illusion?

He clearly showed no emotion when he met Chen Xuanhe before.

A note from the author: