"Why are you wearing this?" Yu Peiyan frowned as she saw Cheng Zhili come downstairs. "Go change into the new white dress that Mom picked out for you. You don't need to wear a necklace, just wear a pair of pearl earrings."

Cheng Zhili pursed her lips slightly: "Mom, didn't you say it was just a simple banquet? There's no need to change your dress, is there?"

Yu Peiyan didn't even look up: "Listen to your mother, go change, don't keep everyone waiting."

Cheng Zhili stood still, and Yu Peiyan's voice became even harsher: "Zhili, don't make your mother say it a second time, don't you want your phone back?"

In the end, Cheng Zhili listened to her mother and changed into the white dress. Paired with pearl earrings, she looked beautiful and charming, like a noble and elegant little swan.

It must be said that Yu Peiyan has a good eye and knows how to dress Cheng Zhili to make her more beautiful, but Cheng Zhili is not happy at all, not only because she has no right to dress herself up, but also because she knows that this is for others to see.

It goes without saying who she was showing the document to—someone with a better family background than the Cheng family, who was also a potential business partner, and who happened to have a son of similar age to her in his family.

"The Ji family will be there later. Their son is only two years older than you. You can get to know each other."

"Okay, Mom."

"Smile sweetly, but don't be obsequious. You are the daughter your mother has raised with love. I am confident that among all the girls your age in City C, there is no one more outstanding than you."

This is what Yu Peiyan is most proud of in her life. When she was young, she never admitted defeat to anyone, and naturally, her daughter had to be the best. Now, when she goes out, who doesn't envy her for raising her daughter so well?

Cheng Zhili's lips curved into a perfect smile, a smile that Yu Peiyan had specially taught her. She practiced it countless times to achieve such an appropriate and natural smile. It seems that, apart from Aunt Song and Wenwen, no one has been able to tell whether her smile reveals her true feelings.

Today's banquet was indeed not large, but all the guests were prominent figures in City C. The Cheng family soon met up with the Ji family, whom they were going to introduce to Zhili.

"This must be your daughter. Oh my, she's so beautiful. I've always wanted a well-behaved and pretty daughter since I was young, but I ended up with a rascal." Madam Ji affectionately pulled Zhili along to look her over, her words full of praise.

“How can we compare to your young master, who is already helping out at the company at such a young age?” Yu Peiyan, who is usually very strict with Zhili, was all smiles at this moment.

"She just graduated high school and had nothing to do during the summer vacation, so she interned at her dad's company. It's not as good as you say. How old is Zhili? Where does she study?"

“She’s turned fifteen, and when school starts again she’ll be a senior in high school, studying at Yu-Teh Middle School.”

Cheng Zhili kept smiling and didn't have a chance to speak at all. She only needed to remain obedient and quiet, and Yu Peiyan answered everything for her.

"Let's stop talking to the young people, we're both adults. My son is here today too, and he's not familiar with the area yet. Zhili, how about you show him around?"

"That's certainly not a problem."

After Yu Peiyan finished speaking, she looked at Cheng Zhili, who then smiled and nodded, "Okay, Auntie."

Madam Ji then waved to her son, who was not far away, and said, "Yunyang, come here and take your Cheng family sister to do what you young people do. Your Aunt Yu and I have something to talk about."

Looking at him, Cheng Zhili had to admit that Ji Yunyang was one of the tallest and most handsome men she had ever met, with a more refreshing demeanor and none of the frivolity and arrogance of other young masters.

No matter how good the person was, Cheng Zhili remained indifferent. It was difficult for her to open her heart to someone she met with a purpose.

"Sister Cheng, may I call you that?" He gave a gentle smile, his voice soft and tender.

"Sure, Brother Ji."

"Let's go for a walk over there. There's a small, beautiful garden we just came from, and we won't have to listen to the adults nagging."

"Then I'll trouble Brother Ji to lead the way."

"Watch out for the steps." Ji Yunyang was very gentlemanly. Seeing that Cheng Zhili was wearing high heels, he carefully reached out to protect her whenever there was a step, but he didn't touch her.

"Thanks."

The two walked side by side, with Ji Yunyang only occasionally saying a word or two, which did not make Cheng Zhili feel awkward.

"Look, isn't this place beautiful?"

Cheng Zhili's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected there to be a small pond here, filled with water lilies and goldfish. There was even a little turtle basking in the sun on a rock. She guessed the air conditioning here was too cold, otherwise the little turtle wouldn't dare to sunbathe like that in this weather.

I don't know what kind of grass was planted next to the pond. The plants were only about the height of a finger and had small yellow and white flowers.

"Would you like to sit over there for a while?"

"Okay, Brother Ji."

Ji Yunyang chuckled lightly: "I always feel that calling me Brother Ji is like a title from a martial arts novel. If you don't mind, you can call me Brother Yunyang."

Cheng Zhili smiled and then readily agreed, "Brother Yunyang, thank you for bringing me here."

"You're welcome. To be honest, I also wanted to find some peace and quiet."

The two chatted casually, and the atmosphere wasn't as uncomfortable as Cheng Zhili had imagined. After returning home, she told Yu Peiyan the truth.

Yu Peiyan nodded knowingly, but a few days later, she was told the news that she was about to get engaged to Ji Yunyang.

"Engaged? Me? Mom, why didn't you discuss this with me beforehand?"

Cheng Zhili was stunned. They had only met once, and he was already asking her to get engaged to Ji Yunyang?

"Mom, I'm only fifteen!"

"What's wrong with fifteen? People used to have children at fifteen. It's just an engagement, not a wedding."

"The past is the past, the present is the present, and the legal marriage age is twenty!"

“So Mom also said it’s just an engagement.” Yu Peiyan frowned. “Does Mom know less than you? Zhili, stop making trouble.”

"I'm not making a scene." Cheng Zhili was somewhat exasperated. She was the one who was supposed to be engaged, but she was the one who was notified. How could she not be annoyed?

"For the Ji family to gain a foothold in City C, finding a family to cooperate with is the simplest and most convenient way. And we also need the Ji family's influence in other provinces. A marriage alliance is the safest way, and it will have a good effect on the stock prices of both parties. Zhili, your mother will not harm you. Didn't you say yourself that you get along well with him?"

"We only met once."

"There will be plenty of opportunities to meet in the future. I'm giving your phone back to you. You can chat more when you have time. Also, I've canceled some of your weekend classes so you can use that time to see each other more often and build your relationship."

"Mom, you said you would respect my opinion and at least choose one I like."

"Since you feel good about the first meeting, won't feelings develop over time? Ji Yunyang is much better than the other young masters in City C. What are you still being picky about? Zhili, don't be willful. The cooperation with the Ji family is already underway. Don't make things difficult for your parents and the company because of you."

"I..." Before Cheng Zhili could even refute, Yu Peiyan got up and left, giving her no chance to choose.