Mu Jinzhi frowned slightly, then wrapped her arm around Zhong Yunsheng's again, which made her feel more at ease.

"Mom, let's go." Bai Yan looked at the French-style clothes here and shook her head: "I don't like the style of dresses here. Let's go look somewhere else."

She couldn't be bothered to say another word to someone as worthless as Zhong Yunsheng, and Madam Yuan nodded in agreement.

“Women’s awareness in China is still too conservative these days. Just because it shows off a figure, they give up such a beautiful dress.” Mu Jinzhi lifted her dress, and Bai Yan’s rebellious spirit rose up instead of disapproving: “Yun Sheng, I want to wear this fitted dress to the ball.”

“Okay, I’ll take your picture then,” Zhong Yunsheng said. “You’ll definitely be the most dazzling lady at the ball that night.”

Yuan was in a bad mood when she left the tailor shop. She was furious: her husband had saved the Zhong family's lives, hadn't he?

Why does Zhong Yunsheng act as if Yan'er owes her something?

Bai Yan was in a good mood, though. She could tell that Zhong Yunsheng was a complete waste of his life.

Putting trash in the right place can definitely have a good effect, right?

"Mom, if you don't want to go back to the Zhong family, how about we go for a walk?" Knowing that Madam Yuan was in a bad mood, Bai Yan smiled and coaxed her, "Didn't you want to open a restaurant? Let's go see if there are any suitable shops, and if there are, we'll take them over today."

"In a few days, we'll have nothing to do with the Zhong family anymore. Let's not let these people affect our future lives."

Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

...

This era is one of intense clashes between old and new ideas, and print media is a way for many people to express their thoughts.

Whether it's publishing an admiration for someone in the newspaper, announcing marriage or divorce, or criticizing a politician or general in the newspaper, these things happen frequently, except that the former is more entertaining and less risky.

The newspapers have been buzzing with excitement these past few days because of the upcoming charity ball in West Side.

Although Zhong Yunsheng is the descendant of a warlord who returned from studying abroad, he has no intention of joining the army. He is currently a teacher at a university in Xicheng, teaching English, and he is also one of the representatives of this fundraising effort.

Mu Jinzhi is a socialite and talented woman from Xicheng. She often publishes her essays and poems in newspapers and also attended the ball as a fundraising representative.

Before the ball, she wrote an article that was published in the newspaper, along with a photo of herself wearing the new corset dress.

In her article, she recounts the story of a woman from a traditional, sheltered life who was abandoned by her husband, who had received a more progressive education. She writes that only those who are on the same wavelength can stay together as partners until the end.

She is implying that Bai Yan, this "different" fiancée, is a product of the old era and will eventually be abandoned by the times, falling behind them.

Zhong Yunsheng and Mu Jinzhi were already in a high-profile relationship, and her article resonated with many people in the literary world not long after it was published.

Miss Jin is right. I can't live with a woman who doesn't understand me and whom I don't love. So I broke free of my shackles and divorced her!

In this emotional relationship, the fair-skinned woman was undoubtedly the villain.

Love requires standing side by side; how could someone who knows nothing be worthy of Mr. Zhong?

[Miss Mu's dress is quite pretty; her style will soon become fashionable, and I should order one for myself!]

With the help of some people, this news became the hottest gossip in Xicheng these past few days, and Bai Yan became the person at the center of the discussion.

At that moment, Zhong Rentao placed the newspaper on the table and was twirling a pair of jade walnuts in his hands.

He was unhappy for several days after sending Ayu away. He wasn't the type to be manipulated, especially not by someone using the "life-saving grace" as leverage. Anyway, his son liked that Mu Jinzhi.

He needs the Mu family's support now, so he might as well use Bai Yan as a tool to create momentum for the future young mistress of the Zhong family and enhance her value.

As for the tool itself, isn't it useless after it's used up?

...

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and soon it was time for the charity gala.

Mu Jinzhi was wearing the fitted dress that had been tailored at the tailor shop that day. Her waist was cinched, and the flower-like, fluffy skirt made her waist look incredibly slender. Zhong Yunsheng, without any hesitation, took her hand and led her into the ballroom.

"Miss Mu looks beautiful today," someone complimented.

Mu Jinzhi said helplessly, "But some people say that this dress is outdated."

"My God, who's so clueless? You're always the first in the West City to wear these new Western-style dresses!" Foreign things are always new and exciting.

Mu Jinzhi sighed and remained silent. Someone next to her explained, "Who else could it be?"

"The person Jinzhi mentioned in her article, right?"

"What else would she wear to a ball if not a dress?" someone scoffed. "She wouldn't wear a short jacket and mandarin gown to such an occasion, would she? That would be incredibly embarrassing."