Chapter 6

I got home just in time for dinner. My mother, Su Sinan, had gone out a couple of days ago, but she saw the trending news online and quickly returned home.

"You just agreed to be introduced to someone and you're already spreading rumors and ruining your reputation. The Shen family really knows how to do things."

Zhuang Yazhi was initially a little confused, and even thought she was hallucinating.

But she quickly realized that in her previous life, shortly after returning to China, her mother had arranged marriages for her, and Shen Yiheng was one of them.

Based on family background and overall personal evaluation, Shen Yiheng was undoubtedly number one, so it was natural that he was arranged to be the first to meet him. His domineering behavior intensified after the first formal meeting, secretly disrupting Zhuang Yazhi's meetings with others, and afterwards responding with only the statement that it was uniquely his.

All sorts of interconnected relationships laid a solid foundation for their later ill-fated romance after this meeting, destined to be entangled forever.

Having been reborn, and with rumors flying everywhere even before they've been formally introduced, Zhuang Yazhi reasonably suspects that she and Shen Yiheng are incompatible, and that nothing good ever comes of meeting him.

Thinking back carefully, Mom seemed to have said something when she came in: "The Shen family really has some tricks up their sleeves."

"Damn it," she knew that the scandal was caused by Shen Yiheng.

Despite his privileged family background and immense power, Su Sinan particularly despised such a dishonest person and took it upon herself to cancel their meeting.

"You can't keep a man like that; he's cunning and hard to get along with."

Zhuang Yazhi wholeheartedly agreed. Yes, she was very cunning and difficult to get along with. It would be best if they never met again.

"Mom is wise!"

In her previous life, no one knew how Shen Yiheng had won over her mother's heart. Whenever she talked about him, her mother would shower him with praise, and she was extremely satisfied with this future son-in-law.

Fortunately, this time Mom's eyes were sharp, and she saw through the scoundrel's evil scheme early on.

As for marriage, Zhuang Yazhi has no plans in that regard for the time being. He believes that the less one there is, the less one will be without a ghost, and he will absolutely not get married unless absolutely necessary.

During her free time, Zhuang Yazhi arranged to meet someone privately: Ye Ran, the head of the publicity office at Haicheng Design.

A gentleman, gentle and polite, a rare normal person in my memory.

Zhuang Yazhi had made ample preparations before coming, and the two had a very pleasant conversation. Taking this opportunity, Zhuang Yazhi expressed her hope to appear in a promotional video for the city park.

"As the project owner, the Zhuang family is honored to participate in the construction of the city park. If possible, the Zhuang family also hopes to undertake the project's publicity work, working together to ensure the city park project is completed perfectly and contribute to the cultural development of Haicheng."

Ye Ran fully affirmed Zhuang Yazhi's idea; he had also been planning to arrange the promotional video before coming.

"We've just received several audition applications from artists. If Ms. Zhuang is also interested, how about we audition together on the afternoon of the 12th?"

“No problem,” Zhuang Yazhi agreed readily.

Not far behind them, a cold, piercing gaze was fixed on their every move. Shen Yiheng lost his appetite and was deeply affected by their emotions.

Are you sure Mom really said the date is canceled?

Zhou Ying nodded firmly, then nodded again, "Madam is very sympathetic that your appointment was canceled. She is now working tirelessly to plan another rendezvous. Please wait patiently."

Shen Yiheng's rare patience vanished the moment he heard those sweet laughs. He arrogantly raised his head and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, feeling guilty yet certain: "Miss Zhuang is really busy, even during lunchtime she doesn't forget to meet with clients."

Being canceled on a meeting is a very embarrassing thing, especially since it was supposed to be an arranged marriage, which shows just how unpopular Mr. Shen is.

Although she knew that her smile, revealing eight teeth, was fake, Zhou Ying still enthusiastically chimed in: "Of course! Everyone knows that Miss Zhuang is a workaholic who does everything herself. She could have directly inherited the family fortune, but she works harder than anyone else. How are we working people supposed to survive?"

As a secretary, he endured too much. After lying through his teeth, he didn't even dare to breathe loudly, all because the matchmaker was unhelpful.

"How are the preparations for the bidding meeting going?" After the meeting, it was specifically instructed that all participating companies must attend, not a single one could be missing.

Zhou Ying confidently assured everyone: "Don't worry, everything has been arranged, and the meeting will be held as scheduled."

Everyone was present; not a single person was missing.

In the final preparation time, everyone entered a state of readiness.

Zhuang Yazhi had no intention of participating, but Zhuang Haiming took the initiative and pulled her to help prepare for the meeting, saying that she could take this opportunity to learn more.

He became particularly enthusiastic when talking about work at this time.

While everyone else was resting, Zhuang Haiming suddenly began to reminisce about the first half of his life.

"Starting a business is not easy, but maintaining it is even harder. Over the years, Zhuang's has been frantically seizing resources in various markets, which has long aroused the dissatisfaction of other competitors. Tens of thousands of people in Zhuang's company depend on us for their livelihood. Nowadays, we are very cautious in every business move, only hoping to make steady progress and barely make a living for everyone."

There was much more, but Zhuang Yazhi didn't listen carefully. It was nothing more than that the employees all depended on the Zhuang family for their livelihood, so she had to prioritize the Zhuang family in her future work and couldn't be willful.

As he spoke, Zhuang Haiming placed all his hopes on Zhuang Yazhi, conveying his appreciation and expectations in his bright eyes: "Yazhi is smart and visionary. Dad believes that Yazhi can lead the Zhuang family to new glory. With Yazhi around, Dad feels much more at ease."

The loving father's patient guidance and genuine affection are truly touching.

Zhuang Yazhi smiled insincerely, not believing it at all. In the previous life, you passed the family business to your son, who was an illegitimate child. If it weren't for the fact that she was currently entangled with Shen Yiheng, there wouldn't be such a feignedly warm and harmonious father-daughter scene.

However, he was right about one thing: she would definitely lead the Zhuang family to new heights and let everyone know that she was the most outstanding heir of the Zhuang family.

At 7:30 p.m., Zhuang Yazhi attended a cocktail party at Haixinsha Building with her mother, Su Sinan.

Su Sinan, dressed in a bright red dress, was stunning and graceful. Her elegant demeanor made her the center of attention from the moment she appeared, attracting a huge number of camera flashes.

"Look, Miss Su is here."

The two walked in the center of the red carpet, bathed in the spotlight, with dozens of bodyguards clearing the way for them, creating an impressive spectacle.

As soon as she stepped into the venue, the organizers rushed over, panting, to greet her warmly: "We've been waiting for so long, Ms. Su, please come in."

Su Sinan rarely attended these cocktail parties in the past, finding them boring; these past few days, she saw Zhuang Yazhi so busy with work that she was completely overwhelmed and her rest time was totally messed up, so she could take advantage of the event to get some fresh air.

Zhuang Yazhi looked around the venue, and the first thing that caught her eye was the Jinxiu Dynasty brand logo in the center of the event poster, which was dazzling.

The Su family's embroidery has been renowned for centuries. It was a royal exclusive hundreds of years ago and is now celebrated worldwide as an intangible cultural heritage. A single piece of embroidery is priceless.

Unique honors and a spirit of craftsmanship that strives for excellence have helped it reach the pinnacle of the industry, a position that no one else can match.

At today's reception, there was a special exhibition area showcasing century-old works, attracting hundreds of inheritors who came specifically to see the exhibits.

"Using a needle as a pen and a thread as a painting, each stitch and thread brings the picture to life, vividly depicted under the light and shadow."

"Exquisite details, elegant colors, graceful flowers and birds, and lively figures; it looks like a painting up close and even better than the real thing from afar."

Behind the exhibition hall, a large screen displays embroidery, with two people standing on either side of the same piece, embroidering back and forth with the same needle. The embroidery features different colors, shapes, and even needles, creating two completely different scenes with the unique double-sided three-different embroidery technique. Just what the eye can see is enough to amaze one for a lifetime.

"Oh, isn't this Miss Su?"

“The little girl on the other end of the video looks just like Ms. Su; they look like mother and daughter.”

Mr. Long, the organizer, took two steps closer. He had noticed Zhuang Yazhi when he came in, but he couldn't speak to her because of the large number of people present. Now, the more he looked at her, the more amazed he was.

"Is it Xiaoya?" He asked, his curiosity barely contained, barely able to contain his excitement.

Su Sinan was equally gratified. The little girl who used to make embroidery with her had grown up, and the works of the mother and daughter had become classics and were widely circulated.

"Xiaoya, this is Uncle Long. He used to tease you a lot when you were little."

Zhuang Yazhi didn't have a deep impression of Long Wenhong. Seeing that he and her mother had a friendly relationship, she smiled and nodded politely: "Hello, Uncle Long, I'm Xiaoya."

"Great, great!" Long Wenhong was so happy that tears welled up in his eyes, marveling at how the little girl from back then had grown into a beautiful young woman.

"I wish I could see you two work together on a new project. Let me tell you this now, I've already reserved this project, and no one can take it from me."

Zhuang Yazhi and her mother exchanged a knowing smile; she, too, was filled with anticipation. Despite having been abroad for many years, she hadn't neglected her embroidery skills, firmly remembering all the techniques her mother had taught her.

As a successor, she has an obligation to pass on the family's glory.

Seeing that her mother and Long Wenhong were having a pleasant conversation, Zhuang Yazhi left the time for them and went to take a walk around the inner area.

Standing on the observation deck in the center, she looked out over the entire scene and witnessed the century-old splendor of the Su family. Images of her childhood life in the Su family compound floated into her mind, filled with happiness and joy that she would never forget.

Turning her gaze elsewhere, a familiar figure not far away caught Zhuang Yazhi's attention, and her excited eyes instantly turned indifferent.

He shone like a star, his words and actions humble and gentlemanly, his smiling eyes captivating. He drew cheers from hundreds of people, who were mesmerized and went wild, repeatedly bringing the atmosphere of the promotional event to a climax.

"I love you, John!!!"

"I really want to marry you and have a bunch of little monkeys for you."

Whenever a top-tier celebrity appears, the scene explodes. Even if the event is held at the entrance, the impact is enough to shake the entire venue, requiring hundreds of security personnel to maintain order.

Zhuang Yazhi raised her eyes, tapping lightly on the railing as she silently gazed at it, her thoughts drifting away.

The past is repeating itself, and people from the past are reappearing, some even meeting in advance.