Upstairs, Chen Meiyuan and Lan Meixuan exchanged a glance, both of them worried for Shen Jialiang.
"Why is this child so clumsy with words?"
Lan Meixuan smiled indifferently, "Never mind, let them be together."
Chen Meiyuan sighed, "That's true. Let me tell you, Song Zhiya seems gentle, but I didn't expect her to be so shrewd."
"oh?"
The two chatted as they went downstairs. Lan Meixuan was shocked, never expecting that the seemingly gentle Song Zhiya would do such a thing.
Chen Jiayi downstairs gave an awkward laugh.
Shen Jialiang realized he had created an awkward silence. He pursed his lips, somewhat annoyed that he had said "oh".
He thought for a moment and then took the initiative to choose a gossip chat.
Do you know why Shen Huiyang got engaged to Du Sisi?
Chen Jiayi shook her head, a curious expression in her eyes.
"Someone reported that the Lin family knew about the situation but protected their daughter from going to the countryside, which implicated the Song and Du families."
Shen Jialiang's explanation made Chen Jiayi understand immediately.
She looked at Shen Jialiang with surprise and curiosity.
"Then what's the point of their engagement?"
Does getting engaged mean you don't have to go to the countryside?
Shen Jialiang spoke slowly and gently.
"Shen Huiyang and Du Sisi have already obtained their marriage certificate, and holding an engagement banquet now is just a formality."
He paused, staring at Chen Jiayi's curious gaze, and kindly explained it to her.
"Originally, the Shen family and the Lin family had planned a marriage alliance. Song Zhiya knew that her family had to send someone to the countryside. She didn't want to suffer in the countryside, so she set her sights on Du Sisi."
"However, Du Sisi is quick-witted. Realizing that Song Zhiya had set a trap, she immediately turned her back on her and went back to propose a marriage alliance."
“If the educated youth don’t want to go to the countryside, they either need to find a job or get married. Du Sisi’s family has a company, and it’s too late for her to find a job now. Song Zhiya, on the other hand, has studied abroad and has a higher chance of going, but her extended family has… Just send one of them to the countryside as a formality, just to make a token gesture.”
Chen Jiayi understood. In short, the Lin family couldn't bear to see their daughter suffer, so they didn't send her to the countryside.
Unexpectedly, a report led to an investigation of both the Song and Du families.
Chen Jiayi was a little confused, "Shouldn't Song Zhiya and Du Sisi both go to the countryside?"
Shen Jialiang pushed up his glasses and, unusually, began to explain things to Chen Jiayi.
“The Lin family is wealthy, and the amount of money they hand over every year is not small. We just need to send one person to go through the formalities.”
So that's how it is. Chen Jiayi never expected it could be done this way.
She thought about the educated youth in Lianhua Town; they were all sent to the countryside because their families were not favored.
For a moment, I felt a pang of sadness.
She suddenly remembered that Lin Yuyao, the daughter of the Lin family, was found later. She hadn't received much education and didn't meet the requirements for going to the countryside.
Chen Jiayi thought this way, and that's why she asked the question.
Shen Jialiang pushed up his glasses. "I heard that the Lin family is promoting Lin Yuyao as an educated young lady, so..."
Chen Jiayi understood.
She couldn't help but laugh out loud. The Lin family probably never expected that they would end up shooting themselves in the foot.
The two chatted for a long time in the back, and before they knew it, their relationship had grown much closer.
It wasn't until someone called them to dinner that Chen Jiayi and Shen Jialiang realized that more than half of the time had passed without them noticing.
Back in the lobby, Lan Meixuan had already reserved a seat for Chen Jiayi.
When she saw Chen Jiayi return, she gave her a gentle smile.
"Jiayi, sit here."
Chen Jiayi felt a gaze and immediately looked up after sitting down.
Their table was full of distinguished guests, seated next to the main table.
Du Sisi, sitting at the head table, was wearing a red cheongsam and looked at her with a complicated expression.
Chen Jiayi was stunned, not understanding why Du Sisi was looking at her like that.
A short while later, Du Sisi and Shen Huiyang went on stage.
Looking at Du Sisi's smile, Chen Jiayi felt that the smile was very forced.
She was momentarily lost in thought...
If the Chen family needs to arrange a marriage one day, will she have to marry someone she doesn't like, just like Du Sisi?
It's common knowledge that Du Sisi likes Song Zhiyan.
However, Song Zhiya had schemed against Du Sisi, and it was impossible for Du Sisi to marry into the Song family.
Moreover, Song Zhiyan was merely an adopted son of the Song family.
After the person on stage said a few words, the engagement ceremony was over.
Du Sisi and Shen Huiyang went down the stage together to offer a toast.
They just stood there so that everyone could see who was getting engaged today.
When they arrived at Chen Jiayi's table, Chen Jiayi instinctively tried to stand up, but Lan Meixuan pressed her down.
She smiled at Chen Jiayi, and Chen Jiayi then realized that everyone at the table except her were elders.
Chen Meiyuan, Lan Meixuan, and several other wealthy women sat together at a dining table.
Chen Jiayi realized that when you have enough status and power, you don't need to lower your posture at all.
Du Sisi drank without making a sound, downing glass after glass.
Chen Jiayi watched with trepidation; how could anyone stand drinking like that?
Lan Meixuan whispered in Chen Jiayi's ear.
"Sisi's cup contains water."
They assumed the girl's cup contained water.
People didn't care whether the woman drank water or alcohol; they were more concerned with her interactions with other people at the banquet.
To put it bluntly, banquets are for expanding resources and connections.
As the hostess, Du Guizhi naturally had to come out and greet everyone.
She walked over to Lan Meixuan's table and took a small glass of wine from the servant following behind her.
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