Chapter 290 A Close Call
She sat down next to Jiang Ling, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Ling.
Jiang Ling nodded and readily admitted, "Yes, my name is Jiang Ling."
"I am Lin Weiwei, a distant cousin of my cousin Mo Chen. I have heard my cousin mention you before, and seeing you today, you are indeed beautiful and elegant."
These words were spoken politely, but every sentence carried a hint of probing.
Jiang Ling still wore a faint smile: "Miss Lin, you flatter me."
Lin Weiwei feigned curiosity and asked, "What kind of business does your family run? My cousin told me that you helped Grandpa find a lot of treasures. Is it one of those antique shops that hides many rare and precious items?"
Her voice wasn't quiet, and upon hearing it, the women of the Mo family around her quietly slowed their conversation, their gazes drifting over almost imperceptibly.
Jiang Ling picked up the teacup on the table, took a small sip, and spoke calmly:
"It's just an ordinary general store, selling things like oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, needles and thread. Occasionally, they'll collect old items that others don't need anymore. If they're lucky enough to find a few that they like, they'll send them to Old Master Mo. They're nothing rare or precious."
Lin Weiwei blinked, seemingly surprised by the answer, then changed the subject and asked again,
"So how did you meet your cousin? I heard from him that you two are business associates? But I noticed that he treats you quite differently. I wanted him to pick me up today, but he refused. Now I know he went to pick you up."
The question was direct, carrying a hint of clarifying the relationship, and the surrounding gazes immediately became subtle.
Mo Chen frowned slightly, about to speak to defuse the situation, but Jiang Ling had already looked up and met Lin Weiwei's gaze, her smile unchanged:
"I did meet Mr. Mo through business. He is an upright man and has taken good care of my little shop. As for why he seems different, I think Miss Lin is overthinking it. Mr. Mo has always been humble and polite to people."
Her candor caused the questioning gazes of the crowd to dim slightly.
Lin Weiwei met Mo Chen's warning gaze and dared not ask any further questions.
At this moment, a woman wearing a Xiangyun yarn cheongsam and a jade necklace chimed in with a smile:
"Miss Jiang is truly remarkable for her age; she has managed the shop so successfully at such a young age. May I ask what your parents do for a living? Do you have any other siblings?"
Mo Chen spoke up to stop her, "Third Aunt! Miss Jiang, she..."
Jiang Ling didn't seem to mind. She nodded and smiled, calmly replying, "Thank you for your kind words, Third Aunt. My father was also a businessman, but unfortunately he passed away. My parents divorced years ago, and my mother doesn't live with me now."
She didn't feel there was anything shameful about her background. There were many people in the world whose lives were worse than hers.
She was just visiting as a friend, not trying to establish a family connection with them.
Third Aunt seemed somewhat surprised by her frankness, and after a moment of surprise, she smiled and said, "So that's how it is. Miss Jiang is quite independent and capable."
Old Master Mo's tone was slightly cold: "Jiang girl is a guest I invited. Why ask so many questions? Jiang girl has good taste. The gift she brought today must be quite unique. Old woman, quickly open it and let us broaden our horizons."
Grandma Mo smiled and nodded, then slowly opened the brocade box.
When the shimmering brocade was exposed to the light, it immediately attracted the attention of those around it.
As the lights shimmered, the brocade shimmered with a dreamlike luster, sometimes like ripples on water, sometimes like a sky full of rosy clouds. Its texture was so delicate that it felt as if flowing clouds were brushing against one's face, far surpassing any known silk on the market.
What's even more remarkable is the double-sided Suzhou embroidery technique, which has almost been lost.
Even if the craft hadn't been lost, most of these handicrafts were used for exhibitions. It would take skilled craftsmen a year or even several years to embroider a pattern the size of a palm.
Even among aristocratic families, it's rare to see someone go to such lengths to embroider such a large, auspicious peony pattern on clothing.
The combination of shimmering brocade and double-sided Suzhou embroidery makes this a priceless work of art, beyond monetary value.
A clear look of amazement flashed in Grandma Mo's eyes. She gently stroked the lifelike embroidery, looked up at Jiang Ling, and her smile deepened.
"The material is ordinary, but the embroidery is exquisite! You're so thoughtful, I really like this gift."
Grandpa Mo also came over to take a look, clicking his tongue in amazement: "I knew this girl always had something good in her hands!"
With the praise from the two main characters, no one present dared to underestimate her anymore.
As for her saying that her family only runs a general store, everyone just thought she was being overly modest.
After all, what kind of ordinary person could someone be the one that Old Master Mo talks about all the time?
Grandma Mo had the gifts carefully put away, then eagerly took Jiang Ling's hand and chatted incessantly for a long time.
“Our Xiao Chen isn’t very good at charming girls, and he’s a bit quiet when he talks. Please bear with him, Miss Jiang.”
Jiang Ling was completely confused: "Mr. Mo is a very kind person. He has helped me a lot. I was thinking of finding an opportunity to thank him properly."
"Really? You two get along well, that puts my mind at ease. I'll ask his dad to assign him less work in the future, so he'll have more free time... um, I'll help you out."
Jiang Ling maintained her smile: "Mr. Mo, please prioritize your work. My matters are all minor."
Mo Chen stood to the side, feeling slightly awkward, unsure whether to interject or not.
Grandpa Mo also came over, "Jiang girl, I heard you reopened the fireworks factory?"
Jiang Ling nodded: "Yes, Grandpa Mo. If the Mo family needs anything in the future, please feel free to contact us, and I will make the arrangements."
"Opening a factory is no small matter. Can you manage it all by yourself? Don't overwork yourself."
"Thank you for your concern, Grandpa Xie. I was indeed struggling to make ends meet on my own, so I asked a senior from my school days to help manage it. Now, the fireworks factory is on the right track."
Upon hearing this, Old Master Mo frowned slightly, glanced at Mo Chen, and then spoke to Jiang Ling:
"Why bother your senior? Isn't Mo Chen free? I gave him a few factories to practice in when he was sixteen, so he has experience. If you need anything in the future, just ask him directly. I've always believed that we have a connection from our ancestors, so let's not let it become distant in your generation."
Throughout the subsequent birthday banquet, Jiang Ling remained quietly seated in her assigned place, displaying impeccable dining etiquette. She answered questions politely without saying much or overstepping her bounds.
His composure in this situation made some people who initially looked down on him reconsider.
When she left the Mo family, Mo Chen personally escorted her to the shop entrance.
"Thank you for today." In the darkness, he looked at her, his tone gentler than usual.
"Grandma hasn't been this happy in a long time. She really likes that gift."
Jiang Ling shook her head: "I'm glad the old lady is happy. I've bothered you today."
Only after closing the iron gate did Jiang Ling finally relax, leaning back in her chair and letting out a soft breath.
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