Chapter 8 "Such a sexy dress, so sensually..."
A mist began to rise, and a light drizzle fell on the windowpane. The strong winds stretched the raindrops into long, thin streaks, blurring visibility. Inside, an old-fashioned radio was broadcasting the latest typhoon news: "[According to the latest meteorological monitoring, Typhoon No. 5 'Liuli' is gradually approaching the city's coastline and is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain this afternoon and evening. The city has issued a yellow typhoon warning signal, and some areas may experience short-term heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds.]"
Wen Lingshuang lay on the bed with her legs swinging, her phone beside her still showing her chat with Jiang An.
I rolled around in bed a few times, then sleepiness came over me, and I fell into a deep sleep, hugging my pillow.
That night, a fierce wind howled and a torrential rain lashed down. Wen Lingshuang slept fitfully until the next morning. As soon as she opened her eyes, her phone, which was lying beside her, lit up. Reaching for it, she saw a message from Jiang An: "[I discussed it with my family yesterday, and next Wednesday seems like a good day. We can hold a press conference to announce our marriage. What do you think?]"
Next Wednesday.
Wen Lingshuang squinted her eyes, like a lazy Persian cat, and blinked her eyelashes twice.
Something felt off.
She propped herself up and sent a message: [Isn't next Wednesday your family's ancestral worship day? Is this the time to publicly announce a marriage?]
Jiang An: [You're finally talking to me?]
The news came unexpectedly.
Yesterday's events flooded my mind.
The anger had not yet subsided.
A pretentious reply: [I'm dealing with you on official business.]
Jiang An: [So, do you agree?]
It's not a matter of whether she agrees or not, but whether the Jiang family agrees or not. The Wen family is strict and cautious about ancestral worship. They don't necessarily do it perfectly, but at least the whole family contributes every year. The Jiang family does even more than the Wen family. As a family of scholars and prominent families, ancestral worship is a very important matter. How could they possibly not hold it because of a marriage alliance?
Either the Jiang family doesn't care about her as their daughter-in-law, and the ancestral worship and the public marriage can be held on the same day without any problems, but the Jiang family simply won't attend.
She was lost in thought.
Jiang An had already sent her all the press conference content and procedures.
Two large pages filled with dense text.
Just flipping through it casually.
Time: August 30 (Wednesday) 15:00 - 17:00
Location: Peninsula Hotel Grand Ballroom
Below is a list of key attendees, invited guests, and media representatives.
The guests were all important figures in the political and business worlds, some of whom even shocked Wen Lingshuang. After repeatedly reviewing the list of invited guests and confirming the relationship between those important figures and Jiang An, Jiang felt a sudden tremor in her heart.
Further down, it was a normal press conference process: guest check-in, media entry, speeches and interviews from both sides, a Q&A session with the media... Unlike previous press conferences, this one included an exchange of tokens.
She was impatient; after glancing at the process, she replied: [Received.]
I'm going to die.
It's all Jiang An's fault! If he hadn't said those things yesterday, she wouldn't have been half asleep! She'd lost all her beauty sleep!
After angrily venting all her emotions on Jiang An, she cursed a few times before turning around to wash up.
After washing up and going downstairs, Tan Zhu found that several uncles, aunts, and other relatives had not left and were sitting in the living room chatting about something. Tan Zhu was the first to see Wen Lingshuang standing on the steps and waved and called out, "Sister, sister, come down quickly!"
Wen Lingshuang was listless. "Why... so early in the morning?"
"It's still early." Wen Jinye turned around when she heard the voice, and pointed to the watch on her wrist. "It's ten o'clock."
Wen Lingshuang yawned, patted her mouth with her hand, and said lazily, "I haven't had enough sleep yet."
"Wake up!" Tan Yu said with a smile. "Shuangshuang, come here quickly. The Jiang family said they want to come over at noon to discuss the marriage press conference. They said it's scheduled for next Wednesday and they're asking for our opinion."
"Don't ask me." Wen Lingshuang was still thinking about her dark circles. "You can set the date whenever you want, but let me be clear from the start, next Wednesday is the Jiang family's ancestral worship day. They deliberately set the date for this time. Does that mean the Jiang family doesn't care about the marriage alliance at all? And they're not coming to the press conference?"
“This is a press conference for the marriage of the head of the Jiang family. How could the Jiang family not care? How could they not come?” Wen Jinye said with a frown. “The Jiang family has postponed the ancestral worship day.”
Wen Lingshuang was so sleepy that she yawned again.
He had barely opened his mouth when he heard Wen Jinye's words, and his drowsiness vanished instantly. He stared at him dumbfounded, letting out an incredulous "Huh?"
Seeing her daughter like this, Wen Jinye said helplessly, "The Jiang family takes it very seriously, even postponing the ancestral worship ceremony. I think it's you who doesn't take it seriously."
Wen Lingshuang had nothing to say.
She really doesn't value it.
But that was based on her feeling that the Jiang family didn't value her, and she didn't even want to go to the press conference.
Plastic marriage.
Whoever wants to go can go.
But who could have imagined that the Jiang family would postpone the ancestral worship day for the sake of this marriage alliance?
So the traditions of burning incense and bowing in worship, and adhering to established laws, will change for her.
Wen Lingshuang wrung her hands and said, "I can't be bothered with you."
After saying that, he got up and walked upstairs.
Wen Jinye watched Wen Lingshuang's departing figure and shook his head helplessly.
If this pampered rich girl marries into the Jiang family, they'll have a hard time. But it seems Jiang An can handle it; he hasn't shown any aversion to her in the few days we've been together.
Too.
My own daughter is recognized as beautiful in the industry; anyone who doesn't like her is blind.
*
At 11 a.m., Jiang An, Jiang Hanyu, and Yao Fei visited again, bringing a large amount of gifts that filled about ten trucks. They said it was a gift for Wen Lingshuang's first meeting. It took the servants half an hour to unload everything. In fact, gift-giving was commonplace for the Wen family. The gifts from Wen Lingshuang's suitors alone could fill an entire room. However, this was the first time they had received so many gifts that filled about ten trucks.
Just like the car Jiang An gave Wen Ling Shuang, the gifts weren't all the same; they were carefully selected. Three out of every ten pearl necklaces were antiques acquired from top collectors, boasting high investment returns and collectible value. Two or three even had "[Wen & Jiang]" engraved in inconspicuous places.
In this way, they can only be kept and worn by themselves, and no one will pay to buy collectibles engraved with other people's names.
Wen Lingshuang's fingertips brushed over those inconspicuous places, leaving traces of [Wen & Jiang] on her fingertips.
Wen is in front, Jiang is behind.
A hint of satisfaction appeared in the young lady's eyes, and her anger subsided somewhat. She dressed neatly and went downstairs, where the two sets of parents were already discussing the details and content of the press conference.
As they were discussing exchanging tokens at the press conference, Jiang Hanyu told the Wen family not to worry, as they would handle everything.
The atmosphere was harmonious and extremely warm.
There's nothing wrong with it; the Jiang family's attitude is clear, there's nothing to criticize, except...
Wen Lingshuang's eyes fell on Yao Fei.
She is the future mother-in-law.
They might not be easy to deal with.
He was smiling, but his eyes were cold.
Jiang An sat to one side with the couple, but not too close together; there was a person's distance between them. His face was expressionless, but occasionally when his gaze fell on her, he would show a polite smile.
Jiang An couldn't understand her emotions.
But those eyes are really beautiful.
Anger, rage, or even affected affectation can all exude a certain charm.
He thought that if he couldn't coax her yesterday, he should be able to succeed by giving her more gifts today.
"Oh, right, I already had a dress made for Ling Shuang for the press conference," Jiang Hanyu said, looking at Wen Ling Shuang. "Would you like to try it on? If it doesn't fit, I'll have it remade."
Of the ten or so truckloads of gifts that arrived, formal attire made up the largest proportion, with about ten sets of everyday clothes alone.
Wen Lingshuang obediently said thank you, Uncle, and then got up and went upstairs.
Seeing Wen Lingshuang go upstairs, Tan Yu smiled at Jiang An and said, "Jiang An, why don't you go upstairs and help with the selection? After all, it's your press conference."
Jiang An nodded slightly: "Okay."
He got up and followed them upstairs.
He was quite familiar with the layout of the second floor, but because of what happened at the bathhouse last time, he didn't dare to go forward, fearing that she would take off her clothes again and appear before him with alluring charm, accusing him of seeing her naked.
Just thinking about it gives me a headache.
Ah Shui, who was in the next room, had already heard footsteps. They were steady and powerful, clearly those of a man, but the footsteps stopped at the top step and did not continue.
After waiting a few minutes, Ah Shui came out of the door and saw Jiang An standing on the steps. She was stunned for a moment and then quickly said, "Chairman Jiang, why are you standing here? Please come in."
Jiang An didn't go in, but stood there. "Miss Wen is changing clothes, it's inconvenient for her to come in."
"Miss hasn't changed yet," Ah Shui said with a smile. "Miss is wondering what to change into."
Hearing this, Jiang An finally stepped inside.
As soon as I entered, I smelled a faint fragrance of lilies. Turning my head, I saw that the open window next to me was filled with fresh lilies. Under the bright sun, the water droplets on the petals were plump, translucent, and glistening. Next to the window was a large area of milky white curtains, half of which swayed in the wind, while the other half calmly covered the walk-in closet.
Wen Lingshuang's walk-in closet is ridiculously large. She only wears her clothes and shoes once each season, and some she wears repeatedly, but no more than five times. Every morning, the newest clothes are delivered to her walk-in closet. Just choosing clothes is a problem. So, in the early years, the Wen family specially hired a stylist for her to be responsible for her daily outfits.
Jiang An drew back the curtains and heard unfamiliar voices coming from inside.
"The Jiang family values tradition, so the dress code for the press conference will naturally be conservative. Low-key and understated colors such as white, black, violet, and light blue are the preferred choices."
"And accessories, try to use pearls and jade..."
"Stop, stop! You mean I have to cater to the Jiang family, so I have to wear white and black, and also wear pearls and jade?" Wen Lingshuang's sweet voice came. "No way! I'll wear bright red, bright purple, and bright yellow."
Upon hearing this, Jiang An could roughly imagine the expression on that beautiful face.
Moving further inside, several Italian-style sofas were placed in front of the huge display case and T-stage. Wen Lingshuang was sitting on one of the sofas, looking at the haute couture dresses on the stage. She raised her fair finger and pointed to the brightest red one, saying, "I want to wear it."
The stylist looked in the direction she was pointing and was somewhat taken aback.
That was indeed a dazzling and luxurious dress.
The back features a double-breasted design with two crystal straps that refract dazzling light, while the flowing skirt trails on the ground. The design, shorter in the front and longer in the back, effectively showcases the wearer's figure.
This is fine to wear on the wedding day.
The press conference was far too eye-catching.
After all, according to the normal schedule, they should have gone to the Jiang family to pay respects to their ancestors that day. The ancestral worship was postponed because of the press conference. How could they wear such bright red at the press conference?
The stylist dared not speak and could only watch as she walked forward and picked up the red dress.
As soon as he picked it up, he turned around and saw Jiang An standing to the side.
Standing at over 1.9 meters tall, he was even taller than the mannequin next to him.
She held up the dress, looked at him, and asked, "How is it?"
Jiang An smiled and said, "Not bad, let's give it a try."
This answer is satisfactory.
Wen Lingshuang took the dress and walked towards the dressing room.
A dress like this can't be worn by one person alone, so Ah Shui and the stylist followed her inside.
Jiang An watched them go inside and then stood there waiting.
A short while later, the sound of several people talking could be heard from the changing room.
Ah Shui: "Miss, why does this dress fit so perfectly? Did you give the measurements to Chairman Jiang in advance?"
Wen Lingshuang: "No, it's my parents."
Ah Shui: "Oh..."
Ah Shui: "So that means the Jiang family decided to marry you a long time ago?"
Custom-made formal wear takes time and effort.
Especially such an elaborately designed dress.
The changing room fell silent.
Seven or eight minutes later, the curtain was pulled open, and Wen Lingshuang walked out. Jiang An looked up and saw that, under the light and shadow, the beauty was like jade, her delicate and fair skin seemed to glow, with the smoothness of silk. Her beautiful features were unadorned, like a lotus flower pulled from the water, fresh and refined. Her graceful figure was wrapped in a dress, from her chest to her waist and then to her legs, every inch of it fit her perfectly.
Jiang An knew she was beautiful.
But if something is so beautiful that you want to hide it away, that's not a good thing.
He was afraid that others would covet it.
Wen Lingshuang has seen many men's amazed looks.
In her opinion, it was nothing special.
They were all lusting after her beauty.
Jiang An's gaze was somewhat different... a mix of amazement, surprise, enigma, and complexity.
Those emotions were mixed together, but it was more like appreciation.
Appreciate her like you would a work of art.
Wen Lingshuang walked up to him in her high heels. Because of the high heels, she didn't have to look up at him so exaggeratedly. "I've decided to wear this to the press conference. Do you have anything to say?"
Although everything he says will be rejected.
Jiang An pondered for a moment, then said, "Very good."
The only downside is that the neckline is too low and the front of the skirt is too short.
However, he has no right to interfere with her clothing preferences.
Hearing his approval, Wen Lingshuang smiled and gathered her skirt to show off the embroidery and diamonds on it.
Have you ever worn a dress like this before?
"Um?"
“It’s just…” Jiang An paused slightly, “...such a sexy dress.”
Sexy, formal dress.
Still like this.
Several keywords flooded into Wen Lingshuang's ears, pounding against her heart like drums.
She didn't know how to refute it. Her mind was full of old-fashioned ideas, old men, and even more conservative than her father. These days, which rich young lady doesn't wear such a dress to an event?
Her beautiful eyes were wide open, like a cat with its fur standing on end.
He blinked twice, as if to confirm what he had said.
Seeing that she couldn't even speak, Jiang An realized he had been a bit too harsh and added, "But she's very beautiful."
"Vast and magnificent".
A note from the author:
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