He hasn't come since he rejected Cheng Hexuan last time. Discussions about maritime trade have always been handled by the head of their chamber of commerce.
Wang Lianyi was also happy to have some free time. With the New Year approaching, the streets and alleys were filled with a festive and peaceful atmosphere.
People are busy preparing to welcome the New Year, decorating with lanterns and buying New Year's goods, creating a lively atmosphere.
Wang Lianyi was naturally infected by the strong festive atmosphere, and she appeared energetic and participated in various New Year preparation activities with great interest.
Every year, her parents, brother, and sister-in-law would ask her to come home for the Spring Festival, but she felt happy and free to be alone. Especially after making a few good friends, she had even more places to go.
Xiaoxi is back. We had already agreed that everyone would spend the New Year at the General's Mansion this year.
So she also looked around to buy some New Year's gifts.
"Brother Ma, why don't you pick some too? Buy more for your wife and the kids. I'll pay for everything!" she said to Ma behind her.
This Ma Da was a bodyguard from a security escort agency she had met when she was young. The agency had long since dissolved due to poor management, but by chance, he came to her house to apply for a job as a guard.
Over the years, Brother Ma has always been there to protect her as she travels all over the country, and she has long regarded him as her brother.
Even though she is now surrounded by many guards, Martha still insists on accompanying her on most outings.
"Master, you're too kind. You've given me so much; I don't need anything at home," Ma Da waved his hand in refusal.
"Alright, I'll make the decision. Since you're not picky, I'll buy them all." With that, Wang Lianyi directed the shopkeeper to deliver the goods to her house.
On her way back, she unexpectedly ran into Cheng Hexuan.
Cheng Hexuan's gaze fell on her, his eyes filled with undisguised surprise. "Lianyi, I didn't expect to run into you here. I was just about to look for you."
He quickly handed her the brocade box, saying, "Open it and take a look. I spent quite some time polishing it before I dared to give it to you."
"This...this is for me?" Wang Lianyi looked up at Cheng Hexuan, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
The man before her had a stubble beard and looked somewhat haggard. She opened the box and saw a jade hairpin with a butterfly design inside.
"This, this jade hairpin, did you make it?" She was somewhat surprised, recalling the jade hairpin she had accidentally broken on the day she came of age. It was one of the few keepsakes her grandmother had left her, and she had been saddened for a long time after it broke.
"Do you remember the child you saved on the day you came of age? That day, you caught a child who fell from the artificial hill, breaking the jade hairpin in your hair and getting injured in the process." He recounted the story slowly and deliberately. "That child you saved was me. Although you are a few years older than me, in my heart, you will always be as kind and brave as you were back then."
There were many guests that day, and she didn't remember who he was. She never expected that he was the heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan. Fortunately, the young heir didn't have any trouble at home back then, otherwise her father would have been impeached.
"Oh, it's you, you little rascal." Wang Lianyi chuckled.
Cheng Hexuan blushed instantly, but it didn't matter as long as he wanted to make his presence known to his beloved.
"Alright, look at you, you haven't washed or groomed yourself for days."
She shook her head, turned to Ma Da and said, "Brother Ma, you take the things back first."
"Come on, you little rascal, I'll treat you to hot pot," Wang Lianyi teased.
Prince Cheng felt a slight unease, as if the other party was treating him like a child, but this was also a good omen.
He clearly saw the undisguised joy in her eyes when she saw the hairpin. The feeling of his heart racing when she hugged him tightly last time was still vivid in his memory.
He leisurely followed Wang Lianyi toward the nearby 'Spicy Hot Pot' restaurant.
In the days that followed, Cheng Hexuan searched for various excuses to get close to her every day.
Wang Lianyi said she didn't care, but in her heart, some subtle changes had quietly begun to occur.
Emotions in this world are always so elusive, leaving people unable to guess or understand them.
That day, Wang Lianyi was practicing calligraphy at home when a maid came in to announce that Cheng Hexuan had arrived again. She put down her brush, smiled lightly, and shook her head.
Cheng Hexuan entered the house, bringing with him a chill of winter. "Lianyi, there are fireworks in the city today, come with me to watch them."
He looked expectant. Wang Lianyi wanted to refuse, but looking into his enthusiastic eyes, she nodded as if possessed.
When we arrived at the fireworks display area, the colorful fireworks illuminated the night sky.
Cheng Hexuan mustered his courage and took Wang Lianyi's hand. "Lianyi, my feelings for you are as clear as day and night."
Perhaps she felt that since we're all alive, there's no harm in trying, and even if we don't succeed in the end, it's no big deal, it's just a dream.
"Well... let's give it a try!" Wang Lianyi nodded somewhat shyly.
She had initially thought it might just be a short-lived relationship.
However, as they spent more time together, she discovered that Cheng Hexuan was not the spoiled brat she had initially imagined.
He would accompany her to practice calligraphy and patiently listen to her tell interesting stories about business; she would also accompany him on horseback hunting and watch him look so spirited.
The maritime trade expedition undertaken in cooperation between the Qiyang Chamber of Commerce and the Dingyuan Marquis's fleet has finally set sail amidst everyone's anticipation! Watching the massive merchant ships slowly leave the port and head towards the turbulent sea, Wang Lianyi's anxious heart finally calmed down a little.
After so much work, we've finally got this significant collaboration off the ground.
She let out a long sigh of relief, then slowly walked to a chair and sat down, wanting to rest for a while. However, before she could even catch her breath, there were hurried footsteps and knocking at the door.
"Come in," Wang Lianyi said, looking up at the doorway.
A servant hurried in, bowed, and said, "Miss, some guests have come to visit, saying they want to discuss cooperation with us."
Upon hearing this, Wang Lianyi, who had been feeling quite exhausted, instantly perked up.
"Quickly, ask them to wait in the council hall for a moment, I'll be right there," Wang Lianyi hurriedly stood up and instructed.
After saying that, she didn't even bother to rest and hurriedly headed towards her dormitory. She needed to quickly change into a more formal and appropriate outfit so that she could present her best image to her potential business partners.
"I'm so sorry to have kept you two distinguished guests waiting." Wang Lianyi straightened her clothes as she entered the council hall with an apologetic smile on her face.
One of the guests stood up to return the greeting with a smile, saying, "President Wang, you're too kind. We were the ones who were presumptuous."
“Madam is a distinguished person, how can you say it’s presumptuous?” She sized up the guest who had stood up to speak.
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