Chapter 67
Birds of a feather
Time flew by and the wedding day arrived.
On the 22nd of October, the auspicious god Siming appears, making it a suitable day for marriage.
Zhao Rufei was woken up early. As soon as she opened her eyes, the makeup artist applied powder to her face, and before she could even move, the person standing behind her had already started combing her hair.
She sat in the chair, obediently acting as a mascot.
Zhao Ruxuan got up before dawn, sat behind her sister, and quietly watched her put on makeup without saying a word.
She couldn't bear to blink. The thought of her sister living with someone else in the future filled her with waves of bitterness.
But her sister did this for the Zhao family, so they could return to their former glory. Aside from hating herself for being useless, she was helpless.
Zhao Rufei stood up and then saw her younger sister sitting behind her.
"Why are you up so early? Why don't you sleep a little longer?"
"I can't sleep today because you're getting engaged."
Zhao Ruxuan also stood up and, just like when she was little, hugged her sister's arm and acted coquettishly.
"After we get engaged, can you not move out and live with Li Miao? Can you continue living at home?"
After saying that, she realized how outrageous her request was, and she lowered her head sullenly, her tone revealing sadness.
"But I can't bear to part with my sister, I want to see you every day."
Zhao Rufei patted her back gently to comfort her: "Even if I'm engaged, I'll still be your sister. If you miss me, come find me."
"Can I come see you every day?" Zhao Ruxuan asked earnestly. "Or can I just move in with you?"
"this......"
Zhao Rufei rarely gets stuck.
“You see, even though you’re still my sister after the engagement, we’re not as close as we used to be.”
*
The Li family
Li Miao also got up very early.
After her makeup was done, she looked radiant and full of energy. She kept checking the time, waiting for the auspicious hour to arrive before heading to the hotel.
By this time, Zhao Rufei should be ready to head to the hotel.
The thought of her leaving at the same time as him made him unable to stop smiling.
It's unclear who will arrive at the hotel first.
Li's mother, having finished getting ready, reminded the overly excited Li Miao: "Mind your manners, don't be impolite at the wedding banquet."
"The wedding banquet will be attended by people from all walks of life, and the Jiang family might also be there," Li's mother repeatedly reminded her. "Don't just be happy for the occasion; getting on the Jiang family's good side is the most important thing!"
"I've heard you repeat it so many times I'm sick of it, I'm sure I won't forget it."
"Everyone thinks that our family moved back here to expand our business, but the truth is that our cash flow is about to dry up. If we don't find a solution soon, our family will go bankrupt sooner or later."
“The Zhao family is a long-established wealthy family in the area and has always had a close relationship with the Jiang family. Marrying into her family is equivalent to getting on the Jiang family’s good side.”
"Even if Zhao Rufei isn't a member of the Zhao family, I'm still willing to get engaged to her."
Li's mother glanced at her and said, "Don't say such childish things. If Zhao Rufei weren't a member of the Zhao family, her life would never have intersected with yours, and you two wouldn't even have had the chance to meet."
"Even if a comet were to hit Earth, and you two were to be in that situation, would you be willing to live a miserable life of working 996 every day, finally getting paid and wanting to treat yourself to a meal, only to realize you still have to save up to pay the mortgage, and then having to slink home and cook dinner?"
Li Miao remained silent.
She was only relieved: "Luckily, Zhao Rufei's surname is Zhao."
Li's mother nodded, "This time you've truly found a treasure."
"I've asked around, and the Zhao and Jiang families originally intended to form a marriage alliance, but for some reason, the Jiang family member married an unknown ordinary person."
Li's mother guessed, "That's probably why Old Mrs. Zhao is in such a hurry to arrange blind dates for her child."
She approached and informed Li Miao.
"The one who had a verbal engagement with the Jiang family is Zhao Rufei, your fiancé today."
"The two families are so close that after getting engaged to Zhao Rufei, he gained a reputation for connecting with the Jiang family."
The mother and daughter were happily dreaming about their future when it was time to set off.
Li's mother urged, "Don't delay on the road, let's set off."
On the other side,
Zhao Rufei was also carried into the car by her younger sister, and the car drove to the hotel.
Early arrivals found familiar friends and gathered in twos and threes to chat and laugh. Apart from recent market trends and investment projects, the topic of conversation naturally revolved around the two newlyweds.
"I never expected the Zhao and Li families to be united by marriage." The speaker swirled the champagne in his hand, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
A young woman with a delicate face couldn't hold back her words: "When did the Li family return? Weren't they always out of town? I heard..."
The elder accompanying her stopped her from continuing: "The rumors you heard from elsewhere are not yet confirmed to be true or false, so don't spread them around without permission."
"How can this be just a rumor? I've heard it mentioned before, and it's almost spread throughout the circle. I guess only the Zhao family is kept in the dark."
She loved watching the drama unfold: "I really want to know how the Zhao family will react when they find out the truth."
Ignoring the warning look from her elders, the little girl asked the speaker for confirmation: "So the Li family is really finished?"
"Cough...cough cough..."
She glanced at her family members who were coughing so hard they looked like they were about to cough up their lungs, and relented, "Okay, okay... I won't ask anymore, and you stop coughing too."
"Oh dear, children are so young, that's the time when they're naturally curious and gossipy." She winked at the little girl, her expression and actions suggesting she was about to tell her a big secret.
The little girl immediately came forward, understanding the situation perfectly.
She lowered her voice: "Only the Li family themselves probably know what's really going on with the Li family."
"What you said is as good as saying nothing at all!"
As expected, the other party showed a look of anger at being tricked, which made her chuckle.
He stopped teasing her and said seriously, "You should know that secrets can't stay hidden forever. You may think you've kept it a secret, but people have already seen through it."
“Oh no…” she said seriously, “Some people are out of the loop, and after all that scheming, they’re still smug and think they’ve gotten a great deal.”
Some people mocked, "They're all birds of a feather."
Some people sarcastically remarked, "Looking at it this way, this engagement party can be described as a match made in heaven."
As soon as Li Miao entered the banquet hall, she heard someone whispering something about a match made in heaven.
She straightened her chest and strode forward with even more vigor and confidence.
As soon as the newlyweds entered, the lively guests quieted down considerably.
You can't say bad things to someone's face, so everyone put on a warm smile and their whispers turned into loud congratulations.
Almost simultaneously, the Zhao family's car arrived at the hotel.
As if they had arranged it in advance, the two families entered the banquet hall one after the other.
The guests had all arrived, and when the time came, the emcee took the microphone and went on stage.
Mother Li glanced down at the room, which was packed with distinguished guests. However, the Jiang family members were nowhere to be seen among them.
Perhaps because she was too busy with work and simply couldn't find the time, Li's mother had already prepared an excuse for the Jiang family in her mind.
Not seeing the Jiang family members she wanted to meet, Li's mother looked listless and somewhat unhappy.
Seeing this, Li Miao subtly nudged her and whispered, "You told me to watch my manners, but how could you show such a bad attitude to the Zhao family in front of so many people!"
Only then did Li's mother realize that she had been sulking, and the corners of her mouth immediately turned up, forming an elegant and proper smile.
He looked at Zhao Rufei with fervent eyes, as if he could see the prosperous future of the Li family.
*
Jingjiang Company
He Shuyi brought her breakfast to her workstation. It wasn't time for work yet, so she ate her breakfast while scrolling through the content pushed to her phone.
A familiar name came into her view.
"Zhao Rufei?"
She put down the soy milk she was drinking and carefully read the news article.
"A marriage alliance between the Zhao and Li families?"
"What are you looking at? You seem so engrossed." Xu Que, who works at the next desk, also arrived at the company. She pulled out a chair and put down her bag. "I called you earlier but you didn't hear me."
She had just sat down when she felt someone tug at her sleeve.
"What's wrong?"
Xu looked at He Shuyi, who was tugging at her sleeve.
He Shuyi pushed her phone in front of her: "Look, Zhao Rufei is actually engaged."
"When Zhao Ruxuan was still in our office, she kept saying that her sister would end up with President Jiang, but then..."
He Shuyi spoke faster than she thought, and only after the words left her mouth did she realize that Xu in front of her had already married Jiang Jie.
She quickly explained, "Of course, she only dares to shout in front of me, she wouldn't dare to do it in front of President Jiang. President Jiang and her sister Zhao Rufei have a completely innocent relationship, don't misunderstand."
"I know."
Xu looked up at the office, the scene from last night flashing through her mind, a smile spreading across her lips. She knew perfectly well who Jiang Fengyi had in her heart.
She turned on her computer and threw herself into her work.
Time flies.
After finishing the meeting, Jiang Fengyi pressed her temples, feeling a headache coming on because she was going on a business trip to the branch office next week, which would probably take about a week.
Since getting together with Xu, the two have never been apart for such a long time, which makes her unsure how to bring it up.
She hesitated, wondering whether to tell Xu Que now or wait until later.
It was already noon, and as usual, Xu would soon come to find her to have lunch together. Perhaps she should wait until lunchtime to bring it up.
Sure enough, the office door was pushed open.
Are you still busy?
Xu walked in.
"He Shuyi recommended a coconut chicken restaurant to me, do you want to try it?"
The restaurant was quite crowded during lunchtime.
The two were seated as directed by the shop assistant.
Steam rose, carrying the sweet aroma of coconut mixed with the savory scent of chicken, a rich yet not greasy aroma that whetted their appetites.
The clear broth was bubbling away, but Xu first served Jiang Fengyi half a bowl of soup.
As the hot soup entered her mouth, the refreshing aroma of coconut meat slid down her throat and warmed her stomach, causing Jiang Fengyi to let out a comfortable sigh.
"After the weather turns cool, it's a great time to come and eat coconut chicken."
How does it taste?
"Delicious! The soup is clear, sweet, and refreshing, not greasy at all." Jiang Fengyi took another sip. "You should try some too."
Jiang Fengyi picked up her chopsticks, dipped the cooked chicken in the dipping sauce, and the firm meat, infused with the sourness of lime and the spiciness of chili peppers, along with the seasoning of sand ginger and light soy sauce, created a rich and complex flavor.
She took a bite, and the chicken was so tender and smooth that she couldn't help but keep eating it.
When Jiang Fengyi was about 70-80% full, she remembered her business.
She put down her chopsticks, wiped her mouth, and said seriously.
"I'm going on a business trip for a week."
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