Chapter 155 Marriage Alliance
In the living room, Yuan Peipei held Song Zhiwei's hand.
“Zhiwei, living with you has been an eye-opening experience for me. This experience is even more amazing than when I was a fan of celebrities.”
Song Zhiwei picked up the water glass from the coffee table.
She took a small sip; the water was just the right temperature.
She looked up at her friend, her tone calm yet tinged with curiosity.
"What's wrong? The way you look, it's like you've discovered an alien landing site."
Yuan Peipei exaggeratedly slapped her thigh, making a "smack" sound.
“When I saw him at banquets before, his face was as cold as an ice sculpture, and his gaze could freeze your blood. Who dared to talk to him? Who dared to get close? But here, he can not only talk, but also tell jokes? I really wonder if I have accidentally eaten a poisonous mushroom and am hallucinating.”
What just happened was so absurd it didn't seem like it was real.
Song Zhiwei thought back to when they first met.
Sheng Tingzhou was as aloof as an unapproachable god.
Just looking at it made her heart race and her legs go weak, making her almost unable to stand.
I never imagined we'd be so close now.
"Zhiwei, seeing you happy makes me feel like the whole world is brighter."
Yuan Peipei suddenly leaned on her shoulder.
It's probably due to pregnancy hormones; I've become unusually sensitive.
Even the smallest warmth or a little bit of happiness can bring tears to her eyes.
Song Zhiwei reached out and gently patted her back.
"Alright, alright, stop getting sentimental. What do you want to eat? I'll make you some soup to nourish your body."
"I've been drooling over the corn and pork rib soup you cooked last time."
Yuan Peipei sniffed, her tone suddenly becoming craving.
"In my dream I was holding a bowl, but when I woke up there was nothing there. I was so angry."
"Okay, I'll buy pork ribs and corn tomorrow."
Song Zhiwei smiled, her eyes gentle.
"You can have as many bowls as you want, there's plenty."
"Uh-huh!"
Xie Lingling responded softly, a slight smile playing on her lips.
—
Wangmei Garden.
Located on a hillside in the eastern suburbs of Yancheng, it is one of the most exclusive private clubs in Yancheng.
Nestled amidst mountains and water, this place boasts different scenery in each of the four seasons, and is especially famous for its plum blossom viewing in winter.
Green tiles and white walls, winding paths leading to secluded spots, and ancient trees reaching for the sky.
Xie Lingling specially booked the most secluded "Tingxuexuan" in the garden today.
We invited several wealthy women with whom we have close relationships to come and enjoy the plum blossoms and tea.
It was the dead of winter, and snowflakes were falling outside.
The cold wind howled, swirling snowflakes in the air.
The stove burned quietly, the charcoal crackling softly.
The room was filled with a faint scent of agarwood.
Outside the window, red plum blossoms are in full bloom, each one as scarlet as blood.
"Mrs. Feng, Mrs. Zhao, the tea is here."
Xie Lingling stood up herself and gently pushed the two celadon cups in her hands in front of the two people.
The porcelain has a warm, lustrous color, and the glaze is like jade.
The tea in the cup was clear, with a faint amber luster.
In their circle, there are many rules about how to address someone.
The term "太太" (tàitai, meaning "wife") is generally used to refer to the wives of wealthy merchants who are rich but not noble.
Those addressed as "Madam" are often the wives of officials with deep political connections.
Although the Zhou family can be considered a prominent family in Yancheng, with businesses spanning real estate and finance.
But when it comes to connections and backing, they still fall short by a hair's breadth.
Therefore, those who are able to come to Wangmei Garden for this tea party...
They were all truly wealthy and well-connected women.
They may have had business dealings with each other, or be related by children or marriage.
He is usually very active and well-informed.
However, Xie Lingling's special invitation to Mrs. Feng and Mrs. Zhao today was not just for a casual reunion.
These two ladies have long-term collaborations with the Sheng family on several major projects.
She had been waiting for the right moment to steer the conversation toward what she truly cared about.
The two ladies clearly understood that Xie Lingling's face could not be refuted.
He took the teacup and praised it repeatedly in a warm tone.
"This tea is truly exceptional. The tea liquor is clear and bright, with a lingering sweet aftertaste. It's clearly a premium tea picked before the Qingming Festival."
Mrs. Feng took a sip, her eyes full of approval.
“Indeed,” Mrs. Zhao agreed. “Yunshu, you’ve chosen the perfect spot. Opening the window reveals snow, and you can enjoy plum blossoms and tea. It’s so peaceful that it calms your mind. You really know how to enjoy life.”
"Not at all," Xie Lingling said with a smile and waved her hand. "I just wanted some peace and quiet. The plum blossoms are in full bloom right now, so I thought I'd invite a few of my sisters over for a get-together, a chat, and to relax."
But as they chatted, the topic gradually shifted from romantic tales to recent hot rumors in the industry.
Xie Lingling gently put down her teacup and slowly ran her fingertips along the rim.
"Speaking of which... I recently heard that the Sheng family is going to form a marriage alliance with the Chen family?"
Mrs. Feng and Mrs. Zhao exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in each other's eyes.
Mrs. Feng spoke first, her tone slightly tentative.
"Yun Shu, why are you suddenly asking about this? It's not that... your family has something to do with the Sheng family, is it?"
In their circle, marriage is never just a matter between two people.
What is the status of the Sheng family?
That was a true military and political dynasty.
Among the descendants of the Sheng family, four or five hold important positions, and their influence remains strong to this day.
Even with their immense wealth, the Zhou family is ultimately just a "newly rich" family.
These are wealthy women who made their fortunes purely through business.
The Sheng family didn't even bother to give it a second glance.
Upon hearing this, Xie Lingling's expression changed slightly, and she quickly coughed.
"Oh dear, Mrs. Feng, please don't misunderstand! How could I dare to have such thoughts? I just heard someone mention it recently and found it intriguing, so I just asked casually."
She spoke sincerely, with a hint of self-deprecation in her tone.
Mrs. Feng's expression softened slightly, and she nodded, her tone becoming more relaxed.
"Oh...that's true."
However, what you said does seem somewhat plausible.
She paused, then lowered her voice and said, "I heard that the Sheng family is already discussing it internally. The Chen family has been declining in recent years. After the old master of the Chen family passed away, his sons fought fiercely, and the family business was ruined."
"But then again, back then, when Old Master Sheng was investigated during a special period, if it weren't for Old Master Chen risking his life to testify, he probably wouldn't have survived. The two families have a past relationship, and now that the Chen family has fallen on hard times, the Sheng family is lending a helping hand, which can be considered as repaying a favor."
"Marriage alliances are not surprising."
Mrs. Zhao took over the conversation, her tone resolute.
"It's better than letting the Chen family fall completely and getting involved in a bunch of messy debts. Besides, the Sheng family isn't short of money now, what they lack is 'morality'. This marriage is both a matter of goodwill and reputation."
Xie Lingling listened quietly, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the teacup.
Is the Sheng family going to form a marriage alliance?
Is the target still the Chen family, which has long since declined?
Just because of a past relationship from decades ago?
She sneered inwardly, but remained calm, simply lowering her head and gently blowing on the surface of the tea.
Then he took a small sip, using the aroma of tea to mask the calculation in his eyes.
The tea had cooled slightly, just like her mood at that moment.
Seeing her silence, Mrs. Feng suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, how is your Zhiwei doing lately? I remember you were arranging blind dates for her a while ago, introducing her to quite a few families, but why has nothing happened since then?"
Xie Lingling's smile froze for a moment, then she quickly regained her composure, picked up her teacup to cover her eyes.
“Zhiwei… she’s still young, just started working at the company, and wants to stabilize her career first. I’ve also been thinking about it; she has her own ideas.”
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