A few days later, the Ji family banquet arrived.
Although it was called a family banquet, due to the Ji family's status as a renowned medical family in China, many powerful figures in Beijing, as well as several business associates in the capital and new capital, were invited.
The Ji family's old residence is not far from Qingshan Yazhu. It is a classic Chinese courtyard built in the style of a southern garden, with corridors, viewing pavilions, exotic flowers and plants, rockeries and artificial lakes. Nature and the house blend together perfectly.
The banquet hall was filled with the clinking of glasses and lively conversation. Ji Meng followed behind her mother, constantly entertaining the Li Madam, Wang Madam, and various Li and Wang young masters who came to chat.
"Mom! Are you so afraid that your daughter won't be able to get married that you're willing to support her financially? With my brother's and my abilities, are you worried that no one will take care of you in your old age?!"
Ji Meng pulled her mother aside to complain, looking annoyed. She bit her red lips, and her sexy almond-shaped eyes were bloodshot from fatigue from socializing.
"Mengmeng, it was you two who agreed that I wouldn't rush either of you to inherit the family business." While holding Ji Meng's hand, Ji's mother nodded to the guests passing by from time to time.
"After I returned to China, didn't I go to the capital and save those lousy companies?! Now go check their revenue figures; they're top performers even in the capital!"
She pinched her daughter's palm, not forgetting to greet the guests politely and respectfully, and said in a low voice, "What is the Ji family's business?! We told you to study medicine but you didn't, you ran off to study media! Today you'd better stay with me obediently, don't even think about running away!"
"Oh! Mom... please let me go! Xiao Wanwan will be here later, you can introduce her to her!" Ji Meng was speechless and helpless, but she still couldn't resist teasing her best friend.
At this moment, the living room entrance became noisy, with people gathering from time to time. Ji Meng thought Shi Wan had arrived, so she let go of her mother's hand and ran over to squeeze into the crowd.
Her delicate face fell instantly upon seeing the person approaching, and she scoffed before silently returning to the side of the crowd.
It was Lu Jingyan and Zhao Zhilin, one indifferent and aloof, the other arrogant and cold.
Two handsome, tall men, both at the pinnacle of power, would attract the attention of both men and women, who would either want to get close to them or gain their affections.
"Jiajia, Mr. Lu is here. Your little dress from F brand goes perfectly with Mr. Lu's suit today," Lin Yue whispered in Ye Jiajia's ear, offering her a compliment.
After being warned by Lu Jingyan for making things difficult for Shi Wan last time, she went home and told her father, who then confiscated all her pocket money and locked her up for a few days.
After Lin's father went to apologize and handed over the newly acquired project to others, the matter was settled. When he returned home, he gave his good-for-nothing daughter a good scolding. After all, she had been raised with love and care, so Lin's parents couldn't bear to hit her. They kept her under house arrest for a long time until the day before the Ji family banquet.
Now Lin Yue is afraid of Lu Jingyan and doesn't dare to be open about it. She can only secretly flatter him from behind Ye Jiajia.
Of course, she certainly embellished the story between Shi Wan and Lu Jingyan in front of Ye Jiajia.
“Jiajia, Shi Wan seemed to like flirting with people at the banquet.”
“That day at Qingshan Yazhu, he tried to flirt with my brother-in-law. He was just asking for directions, and he almost snuggled into my brother-in-law’s arms.”
Ye Jiajia said with a disdainful look, "She's just an ordinary family's daughter, not presentable."
"Not everyone can become a phoenix. The story of Cinderella becoming a princess is just a fairy tale." Ye Jiajia didn't hide anything from others, picking at her delicate nails as she continued speaking.
"Thinking you can become a wife just by marrying a rich man, but once he gets tired of you, you'll be kicked out like trash." Coincidentally, Ji Meng, who was standing at the edge of the crowd, overheard Ye Jiajia and Lin Yue's conversation. She tossed her hair, picked up a wine glass, and walked over to the two of them.
"Oh...it's been years, Miss Ye is still as enviable as ever." Ji Meng looked Ye Jiajia up and down with a forced smile.
"You! Ji Meng, when did you come back?!" Ye Jiajia looked at the sexy and charming Ji Meng in front of her. Before she went abroad to study, Ji Meng always surpassed her in both appearance and family background. Now, not only has Ji Meng returned, but Shi Wan has also come.
A lump formed in his throat, and his voice rose involuntarily, "What do you envy about me?!"
Ji Meng casually joked, "Of course I'm envious of the good cosmetics you use~ They can even cover up such a thick skin!"
"You...you!" Ye Jiajia was so enraged by Ji Meng's words that she almost stomped her feet and went berserk. Lin Yue gently tugged at her sleeve and gestured to Ye Jiajia with her eyes that Lu Jingyan was still nearby, which prevented Ye Jiajia from losing her temper.
"Tch~ You're so thin-skinned, no wonder Mr. Zhao only wants Miss An and not you." Ye Jiajia said coolly.
The surrounding area was noisy, and only a few guests nearby heard Ye Jiajia say this. Lin Yue and the surrounding guests gasped in surprise.
When Ji Meng heard Ye Jiajia's words, her eyes instantly turned cold. Then, she caught a glimpse of Zhao Zhilin walking towards her.
She deliberately turned to the side, using her graceful and voluptuous body to lean against the man who had just walked up behind her, wrapping her arms around his waist and gently resting in his embrace.
With her red lips slightly parted and her almond-shaped eyes gazing tenderly at the man before her, Zhao Zhilin was caught off guard by Ji Meng's sudden enthusiasm.
After that incident a few years ago, Ji Meng refused to forgive him and even went abroad to hide from him.
Suppressing his excitement, Zhao Zhilin turned around and wrapped his arms around the woman's waist in response to Ji Meng's sudden hug.
Ji Meng originally wanted to use Zhao Zhilin to make Ye Jiajia angry, but she didn't expect this man to push his luck and pinch her waist in anger.
However, in order to annoy Ye Jiajia, she still acted like a little bird clinging to her, giggling, "Don't want me? Then tell me why he came to my house today, right? Darling."
After saying that, she didn't forget to wink at Zhao Zhilin, who then gently used his slender fingers to tidy up the stray hairs on Ji Meng's forehead.
Looking at the two people in front of her, Ye Jiajia was furious. A few years ago, Ji Meng and Zhao Zhilin's affair caused a great uproar in both Kyoto and Xindu. How come they've hooked up again now that they've just returned?
With a dark expression, he pulled Lin Yue and a group of girlfriends toward Lu Jingyan.
Seeing that Ye Jiajia had left, Ji Meng quickly let go of Zhao Zhilin, downed the champagne in her glass in one gulp, and without giving Zhao Zhilin another glance, said expressionlessly, "Thank you, Mr. Zhao!"
After thanking her, Qiao Meng hurriedly ran away, while the man who had tasted the sweetness remained standing there, savoring the long-awaited embrace.
At this moment, Lu Jingyan was surrounded by several wealthy business tycoons who flattered him for his youth and talent while probing his marriage prospects. They believed that a marriage alliance with several prominent families in the capital would be entirely beneficial.
Lu Jingyan is the most well-regarded among the heirs of the three major families in Kyoto. At a young age, he inherited the family business and continued to expand the Lu family's business empire. It is said that the number of domestic and foreign industries is so large that it is a mystery, and he even has close ties with a certain organization in Country Y.
However, the parents of all the socialites and heiresses valued Lu Jingyan's clean private life and normal orientation, and all the prominent families were eager to have their daughters marry into the Lu family.
It's all because his three unreliable friends have a bad reputation.
Zhao Zhilin was naturally entangled with the eldest daughter of the Ji family and the eldest daughter of the An family in Xindu. Chu Ningxuan's reputation for being unrestrained and loving beautiful women was known throughout the capital. The refined and cultured Ji Chu seemed to have no problems, but in the past two years, there have been frequent rumors that President Ji preferred men to women.
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