When Meng Jiuyi returned to the Meng residence, not only was Madam Meng absent, but Mo Ruyue was also nowhere to be found. He asked the servants and learned that when Feng Lan came to visit Madam and Miss Meng for shopping, she also invited Mo Ruyue along.
Why would she invite her mother along when she goes shopping?
The servants who had received favors from Meng Jiuyi secretly told her.
"There are other ladies and wives with you, so don't worry, Miss."
Meng Jiuyi was still somewhat uneasy, so she asked Mo Ruyue about the situation on WeChat. Mo Ruyue said that someone else was with her, which reassured her a little.
Approaching Chen Zhongli on the cruise ship was not as certain as it was with Tan Yuchen.
She had no idea what was going on on the ship, so she took advantage of the time to simulate the various situations that might occur and how she could put the pen back when Chen Zhongli wasn't paying attention.
Before she could figure things out, Tan Ni called and drove her Bentley directly to the Meng residence, asking Meng Jiuyi to accompany her shopping.
Meng Jiuyi said helplessly, "Miss, you're going way too fast."
Tan Ni leaned close to her ear and covered her lips, "The V&C salesperson told me that a fancy vivid pear-shaped blue diamond has arrived."
She has a passion for jewelry and has two entire temperature-controlled storage rooms to house them. Meng Jiuyi doesn't understand this, but he's happy to accompany her.
They went to the most extravagant and decadent place in Kyushu, where there were countless high-end brands, and the bags and jewelry in the shop windows were priced exorbitantly. Passersby couldn't help but stare. Across the street was a dazzling bar district, and the two streets together could almost accommodate the entire city's foot traffic.
When Tan Ni and Meng Jiuyi arrived, a red carpet was laid out at the entrance, and six shop assistants stood waiting at the door.
"Miss Tan, would you like us to clear the area?"
"Need not."
These sales staff had hosted her abroad and knew she was low-key, so they led them inside.
Upon reaching the fourth floor, a bright and quiet private area suddenly comes into view. The VIP room is equipped with a fragrance system, mixed with the subtle sweetness of macarons, which inexplicably brings joy.
The fancy vivid pear-shaped blue diamond in Sales's hand was once auctioned as a relic of the Queen of England. It was later acquired by V&C and, after being processed and polished, has never been displayed to any customer.
Tan Ni was the first person to see it.
Tan Ni happened to be missing a brooch, so she bought it without asking many questions. Meng Jiuyi, on the other hand, gasped when he heard the price.
Sorry to bother you.
The salesperson introduced another collectible item, "Miss Tan, this enamel necklace was worn by Queen Subrah at her coronation in 1878. Would you like to try it on?"
Tan Ni tried it on Meng Jiuyi's neck. "Jiuyi, do you like it? I think this color suits you very well."
"Stop fooling around." Meng Jiuyi was startled by her seriousness.
“No, I’m not kidding. I’ve seen you wearing this necklace all the time, why don’t you try some others?”
The camellia necklace around her neck seemed to be something Tan Ni had never taken off; it looked like she had worn it for many years and the color had faded.
Tan Ni said, "And I'd like to give you a gift as a thank you for accompanying me shopping today."
Meng Jiuyi took the necklace, stood up, and put it around her neck.
"If you really want to thank me, why not treat me to a meal? I'm a common person and don't appreciate jewelry, but I'll never refuse food. You see, it looks really beautiful on you."
She needs money, but she won't accept gifts that are not commensurate with her financial situation.
If you can't express your gratitude, the relationship will eventually sour.
Okay.
The sales assistant introduced many other styles, and Tan Ni glanced at them and bought the ones that interested her. She spent most of the time engrossed in her phone, and the people around her could sense her displeasure.
Meng Jiuyi asked softly, "What's wrong?"
The salesperson was very perceptive; they got up and left.
Tan Ni lowered her eyes and asked, "Jiu Yi, do you think there's something wrong with me?"
Why do you ask that?
In Meng Jiuyi's eyes, Tan Ni was so outstanding and perfect that she was beyond reproach.
"Otherwise, why wouldn't he like me?"
Tan Ni rested her chin on her hand, looking sullen. Their WeChat conversations stopped at business matters, at most a brotherly concern for her, and anything deeper was absolutely impossible.
Even if I shamelessly went to Tan Yuchen's gathering, the conversation was always brief and to the point.
Xu Yanzhi erected a barrier, gentle and silent yet unbreakable. In Tan Yuchen's words, no matter how eager he was, he would have no face to admit that she was his sister.
She has pride too, you know.
Meng Jiuyi recalled how eagerly she looked at the banquet.
"Is he...the eldest young master of the Xu family?"
Tan Ni lowered her head and remained silent.
She pursed her lips slightly, thinking about how to comfort Tan Ni.
"Perhaps it's because he has a very loving partner?"
"Yes, he did! But that was two years ago. You have to move on after a breakup."
Meng Jiuyi was drinking coffee and almost choked when he heard this.
"...Why?" she asked herself, unconsciously fiddling with her coffee cup.
Meng Jiuyi recalled that day in the hospital room, when Xu Yanzhi gave her an ambiguous look. It was because he and Su Yan had already broken up, so he no longer allowed anyone to mention their relationship.
"I don't know. It's been kept very secret from outsiders. I guess it must be Uncle Xu who intervened. He values family background very much."
They broke up in their second year abroad. I think the other person's family were high-ranking executives in a company?
No, they come from a top-tier scholarly family; both parents are university professors at one of the nation's top universities.
What kind of person is Su Yan?
Meng Jiuyi couldn't say anything bad about her. Her temperament was as serene as a breeze, and she exuded a tranquility that came from being well-read and cultured. She was a beautiful sight at Zhihua University.
People like Meng Jiuyi, who aren't good at academics and barely managed to get into the neighboring teachers' college, must be incredibly envious.
Even Xu Yanzhi's father thought it wouldn't be good enough with such a family background.
Meng Jiuyi couldn't quite explain how she felt.
"I've heard that men like girls who are delicate and slender, making them want to protect them. His ex seemed to be like that."
Tan Ni slammed her spoon down. "I've gained so much weight recently. I absolutely can't eat anymore."
He said he wouldn't eat, but he was actually secretly glancing at it.
"Eat yours."
Meng Jiuyi smiled knowingly and placed the spoon back in her hand. "A slender willow has its own beauty, and a chubby face has its own cuteness. You can't change yourself just because the other person likes something, can you?"
She had also fallen into this vicious cycle of self-doubt and didn't want to see Tan Ni go through the same thing. "One day you will meet someone who truly resonates with you, and I think you look better with a little bit of meat on your bones than if you were skinny."
"real?"
Meng Jiuyi pinched her cheek, "Really, you're the prettiest!"
Tan Ni is an optimist by nature, and she was easily appeased with just a few words.
While she was browsing jewelry, Meng Jiuyi went to the downstairs restroom. Suddenly, her phone beeped twice; Tan Sheng had sent her another WeChat message.
Transfer the money [ ], and ask her if she has arrived home yet.
Meng Jiuyi: "..."
He must have money to burn. I wonder if it's because she ignored him at the hospital, so he started using money to win her over, transferring money to her every day.
Meng Jiuyi frowned and typed: 【Don't transfer any more money to me!】
Tan Sheng replied instantly: 【Are you home? Is there anything else bothering you?】
Is there anything you'd like to eat?
Meng Jiuyi did not reply.
Tan Sheng sent another message.
[You don't have to share this, just come have a meal with me.]
Not even one meal?
He was clearly still up to no good. Meng Jiuyi knew her refusal was obvious, so she couldn't just confront him and curse him.
If Tan Sheng is willing to play dumb, then let him be.
She put those messages aside, believing that in ten days or half a month, the other party would gradually cool down.
After washing her hands, Meng Jiuyi went out. The third floor, on the east side, was the ready-to-wear section. As she went up the stairs, she glanced over and saw Mo Ruyue and a group of ladies, with sales staff and fitting models showing them the clothes.
"Did they come here to shop?" Meng Jiuyi was hesitating whether to go downstairs when he heard Feng Lan ask Mo Ruyue.
“This one you tried on looks good. Stand up and let Mrs. Song see it.”
"There are clearly fitting models in the store," Mo Ruyue said with a forced smile, speaking softly.
"Or maybe we should let them—"
"What are you afraid of? You've done this before. Your face may not be as good as it used to be, but your figure hasn't changed much."
Feng Lan laughed and said, "Could it be that you've forgotten your job all these years in the Meng family? People really shouldn't forget their roots, thinking that just because they've stuck chicken feathers on them they'll become a phoenix."
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