The He family was famous not only because of its long-standing legacy among the elite families, but also because, in recent years, half of its reputation had come from its current leader, He Yu.
The He family’s affairs were always kept tightly under wraps, making it difficult for outsiders to learn much. People only knew that several years ago, a man named He Yu had suddenly appeared, overthrown the then-head of the He family—Old Master He—and his two sons, and within just a few years had taken complete control of the family.
The public generally had two impressions of He Yu:
One, he was ruthless.
Two, he was a notorious playboy.
Regardless of his reputation, however, the He family’s influence was second to none. So the fact that members of the He family attended the Ji family’s banquet celebrating their adopted daughter’s admission to university was considered a tremendous honor.
Although only members of the He family’s collateral branch had come, they represented the He family, so Ji Huaiyang and Xu Jingya personally welcomed them.
But after only a few exchanges, everyone realized why they had come.
The He family never visited without a reason.
They weren’t there to congratulate anyone.
They had come to propose a marriage.
Old Master He, who had already stepped down, wanted to arrange a marriage between his youngest son, He Yu, and the Ji family’s eldest daughter.
The He family handled things as forcefully as ever. Their attitude made it clear they weren’t there to negotiate—they were simply informing the Ji family of the decision.
Of course, the dowry they offered was equally overwhelming.
When the gift list was presented, everyone gasped.
Besides numerous houses and real estate properties, it even included 5% of the He family’s shares.
Considering the size of the He family’s business empire, that 5% was worth far more than several billion.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Jiang Fengmian quietly tightened his grip on Ji Mo’s hand, his face turning grim.
At most, Jiang Fengmian was known as the crown prince of the Jiang family.
But He Yu was an emperor who had fought his own way to the top.
Trying to steal a woman from him?
Even several lives wouldn’t be enough.
“Is the marriage proposal really for He Yu? Not He Sheng?”
Someone unwillingly asked.
He Sheng was the eldest grandson of the He family and He Yu’s biological nephew. Although there wasn’t much of an age difference between them, they belonged to different generations.
Unlike He Yu, who was practically a street gangster in the eyes of high society, He Sheng had received a classic aristocratic upbringing. He was refined, elegant, and quite popular within elite circles.
Whether in terms of age or seniority, the Ji family’s daughter seemed much better matched with He Sheng.
“No. It’s for our President He.”
Ji Huaiyang and Xu Jingya said they needed time to consider.
The He family representatives, however, left all of the betrothal gifts behind anyway.
The He family stood far above both the Ji and Jiang families in status.
Still, He Yu was simply too dangerous.
Ji Mo had seen him before.
She had watched him brawling with someone in a bar while holding a beer bottle.
People called him a powerful CEO, but he looked more like a street thug.
She wanted nothing to do with him.
Because of this unexpected development, the celebration banquet ended early.
Jiang Fengmian stayed behind, constantly comforting Ji Mo.
Ji Mo perfectly embodied the image of a delicate young woman in distress, looking thoroughly frightened.
“Dad, Mom, He Yu is ten years older than Momo. She only turned eighteen today. We absolutely can’t agree to this marriage.”
Ji Chenxing was the first to stand up for his sister.
“This proposal may not even be President He’s own decision.”
Ji Qingshuang was equally unwilling to let Ji Mo marry that man, but his reasoning was much more convincing.
“It was Old Master He who came to propose. President He might not even know about it. If we agree without confirming, we could end up offending him.”
“Dad… Mom… I already have someone I like.”
Ji Mo shyly glanced at Jiang Fengmian.
The moment Jiang Fengmian heard her admit she liked him, he was overjoyed.
His protective instincts immediately flared up.
“Uncle, Auntie, I love Momo. As long as you approve, I’ll have my family formally come to propose as soon as possible.”
Jiang Fengmian pursuing Ji Mo had never been a secret.
The Ji family had always approved of the relationship.
What they hadn’t expected was that, even after the He family’s marriage proposal, the young master of the Jiang family was still willing to marry Ji Mo.
Regardless of whether it was simply an impulsive decision, the courage to stand against the “Dark Emperor” He Yu was admirable.
The Ji family was very satisfied with him.
“I’ll think about it.”
Ji Huaiyang waved everyone away.
Thinking about his recent cooperation with the He family, he suddenly realized Old Master He had set a trap for him.
This wasn’t just a marriage proposal.
It was forcing him to choose sides.
If he obediently accepted the marriage, it meant he supported Old Master He.
If he secretly approached He Yu, and He Yu confronted Old Master He afterward, then the Ji family would clearly be siding with He Yu.
It was an extremely troublesome situation.
At that moment, no one in the Ji family even remembered Li Wangshu.
According to the original story, after He Yu returned to Baijing, he immediately ruined the engagement.
However, Old Master He never gave up.
It was said that a fortune teller had declared that only the birth chart of a daughter from the Ji family could suppress He Yu’s violent fate.
Later, when He Yu and Ji Lian were set up to be together, Old Master He had secretly helped push everything along.
But at this point, no one knew the proposal had anything to do with astrology.
Naturally, everyone assumed the He family had chosen the outstanding Ji Mo.
Meanwhile, none of this had anything to do with Li Wangshu.
Her life remained peaceful and orderly.
It wasn’t until it was time to submit university applications that the Ji family contacted her again.
Ji Qingshuang even added her to the family group chat.
“Repeat a year? Are you kidding me?”
Li Wangshu found this family rather amusing.
They all seemed convinced she needed to repeat her final year of high school.
Ji Qingshuang: “Your academic foundation is weak. If you repeat for a year, even if you can’t get into Jing University like Momo, you should at least be able to get into a regular bachelor’s program.”
Ji Chenxing: “Exactly. Don’t be embarrassed. Even if your score wasn’t good, no one will laugh at you.”
Ji Mo: “Sister, although I’m an art student, my grades are pretty good. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me anytime.”
One after another, they kept talking.
It was incredibly annoying.
The moment Ji Mo sent a message, Li Wangshu immediately left the group.
Before leaving, she typed one final comment:
“Your mother said you were born one day before me. Don’t call me ‘Sister.’ Pretending to be younger is disgusting.”
Ji Qingshuang privately messaged her.
“Sorry. Momo happened to be there when I created the group, so I added her too. No one was trying to mock your grades.”
Li Wangshu sneered.
Just then, Xu Jingya called.
Her voice was cautious as she asked about Li Wangshu’s exam score.
“726.”
“…What?”
Xu Jingya thought she had misheard.
“Why are all of you so convinced that I’m a poor student?”
Li Wangshu recalled visiting the Ji family that day.
She certainly hadn’t dressed like a delinquent.
“W-Wait… Little Moon… You really scored over seven hundred?”
Xu Jingya asked again in disbelief.
“Yes. I’m sure. So there’s really no need for all of you to keep putting on this meaningless performance just to make yourselves feel better. I’m going on a trip soon. Unless something important comes up, don’t contact me again before school starts.”
To Li Wangshu, dealing with the Ji family felt like working overtime.
And she had absolutely no interest in working overtime.
After she hung up, the female ghost appeared again.
She spoke cautiously.
For some reason, she had become afraid of Li Wangshu—like a student afraid of the school disciplinarian.
“I felt that warm feeling again… but it was even weaker than last time. Is it because we’re too far away?”
“I don’t know.”
Li Wangshu was becoming increasingly impatient.
She waved her hand, signaling Ji Lian to leave.
Ji Lian pouted.
She wanted to cry, but held it back.
Obediently, she disappeared.
Li Wangshu picked up her phone and began searching for travel destinations.
Her family wasn’t wealthy, but they owned a small business and lived comfortably.
Her parents had encouraged her to use her scholarship money to travel as a graduation trip.
She thought it sounded like a great idea.