“Grandfather, Father, Mother.” Jiang Wanting greeted her own grandfather and parents with composure.
“Wanwan, this is your Grandfather Shen and Grandmother Shen. These two are Uncle and Aunt Shen. You can call her Sister Yiyin.” Lin Xinya introduced them to Jiang Wanting.
Jiang Wanting obediently greeted them.
Shen Yiyin’s eyes revealed a look of conviction. She had certainly heard the rumors about Jiang Wanting—how she was spoiled by the Jiang family and had a willful, domineering personality.
It seemed not all rumors were true.
Seeing such a well-behaved and sensible Jiang Wanting, Old Madam Shen nodded in satisfaction. It seemed she hadn’t chosen the wrong person. This girl was dignified and elegant, speaking with ease and poise, and she was also lovely and pretty.
She was indeed a match for her Shen Zui.
“Yinyin, call that brat. What kind of impression does it give to have so many people waiting for him?” Old Master Shen’s tone was quite displeased.
After speaking, the old master turned to Old Master Jiang and apologized, “In-laws, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”
Though dissatisfied, Old Master Jiang didn’t show it and waved his hand. “It’s fine.”
Shen Yiyin was about to get up to make the call when, speak of the devil, he arrived.
“Sorry I’m late.” The man’s voice was somewhat low and hoarse.
Jiang Wanting thought she was hallucinating. How could she possibly hear Shen Zui’s voice here? It must be an illusion.
When she turned around, she saw Shen Zui, who had just entered. Jiang Wanting’s eyes instantly widened as she stared at him in a daze.
The man was dressed simply in a white shirt and black trousers. His deep, brown peach-blossom eyes slanted slightly upward at the corners, with a light brown mole under his right eye.
It was the first time Old Madam Shen had seen Shen Zui in person in over three years. Her eyes instantly reddened as she complained.
“You brat!”
“A Zui.” Mrs. Shen couldn’t help but call out.
Shen Zui greeted everyone at the table.
Jiang Wanting’s heart pounded wildly. Oh my god, she was actually seeing Shen Zui in the flesh!
Holy crap, it was actually her idol, Shen Zui!
Jiang Wanting suppressed the impulse inside her. Was she dreaming? Under the table, she pinched her thigh hard. Pain washed over her, and she breathed a sigh of relief. It hurt—good, she wasn’t dreaming.
Her mind was filled with the words Shen Zui had posted on Weibo: “My fiancée is not from the entertainment industry. Her surname is Jiang. My fiancée is not from the entertainment industry. Her surname is Jiang.”
Wasn’t Jiang Wanting’s surname Jiang? So the original host was Shen Zui’s fiancée. What kind of incredible luck had she stumbled upon? Transmigrating into the original host’s body, and her fiancé was her idol!
“Wanwan?”
“Huh?” Jiang Wanting was momentarily confused.
Only then did she realize that Shen Zui had extended his large, slender hand with distinct knuckles toward her.
Jiang Wanting paused for a moment before standing up, so nervous that her palms were sweating. She extended her right hand.
“Hello! Jiang Wanting.”
Her voice was soft and light, tinged with a slight tremor.
Jiang Wanting’s fingers were fair, slender, and delicate, with faint calluses on the pads. It was hard to imagine that such soft, boneless hands could have calluses.
Shen Zui glanced down at her. The girl’s large, bright almond-shaped eyes were wide open, glistening with moisture. Below her small, high-bridged nose were pale pink cherry lips.
Shen Zui looked at her in surprise. The entertainment industry was full of beauties, but it was rare to see such clear, bright, and lively eyes.
“Hello! Shen Zui.”
After speaking, Shen Zui released her hand and calmly pulled out a chair to sit down.
Old Master Jiang observed this scene, his cloudy, dim eyes flickering with a hint of surprise. Why did his granddaughter seem a bit nervous?
Old Master Shen was quite dissatisfied with Shen Zui’s indifferent gesture. The girl hadn’t let go yet, but you already did—couldn’t you show a bit of gentlemanly manners?
“Since everyone is here, let’s serve the dishes!”
Old Madam Shen broke the silence.
Jiang Wanting sat down in a daze. Was she not dreaming? She couldn’t help but pinch her thigh. Ouch—she gasped, having accidentally used too much force.
“What’s wrong?” Lin Xinya asked.
Jiang Wanting let out an “ah” and shook her head.
Jiang Wanting glanced sideways at the man beside her. Seeing Shen Zui up close for the first time, she couldn’t help but marvel inwardly: his skin was so flawless, his eyes so beautiful, and his lips so perfectly shaped—thin and tinged with a faint pink, looking as though they were made for kissing.
“Seen enough?”
The man’s lazy voice carried a hint of huskiness.
“Uh… sorry, are you that celebrity Shen Zui?” Jiang Wanting asked, trying to ease the awkwardness.
Shen Zui replied in a calm tone, “Yes, that’s me.”
Shen Yiyin couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle. Judging by the situation, it seemed her future sister-in-law had taken a liking to Shen Zui’s looks.
Jiang Wanting lowered her gaze. This was so damn awkward. Jiang Wanting, oh Jiang Wanting, can’t you keep your admiration in check?
Everyone at the table exchanged knowing glances, and Old Madam Shen smiled with satisfaction.
Shen Zui picked up his food unhurriedly, his movements elegant, exuding an air of refined nobility with every gesture.
Jiang Qixun studied Shen Zui carefully. To be honest, if it weren’t for the fact that the marriage had been arranged by his mother, he wouldn’t want Jiang Wanting to marry into the Shen family.
It wasn’t that he looked down on the acting profession—there was no hierarchy between occupations. But Shen Zui’s line of work required him to travel frequently, often staying in Hengdian or flying abroad. How would the couple find time to spend together? Would his daughter have to follow him around?
“Wanwan, right?” Mrs. Shen looked at Jiang Wanting and asked, “May I call you Wanwan?”
Jiang Wanting nodded obediently.
“I heard you’re a student at H University’s College of Fine Arts, with two years left until graduation, is that right?”
“Yes, Auntie.”
Mrs. Shen gave her a gentle smile. “I had the pleasure of seeing your work at an art exhibition. It was wonderful!”
Jiang Wanting stiffened all over. The original owner’s work had actually been displayed at an art exhibition? That impressive? What else didn’t she know?
Hearing Mrs. Shen mention Jiang Wanting’s paintings, Lin Xinya couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. Although her daughter was spoiled, her painting skills were exceptional.
Old Madam Shen asked curiously, “Isn’t Wanwan only nineteen this year? And already a junior in college?”
Lin Xinya explained, “In-laws, Wanwan started school early. She’ll be twenty in less than a month.”
“Oh, I see.”
Old Madam Shen suddenly understood and turned to Shen Zui. “A Zui, once Wanwan turns twenty, the two of you can register your marriage.”
Shen Zui’s hand holding the chopsticks stiffened. After a long pause, he finally let out a soft “mm” from his throat.
Old Master Shen glanced at him, certain he wouldn’t dare refuse. Back when he had quietly entered the entertainment industry, the price was that his marriage had to follow their wishes.
“Um… isn’t that a bit too soon?” Jiang Wanting spoke up timidly. She would turn twenty in just a month, and then they’d be registering their marriage directly.
Everyone at the table turned to look at Jiang Wanting.
Shen Zui glanced at the girl sitting to his right. He didn’t know what kind of person his grandmother had chosen for him, but she was certainly quite young.
“How about this: let them get engaged first and wait until Wanwan graduates to get married. This way, the two children can spend some time together and build their relationship.” Lin Xinya suggested.
Old Master Jiang nodded and turned to the two elders of the Shen family. “What do you think, in-laws?”
Upon hearing this, Old Madam Shen nodded in agreement. “That’s fine. However, the two children can live together to nurture their bond. I’ve already found a place for them, not far from where Wanwan goes to school.”
As soon as Old Madam Shen finished speaking, the Jiang family was stunned. Living together before engagement or marriage?
Jiang Wanting was taken aback. Living with Shen Zui? But since her marriage to Shen Zui was already a settled matter, and people nowadays have more open-minded views, it wasn’t unusual for couples to live together before marriage.