At this time, a party was still being held upstairs in the hotel.
This party was a social hotspot for A City’s upper-class society, and it hadn’t ended yet.
The Jiang family didn’t originally have the qualifications to attend, but this time they came in behind the Qian family, so they valued the opportunity greatly.
Jiang’s father, Jiang Huarong, took his son Jiang Chongyuan around to socialize, flashing flattering smiles and handing out stacks of business cards to everyone he met.
Mrs. Jiang, meanwhile, brought her daughter Jiang Ran to chat and laugh with other wives who had sons, trying to discreetly arrange a marriage for her daughter.
But reality was harsh.
It was laughable, whatever they were talking about, they couldn’t break in at all.
Mrs. Jiang and Jiang Ran just stood there like two decorative vases and were soon pushed aside.
Jiang Ran’s smile stiffened. She rubbed her face and, seemingly complaining, said, “Mom, where’s Second Brother? Such a great opportunity, why isn’t he here? He really doesn’t think about our family at all.”
The scheming dealings of Jiang Huarong to sell off his son for prestige were hidden from Jiang Ran by both Mrs. Jiang and the eldest son.
“Your second brother is busy,” Mrs. Jiang said. “He’s stretched thin. He’s probably occupied right now.”
Occupied using his body to gain benefits for the Jiang family.
Jiang Ran looked innocent, holding her mother’s arm and pouting, “Alright, work is important.”
But beneath her long, heavy false eyelashes, a flash of malice appeared. That fool of a second brother must be having a great time right now.
Hopefully, those reporters could capture his disgrace, and then she could buy a trending topic, ha! Jiang Yumo! Let’s see how you turn things around this time!
At this moment, Jiang Huarong returned with his eldest son, grinning smugly after handing out all the business cards.
“Husband, did the business go well?” Mrs. Jiang asked.
Jiang Huarong’s grin widened with satisfaction. “Everyone took the cards, added us on WeChat, cooperation will be a done deal.”
If Jiang Yumo changed one prosperous family for another, this deal was definitely worth it.
Just as he was thinking this, his phone rang.
“It’s Young Master Qian,” Jiang Huarong raised his phone. “He must be very satisfied with our business, maybe he’s calling to increase his investment.”
Mrs. Jiang’s eyes shone like lightbulbs. “Then go pick up the call quickly. Don’t keep Young Master waiting.”
Jiang Huarong stepped away from the crowd and found an empty corner. The moment he answered, before he could even flatter the caller, he was slammed with a barrage of scolding.
“Jiang Huarong, how did you raise your son?…”
For a full few minutes, Jiang Huarong was berated mercilessly. He didn’t dare make excuses, only nodding and bowing, apologizing at every opportunity.
“…Within three days, if you don’t see Jiang Yumo take the initiative to visit, not only will your project fail, your Jiang family won’t be able to stay in A City either.”
The Qian family wasn’t top-tier in A City, but they weren’t a family Jiang could handle.
And when they said this, they meant it.
Sweating profusely, Jiang Huarong immediately called Jiang Yumo. The moment the call connected, he shouted, “Unfilial son! You’re getting cocky!”
The call ended. Jiang Huarong choked, staring at his phone, breathing heavily, hands trembling over the keys.
He called again.
“Unfilial son! You—”
The call ended. He called again.
“Unfi—”
Ended. Call.
Jiang Huarong was furious, his face red, but since Jiang Yumo would hang up whenever he yelled, he had no choice but to suppress his anger. “Where are you?”
Jiang Yumo’s lips curved. “So you can speak human language? I thought it was some idiot screaming just now.”
Jiang Huarong clenched his teeth, face twitching. “What exactly do you want? Being able to get close to the Qian family is your fortune!”
“This fortune is so good, why don’t you go yourself?” Jiang Yumo said. “Or are you too ugly? They don’t fancy you?”
When did this normally obedient and quiet illegitimate son get so sharp-tongued? Jiang Huarong’s lips trembled with rage. “Where the hell are you?! Hurry back here!”
“No need for such trouble,” Jiang Yumo said, showing no attempt to hide his malice. “Just let Jiang Chongyuan go up and apologize. If that doesn’t work, bring Jiang Ran too. The siblings serving the two brothers, that’s a fine story all on its own.”
Before Jiang Huarong could roar, Jiang Yumo had already hung up the phone, leaving him thrown back, clutching his chest, his blood pressure spiking instantly.
What made him even angrier was that Jiang Yumo had hung up immediately after speaking. When he tried to call again, it kept showing “in call,” and after several attempts, Jiang Huarong realized he had been blocked.
His vision went black, and he nearly couldn’t catch his breath. Only because Jiang Chongyuan sensed something was wrong and quickly gave him a fast-acting heart medicine did he avoid being rushed to the hospital on the spot.
“Dad, what did Jiang Yumo say?” Jiang Chongyuan asked.
“That ungrateful [1]“white-eyed wolf.” It is a Chinese idiom used to describe someone who is ungrateful, treacherous, and devoid of loyalty—typically someone who has been shown kindness or favor but repays … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1984449_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1984449_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });white-eyed wolf!” Jiang Huarong had no fondness for his illegitimate son. Although the child was the result of his inability to restrain himself during his wife’s pregnancy, after all these years of raising him, he had never held any gratitude in mind.
The harsh words of Young Master Qian still echoed in his ears. Jiang Huarong hurriedly instructed his eldest son, “Go find him immediately and deliver him to Young Master Qian, or our Jiang family is finished!”
Jiang Chongyuan’s face was cold. He didn’t expect that even after drugging Jiang Yumo, the bastard could still escape. The Qian brothers were useless too, they couldn’t even catch one man.
Although he felt disdain, circumstances forced him to send people after Jiang Yumo to clean up this mess. Just thinking about having to wipe up after an illegitimate son made him feel sick to his stomach.
But he had no choice, this was all for the Jiang family!
Their commotion had already drawn attention. No one in the Jiang family wanted to waste this opportunity. Trying to maintain their expressions, they were about to continue mingling when suddenly the entrance of the party grew lively.
The host and the guests they had been flattering earlier, who had barely acknowledged them, now gathered around a single man like stars around the moon, escorting him in.
The man was taller than anyone else, and every gesture radiated undeniable nobility and elegance.
Every woman of marriageable age present couldn’t help but blush with excitement.
Gu Yu, though the second son of the Gu family, was the true head of the household. At 25, he had already ruled the Gu family for five years.
Even the elder Gu patriarch marveled at his business talent, exclaiming at the rare genius who seemed destined to win every battle, if only he were in their family.
But that didn’t matter, if they could marry into him, perhaps they could have a genius grandson.
Still, no matter how families tried to push their eligible daughters forward, few really dared to approach him.
Although Gu Yu was polite, refined, and respectful to women, he was actually very difficult to get close to. If you tried to chat with him or take things further, he always found an excuse to leave.
No one could hold onto him.
Over time, Gu Yu became known as the unattainable high peak in the social circle.
On top of that, this high peak, this “unattainable flower”, was exceptionally clean in his private life too, only socializing when necessary for work. This made him even more untouchable in the hearts of many men and women, a perfect “[2]“white moonlight”; a term from Chinese internet culture referring to someone who is deeply cherished and idealised—often a first love or an unattainable person who remains perfect in … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1984449_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1984449_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });white moonlight.”
Recently, however, rumors circulated in the Gu family. It was said that Gu Yu’s mother was worried sick that her 25-year-old son had never been in a relationship and wanted to introduce a match for him.
Gu Yu had just arrived with a few friends. After a brief greeting, the hosts left to avoid disturbing him.
Gu Yu’s mother, glancing sideways, complained, displeased: “Work, work, always work. You’re already 25, when are you going to bring a obedient daughter-in-law home for me?”
Gu Yu casually picked up a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray, smiling as he prepared to respond to his mother’s ten-year-long nag about marriage. Suddenly, he blinked and his body twitched as if he had been shocked by something.
It lasted only a few seconds. His mother had been joking, but when she didn’t hear her son reply for a while, she became slightly serious. “I’m telling you, if you don’t find someone this year, don’t bother coming home for New Year. You can spend it alone at the company!”
Gu Yu’s eyelashes lifted, and in that moment, his calm, reserved eyes rippled with subtle unrest.
His mother wanted to say more but somehow froze mid-sentence, slowly closing her mouth.
She knew her son well. Even though Gu Yu didn’t show it outwardly, she could sense that he was extremely upset at this moment.
Gu Yu rarely showed such emotional fluctuations. She ended the topic, worry still unspoken, and then noticed him blink. The emotion in his eyes quickly faded.
Glancing at the time on his phone, Gu Yu remained composed, though his eyelashes twitched several times before settling.
“Auntie, there’s no need to worry about Brother Yu’s big life events. If he wants to find someone, it’s as simple as linking fingers.”
A man in a floral shirt with the top two buttons undone, Xu Feiyao, smiled warmly: “I happen to be lacking a partner. If you could introduce one to me, I’d be very grateful.”
Gu Yu’s mother knew her son’s friends well. “I heard you just broke up with your ex-girlfriend yesterday. Behave yourself and don’t keep your mother worrying.”
Xu Feiyao raised both hands in surrender. “You people are way too well-informed. We just weren’t compatible, I can’t help it.”
At this moment, Gu Yu spoke. “Mom, these things are a matter of fate. When the time comes, it comes.”
Normally, if Gu Yu said this, his mother would nag for another half hour, but this time she found herself wondering, could it be that I’m putting too much pressure on him?
As Gu Yu lightly sipped his champagne, his gaze swept across the hall. “Mom, where’s Youyou?”
“Ah, she said it was too stuffy and went outside for some fresh air,” his mother replied. Since this floor was full of people in the social circle, few would be foolish enough to offend Miss Gu.
Gu Yu’s father, who had been quietly watching his wife nag about marriage, checked his watch. “She’s been out for ten minutes.”
Gu Yu handed his glass to a friend nearby. “I’ll go find her.”
His friend, Zhou Yibai, assumed Gu Yu just didn’t want to listen to his mother’s nagging about marriage and thoughtfully started chatting with Madam Gu to change the subject.
“Our family recently developed a new skincare product…”
Xu Feiyao watched Gu Yu leave the banquet hall.
Was it just his imagination? Why did it feel like Brother Yu was a little nervous tonight?
Xu Feiyao shook his head. He must be drunk.
Brother Yu was the type who wouldn’t even flinch if he got into a car accident, how could he possibly be nervous?
References[+]