Meng Ci’an watched Meng Shining finish the remaining chicken drumstick and drink the soup from her instant noodles. She finally wiped her mouth with satisfaction.
Seeing her done, Meng Ci’an stood up. “Go to bed early. Engagement is tomorrow. Do not cause trouble.”
Meng Shining yawned again. “Got it. Good night Brother.”
Meng Ci’an paused a step. “Good night.”
The next morning the system released the last task of the first stage.
Task 7: Sleep in the same bed with Jiang Wenyan for one night.
Meng Shining’s emotions flared. “System, come out. Look at this task yourself. Is this the kind of cruel villainess task? Sleeping in the same bed for a night. Are you sure this is a legitimate task?”
Bao Linglong yawned. It is sleeping in the same bed, not doing anything with him for a night. How is that not legitimate. The task was issued from above, not by me. Complaining to me is useless.
Meng Shining asked. “Do you have a search function?”
Bao Linglong asked cautiously. What are you trying to do?
“I want to search the hotline and report you.” Meng Shining ground her teeth.
Host level too low. Cannot open search function yet.
Meng Shining was furious. Once she leveled up, she would report Bao Linglong’s attitude to the so-called authorities.
The task had to be done at night. Since today was the engagement banquet, after the event she would naturally follow Jiang Wenyan to their new room.
During the day she focused on beauty treatments and manicures, preparing for the grand and luxurious engagement banquet in the evening.
As night fell the Jiang family villa was filled with luxury cars. Influential figures from across City A arrived.
“The marriage between the Jiang family and the Meng family. Soon City A will belong to the two families.” A middle-aged man in a tailored suit exclaimed.
“Not just City A. You still underestimate the Jiang and Meng families.” Another man scoffed lightly with a look of disdain.
Guests whispered and speculated.
Song Xi walked beside Lin Siqing. “From what I know about Jiang Wenyan he is not controlled by his family. How could he agree to this engagement?”
Lin Siqing glanced at the brightly lit Jiang family villa bustling with people. “Because this marriage was decided by his grandparents. He cannot refuse.”
Song Xi nodded. He had cooperated with Jiang Wenyan a few times. He was one of the few in City A who knew Lin Siqing’s identity.
“But his grandparents passed away a few years ago?” Song Xi remembered. He was naturally cold and distant, and after his grandparents’ death even more so.
“Yes, so he has no choice but to accept.” Lin Siqing said calmly. “Come on, let’s go in. It is freezing.”
Song Xi’s purpose tonight was to observe Meng Shining. He had heard that Meng Ci’an had a beautiful but spoiled younger sister. He wondered how Jiang Wenyan, the icy man, would tolerate her.
Meng Shining had arrived early. She and Jiang Wenyan were the stars of tonight.
Jiang Wenyan wore a white suit, perfectly tailored to display his flawless figure.
He stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, quietly gazing outside. The soft yellow light filled the room, making him look like a living painting.
Meng Shining could not help stealing glances. His precise side profile and tall upright posture were undeniably attractive.
Noticing her gaze, Jiang Wenyan slightly moved his eyes and then turned to her. “Have you eaten enough?”
Meng Shining nodded, wiped her mouth, rinsed, and walked to his side.
The servant opened the door. Meng Shining followed Jiang Wenyan out.
Outside the door Jiang Wenyan paused. Meng Shining tried to walk past him.
Her wrist was suddenly grabbed. She looked back to find Jiang Wenyan holding her wrist expressionlessly, preventing her from going forward.
“Why?” she asked.
“Link arms.” Jiang Wenyan said calmly, slightly lifting his arm.
Meng Shining realized and walked back to link her arm with his. She murmured softly. “Quite particular.”
Jiang Wenyan heard but ignored her. It was just a formality.
The engagement ceremony began as the two of them walked forward.
From the room to the main hall Meng Shining did not stop talking.
“Aren’t you going to eat something? Are you sure you will not get hungry later?”
“Are you planning to eat a late night snack after it ends? You should have told me earlier. I would not have eaten so much.”
“After the ceremony we have to greet everyone. With so many people, will we have to meet each one personally? That would be exhausting.”
“By the way, after I left that day, my brother did not ask you anything right?”
“My card was frozen by him, but he was a little decent and transferred 50,000 to me.”
“I think…”
Meng Shining noticed Jiang Wenyan had no reaction. She turned to his precise side profile to ask why he ignored her.
Jiang Wenyan’s voice came. “Too noisy.”
Seeing his unmoving lips, Meng Shining knew this was his inner thought.
She turned her head and stayed quiet. She had babbled so much only to be ignored and criticized for being loud.
Hmph. From now on she would not talk to Jiang Wenyan. She would act aloof. Anyone could do it.
The ceremony was simple. Meng Shining linked arms with Jiang Wenyan and smiled, following the process for everything else.
Song Xi stood nearby, staring at Meng Shining under the spotlight. He was strangely mesmerized.
In his eyes everyone else disappeared. Only Meng Shining’s every movement remained.
Lin Siqing lightly tapped his shoulder. “I am talking to you. What are you thinking?”
Song Xi came back to his senses and touched his nose. “Nothing. What did you say just now?”
“I said pay attention and do not speak recklessly.” Lin Siqing said irritably.
Song Xi looked again at Meng Shining. Suddenly a screen appeared above her head. It showed two people in formal attire standing on a stage-like platform.
The image shifted. Below the stage were colorful eggs with faces. Some were smiling, some cheering, some pouting. One even resembled him.
Then the screen disappeared.
Song Xi pinched his thigh in disbelief. The sudden pain reminded him how real it was. What was that screen? Why did it appear above Meng Shining’s head?
Jiang Wenyan’s gaze had subtly scanned the screen above Meng Shining’s head.
Her smiling face contrasted sharply with the small figure’s annoyed expression on the screen.
Fortunately the ceremony was simple and ended quickly.
Afterward they had to greet key business partners and various socialites.