Bai Youran did not expect that things would turn out this way.
He had happily returned home with plans of getting his grandmother to discuss his marriage with the Xia family. He did not expect Shen Xinglan to abruptly propose an engagement with Xia Wan.
"Is this news reliable?"
The old madam of the Bai family was in her seventies this year. Even with her head full of white hair, she appeared to be in good spirits. She was dressed in a typical qipao and decked out in all kinds of gilded jadeite accessories.
"I don't know but the rumors are swirling outside." Bai Youran clutched his hair in frustration. "Didn't Auntie say that the Ji family wouldn't want Xia Wan?"
"She did say that but do you think she'll be able to stop Shen Xinglan if he wants to marry Xia Wan?"
If her daughter's words were really that effective, Shen Xinglan would not be able to take the helm of Ji Conglomerate as soon as he showed up even after disappearing for so many years. Not even her grandson, who had been working diligently and loyally at the company for many years, received this right.
"Then what should we do now?" Bai Youran gritted his teeth. "Why don't… Why don't I get someone?"
The old madam glared at him, disappointed that he did not live up to expectations. "You know nothing but underhanded tactics like these. Did you think Shen Xinglan is that easily handled?"
"Stay put obediently. We'll go to the ceremony together."
Bai Youran replied, "You're asking me to go? And watch the person I like get engaged to someone else?"
The old woman could not help swatting him on the head. "You fool! Since your aunt didn't mention a word of this, which means the Ji family has no idea of this at all. When they show up at the engagement ceremony later, who knows what the outcome will be!"
"Didn't you say that Auntie can't control Shen Xinglan?" Bai Youran was still ill at ease.
"That's enough. That's not for you to worry about. I guarantee that the engagement won't go through!"
Simultaneously, Shen Xinglan received a call from his father's, Ji Zeming.
"Why didn't you tell me about something this big?" Ji Zeming's tone was not one of anger but rather helplessness.
Shen Xinglan replied placidly, "Didn't you find out without me telling you about it?"
"It's your Auntie Bai who told me." On the other end of the line, Ji Zeming paused for a moment. "You like the young lady from the Xia family?"
"Does it matter?" Shen Xinglan said indifferently. "It's a marriage alliance anyway. It's the same whichever family it is."
Ji Zeming heaved a sigh. "Xinglan, you know the Xia and Bai families…"
"What does it have to do with me?" Shen Xinglan interrupted him. "It's the Xia family who broke off their promise of marriage to choose me. Even if the Bai family wants to blame someone, it shouldn't be me."
"Okay. I won't interfere with your private life. Everything is fine as long as you're happy."
Ji Zeming doted greatly on his late wife's son. He was childhood friends with Shen Xinglan's mother and even when he subsequently remarried, he only did so because Bai Yongwei and Shen Xinglan's mother were best friends and because Bai Yongwei had accompanied him during the most difficult time of his life.
He did not expect that Shen Xinglan would go missing. This was a memory that caused great pain in him each time he thought about it. His guilt toward his late wife during those years continued to torment him day and night.
Fortunately, this child was blessed enough to return!
"Is there anything else?" Evidently, Shen Xinglan did not want to converse much with his father.
Ji Zeming hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "We're already on the plane. We're coming back to attend your engagement ceremony."
Xia family villa.
A Miao heard about the news from one of the servants.
Her first reaction was: "What is this psycho planning to do now?"
She absolutely did not believe that Shen Xinglan would enter a marriage alliance with the Xia family. Thus, that man certainly had ulterior motives for doing this.
"But I've already given him the jade pendant!" A Miao paced inside her bedroom. "Just what exactly is he trying to do?"
"Thump, thump, thump!" Xia Wan knocked but pushed the door open to enter without waiting for a response.
"A Miao." The corner of her mouth raised. She was unable to disguise her mirth.
A Miao looked at her and said especially insincerely, "Congratulations. You got what you wish for."
"That's why… I'm here to help you!" Xia Wan sat down in an elegant manner. "Don't say that I haven't warned you. Bai Youran's grandmother will also be attending the engagement ceremony. Perform well then. As long as she agrees to it, you'll be able to marry into the Bai family!"
"Why would I marry into the Bai family?" A Miao shrugged in amusement. "Either way, you're about to marry Shen Xinglan. Does it matter if I marry into the Bai family?"
Xia Wan heaved a sigh pretentiously. "Dummy. If the Bai family abandons you because you're no longer a virgin, Grandfather will still find you a new partner."
Seeing that A Miao was unafraid, she directly made herself clear. "When that happens, it'll be old men in their forties or fifties. Putting aside the fact that you might become a stepmother after getting married, what if you come across an actual pervert? He'll torture you to death in just a couple of days."
"How can you all do this?!" A Miao finally panicked. "You guys don't need me anymore! Why won't you let me go?!"
Xia Wan looked delighted that A Miao had such a reaction. Patting A Miao's shoulder, she said, "Since you're a part of the Xia family, you'll naturally have to do something for the family. In the several months since you've returned, all your meals and expenses are provided by the Xia family!"
Xia Wan flicked the flowers by A Miao's bed before looking at her. "There's no free lunch in this world. Grandfather will naturally find you a good marriage partner."
"Are you done speaking?" A Miao pulled open the door. "If you're done, leave."
"Hehe!" Straightening her neck, Xia Wan wore an expression of contempt as she walked past A Miao. "Remember my words and perform well at the engagement ceremony."
With a loud thud, A Miao slammed the door close with all her strength.
When the weekend arrived, City S became especially boisterous at night. It seemed as if there were more people and cars on the streets than usual.
"Congratulations! Congratulations!"
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"Drink more later on!"
"Don't worry! I'll definitely drink my fill!"
Shen Xinglan had booked the entire top floor of a top-notch hotel. The money he spent on the furnishing the venue for his engagement ceremony exceeded that of regular banquets that rich and powerful families threw. Everyone who was anyone in City S had come tonight.
Scions and female celebrities made the bulk of the guests. There were people that never appeared in Shen Xinglan's birthday banquet. That was because Shen Xinglan would never invite them.
"Pfft!" Shen I sneered. "Xia Yongqiang probably invited everyone here tonight."
Shen Xinglan was standing on the first floor as he overlooked the guests in the hall. He rubbed the space between his eyebrows impatiently. "Go and check if the Xia family is here."
He did not have so much time to waste on a meaningless affair like this.
"Boss, the only one not here is Sir Ji," Shen II said after walking up the stairs. "Xia Haixin is asking if we can start the ceremony."
Shen Xinglan's eyes swept the activities downstairs. "Keep a close eye on that woman. Don't let her run."
The mouths of both Shen I and Shen II twitched. "So you know that she'll run as well…"
"Why wouldn't I dare to come?"
Right then, the woman that Shen Xinglan mentioned was staring at the man in front of her with the expression of one delighting in someone else's calamity.
"It's useless even if you come. The Bai family will never want a used woman," Bai Youran said hatefully. "I'm warning you not to get into a tangle with me in front of everyone. Otherwise, I'll let everyone know that you slept with your cousin."
A Miao sneered. "It's the dog that is blocking my way right now. Move aside."
"You slut." Bai Youran could not help raising his hand.
Right then, the lightening abruptly darkened. A Miao took advantage of the moment to kick him in the crotch before disappearing inside the crowd in a few quick steps.
"F*ck!" Bai Youran held onto his nether regions. Too embarrassed to yell at her, he could only suppress the pain and returned to the Bai family's side.
Shen Xinglan slowly walked down the stairs. Next to him, the finely-dressed Xia Wan gazed at him with deep emotion. The two of them gathered in front of the stairs and walked up the stage together.
Xia Yongqiang was the oldest person at the ceremony and his status within the circle was also considerably senior. Thus, he personally hosted the engagement ceremony.
"Now let's welcome Shen Xinglan and…"
"Wait a minute!"
Xia Yongqiang lifted his head in annoyance after his words were interrupted. The guests in the hall separated to form a path. Three people entered without looking sideways.
"Elder Xia, this is my son's engagement ceremony. You ought to at least wait for me, his father!"
Ji Zeming walked toward Xia Yongqiang with a smile. He then turned his head to look at Xia Wan. "Not bad. She's worthy of being your granddaughter indeed."
"Hahahaha! No matter how great she is, she's still going to leave to be a part of your family instead!"
The guests started expressing their congratulations after seeing Ji Zeming's attitude. Only the woman by his side wore a placid expression. Her expression immediately changed after taking a glance at Xia Wan.
"Oh? Why do I recall that Xia Wan is engaged to Youran?"
Silence immediately shrouded the hall. After receiving a hint from the old madam from the Bai family, Bai Youran walked forward. "You're right, Auntie. Wanwan's hand is promised to our family."
This time, the Xia family members could no longer keep their cool. Yao Lili immediately yelled, "Who said that our Wanwan's hand is promised to your family? That's…"
"Shut up!" Xia Haixin immediately cupped her mouth with his hand.
Xia Wan's expression had changed as well. She stared nervously at Shen Xinglan but found only a placid expression on his face as if he had not heard them at all.
"What exactly is going on?" Bai Yongwei looked at her nephew. "Did you lie to me? The one Xia Wan likes is Shen Xinglan."
Ji Zeming tugged at her arm with a frown. They had already agreed beforehand that they would not interfere with this.
"Oh dear!" Bai Youngwei smiled at him. "I'm being meddlesome. Let's just let the kids handle their own affairs!" She then looked at Shen Xinglan.
"Xinglan, don't get mad with Auntie Bai! I'm only worried that there'll be a misunderstanding between you all. After all, when I returned the last time, I saw Xia Wan and Youran acting very intimately. I didn't expect that she'd turn around to get engaged to you."
Even the Bai family could detect such an obvious innuendo. Xia Yongqiang pulled a straight face all while mentally scolding Bai Youngwei for being so shameless. She was just a stepmother but really fancied herself as Shen Xinglan's parent.
Seeing how awkward things had become, Ji Zeming immediately tried to ease the situation. "That's enough. Please continue with the ceremony, Elder Xia!"
"Did you all misunderstand something?" Shen Xinglan, who had been quiet all this while, suddenly spoke.
Everyone's gaze was focused on him. Under the light of the chandelier, the man looked incomparably handsome. The corners of his mouth were curved up into a small smile. Wearing that enticing smile, he dropped a massive bomb with his subsequent words.
"Since when did I say that I'm getting engaged to Xia Wan?"
An uproar broke out…
Everyone gasped. What kind of development was this?
A Miao, who had been hiding in the rear of the crowd, suddenly shivered and she slowly retreated. Her instinct told her that this place was too dangerous and she must leave at once.
"Miss A Miao!" Someone suddenly called her name from behind.
"My God!" A Miao placed her hand on her chest as she turned her head. "What are you doing? You gave me a fright!"
The corners of Shen I's mouth twitched. "Where are you going?"
"I…" A Miao's gaze shifted. "I'm going to the washroom! Hurry up and move aside."
"Okay." Shen I agreed and stepped aside to reveal Shen II behind him.
A Miao's eyes widened even further. "What are you two trying to do?"