Chapter 116: A Pair of Ill-Fated Lovers, Madly in Love
Chen Wei Qi said this simply to annoy Lian Li, but Lian Li didn’t react at all.
Upon hearing this, Duan Shiqing feigned anger and glared at Chen Wei Qi, “Wei Qi!”
Chen Wei Qi had no choice but to shrink her neck and shut up resentfully. No matter how noble and tsundere she was in public, she had to obey her older sister.
After Toy finished trimming Lian Li’s hair, he asked if she wanted a wash and treatment, as these services were free.
Lian Li politely declined. As she got up to leave, her gaze inadvertently fell on Duan Shiqing, who was messaging on her mobile phone, likely chatting with Jin Yan Ting. A ring with a jade egg yolk was on her index finger, a mesmerizing green.
The ring was part of Chen Shi Fei’s dowry from Hong Kong Island. Chen Shi Fei gave the ring to Jin Yan Ting, who then gifted it to Duan Shiqing.
It was their token of love.
Although the Jin Family and the Duan Family were arch-enemies ten years ago, Chen Shi Fei admired and liked Duan Shiqing, and was very willing to have her as a daughter-in-law.
Now, it was likely even more satisfactory.
*
The Capital City was unusually free of snow today, with bright sunshine illuminating the Jin Family’s mansion. The siheyuan was a rare, grand residence with high walls and strict guards, only allowing a glimpse of the upturned eaves.
A two-tone gold-top Maybach drove out from the underground garage on the north side, turning into the ancient and elegant hutong alley. Then, the Huanghuali wood garage door descended and closed at a steady pace.
Tall Chinese parasol trees cast faint shadows on the paved road, with some scattered light filtering into the back seat of the Maybach through the open car window.
Jin Yan Ting sat on the leather seat, listening to his mother’s nagging on the phone without impatience.
“Didn’t you say ten years ago that you wouldn’t marry anyone but Shiqing? If the person you married wasn’t her, you’d rather stay single forever than settle. Now that Shiqing is back, why are you dawdling instead of proposing?”
“You’ve waited for her for ten years, and she’s waited for you for ten years. A girl’s youth is precious and cannot be delayed. When are you going to act?”
“Wait until your father abdicates and you fully control the group? If a girl likes you, she’ll marry you even if you don’t inherit the group.”
Jin Yan Ting’s brow furrowed slightly, but his voice remained gentle, “Let’s talk about it later.”
Chen Shi Fei thought he was busy and didn’t say much, only asking, “Are you having dinner with Shiqing tonight?”
Jin Yan Ting hummed in agreement.
Chen Shi Fei earnestly advised, “Treat her well. This child hasn’t had an easy time either.”
Jin Yan Ting responded with a faint “Okay.”
Chen Shi Fei wasn’t worried about her eldest son’s feelings for Duan Shiqing. After all, they had been madly in love back then. Now that the ill-fated couple had overcome their hardships, they would surely cherish what they had.
After hanging up the phone, Aunt Wu draped an embroidered cashmere shawl over Chen Shi Fei’s shoulders, “Madam.”
“And the driver’s daughter?” Chen Shi Fei was beautiful, exuding an air of noble elegance and grace in every movement.
“She’s no longer by Young Master Ting’s side,” Aunt Wu replied. “When Miss Duan returned, she left Young Master Ting on her own, and Young Master Ting didn’t stop her.”
Chen Shi Fei nodded slightly, “Has Ah Yue returned yet?”
Aunt Wu: “He has. He’s in the study discussing matters with the elder gentleman.”
Speaking of Jin Shi Yue, Chen Shi Fei raised her eyelashes and looked at the flowerbed in the courtyard, her expression solemn, remaining silent for a long time.
After leaving the hair salon, the driver’s daughter, Lian Li, called Xue Shufan to inform her senior sister about what had happened at the salon.
Xue Shufan burst into laughter, “Chen Wei Qi is such a stubborn fool. You’ve already moved out of Jin Yan Ting’s place, and she still has no clue.”
Lian Li chuckled, “Perhaps she’ll only feel at ease if I move out of the Capital City.”
“Hahaha, but I think her disliking you has nothing to do with Jin Yan Ting. The first time she met you, she mistook you for a fallen woman and wanted to save you with a large sum of money, but you refused. Chen Wei Qi has never been refused before, so she easily developed hatred from love for you.”
Xue Shufan vividly demonstrated the CEO’s catchphrase: “Well done! You’re the first woman to refuse me, I’ll remember you!”
Chen Wei Qi mistakenly believed Lian Li was a canary forced into her position by financial hardship. So, the first time she met Lian Li, she generously produced a check, raised her noble head, and asked, “Is this money enough?”
When Lian Li didn’t accept the check, Chen Wei Qi concluded she was willingly debased and had become a disreputable mistress.
Recalling this, Lian Li smiled helplessly, “Sometimes I envy her. She’s been too protected, her personality is so simple.”
“She’s not simple at all,” Xue Shufan disagreed with her junior sister. “Which innocent good person frequently appears on entertainment news?”
“Wasn’t she deceived by a male celebrity?” Lian Li said.
Xue Shufan gave up arguing, “Alright, this girl is indeed simple, and a bit slow on the uptake.”
After a pause, Xue Shufan added, “I heard Zhong Yang and Wen Zhi Xing discussing wedding banquet wine brands. Wen Zhi Xing and Meng Yi’s wedding banquet is scheduled to be held at Chen Wei Qi’s hotel.”
The wedding dress was from Duan Shiqing, and the hotel was from Chen Wei Qi. The upper-class society was a closed circle, always revolving back to itself.
Duan Shiqing was highly sought after in the social scene. As the CEO of a top luxury fashion brand, her business was booming. She had reached a cooperation with the century-old jewelry brand Bao Rui, which provided her with jewelry and accessories free of charge.
Chen Wei Qi knew Lian Li liked Jin Yan Ting, and Duan Shiqing was superior to Chen Wei Qi in both experience and emotional intelligence.
Duan Shiqing had surely also noticed Lian Li’s feelings for Jin Yan Ting.
Duan Shiqing and Jin Yan Ting had been together before. With her keen senses and awareness of potential threats, she wouldn’t sit idly by.
Lian Li pondered the events that had just transpired, roughly piecing together her thoughts.
Listening to her junior sister’s account, Xue Shufan thoughtfully asked, “Was her adding you on WeChat a way to flaunt her affection and put you in your place?”
“Perhaps,” Lian Li replied.
Xue Shufan then asked, “Have she and Jin Yan Ting gotten back together?”
“I’m not sure, but it’s highly likely,” Lian Li lowered her eyes, her voice calm. “When I went to New York before, I ran into them sharing a room. Afterward, Duan Shiqing posted quite a few photos of Jin Yan Ting.”
Even if they hadn’t officially reconciled yet, with Jin Yan Ting and Duan Shiqing attending events together and dining privately… their close contact meant reconciliation was only a matter of time.
Jin Yan Ting hadn’t drawn a clear boundary, tacitly accepting Duan Shiqing’s actions. Not only did others see them as a fated couple, but Lian Li also felt that way.
Duan Shiqing and Jin Yan Ting had achieved success in their respective careers, were highly capable, and their appearances and family backgrounds were a perfect match. Anyone who saw them would praise them as a match made in heaven.
In a story based on them, Lian Li would be the disruptive second female lead.
Worried that her junior sister would be dejected, Xue Shufan announced loudly, “I’ve booked a restaurant, let’s have dinner together tonight!”
“Okay.” Lian Li hung up the phone and walked into the elevator, heading directly to the Wen Gang Orchestra.
“Ding—”
The elevator doors opened, and she stepped out. Her mobile phone rang with a new incoming call.
The screen clearly displayed three large characters: 【Eldest Young Master】.
Lian Li pressed her fingerprint, and the glass door of the Wen Gang Orchestra opened. She walked in while answering the call.
On the other end, Jin Shi Yue’s voice was casual as he lazily asked, “Where are you?”
