Tang Jin's eyes were lowered, her expression somber.
In her childhood, after her father's early death, she was the easiest target for bullying among her cousins. Over time, she grew a protective layer of thorns; no one could take advantage of her.
Tang Mi was livid, her face turning ashen. "You... you dare to touch..."
"Your aggressive posturing is rather unbecoming," Tang Jin said with a radiant smile. "Go change your clothes quickly, don't embarrass the Tang family."
Tang Mi turned her head and saw a group of young masters and ladies from the Si family whispering and snickering.
She stormed off without another word.
However, as soon as she turned around, she bumped headlong into Ji Jingchuan, who was walking towards her.
Ji Jingchuan was holding a cup of coffee. He was also very tall, at least over six feet, a full head taller than Tang Mi. Consequently, the coffee in his hand conveniently splashed onto Tang Mi's face.
Ji Jingchuan seemed utterly startled and apologized profusely. "Miss Tang, are you alright? Let me wipe that for you..."
Somehow, his cuff got tangled in Tang Mi's hair.
Tang Mi was on the verge of a meltdown. "Get away! Let go! Stop pulling at me... Hai Chang'an, come help me."
She was already quite familiar with Hai Chang'an. They had chatted more than a few times at this matchmaking gathering, and both had shown mutual interest. At her call, Hai Chang'an immediately stepped forward, supporting her as they walked towards the dressing room.
A shadow passed through Ji Jingchuan's eyes.
He turned around, looking apologetically at Tang Jin. "Let me get you another cup of coffee."
"No need," Tang Jin said, taking a tissue from the table. "Lift your arm a bit. You got a little coffee here too, thankfully not much."
She pressed one hand on Ji Jingchuan's arm and used the other to carefully wipe his sleeve.
Ji Jingchuan watched her profile.
This scene fell into the view of several elders in the distance.
"Excellent, excellent," Old Master Ji exclaimed, slapping his thigh. "Xiao Jin and our Ah Chuan are a match made in heaven, so perfectly suited."
Rong Yu took a sip of tea and said, "This is their first meeting; they're mostly being polite. It's not good to tie the two youngsters together so soon, for either of them."
"Miss Rong is right," Old Master Si chimed in, then shifted the topic. "Ah Chuan is still in high school, while Xiao Jin has already graduated from university. I think these two aren't quite suitable. I have a young granddaughter in her second year of high school..."
"Pulling out a high school sophomore for matchmaking? Old Si, have you lost your mind?" Old Master Hai gave him a disdainful look and spoke up, "I think my third granddaughter is more suitable for Ah Chuan..."
Tang Che retorted irritably, "You two old rascals, are you trying to steal someone from me?"
As the group was chatting, Si Lin suddenly sauntered over, plopping down on the sofa unceremoniously. He cleared his throat and declared, "Since today is a matchmaking banquet, doesn't that mean all unmarried men and women present are eligible to be matched?"
Old Master Si narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Old Master found such a formidable wife for my father. I also want to marry a wife who can keep me in line," Si Lin said, his gaze suddenly landing on Rong Yu, who was quietly drinking tea. "Although Miss Rong is still in high school, I believe she could first... assess my suitability. What do you say?"
The tea in Old Master Ji's mouth spurted out, spraying all over Si Lin's face.
The old man promptly slapped the back of Si Lin's head. "You little bastard, trying to rebel, are you? How dare you be so impious and disrespectful! I'll teach you a lesson..."
Si Lin turned to complain to his own grandfather.
Instead, he received a slap across the face from Old Master Si. "From head to toe, inside and out, which part of you is worthy of Miss Rong? Truly a toad lusting after swan meat."
Old Master Hai unceremoniously kicked him in the rear. "Even in my youth, I wasn't as audacious as you. Only Old Si could raise such a brazen grandson..."
A smile touched Tang Che's eyes.
It was no surprise that A Yu was so outstanding, attracting admirers.
Beaten by the group of elders, Si Lin covered his head and fled.
After the small banquet ended.
The Ji family got into their car to return home.
Rong Yu didn't inquire about the matter between Ji Jingchuan and Tang Jin. She said with a smile, "There's not much more you can push academically. This winter break, learn something else—business management, economic analysis..."
The younger generation of the Ji family, even if they don't inherit the main business, must learn to manage their own assets.
Moreover, if Ah Chuan and Tang Jin truly end up together in the future, with the massive affairs of the Tang Group, Ah Chuan couldn't just stand by idly.
Children from major families must learn these things one by one, and Ah Chuan needed to start.
Ji Jingchuan obediently agreed.
Early the next morning, Rong Yu took Ji Jingchuan and Ji Zhiyuan to the Ji Group.
When the car arrived at the Ji Group, Ji Zhiyuan got out first to open the car door. Ji Jingchuan opened an umbrella, and the three of them walked towards the main hall.
In front of the main entrance of the Ji Group building was a very large plaza. Among the hurriedly passing white-collar workers, a street stall stood out conspicuously. Rong Yu couldn't help but take a few extra glances and suddenly froze.
The woman running the stall looked very familiar. Could it be...
She instinctively looked at Ji Zhiyuan.
Ji Zhiyuan's lips tightened. "She's been setting up there for over half a month, at the intersection near Ji Group. The company can't really control it, so we let her be."
Rong Yu shook her head.
That woman was Lan Rouxue. On such a cold day, setting up a stall here, bringing Lan Yue along—her intentions were too obvious.
Over a month ago, after the Ji Group sued Lan Rouxue, she sold all her luxury goods and urgently sold her villa to repay the losses to the Ji Group, thus avoiding prosecution.
Although she escaped legal liability, she went from being a moderately well-off independent woman to someone homeless.
Not only that, but a blacklist notice had also been issued within the industry.
This meant that even with a master's degree from Princeton University overseas, she couldn't find any related work.
Setting up a stall at the entrance of the Ji Group, letting her former colleagues see her reduced state, losing all face—but so what?
If she could evoke even the slightest bit of pity in Ji Zhiyuan's heart, she would cling to him with all her might. She had ways to make him change his mind...
"Mom... it's so cold," Lan Yue's eyes suddenly lit up. "I see Daddy! Daddy is over there. Why isn't Daddy paying attention to us..."
When she first saw Ji Zhiyuan, she would charge over recklessly, only to be stopped and thrown out by security.
Time after time, failing too many times, so even seeing Ji Zhiyuan walk by, she no longer had the courage to rush forward again.
Lan Rouxue bit her lip. "Don't be impatient. Take it slow. One day, his heart will soften."
Lan Yue started crying. "But I can't wait any longer... My kindergarten classmates all went on trips. They bought pretty dresses and shoes, limited edition dolls. I want them too, Mom, buy them for me..."
Lan Rouxue was utterly exhausted.
How could she not want to buy clothes, shoes, and bags? But her pockets were empty.
At that moment, a car pulled over by the roadside. The window rolled down, revealing a greasy face. "Secretary Lan, have you thought it over? Are you coming with me or not?"
