Wei Hanyun arrived neither too early nor too late. Though he didn’t have the leisure to check his phone, that didn’t stop others from showing him things.
Wei's Mother swiftly intercepted a screenshot of Wei Hanyan’s message and, between sips of wine, flashed it to Wei Hanyun with a sly smile. "Your wife has only been here a few hours, yet she’s already won over so many hearts. You’ll have your hands full in the future."
Wei Hanyun tilted his head slightly to glance at Wei Hanyan’s bold declarations on the phone and chuckled. "Childish talk."
"Hanyan is only a few years younger than you," Wei's Mother said, amused.
"Zhong Ziyan won’t give me any trouble," Wei Hanyun shook his head.
As long as their contract remained in effect, Zhong Ziyan was one hundred percent reliable and honest.
As for what would happen after the one-year agreement ended…
"What are your plans next?" Wei's Mother asked with a gentle smile.
"World’s richest man."
Wei's Mother widened her eyes slightly, torn between laughter and exasperation, and lightly punched Wei Hanyun’s shoulder. "I’m talking seriously about the wedding! Since when have you been so obsessed with making money?"
Wei Hanyun pointed at her phone. "I have a dragon to raise, don’t I?"
"That’s true—we can’t let her suffer," Wei's Mother agreed, her eyes crinkling with warmth at the mention of Zhong Ziyan. "I was a little worried when you suddenly said you were bringing someone home, but meeting her put my mind at ease. She’s beautiful, clever, and can even handle you. I think she’s perfect."
At this, Wei Hanyun recalled the oddly shaped red envelope Wei's Mother had given Zhong Ziyan earlier. "What did you give her?"
"A house, of course," Wei's Mother replied meaningfully. "A penthouse in H City’s CBD, right next to that little entertainment company. If you two ever argue, she’ll have a place to go, won’t she?"
"You’re overthinking it. We don’t argue," Wei Hanyun stated confidently.
"Of course not when you’re still in the honeymoon phase, but who knows about the future?" Wei's Mother poked his arm and muttered under her breath, "Why aren’t they here yet?"
As if on cue, her phone chimed.
[Li Ye’s Little Darling: We’re here!]
Wei's Mother glanced at the message and smiled, nudging Wei Hanyun with her elbow. "They’ve arrived."
"I’ll go greet her," Wei Hanyun said, adjusting his immaculate cuffs before nodding to his mother.
"Go on, go on," Wei's Mother urged, watching with affectionate eyes as Wei Hanyun strode toward the entrance.
The mother and son were already two of the most prominent figures in the grand ballroom, and as Wei Hanyun moved, nearly half the room turned their attention toward him.
Wherever he passed, the elegantly dressed men and women instinctively stepped aside, clearing a path.
Even the boldest women, who might have otherwise tried to cling to him, didn’t dare make a move now.
Wei Hanyun exited the ballroom without pause.
Sharp-eyed guests glanced out the window and saw a white limousine parked at the foot of the steps. Wei Hanyan, the legitimate eldest granddaughter of the Wei family, stepped out with her younger brother Wei Ziqian’s assistance. She greeted Wei Hanyun politely before standing aside to wait.
Then, Wei Hanyun personally helped another person out from the opposite door.
First, a hand that seemed bathed in moonlight rested in Wei Hanyun’s palm. Then emerged flowing black hair, an enchanting figure, and a face so exquisite it defied description.
Atop her head sat an unusual crown—not a heavy, regal diadem, but a delicate circlet designed to resemble intertwined branches, adorned with tiny leaves and berries. At first glance, it looked like a whimsical wreath one might casually weave in a forest, radiating an air of serene innocence.
But upon closer inspection—
The branches were not branches but rose-gold-plated platinum.
The leaves were not leaves but vibrant emerald-green jadeite.
The berries were not berries but rare red diamonds most jewelers would never lay eyes on.
This exquisitely crafted, extravagantly adorned crown alone was worth enough to buy several companies.
Without needing further explanation, the guests in the ballroom instantly understood: the woman wearing this crown was the reason Wei Hanyun had returned to the Wei family’s ancestral home in Yan Capital.
The sharper-eyed among them had already caught sight of the dazzling diamond ring on her finger.
"Steady," Wei Hanyun murmured, glancing at the slender stiletto heels peeking out from beneath Zhong Ziyan’s champagne-colored gown.
The heels were studded with a row of delicate pink diamonds, shimmering like stars under the moonlight—clearly another priceless accessory.
Ethereally beautiful, yes, but hardly designed for comfort.
Such shoes weren’t meant for walking in the first place.
Still, Zhong Ziyan felt that with her physical prowess, she could probably trek mountains in these heels without issue.
"It’s fine," she said breezily, mimicking Wei Hanyan by resting her hand lightly on Wei Hanyun’s arm.
Wei Hanyun slowed his pace slightly, but after a few steps, he realized Zhong Ziyan didn’t need his consideration—she moved as steadily as if she were walking barefoot, effortlessly outpacing Wei Hanyan, who refused to wear flats on principle.
For some reason, Wei Hanyun felt a twinge of disappointment.
As she ascended the steps, Zhong Ziyan even had the leisure to glance back at Wei Hanyan, ensuring that despite Wei Ziqian’s sullen expression, he was dutifully adjusting his sister’s long train. Satisfied, she turned forward again.
Before even entering the ballroom, Zhong Ziyan could feel countless eyes fixed on her.
The moment she crossed the threshold, she lifted her chin slightly, her gaze sweeping across the vast room like a monarch surveying her domain.
The ethereal, songbird-like maiden from moments ago now carried the commanding presence of an elven sovereign wielding a scepter of radiant light.
In short, an overwhelming aura of authority swept through the room.
Several hostile stares instantly recoiled, as if pricked by invisible thorns.
Though a tall tree attracts the wind, Zhong Ziyan had never feared those who came looking for trouble.
In fact, tending to Wei Hanyun’s towering money tree—watering it, pruning pests—would only help it flourish further.
Wei's Mother watched the quartet approach with a doting smile, reaching out to caress Zhong Ziyan’s cheek. "Our Yanyan is quite the strong-willed girl."
Zhong Ziyan blinked, puzzled. "...Thanks?"
Just as she responded, a waitress in a white blouse and black vest brushed past, accidentally bumping into Wei's Mother’s elbow. The tray laden with champagne glasses wobbled precariously, threatening to spill onto Wei's Mother.
Wei Hanyun reacted instantly, reaching out to pull her back—
But Zhong Ziyan was faster. Moving at a speed beyond human perception, she shielded Wei's Mother behind her while simultaneously yanking Wei Hanyun back with her other hand.
To everyone else, it happened in a split second. To Zhong Ziyan, it unfolded in slow motion.
She could have easily rescued the tray and all seven or eight sliding glasses, restoring them neatly to their original positions—but that would have been far too unnatural.
So she saved the people, not the glasses or the waitress.
With a crash, the champagne flutes shattered at Zhong Ziyan’s feet, the expensive liquid splashing onto the delicate fabric of her shoes and dampening her ankles.
Shards of glass flew up to half a person's height from the impact. Zhong Ziyan casually reached out and caught a piece that was hurtling toward Wei's Mother, crushing it silently in her palm before discreetly shaking off the remnants.
For a moment, Zhong Ziyan became the calmest person in the banquet hall. She even lowered her head slightly to shake out the hem of her dress, flicking away the tiny droplets of spilled wine.
Wei Hanyun frowned, pulling Zhong Ziyan a few steps back before crouching down to check if she had been cut by any glass. Wei's Mother immediately called for someone to fetch the first aid kit.
Wei Hanyan tugged Wei Ziqian closer. "Ziqian is in medical school—let him take a look!"
"I—I'm so sorry!" The waitress stammered, her face flushed red as she clutched her tray and bowed repeatedly. "I... I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings. I truly apologize! Are you hurt? I—I can cover any medical expenses, I swear! I’m so, so sorry!"
Tears of embarrassment welled up in her eyes as she spoke.
Zhong Ziyan blinked, suddenly struck by a distant memory.
If she recalled correctly… according to the "original plot," Wei Hanyun and his kind-hearted, virtuous female lead were supposed to meet for the first time at a high-society banquet just like this.
The female lead, coming from a poor background, had landed a part-time job at the event due to her presentable appearance. In a moment of clumsiness, she would accidentally spill wine on Wei Hanyun.
She would then desperately apologize, offering to clean his suit.
But Wei Hanyun’s suits were bespoke—in other words, they weren’t designed to be washed in the first place.
And thus, their fateful connection would begin.
Zhong Ziyan: "…" She glanced down at Wei Hanyun, who was completely ignoring the waitress, and had no choice but to console the girl herself. "I’m fine. Step back a little—the glass could cut you."
The waitress wiped her tears and mustered her courage. "I’ll clean this up right away!"
Before she could move, the head butler arrived with a full cleanup crew, and within half a minute, every shard of glass and every trace of spilled wine had vanished.
The banquet hall floor was restored to its original mirror-like shine.
The waitress stood frozen in place, looking like an abandoned puppy under the weight of the elite guests’ stares.
"Come with me," the butler said sternly.
Clutching the hem of her uniform, the waitress followed him out of the hall with tears still glistening in her eyes.
The atmosphere returned to normal almost unnervingly fast.
Only Zhong Ziyan remained deep in thought: Is Wei Hanyun really not going to say anything? Is it because I’m here? What if, after the divorce, he can’t find a wife? Losing both money and a spouse—wouldn’t that be tragic?
Wei Hanyun finally confirmed that Zhong Ziyan was unharmed. Standing up, he took in her distant, distracted expression.
"How could this happen? What if someone had been hurt?" Wei's Mother was still fuming. "Having Ziyan see blood on her first day here—that’s terrible luck!"
After a moment’s consideration, she called for another attendant. "Bring down the Hetian jade peace pendant from my room."
Zhong Ziyan snapped out of her thoughts about the original plot but had no time to refuse before Wei's Mother’s worried expression silenced her.
"…" The words "I don’t want it" simply wouldn’t come out!!
The attendant returned swiftly, handing a milky-white jade pendant to Wei's Mother, who carefully fastened it around Zhong Ziyan’s wrist. "Wear this for protection, alright?"
Zhong Ziyan shot Wei Hanyun a subtle plea for help.
"Keep it on," Wei Hanyun said, not only refusing to rescue her but actively encouraging the situation.
Standing in this space saturated with the scent of wealth, Zhong Ziyan suddenly had a realization.
This wasn’t the Wei family ancestral home.
This was the Wei family wholesale market.
What was being handed out for free?
—Probably jewelry, jade, cars, real estate, gold, and cash, by the looks of it.
