Translator: Tuiwen Editor: Tuiwen
“Mrs. Zhu, you have two beautiful daughters. Not many people would be so blessed. Are you keeping both of them?”
Li Jiaojiao said this as she was walking out of the crowd. Mrs. Li stood to the side with a disapproving look on her face. She thought her daughter had said too much.
Her biological daughter was from the countryside, and she had no idea how she was raised. Now, though it looked like she had beautiful daughters, when she thought this over, neither of them could be completely trusted. Not many people could afford such a blessing.
The madam was just giving Ming Jing a compliment just now, but she didn’t expect Li Jiaojiao to just rudely point this out, embarrassing both sides. Inwardly, Madam Li secretly cursed Li Jiaojiao for not saying good things, but she didn’t dare provoke her openly, so she could only keep the harmony in the room by putting a smile on her face.
Zhu Xiangxiang didn’t expect to see Li Jiaojiao again at the flower show. It was her and Zhao Zhen who had orchestrated things that night, nearly killing her at the same time.
Li Jiaojiao turned to look at Zhu Xiangxiang with a smile on her face. “Miss Zhu, I was very worried for you after you fell into the water that night. I didn’t know if you’d make it. It seems that you’re doing alright now.”
“Thanks for asking, Miss Li. My health is good.”
“Sigh, I envy the sisterhood you two share. It was very clear to me that night. After you fell into the sea, your sister jumped right into the waters without thinking twice to save you. You know, you have to repay her for saving you from a death of drowning.”
Madam Li asked in a curious voice, “Is this really true?”
She gave Ming Jing another look and suddenly thought that she was even more pleasing to the eye. Such a kind and good child.
Zhu Xiangxiang took Ming Jing’s hand into hers and said with a smile on her face, “I owe Ming Jing my life. I’ll have to spend the rest of my whole lifetime thinking of ways to make it up to her.”
With that, Li Jiaojiao curled her lips into a sneer. “You talk big now, but will you do it? Aren’t you afraid of getting your tongue cut off?”
Ming Jing took back her hand and got behind Lin Qing so that the attention wouldn’t be all on her.
Li Jiaojiao turned to give her a look and snorted loudly. This person was just standing around waiting to be bullied to death by Zhu Xiangxiang.
“I heard from somewhere that Madam Jiang will be attending today’s event. Has Madam Li seen Madam Jiang yet?”
Madam Li shook her head back and forth. “I have no idea. But I know that Madam Jiang has always been a recluse. Too many people are here at this flower show today. I don’t think she will show up.”
Lin Qing let out a long sigh. It seemed like another wasted effort today.
At this moment, Zhu Xiangxiang discreetly touched Lin Qing on the arm. With that, Lin Qing turned around and Zhu Xiangxiang gestured for her to turn her eyes to the door.
Suddenly, a graceful figure entered the area with two rich ladies on each side. Wasn’t that the Madam Jiang they had been waiting around for?
Lin Qing was feeling overjoyed and was about to move forward when Zhu Xiangxiang stepped before her. “Calm yourself down.”
With her lips curled, Li Jiaojiao walked up to Madam Jiang with a smile on her face. “Aunt Jiang, such a coincidence. You’re here for the flowers too?”
Madam Jiang appeared very ecstatic to see Li Jiaojiao. “Jiaojiao. So happy to see you here.”
Zhu Xiangxiang started to frown. This Li Jiaojiao was always going out of her way to cause trouble for her. Damn it.
Lin Qing could care less what Zhu Xiangxiang thought. She pulled Zhu Xiangxiang aside and asked, “Madam Jiang, I didn’t know you’d be here. How are you doing?”
Madam Jiang looked over at Lin Qing and Zhu Xiangxiang with a faint smile on her face. “Madam Zhu, Miss Zhu.”
Her eyes seem to see everything. Lin Qing felt slightly uncomfortable. Though she believed she was the number one figure in the circle of noblewomen, somehow in front of Madam Jiang she always felt like she was the inferior one.
“Today is a joyous occasion to enjoy the flowers. Don’t let other things distract everyone’s good mood. Am I right, Madam Zhu?”
Lin Qing quickly said, “Madam Jiang, you are right.”
Mrs. Jiang walked in front of the pack. Li Jiaojiao right away intimately held Mrs. Jiang’s arm and secretly gave Zhu Xiangxiang a smile as she was passing by.
Out of anger, Zhu Xiangxiang pinched her palm with her nails to stop herself from screaming. When she turned to look for her, she suddenly discovered that Ming Jing was nowhere to be found.
“Mom, where did Ming Jing go?”
Lin Qing looked around her confusedly. “She was right here just now. Where could she go? Why is this kid just running around without a chaperone? She’s not familiar with this place and might get lost,” Lin Qing started to complain.
Zhu Xiangxiang gave her surroundings another look but saw no sign of Ming Jing. She was left with no other choice but to follow behind Madam Jiang and her group.
“The orchid leaves are very lush in spring, and the osmanthus flowers bloom bright and clear in the autumn,” Mrs. Jiang stopped before a noble orchid and said in a hushed voice.
“Wow, such a beautiful flower,” Li Jiaojiao excitedly exclaimed.
Standing at one meter tall was an orchid tree, growing out of a blue-and-white porcelain pot. Over a dozen leaves spread out in layers in a gorgeous cover. The leaves were very healthy, both glossy and smooth, and there were not many veins. You can differentiate the new leaves from the old right away: The old leaves were arched and the new leaves were tall and straight. On the tip of the long flower stalk was a huge orange-red flower, its petals very dazzling. The petals appeared to be glittered with golden powder. Under the gleaming sunlight, they sparkled beautifully and were surrounded by dozens of sword-like leaves. The gorgeous flower was like a noble queen, regaling over the beautiful women.
“All plants have their own hearts and souls. What else can they ask for?”
Hearing her words, Madam turned to give Zhu Xiangxiang a look. Her eyes held the hint of a smile in them. “The orchid is also to your liking?”
Zhu Xiangxiang said with a shy smile on her face, “The orchid is a bright and beautiful flower. And not only that, its leaves are as green as jade. It is really extraordinary. Both noble and indifferent. The exact ideal of a person.”
“You’re absolutely right. This orchid stands apart from ordinary orchids.”
“This is a top-grade yellow orchid, which is extremely difficult to nurture and cultivate. It took more than ten years of careful cultivation to get it to bloom. I’m lucky I got the chance to see it today.”
Madam Jiang looked Zhu Xiangxiang over carefully. This girl was neither arrogant nor impatient, and the words she spoke were neither humble nor overbearing, which made her see her in a new light.
But Li Jiaojiao, who was not that easily convinced, snorted. “Your knowledge proves extensive. You must have done your homework before coming here.”
Zhu Xiangxiang shook her head back and forth with a smile on her face and offered no further explanation. She appeared too lazy to put up a fight with Li Jiaojiao.
Li Jiaojiao was incensed. Why all this pretense? She was doing everything she could to get Madam Jiang’s favor, but she didn’t take the time to give herself a long and hard look in the mirror. How is she worthy?
Lin Qing was quick to add, “Xiangxiang likes to fiddle around with flowers and plants. I have to say, she is rather the green thumb of our family. Our garden and house is filled with flowers and plants she has nurtured. She doesn’t even allow us to lay a finger on any of her precious plants. Though I don’t know much about this top-grade orchid, what I do know is that my Xiangxiang does keep a few pots. If Madam Jiang wants, I can ask her to give you two pots later.”
With a smile on her face, Madam Jiang said, “No gentleman has it in them to take what others like.”
“Can this be really considered taking away what others like? It’s called a hero with a BMW, and a beautiful woman with a famous flower in her hand.”
Lin Qing’s words got a chuckle out of Madam Jiang.
Lin Qing secretly let out a sigh of relief. Xiangxiang was still the best at what she does. She was able to win over Madam Jiang so effortlessly.
Things went smoothly from then on. Zhu Xiangxiang walked next to Madam Jiang, who was flanked on both sides by ladies. No matter what flower was brought up, she would be able to announce their names in a clear and reasonable voice. After that, she recited an ancient Chinese poem, which sounded very impressive but left the others confused. Only Madam Jiang kept nodding her head out of approval.
Li Jiaojiao glared her eyes at Zhu Xiangxiang. That bitch really knew how to suck up to a person.
Zhu Xiangxiang gave her a smug smile that could only say one thing, ‘Just you wait and see..’