Translator: Tuiwen Editor: Tuiwen
The Jiang family resided in a high-end villa in the Western District of the city. The area housed elites from all walks of life, each of them easily a big shot in at least one industry.
It was Zhu Xiangxiang’s first time in the Western District. The security protocols were so much stricter than the one implemented back at home. Men patrolled the area. Not just ordinary security guards, too, but special operatives agents. A strange feeling came over Zhu Xiangxiang. She had never felt a gap in social class as she did at that moment.
Their car wasn’t even granted access. She and Ming Jing had no choice but to get off and walk all the way to the villa itself. Fortunately, Madam Jiang was thoughtful enough to send her assistant to meet them at the entrance.
“Hello, I am Madam Jiang’s assistant. My name is Zhou Xue. Young ladies, please follow me.” The woman was about twenty-five years old. She was wearing a sleek, white corporate ensemble and her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. She looked very smart and capable.
Zhou Xue’s gaze swept over Ming Jing’s body once without blinking, then turned around and guided them into the residential area.
The place boasted of well-manicured lawns and magnificent gardens. The roads were flanked by tall palm trees on both sides, which provided a refreshing shade from the harsh sun.
The Jiang family villa was located in the North-West corner. It was a two-story mansion with a large courtyard that contained its very own bamboo forest. When the wind blew, it rustled the leaves soothingly and carried the scent of bamboo into the house.
A long table was prepared in the middle of the courtyard, dressed in a blue and white tablecloth made from the finest cotton. Tea sets of exquisite shapes, colors, and glaze were spread down the table. Porcelain vases towered above them at even intervals, holding intricate flower arrangements, each one different from the last. And yet, despite the burst of varying colors and designs, everything had been laid out carefully. Even the spaces between every placement looked to have been calculated with a tape measure.
Madam Jiang, of course, was sitting at the head of the table. She was holding a pair of pruning shears and was in the middle of trimming a few flower branches. Her black qipao accentuated with a gold neckline and gold buttons, and embroidered blue peonies adorned the left side of her chest, climbing down to the right side of her hem. She exuded absolute class and grace, as well as undeniable extravagance.
Two young and gorgeous girls were seated on either side of her. One was animated, while the other was quiet.
Zhu Xiangxiang recognized them right away. One was Gao Jia, Gao Chang’s cousin, while the other was Ye Lan, Zhao Zhen’s cousin. These two were also among the top socialites in the city.
Gao Jia said something that made Madam Jiang laugh. Anyone watching the three of them would think that they looked very close indeed.
“Madam, the two young ladies of the Zhu family have arrived.”
Three pairs of eyes looked up at the same time. They had been very interested in the real daughter, and today, they finally had the chance to see her in person.
Zhou Xue stepped aside, revealing Ming Jing and Zhu Xiangxiang behind her.
Needless to say, the young lady in the light yellow dress was the more eye-catching. People turned their heads and stared whenever she walked by. She was like the rainbow after a spring shower—always a refreshing and welcome sight to see.
She had a delicate appearance and a dignified bearing, like someone from a noble family in ancient times. Her every move was graceful and flawless, and even the small smile on her lips looked perfect.
This was the number one society lady in Jiang City, Zhu Xiangxiang.
Certainly, everyone had coveted the title, but none of them had Zhu Xiangxiang’s marketing skills and connections. Before they knew it, the term had already stuck to her, and now they were one and the same person.
Gao Jia’s and Ye Lan’s eyes flashed with similar looks of suppressed jealousy.
In terms of family background, they weren’t any worse than the Zhu family. In terms of looks, they were even better than Zhu Xiangxiang. But in terms of temperament… well, this was a matter of personal opinion. With that said, they were more than entitled to question Zhu Xiangxiang’s qualifications as the so-called number one socialite.
Unfortunately, the world worked in such a way that people only remembered the first person to land on the moon. They just didn’t care about the second one, or anyone else that came after, for that matter.
“Good afternoon, Madam Jiang,” Zhu Xiangxiang greeted, her manners as impeccable as ever.
Jiang Chunlan nodded with a smile.
“Eh? Is this the real daughter of the Zhu family who has just found her way back to her parents?” Gao Jia asked curiously, craning her neck to get a better look at the girl behind Zhu Xiangxiang.
In stark contrast to Zhu Xiangxiang’s vibrant clothes, she was wearing a plain, white dress. So plain, in fact, that people wouldn’t bother to take a second glance at her.
When their gaze landed on the rest of her body, however… well, it was nearly impossible to look away.
This other girl was very tall, more than half a head taller than Zhu Xiangxiang. A boho-style dress was draped over her slender frame, cinched at the waist with a purple belt. The hem was embroidered with gray, almost smokey waves, which, coupled with the way she glided into the room, made her look ethereal. She looked like a magnificent deity who had sprung out of the mystic scripture.
Long, black hair fell over her shoulders, and a purple sash was tied over her head like a headband, its tail hanging down to her waist.
In the middle of their observation, the sun’s rays suddenly beamed over Ming Jing, making it difficult for her audience to see her face clearly. What it did, however, was lend a hazy glow around her. If one didn’t know better, one would surely think she was an apparition.
“Yes, this is my sister, Ming Jing.” Zhu Xiangxiang took Ming Jing’s hand and pulled her forward. As she stepped out of the sunlight, everyone finally caught a glimpse of her face.
None of them noticed the shift in Jiang Chunlan’s expression as the two girls leaned forward in earnest.
They hadn’t seen such eyebrows before—with an unusual shade reminiscent of a mountain mist. Her dainty nose and rosy lips seemed like the most perfect combination ever put together by the creator, and her skin was like carved ice, smooth and almost translucent. And her eyes… there were simply no words to describe those piercing eyes.
If Zhu Xiangxiang was supposed to be a fresh daisy sprouting among the grass, then this other girl was a peony—graceful and precious, an absolute treasure in this world.
The most striking of all, however, was the inexplicable aura she exuded. She seemed to be as warm as the spring, yet also cool like a summer night. Quiet, like lazy autumn days, but also cold as the first winter snow. She held the strength of a mountain, yet her touch was gentle and spoke of profound benevolence. Her eyes sparkled with infinite knowledge, but her tongue was as still as the surface of the deepest lake. The faint scent of sandalwood danced in her wrists and behind her ears, a remnant, perhaps, of her time at the nunnery.
All in all, she gave off a unique vibe, not entirely easy to understand, yet unforgettable just the same.
Besides this other girl, Zhu Xiangxiang was reduced to a weed on the side of the road. Her perfect appearance and practiced mannerisms suddenly felt forced and insincere. Indeed, the work of man could never be compared to what was bestowed by the heavens.
Seeing the stunned expressions in front of her, Zhu Xiangxiang’s smile froze. Her face became stiff.
Then, without warning, Jiang Chunlan jumped out of her chair and opened her mouth to speak. But before she could say anything, Ming Jing said, “Hello, Madam Jiang. I am called Ming Jing.”
Even her voice rang clear as a bird’s flying across the valley. It sounded measured to some degree, but also had a calming quality to it.
Jiang Chunlan gaped. Her gaze fell on Ming Jing’s deep, black eyes.
Then she raised her eyebrows and burst out laughing. “So the Zhu family’s real daughter is very outstanding indeed. I’m glad you came today.”
Gao Jia and Ye Lan exchanged a meaningful glance, sensing a threat in their midst.
Jiang Chunlan drew close and took Ming Jing’s hand. “I did feel that we were fated the moment I saw you. Don’t be so formal with me. Just call me Aunt Lan.”
Then she personally ushered Ming Jing to her seat.
“Ah!” Jiang Chunlan exclaimed, belatedly realizing that Zhu Xiangxiang had come as well. She looked back at the girl. “Miss Zhu, please take your seat.”
Her attitude was completely different from when she had spoken to Ming Jing..