GBP Chapter 86 The Sister in the True and False Jin Wen (27)
Chapter 86 The Sister in the True and False Jin Wen (27)
I thought the male model incident was over, or at least that it had been dropped.
After all, no matter how much Zhao Qingruo and Ning Zhiyu investigated, they couldn't find out which of their cronies had harmed Le Yan. Fortunately, Le Yan never mentioned Meise again, so they stopped bothering to investigate.
The main reason is that Leyan and the others' coming-of-age ceremony is coming up soon, so they need to focus their attention on important matters.
A few days before their birthdays, the college entrance examination results were released. All of them who took the exam did very well, especially Tong Xi and Meng Cili, who became the top scorers in the liberal arts and sciences, respectively.
The fact that everyone had decided to attend University A was such great news that Zhao Cheng and Tong Yu immediately decided that their daughter's coming-of-age ceremony should be even more grand.
The coming-of-age banquet was not only He Leyan and Tong Xi's birthday celebration, but also the occasion for the Zhao family and the Tong family to announce their respective heirs.
The most prominent and powerful families in City A were all invited to attend, and the Tong family's overseas business partners also flew from abroad to City A to participate in the banquet.
As night fell, the brightly lit banquet hall was filled with celebrities. Accompanied by soothing and melodious music, some danced gracefully, while others chatted and laughed.
Upstairs, Le Yan was putting a necklace on Tong Xi.
She was already dressed up, her long, black hair was tied up, and she wore a low-key yet luxurious black velvet strapless dress, paired with a complete set of pure-colored emerald jewelry, simple yet elegant and sophisticated.
Tong Xi's dress was more dazzling and eye-catching.
She wore a pale gold fishtail gown that accentuated her curvaceous figure. Her long, seaweed-like hair cascaded down her back, the curled ends complementing the swaying skirt with her movements, making her look noble and charming.
"Sister, are you done?"
Zhao Weizhou knocked on the door and whispered from outside, "Everyone is waiting for you."
"OK OK."
After adjusting the necklace around her neck, Leyan took Tongxi's hand and went out.
Where are Mom and the others?
Looking at the older sister in front of him, Zhao Weizhou concealed the amazement and infatuation in his eyes, pointed ahead, and said, "Over there, Dad and Mom are there."
The couple, who appeared to be together but were actually estranged, held hands and slowly walked down the winding staircase for the sake of their two daughters.
Amidst the spotlight, they made a high-profile announcement of their successor.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is my eldest daughter, Zhao Leyan, who is also the sole heir of my Zhao Group!"
Hearing Zhao Cheng's words, the crowd below nodded slightly, some whispering among themselves, while others seemed lost in thought.
Tong Yu stepped forward slowly and announced with a smile, "This is my youngest daughter, Tong Xi. She will be my successor and inherit the Tong Group. I hope you old friends will give me your guidance in the future."
"Not at all, Mr. Tong, you're too kind."
Those who knew Tong Yu well understood the teasing in her words and responded with a few laughs.
Looking at the two graceful young girls on the stage, they couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Although the Zhao family had encountered many troubles with their children, they had ultimately found their real child.
However, since both the Zhao and Tong families have daughters as their future heirs, wouldn't that mean...?
In the corner, Ning Zhiyu and Meng Cili stared intently at the people on the stage, taking in the appearance of the crowd below.
Ning Zhiyu said expressionlessly, "They must have started plotting a marriage alliance with the Zhao family."
Who wouldn't covet the assets of the Zhao and Tong families? If one could become related to them by marriage, wouldn't the wife's assets become the husband's?
Even if they can't swallow such a large amount of capital, they can still contribute to their own assets.
Who would want to miss out on something so beneficial with no downsides?
"Marriage alliance?" Meng Cili scoffed. "Uncle Zhao and Aunt Tong would only find husbands for Yan Yan and her sisters."
Did his parents never mention marriage to the Zhao family?
Even with a family as close as the Meng family, Uncle Zhao and Aunt Tong were unwilling, worried, and reluctant to marry off their daughter. How could anyone else possibly have a chance?
"Recruit a son-in-law?" Ning Zhiyu shook her head repeatedly. "That won't do either. What if we end up with a poor man from a poor background?"
She secretly thought that men just weren't good enough, unlike her. She was a well-behaved little girl, and she was only suited to spend her whole life with Sister Yan.
Meng Cili glanced at her sideways, kicked her, and gestured for her to look at Zhao Weizhou beside her.
"what?"
Ning's words were somewhat puzzling.
Meng Cili's face darkened, and he whispered a reminder, "He and Yan Yan are half-siblings, what if Uncle Zhao and Aunt Tong develop some feelings for each other..."
Meng Cili didn't say what came next, but Ning Zhiyu already understood.
She was immediately displeased. It was true; compared to those with ulterior motives, Zhao Weizhou, someone she knew well, was obviously easier to manipulate. Besides, his intentions weren't entirely pure either; what if things really came to that—
"No, no, I hate him so much! I'd rather choose you than him!"
If someone as selfish as Zhao Weizhou were to actually rise to power, he would definitely try to suppress any other people around Yan Yan. If that were the case, Meng Cili would be a better choice.
Ning Zhiyu puffed out her cheeks, looking very angry.
A triumphant smile flashed in Meng Cili's eyes as he whispered, "Then you should help me. I'll return the favor and won't separate you and Yan Yan."
As long as he can rise to power, he's willing to marry into the family and doesn't care about anything else.
The correct procedure is to secure the official status first, and then consider other matters.
"You?" Ning Zhiyu hesitated for a moment. "Let me think about it."
Meng Cili wasn't worried about not being able to fool Ning Zhiyu accurately. After all, Ning Zhiyu was easy to deceive. What was more important for him now was to guard against his first major enemy.
Meng Cili glanced at Zhao Weizhou, who remained motionless on the other side, his eyes deep and unfathomable. The person living under the same roof had a much greater advantage than him.
If they used some kind of trick, they might succeed.
Meng Cili thought for a moment, and was about to speak when he caught a glimpse of the Zhao family steward leading a somewhat familiar-looking man into the courtyard through the back door.
He frowned slightly, trying to recall where he had seen that man before.
Before long, his pupils suddenly dilated.
He remembered that was the man Zhao Qingruo had mentioned as Yan Yan's favorite when Yan Yan went to choose a male model.
What's your name...? Zuo Si?
How did he end up at the Zhao family's house? Could it be...?
Upon realizing a certain possibility, Meng Cili was startled and immediately became restless.
"Ning Zhiyu, you watch over Yan Yan, I have to go out for a bit."
After instructing Ning Zhiyu to keep a close eye on Le Yan, Meng Cili quickly followed the direction the steward and Zuo Si had left in.
Zhao Weizhou was drawn to his actions, stared intently for a few moments, then exchanged a glance with Zhao Mufeng before not following him.
Meng Cili didn't care about what the people behind him were doing; he only focused on following the steward and the others.
The more he talked, the colder his expression became.
This route is clearly heading towards Yan Yan's room.