The birthday banquet for the little princess of the Zheng family was held at their family villa, lavishly decorated, with a gathering of luxury cars outside and a considerable turnout of elite guests from various circles.

“Jiayue.” Ning Wen entered, smiling as she spotted Zheng Jiayue amidst the crowd. Zheng Jiayue was dressed in an evening gown with a starlit design, perfectly showcasing her graceful figure and adorned with exquisite jewelry. She looked like a highborn princess, evoking jealousy in Ning Wen, though she felt slightly relieved remembering she herself didn’t look half bad. Maintaining what she considered an elegant air, she made her way toward her.

Zheng Jiayue turned and looked a bit surprised.

Ning Wen wore a sparkling cocktail dress with an open back and embroidered details, accessorized with a diamond necklace. The dress was quite revealing, giving her a seductive, flirtatious look.

“Sorry, I’m late.” Ning Wen approached the group and offered an apologetic smile.

“Jiayue, who’s this friend of yours? I don’t think I’ve met her before.” One of the girls asked, sizing up Ning Wen. The custom dress, the limited-edition handbag—one glance suggested that this newcomer wasn’t lacking in wealth, so she seemed like someone worth getting to know.

At a banquet like this, few guests were there purely to celebrate. The men mostly came for business connections with the prestigious Zheng family, while the women were often interested in meeting potential matches or other socialites.

“She’s my roommate.” Zheng Jiayue set aside her curiosity and introduced Ning Wen to the group of young socialites around her.

“I like this dress style; it looks great,” commented the girl who had spoken first.

“Their designs are all very nice. Next time, if we get a chance, we could go together.” Ning Wen responded casually, as if unbothered by the expense, fully adopting the role of a rich young woman. “The craftsmanship and materials are excellent, and they have dedicated designers.”

“You and Jiayue both have such nice figures; mine doesn’t compare,” the woman said, sounding a bit self-conscious.

Reading the mood was one of Ning Wen’s strengths. Smiling, she reassured her, “Sister Chen, you have a great figure! Just highlight your best features when you dress up.”

In no time, Ning Wen was mingling smoothly with the group.

Meanwhile, Zheng Jiayue was busy greeting guests, occasionally glancing toward the entrance, feeling both anxious and hopeful.

Noticing this, a girl next to Ning Wen whispered, “Is Ji Yang not coming? He didn’t come last time either, did he?”

“Keep it down—she’ll hear you,” another girl quietly cautioned, giving her a look, and then glanced at Ning Wen, signaling her to watch her words.

Feigning elegance, Ning Wen took a sip of her fruit wine and casually remarked, “He’s probably busy. I heard he’s looking for a job now. After all, his situation at the Ji family is… a bit awkward.”

The socialites exchanged glances before one of them asked, “So, did Ji Yang really leave Ji Corporation? Do you know anything about it?”

Knowing exactly what they wanted to hear, Ning Wen nodded, “Yes, he was let go. Apparently, he’s unemployed now.”

“Oh?” One of them covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, clearly amused. “Seriously? Just sitting at home jobless? That’s pretty pathetic.”

Friendships between women often began with gossip.

“Most people aim to marry up, but she’s going for the opposite. Ji Yang sure knows how to play his cards,” Ning Wen added.

“She’s just dumb.” Another girl scoffed, looking at Zheng Jiayue standing in the crowd, the center of attention. “Ji Yang didn’t show up last time either, and she still says he’s good to her. Honestly, it seems like she’s degrading herself. She must enjoy that feeling. I doubt he’ll show up this time, either.”

…

Just as they were talking, a man walked in through the door. Dressed in a black suit, refined and proper, with sharply pressed trousers, he had a tall, poised figure and moved with a calm, dignified air that set him apart from everyone else. He carried an aura of noble coolness, and heads turned as he entered.

In an instant, he captivated the room, and even those women gossiping about him couldn’t take their eyes off him. Ji Yang was as striking as a celebrity, though they would never admit it, and they awkwardly turned their gazes away, each feeling a renewed sense of resentment toward Zheng Jiayue.

“A-Yang.” Although she knew he was coming, Zheng Jiayue couldn’t contain her excitement and quickly walked over to him.

“Am I late?” Ji Yang took her hand and led her back, his gestures natural and unforced as he turned to her with a gentle smile.

Zheng Jiayue shook her head, “The banquet hasn’t officially started yet. My father was just asking when you’d arrive.”

“Where’s Uncle?” Ji Yang asked.

“Upstairs,” Zheng Jiayue replied. “The banquet is about to start, so he’ll be down soon.”

With his arm around her waist, Ji Yang led her further inside, attracting the attention of many, including several business moguls who began approaching the couple.

“President Ji.”

“I’ve left Ji Corporation,” Ji Yang replied with a polite smile, raising his glass to the man.

“I was hoping to work with you,” the man responded regretfully, as Ji Yang’s abilities were well-known to all.

…

Within just a few steps, Ji Yang had already been approached by several people, all drawn toward him.

Although Zheng Jiayue had been around such scenes her whole life, she felt unexpectedly nervous now, watching him converse so confidently, a sense of pride welling up within her. Growing up in such a family, she knew how deeply insecure A-Yang actually felt.

“Well, isn’t it Ji Yang?” Ji Wei’s voice rang out, loud enough to draw the crowd’s attention.

Lately, rumors had spread about Ji Yang leaving Ji Corporation of his own accord, while Ji Wei had supposedly “bravely stepped up” to take over as general manager.

It seemed Ji Wei wasn’t entirely foolish—he knew how to leave himself an escape route.

Holding a wine glass, Ji Wei walked up to Ji Yang, looking him up and down before sneering, “Our former General Manager Ji of Ji Corporation—oh wait, not anymore.”

“What are you doing?” Zheng Jiayue grew alert, confused as to why Ji Wei, with his current status, still couldn’t keep a low profile. It was a reflection of the very dysfunction of society.

Ji Wei shamelessly regarded himself as the rightful Ji family heir.

“Jiajia.” Ji Yang took her hand, drawing her close, and responded with a faint smile, “It’s been a while. How’s your health?”

At his words, a surge of hatred flared in Ji Wei’s heart. After their recent fight, he had been bedridden for days, his hands and feet still aching intermittently as if his bones had been damaged. Yet, medical exams had found nothing, leaving him enraged. Gritting his teeth, he forced out, “Perfectly fine!”

“Glad to hear it.” Ji Yang nodded, still calm and collected, and raised his voice slightly, “Congratulations to my brother on becoming general manager. A new project is still a new project; even if my brother feels confident, he should proceed with caution and not betray Father’s trust.”

The remark carried a subtle sting.

If Ji Wei had only been given the role in an emergency, why was he so confident? And what about Ji Father’s trust?

Ji Yang had even used the word “congratulations.” Did this mean Ji Wei had been coveting the position for some time?

Everyone around picked up on the insinuation. As Ji Wei scrambled to respond, Ji Yang had already moved on, glancing at Zheng Jiayue and gently chiding, “Jiajia, don’t drink too much!”

Ji Wei was completely ignored.

Ji Yang had often taken the silent, prideful route in the past, avoiding confrontations with Ji Wei. This usually allowed Ji Wei to gain an advantage, so why was he acting so differently today?

With his plan in mind, Ji Wei glanced over at Ning Wen, who shyly lowered her gaze. Seeing this, a smirk tugged at his lips, and his eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

Ji Yang had a decent head for business, so Ji Wei fully intended to make use of that.

---

“Thank you all for attending Jiayue’s birthday celebration. I, Zheng, am sincerely grateful…” Zheng’s father spoke warmly from the stage, offering his thanks. When he finished, he invited Zheng Jiayue to join him on stage.

As she went up, her father smiled and said, “This year, my daughter turns twenty-two. I will be transferring fifteen percent of my shares in the Zheng Corporation to her name.”

Stunned, Zheng Jiayue instinctively tried to refuse, but under her father’s insistence, she accepted.

Holding the microphone with both hands, she looked out at the crowd, her palms slightly damp with nervousness. Gathering her courage, she said, “Today is my birthday, and it also marks four years of being with A-Yang. I hope that our future will be as wonderful as every day of these past four years…”

Her gentle words echoed through the microphone, filling the room. Her gaze was filled with affection as she looked at Ji Yang, who smiled back at her, walking over to the stage to give her the reassurance and support she needed.

Yin Rong and Ji’s father were also present, watching from a distance with pained expressions.

“Fifteen percent of the shares!” Yin Rong muttered.

“The Zheng family would seriously consider giving all that to someone with nothing?” Ji’s father scoffed. “I’ve cut off all of his financial resources and won’t give him a penny. Before long, he’ll either come crawling back or break up with Zheng Jiayue.”

Hearing this, a glimmer appeared in Yin Rong’s eyes. She had worried that if the families formally united, the Zhengs might back Ji Yang, which would make things difficult.

Meanwhile, snippets of conversation from the group around Ning Wen floated over:

“Ji Yang left Ji Corporation, so he has nothing now. Ji Wei still has his birth mother, after all. It seems like he and Jiayue are hardly a suitable match,” one girl remarked.

“Exactly. He’d probably lose in any battle over the family’s assets. And that stepmother of his is no saint, either. He’s just setting himself up for suffering,” another added, looking exasperated.

“Xiao Wen, do you think Jiayue is really that devoted to Ji Yang?”

Being suddenly called out, Ning Wen lowered her voice in a sympathetic tone, “Whatever you do, don’t speak poorly of Ji Yang around her; she’ll get really upset.”

With this comment, the others frowned, feeling annoyed. Why should they have to be cautious around her? Ning Wen’s words subtly stirred their displeasure.

“She’s foolish, but the Zheng family isn’t. Ji Yang is just stringing her along,” one of the girls remarked sharply.

This social circle could be quite shallow, always quick to flatter or dismiss people.

After Zheng Jiayue finished her remarks, she took Ji Yang’s hand with a shy smile. Soon, her father also took the stage, his demeanor turning serious.

Seeing this, some people scoffed inwardly. After Zheng Jiayue’s public declarations, what other wealthy family would want her if she and Ji Yang broke up? Marrying her would mean inviting ridicule. They suspected her father was about to break up the couple.

Taking the microphone, Zheng’s father spoke in a deep, steady tone: “Ji Yang and my daughter have been in a young relationship, and since Jiayue has now graduated, the two…”

Young relationship—wasn’t this a sign of disapproval?

Stunned, Zheng Jiayue looked at her father with wide eyes. She knew her parents weren’t thrilled about her relationship with Ji Yang, but what was he planning now?

Ning Wen sipped her wine, her expression smug as she listened.

Oh, Jiayue, I’m not the one shattering your dreams—your father is going to do that himself. How amusing.

As Zheng’s father continued, he suddenly changed his tone, saying firmly, “Their relationship is strong, so I’ve decided to allow the two to get engaged first. Today is a special occasion, and Xiao Yang is a fine young man.”

At this unexpected turn, everyone was stunned.

Even Zheng Jiayue was frozen in disbelief, her mind blank. Her father, now smiling fondly, handed the microphone to Ji Yang, who gazed at her and spoke softly, “I originally thought of giving you a few more years to spread your wings freely, but Jiajia, I want to build a home with you as soon as possible.”

Covering her mouth, Zheng Jiayue’s eyes welled up with tears as Ji Yang pulled her into his embrace, murmuring comforting words.

Ji Yang then took the mic to make his own remarks.

“Thank you all for coming to celebrate Jiajia’s birthday. I promise Uncle and Aunt here today that I will do my utmost to protect and cherish Jiajia. Please bear witness to this.”

He continued, “On this special day, as a sign of my commitment, I will transfer half of my shares in Mancheng Company to my fiancée.”

His voice was steady, each word carrying an air of grace that made it impossible to look down on him.

Momentarily dazed, Zheng Jiayue signed her name on the documents without fully registering what was happening. Her father’s face reflected growing satisfaction; he’d once thought Ji Yang’s insecurity held him back, making him unsuitable for high society. But Ji Yang’s aura tonight showed remarkable strength and confidence.

And most importantly, his judgment was spot-on; after all, he had chosen his daughter.

“Old Zheng,” a guest approached Zheng’s father, lowering his voice with curiosity, “When did Ji Yang start his own company? Didn’t he just leave Ji Corporation?”

Everyone knew Ji Yang had been kicked out of the Ji family and was waiting to see if the Zheng family would be humiliated. Yet, it turned out he had already started a business of his own?

Zheng’s father responded, “It’s new—a video game company. Young people love gaming, and I thought I’d keep up with the trend, so I recently invested in it.”

“Really?” The man sounded skeptical. “Investing in a new business before it’s proven?”

Ah, so it’s just funneling money to Ji Yang, they thought, sneering inwardly.

“I see great potential in it,” Zheng’s father replied with a touch of pride. “He’s even volunteered to join Zheng Corporation as an assistant and was representing us today in the bidding process. He just won the Cheng’an project, rushing here straight from the airport.”

The crowd was taken aback. Ji Yang’s business acumen was no secret, and he’d helped expand Ji Corporation significantly. The Cheng’an project alone was worth billions in profit.

No wonder Zheng’s father had changed his mind so drastically!

Ji’s father, however, was seething with anger. With Ji Yang gone, Ji Corporation’s projects had been plagued by issues, and he’d been hoping Ji Yang would come begging to return. Now, events had gone completely beyond his control.

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