Chapter 6#

Jiang Yicen had no understanding of modern prices or the Jiang family’s assets, but after all, he wasn’t the real “Jiang Yicen,” so he wasn’t in a position to demand much. Moreover, even “Jiang Yicen’s” own mother hadn’t fought for any such benefits for him, so he didn’t give the so-called “dowry” much thought.

But the next morning at breakfast, He Nuanqing brought up the fact that his phone wouldn’t turn on.

“Is your phone out of battery?”

Jiang Yicen certainly didn’t have the concept of carrying a phone daily, but after going out yesterday, he’d realized that phones were essential for modern people—they could be used for calls, payments, and countless other tasks.

Jiang Yicen came up with a solution: “It might be broken. I’ll go out to get it fixed later.”

He Nuanqing lowered her voice and said, “Why bother fixing it? Just get a new one. Don’t let others look down on our family for using an old phone. You can’t embarrass your father in public.”

Jiang Yicen didn’t follow her lead. “I can handle it myself.”

He already knew Jiang Gongming’s love for face and appearances, but whether he conformed was his own choice.

He Nuanqing was about to insist on him getting a new phone when she spotted Jiang Yifeng walking into the dining room with heavy steps, and her attention shifted.

“Yifeng, what do you want to eat? I’ll have the kitchen prepare it.”

Seeing the porridge and pastries in front of Jiang Yicen, Jiang Yifeng said, “Same as his. Jiang Yicen, why aren’t you eating your white-people food today?”

He Nuanqing turned and headed to the kitchen, her eagerness to please the Jiang brothers obvious.

Jiang Yicen didn’t know what “white-people food” contained, but from the term, it was clear it referred to Western food.

He naturally didn’t enjoy Western cuisine. “Just want a change of taste.”

Jiang Yifeng was probably still half-asleep, his mind sluggish as he scrolled through his phone, not noticing Jiang Yicen’s sidelong glances.

In the past few days, Jiang Yicen had been watching TV to understand this new era, but he still wasn’t sure how young people used their phones.

He saw Jiang Yifeng, looking drowsy, speak into his phone. A “whoosh” sound came from the device, and Jiang Yifeng stared at the screen. Then he spoke into it again, glanced at the screen, and repeated the process.

By the time He Nuanqing came out of the kitchen, Jiang Yicen had finished breakfast. He returned to his room to grab the phone he hadn’t touched since bringing it home.

Before he left, He Nuanqing reminded him, “The wedding is coming up soon, so don’t go out these next few days. Someone will bring clothes over this afternoon—pick a few sets you like.” She also slipped a card into his hand. “Use this if you need to buy anything.”

Jiang Yicen pocketed the card and nodded. “I understand.”

The Jiang family had several drivers, so Jiang Yicen could go out anytime. Since “Jiang Yicen” was about to marry Nan Shuyi, no one would stop him. He smoothly had a driver take him to a brand-name phone store to get his phone fixed.

The store clerk was very enthusiastic and checked the phone for him.

After plugging it in to charge, the clerk said, “Hello, your phone isn’t broken. It just ran out of battery. There’s a little damage to the outer casing.”

This was the first time Jiang Yicen had seen the phone screen light up after charging. Touching the screen let him open apps one by one—a fascinating new experience.

He decided to buy a new one. After all, this was the original “Jiang Yicen’s” phone, and he wanted to thoroughly explore how to use a new device.

The clerk patiently explained how to operate the new phone. No matter how naive his questions were, the clerk never showed impatience.

After spending two hours in the store, the clerk taught him how to use the smart voice assistant. He finally had a rough idea of how to work the phone, but there was still much to learn.

When he got home, Jiang Yicen immediately shut himself in his room to study.

First, he used his new SIM card to add Nan Shuyi on WeChat.

【Note: I’m Yicen.]

Meanwhile, Nan Shuyi had been dragged by his father to the Global High-End Food Expo that year. Standing at the back of the crowd, he quietly covered his mouth to stifle a yawn.

He hadn’t slept well last night, and his father had yanked him out of bed early for this business trip. His complexion was terrible.

But the phone notification perked him up.

That overseas student finally remembered to add him? He hadn’t taken him seriously at all, even after agreeing so readily.

Nan Shuyi’s finger hovered over the “Accept” and “Decline” options, but he didn’t tap either.

Let him wait.

Jiang Yicen waited for a long time but didn’t get a response from Nan Shuyi. He wondered if he’d done something wrong and sent another request, but still got no reply. The process the clerk and the voice assistant had taught him was the same, so the other party must be busy.

Just then, the phone in his room rang. He Nuanqing called him downstairs to the reception room to pick out clothes.

Every quarter, the Jiang family had brand representatives deliver clothes to their home for selection.

When Jiang Yicen arrived, the normally spacious reception room was lined with several racks of clothes, mostly men’s wear with only a few women’s pieces.

He was dressed simply in casual wear today, but his relaxed posture and steady, confident gait radiated ease. He showed no arrogance toward the staff, speaking with gentleness and respect, never acting superior.

To others, he appeared the epitome of a traditional rich young master, not a nouveau riche dripping in gold.

He casually picked a few everyday outfits, and He Nuanqing added several formal suits for him.

While she discussed the custom wedding banquet attire with the designer, Jiang Yicen sat flipping through a fashion catalog. The setting sun caught the tips of his hair, gilding them with a light gold that gave him an air of serene gentleness.

He had been sent to his maternal grandparents as a child, occasionally returning to Lincheng. When he did, his mother would have tailors come to the house to take his measurements, sometimes taking him to the mall. He was used to this routine—waiting patiently was no trouble.

The original “Jiang Yicen” hadn’t had very fair skin, but in recent days, Jiang Yicen had mostly stayed indoors, and his skin had lightened by a shade.

His pale fingertips landed on a page showing men’s accessories—a pair of cylindrical, multi-faceted gold cufflinks. They were unique.

Finally, He Nuanqing finished choosing the clothes. The designer and his assistant left the Jiang residence, but the day’s tasks weren’t over yet.

He Nuanqing said to Jiang Yicen, who was heading back to his room, “You can’t go out tomorrow. The Jiang family has scheduled a fitting for your wedding attire.”

Jiang Yicen nodded. “Okay.”

Back in his room, he continued studying the phone. It was fascinating—not only could he communicate with people through various apps, but he could also learn a great deal of new knowledge. There was so much modern information he needed to look up, at least to fill in the eighty years he had missed.

While he was absorbed in his learning, he didn’t notice that Nan Shuyi had accepted his friend request. That evening, He Nuanqing attended a banquet with Jiang Gongming. Jiang Yicen ate alone upstairs, and to save time, he watched a video lecture on modern history even while eating.

On the other end, Nan Shuyi realized he was the only one playing the waiting game. He put down his phone for less than five minutes before accepting Jiang Yicen’s friend request.

Was Jiang Yicen busy?

The Jiang family was so obsequious toward the Nans. Jiang Yicen’s attitude today wouldn’t do. But after thinking it over, Nan Shuyi still didn’t send the first message.

Why should he? He could outlast Jiang Yicen.

Until ten o’clock that night, Jiang Yicen grew tired from watching videos and exited the app. He saw that Nan Shuyi had added him as a friend.

It was late; the other party was probably about to sleep. He shouldn’t disturb him.

Meanwhile, Nan Shuyi glanced at the group chat messages. The group got more lively as the night wore on, chatting enthusiastically. He wasn’t interested, so he exited WeChat. No new messages.

A look at the time—it was almost midnight.

Fine. Time to sleep.

The next morning, Nan Shuyi was again dragged out of bed by his father to attend a branch company meeting.

During the meeting, the message he’d waited half the night for finally arrived.

Nan Shuyi shifted to a more relaxed sitting position.

【Overseas Student: See you later.]

【Nan Shuyi: When did we agree to meet?】

After a long wait, he got a reply.

【Overseas Student: Isn’t today for the wedding attire fitting?】

Nan Shuyi checked the schedule sent by President Nan Anru’s chief assistant. He’d brushed it off earlier and hadn’t paid attention.

【Nan Shuyi: I went on a business trip yesterday.]

【Overseas Student: Should we reschedule?】

【Nan Shuyi: No need. Just try on mine for me too.]

【Overseas Student: But I don’t know your measurements.]

【Nan Shuyi: You can estimate.]

What did the attire matter? The wedding was just for show anyway, set for just twenty days away—very tight on time, and he didn’t care.

【Overseas Student: Can you get measured over there?】

Nan Shuyi initially wanted to refuse, but he typed a “yes” in the input box.

He regretted it immediately. Where was he supposed to get measured?

It just so happened that the meeting was on break. Nan Shuyi found Nan Anru. “I’m stepping out for a bit.”

Nan Anru: “What for?”

Nan Shuyi: “Hungry. Getting food.”

Nan Anru pointed at him, exasperated. “Lazy good-for-nothing. You have half an hour. Today’s meeting is important—you need to pay attention.”

Nan Shuyi didn’t bother to respond with a yes or no. He turned and left. He found a high-end custom clothing store, got his measurements taken, and sent them to Jiang Yicen.

【Overseas Student: I received them.]

【Overseas Student: Where is your business trip?】

【Nan Shuyi: Guangzhou.]

【Overseas Student: Guangzhou is a city full of history and a capital of gastronomy. If I have time, I’d love to go and taste its local specialties.]

The old Thirteen Hongs of Guangzhou had gathered delicacies from all over, leaving behind countless gourmet treasures. In his past life, he’d never had the chance to go. Now, he could probably find time to visit this city brimming with flavor.

Nan Shuyi gathered that he had never been there before. He thought it made sense—Jiang Yicen had gone abroad early and likely hadn’t visited Guangzhou.

On a whim, Nan Shuyi made what he felt was a rash decision: next time, he’d take the overseas student to play in Guangzhou.

Jiang Yicen was at the store trying on clothes alone. He hadn’t brought He Nuanqing along.

The store had other customers besides him—another engaged couple preparing for their wedding. Their side was quite lively, and he enjoyed watching them.

The young couple was well-off, judging by their appearance: the man handsome, the woman pretty. But their voices grew louder as they argued over the wedding arrangements. The man said his family preferred a traditional Chinese style and wanted to go with Chinese-style attire. The woman insisted the wedding was hers and she wanted a Western style, determined to have things her way.

A staff member stepped in to mediate, and their voices finally died down.

Jiang Yicen couldn’t help but think of his own family. When his second brother and sister-in-law got married, they had a Western-style wedding. It had caused a stir in Lincheng at the time, since white was considered unlucky in the Republic era—used only for funerals. In today’s modern world, wedding gowns were common, but many young people were opting for more traditional weddings.

Since the Nan family was a major client, the designer came in person. He guided Jiang Yicen around the store.

The designer hadn’t met Jiang Yicen before but was aware of the upcoming marriage alliance between the Jiang and Nan families—it was inside information.

He politely said, “Mr. Jiang, my apologies for disturbing you.”

Jiang Yicen didn’t mind. “It’s fine. It’s quite lively.”

The designer asked what men’s styles he preferred.

Jiang Yicen looked at the store’s array of black, white, and gray men’s suits. His thoughts turned to traditional weddings. He had also watched same-sex wedding ceremonies, where most men wore white tuxedos. But he didn’t long for a Western-style wedding.

He had seen too many loved ones off, held too many funerals. He didn’t want white to appear at his own wedding. A Chinese wedding should be joyous and lively, full of celebration.

Jiang Yicen stood in front of the display case for a long time, silent. Finally, he used his new phone to make his very first call.

On the other end, Nan Shuyi was rushing back to the meeting venue. Before entering the elevator, he answered the call.

His voice was slightly low. “What is it?”

Jiang Yicen’s voice was a little tight, as if he were on the verge of tears. “Nan Shuyi, can we have a traditional Chinese-style wedding?”

Nan Shuyi caught the odd tone. “Has Master Jiang been bullied?”

Jiang Yicen chuckled softly. “How could that be?”

Nan Shuyi asked, “Why do you want a Chinese-style wedding?”

Jiang Yicen’s fingertip traced the white flower on a white tuxedo. His heart ached, his throat tightened, and his voice dropped a notch.

He said, “Because white is unlucky.”