Chapter 7#
“I’ve already sent out all the invitations, and now you tell me you want a Chinese-style wedding? Nan Shuyi, you’re twenty-seven—can you stop being so willful?”#
Nan Anru only found out after his meeting that evening that Nan Shuyi had decided to switch from a Western-style wedding to a Chinese-style one.
His fiery temper flared instantly: “Why didn’t you say anything before you made up your mind?”
Nan Shuyi sat in the back seat of the car, retorting, “It’s not like I’ve ever been married before, so how was I supposed to know? Besides, it’s my wedding—can’t I have it the way I want?”
Nan Anru felt like reaching for the emergency medication he kept on hand; this son of his was a debt from a past life, come to collect in this one.
Nan Anru: “You’re going to drive me to an early grave. Any other requests? Tell Assistant Liu all at once.”
Nan Shuyi said nonchalantly, “Oh, and no white at the wedding. I think it’s unlucky.”
Nan Anru actually agreed with him for once: “At least you said something useful. I don’t like all that Western white either—getting married with a bunch of white flowers, like a funeral. Tell Assistant Liu yourself. And also, ask Yi Cen what he thinks.”
Nan Shuyi didn’t respond, but he didn’t look reluctant either. Nan Anru shot him a glare.
“This week, just stick with me at meetings and learn from the experienced people how to research markets and analyze project pros and cons.”
“Fine.”
Over in Guangzhou, Nan Shuyi braved the humid heat while studying. Meanwhile, in Lincheng, Jiang Yicen was also busy learning and handling his own wedding preparations.
Ever since he’d suggested the Chinese-style wedding to Nan Shuyi, Assistant Liu from the Nan family had personally visited to consult him on his preferences for the ceremony.
He Nuanqing hadn’t understood why they were changing it at the time; she’d already ordered the wedding attire.
Assistant Liu was tactful: “Mrs. Jiang, it’s like this—our young master Nan feels a Chinese-style wedding is better. The couple should enjoy what they like, right?”
He Nuanqing didn’t dare object: “That’s right. As long as the kids are happy.”
Jiang Yicen was surprised by Nan Shuyi’s thoughtful arrangement; it indirectly protected him.
If he had told everyone that he himself wanted to switch to a Chinese-style wedding, all the previous preparations would have been wasted, and the Jiang family would surely have blamed him. But since Nan Shuyi stepped forward, even if someone disagreed, they wouldn’t voice it openly.
A week passed in the blink of an eye. Nan Shuyi finished his business trip, but Nan Anru didn’t let him take it easy. After returning, Nan Anru assigned him to the group, following the subordinates to learn how to manage a company—keeping him so busy his head spun.
According to their bet, after his wedding, Nan Shuyi would take over two loss-making subsidiary companies to gain experience: one was a chain restaurant, and the other was a domestic cosmetics brand acquired three years ago.
In the twenty-seven years of Nan Shuyi’s life, he’d excelled at eating, drinking, and having fun—he even managed to make a name for himself in stock trading, which was why he frequently ended up on trending topics. But he’d never actually worked a regular office job. Now, it was like taking a wild ox that had been free to roam and tying it up to work like a draft animal.
Both sides had their own things to keep them busy. Jiang Yicen worried that if he contacted Nan Shuyi too often, he might expose the fact that he wasn’t the real “Jiang Yicen.” As for Nan Shuyi, he had to work overtime at the company every day, coming home only to sleep, then waking up to go back to the office.
Before they knew it, only a week remained until the wedding.
Assistant Liu contacted them more frequently. To better coordinate the wedding arrangements, he even set up a WeChat group with Jiang Yicen, Nan Shuyi, and the wedding planner’s contact person. But the two replied in the group very rarely—one didn’t have the habit of checking WeChat, and the other didn’t have the time. They only responded when necessary.
As the wedding date approached, news of the Jiang and Nan families’ marriage alliance had already leaked out. Jiang Gongming was often asked which of his children was marrying into the Nan family. Most assumed it was his daughter, or perhaps one of his two older sons. Since the public only knew he often brought his ex-wife’s two sons around, they didn’t know he had a fourth son. Tired of explaining, he decided he could no longer keep Jiang Yicen hidden. There happened to be a banquet coming up, so he resolved to bring Jiang Yicen along.
During his time staying with the Jiang family, Jiang Yicen had also noticed that the Jiang family was a typical patriarchal household. Jiang Gongming had the final say in everything, and anyone who contradicted him was shut down—a very feudalistic, even regressive mindset.
The Jiang family had four children. The first two were from his ex-wife; the third daughter was born from Jiang Gongming’s affair with his mistress. She was practically invisible in the household, currently pursuing a doctorate and often staying at the university, refusing to come home unless Jiang Gongming explicitly called her.
Jiang Yicen hadn’t met her yet in all his time at the Jiangs.
If Jiang Gongming hadn’t known that Nan Shuyi preferred men, he would’ve sent her off for a marriage alliance without a second thought.
At the Jiang residence.
He Nuanqing wore a mink stole over a fitted qipao, adorned with a full set of jewelry worth millions—clearly the look of a wealthy lady. Worried that Jiang Yicen’s outfit might not be formal enough, she was about to go upstairs to the third floor to pick out clothes for him when she saw him already coming down.
He Nuanqing blinked. The word “handsome” couldn’t fully describe his appearance today, but she remembered that her son disliked dull colors and never wore pocket squares, lacking the patience to fold them.
In truth, Jiang Yicen hadn’t overdone it. He wore a black suit with a notched lapel dotted with star-like details—that elusive “black with a hint of color”—and a matching silk-textured shirt beneath, understated yet stylish.
He Nuanqing praised him sincerely, “You look especially handsome today, but isn’t the color a bit too plain?”
Jiang Yicen had his reasons: “No, it’s fine. For an elder’s birthday celebration, it’s better to dress conservatively, not too flashy.”
In the past, he’d often been dragged to various banquets by his eldest and second brothers. Through those experiences, he’d developed his own sense of style. These outfits were practically ingrained in him, part of his daily life—no deliberate effort needed.
He Nuanqing sighed, “My son has grown up.”
They were attending the seventieth birthday banquet of Old Master Chen.
Jiang Gongming had been away on business for two days, returning home yesterday afternoon. He stayed at home today, resting, with He Nuanqing keeping him company and chatting about household matters. He looked in good spirits.
The two eventually drifted to talking about Old Master Chen.
Jiang Gongming mused, “Actually, the Chen family has declined. A big family caught up in infighting, with chaotic procedures.”
He Nuanqing: “Then why are we still going? Haven’t a lot of Chen family products already been pulled from the market?”
Jiang Gongming: “A lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Old Chen was a loyal man in his day, helped a lot of people when he was young. Because of his good character, plenty of people are still willing to show him face.”
He Nuanqing: “So is there some meaning behind hosting this banquet now?”
Jiang Gongming: “Old Chen has a granddaughter about the same age as our eldest. I’m going to feel things out today. You should also try to get a read on that girl, see what she’s like.”
He Nuanqing didn’t feel she had much to say about Jiang Gongming’s sons from his ex-wife, merely mentioning that she’d met the Chen granddaughter before—a nice girl, quiet and refined.
Jiang Yicen listened while watching the street scenes, picking up snippets of the couple’s gossip about wealthy businessmen. He needed at least to know what to expect tonight.
The banquet was held at the Lincheng Grand Hotel. Luxury cars lined the entrance, and white-gloved doormen greeted the guests.
Jiang Yicen got out of the car with Jiang Gongming and his wife, carrying the birthday gift Jiang Gongming intended for Old Master Chen—a porcelain antique. He didn’t know exactly what it looked like; he’d only heard Jiang Gongming mention in the car that Old Master Chen liked collecting antiques.
When they arrived, Jiang Yiting was already waiting for them. The four of them entered together.
Old Master Chen, spirited and vigorous, held a tiger-head cane. Guests came forward one after another to offer gifts and congratulations, creating a lively and harmonious scene.
Jiang Gongming led He Nuanqing and Jiang Yicen up to him, smiling: “Uncle Chen, I wish you good fortune and health!”
Old Chen: “Xiao Jiang, long time no see. You look well these days.”
Jiang Gongming: “All thanks to your blessing.”
Old Chen looked at Jiang Yicen and Jiang Yiting behind him: “Are these your sons?”
Jiang Gongming laughed: “This is my eldest son, Yiting, and this is my youngest, Yi Cen, just back from studying in the U.S.”
People have two faces. In front of outsiders, Jiang Gongming tried his hardest to show his “loving father” image.
Jiang Yiting, adept at social niceties, immediately offered his blessings.
Jiang Yicen, neither servile nor arrogant, followed suit with his congratulations and the gift in hand: “Grandpa Chen, may your blessings be as boundless as the Eastern Sea, and your longevity rival the Southern Mountain.”
Old Chen felt his greeting couplet had a unique flair: “Good, good, both are talented young men.”
After exchanging pleasantries, they moved on. Old Chen asked a younger family member to escort them to their seats once the next guest arrived.
Before the banquet began, Jiang Gongming and his wife went off to socialize. He left Jiang Yicen with Jiang Yiting, telling him to introduce Jiang Yicen to new acquaintances.
Jiang Yiting understood what Jiang Gongming meant. He said to Jiang Yicen, “Come on, I’ll take you to meet some friends.”
Jiang Yicen looked up and saw the coldness in his eyes. The more he learned about the Jiang family, the more he understood: Jiang Yiting and Jiang Yifeng resented the destruction of their once happy family due to Jiang Gongming’s affair. They disliked the third daughter, and they disliked the son born from their stepmother.
The banquet hall had two floors connected. The lower floor was the dining area, and the upper floor was for entertainment.
Jiang Yiting led Jiang Yicen upstairs. Along the way, Jiang Yiting greeted many young people standing around chatting or passing by, showing he was quite well-known.
“Yiting ge, over here!”
Jiang Yiting walked over, and Jiang Yicen had no choice but to follow. The area was filled with young people, divided into zones for different activities: board games, billiards, bridge, and a group sitting around drinking tea and chatting. That was the group Jiang Yiting joined.
A man with curly hair looked curiously behind him: “Ge, where’s Yifeng?”
Jiang Yiting: “He’s busy, couldn’t make it.”
The curly-haired man turned his curiosity to Jiang Yicen. It was impossible to ignore his striking appearance.
Cao Ken tilted his chin: “And this is?”
Jiang Yiting said casually, “Let me introduce you. This is my fourth brother, Jiang Yicen. He was studying in the U.S., just got back.”
Jiang Yicen smiled politely at everyone: “Hello.”
Jiang Yiting didn’t bother introducing his friends to Jiang Yicen, but everyone could tell his attitude toward this younger brother. Jiang Yicen didn’t care; he wasn’t really Jiang Yiting’s brother.
Women gossiped together, but men weren’t far behind. Everyone present knew about the alliance between the Jiang and Nan families, and they were curious about the newly returned fourth son of the Jiang family.
Just as Jiang Yicen sat down, Jiang Yiting received a call and left.
Cao Ken sat next to Jiang Yicen: “Bro, do you know how to play blackjack? Ever been to Alaska while in the U.S.? Want to play a few rounds? We’ve got six.”
Jiang Yicen immediately saw they were trying to put him in an awkward spot. Before he could refuse, Cao Ken pushed him to the table.
Jiang Yicen: “I’m not very good at it.”
Cao Ken: “What’s so hard about it? We’ll teach you.”
Jiang Yicen humbly asked, “What are the rules for blackjack?”
He’d been cramming modern common knowledge lately, but he never expected the first social skill he’d use was gambling.
Cao Ken: “You really were a serious student in the U.S., huh?”
Jiang Yicen smiled in response, not taking the bait. It wasn’t him who had studied in the U.S.
Cao Ken briefly explained the rules, and Jiang Yicen nodded to show he understood—it was the same blackjack he’d played before.
Cao Ken loved cards and was full of enthusiasm: “Come on, deal the cards, deal them!”
The game soon attracted a crowd.
Nan Shuyi had been sent by his father to give his regards at Old Master Chen’s birthday. He’d just arrived when Zhou Yi, who had gotten there half an hour early, sneaked over with a mischievous look.
Zhou Yi grinned and bumped his shoulder: “You know why it’s so lively over there?”
Nan Shuyi pushed him away impatiently: “Get off, you reek of smoke. It’s just card games, what’s so interesting? Haven’t you been to Macau?”
Zhou Yi: “Not the same today. Go see for yourself.”
Nan Shuyi was already in a bad mood from work. He had a pile of problems to deal with, and now, after finally getting off early, he had to attend a banquet—putting him in an even worse mood.
With a blank face, he replied lazily, “Not interested.”
Zhou Yi: “Your fiancé, Jiang Yicen, was just dragged into a game by Cao Ken. It’s getting lively.”
As soon as he heard that, Nan Shuyi turned and strode toward the crowd, his back view carrying an aggressive edge.
Zhou Yi hurried after him: “Didn’t you say you weren’t going? Why the rush?”