Chapter 17

Jin Chengyu was tall and handsome, with brows like connected mountain ridges, sharply defined cheekbones, and both knowledgeable and talented. Everyone applauded his arrival.

Many young women deliberately tried to catch Jin Chengyu’s attention, but he kept his gaze straight ahead, wanting only to return and rest as soon as possible.

He glanced at his father, signaling that he wanted to leave. The noise and crowd here, with all these women, really didn’t interest him.

Jin Guanzhong knew his son didn’t come home often, but he let him go anyway, while he himself went table to table greeting guests.

Jin Chengyu returned to his room. It had been years since he’d been home, yet nothing in his room had changed. This trip, however, had a more important purpose — he had been promoted!

He hadn’t told Jin Guanzhong yet. If he did, his family would definitely throw a big banquet to celebrate, which he didn’t like. This time he’d be staying for half a month, waiting for his transfer order.

Meanwhile, the banquet, despite waiting a long time for the main guest, still left everyone satisfied — especially Qiao Yilan. Looking at Jin Chengyu’s excellent qualities, especially when compared to Wang Xing, it was like heaven and earth.

“Sister, this trip really wasn’t in vain!” It was rare to see Qiao Yilan so happy. She knew her daughter might have a promising future now — a son-in-law she was satisfied with. She would just have to go back and talk to Lin Wanting.

“Elder sister, when there’s good news, I naturally think of you and Wanting. I’m especially fond of that child Wanting!”

When Gu Qingqing left the room, Lin Wanting opened the box — inside was a pearl necklace. She had seen many gold and silver ornaments before, but this one was crystal-clear on the surface, yet not smooth to the touch — the more she touched it, the more she wanted to.

[System: Wear it to carry out the task, and you can earn more points!]

“Can the points be exchanged for something?” After spending a long time with the system, she asked almost instinctively.

[System: Points can be exchanged for a missed-task exemption!]

“Ha! I thought I could exchange them for more jewelry!”

Gu Qingqing often overheard her young lady talking to herself, but Lin Wanting still couldn’t help speaking in a low voice.

When Qiao Yilan returned by car, Gu Qingqing was tidying up the yard. “Madam, where have you been? After Miss woke up, she’s been looking for you!”

Qiao Yilan was in high spirits, having had a few drinks, her cheeks slightly flushed. Hearing the sound, Lin Wanting ran out wearing the necklace.

“Mom, where did you go?” Lin Wanting hadn’t seen her mother in such a good mood for a long time. Anyone who didn’t know better might think she had a second spring.

“Wanting, come inside — Mom has something important to tell you!”

Lin Wanting obediently followed her in, curious to hear what had her mother so happy.

Once they sat down, Qiao Yilan noticed the necklace around Wanting’s neck. She had never seen such a style before — it sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.

“Wanting, this pearl necklace is very unique. Wearing it definitely adds points to your appearance!”

“Add points for what? Your daughter is already a natural beauty beyond compare! Hahaha~”

Qiao Yilan didn’t waste time getting to the point: “Wanting, do you remember Aunt Xu talking about introducing you to someone?”

“I don’t remember. Why?” Lin Wanting had a bad feeling.

“Well… he’s a military officer. He came back today. Let me tell you — we only saw him for one minute before he left halfway through dinner!”

Lin Wanting listened on the surface as if her mother was complaining, but she knew this was her way of bringing up the subject.

“Mom, why is Aunt Xu so eager to marry me off?”

Qiao Yilan still wanted to arrange Wanting’s marriage while their family was in a good position. Otherwise, if she ended up like Xia Xue, marrying a man like Wang Xing — a “phoenix man” — her life would be ruined.

“Aunt Xu likes you, of course! I saw him — talented and handsome. Honestly, I’m very satisfied. You two together would be a perfect match!”

Lin Wanting instantly wanted to run away. She didn’t believe her mother’s description at all — after all, her mother’s taste had produced Lin Haifeng as a husband: a man with a Western face who had once bewitched the younger Qiao Yilan so much she couldn’t find her way home… right onto a pirate ship.

“Mom, I’m sure he wouldn’t like me. And I don’t want to get married — I can’t bear to leave you!”

Qiao Yilan nodded. “That’s true… I’m just a mother who thinks her own child is perfect. But there were quite a few girls today — competition is fierce! Why don’t you at least meet him? What if you two click? Trust me this once!”

Lin Wanting heard he was seven years older than her. This was ridiculous — she was only twenty, he was almost thirty. She figured there would be a huge generation gap, and that if he couldn’t find a wife at his age, he must have some strange habits.

“I’m not going!”

Qiao Yilan’s face darkened instantly, and she turned to go back to her own room. Lin Wanting felt baffled.

Gu Qingqing tried to comfort her. “Madam’s had a bit to drink, Miss — don’t take it to heart.”

“Hey, what if you went to the meeting instead of me? They wouldn’t be there in person anyway!”

Gu Qingqing quickly shook her head. If Madam found out, she’d lose her job.

“Miss, this isn’t appropriate…”

She didn’t dare outright refuse, for fear of offending the young lady. She was three years older than Wanting.

“It’s fine, it’s settled then!”

She ran to Qiao Yilan’s room to coax her. “Mom, I’ll agree to meet him. But if he doesn’t like me, you must promise not to be upset again.”

Qiao Yilan knew Wanting would come around.

“Alright, that’s better. I’ll tell Aunt Xu — this man is actually hard to arrange a meeting with!”

Lin Wanting was unimpressed. Without even meeting him, she already disliked the officer. Almost thirty and still single, yet acting like he’s in demand? No wonder he can’t find a wife!

She went to prepare an outfit for Gu Qingqing — at least the clothes shouldn’t give them away. She planned to go along on the day but have Gu Qingqing show up for the actual meeting.

She also forbade Qiao Yilan or Aunt Xu from accompanying them — fewer chances to get caught.

Gu Qingqing had a headache. Pretending to be the young lady and undergoing “training” for it… even in Wanting’s clothes, she had no confidence and didn’t dare lift her head.

“Miss, please don’t make this hard for me. I really can’t pull this off!”

“It’s fine. The goal is for him not to like you anyway. If he doesn’t, he’ll probably leave in a few minutes. I’ll double your salary this month — how about that?”

Hearing about the doubled pay, Gu Qingqing reluctantly agreed.

When Aunt Xu heard Wanting had agreed to the meeting, she immediately contacted Jin Guanzhong to arrange a time.

This time, Jin Chengyu’s return home was destined to be anything but quiet. If his father didn’t push this along, he might remain single for life!

Aunt Xu persuaded and cajoled until she got Jin Guanzhong’s agreement — she was a strong-willed relative.

Jin Guanzhong then talked to Jin Chengyu, who could only resign himself to following the plan.

The reason? He had just learned that his father hadn’t been well this month, and his only wish was to see him settled down.

“Dad, you arrange it then. I still have things to do in a couple of days.”

“My son, you’ve grown up.” Jin Guanzhong looked at him with satisfaction.