Chapter 14: Offended

Jian’s father was already the most successful branch of the Jian family. How could there be so many distant relatives?

Just the row of luxury cars they arrived in, any one of them was worth at least ten million, and several were limited edition models worldwide.

If they had such a wealthy and extravagant distant relative, they wouldn’t be constantly trying to take advantage of Jian’s father!

One of the CEOs squinted at Mr. Gu and looked him up and down. He hissed, “Why does it look like the man in the gray suit behind that old lady is Mr. Gu?”

His family was in the building materials business and he had seen Mr. Gu from afar at a bidding conference hosted by the Gu family.

Although they hadn’t spoken, Mr. Gu, as a real estate tycoon, had a face he remembered clearly.

The shareholder who had just been urging them to take down Jian Ning’s beer belly questioned in disbelief, “Impossible! How could Jian Ning be related to Mr. Gu?”

Who was Mr. Gu?

He was a man who could shake the entire Beijing real estate industry with a single stomp.

If he was Mr. Gu, could it be that Jian Ning, that little girl, was supporting Mrs. Gu?

He scoffed, his voice laced with sarcasm, “The only eligible unmarried member of the Gu family this generation is Gu Zhiyan. That kind of prodigy, would he ever look at Jian Yao?”

Who was Gu Zhiyan?

The apple of the Gu family’s eye! The true prince of Beijing!

Even if she was adopted and had grown up wild, even Jian Ning, who was carefully nurtured by the Jian family, wouldn’t be a match.

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

If those two Jian sisters were to climb the ladder to the Gu family, what hope would they, these old men, have? They might as well hang themselves!

Especially after the death of Jian’s parents, their relationship with Jian Ning had become increasingly strained, leaving no room for reconciliation.

On the other hand, Mr. Li, who had been silent all this time, heard the discussions and glanced coldly in their direction. “Whether he would look at her or not, whether it’s true or not, you’ll know soon enough. What’s the rush?”

He was Jian’s father’s lifelong friend and the head of the Li family. There were few people present with a higher status than him.

The shareholder was unceremoniously rebuked in front of everyone, his face flushed red, and he couldn’t utter a single word.

The Gu family was large. All members, both direct and collateral, were present in Beijing today.

The black Maybach stopped at the hotel entrance, Xu Si got out and opened the door for Jian Yao.

Jian Yao wasn’t the type to be flamboyant, rarely wearing such a bright color like red.

The striking red dress and sparkling jewels complemented her delicate and bright face, paired with her short curly hair, she looked like a noble girl who had stepped out of a colorful and magnificent medieval painting.

Gu Zhiyan, who had already walked to the front when he saw the car approaching, saw Jian Yao get out of the car and his cool eyes sparkled with shimmering light.

Even though he had seen her in that dress during the fitting, he couldn’t help but be amazed again.

Mrs. Gu stood in the crowd, looking at her beautiful granddaughter-in-law with increasing satisfaction.

Turning her head, she saw her grandson standing there dumbfounded, and she gritted her teeth and reminded him in a low voice, “Go and help Yaoyao.”

Didn’t she see her granddaughter-in-law was wearing high heels?

Gu Zhiyan, who was already standing in the center of the front row, heard his grandmother’s words and walked over to Jian Yao in a few steps, taking her wrist and leading her inside.

He was wearing a black suit, and to match Jian Yao’s red dress, he had specially chosen a matching tie and a ruby brooch.

Jian Yao’s hand was enveloped by Gu Zhiyan’s large hand, and she could clearly feel his tense body and sweaty palms.

When they turned their backs to the crowd, Jian Yao couldn’t help but look down at the hand that was holding hers.

Was he nervous?

Because of her?

For some reason, Jian Yao’s heart skipped a beat, and she gently bit her lower lip.

The two walked towards the banquet hall, the steps on both sides lined with vibrant red roses, their noses filled with the fragrance of the flowers.

Gu Zhiyan held her hand, making her walk beside him. Behind them, Old Mrs. Gu and the others followed closely, and the crowd parted like a tide wherever they went.

The entire venue was themed around roses. In front of the backdrop made of flower arrangements, a large number of red lacquered boxes were neatly arranged, containing the betrothal gifts and dowry.

Various jewelry, ornaments, and gold items shimmered under the lights. Not to mention the house deed and car keys, even the bank cards were placed in separate boxes, arranged in perfect order.

When Gu Zhiyan and Jian Yao stood on the stage, Jian Ning supported Old Mrs. Gu to sit down, then went up to the stage, took the microphone, and began her opening speech.

“Good morning to all the beloved friends and relatives present. I am Jian Ning.”

“Welcome everyone to the engagement ceremony of my sister, Jian Yao, and Gu Zhiyan…”

What Jian Ning said after that was inaudible to the audience.

When they heard the name “Gu Zhiyan”, their minds went blank.

Really engaged to the Gu family?

The Gu family of Beijing?

Damn it! They must be sleepwalking!

“Didn’t they say that Jian’s second daughter was crazy about that boy from the Lu family? Why did they suddenly change their minds?”

“Could it be a last-minute replacement?”

Mr. Li said sarcastically, “Didn’t you see the names on the backdrop behind them, Jian Yao and Gu Zhiyan? If it wasn’t real, who would have the audacity to ask the Gu family to be a last-minute replacement?”

His words silenced everyone.

Although the marriage between the Jian and Lu families wasn’t publicly announced, it was an open secret within the circle.

Influenced by their preconceived notions, they were only focused on laughing at the Jian family, and no one actually paid attention to the names on the backdrop.

On stage, Jian Yao stood beside Gu Zhiyan. Perhaps influenced by his emotions, she felt inexplicably nervous.

Her sister had already stepped off the stage. The host held the microphone and spoke words of blessing. The Gu family elders looked at them with smiles on their faces. Xu Si, who sat in the front row, took photos with his camera, “click, click, click”.

Family blessings, friends’ cheers, everything was in line with her imagined perfect engagement scene.

She couldn’t hear what the host was saying. She looked at the people who brought the wedding certificate up, her mind in a daze.

The red silk fabric was covered with dark red auspicious characters in a fine weave. The characters were embroidered with gold thread, the work of a dozen non-hereditary embroiderers who had worked overnight.

It was so exquisite that Jian Yao hesitated to touch it. Her handwriting was terrible, and she was afraid that a single shake of her hand would ruin such a beautiful wedding certificate.

Her mind raced with thoughts, but she only hesitated for two seconds. Just as she was about to carefully pick up the pen, her vision darkened, and the hand holding the pen was enveloped by another warm hand.

Gu Zhiyan’s unique, refreshing scent instantly dispelled the rose fragrance that surrounded her, filling her entire mind.

Before she could react, the hand holding hers guided her to write her name and Gu Zhiyan’s on the wedding certificate.

The pen danced gracefully, the strokes elegant and harmonious, complementing the wedding certificate perfectly.

“Excuse me.”

As he finished writing, Gu Zhiyan whispered in her ear, taking advantage of the fact that everyone was distracted.

Because he had to hold her hand to write, he practically held her entire body in his arms, their bodies pressed closely together.

As he spoke, his breath inevitably brushed against her ear, light and airy, but it slowly crept into her mind through her earlobe.

After putting down the pen, the warmth on her hand disappeared. She unconsciously squeezed her empty hand, her ears turning red.

Gu Zhiyan noticed her small movements and reddened ears. A brilliant light shone in his black pupils, and his thin lips curved into a slight smile.