Chapter 3: As soon as she speaks, she’s an experienced white lotus.

“Where is Madam now?”

Jiang Qianchen rubbed his forehead and closed the information in his hand.

The sunset outside the floor-to-ceiling windows had already gone down, reflecting on the bright and clean floor, adding a touch of vitality to the black and white office.

Secretary Xu reported in detail: “Madam’s car is parked at Yanrong SPA, and next she should be preparing to go to Century Department Store.”

Jiang Qianchen nodded slightly, “Inform the marketing department that tonight’s meeting is canceled.”

Pausing for a moment, he added, “Make a reservation at Shuiyue Restaurant and contact Madam to have dinner together tonight.”

“Yes.”

The boss is actually not working overtime today? Secretary Xu was surprised for a second, then her tense nerves relaxed immediately, and she quickly arranged the tasks accordingly.

…

…

At this moment, Yu Zhi, who had just finished her massage, was sitting in front of the mirror, carefully admiring her makeup.

“Mrs. Jiang, your skin is really amazing, it’s as delicate as porcelain. You don’t even need makeup, you could easily outshine most of the female celebrities in the industry,” the manager of the spa said with a smile beside her. “Many celebrities come to our place, and when their makeup is removed, it’s quite scary.”

“That’s right, I’ve seen the so-called goddess in the entertainment industry, Chen Baiwei, and she’s far from being compared to you,” another person praised, “If everyone saw you, they would know what true beauty is.”

The wealthy woman sitting next to them sourly added, “Yes, Mr. Jiang is really lucky to have married you.”

She exchanged a meaningful glance with another socialite, and everyone tacitly understood.

—How did this white lotus win President Jiang’s favor again?

When Jiang Qianchen and Yu Zhi got married, it shocked the entire upper echelon of Ningcheng.

The marriage between the Jiang and Yu families, euphemistically described as a union, less politely as an act of charity.

Compared to the colossal Jiang family, the scale of the Yu family could only be considered middle-class in Ningcheng. Although they were also counted among the wealthy, they were simply not on the same level as the top-tier Jiang family. If it weren’t for the fact that Old Master Jiang and Yu Zhi’s grandfather were former comrades-in-arms, and Yu Zhi had grown up under their care, this marriage would never have fallen to the Yu family.

However, rumors circulated that President Jiang wasn’t fond of his wife. He went on a business trip overseas less than two weeks after their marriage, leaving her alone in an empty house. Yu Zhi, initially eager to showcase her status and affection in public, gradually withdrew from social events, earning resentment from those who envied her. Despite remaining the legitimate wife, she had refrained from participating in many social activities in recent months.

Just as everyone was speculating how long their marriage could last, considering Old Master Jiang’s poor health and Yu Zhi’s only support is at risk, and her family is not strong enough to support her, today’s revelation surprised everyone. Not only did she not appear haggard, but she also seemed even more radiant.

Her appearance, seemingly nourished by happiness, made everyone present feel sour.

Sure enough, the next second, Yu Zhi blushed shyly and waved her hands repeatedly, “It’s not as exaggerated as you all said, I feel a bit embarrassed.”

Then she casually raised her left hand adorned with a large diamond ring, pretending to inadvertently tuck her hair behind her ear, revealing the red marks on her neck.

“My husband has never complimented my appearance,” Yu Zhi’s expression showed some concern. “Every time we go shopping, no matter what I wear, he just nods and buys it for me.”

“What kind of style do you think he likes?”

Here she goes again, showing off her worries, and as soon as she speaks, she’s an experienced white lotus.

The socialites were blinded by the sparkle of the diamond, cursing inwardly while still having to compliment her:

“Don’t worry, President Jiang must like someone like you.”

“President Jiang just doesn’t express himself, how could he not love a fairy like you.”

After a series of comforting words, Yu Zhi seemed to calm down, allowing the makeup artist to start on her lips.

In no time, the makeup artist gently asked, “Mrs. Jiang, is this shade okay for you?”

The reflection in the mirror showed a face like a peach blossom, with slightly pouted lips, enticing and lovely. Paired with the outfit she deliberately wore today, she looks sweet and charming, like a stunning, lively, and adorable 18-year-old pure and innocent female college student.

She casually snapped a picture of her outfit and posted it on Weibo. Under the jealous gaze of the socialite ladies, Yu Zhi waved lightly and got into the car with a spring in her step.

After she left, some people dared to complain in their hearts:

“Why can’t the boss see through this scheming woman’s true colors and divorce her! It’s infuriating!!!”

“What’s good about Yu Zhi besides her face? It’s really speechless.”

“It’s ridiculous, Yu Zhi can only put on a show, how could President Jiang possibly have the time to go shopping with her.”

In a corner, a certain junior employee glimpsed the extended luxury car outside the window and felt a slight stir in her heart.

She discreetly inquired, “Who was that lady just now?”

…

As soon as Yu Zhi got into the car, she heard the news that Jiang Qianchen wanted to have dinner with her tonight, which instantly dampened her good mood after teasing the socialite ladies.

“Seriously, Sir, isn’t today Thursday? According to his international habit, shouldn’t he be sleeping at the company on even-numbered days?”

Yu Zhi couldn’t help but complain to the system, ‘Has this jerk been time-traveled or hit on the head? Why isn’t he following the usual routine after returning to the country?’

Having to work during her break time, her happy even-numbered day was ruined.

Yu Zhi suspected that it was the bowl of chicken soup that made the big shot, in the midst of his busy schedule, suddenly remember that he still had a wife at home.

Fortunately, Jiang Qianchen hadn’t finished work yet, so she had some time to stroll around the nearby shopping district.

Yu Zhi first ordered a Birkin bag, unemotionally swiping Jiang Qianchen’s black card at the system’s suggestion, not forgetting to bring him a gift. However, when passing by a certain lingerie store’s window, her shopping spree came to a halt.

The style displayed on the mannequin is the same as the one she wore last night.

“Miss, would you like to come in and take a look at this lingerie?” the sales assistant smiled warmly, “With your looks and figure, this style suits you very well.”

“No, thank you.”

Thinking of the fabric that was already scrapped and the faintly aching waist, Yu Zhi mercilessly blacklisted this store, smiling as she turned and walked away.

She was really foolish to accept the brand’s ‘gift’ in the first place, completely shooting herself in the foot.

Yu Zhi shook the small gift bag containing the men’s collar she was holding, feeling displeased with everything.

[Dear, do you regret choosing to complete mission one in the first place?]

The system smirked ambiguously: [Jiang Qianchen is rich, handsome, tall, and strong. You’re the one closest to the water’s edge, getting the moon first. It’s not a loss at all to capture him.]

“If we continue following the original plot in the book, what if Jiang Qianchen gets furious and sorts things out before you can present the evidence to clear yourself?”

Yu Zhi: “Come on, someone like Jiang Qianchen, does he even understand what love is?”

“Hoping to move Jiang Qianchen’s heart, I might as well sit on the ground and wait for the moon to fall from the sky.” Yu Zhi turned the ring on her finger, “Let his true destined woman fulfill this mission.”

Although she was a bit reluctant to part with her diamond ring.

With beautiful long hair cascading to her waist, she sat alone on a bench in the shopping mall,  head bowed, her eyes seemingly filled with sorrow. The dusk resembled faint watercolors, gradually spreading. The lingering light of the setting sun bathed her shoulders, and the ring on her hand reflected a faint glow.

She appeared troubled by love, self-pitying, yet her spine remained straight, like a lotus standing gracefully in a pond, soft yet resilient, making people unable to help but cherish her, yet reluctant to approach.

This scene appears quite simple in the eyes of men, while the thoughts of the girls are much simpler.

“Wenhan, do you think the nail art I just did looks good? It took a long time to put the rhinestone on it…”

“Wenhan, Wenhan?”

The person next to her suddenly fell silent, and Zhou Jingyao raised her head curiously, only to see her boyfriend standing still, staring blankly into the distance, lost in thought. Following his gaze, a remarkably beautiful woman was sitting under the spotlight, making everyone around unable to look away, sneakily stealing glances.

It turned out to be Yu Zhi, that white lotus.

Zhou Jingyao pinched her boyfriend’s hand hard, seeing that he was still dazed, she stomped her foot in anger.

Useless! His eyeballs are about to fall out. Zhou Jingyao pulled him in front of Yu Zhi, with a bright smile on her face:

“Hey, isn’t this Mrs. Jiang?” Zhou Jingyao linked arms with him and asked sarcastically, “Why are you shopping alone, carrying all these bags by yourself?”

As if suddenly remembering, she covered her mouth and said, “Oops, sorry, I forgot that your husband is too busy to accompany you shopping.”

“Unlike my Wenhan, who specifically cleared his schedule today to go on a date with me.”

Zhou Jingyao said sweetly, showing off her loving appearance.

Yu Zhi just smiled faintly without responding.

She raised her left hand, showing off the shiny big diamond ring, and tucked her hair behind her ear.

“My husband is working hard to support me. It’s completely normal not to be able to go shopping together occasionally.” Yu Zhi spoke gently, like a wise elder sister, “But Jingyao, you’re not a child anymore. It’s time to learn to understand each other.”

She glanced meaningfully at Xu Wenhan.

Xu Wenhan was the second young master of the Xu family, also a well-known gentleman in Ningcheng. In the book, he was the loving supporting male lead, silently protecting the female lead and falling in love with her without ever expressing it.

Even though he was the one who met the female lead first, in the end, he could only watch her walk down the aisle with someone else. Xu Wenhan felt unwilling in his heart, so during the wedding ceremony of the male and female leads, he publicly asked the female lead if she wanted to elope, leaving his fiancée standing alone beside him.

Thinking of this, Yu Zhi couldn’t help but feel a hint of pity for Zhou Jingyao.

Zhou Jingyao was infuriated by Yu Zhi’s attitude, wanting to retort but unable to find the words. It was Xu Wenhan beside her who intervened:

“Sorry, Miss Yu, I’ll talk to her when we get back.” Xu Wenhan lowered his gaze and glanced at the beauty in front of him with complex emotions, “Are you… doing well recently?”

Oh dear

Yu Zhi raised her eyebrows. She wasn’t naive enough to think Xu Wenhan’s casual chatter meant anything significant. The tone seemed as though there was some regret between them, which could mislead those unaware into thinking there was some untold story.

The key point was that she and Xu Wenhan had basically no interaction before. Could it be that she was the malicious white lotus in the story, and both the male lead and supporting male lead fell for the female lead, as if she were a substitute?

That would be disgustingly cliché.

Yu Zhi pretended to be oblivious and chatted with him for a bit. When Xu Wenhan offered to help her carry things, she gladly accepted the free labor and walked beside Zhou Jingyao with a peaceful demeanor. As they reached the entrance of the mall, Xu Wenhan went to find his parking spot. Seeing her own driver approaching, Yu Zhi, who noticed Zhou Jingyao’s sulking silence, earnestly advised her:

“Jingyao, you should be more mature.”

It was a rare act of kindness from Yu Zhi, intended as a benevolent reminder to the malicious cannon fodder.

But unexpectedly, her words seemed to ignite a spark. Zhou Jingyao clenched her fists tightly and suddenly shouted:

“Yu Zhi! I won’t let Xu Wenhan be taken by you!”

She sounded like a primary school student making a declaration.

Speechless, who would even want Xu Wenhan? She doesn’t like picking up men from the trash.

Yu Zhi couldn’t be bothered to waste more words on Zhou Jingyao. Just as she turned around, she saw a cold gaze.

…

“President Jiang, do I need to move the car forward?”

Jiang Qianchen looked out the window at the young couple walking side by side, chatting and laughing, looking very harmonious.

He rolled down the car window, his gaze behind the golden glasses slightly deepening.

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