Extra 5-9: If From school uniform to wedding dress (Part 9)

Ji Yanming was admitted to A University with excellent grades. Tao Sheng also excelled in her art and academic exams, gaining admission to her ideal school.

College life was more colorful than high school, and Tao Sheng hoped to enjoy a peaceful college life.

Unfortunately, she didn’t get to experience that.

Right after the college entrance exam, a video of her playing the zither at the wedding of the second daughter of the Xiao family went viral. The record company didn’t want the video to be overshadowed, so they quickly repackaged the album and released it. Tao Sheng became famous all over the country before even starting her freshman year.

Meanwhile, Shen Ruojin announced that she had successfully gotten engaged to Guan Muyun.

Sang Fei was in high spirits, and whenever she went out to support Shen Ruojin, she always found time to criticize Tao Sheng.

“My husband, Shen Yu, said he would take care of Tao Sheng, providing her with food, shelter, and schooling, but she’s too stubborn. She insisted on following her unlucky mother. The entertainment industry is complicated, and internet celebrities with no background, like her, are short-lived. Ruojin is lucky. Now she’s engaged to the Guan family and can live a lifetime of happiness.”

Though both families were in business, the Guan family had always been successful in the real estate industry in City D, while the Shen family’s company had been struggling for years.

In Sang Fei’s opinion, Shen Ruojin would be successful if she married into the Guan family. The family would never have to worry about money again. She often bragged about this.

City D wasn’t big, and Sang Fei’s words soon reached Mrs. Guan’s ears. Mrs. Guan felt the Shen family was scheming to get her property and became more cautious about Shen Ruojin and the Shen family.

But when Tao Sheng’s music became a hit, she was invited to a famous music program. As the Xiao family’s mascot, she also accompanied Chairman Xiao to various events and dinners. Sang Fei’s words became, “Shen Yu’s biological daughter is ungrateful. She only cares about traveling and never helped her family when they needed it. She hasn’t given a penny to her family since she was young.”

Sang Fei’s popularity among the wives was never good. After hearing complaints about her many times, people around her grew tired of it.

Not only did the Shen family accidentally lose Tao Sheng, but they also never raised her as a child. After she was found, she stayed with Luo Xin and never changed her surname back to Shen.

The Shen family had done nothing for her since childhood. Now, after failing to benefit, they started complaining everywhere.

The way he eats is really unattractive.

Gradually, everyone started distancing themselves from the Shen family.

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Tao Sheng lived a repetitive study life in high school. She occasionally went to the capital with Ji Yanming to attend Xiao family events to relax after class.

Now, Tao Sheng, like Ji Yanming, takes on some private jobs related to her major in her spare time. As the numbers in her bank account grew, she began to feel more secure.

To attend school and participate in various activities, Tao Sheng bought a house near the school. Ji Yanming seemed interested in buying a house too. After hearing about this from Su Jia, he bought a house on the same floor as Tao Sheng.

It was a coincidence—they ended up buying houses across from each other.

Tao Sheng occasionally went on business trips, while Ji Yanming stayed in the lab during his free time, often traveling between companies. Although they lived across the street, they rarely saw each other.

With Ji Yanming’s continuous efforts, the second-generation chip was soon developed.

Xiao Ze excitedly called Tao Sheng late at night to explain the chip’s great significance.

From his description, Tao Sheng could feel the joy of “money coming from all directions.”

She couldn’t believe that Mr. Xiao, who once struggled with Chinese in middle school, could talk for an hour about the new product, another hour about future profits, and an hour admiring Ji Yanming.

Finally, he added, “I consider you my best friend, which is why I wanted to share my joy with you first.”

Tao Sheng sighed as she held the hot phone.

In fact, you don’t have to be best friends. Being second-tier is fine.

After technology transformed into productivity, it brought in a lot of revenue. The company’s performance in one quarter nearly matched its performance over the previous three years.

Xiao Ze naturally seized the opportunity to show off. He held a banquet at home on an auspicious day to celebrate.

As the person Xiao Ze introduced at the banquet, Ji Yanming quickly attracted the attention of several wives with unmarried daughters.

Xiao Ze was even more excited than Ji Yanming. He pulled Ji Yanming aside and talked nonstop, saying the male head of this family had a bad temper, always at odds with him, and their daughter couldn’t be easy to get along with.

The head of the family is calm and reliable, and, most importantly, has good vision. He supported me when the old man didn’t value me, so their daughter must be well-educated.

Ji Yanming slightly turned sideways and asked, “Boss Xiao, are you introducing a girlfriend to me?”

“Yeah,” Xiao Ze said. “You’re already in your twenties, it’s time for you to start a relationship.”

Seeing Ji Yanming remain silent, Xiao Ze slapped his thigh and asked, “Do you already have someone in your heart?”

Tao Sheng and the third young lady Xiao Yi happened to be passing by. After hearing what her eldest brother said, Xiao Yi quickly pulled Tao Sheng over and smiled at Ji Yanming, saying, “Tech upstarts like you are highly favored by mothers-in-law. Even my second sister-in-law has been asking about you.”

Ji Yanming graduated from a top university, has good looks and temperament. His father holds a high position in a military research institute, making him an ideal son-in-law for families who don’t seek alliances.

So, Xiao Yi was curious whether this young talent already had someone in his heart.

Ji Yanming turned his gaze to Tao Sheng.

Tao Sheng blushed for no reason.

When she was in her sophomore year, a senior had pursued her. Although Tao Sheng had clearly rejected him twice, he still didn’t give up and would go to and from class with her every day.

This senior was the favorite student of Tao Sheng’s homeroom teacher and the teaching assistant for professional courses, so Tao Sheng didn’t want to make things awkward. Seeing that the senior didn’t cross any lines, she just ignored it.

When her senior came to give her flowers on her birthday, Ji Yanming happened to see. Calmly, he asked, “Your boyfriend?”

Tao Sheng shook her head: “He’s my senior.”

Ji Yanming told the senior directly, “She doesn’t like you, so don’t waste her time.”

The senior was a well-known musical talent in the academy, arrogant and not willing to back down: “You’re not her, why are you saying that?”

“My mother and her mother have been friends since childhood. We were also neighbors for many years in D City. I know better than you what kind of person she likes. When it comes to pursuing someone, you have to follow the first-come-first-served principle. Even if she wants a boyfriend, I should be the first in line.”

Later, Ji Yanming began picking her up and dropping her off at school, naturally helping her deal with suitors she didn’t like, just as he did in high school.

They had always been neighbors and friends, but ever since he said, “I should be the first to come,” their relationship started to change.

Ji Yanming walked up to Tao Sheng and leaned down.

“My mom asked me several times why I didn’t have a girlfriend even though I’m about to graduate from college. Aunt Luo also teased me, saying that I only know how to bury my head in the lab and haven’t chased a girl in the four years since I came to the capital.”

“So…” His tone became even gentler, “Do you want to go back with me to report to the mission?”

Tao Sheng nodded, and before she could say anything, Ji Yanming slipped something cold on her left middle finger.

Xiao Yi was really shocked by Ji Yanming’s action. He must be afraid his girlfriend would run away, so he used such a big diamond ring to trap her.

Xiao Ze knew a lot about the relationship between Ji Yanming and Tao Sheng, but he was still surprised by Ji Yanming’s sudden confession: “Have you liked her for a long time? Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

Ji Yanming held Tao Sheng’s hand and replied, “Boss Xiao is always busy, and I’m worried I won’t have time for her.”

Xiao Ze felt frustrated.

To avoid more frustration, Xiao Ze decided to distract himself. He noticed his sister, Xiao Yi, and said, “Look at Tao Sheng. Then look at you. I won’t even comment on the peacocks you choose.”

Xiao Yi, never one to lose, quickly responded: “Look at your ex-girlfriends. None of them stayed with you. Dad said the times are better now, so no one would laugh at you for being unmarried at your age.”

Tao Sheng shook her head, wondering why siblings fight so much even when they’re so alike.

But despite their arguing, they soon made peace and talked again.

Xiao Yi noticed a stranger in the hall and asked, “Who is that guy?”

Xiao Ze replied, “Guan Muyun, second son of the Guan family.”

Xiao Yi asked, “Isn’t that the family close to Xiao Xu?”

Xiao Ze gritted his teeth. “Yes, that’s them.”

Years ago, the Guan family made a mistake under Xiao Ze’s leadership, and to avoid taking responsibility, they turned to Xiao Xu, his uncle. Xiao Xu is the illegitimate son of Xiao Ze’s grandfather and has long wanted to take over the family business, even trying to hurt Xiao Ze.

To Xiao Ze, the Guan family represented bad judgment.

He warned Tao Sheng and Ji Yanming, saying, “People close to the Guan family don’t end well. Don’t trust them.”

Tao Sheng nodded, saying, “Okay.”

Shen Ruojin walked into the hall and saw Tao Sheng standing by Xiao Ze.

Today, she finally felt she had won. Shen Ruojin was the daughter-in-law of the Guan family, while Tao Sheng was just an employee of the Xiao family.

Shen Ruojin tried to hide a smile and walked up to Tao Sheng.

Guan Muyun, chatting with business partners, kept his eyes on Shen Ruojin. When he saw his wife approaching, he walked over and hugged her.

Shen Ruojin introduced Tao Sheng, saying, “This is my little sister, living with mom.”

Then she turned to Tao Sheng, saying, “This is my fiancé. Please take care of us in the future.”

At first, Shen Ruojin wanted to show off how successful her fiancé was. But to her surprise, Guan Muyun was more interested in Tao Sheng’s beauty. He stared at Tao Sheng the whole time.

Feeling uncomfortable, Shen Ruojin stopped introducing Tao Sheng. She pulled Guan Muyun’s sleeve and said, “Didn’t you say you were going to congratulate President Xiao? Why are we still here?”

Guan Muyun remembered his important task and took Shen Ruojin to find Xiao Ze. But Xiao Ze barely acknowledged him, asking his assistant why he brought strangers.

Clearly disgusted, Xiao Ze didn’t give the Guan family any respect.

The couple left awkwardly.

Later, they went to visit Chairman Xiao, but the housekeeper told them to leave, saying he didn’t know them and had never heard of Mr. Guan. Chairman Xiao only met people he knew.

Just as Tao Sheng was about to leave, the housekeeper came up and said, “Ms. Tao Sheng, you’re finally here! Chairman Xiao has been waiting for you. President Qi and President Wei said they felt much better after listening to your zither playing last time. That’s why they’re here to see you.”

Shen Ruojin turned pale.

Since that banquet, Tao Sheng hadn’t seen Shen Ruojin again. But Shen Ruojin kept messaging Tao Sheng to come back. Despite the help of the Guan family, the Shen family’s business wasn’t doing well, and their financial gap was growing.

After graduating from college, Tao Sheng decided to continue her postgraduate studies while also participating in variety shows and events arranged by her agency.

Soon, Tao Sheng realized that her zither playing had an unusual effect. Strange rumors started circulating.

For example, a wealthy man with a serious illness became healthy after hearing her zither. Another example was that the Xiao family’s health secret was in her music. Even Ji Yanming, the top science scorer in Province W, was her fan, and after listening to her zither playing, his grades improved.

Some rival companies that tried to discredit Tao Sheng faced trouble soon after.

Gradually, people started confirming these strange stories, and the public began to believe in her powers.

While Tao Sheng continued building her career, Shen Ruojin was also busy.

After the wedding, Guan Muyun often showed off his image as a loving husband, and Shen Ruojin worked to present herself as a noble lady.

In this era, traffic is very valuable. As long as something has a lot of viewers, it will make money.

With this popularity, Shen Ruojin joined a local live variety show and later promoted her family’s supermarket, becoming well-known in the area.

Months after their meeting at the Xiao family’s cocktail party, Tao Sheng saw Shen Ruojin again on the same show.

On the way to the dressing room, Tao Sheng overheard the director complaining about Shen Ruojin. She didn’t seem to care about being the young lady of the Guan family (her in-laws), and was trying to convince investors to join the program. But she wasn’t professional or popular enough, and they feared she’d ruin their well-planned show.

Tao Sheng smiled and thanked the director for their hard work.

Shen Ruojin asked to be on the show, clearly to get attention for herself.

Tao Sheng knew the other two guests. One was a young actress, and the other was a rising music star. Tao Sheng was a famous music producer.

Shen Ruojin wasn’t bad looking, but compared to these talented actors and singers, she was overshadowed.

The Guan family was known for their supermarkets, and their business grew after they made her their spokesperson. 

Even though she wasn’t the prettiest, many people thought she must have talents because she helped her husband’s family business grow.

During introductions on the show, the young actress briefly mentioned her works, the actor was more lively, and Tao Sheng talked about the ancient costume drama she worked on.

The viewers praised the three, but when it was Shen Ruojin’s turn, the comments quickly turned negative.

Shen Ruojin introduced herself as the spokesperson for the supermarket and wife of Guan Muyun. Viewers were confused, asking why she only mentioned her husband’s name, and not her own achievements.

The host tried to help by mentioning that Shen Ruojin was a top student at D University and must have helped her family’s business grow, but Shen Ruojin downplayed it, saying everything was thanks to her husband.

The host awkwardly changed the subject, complimenting Shen Ruojin’s clothes. She was dressed in Baroque style, which didn’t match the casual atmosphere of the show.

Shen Ruojin blushed and explained that her husband chose her outfit, which made her seem overly dependent on him.

The audience flooded the comments with confusion.

Tao Sheng thought Shen Ruojin missed the point. The viewers wanted to see independent, career-driven women, not someone who only focused on being a good wife.

The other guests moved away, not wanting to be associated with Shen Ruojin.

Outside, the assistant director mentioned how someone like Ji Yanming could easily make more money than a hundred movie stars. Shen Ruojin realized how powerless she felt when comparing herself to him.

She had heard Ji Yanming came from an ordinary background, but in a few years, he became the president of Zhifei Group, and held an important position in the Xiao family’s companies.

When Shen Ruojin thought about Tao Sheng having such a man, she suddenly felt that Guan Muyun wasn’t as attractive anymore.

After the show aired, Shen Ruojin gained attention online for her careless comments about her “brainless and spoiled wife,” and many of her past actions were exposed.

In college, Shen Ruojin spent most of her time with Guan Muyun, traveling for business. She often skipped classes, and her assistant took attendance for her. Her grades were poor. When she did return to school, she wasn’t friendly with her roommates or classmates. She often acted like she was superior, even saying she was born to be a rich wife, while her classmates were just workers who would have to struggle all their lives. Although she was adopted by the Shen family, she never recognized her biological parents, who were regular workers.

Guan Muyun had many girls around him in the past, but Shen Ruojin drove them all away. She often made things difficult for them until they left or quit their jobs. The Guan family’s stocks dropped after the news of these events spread.

Shen Ruojin realized her mistakes on the show and wanted to make amends.

The Guan family, however, learned their lesson and decided not to let her appear publicly again.

A new wealth ranking was released, and Shen Ruojin felt devastated when she saw the Guan family ranked much lower than Ji Yanming.

Shen Ruojin had always secretly competed with Tao Sheng. Now, no matter the reputation, financial status, or partner—things she used to believe she was better than Tao Sheng in—she could no longer compete.

Even Shen Yu, who had always been on her side, started praising Tao Sheng, saying she was worthy of being his biological daughter, unlike Shen Ruojin, who had been adopted. These words hurt Shen Ruojin deeply.

Unwilling to give up, Shen Ruojin pressured Guan Muyun to step down as general manager of Yijia Supermarket and start a business in the fast-growing new energy sector.

There’s a saying in the business world: people aren’t afraid of rich second-generation individuals who are aimless and just take nominal roles in family businesses, but they fear those who try to prove themselves by starting their own businesses.

Guan Muyun, who studied business, had no experience or knowledge in the new energy sector. The industry required huge initial investments with low short-term returns. Some companies break through, but that’s rare.

Despite this, with Shen Ruojin’s encouragement, Guan Muyun gathered his resolve to become successful.

Unfortunately, his project failed completely within two years, and the losses weren’t recovered. The Guan family had to cover the debts from the company’s loans.

The Guan family’s business had been struggling in recent years. This latest loss led to a family board meeting, and they decided to limit Guan Muyun’s involvement.

Mrs. Guan was harsh with her son, saying, “Nothing good has come since you married Shen Ruojin. Maybe you should believe in fate. I heard Zhong Jingqiu just divorced. I never agreed with you being with her, but if you still have feelings for her, you should go to France to be with her.”

Did this mean she was sending him to exile in France?

Guan Muyun thought about Shen Ruojin’s words: “You were born into the Guan family. You have a high starting point, so you must succeed and not fall behind the young talents of City D.”

But now, Guan Muyun had forgotten about Miss Zhong. He believed Shen Ruojin was the one who truly understood him and supported his ambitions. So, without telling his family, he sold all his company shares for cash and started a new business in artificial intelligence, a field that had been popular recently.

At this time, Shen Yu urgently needed money to keep his company afloat. If the company didn’t turn things around, it would go bankrupt.

Shen Yu heard that Guan Muyun had sold shares to start a business and went to ask for a loan.

Shen Ruojin knew that the money was their chance for a comeback, so she personally rejected Shen Yu, afraid that her husband would be embarrassed.

Shen Yu was furious, calling Shen Ruojin ungrateful. He broke off their father-daughter relationship, claiming that the adoption procedures were never completed.

Shen Yu had always been domineering at home and couldn’t stand disobedience or anyone pointing out his faults. After Sang Fei refused to lend money to save the company, Shen Yu angrily filed for divorce, claiming all the jewelry belonged to his wife by law. He then lived with his son’s family but was disliked by his daughter-in-law. Finally, he left for Province G to look for business opportunities.

Guan Muyun continued struggling for two more years without success and nearly lost all his money. When his father passed away, he returned home under the pretense of preparing for the funeral, intending to resume his role as manager of the Guan family’s company.

The Guan family business had been in decline and had suffered greatly when they sided with the wrong person, leading to their involvement in the Xiao family’s troubles. They sold off much of their wealth, including houses and cars, to cover the losses.

The other elders of the Guan family refused to acknowledge Guan Muyun when he returned. Mrs. Guan, disappointed in him, decided to take the shares left by his father and divide them between herself and his younger brother, leaving him with nothing.

Xiaoze Company had been doing well lately, distributing quarterly dividends. In October, after Ji Yanming received another dividend, he donated a new teaching building to Mingde Middle School.

Tao Sheng accompanied Ji Yanming back to City D. They first went to meet the principal, then walked around the school, reminiscing about their high school days when they first met. Afterward, they returned to the house they had lived in during their school days to rest.

Luo Xin’s company expanded to the imperial capital. She now lives with Tao Sheng, and the house in Fenglinyuan has been empty for a while.

After Tao Sheng entered the house, she realized the prepaid electricity bill had been used up. She went downstairs to the property management office to recharge the electricity card.

She handed the card to the property staff, and they both froze when they recognized each other.

Tao Sheng hadn’t heard from Ruojin in a long time. She never expected to see Ruojin working at Fenglinyuan as a property management staff member with a work badge.

In the past, Tao Sheng had often looked down on people who worked in jobs like these, thinking she was above them. Now, she felt embarrassed.

Later, while talking with the property manager, Tao Sheng found out that although Ruojin and Guan Muyun lost their sources of income after leaving the Guan family, they still pursued business dreams.

Ruojin now works at Fenglinyuan Property to earn some family money, while Guan Muyun is constantly seeking investments to start a business, hoping for success.

Even though Guan Muyun left the Guan family, they refused to lower their living standards. The two are barely making ends meet, having sold their apartment under Guan Muyun’s name and now renting a house.

If this continues, life will only get harder.

After returning from City D, Tao Sheng went with Ji Yanming to an award ceremony.

Ji Yanming was receiving an award, and she accompanied him as a “family member.”

This is one of the most influential awards in science, technology, and environmental protection in China, with high status internationally.

When Ji Yanming received the trophy, his biological mother, Su Jia, smiled politely in the audience, but his future mother-in-law, Luo Xin, was crying.

Tao Sheng gently pulled on Luo Xin’s sleeve and whispered, “Mom, why are you crying?”

“This award was a dream I had since I was a student…”

She had thought after graduation that she would work in an unrelated field and never have the chance to win such an award. But now, her future son-in-law had realized her dream.

As usual, there were interviews after the ceremony. Ji Yanming’s appearance and accomplishments made him a media darling.

A reporter from a well-known video software company squeezed through the crowd and asked Ji Yanming, “I heard you already have a fiancée and that you’ve been together for years. Today we’ve discussed your career, but would you like to share about your relationship?”

“Of course,” Ji Yanming smiled at the camera. “I’ve been a fan of hers since middle school, and I’ve followed her for a long time. I used to think she was unreachable, like the moon in the sky. But now, I’m lucky to know her… to have her.”

After the ceremony, Luo Xin tactfully pulled Su Jia out, saying, “This place isn’t far from our school, let’s take a walk.”

Su Jia thought the same: “I heard the bar we used to frequent is still open. Let’s go.”

Not being a third wheel is a basic human quality. They never were third wheels to their roommates in school, so they wouldn’t be now either.

Tao Sheng got into the passenger seat of Ji Yanming’s car and realized after a couple of turns, “This doesn’t seem like the way home.”

“I just bought a new house in the Xishan Villa District, not far from your studio.”

At the red light, with an 80-second countdown, Tao Sheng turned to Ji Yanming: “You want to take me to see a house?”

He chuckled and gave her a light kiss on the ear, his breath warming. 

“Well, pick the moon.”

-End Extra-