It was ti for the newlyweds, Li Chen and Zhang i, to take center stage for their first dance as husband and wife. Soft romantic music played as they danced, Zhang i’s wedding gown glistening with real diamonds. After the dance, it was ti for guests to present their gifts.
The program director announced, "I have a list of gifts to read out." The venue went silent as the music stopped. "The first gift is from the groom’s grandfather, Old Master Sun. He has gifted the newlyweds a villa at Urban Nest Estates to raise their future children." The guests applauded warmly.
"Next, Zhu Fengrui has gifted the beautiful bride 10% shares of his family company," the director continued with a smile, "with a note saying ’I hope I get nieces and nephews soon.’" Laughter rippled through the crowd as the director quipped, "Seems the groom will have to work overti!"
More lavish gifts were announced, mostly checks worth millions, as each influential family tried to outdo the others in impressing the Sun family. Zhang Weijun leaned over and whispered to his father Zhang Su, "That’s already over 200 million just in checks, Dad." Zhang Su nodded, his eyes glinting with unbridled greed.
As the program director was about to finish announcing the gifts, a man nad Yang Bojun entered, drawing all eyes. "Sorry I’m late, I had things to attend to. I hope my nephew doesn’t mind," he said with a smile, causing worried glances between Sun Lixia and Sun Weilong.
Yang Bojun strode up and handed the director a small box. "Ladies and gentlen, this gentleman here..." the director began, but Yang Bojun interjected, "My na is Yang Bojun, or you can just call Sun Bojun." The guests murmured in confusion as he smirked and continued, "Anyway, you’ll all know about very soon." He then took a seat next to Grandpa Sun.
Speculation swirled about Yang Bojun’s identity, but seeing him seated with the Suns, people assud he was a distant relative. Yang Bojun caught Sun Gang’s eye and flashed a sly smile as he sipped his wine.
The festivities carried on, but Yang Bojun leaned over to Grandpa Sun. "Why haven’t I heard from you for so long?"
"I was busy with the wedding. We’ll talk when it’s over," Grandpa Sun replied tersely.
"I hope you don’t plan to defy my demands, dear father," Yang Bojun said coolly. "Imagine what people would think when they find out you have an illegitimate son - one you tried to have aborted. I can see the headlines now."
Grandpa Sun clenched his jaw. "There’s no need to go that far. We can handle this as a family."
Yang Bojun just shrugged and fell silent, leaving the threat hanging in the air.
As Li Chen and Zhang i departed for their honeymoon suite at Mirage Moonlit Hotel, the others remained at the hall. Zhang Su turned to Liu Ying with a devious look. "Let’s go greet our new family."
They approached Sun Lixia, who was chatting happily with her brother Sun Weilong and Mu Lingling. Zhang Su cleared his throat, drawing their attention.
"Wow Mu Lingling, I didn’t realize this would be such a beautiful wedding. Why didn’t you tell us Zhang i’s husband is a Sun?" he said with feigned surprise.
Mu Lingling eyed him coolly. "What did it have to do with you?"
"Zhang i is my brother’s daughter," Zhang Su claid.
Sun Lixia’s eyes narrowed. "Funny, you didn’t seem to rember that when you kicked them out and took everything after your brother died."
Sun Weilong looked confused. "Sis, who are these people?"
"Just Zhang i’s evil, vile, greedy relatives," Sun Lixia replied acidly.
Liu Ying plastered on a smile. "Don’t be so harsh, we’re family."
"Yeah right," Mu Lingling scoffed.
Just then, Zhu Fengrui approached with his mother Li Yanyan. "Mom, is everything okay?"
"Yes, I think they were just leaving," Li Yanyan said pointedly.
Zhang Liying openly appraised Zhu Fengrui with infatuation. She sidled up to him. "Since we’re family, we should get to know each other more."
Zhu Fengrui raised an eyebrow. "Zhang i is our family, not you."
Catching her daughter’s interest, Liu Ying jumped in. "You know, Zhang Liying has never had a boyfriend."
"And you’re telling us this because..." Zhu Fengrui trailed off.
Zhang Su gave an oily smile. "My wife is right, she’s well-taught too."
Mu Lingling shook her head, seeing right through their transparent greed now that they knew Li Chen’s family was wealthy. It was obvious Zhang Liying was setting her sights on Zhu Fengrui.
As Zhu Fengrui’s attention was brazenly pursued by the calculating Zhang Liying, a flutter of movent caught his eye. His gaze shifted to a younger girl standing slightly apart from the grasping relatives - Zhang ixiu.
In contrast to her sister’s bold advances, Zhang ixiu hung back shyly, seeming almost embarrassed by her family’s transparent angling. Though equally lovely, there was an unassuming sweetness about her that instantly drew Zhu Fengrui’s interest.
Politely extricating himself from Zhang Liying’s attempts to insinuate herself against him, Zhu Fengrui made his way over to the timid younger sister.
"You must be Zhang ixiu," he said kindly, offering a warm smile. "I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. You are such a skilled dancer by the way"
Zhang ixiu’s cheeks flushed pink at the attention from the dashing young man. She ducked her head shyly before mustering a soft, "It’s nice to et you, Zhu Fengrui and thank you, but I was just following your lead."
Zhu Fengrui felt an unexpected stir of protectiveness towards the sweet girl amidst her rather rcenary family. Up close, he could see the difference between her pure, unaffected nature and her sister’s calculating ways.
"How are you enjoying the wedding so far?" he asked, keeping his tone gentle. "It really was a beautiful affair for Li Chen and Zhang i."
Zhang ixiu’s face lit up, eager to discuss her beloved cousin’s nuptials. "Oh, it was like a dream! i has always hoped for a wedding like this. She deserves all the happiness in the world."
As she happily recounted so of the day’s most magical monts, Zhu Fengrui found himself utterly chard by Zhang ixiu’s unguarded delight and kindness. She seed blissfully unaware of her family’s venal motivations.
From the corner of his eye, he caught Zhang Liying’s sharp gaze tracking their interaction with a frown. But Zhu Fengrui ignored her, content to bask in Zhang ixiu’s refreshing innocence and warmth, qualities so starkly different from those around her.
Liu Ying turned a stern eye on her younger daughter. "Zhang ixiu, what did I say about talking to n?"
Before Zhang ixiu could respond, Zhu Fengrui interjected smoothly, "Didn’t you just say we’re family and should get to know each other? That’s what I’m doing."
Zhang Liying scoffed. "She’s just a child, barely twenty."
"And what’s wrong with that?" Zhu Fengrui arched an eyebrow. "I can’t talk to her because she’s twenty, but I’m supposed to talk to you instead?"
Flustered, Zhang Liying faltered. "Yes, what childish talk could you have with her?"
Zhu Fengrui shook his head and turned his attention back to Zhang ixiu with a warm smile. "Can I get you sothing to drink?"
Zhang ixiu’s eyes widened. "Juice, please?"
"Give a minute," Zhu Fengrui said kindly before stepping away.
Li Yanyan watched her son interact with Zhang ixiu, a knowing smile tugging at her lips. She could clearly see Zhu Fengrui was taken by the sweet young woman’s refreshing kindness, so unlike her greedy relatives. Even Li Yanyan herself could sense Zhang ixiu had a good heart, more like her cousin Zhang i.
After chatting awhile and watching the other guests depart, the Zhangs made their way ho in a modest car dwarfed by the luxury vehicles at the elite wedding.
In the confines of their vehicle, Zhang Su grinned greedily. "This changes everything."
Liu Ying nodded. "That Mu Lingling struck a real pot of gold."
"Which is good for us as well," Zhang Su agreed. He turned to his son. "Weijun, we should move into that villa with her."
"Dad, you think?" Zhang Weijun’s eyes lit up.
"Of course!" Zhang Su declared. "Mu Lingling is a woman, she can’t live alone in that huge villa. We have to move in there imdiately."
Zhang Liying chid in excitedly, "Oh my friends will be so jealous, living in Radiant Sun Estates will make people respect us!"
"Exactly," her father said, rubbing his hands together. "This is our chance to enter the elite circle of Shanghai high society."
Cramd in the middle of the backseat, Zhang ixiu listened to her family’s blatant avarice with a heavy heart. She didn’t understand why they had to be so greedy, why they couldn’t simply be happy for Zhang i and Mu Lingling’s good fortune without trying to shalessly exploit them.
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