Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Captain’s Gala Dinner

Anyone could guess whose child this was.

Jiang Yunzhu’s emotions were tangled—not because she still harbored feelings for Shen Ruizhang, but because she worried that, knowing Zhou Qingfei’s temperament, having this child might push her to demand marriage from Shen Ruizhang.

Her uncle would likely agree, but Grandmother Shen would be far harder to convince.

The old lady was gentle but stubborn; once she set her mind to something, nothing could change it. If she said Zhou Qingfei wouldn’t be allowed through the door, then even if Zhou Qingfei bore a hundred children, she would never consent.

Yet Zhou Qingfei now seemed to hold a trump card, and the old lady was in the hospital, vulnerable to any upset.

And besides, did Shen Ruizhang even know about this?

Her uncle… Jiang Yunzhu picked up her phone, then put it down, feeling uneasy for a while before calming herself.

Enough, she thought. After all, this was Shen family business. Why should she meddle for no reason? Hadn’t she suffered enough humiliation already?

That was, after all, Shen Ruizhang’s flesh and blood, the true grandchild of the Shen family. How could Grandmother Shen not love him?

And what was Zhou Qingfei’s purpose in sending her this picture?

Was it meant to provoke her, to lure her into causing a scene before Shen Ruizhang, so he would finally be rid of her?

If so, it meant Zhou Qingfei’s own position was beginning to waver.

The tables had truly turned.

With this realization, Jiang Yunzhu felt even less inclined to involve herself. She had more important things to attend to.

She organized her work for the coming days, just as her parents arrived home. Both were fresh from a business function, their clothes thick with the scent of alcohol, though fortunately, they remained clear-headed.

The housekeeper had already prepared chrysanthemum water. Each parent took a cup, sipping slowly.

“Sweetheart, what’s so mysterious that you had to call us home for?” Chen Li asked.

“Mom, Dad, I’d like to marry Shen Tingxiao.”

The two promptly spat out their tea, their eyes widening to three times their normal size.

“My dear girl, when did this happen? I mean… how is it so sudden between you two?”

“He’s the best partner I could marry. He loves me, and I love him. Our families are well matched. What reason could there be not to marry?”

It wasn’t that it was unreasonable, but rather too swift, too abrupt! The two young people had only just taken a fancy to each other, hadn’t even dated for a while. By normal standards, they should at least spend three or five years together first.

“We’ve discussed it for a while now.” Jiang Yunzhu handed over a few tissues and continued, “He helped me a lot in the country before. I’m truly grateful. After spending time together, we found ourselves perfectly suited, so marriage seemed only natural.”

As for the so-called “open marriage,” Jiang Yunzhu swallowed her words. Having been apart from her parents for so long, she couldn’t tell if their outlook leaned toward the openness and passion of the West or the reserve and conservatism of the East. She chose the most fitting explanation.

“So… so he…” Chen Li finally found his voice.

“He brought it up first. I hesitated for a long time, but today I made up my mind and wanted to discuss it with you both.”

That discussion lasted into the late night. The chrysanthemum water became chrysanthemum tea, cup after cup, until they finally made a decision: engagement first, marriage a year later.

Better sooner than later.

Around two or three in the morning, Jiang Yunzhu called Shen Tingxiao. The call hadn’t even connected when she realized the hour—was she disturbing him?

Just as she was about to hang up, he answered.

“Why are you calling me so late?” Shen Tingxiao’s voice was as bold as ever, not at all like someone awakened from sleep.

Jiang Yunzhu replied awkwardly, “You haven’t said anything yet.”

“I’ve been waiting for your answer. How could I sleep without it?” His voice carried a hint of complaint and grievance. It was hard to imagine that someone so ruthless in business could show such vulnerability.

“Just as we discussed—my parents agree, but want us to get engaged first, then marry. What do you think?”

“Perfect. Shall we pick a date?”

Both were busy people; finding a day when they were both free wasn’t easy. Besides, this engagement between the Shen and Jiang families deserved a grand arrangement, full publicity, and invitations to luminaries across the business world.

After much discussion, they settled on a date.

“Ten days from now, the fifteenth—a good day. Your work will be wrapped up, and my contracts will be signed,” Shen Tingxiao paused, then asked with layered meaning, “Doesn’t this seem a bit rushed?”

After all, this was a matter of a lifetime—no matter what Jiang Yunzhu thought, for him, it was a lifetime commitment.

“Rushed?” Jiang Yunzhu’s voice was serene. “I thought you’d be prepared, Shen Tingxiao. Turns out it was just empty words.”

Shen Tingxiao couldn’t stand being challenged. At her remark, he immediately revealed his cards.

“A month ago, I received an invitation to Captain Will’s yacht banquet. I’d planned to propose to you there. Now, I think we could get engaged there instead.”

“Captain Will?” Jiang Yunzhu’s heart fluttered. “You mean that billion-dollar luxury yacht?”

The banquet was held once a year, attended by business and social elites. International stars performed on board; top-tier theaters staged shows, and guests received jewelry worth tens of thousands as casual gifts.

Luxury, decadence—the pinnacle of human enjoyment.

Jiang Yunzhu no longer felt it was rushed. It was grand—almost excessively so.

His voice took on a note of pride, “Well? Shen Ruizhang never took you, did he?”

In truth, perhaps even Shen Ruizhang hadn’t gone—not for lack of means, but for lack of time.

Sweetness unfurled in Jiang Yunzhu’s heart. “No, never. Thank you in advance for broadening my horizons, Shen Tingxiao!”

A few days later, Jiang Yunzhu found a new email in her inbox. The sender was unfamiliar, but the contents were not: an invitation to “Captain Will’s” banquet, along with an address.

“If you want it, come to XXX Café.”

Shen Tingxiao? What was he up to now?

Fortunately, she had nothing urgent to attend to, and the café wasn’t far. She had her assistant drive her over.

Upon entering, Jiang Yunzhu was stunned.

“Zhou Qingfei? What are you doing here?”

“Why shouldn’t I be here?” Zhou Qingfei wore a loose dress, comfortable flats, her appearance fresh and elegant.

Upon seeing Jiang Yunzhu, she naturally placed a hand on her abdomen, her expression gentle and serene. “Ruizhang will be at the yacht banquet. He’ll propose to me there.”

Jiang Yunzhu blinked. “So?”

Zhou Qingfei pulled an invitation from her handbag. “As his niece, your uncle hopes you’ll attend and offer your blessings.”