Chapter 20 (2/2): Future Wife, Step In.

After her skin recovered, she went out shopping with A Li.

On the way, they stopped for afternoon tea with a Port City flavor.

Lin Zhijun called: “Zheng Yuze hasn’t been bothering you lately, right?”

Miss Xu Nanyin suddenly remembered, “Seems like it. If you hadn’t said it, I’d have forgotten. He hasn’t come to find me for three days in a row. Did he come to block my door?”

Lin Zhijun: “I heard from big brother today; he’s not in Port City. That’s why I’m asking you.”

Miss Xu Nanyin: “He went traveling too.”

Lin Zhijun, knowing about her time in Ning City, said, “He’s not you. Why worry? He’s carefree every day; only others are worried because of him.”

Miss Xu Nanyin was unfortunately one of those others.

“Do you know where he is now?”

“How could I know? I don’t want to know.”

“Once I say it, you’ll ask me back.”

Lin Zhijun spoke mysteriously, “He was taken to England by big brother Zheng. Uncle Zheng said he needs to train, study, and manage the company. He won’t be back for three or five months.”

Miss Xu Nanyin didn’t find it strange: “His possible marriage news made Uncle Zheng unhappy, so that’s why.”

“That can still be international calls, but he hasn’t even called you. Is that normal?”

“Don’t tease my appetite.”

“Song Sheng said that.”

Lin Zhijun didn’t waste words, “Turns out the reporter made it up. That’s the truth.”

“… Who?”

Miss Xu Nanyin asked.

“Song Huaixu?”

Impossible!

As soon as the thought surfaced, the words “impossible” pressed down the first four words.

Miss Xu Nanyin asked for confirmation: “Did Lin Shitang say that?”

Lin Zhijun admitted: “Of course. I overheard when he was chatting with Uncle Zheng. Big brother told me not to tell anyone. We have no relation, but of course I have to tell you. Just don’t say it’s me who told you.”

Between the younger generation, adults rarely interfere.

Moreover, from the elders’ perspective, Zheng Yuze’s pursuit was just minor fuss, even willing to marry in, which showed his liking.

Lin Shitang just informed Song Huaixu.

Even if Song Huaixu made no promise, and even if investment advice was vague and unlikely, Zheng’s father was willing to try to control his son, especially since he originally didn’t want Zheng Yuze to marry in but was going with the flow to gain favor.

“Online they say a man’s greatest charm lies in his ability to solve problems.”

Lin Zhijun sighed, “Really, Zhuzhu.”

But he never told her.

Miss Xu Nanyin knew nothing about this from start to finish.

If not for Lin Zhijun telling her, she might have left Ning City or parted ways with Song Huaixu without ever knowing.

When she and A Li left the shop, it was already dusk.

Across the street, a modified motorcycle stopped.

The rider called, “Second Young Master, I think I saw Miss Xu Nanyin.”

Song Tingchuan sat up straight, “She’s in Ning City? Where?”

As soon as Miss Xu Nanyin entered Feilan, she saw Secretary Jiang Chen waiting for her in the corridor.

As she approached, she heard him sigh, “Miss Xu, the boss was right. People shouldn’t gamble.”

Miss Xu Nanyin: ?

Since her father’s incident, she was sensitive to that word.

“Did you lose a lot? Did someone scam you?”

Jiang Chen was serious: “No, I just bet with Director Wen’s secretary on whose boss would get married first. The bet is a month’s salary.”

So that’s what it was.

Miss Xu Nanyin asked, “Who is Director Wen?”

Jiang Chen explained: It’s Wen Chengli of the Wen family.

He’s about the same age as Song Huaixu but ranks one generation senior in family hierarchy.

Family rank was something you couldn’t change.

Miss Xu Nanyin pondered, “Has Director Wen already married?”

Jiang Chen was solemn, “Almost. They’re negotiating marriage. I’m not worried about my salary but don’t want my boss to lose.”

Miss Xu Nanyin shook her head, “Betting is bad. Don’t do this again. You’re bound to lose.”

Jiang Chen: !

Miss Xu Nanyin’s expression was so innocent; was she pretending to be good to take advantage of the boss?

Losing money herself, was she going to let the boss lose his future wife?

Should she break the bad news to the boss?

Miss Xu Nanyin hadn’t expected Jiang Chen to think so much.

She was just speaking honestly because marriage procedures in Port City were complicated.

You needed notarization and witnesses.

Even if you registered marriage inland, you needed prior notarized proof of no marriage record, which took time.

Jiang Chen sadly handed her an invitation, “Tomorrow is Uncle Zhou’s private exhibition. If Miss Xu is interested, you can go see it. If you like something, you can take it away.”

Miss Xu Nanyin saw the name Zhou Qichang and her eyes widened slightly.

This man was so famous that even she recognized him in Port City.

His private museum collected many treasures that even wealthy collectors privately wanted to buy.

The invitee was blank, no name written.

Jiang Chen said she could fill it in herself.

Such an invitation was lightly handed to her.

The next day.

The private exhibition was held at Uncle Zhou’s own museum.

Miss Xu Nanyin entered using the invitation; it was still early.

Not many people were inside, but every face was well-known.

Even far-off Port City had seen most in the news.

However, she mainly came to look at antiques.

Passing through dazzling displays, no wonder many wealthy people were tempted—she was too.

She finally stopped at a central antique brooch.

The brooch was surrounded by countless rubies on the outer ring, layered inward with many small pieces of green jade.

At the center was a sapphire, from which dangled a tassel topped with a natural teardrop-shaped pearl.

Such a pearl shape was rare.

Miss Xu Nanyin looked at the tassel and the large pearl’s center—it was made up of small pearls shaped like a bee.

She hated bees because she’d been stung.

But the brooch was too beautiful and had her favorite pearls.

Even the bee was made of pearls, making her conflicted.

After a long hesitation, she decided to take only this today.

She really liked it.

Just as she was about to write down the code, she realized there was no label in the display case, and it sat alone in the center.

A unique position.

Miss Xu Nanyin called over the person in charge.

“I want to buy this brooch. Why is there no code? How do I buy it?”

The person in charge looked troubled.

“Miss, this brooch is not for sale. It’s a wedding gift from our museum owner to Mr. Song.”

Everyone knew the name Mr. Song—it was enough to discourage anyone.

“Mr. Song?” Miss Xu Nanyin’s eyes flickered, “Song Huaixu?”

The person in charge glanced around.

Luckily Mr. Song wasn’t there to hear, then nodded, “Yes.”

Then seeing the girl’s white, pretty face showing doubt, “Isn’t he unmarried? How is there a wedding gift?”

“Future Mrs. Song.”

The person in charge said seriously, “Uncle Zhou said it can only be taken on Mr. Song’s wedding day; otherwise, it will remain in the museum.”

So that’s why.

Miss Xu Nanyin nodded, “Thank you, I understand.”

The person thought she’d back down and returned to his post.

Little did he know, Miss Xu Nanyin took a photo of the brooch and sent it to its future owner, adding a voice message.

“Song Huaixu, Song Huaixu, can you help me convince Uncle Zhou to part with it?”

“Someone wants that brooch.”

“Miss Shu.”

Hearing this, the person in charge quickly looked up, “Yes, but I already told them it belongs to Mr. Song. The other party said they already knew.”

Zhou Shuyi looked toward the girl still lingering in front of the brooch display case.

She wore a pale blue flowing dress, her profile exquisite.

She seemed familiar, but there was no impression.

This time, Uncle Zhou’s private exhibition invitations were all personally written by him.

How could a stranger come, and just happen to like that brooch?

Hard to say it wasn’t intentional.

“Do you know her name?”

Zhou Shuyi asked.

The person in charge flipped through the guest list, full of familiar and famous names, sweating nervously.

“Sorry, no record found.”

Zhou Shuyi scolded, “There are unknown people at the exhibition? Not asking them out? I’ll have to go personally.”

The person hesitated, “What if it’s Mr. Song’s invitation?”

He knew there was a unique blank invitation reserved by Uncle Zhou for Mr. Song.

Zhou Shuyi looked at him, “Do you think that’s possible?”

The exhibition was still ten minutes from starting.

Even so, no one was late.

Song Huaixu sat at the table.

Across from him, the exhibition’s host Zhou Qichang finished his tea, stroked his beard, “When the marriage news broke, I thought that brooch would be sent away.”

They bonded over antiques and were old friends.

He knew Song Huaixu admired the brooch very much and kept it for that reason.

But it wasn’t taken out before the marriage news was debunked.

Song Huaixu listened absentmindedly.

His phone rang; he saw the photo, his eyes flickering.

Sure enough, the voice message turned to text matched what he guessed.

He replied: [Can’t convince him.]

Zhou Shuyi came over from the museum and saw the man’s silhouette at the door.

After entering, her gaze shifted away.

Seeing her granddaughter come in, Zhou Qichang sighed, “If I can’t send it away again, I’ll have to give it to Shuyi. She’s wanted it for a long time and has begged me.”

Zhou Shuyi smiled slightly, not mentioning what had happened in the museum earlier.

To her, the brooch was already hers because his heart wasn’t with women.

Miss Xu Nanyin: [You can’t convince him?]

Song Huaixu: [Hmph, likes it a lot?]

Miss Xu Nanyin: [Like it. But earlier Jiang Chen said you could take it if you liked it?]

Miss Xu Nanyin: [If you can’t take it, no one else can?]

To her, Song Huaixu was omnipotent in Ning City.

She wondered if he really had to get married, since she’d never heard of such a requirement, and no money could replace that.

“What’s so important?”

Zhou Qichang saw the man checking his phone several times.

“If it’s important, you go ahead and handle it.”

He couldn’t stop mumbling, “Work is important, but you also need to care about your lifelong big event. Even online dating is fine. Just let me give the gift sometime—I’ve already talked big…”

Song Huaixu looked up slowly, “Today will do.”

Zhou Qichang: “?”

He didn’t even drink tea, his old eyes unclouded.

Song Huaixu spoke again, calm and unhurried.

“The future Mrs. Song wants to take her wedding gift early today. Is that possible?”

Inside the hall, everyone was surprised to see several professionals open the central glass display.

Everyone knew the brooch had an owner.

No longer exhibited publicly?

Now it had found its owner?

The former was no big deal; the latter was significant.

“Maybe Uncle Zhou regrets it now.”

“It’s been several years. Maybe Mr. Song changed his mind.”

“That girl just wanted it. Which child is so naive?”

“Rare sight…”

The staff carefully took out the brooch with white gloves and placed it in an exquisitely carved box.

The person in charge was asking Miss Xu Nanyin how she got in.

Seeing the scene, he was momentarily stunned.

Miss Xu Nanyin held the blank invitation, covering her lips softly.

“Isn’t it a wedding gift? Why are they doing this?”

The person dutifully asked and told her, “Uncle Zhou said it should be packed today and given to someone.”

He looked seriously at Miss Xu Nanyin.

“This is none of your business. Please show me your invitation.”

Miss Xu Nanyin bit her lip.

Just looking at it and it might be gone?

After thinking, her pure eyes brightened.

“Can I borrow your pen?”

The person hesitated but saw her open the invitation with the invitee blank.

He immediately perked up and respectfully handed over the pen.

Miss Xu Nanyin rested her hand on the glass case, her slender fingers writing five characters:

“Future Mrs. Song”

For the first time doing something to cut in first, using Song Huaixu’s name, her heart pounded nervously.

After writing, she closed it and looked up, “Can this be prioritized, to get his wedding gift early?”

Her tone was gentle and sweet.

The hall lights glittered brilliantly.

Her voice stopped.

The glass reflected the tall man’s figure far above her.

She turned, lowered her head.

Song Huaixu wore only a shirt today, posture lazy and casual, not even wearing a tie.

But his face was calm, a quiet aura surrounding him.

He stood behind her.

She wore high heels, barely reaching his lips.

Despite the height difference, there was still a strong sense of pressure.

Their eyes met.

Song Huaixu looked away from her artfully radiant face and lowered his eyes to the invitation.

His tone slightly deepened as he lightly bit his lip.

“Forgery. Do you know what the consequences will be?”

His gaze pierced.

The strapless dress she wore exposed enough skin to provoke reaction.

Nearby, people whispered about her bold audacity to fake it, how doomed she was to intercept Mr. Song’s belongings and never see daylight again, and so on.

Miss Xu Nanyin looked at him and softly asked, “Then, if it were your future wife, what would be the consequence?”