After Fang Xiaonuan learned that her parents were “Selling their daughters for glory,” she hurried home.

As soon as she entered the house, she saw a mountain of gifts piled up by the door. She just stood there. She placed her hands on her hips and shouted loudly, “Dad! Mom! Come out and explain what this is!”

Hearing her voice, Fang Xiaonuan’s mother came over and poked Fang Xiaonuan’s flushed cheeks. “Look at you. You’re in such a hurry. You don’t look ladylike at all.”

“If I didn’t look ladylike you would’ve sold me off by now. Looking ladylike doesn’t do me any favours either,” Fang Xiaonuan grumbled and kicked the presents that were in her way. Then, she angrily followed Mrs. Fang to the living room and sat down.

Mr. Fang sat a little ways away and drank his tea silently. His usual cheery face was full of worry. Even Fang Xiaonuan’s gentle and generous mother wore a worried expression. Fang Xiaonuan rolled her eyes. She had just finished her final exams for her sophomore year. Before she could arrange her holiday itinerary, she heard that someone had come to her house to ask for her hand in marriage. Her parents had even accepted the betrothal gifts. Fang Xiaonuan did not ask for details and just hurried home.

But now, it seemed that the situation was not quite what she had expected. No matter how she looked at it, her parents did not seem to be selling her for wealth.

“Dad, mom, those things...” Fang Xiaonuan raised her chin at the gift mountain at the door and asked, “Who sent them?”

Mr. Fang glanced at her, put down the teacup, and sighed. “The Ji family.”

Who?! Whose family?! Fang Xiaonuan was stunned. She sat on the sofa with a shocked expression, unable to move as if she had been struck by lightning. No wonder her parents were so worried. The Fang family certainly could not offend the Ji family. In Jing City, the Ji family was a behemoth that could shake the country’s economy with a single stomp.

“Today, a person who identified himself as the Ji family’s butler came to our house with gifts. He said that his master thinks that you are a perfect match for him and wants our families to join in marriage. He even made a lunch appointment for tomorrow. Your father and I wanted to refuse, but his demeanour was polite and uncompromising. He insisted on settling the matter. We didn’t even have the chance to refuse.” Mother Fang held Fang Xiaonuan’s hand, her well taken care of face was full of worry. “Xiaonuan, tell me, why are you acquainted with the Ji family? How could Old Master Ji...”

Never mind Old Master Ji, Fang Xiaonuan had been so busy recently that she had barely even met any men!

“Mother, I have no relationship with the Ji family, and I don’t know Old Master Ji.” Fang Xiaonuan cupped her chin as she thought. “As for what the Ji family wants, we can just ask them tomorrow.” In any case, with the Ji family’s influence, they had to attend the dinner, even if they did not want to.

Mr. Fang and Mrs. Fang looked at each other, their eyes filled with uncontrollable worry.

......

The next day, Fang Xiaonuan and her parents arrived at the restaurant as promised. However, Fang Xiaonuan’s originally fair and tender little face was now covered with red scars and blemishes. When she grinned, one could see that two of her front teeth were missing. Her hair was messy and looked like it had not been washed in 800 years. Mrs. Fang was shocked when she saw her, and Old Master Ji would no doubt have a worse reaction.

Mr. Fang coaxed Fang Xiaonuan forward and introduced her to Old Master Ji. “Old Master Ji, this is my daughter, Fang Xiaonuan.”

Old Master Ji’s hair was white, and his face was full of wrinkles. He looked at Fang Xiaonuan with a little doubt in his expression. “This... Are there any other girls in the Fang family who are of age?”

Mr. Fang coughed softly and shook his head. “No, Xiaonuan is the only daughter in our family.”

Old Master Ji frowned, put on his glasses, and compared the photo he had of Fang Xiaonuan with the girl before him. In the photo, Fang Xiaonuan had delicate features, and when she smiled, her eyes were bright and sweet. No matter how hard he looked, this slovenly girl before him did not resemble the girl in the photo.

Fang Xiaonuan could guess what Old Master Ji was thinking. She deliberately used her finger to pick her nose. She pretended to be inconsiderate and rude. “There’s no need to look so closely. The person in the photo is me. You’re too old to understand modern technology. Photo editing applications now have beauty filters that can people look beautiful.”

Old Master Ji hesitated for a moment. If he were to set this girl up with his second son, Ji Lingchen, his second son would sever their father-son relationship, right? 

Fang Xiaonuan saw Old Master Ji’s expression and instantly felt that this might work out. Although she did not know why the Ji family had taken a fancy to her, a wealthy and influential family could not possibly accept a rude and ugly woman as their daughter-in-law, right?

Mr. Fang took the opportunity to speak. “I’m sorry, Old Master Ji. We’ve spoiled our dear Xiaonuan. Our spoiling her was inevitable. I’ll get someone to return the gifts you sent over yesterday to the Ji residence later. The marriage you mentioned earlier is also...”

“It’s okay. I like this Xiaonuan girl.” Old Master Ji put down the photo. His gaze was sharp and penetrating.

Fang Xiaonuan’s heart clenched. She felt that Old Master Ji had seen right past her ridiculous disguise. She calmed down and was about to speak when Old Master Ji said, “I have something I want to say to Xiaonuan alone. Look...”

Mr. and Mrs. Fang hesitated. Fang Xiaonuan secretly tugged on Mrs. Fang’s arm. Only then did Mrs. Fang say, “Sure, I happen to feel a little restless. Hubby, let’s go for a walk.”

After Mr. Fang and Mrs. Fang left, Fang Xiaonuan pulled a chair out and sat down. Her behavior seemed rude and inconsiderate, but it was not annoying. One could disguise one’s appearance, but one could not disguise one’s eyes.

Old Master Ji stared into Fang Xiaonuan’s striking eyes for a while. “Little girl, do you not want to marry into the Ji family? Do you know...”

“Representatives of the Ji family don’t need you to say much. I believe that everyone in the capital is aware of the Ji family’s status.” Fang Xiaonuan’s back was stiff. “I don’t like to beat around the bush. Although I don’t know why you like me, I really don’t want to marry into the Ji family. If you want to use wealth and power to tempt me, I’ll make myself absolutely clear that I won’t marry. If you use your influence to threaten me...”

Old Master Ji raised his eyebrows and waited for her next words with interest.

Fang Xiaonuan smiled as she played with the cup on the table. “If I’m thinking of myself, no matter how much you use power to threaten me, it’s pointless. No one can force me to do things that I don’t want to do. If I’m forced to comply, I might even bite off a chunk of your family’s wealth. However, I have parents. I can’t let the wealth that they have worked so hard for in the majority of their lives disappear just because of a moment of impulse. I also don’t want them to lead a wandering life because of me at their age. So, if you decide to choose me, I can’t resist you. I can only agree to get married.”

“You’re a sensible little girl.” Old Master Ji stroked his beard. “I think July 16th is a good date. Let’s set the wedding date on this day.” He knew that Fang Xiaonuan did not want to marry into the Ji family. However, the master said that his second son, Ji Lingchen, was destined to marry Fang Xiaonuan. For his son’s sake, and because he was already so old, he could only shamelessly threaten the little girl.

Things were exactly as Fang Xiaonuan had expected. If she had succeeded in persuading Old Master Ji, the feared Ji family would not have lived up to its reputation. She accepted her fate and wiped her face. “Alright, I can get married, but I have a condition.”

Old Master Ji said, “Tell me.”

Fang Xiaonuan said, “According to the normal procedure of a blind date, apart from the parents, the husband and wife should also be present. However, your son did not show up, which means that he is not satisfied with this marriage. I have no control over the internal affairs of the Ji family, nor do I care about the strained relationship between a father and a son. I am just a little unlucky that I was forced into your fight. So... I need you to guarantee the safety of my parents and my family’s company, Old Master Ji.” She did not want to become collateral damage from the Ji family’s disagreements. 

This condition was not difficult to fulfill. Old Master Ji nodded. “Fine, you have my word.”

......

After Mr. Fang and Mrs. Fang came back, they heard that Fang Xiaonuan’s wedding date had been set. Their jaws dropped.

Fang Xiaonuan smiled at them. “Father, mother, now you don’t have to worry that I won’t be able to get married in the future.”

In the CEO’s office of the Ji Corporation, the man who was working behind the desk had a cold, handsome face. His gaze was sharp, and his eyebrows were subtly menacing. The bridge of his nose was high, and his thin lips were distinct. He was unapproachable.

When Old Master Ji pushed open the door and entered, the man only cast him a cold glance before continuing to work. Old Master Ji did not mind. He sat down on the sofa and announced, “Your wedding date is set for the 16th of July. Clear your schedule for that day in advance.”

Ji Lingchen paused in the middle of signing a document. He raised his head to look at his father, who was sitting on the sofa. Old Master Ji picked up the teacup and brought it to his lips. He gently blew on the tea’s surface. “I understand your persistence in not getting married for so many years, but think about your mother. She wouldn’t want to see you in heaven unmarried and alone.” He paused, then he continued, “The woman is from the Fang family. Her name is Fang Xiaonuan. She’s quite an interesting girl. She’s just twenty years old this year, a sophomore.”

“Only twenty? Give her to Ji Wen. She’s just his cup of tea.” Ji Lingchen sneered and spoke without thinking.

“B*stard!” Old Master Ji put down the teacup with a bang. “This is your future wife. How can you give her to your nephew!” If he had no business here, Old Master Ji would not have wanted to see Ji Lingchen. His second son was extremely rebellious. He was always defying him. Dealing with him was a headache.

Ji Lingchen said, “If you don’t give her to Ji Wen, then whoever decided she should join our family should marry her. Don’t worry, I don’t mind having a stepmother who’s younger than me.”

“Ji Lingchen!” Old Master Ji was so angry that he saw red. “This time, it’s not up to you. The betrothal gifts have been given, and the wedding date has been set. I’m warning you, you have to get married this time!”

Ji Lingchen’s gaze was sharp, and he said coldly, “Impossible!”

Old Master Ji’s chest heaved up and down. As he looked at Ji Lingchen, who was so resistant to the wedding, he threw out his final trump card. “You get married, and I’ll tell you everything about that person.”

Ji Lingchen did not say anything. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Old Master Ji. “You found out?”

Old Master Ji did not answer. He leaned on his cane and stood up to remind him again. “The wedding date is the 16th of July. Make the appropriate preparations.”

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the wedding.

It was said that Fang Xiaonuan’s wedding dress was designed by a famous designer that the Ji family had spent a lot of money to hire. A wedding dress that was worth tens of millions was clearly a gesture of respect to the Fang family. However, Fang Xiaonuan was not particularly happy to wear such an expensive wedding dress. She looked at herself in the mirror. She looked young and tender, with baby fat still in her cheeks. Her fair face was supple and soft. When she wore the wedding dress, she looked even more beautiful and charming.

Mrs. Fang entered the house and dismissed the makeup artist. Soon, only the mother and daughter were left in the house. Mrs. Fang helped to straighten up the hem of her dress. Looking at her slim and graceful daughter, she sighed. “Xiaonuan, you shouldn’t have agreed to this marriage. No matter how powerful the Ji family is, we don’t have to accept. We can just find another place to live.”

Fang Xiaonuan smiled and held onto Mrs. Fang’s arm. “I don’t want to. We didn’t do anything wrong. Why would we leave the capital? Moreover... Mother,?do you think I’m suffering? If the Ji family has proposed marriage, I dare to accept. If they want to bully me, the dissent in their family will be their own doing.” Fang Xiaonuan was known to be fierce and bold. No one dared to provoke her.

Even though she said that, Mrs. Fang was still worried. “Xiaonuan, what exactly did Old Master Ji say to you that day?” She understood her daughter well. If she had not been forced into a corner, she would never have given in.

......

Fang Xiaonuan looked at her mother’s worried face and pretended to smile mysteriously. “I won’t tell you.” If there was some pressure, she could bear it alone. There was no need for her mother to worry.

Meanwhile, in the study of the Ji family’s old residence, Old Master Ji took out a USB flash drive and a stack of documents. “Here is all the information you want.”

Ji Lingchen was about to reach out to take it, but Old Master Ji stopped him. “Come and get it from me after the wedding.”

Ji Lingchen’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he snorted coldly as he got up to leave.

At the wedding, the guests were all gathered, and the media and paparazzi were all excluded. The people who attended were all prominent figures in the capital city. Ji Lingchen was the most popular bachelor in the capital city. The news of his wedding had shattered the hearts of many socialites. The Fang family, which was not considered famous in the capital city, had become rich in an instant due to the marriage.

During the ceremony, Fang Xiaonuan held up her wedding dress and wore high heels that she was not accustomed to. She walked toward Mr. Fang slowly, taking it step by step. When she saw Mr. Fang’s slightly red eyes, Fang Xiaonuan forcefully suppressed the bitterness in her heart. As she walked closer, all the lights in the room fell on her and Mr. Fang.

Fang Xiaonuan held onto her father’s arm and made her way to the path paved with petals. Not too far away, a tall and slender man was silently waiting for her. 

This was Fang Xiaonuan’s first meeting with her soon-to-be husband, Ji Lingchen.

Fang Xiaonuan was not unfamiliar with the name Ji Lingchen. He was twenty-eight years old, had a successful career, and was handsome. He was the CEO of the Ji Corporation, the uncrowned king of the capital city. He controlled the capital city as well as several of the nation’s economic cornerstones. He was someone countless people feared, but now, he had become her groom.

As the distance between them grew smaller, Fang Xiaonuan could clearly make out Ji Lingchen’s features. He was indeed as handsome as everyone said, but... his thin lips were tightly pursed, and his deep eyes concealed an undetectable resistance.