“Did you see? Xiao Er Shao’s* girlfriend is so artificial and fake, trying to be innocent or whatever. She doesn’t stand out in the slightest. I don’t know what’s so special about her, nor do I know what coquettish tricks she used to make Er Shao look at her with admiration. I heard that the second young master chased her for half a year before he caught her! Tsk tsk.”

(it means “second young master of the Xiao family”, which is too lengthy, so I kept it as it is.)

“By the way, her name is Yun Shu, right? I heard that she is a college student. I think she looks quite ordinary, and her personality is nothing special. What?kind of sorcery did the young master fall for?”

“What kind of sorcery did he fall for? It’s just for the sake of freshness. I bet that in a few months, the second young master will break up with Yun Shu! Do you believe it or not?”

“Believe, why won’t I believe it? Yun Shu’s looks may be fresh at first, but any man would be bored looking at the same face for a long time, let alone a man like Er Shao.”

“But I still envy Yun Shu, after all, Er Shao is not like Yan Da*. Yan Da likes to play, he changes the women around him the way he changes clothes, but I don’t usually see Er shao getting close to any woman.”

(* similarly, it means “first young master of the Yan family”)

“Come on, Er Shao and Yun Shu will definitely not last long, will Er Shao still marry her? When Er Shao gets bored, let’s see if she dares to pretend to be arrogant, thinking that wearing a white dress really transforms her into the princess of white flowers.”

A few women gathered together, gleefully discussing when Yun Shu would be dumped by Er Shao, and how to watch the drama and gloat at her at that time.

Yun Shu walked behind a few people, and the sound of high heels stepping on the wooden floor was clear and loud, which shocked the gossiping bunch and caused them to scurry away, forming groups of twos and threes.

Today was the 26th birthday of Xiao Zheng, the second young master of the Xiao family. Since the car accident nine years ago, this was the first time the Xiao family had been so lively. It was thanks to Mrs. Xiao, who wanted to give Xiao Zheng a lively birthday but also to show the various families in Y City that the Xiao family was still standing. Therefore, since the Xiao family entertained the guests, as Xiao Zheng’s girlfriend, Yun Shu naturally received an invitation.

Yun Shu returned to the hall and saw Mrs. Xiao with a kind smile sitting beside a beautiful woman. Most of the noble ladies who came to congratulate them gathered here, chatting and laughing.

She carried a slice of the cake and went outside the avenue by herself. When she was halfway through finishing her plate, someone suddenly sat down beside her. She looked up, and it was the beautiful woman who sat previously next to the old lady. Yun Shu put down the spoon and her movements became cautious: “Sister-in-law.. ”

Jiang Nian smiled at her, “It’s so stuffy inside, I went out to get some air.”

Yun Shu was shy and began to fidget nervously. Seeing Jiang Nian eating the cake with a happy face, she held her cheeks which began to tint bright red. Jiang Nian’s face was beautiful, her eyes were shining, and when the breeze blew, the strands of hair that fell on her cheeks swayed gently. With the periodical ups and downs of the wind, she looked lazy and comfortable, but even more mesmerizing.

No wonder there were countless rumors that the widow of the Xiao family was beautiful and charming, and her eyes so seductive. Xiao Yi was unlucky, he married such a beautiful wife but was short-lived and didn’t get to enjoy the blessing.

A car accident a year ago directly killed Xiao Yi, Xiao Yunshan, and Chen Mei. At that time, Jiang Nian had only been married to the Xiao family for a year. The bride became a widow after such a short time.

Later, when it was known that the Xiao family was in turmoil, the side branch and the shareholders of the Xiao family jointly forced the palace to snatch the ownership of the Xiao family property, bullying the Xiao family, leaving only a useless old lady and an underage boy. Jiang Nian at that time stood up and took old Mrs. Xiao and Xiao Zheng to turn the tide, barely occupying a place, but likewise, they were embarrassed on all sides until Xiao Zheng finally grew up, graduated from his studies, and together with Jiang Nian, completely drove away the uncle who was from the side branch of the Xiao family, and then suppressed several shareholders who were trying to take control of the Xiao business. After the overall situation was somewhat stabilized, Jiang Nian stepped back, breaking the rumors that she was trying to occupy the Xiao family and overturn Xiao Zheng.

This was also the first time for Yun Shu to come to Xiao’s house. It was the first time for her to see Jiang Nian. She found out that she looked as amazing as in the rumors, and that at the age of thirty-five, she looked much younger than her age, and had an elegant temperament, very charming. Even her character was good.

Jiang Nian ate a few bites of the cake, looked sideways and found that Yun Shu was still sitting quietly, too restrained to move, so she couldn’t help laughing: “You’re Ah Zheng’s girlfriend, maybe we’ll be sisters in the future, don’t be nervous, I don’t eat people.”

Yun Shu looked up at her, smiled, and said, “I’m not afraid, I respect you.”

Jiang Nian thought about it, yes, she was so powerful, she should indeed be respected!?When she first arrived, it was because her face was so beautiful that not only did the people in the company disapprove of her, but other big shots also wanted to hook up with her when she went out to talk business. She was told secretly that although she was a widow, how old is she now? Now, chastity arches are not popular anymore, so what’s the matter with secretly eating grass* outside? Who can ask you to remain a widow for life?

(* it means “having an affair”)

Jiang Nian was still very dignified. She was only thinking about how to protect the huge legacy left by her husband. Gossip, workplace difficulties, and the temptation of a few beautiful men couldn’t defeat her at all!

Facts proved that she was very powerful. It was absolutely right to stick to her original intention. After several years of hard work, the company finally stabilized. Xiao Zheng has also grown up, and will no longer hide, crying secretly. Now is finally the time to enjoy happiness!

She smiled and looked in a good mood: “How long have you been talking to?Ah Zheng?”

Yun Shu paused, then replied, “Three months.”

Jiang Nian: “That’s good, you’ve only known each other for three-month-old and he’s willing to take you home with him and introduce you, it seems that he likes you very much.”

Yun Shu lowered her head and smiled, but did not answer, instead she clasped her hands nervously.

Jiang Nian shook her head. Young people today are really thin-skinned, and it’s embarrassing for them to even say a few words. Of course, she said this not because she’s thick-skinned. She has experienced pretty much everything the world has to offer and is used to seeing big scenes.

Xiao Zheng didn’t see Jiang Nian in the living room. He asked his aunt and learned that Jiang Nian was sitting outside with Yun Shu and eating dessert.

He frowned and called Yun Shu.

Yun Shu was startled when she saw Xiao Zheng’s call, Jiang Nian glanced at the phone, of course she saw who was calling, and smiled clearly.

Yun Shu picked up the phone, and after a while, she hung up, got up, and said, “Sister-in-law, I’ll go over first.”

Jiang Nian hummed and waved her hand, “Well, go ahead.”

Yun?Shu got up and looked a little flustered, and walked away quickly.

After just two minutes, a man in black came over. He had a handsome face, his sword eyebrows nearly reached his temples, his facial features were deep, his jaw was tight, and his slightly squinted dark eyes made him look a little more dangerous, but he held a delicate and beautiful little cake in his hand, which softened his appearance somewhat.

Jiang Nian looked up, it was Xiao Zheng. She smiled warmly, “Yun Shu just left, you seem to have missed her.”

Xiao Zheng: “She was in a hurry and has already left.”

Jiang Nian nodded,?oh well.

Xiao Zheng put the cake in front of Jiang Nian, he sat aside and watched her eat the cake in small bites.

Jiang Nian: “You’re the birthday boy today, go and play, don’t just watch me eat cake.”

Xiao Zheng lowered his eyes, with a look of nostalgia and grievance, and said in a low voice, “But I prefer it to be like before. You made a bowl of longevity noodles every year, and we celebrated with grandma, just the three of us. Those people outside, when our family was down, no one came.”

Jiang Nian felt that this kid was not raised in vain, he remembers the hand that feeds him, so he can honor her in the future, “I’ll make you a bowl of longevity noodles later.”

Xiao Zheng bent his lips upwards instantly, and said with anticipation, “Is it alright at night, there are too many idlers during the day, I don’t want us to be disturbed.”

Jiang Nian naturally agreed, anyway, it’s just a bowl of noodles, and it doesn’t take much effort.

Xiao Zheng’s complexion finally improved after a gloomy day.

..

After the luncheon, the guests of the Xiao family finally returned. The old lady was tired. Jiang Nian accompanied her back to the room to rest. She also discussed with her about Yun Shu, who was brought home by Xiao Zheng. The old lady was not very optimistic, saying that Yun Shu was still a college student. Not to mention anything else, she observed for a day and found out that Yun Shu was timid and shrinking, and she might not be able to take on the position of the wife of the patriarch of the Xiao family.

“I’m optimistic about the little girl from the Chen family, but Ah Zheng doesn’t accept to meet with her, and prefers to choose by himself. Niannian, please help and persuade him, Yun Shu is not suitable for him.”

“Actually, Yun Shu is still young, as long as she studies and learns well, she will become Ah Zheng’s virtuous helper.”

Thinking about it carefully, Jiang Nian can understand the old lady’s worries, she is afraid that if there is another accident, judging from the current situation of Yun Shu, she can’t support the Xiao family at all.

The old lady thought about it, and was even more unhappy: “Yun Shu is twenty-two this year, right? You were married to Ah Yi at that age back then, and then Ah Yi had an accident.. If Yun Shu had your ability, I would not say anything, and I definitely wouldn’t stop them. But you saw her too, she just quietly hides behind the crowd, if she doesn’t speak, who will notice her?”

Jiang Nian thought to herself: ” If you want her to be like me, it would be difficult, after all, my intelligence is unique in heaven and earth.”

The?old lady smiled, poked Jiang Nian’s forehead, and fell asleep worriedly.

Xiao Zheng went to see off the guests, then disappeared for an afternoon, and didn’t come back until after ten o’clock in the evening. At that time, the old lady had already fallen asleep, and Jiang Nian was also going to take a beauty sleep. Xiao Zheng called: “Sister-in-law, you promised to make longevity noodles for me.”

“What time is it, haven’t you eaten yet?”

“No, I just came back from the company.”

“..”

Xiao Zheng expressed that he was quite aggrieved.

Jiang Nian changed her clothes and went downstairs. Sure enough, she saw Xiao Zheng lying on the dining table in the living room. She had no choice but to go to the kitchen first. Fortunately, her aunt had prepared noodles and big bone soup earlier, otherwise she would have to boil it casually.

Xiao Zheng leaned on the eaves of the kitchen, watching Jiang Nian walking around wearing an apron. He made another request very seriously: “I want to eat two more fried eggs.”

Jiang Nian gave him a deadpanned look, resigned to her fate. After eating two poached eggs, Jian Nian said, “Grandma told me today that Yun Shu’s ability is somewhat lacking, you have to teach her more.”

Xiao Zheng’s smiling face sank, he did not voice agreement, but instead turned toward her and said: “What about you, do you want to stay at our house all the time?”

So who’s the ML? Although it’s plenty obvious at this point haha