Chapter 12: The Engagement Announcement

Such blatant provocation did not fool Jiang Mian. Yet if she truly lost her temper, Jiang Zhixuan would never let her leave the Earl’s estate unscathed today.

She was not afraid of Jiang Zhixuan, but she had to weigh Wen Yan’s influence at this moment.

After a long pause, Jiang Mian swallowed her anger.

Returning to the private room, Wen Yan was escorting Jiang Zhixuan toward the table.

The waiter had finished serving all the dishes and thoughtfully lowered the air conditioning before leaving.

Xu Zhu sat beside Jiang Mian; she wasn’t close to anyone here and didn’t feel like speaking to anyone now.

But often, when you don’t seek trouble, trouble finds you.

“Sis, you didn’t say a word to me when you came. Why not come back with me?” Xu Zhu raised her eyes, noticing most in the room were quietly observing even as they ate.

“No need. I drove myself.” Jiang Mian declined calmly, which caused Wen Yan to frown in displeasure.

“Jiang Mian, it’s been a while since you came back to the Jiang family.” Probably Jiang Zhixuan had told him something again; his gaze was thick with disappointment.

For a moment, she wondered if Wen Yan had any emotional intelligence at all.

“I have my own place. Whether I go back to the Jiang family shouldn’t concern Mr. Wen.” She put down her chopsticks and let her gaze lightly drift past Wen Yan.

It was the first time she addressed him that way; for a moment, Wen Yan felt an indescribable irritation.

He raised his hand but was pressed down by Jiang Zhixuan.

“Ah Yan, sister has her own career; it’s normal she doesn’t come home. Don’t be mad at her.”

She played the understanding role perfectly, and Wen Yan indeed fell for it.

Jiang Mian took a deep breath, her fingertip tracing the rim of her glass, a faint moisture clinging to her skin.

She lifted the glass and took a small sip, lowering her eyes.

Jiang Zhixuan clearly hoped she would never return.

“Next week is my engagement banquet with Xuanyuan. I hope you all will honor us with your presence.”

Wen Yan, comforted by her, was in better spirits and now announced his happy news.

Though his words were humble, his expression was lofty, as if attending his engagement was a favor bestowed upon those present.

Jiang Mian was momentarily stunned—was he in such a hurry?

Before she could form a thought, Jiang Zhixuan eagerly spoke to her.

“Sis, I know you’re busy, but you must come to my engagement banquet!”

She looked up to see Jiang Zhixuan smiling brightly, and when she met her gaze, Jiang Zhixuan tilted her head smugly.

---

Frowning slightly, her mind distracted.

“Of course.”

No matter how reluctant she was, she had to attend the engagement banquet of Jiang Zhixuan and Wen Yan.

“So, Mr. Wen and Miss Jiang are moving fast. I’d like to offer my congratulations here,” Zhou Jin said with a narrow-eyed smile, glancing briefly at Jiang Mian before looking at Wen Yan and Jiang Zhixuan.

“Thank you, Lawyer Zhou.”

Jiang Zhixuan raised her glass slightly toward Zhou Jin.

Her current lifestyle owed much to Zhou Jin’s help.

Even if Zhou Jin looked down on her deep down, there was no need to quarrel over such small matters.

All was polite pretense.

Jiang Mian chewed her food, suddenly finding it tasteless.

She suddenly felt coming here today was a mistake.

Fortunately, the conversation that followed did not involve them; it was just some chatting about post-graduation achievements.

When the meal finally ended, Jiang Mian felt a sense of relief.

“Anyone want more drinks? We can go to the fourth floor; I’ve booked a private room,” Zhou Jin said with charm, opening the door and gesturing invitingly.

“Room 403, everyone’s welcome.”

People left in small groups, but Jiang Mian leaned wearily against her chair.

She had no interest in drinking, especially with such a downer present.

Rising, she lowered her head slightly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

Xu Zhu, who had almost passed her by, paused and looked back.

“Miss Jiang, are you coming?”

Though sharing the same surname, their fates were so different now.

“I won’t. You all go ahead.”

Her fingers clenched slightly, pressing against her handbag until her knuckles whitened.

In the hallway, the only sound was the soft click of her heels.

Suddenly, Zhou Jin appeared around the corner, startling Jiang Mian into stepping back.

Tense, her shoulders instinctively shrugged before relaxing when she recognized him.

“Miss Jiang, here’s my business card.”

He handed her a white card.

Jiang Mian took it; it showed the location of Zhou Jin’s current studio, his position, and contact details.

---

Frowning, she handed the card back.

“Lawyer Zhou, I don’t think we have any business dealings.”

The man was unfazed, smiling as he pushed the card back toward her.

“Miss Jiang, perhaps you will need me someday.”

Frowning, she stared at Zhou Jin.

He had helped Jiang Zhouyi—how much did he know?

His words now seemed to imply he wanted to assist Jiang Mian against Jiang Zhouyi.

Her hand, holding the card, froze in midair.

“I don’t think I’ll have any cooperation with Lawyer Zhou.”

“Miss Jiang, anyone doing business will need a lawyer, don’t you think?”

The man smiled lazily, his gaze roaming over her, appraising from head to toe.

The look made Jiang Mian uncomfortable.

She scoffed softly and flipped the white card over twice in her hand.

This time she didn’t hand it back, lowering her arm.

“Lawyer Zhou, you’re very confident. There are many law firms in the capital. Why must I work with you?”

“Indeed, there are many firms, but as for those who understand the Jiang family, I’m the only one.”

As expected, he was blunt.

Jiang Mian sneered. “If that’s your mindset, I think I’ll pass.”

With such clear intentions, he was hardly a good person.

Still, she pocketed the card, her expression icy.

“Mr. Wen.”

Zhou Jin’s gaze suddenly shifted past her to the corridor behind.

His expression, so different from his earlier disdain toward Jiang Mian, showed newfound respect.

Turning, Jiang Mian saw Wen Jinhai standing in the corridor.

Dressed in a black shirt, his eyes were steady, lost in thought.

When Zhou Jin greeted him, he only nodded lightly, saying nothing.

For a moment, Jiang Mian felt inexplicably uneasy. How had she run into Wen Jinhai?

“Mr. Wen, you’re here at the Earl’s today too. Would you honor us with a drink?”

Compared to Wen Yan, a distant branch, Wen Jinhai—the legitimate heir—was far more captivating.