Chapter Sixteen: The Wedding Begins!

Chang Zhengjie was in a splendid mood today. Not only had Xia Xuan, the legitimate daughter of the renowned jewelry family, willingly climbed into his bed, but he was also about to obtain the peerless Ocean’s Heart. With this treasure in hand, he could use it as a gift to smooth connections, perhaps even climbing a few more rungs up the ladder of power.

Yet, the instant he saw Qin Mu, all traces of emotion fled his face, leaving only panic and terror, nerves stretched to their limit.

“Mr. Qin…” Chang Zhengjie forced a miserable smile.

This young man before him had left an indelible impression. At the orphanage, it had only taken a single call from Wu Mu, his subordinate, and everyone involved was summoned at once. Back then, Chang Zhengjie had wanted to befriend Qin Mu, but Wu Mu had blocked his way, and the sheer presence of Qin Mu had made it impossible for him to muster the courage even to say hello.

“I was just passing by. I don’t know a thing about this Ocean’s Heart!” Chang Zhengjie blurted out, desperate to explain before Qin Mu could say a word, terrified that he might be misunderstood in the slightest. This woman was going to be the death of him! Had he known the Ocean’s Heart was something Qin Mu desired, not even a hundredfold courage would have tempted him to covet it.

But Xia Xuan saw things differently.

“We’re here to get the Ocean’s Heart, aren’t we? You said before, if Xia Yuan won’t hand it over, you’ll freeze his assets and force him to give it up.” She spoke without a care, convinced that with Chang Zhengjie as her trump card, Xia Yuan had lost all hope of competing with her. Once she had the Ocean’s Heart, she’d use the resources department to sideline Xia Yuan, and then, even if Xia Qinghai objected, all assets would fall into her hands.

This pleasing thought brought a self-satisfied smile to her lips.

Qin Mu raised an eyebrow at her words. “Oh? So Secretary Chang had such plans? Should I withdraw to ensure my friend’s safety, then?”

Xia Xuan nodded sharply. “Exactly. Don’t think that just because you saved that old man, you’re entitled to the Ocean’s Heart. Be sensible and get out of the Xia family.”

But before she could finish, Chang Zhengjie’s face changed drastically. He suddenly turned and slapped Xia Xuan across the face.

“What the hell are you saying!”

Even Xia Yuan was stunned. Wasn’t Chang Zhengjie Xia Xuan’s boyfriend? Why would he suddenly resort to violence?

“Do you even know who you’ve provoked? Not just you, Xia Xuan—even the entire Xia family is nothing before him!”

Xia Xuan lay on the ground, covering her face in confusion. Everything had happened so fast she hadn’t even processed it.

Having scolded her, Chang Zhengjie hurried to explain. “Mr. Qin, please don’t misunderstand. I only just met this woman yesterday. I had no idea she would say such things!”

Many of the influential figures present recognized Chang Zhengjie, but none could fathom what kind of person could send a resources department executive into such panic.

Chang Zhengjie was on the verge of tears. He was absolutely certain that, if Qin Mu wished, the top officials of the banking commission would come running within minutes.

Snatching the Ocean’s Heart from Xia Xuan, he walked over to Xia Yuan with utmost care.

“Master Xia, my sincerest apologies—returning your property. From now on, the resources department will offer every convenience to the industries under your management. Please rest assured.”

Xia Yuan was still dazed, casting incredulous glances at Qin Mu. Clearly, he was the driving force behind all this.

He had always believed that his old classmate would amount to something in the future, but he never imagined Qin Mu would have such influence—even the resources department bowed before him.

Given Xia Yuan’s experience, and considering Qin Mu’s age and abilities, after ten years of military service and hardship, perhaps he was already a field officer.

Xia Yuan couldn’t help but feel admiration.

“Then, please have it wrapped up for me, and later deliver it to my sister. I’ll have ten billion transferred to your account shortly,” Qin Mu said nonchalantly.

“No, this is a personal token from me. I wouldn’t dream of accepting your money,” Xia Yuan refused.

“Very well. I’ll let you know the exact date. For now, how about a meal?”

Qin Mu hadn’t eaten breakfast, and Xia Yuan had come knocking early.

“Hahaha, of course! You’ve only just returned to Jiangcheng. Let me show you a good time!” With that, Xia Yuan handed off the remaining business and left with Qin Mu, leaving behind a stunned Xia Xuan and an anxious Secretary Chang.

As soon as the two departed, the other prominent guests quickly took their leave, spreading the news far and wide.

A single message thundered through Jiangcheng: “The Ocean’s Heart has been given away!”

Soon after, this announcement was pinned by the Xia family’s official channels, confirming the truth.

In an instant, countless news outlets and online platforms echoed the message like a flood—after all, this was the Ocean’s Heart, crafted over three years by the world-famous Xia family! With a minimum valuation of ten billion, it was the only one of its kind in the world.

Previously, countless collectors had predicted the Xia family would never sell such a golden emblem. Now, it had been handed over in Jiangcheng as a gift.

Did this not mean that someone of immense power now resided in Jiangcheng?

“Heavens! Who received the Ocean’s Heart?”

“Rumor has it he’s a very handsome young man and childhood friend of the Xia family’s heir!”

“All information from the scene is sealed. No one knows who it is!”

The city buzzed with speculation.

Jiang Zheng, preparing for her wedding at the Zhao household, was no exception. With her phone in hand and the five-thousand-yuan silver-plated ring on the table, she was in low spirits after a stern lecture from Zhang Man.

But the news soon caught her attention. When she saw the enchanting, dreamlike sapphire necklace, she was utterly captivated.

“It’s so beautiful…”

No wonder it was a Xia family creation. Just looking at the picture, Jiang Zheng was entranced by the Ocean’s Heart.

Zhao Jiacheng happened to walk in and scoffed sourly, “A diamond necklace worth ten billion, given away just like that? The Xia family must be out of their minds.”

He said this with feigned indifference, but in his heart, he understood all too well. Anyone who could prompt the Xia family to such generosity must either be fabulously wealthy or wield overwhelming power.

Besides, ten billion was dozens of times the Zhao family’s entire fortune. The gap was unbridgeable, no matter how hard he tried.

Jiang Zheng ignored Zhao Jiacheng and continued scrolling.

At last, a new article surfaced with a blurry photo from the scene. Only a vague silhouette could be made out, but it looked remarkably familiar to Jiang Zheng—tall, athletic, dressed in casual clothes, hands in his pockets.

Too familiar! She knew that figure all too well!

“Could it be...?” she wondered, only to shake her head. He had always been frugal, never interested in such glittering things, and had no reason to visit the jewelry district.

In the end, Jiang Zheng set her phone aside and went to the window for some air. Yet her mind remained preoccupied with a single person.

…

Qin Mu sat at home when Jiang Haishan called, asking him to attend the wedding and lend his presence—apparently, the groom’s family had plans to make things difficult for Jiang Zheng.

Given his character, Qin Mu would never refuse. But after discussing the matter, Jiang Haishan sighed over the phone, his tone full of regret.

He had always hoped Jiang Zheng and Qin Mu would end up together. Unfortunately, Jiang Zheng hadn’t seized the opportunity, and had missed him.

Jiang Haishan confided that she had grown increasingly despondent, lacking any enthusiasm for her upcoming wedding. Thick-skinned, he asked Qin Mu to help resolve her emotional knot. As an older brother, it was only right.

But after he hung up, Qin Mu hesitated.

“Should I wear my uniform to Jiang Zheng’s wedding?” he suddenly asked.

Wu Mu waved his hands, laughing as if picturing the scene. “General, if you attend in uniform, that Zhao boy won’t even be able to hold the wine at his own ceremony.”

The solemn presence of a general was reserved for meetings with the highest authorities, not such occasions. It would be simply too dazzling. How could a mere Zhao family bear such weight?

Qin Mu shrugged. “We’ll see.”

…

Three days later would be a day Jiang Zheng would remember for the rest of her life—her wedding day.

She was marrying into the Zhao family, who had risen swiftly in recent years, with the potential to become a genuine powerhouse.

Outside the luxury hotel, a sea of expensive cars gathered—countless wealthy families, eager to honor the Zhao family, attended the grand banquet. Many prominent figures arrived, invited to bless this golden couple.

Yet the sky was overcast, a gentle spring breeze blowing. Everything seemed to hint that this wedding would be anything but simple.