Chapter Seventeen: Deliberate Trouble

The Zhao family had arranged the wedding banquet at a renowned international five-star hotel in River City. Only those of wealth or status could host an event here, and one had to possess considerable standing in River City. Thus, every guest invited arrived with lavish praise for the Zhao family, extolling the virtues of Zhao Jiacheng as a promising young man with a bright future ahead.

As guests gradually took their seats, several black business cars arrived punctually, almost like the grand finale. “Uncle, Aunt, Second Uncle, how could we trouble you to make the trip?” Zhang Man, who was stationed at the entrance to welcome guests, brightened upon seeing them and hurried forward with a warm greeting.

The men among the newcomers wore expensive suits, while the women were dressed in elegant gowns, each exuding an air of distinction. They were all relatives of Zhao Jiacheng, and each held some sway in business, government, or other spheres—a veritable pillar of the Zhao family.

“It’s Jiacheng’s wedding, of course we wouldn’t miss it. And we must see for ourselves if the bride’s family is fit to join the Zhao household,” said Zhao Guoli, Jiacheng’s eldest uncle, his tone steady and authoritative, clearly a man of political stature and the most respected among the relatives.

Guided by Zhang Man, the group of relatives walked down the red carpet to their seats, drawing the eyes of all present. Even the most seasoned businessmen found their presence impressive.

In contrast, the Jiang family’s side appeared rather humble. Few relatives attended; only some close neighbors came to lend support. Jiang Haishan, who had lived a diligent and upright life, remained unmoved by the opulent surroundings.

Apart from them, the other guests were from assorted trades. They arrived full of enthusiasm, but upon seeing the Zhao family’s grand display, their confidence faded. They quietly found a corner table, hoping not to attract attention.

“Where do we sit?” Jiang Haishan asked Zhang Man.

Zhang Man feigned surprise, her expression insincere. “Oh, I’m terribly sorry, we’re short on seats. Would you mind taking these seats down here?”

Whether by accident or design, after the Zhao family had taken the main seats, there were none left at the head table. Thus, Jiang Haishan and Qiu Shuixia were forced to sit at a secondary table, placed at the edge of the room, barely noticeable.

Jiang Haishan’s brows furrowed in anger. As parents of the bride and groom, their statuses should be equal. Why should they be relegated to a lesser seat, while distant relatives sat in the place of honor? It was unacceptable!

Just as he was about to protest, Qiu Shuixia tugged at his sleeve, soothing him. “Today is Zheng’er’s big day. Hold your temper, let it go.”

“A seat is a seat, does it matter where we sit?” Unable to argue further, Jiang Haishan huffed and let the matter drop.

After a brief arrangement, the focus of the entire hall—the newlyweds—finally appeared on stage. All eyes turned toward the end of the red carpet, full of blessings.

Jiang Zheng wore a wedding dress of red silk, her makeup light and elegant, her demeanor ethereal, like a young celestial maiden.

Even Zhao Jiacheng, standing beside her, was eclipsed by her radiance. As Jiang Zheng stepped out, she immediately sought her parents. Qiu Shuixia, tears of joy in her eyes, waved to her, while Jiang Haishan smiled, nodding with fatherly encouragement. The daughter he had cherished for so many years was finally to be wed.

Yet after locating her parents, Jiang Zheng searched the area near their table, scanning several times, but did not find the young man she was hoping for. Unwilling to give up, she glanced toward the other tables, but still could not find the one she wished to see.

He had not come.

A strange sense of disappointment welled up in Jiang Zheng, her eyes reddening as she fought back tears.

“Zheng’er, no need to be moved. This is the dignity our Zhao family deserves,” said Zhao Jiacheng, misunderstanding Jiang Zheng’s expression as being overwhelmed by the grand display his family had arranged. He laughed proudly, comforting her.

Jiang Zheng did not argue with him, merely nodded gently.

According to custom, after greeting both sets of elders, the newlyweds would go to each table to offer wine. The first few tables went smoothly, with compliments about Zhao Jiacheng’s youthful charm and Jiang Zheng’s ethereal beauty, declaring them a match made in heaven.

Then they approached a table filled with young people. A striking woman, nearly as beautiful as Jiang Zheng, stood up, holding a glass of red wine.

“Jiacheng, I can’t believe you’re getting married. It feels like our passionate romance was just yesterday,” she said, ignoring Jiang Zheng entirely and speaking to Zhao Jiacheng with self-indulgent nostalgia.

“Yes, Penny, I still remember it fondly,” Zhao Jiacheng replied, sizing Penny up.

The two had been lovers in university. Penny’s family was in real estate, wealthy and well-connected, a perfect match. They had broken up over differing views, but after a year or two apart, Penny had grown even more alluring.

Several old classmates at the table stared at Penny, unable to hide their admiration.

Penny relished the attention, but the more she looked, the more Jiang Zheng seemed to her an eyesore.

“You’re getting more handsome, but your fiancée really doesn’t measure up—she looks like a country bumpkin. You’re the one carrying this whole scene. If only we could rekindle what we had.”

Zhao Jiacheng laughed awkwardly, a fleeting hint of lasciviousness in his eyes.

Compared to the reserved Jiang Zheng, he and Penny had explored every passion during their university days. Penny knew far better how to please a man.

“Let’s have dinner sometime, catch up,” Zhao Jiacheng said, taking out his phone and handing over his contact information.

“Jiacheng,” Jiang Zheng sensed something was wrong and tugged at his sleeve.

“Don’t be anxious. I’m just chatting with an old classmate,” Zhao Jiacheng frowned, his reverie interrupted.

“We’re about to get married—why does it matter if I say a few words to someone else? Do you think I’d cheat?” he said.

“That’s not what I meant…” Jiang Zheng whispered, hurt, unwilling to speak further.

After admonishing Jiang Zheng, Zhao Jiacheng turned back to Penny, resuming their lively conversation. In comparison, Jiang Zheng seemed more like a prop than a bride.

“What’s happening over there?” Jiang Haishan noticed Jiang Zheng’s expression and immediately asked.

Zhang Man dismissed him with a wave. “Don’t you see Jiacheng is talking? Of course Jiang Zheng was corrected for interrupting. How rude—she’s like an uncultured wild girl.”

Her words were a slap in Jiang Haishan’s face, implying he had failed in his upbringing.

Zhang Man mused, nodding, “Well, it’s true—people are shaped by their families. Some things are innate, impossible to change.”

“Speak plainly, don’t be so snide!” Jiang Haishan could no longer hold back, slamming the table and demanding an answer.

“It’s simple. Your daughter is marrying into the Zhao family—she should be properly disciplined, learn to obey, do as she’s told. We’re marrying a daughter-in-law, not an ancestor. Just the other day, when buying wedding rings, she insisted on a more expensive one, picked a fifty-thousand-dollar diamond! I said a few words and she acted like a spoiled princess.”

“What do you mean by that?” Jiang Haishan shot to his feet, eyes blazing, confronting Zhang Man.

Qiu Shuixia tried to calm him, but could not restrain his stubborn temper.

Zhang Man, undaunted, snorted dismissively. “Your girl is lucky to marry into our family—otherwise, she’d never have such a grand occasion. She’d probably end up with a farmer, a couple of tables in the yard, and that’d be it. Look at our side—how many business owners are here? Look at yours—just a bunch of peasants, not a single respectable person. Isn’t that embarrassing?”

As Zhang Man spoke with relish, the doors, which had been closed to mark the arrival of all guests, were slowly pushed open.

A group of uniformed staff strode in, radiating an imposing presence.

Leading them was a young man of extraordinary bearing.

“Who is that?”

“Are you clueless? Don’t you recognize Xia Yuan from the Xia family?”

“The Xia family?!”

With that reminder, the entire hall was stirred.

Even the Zhao family, stunned, rose to their feet.