Volume One, Chapter 20: Cheng Qian Truly Is Tonight’s Leading Lady

“Such exquisite playing—truly deserving of a great talent.” By the poolside railing, several of Li Zhinan’s close friends from his circle sat comfortably in armchairs. Seated in order were Fang Zhuo, Luo Sheng, Ji Yichen, and the composed Chu Huaijing.

Fang Zhuo was utterly captivated by the music, frequently expressing admiration. Chu Huaijing’s sister, Chu Yun, tapped her fingers enthusiastically. “Wow, Sister Cheng Yan is amazing—so versatile. I heard she plays tennis just as well as a professional.”

“Of course, she’s always been a top student, so smart and quick to learn anything,” Fang Zhuo said, a devoted fan of Cheng Yan.

Ji Yichen silently watched Cheng Yan at the center of the pool, saying nothing. Seeing her reminded him of another woman.

Compared to Cheng Yan’s radiant, delicate beauty—like a wild rose with thorns—Cheng Qian was more like a wild camellia blossoming quietly on a spring mountain, humble yet enchanting the entire hillside with spring’s vitality.

Chu Yun clapped for a moment, then slyly glanced at Ji Yichen beside her. Seeing he hadn’t looked toward the pool’s center, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

The piano music ceased, and a few professional violinists immediately began to play.

Cheng Yan lightly pinched the hem of her skirt and stepped forward gracefully in a dazzling fishtail gown, a gentle smile on her lips.

“Please excuse my poor performance,” Cheng Yan said modestly.

“Cheng Yan, your piano skills are already on par with international masters, yet you remain so humble,” Fang Zhuo praised with a beaming smile.

“Oh, not at all. I haven’t practiced much. My parents pushed me to learn, so I only studied for a few years in a rough manner,” Cheng Yan said, smiling wryly.

“Just a few years and you’ve reached that level?” Chu Yun immediately felt inferior. “Sigh, I’ve been learning for over ten years and still can’t play as well as you.”

While they spoke, Fang Zhuo’s expression subtly shifted. “Why is she here?”

“Who?” Chu Yun turned her head. “I thought Mr. Li said she wasn’t coming tonight.”

Chu Huaijing said calmly, “Presumably, Mrs. Li invited her.”

Originally, Cheng Qian wasn’t going to come, but Jiang Meng personally came to escort her, saying she would bring her to tonight’s banquet.

Cheng Yan’s face instantly paled. If Cheng Qian showed up, would she no longer be Li Zhinan’s companion?

Ji Yichen set down his wine glass and stood. “I’ll go greet her.”

Chu Yun’s face flushed with anxiety. “Brother Ji, are you close with Mrs. Li?”

Ji Yichen nodded. “My father was once colleagues with her father.”

With that, Ji Yichen walked toward Cheng Qian.

Cheng Qian wore a champagne-colored evening gown, her long hair elegantly pinned up. Aside from a pair of diamond earrings, she wore nothing else—simple and dignified, exuding a natural, refined nobility.

Jiang Meng, holding her grandson, smiled warmly and exchanged greetings with others.

Seeing Cheng Yan not far away, Jiang Meng knew she had made the right decision.

She couldn’t prevent her son from associating with Miss Cheng due to work reasons.

But she had to stop them from getting too close publicly, to avoid misunderstandings.

Tonight was a perfect opportunity: bringing her eldest daughter-in-law out so everyone could meet her and put an end to Miss Cheng’s unrealistic hopes.

Cheng Qian had indeed been pressured by Jiang Meng to come; she felt somewhat helpless.

Li Zhinan was engaged in conversation with several important clients when his assistant Wang Rui suddenly said, “Mr. Li, Madam and the lady of the house have arrived with the child.”

The man holding a wine glass paused in surprise, turned, and saw his mother and the woman in the champagne gown beside her.

Li Zhinan nodded politely, “Excuse me for a moment.”

Jiang Meng immediately brought Cheng Qian before Li Zhinan. Before he could say anything, his mother thrust a chubby grandson into his arms.

“Mom… why did you all come suddenly?” Li Zhinan remembered his mother hadn’t mentioned coming.

Moreover, he had invited Cheng Qian, who had responded coolly.

What was going on now?

This woman had insisted she wouldn’t come, then dragged his mother along as a prop? Ultimately, she didn’t trust him to have another woman as his companion, did she?

Thinking this, Li Zhinan’s lips twitched. When had Cheng Qian become so hypocritical?

Cheng Qian’s amber eyes met the man’s deep black ones.

It seemed she had no good explanation.

“Zhinan, hold Xiao Ye, take Xiao Qian with you and greet your friends. It’s time for Xiao Qian to see the world outside. Staying cooped up at home all day would be dull,” Jiang Meng said with a smile, though her eyes commanded.

“All right.” Li Zhinan dared not defy his mother’s authority. Holding his son with one hand, he took Cheng Qian’s finger with the other. “Come, let me introduce you.”

Cheng Qian hadn’t expected him to take her hand so directly. She stiffened instinctively, attempting to pull away, but his grip was firm.

Not wishing to lose face in public, she allowed him to lead her.

Li Zhinan introduced Cheng Qian to his clients and friends, who were all amazed.

Unexpectedly, Li Zhinan’s wife was such a fresh and gentle beauty, a visage truly worthy of cherishing.

Cheng Qian didn’t often attend such business occasions, but she was not intimidated.

When approached, she was polite and courteous.

For many present, it was their first time seeing Cheng Qian in person.

Thus, her appearance became the focus of their gossip.

Cheng Yan’s hopes for the evening were dashed; her expression darkened.

Holding a glass of red wine, she reclined in a chair.

Chu Yun, like her little shadow, also held a drink and sat beside her.

On the other side, a few women openly discussed Cheng Qian’s looks.

“I thought she’d be ugly; otherwise, why wouldn’t they bring her out?”

“Turns out she’s quite beautiful. Maybe Mr. Li is hiding her—perhaps afraid someone might steal her away?”

“I heard her parents were big names in scientific research but died in an accident.”

“Do you think Mr. Li married her for her excellent genes?”

Chu Yun overheard their chatter and glanced at Cheng Yan’s expression.

Cheng Yan looked utterly dejected.

“Sister Cheng Yan, with her bland looks, how can she call herself beautiful? What a look she gives,” Chu Yun whispered mockingly.

Cheng Yan felt somewhat comforted. “Beauty is subjective; maybe Zhinan just likes someone as unassuming as a chrysanthemum.”

Chu Yun continued to tease, “Unassuming, huh? Nothing beats a dazzling rose. Sister Cheng Yan, if you stood next to her, she wouldn’t be worth a strand of your hair.”

Hearing this, Cheng Yan smiled. “Thank you for your support, little Yun. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder; let nature take its course.”

Chu Yun confidently said, “Sister Cheng Yan, I believe it. Mr. Li will fall in love with you sooner or later.”

Cheng Yan was startled. Did Chu Yun have a screw loose? Was that the kind of thing one said in public?

“Chu Yun, such words can cause trouble. Stop saying that,” Cheng Yan sternly warned.

Chu Yun covered her mouth in fright. “Sorry, Sister Cheng Yan, I was just standing up for you.”

Cheng Yan gratefully said, “Thank you. Having a friend like you is truly my fortune.”

Chu Yun beamed as if receiving the highest praise.

After Li Zhinan and Cheng Qian finished their greetings, Ji Yichen appeared beside Cheng Qian at the right moment.

“Xiao Qian, I didn’t expect you to come.” Ji Yichen’s handsome face was gentle and warm.

Cheng Qian smiled at him. “Brother Yichen, you’re here too.”

Li Zhinan’s brows furrowed slightly at their address but said nothing.

“I wanted to discuss the progress in the lab with you,” Cheng Qian said, genuinely wanting to move away from Li Zhinan. The gazes around them felt suffocating.

Only then did Li Zhinan release her hand, holding his son as he moved toward his friends.

Ji Yichen lowered his eyes to study Cheng Qian, noticing her subdued mood.

“I heard from Fang Zhuo and the others that Zhinan didn’t often bring you out before,” Ji Yichen inquired.

“Yes. Mainly because I don’t like these occasions,” Cheng Qian brushed back hair near her ear and replied softly.

Ji Yichen understood her feelings. As a researcher, she preferred quiet contemplation.

Such glamorous scenes seemed harmonious but were arenas of fame and fortune; a pure heart would feel out of place.

“This time, I’m responsible for purchasing the equipment. My father said you have an urgent experiment; I’ll expedite it,” Ji Yichen said quietly.

Cheng Qian glanced toward Jiang Meng, who was conversing not far off.

No matter how expensive the makeup, it could not mask her weariness.

Cheng Qian wanted to start the experiment—to use data to prove, from every angle, that the product Cheng Corporation was pushing for profit should never be mass-produced.

She sought to save not only Li Zhiwei but also to prevent a catastrophe.

“Thank you, Brother Yichen. I’m indeed a bit anxious,” Cheng Qian said softly.

Ji Yichen looked at the clear, delicate face before him, the subtle makeup only enhancing her allure.

When he came over earlier, he had heard many discussing Cheng Qian’s appearance.

But they didn’t know that beauty was Cheng Qian’s least remarkable trait.

Cheng Qian’s gaze followed Li Zhinan’s figure.

When she saw Cheng Yan approaching him, holding a toy car, her heart tightened.

“Brother Yichen, I’ll be right back,” Cheng Qian said and went directly to her son.

Cheng Yan was guiding her child to call her “mom,” clearly ambitious.

Before, she hadn’t been around to stop her.

Now, Cheng Qian would never allow Cheng Yan to get close to her son.

As Cheng Yan tried to place the toy car before Xiao Ye as if by magic, a gentle female voice sounded:

“Xiao Ye, come, Mommy will take you to eat something delicious.”

The little boy immediately jumped from his father’s lap into Cheng Qian’s arms.

Cheng Yan’s pretty face stiffened.

Cheng Qian held her son’s small hand and headed toward the food area.

Cheng Yan awkwardly set the toy car on the table, looking at Li Zhinan helplessly. “Cousin seems unwilling to let me get close to Xiao Ye anymore.”

Li Zhinan also noticed Cheng Qian’s strong possessiveness over their son.

“Don’t mind her,” he comforted her.