Convinced he had seen through Ji Mingzhu's future and imagined himself the victor, Ji Zhian finally settled down on the way home and stopped stirring up trouble.
The moment the door opened, Ji Yonglin and Madam Ji eagerly turned to look, afraid Ji Zhian would be the only one coming back.
But as soon as Ji Yonglin turned his head, he froze.
Of course they recognized Ji Zhian, their well-behaved, handsome son. But the young man beside him... tall and slender, poised and graceful, dressed like the elegant young heir of a wealthy family... was that Ji Mingzhu???
With his complete makeover, Ji Mingzhu was like a half-polished jewel whose dazzling beauty had just begun to emerge, shining brilliantly.
Cao Wanhua's mouth fell open in surprise. Once Ji Yonglin recovered, he hurriedly stood up. "You... how much of Zhian's money did you spend?!"
Transforming that unsightly son of his so completely must have cost a fortune!
A cold glint flashed in Ji Mingzhu's eyes, but he merely smiled without answering.
Ji Zhian obediently ran over to soothe him. "Dad, he didn't spend my money. Even Mingzhu didn't pay anything."
Madam Ji grew anxious at that and stood up too. "What do you mean? He took things without paying?"
Had Ji Mingzhu done something disgraceful outside and tarnished their company's image?
"Hahaha, don't get the wrong idea. How could Mingzhu be that kind of person?" Ji Zhian said with a laugh. "Shan Ziyu, the Shan Group's second young master, bought everything for him. We didn't spend a cent."
Unaware that this had been arranged by Gu Shang, Ji Yonglin's face alternated between livid and pale. "What? If word of this gets out, how is our Ji Family supposed to show its face!"
Ji Mingzhu couldn't be bothered to explain. He merely offered a lukewarm smile. "I wonder which is more embarrassing: someone else paying for me, or not having enough money to pay and getting the bill sent home."
Ji Yonglin choked on his words, then pointed at him in disbelief as he turned to Madam Ji. "Listen to him! He actually thinks we gave him too little?"
Ji Mingzhu paid no attention and walked straight past them upstairs.
Behind him, Ji Yonglin was beside himself with rage. He wished he could drag him back down and beat him to vent his anger, but he feared people would notice at the wedding and accuse them of mistreating the Gu Family's future mistress. He could only swallow his fury.
Ignoring the commotion they were making, Ji Mingzhu turned and left.
With the money I saved... why not practice by making my fiancé some nightclothes?
Early the next morning, the people Gu Shang had arranged to make the wedding attire arrived right on schedule.
Leading them was a burly man with a buzz cut whose arms looked thicker than Ji Mingzhu's legs. Nothing about him suggested he was a renowned designer in the industry.
At first, he looked somewhat reluctant, as though he resented lowering himself to work for a nobody like Ji Mingzhu. He came in with a pen held between his teeth.
Knowing in advance that someone would be coming, Ji Mingzhu had risen at six that morning, just as he had in the Great Ning Dynasty.
He first went through a set of exercises to work out and sweat out toxins. Once a light sheen of sweat covered him, he took a quick shower, enjoyed breakfast feeling refreshed, then timed everything so the tea was brewed before his visitors arrived.
This was the scene Chu He saw when he entered with a group of assistants behind him.
The young man, his hair still slightly damp, wore a plain white shirt and sat with elegant composure. His jade-like hand tilted a small teapot, sending clear tea flowing smoothly into a cup and releasing a delicate fragrance.
After getting up early to exercise every day for the past few days, Ji Mingzhu's complexion had become visibly clearer and more radiant. His lips, their healthy redness a sign of good circulation, looked as though they had been touched with expensive lip rouge. His whole appearance had grown even more striking.
On his way up, Chu He had encountered Ji Mingzhu's younger brother, Ji Zhian, who was supposedly well liked by everyone. He had already thought him rather handsome, delicate and appealing, with something of an innocent flower's pitiful air.
Then he saw the elder brother he had expected nothing from and was utterly stunned by his beauty.
No wonder Ji Zhian was adopted!!
Beside Ji Mingzhu, Ji Zhian's radiance instantly dimmed. That innocent little flower was forgotten entirely; all anyone could see was this dazzling pearl.
Ji Mingzhu set down the tea cloth and smiled faintly. "My apologies. I don't have any particularly good tea at the moment. I'm afraid my honored guests will have to make do."
Chu He had no interest in drinking tea. He rushed over impatiently. "Quick, quick, quick! Let's take your measurements first."
Before you continue