Ji Shiyou knew Zhe Cheng. If there was anyone in the Imperial Capital whom he had to consider, it was this man standing before him.
Zhe Cheng was twenty-seven years old, with a mysterious background. He had arrived in the Imperial Capital five years ago.
This man was neither a businessman nor a politician, yet he had extensive connections and a wide network of acquaintances.
In the Imperial Capital, and indeed across all sectors of government, military, and business in the entire Huaguo, he held significant influence.
There were even rumors that he maintained a close relationship with the Head of State of Huaguo.
Speculation about his origins and background varied. Some said he came from a major overseas conglomerate.
Others claimed he was the illegitimate son of the Head of State of Huaguo, and some even suggested he was the leader of a global terrorist organization.
However, Zhe Cheng had never publicly revealed his true identity, remaining enigmatic and even more mysterious.
Ji Shiyou had seen him a few times at banquets, so he recognized him, but they were not close, merely nodding acquaintances.
He had also once tasked the intelligence department of Jiuyou to investigate Zhe Cheng, but all efforts yielded no results.
This, however, only proved that Zhe Cheng was no ordinary person.
For someone whose origins even Jiuyou could not uncover indicated that he must have a vast power network behind him providing cover.
Ji Shiyou immediately gave orders to cease the investigation and to avoid provoking Zhe Cheng in the future.
This was to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings and to avoid making an enemy for Jiuyou. He never expected that Mingyue would be in love with him.
It made sense, though. Mingyue was so outstanding; the person she liked could not be an ordinary mortal.
However, Ji Shiyou would not give up. Even the mysterious Zhe Cheng would not make him let go.
He watched as Zhe Cheng spoke continuously to Mingyue, who listened quietly.
Then, Zhe Cheng took out a box and handed it to Mingyue.
"Giving gifts now, this guy really knows how to play!"
Seeing Mingyue smile as she accepted the box, Ji Shiyou felt a pang of jealousy and wanted to walk over directly.
He wanted to snatch the box from Mingyue's hand and throw it in Zhe Cheng's face.
But he dared not. He feared Mingyue would get angry and immediately dissolve their contract, leaving the Ji family.
Suppressing his anger, he calmed himself. When he looked up again, the two had already vanished.
Ji Shiyou grew anxious and quickly stood up, looking around.
Finally, he saw that they had left the coffee shop and were across the street.
Ji Shiyou immediately pulled down the brim of his hat and ran out, following them at a distance.
He saw that directly in front of Mingyue and Zhe Cheng was a hotel.
Ji Shiyou felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave on a freezing winter day; his heart turned cold.
"Are they going to get a room?"
He stood frozen, unsure whether to follow or turn and leave.
What could he do if he followed? Like Junhui suggested, catch them in the act?
He and Mingyue were only contractually married, partners. He had no right to interfere in Mingyue's private life.
If he didn't follow, he was unwilling. Although it had only been a few days, he had hopelessly fallen in love with Mingyue.
To stand by and watch the woman he loved walk into a hotel with another man to book a room, and not intervene, he truly couldn't bear it.
Just as he was agonizing in his internal struggle, the two in front turned a corner and entered a nearby mall.
"Phew! So they were going shopping, not to get a room."
Ji Shiyou let out a long sigh, his mood suddenly improving. He followed them in.
Originally, Zhe Cheng was going to leave after reporting the news to Mingyue and handing her the USB drive containing all the evidence.
But Mingyue had come to see him today without using the Ji family's driver to avoid drawing attention.
She had even more cautiously taken a taxi, not driving a Ji family car. So Zhe Cheng offered to drive her back.
Mingyue wanted to take the opportunity to buy some clothes while she was out. Zhe Cheng naturally wouldn't miss such a chance to curry favor.
He said that even though they weren't married, he hadn't given a wedding gift, so he would pay for all the expenses today.
He framed it as a belated wedding gift, and with Mingyue unable to refuse his earnestness, she agreed.
She actually just wanted to buy a few sets of pajamas and loungewear. Yesterday, she had looked at the clothes prepared for her by the Old Madam Ji in the wardrobe.
They were all world-class designer brands. Although expensive, she didn't like them.
Upon entering the mall, Mingyue quickly selected the clothes she wanted.
Zhe Cheng paid the bill. The total was less than five hundred yuan, which made Zhe Cheng feel a bit embarrassed.
With such a small amount, how could he show his sincerity? So he pulled Mingyue towards the mall's luxury floor.
On this floor, whether it was clothes, bags, or jewelry, they were all top-tier world brands.
Of course, the prices were also top-tier. A single piece of underwear cost more than an ordinary person's annual salary.
Zhe Cheng believed that shopping here was befitting Mingyue's status and could demonstrate his intentions.
In reality, Mingyue didn't care where she bought things. Her consumption focused only on comfort and personal preference.
But since they were already there, and Zhe Cheng was enthusiastic, she didn't object. It would be nice to browse around.
She happened to see a straw-woven bag in a store that she really liked.
She walked in. She was someone who liked natural things.
The bag, full of natural charm and rustic elegance, caught her eye.
"Excuse me, miss. This bag is not for sale. It's a display item from our company headquarters.
We have other works by this designer that are for sale. Please move to the merchandise area."
The sales assistant saw Mingyue reach out to pick up the showpiece and was so startled that her liver trembled. She hurried over to stop her.
The bag was a display item from headquarters in various stores, valued at thirty million yuan, and not for sale.
Since it was placed in their store, she had been extremely nervous. If it were damaged, she couldn't afford to compensate even if she sold herself.
Hearing the sales assistant say this, Mingyue lost interest and was about to leave the store.
"Oh, isn't this sister-in-law? It's clear you've never been to a high-class place like this.
You can't just touch things in the display area; they're not for sale.
As the esteemed wife of the Ji family's eldest young master, you lack such basic common sense. It's truly embarrassing for the Ji family."
A mocking voice rang out. Mingyue turned around and saw it was He Ling.
Beside her was Jing Jia, Ji Shiyou's former fiancée, whom she had met once at the wedding.
"Sister Lingling, it's not her fault. She's a country bumpkin who's never seen the world. What knowledge could she have?
She's only fit to buy those common brands that are beneath her. I don't know what Grandma Ji was thinking.
To fancy her, it's really not worth it for Brother Shiyou!
Look at the things she bought; even my servants wouldn't buy them," Jing Jia said with disdain and sarcasm, her eyes fixed on the shopping bags in Mingyue's hand.
That day, she had been dragged home by Jing Yide and confined to her room, forbidden to go out.
He Ling had come to find her that morning. Jing Yide, knowing that Ji Shiyou had been discharged from the hospital and had returned home,
and for reasons unknown, had let her daughter out and agreed to let her go shopping with He Ling.
She hadn't given up on Ji Shiyou and wanted to buy some gifts for the Old Madam Ji, and perhaps visit Ji Shiyou.
As a result, she ran into Mingyue. Jing Jia, consumed by jealousy that Mingyue could marry Ji Shiyou, couldn't help but lash out with mockery.
"Sister-in-law, you're right. I really don't come to places like this very often.
Yesterday, I looked at the ledger. You, on the other hand, come here often to spend. Last month alone, you spent three million on clothes.
Your monthly allowance was ten thousand yuan. Starting this month, your monthly allowance is gone.
It won't be reissued until you've paid back all the advances.
I calculated, and you won't have any money to receive until you're sixty years old."
Faced with their harsh words, Mingyue smiled, completely unfazed.
He Ling was right; she rarely shopped for clothes. Usually, various brands would bring samples to her home for her to choose from.
As for Jing Jia, to her, she was just a stray dog barking senselessly, and Mingyue couldn't be bothered to pay attention.
But since He Ling had provoked her, she had to retaliate. After all, her current identity was the mistress of the Ji family.
Striking at the most vulnerable point, her casual words made He Ling's expression change.
"You country bumpkin, acting like you're someone important! What right do you have to cut Sister Lingling's allowance?
Lingling, I'll stand up for you! Watch me beat this lowly woman to death."
Jing Jia saw He Ling being bullied by Mingyue and was on the verge of tears. She immediately stepped forward.
Flailing wildly, she lunged at Mingyue, her long fingernails aiming to scratch Mingyue's face.