The young man on the screen suddenly pulled down his sunglasses, revealing a pair of beautiful, clear eyes like glazed glass.
His eyes were filled with shock: "Master, is there someone else next to you?"
Ming Zheng raised an eyebrow, her peripheral vision catching sight of Chi Xian beside her.
The man's devastatingly handsome face was tinged with a faint hint of jealousy. His dark, jade-like eyes, filled with a touch of reproach, fixed on her.
He said nothing.
But it was clear what he was implying—
"Who is that scoundrel?"
Ming Zheng simply turned the camera directly towards Chi Xian.
The moment Ming Zheng shifted her hand.
The man, full of aggrieved expressions, changed his demeanor.
He adopted his usual noble, high-mountain-flower-like posture, one that was sacred and inviolable.
Ming Zheng: "..."
Childish.
She thought to herself, but the corners of her lips curved into a smile.
She said, "Oh, that's your Grandmaster."
The young man: "!!!" It was like a bolt from the blue!
He started crying and wailing.
It had only been two years since he last saw his Master.
How could he suddenly have a Grandmaster?
Wuwuwu, the "master-disciple love" he had long envisioned had ended before it even began.
Ming Zheng: "...Let's talk business."
These three simple words, uttered without much emotion,
Instantly silenced the wailing young man: "It's... my birthday is coming up soon. For my twentieth birthday, if Master isn't there, it will be the biggest regret of my life!"
Ming Zheng considered it.
The young man then hurriedly interjected: "I heard Master is in Xiadu, and coincidentally, my birthday banquet is being held in Xiadu. If Master finds it troublesome, I can come pick you up!"
If she were in Xiadu.
It wasn't entirely impossible.
"Go, go! Of course, I'll go!" Mo Qi Yu leaned in. "How many twentieth birthdays does one have! As elders, we absolutely must attend!"
Ming Zheng: "..."
The young man: "...Go away, you elder!"
-
The Golden Prestige Nine Levels.
Belonging to the Chi family's enterprise, it was the largest and most opulent hotel in Xiadu.
Today, the entire hotel had been booked by the richest man in Xiaguo.
To host a grand birthday banquet for his son.
All the dignitaries and magnates from around the globe, various high-ranking figures, arrived to offer their congratulations.
It was extremely lively.
And truly astonishing.
Ming's father, accompanied by his sons and... Ming Zhi Rou, appeared at the hotel entrance.
They looked up at the magnificent golden building, surrounded by decorations celebrating the merchant's eldest young master's birthday.
In their eyes, a burning fighting spirit and eagerness flickered.
Many dignitaries came and went,
And no one noticed their group.
Ming's father, with a somber expression, glanced at Ming Zhi Rou beside him.
She was wearing a flawless white mermaid-style evening gown, its hem adorned with fine diamonds that glittered with a radiant stream of light as she moved, like a true mermaid.
The strapless design revealed her delicate collarbones and... her ample bosom.
Her makeup was as sweet as always, yet carried a hint of alluring charm and seductive mystery.
Standing among the noble ladies and socialites,
She was indeed eye-catching.
A trace of satisfaction appeared in Ming's father's eyes, and he said in a low voice, "Remember what you said. If you fail, I will make you experience... even more painful consequences, understand?"
Ming Zhi Rou lowered her delicate eyelashes and replied obediently, "I understand, Father."
Compared to Ming Zhi Rou's meticulous attire, the other members of the Ming family appeared much more low-key.
It wasn't that they intentionally wanted to be discreet.
But rather...
They had no choice but to be low-key.
The Ming family's properties were all sealed.
They couldn't live in their villa,
And all their jewelry and clothes had also been confiscated and sealed.
The place they were staying now, and the clothes they were wearing.
Were from when they had brought Ming Zheng back. They had worried that Ming Zhi Rou would be unhappy because of Ming Zheng, so they had specially purchased a small villa outside for Ming Zheng to live in, so she wouldn't upset Ming Zhi Rou.
Since Ming Zheng's name was on the property deed,
It had not been seized or sealed.
Later, when Ming Zhi Rou decided to keep Ming Zheng, they had stored some unwanted items in the small villa.
Who would have thought...
This had inadvertently become their savior in their time of need.
It was truly ironic.
Ming Zhi Rou lifted the hem of her skirt, her gaze fixed determinedly on the grand and luxurious hotel entrance, her eyes filled with resolve: "Today, I will not fail."
This was her last chance.
She absolutely, absolutely... never wanted to return to that prison again.
Ming Zhi Rou took a deep breath, a confident smile gracing her lips.
She stepped forward, her silver high heels clicking, and walked towards her last hope.
The Ming family members watched Ming Zhi Rou from behind, a sense of unease lingering in their hearts.
Ming Huai Zhi tugged uncomfortably at the tie around his neck, it being his first time wearing such ill-fitting formal wear: "Father, do you really believe what she says? What if... she's lying to us, then our last chance will be gone too."
Ming's father stared menacingly at Ming Zhi Rou's retreating back, a bitter taste rising in his throat.
But he suppressed it, gritting his teeth, "We have no other choice. Whether she is telling the truth or not, we must take this gamble."
The Ming brothers exchanged glances.
But they could offer no solution.
When they learned that the richest man in Xiaguo was holding a birthday banquet for his eldest young master in Xiadu, their first reaction was the same as Ming's father: this was their chance.
Especially...
Ming Zhi Rou had said that she and the merchant's eldest young master were once classmates.
The merchant's eldest young master had also pursued her.
She had felt too young at the time and hadn't agreed or refused.
Later, the merchant's eldest young master had left the academy heartbroken.
If... Ming Zhi Rou was telling the truth.
Then, as long as Ming Zhi Rou could make the merchant's eldest young master fall in love with her again, and Ming Zhi Rou become the merchant's eldest young master's girlfriend.
Then the Ming family...
Could be saved!
Therefore, Ming's father decided to take a gamble.
He used his last savings to redeem Ming Zhi Rou.
Of course, the time limit was only until after the higher authorities completed their investigation and made a final decision, just like them.
Ming's father had also gone to great lengths, sacrificing his dignity, and even signing unequal treaties with Ming Zhi Rou once she became the merchant's eldest young master's girlfriend, just to obtain this birthday invitation.
Therefore, they once again placed all their hopes, once again, on Ming Zhi Rou.
If Ming Zheng knew.
She would only sneer.
Old habits die hard.
Despite repeated betrayals and disappointments,
They still insisted on believing Ming Zhi Rou.
This was even more idiotic and sycophantic than her previous life.
The Ming brothers, filled with apprehension, felt a persistent unease.
But looking at Ming's father's expression,
They still followed him into the hotel.