When Yang Ming returned to his room, he suddenly noticed four missed calls on his phone on the table. He checked and saw that three were from Lan Ling! One was from Chen Mengyan.
Huh? Didn't Lan Ling return to the Miao village to cultivate? Suddenly, three calls came in, surely urgent matters. Yang Ming decided to put Chen Mengyan's call aside and call Lan Ling first.
"Hello? Yang Ming?" Lan Ling's childish voice came from the other end.
"Lingling? Is that you? Are you okay?" Yang Ming hadn't seen this adorable little girl in a while, and his longing suddenly burst out.
"Yes! Yang Ming, I've finished my training and I'm back!"
"Back? That's great! Where are you now? But why didn't you tell me you were back? I should have picked you up!"
"How dare you say that... You didn't even answer my call today..." Lan Ling said pitifully.
"Sorry, sorry, I left my phone charging today and forgot to bring it with me... Where are you now?"
"I returned to the rental house this afternoon. Do you want to come see me?"
"I..." Yang Ming was about to agree, but then he hesitated when he remembered Chen Mengyan's missed call.
"Hehe, I was just kidding. The rental house hasn't been cleaned up yet, it's a mess. Besides, it's so late, it wouldn't be convenient for you to run out... Oh, by the way, not long after I got back, Mr. Liu Weishan came to our house and gave me an invitation. Tomorrow is his 50th birthday, and he asked us to attend."
"Tomorrow? Why tell us so late? How can you prepare gifts on such short notice?"
"That's what I asked, but Mr. Liu said he told us a day in advance because he was worried we wouldn't have to prepare any gifts. He said we both don't have any income yet, so there's no need to be so polite," Lan Ling explained.
"So that's how it is. I see... What time tomorrow?"
"Ten o'clock, at the White Swan Hotel."
"Okay, Zhang Bin and I will pick you up tomorrow and call you when we get there."
"Yeah! See you tomorrow."
"Get some rest early. See you tomorrow."
After Yang Ming and Lan Ling ended their conversation, he quickly called Chen Mengyan again. For some reason, no one answered the phone for a long time... Was she asleep? Or was she upset because he hadn't called back? Helpless, Yang Ming texted her a message explaining that he had a birthday party tomorrow and wouldn't be with her. Then he climbed into bed and fell asleep.
...
In Wang Zhitao's room at the Wang family mansion, an iPhone was buzzing. The caller ID read, "Classmate Yang Ming."
"Yang Ming called you back, aren't you going to answer?" Wang Zhitao and Chen Mengyan had just finished making love and were lying naked in bed, cuddling each other, when Yang Ming called.
"Don't worry about him... Husband, you told Yanyan to contact him every day. I already called him today... He's the one who didn't answer. Shameless..." Chen Mengyan completely ignored the vibration of her phone, cupping Wang Zhitao's charming face and kissing him lovingly.
"Heh... I just thought it was a little noisy."
"Then I'll add him to my blacklist... I'll let him out when I need to contact him next time." Chen Mengyan smiled playfully, snuggling into Wang Zhitao's arms and gently biting his earlobe.
"That's more like it..." Wang Zhitao stroked Chen Mengyan's smooth back with satisfaction, saying, "How's it going? Do you like the car?"
"Yes, Yanyan loves it! Thank you, husband!... But..."
"But what?"
"Even though you didn't say anything, husband... I still feel like I went a little too far with Uncle Biao. After all, Yanyan is yours... So I still feel sorry for you!" Chen Mengyan had now fully accepted that she was "Wang Zhitao's property." The guilt she felt because of Zhang Biao made her feel sorry for Wang Zhitao!
"Haha! So that's what you're talking about..." Wang Zhitao was overjoyed. It seemed Chen Mengyan had completely accepted him. The next step was to get her to accept the Wang family. So he said, "Menyan, don't worry about that. Uncle Biao is one of us. We, the Wang family, treat him like family. Even if something really happened between you and him, I wouldn't be angry." As he spoke, Wang Zhitao constantly instilled the concept of "our Wang family," subtly instilling in Chen Mengyan the idea that she, too, was part of the Wang family.
"But... Yanyan promised me that my lewdness belonged only to you... Are you disgusted with me?" Chen Mengyan felt as if Wang Zhitao was treating her haphazardly.
"Of course not! Mengyan, you're the most important woman to me! If what I said just now misunderstood you... I apologize." Wang Zhitao explained earnestly, "What I meant was that the entire Wang family is ours. They're all yours, your solid support, your safe haven, allowing you to unleash your true self!"
Seeing Wang Zhitao's genuine affection, Chen Mengyan was moved. She felt a sense of belonging, similar to the one she felt when she was with Yang Ming! Burying her head in Wang Zhitao's arms, she softly said, "Okay, husband, Yanyan understands... Yanyan asked because she cares about you... And what you asked Uncle Biao to tell me the other day... Yanyan was really touched... I love you, husband!"
"Well, the key is that you understand my heart... I won't hide anything from you!" Wang Zhitao said with a smile, "It's getting late now. I'll take you home later. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning when I don't have classes." But in her heart, she was thinking, "What did Uncle Biao say that day? I have to ask him right away!" "Well...husband, I don't want to go home tonight. Just let me sleep next to you, okay? We haven't been alone these past few days during military training," Chen Mengyan said coquettishly.
"Live at my house?...I'm fine with that. I've already told you, the entire Wang family is yours...but how do you explain that to your parents?"
"My dad's away these days...and as for my mom, I don't know why she loves you so much, she's eager for me to move in!"
"Haha, since Auntie is so supportive, you should definitely stay here more often!" Wang Zhitao, upon learning that his mother was secretly helping him, said happily, "Mengyan, just sleep here tonight! Without running back and forth, we'll have more time..." Wang Zhitao reached out to Chen Mengyan's secret hole, stirring up a new wave of desire.
"Wait a minute...husband...Yun'er contributed the most to this mission, shouldn't we reward her..."
"Oh...Mengyan is right. I've already upgraded her dad's ward to a VIP room and upgraded his medications to the latest..."
"That's not the kind of reward I'm talking about...it's been ages since Yanyan and Yun'er last served husband together..."
"Oh?" Wang Zhitao, surprised that Chen Mengyan was thinking of a threesome, smirked. "Mengyan, you're so thoughtful...but it's not my turn to reward her now. She's been staying in Dad's room these days!"
"Is that so...well, that's fine. Uncle's taking care of her." "She..." Chen Mengyan completely lost the momentum she had used to righteously scold Lin Zhiyun for "taking a thief as her father." She simply felt this arrangement was perfectly appropriate, so she put Lin Zhiyun's concerns aside and concentrated on squeezing Wang Zhitao's fingers between her legs. She said tenderly, "...Then, husband, you have to take good care of Yanyan tonight and tomorrow... Mm!... I can't stand it anymore... Yanyan wants a big cock... Come on... Ah..."
**************************************************
The next morning, Yang Ming and Zhang Bin hurried to Zhang Jiefang's jewelry company. After much deliberation, Yang Ming realized that Mr. Liu Weishan had been so kind to him that it would be unreasonable not to give him a gift for his birthday party. Furthermore, he wanted to connect Zhang Jiefang with Liu Weishan, so he asked Zhang Jiefang to select a piece of the finest jadeite from his bank safe, wrap it in a carefully designed gift box, and place it in the car. After they were ready, they set out to pick up Lan Ling.
"Boss, you haven't seen Lan Ling in a while, haven't you?" Zhang Bing said casually in the car.
"Well, she went back to Yunnan... for some family matters, and she's back now."
"So, you two are so close... Is it okay for me to go this way?"
"Why not? You know Lan Ling pretty well, so it's okay!"
"Uh... I know her pretty well." Zhang Bing, recalling Lan Ling's petite, fiery body, felt a little excited, but then a flashback to the graduation trip flashed through his mind, instantly extinguishing any thoughts of an affair.
After that, Zhang Bing chatted with Yang Ming, trying not to bring up Chen Mengyan and Lan Ling. Soon, they arrived at the Songjiang University of Technology's residential complex. Yang Ming called Lan Ling and told her to come down with the invitation. Zhang Bing, tactfully, moved to the back seat, seemingly avoiding something. After waiting for two minutes, Lan Ling's charming figure appeared downstairs. She trotted briskly toward the car, her twin ponytails swaying innocently with her steps. Her light blue slip dress barely reached her knees, revealing a pure and charming presence yet still delicate and graceful.
As Lan Ling boarded the car, Yang Ming realized the hidden secret of her blue dress. The back wasn't a single piece of fabric, but rather a series of playful, crisscrossing straps. Her fair, white back shone through the hollowed-out straps, exuding a playful, sexy aura!
"Yang Ming... I missed you so much!" Lan Ling jumped into the car and threw herself into Yang Ming's arms.
Yang Ming, breathing in the faint, girlish fragrance, hugged Lan Ling: "Lan Ling, I missed you too... Ahem, Zhang Bing is still back there..."
"Ah... Brother Bin, hello!" Lan Ling turned and greeted, winking playfully.
To Lan Ling's surprise, Zhang Bing averted his gaze, avoiding eye contact and simply replied coldly, "Oh, hello, hello."
Lan Ling frowned in confusion, but couldn't ask further questions at the moment. He settled back in his seat and chatted with Yang Ming about the recent events.
It was just past nine o'clock, and the entrance to the White Swan Hotel was already filled with luxury cars, most of them attending Liu Weishan's birthday banquet. These wealthy bosses knew full well that once jade passed through the hands of Mr. Liu, its value would increase several times over! But Mr. Liu had long since retired from commercial carving, so to get him to make a move, he would have to have deep connections.
Zhang Bin looked at the luxury cars and analyzed, "Judging from the situation, these gifts are definitely not ordinary... Luckily, we chose a piece of top-notch jade."
"There's no need for us to compete. The key is that this gift can connect you with Old Man Liu, which will make the jewelry store's business easier!" Yang Ming told Zhang Bing his thoughts.
"Huh? Brother, this jade is yours. Why do you feel like I'm taking advantage?! If my dad knew... he would definitely disapprove."
"We're brothers. Why are we still talking about this? Do you know how difficult it is to give a gift to Old Man Liu? It's a rare opportunity... If you really think I'm taking advantage, just give me more shares in the future, but today you have to listen to me."
"Oh! Brother! You're so good to me! I'll definitely marry you..." Zhang Bing was so moved that he was incoherent. He really felt like a piece of shit. He actually cheated on his sister-in-law behind such a good brother's back. He deserved the evil spirits!
"Pssst! Who asked you to pledge yourself to me... You should just stay with Zhao Sisi... Remember to take the jade!"
Yang Ming and the other two entered the hotel, holding jade gift boxes. A dazzling array of gifts were piled up at the boarding area. Zhang Bing's gift box was also stopped by the check-in staff. They said that to save Mr. Liu time, all gifts were registered and not allowed to be brought in for personal delivery.
"Why is he holding the gift?" Yang Ming asked, pointing at a chubby man who had just entered.
The staff member said, "Him? He's Mr. Yun from Yun's Jewelry. The gift he gave is worth at least tens of thousands of yuan, so naturally he had to present it to Mr. Liu personally!"
"My father is Zhang Jiefang from Zhang's Jade, and I'm his son! We're here on his behalf!" Zhang Bing suddenly spoke up.
Zhang Bin knew that Yun's Jewelry was a large local jewelry company that always outperformed Zhang Jiefang in terms of business. When Zhang Bin heard that this guy could go in directly, he naturally refused to back down. "Oh? Zhang's Jade?" Boss Yun had also heard Zhang Bin's words. He gave him a mocking look and said, "Oh, you're trying to curry favor with Mr. Liu too? But Mr. Liu has high standards. You'd better not embarrass yourself with ordinary gifts!"
"We'll see," Zhang Bing said, knowing the significance of the gift in his hand. He spoke with confidence.
The registrar had also heard of Zhang's Jade, and seeing Zhang Bin's assertiveness, they stopped trying to stop him and let Yang Ming and the other two enter the venue.
Lan Ling followed behind, quietly reminding Yang Ming, "Yang Ming, this Boss Yun doesn't give off a good vibe... You should be careful."
Lan Ling recalled how, in his previous life, it was Yun Guangdu who had taken Yang Ming's stolen jade and given it to Liu Weishan at his birthday banquet. If the truth hadn't been revealed, Lan Ling would have become the prime suspect in the jade theft! And his Yun Jewelry Company was constantly at odds with Yang Ming and Zhang Bin's jewelry company. Even more damning was that Yun Guangdu was actually a pawn planted in Songjiang by the Right Elder! In a previous life, he had cast a Gu on Yang Ming, nearly killing him. For this reason, Lan Ling had even assigned two disciples proficient in Gu techniques to serve as bodyguards to protect him.
"What's wrong?" Yang Ming's memory was sealed, and he couldn't recall any of this.
"It's hard to explain right away. It's probably just a sixth sense..."
"Okay, I'll keep an eye on it... Let's find a place to sit down."
The entire first floor of the White Swan Hotel had been reserved by Liu Weishan today. With still forty to fifty minutes until the birthday banquet officially began, there were still plenty of empty seats. The three of them found a random seat and sat down. Just then, a familiar voice rang out beside them.
"Lingling, when did you arrive?" A young woman in an office lady's uniform came over to greet him.
"Hello, Sister Xiao Qing. We just sat down," Lan Ling responded enthusiastically. It turned out to be Xiao Qing, one of Yang Ming's wives.
Yang Ming looked up at Xiao Qing, momentarily bewildered, but then instantly captivated by her mature charm. Her hair was tied into a bun with a simple hairpin, and her bright eyes gleamed with wisdom. Beneath her intellectual beauty lay firm and plump breasts, and her disproportionately rounded hips, tightly wrapped in her OL skirt into an alluring peach shape.
Xiao Qing knew Yang Ming's memory seal prevented him from recognizing her, so she deliberately asked, "Ling Ling, is this your boyfriend? Would you like to introduce him?"
"Yes, this is my boyfriend, Yang Ming... Yang Ming, and this is Mr. Liu's goddaughter, Xiao Qing... Sister Qing has always taken good care of me."
Yang Ming recovered from his fascination with the beauty and stood up, extending his hand. "Sister Xiao Qing, hello... Ling Ling is so grateful for your care."
"Hello, Yang Ming. I've often heard my godfather, Ling Ling, mention you. Seeing you today, you're truly a handsome man!" Xiao Qing offered an ambiguous handshake, leaving Yang Ming somewhat bewildered.
"Oh, by the way, he's my good friend Zhang Bin, representing Zhang's company." Yang Ming then remembered to introduce Zhang Bin.
"Well, hello, Sister Xiao Qing." Zhang Bin's heart was caught by the jade, not recognizing this as the "auntie" he had encountered in the library.
"Hello..." Xiao Qing hadn't noticed Zhang Bin at first, but now realized they'd run into each other by chance at the library. But since he didn't seem to recognize her, she naturally wouldn't bring up the past. She superficially discussed the birthday banquet schedule with Yang Ming and Zhang Bin, but in reality, she was speaking to Lan Ling via telepathy: "Lingling, why haven't I seen you all this time?"
"It can't be helped... My family told me to go back to the Miao village to practice," Lan Ling replied via telepathy.
"Back to the Miao village? So early?" Xiao Qing found it odd. In her previous life, Lan Ling should have been called back later.
"Yes! Yes, Sister Qing, what's wrong?"
"Oh... nothing much. So how was your practice this time?"
"Not bad. I just researched that Gu."
"Lingling, I have to get busy now. Enjoy yourselves later!" Xiao Qing said goodbye to the three of them and hurried off.
"Huh... After hearing Sister Xiao Qing describe the birthday party, I'm getting a little nervous." Zhang Bing touched the gift box and said, "I'm going to the restroom first."
"Yang Ming... I need to go too," Lan Ling said, rising.
"Okay, go ahead." Yang Ming nodded, gazing at Lan Ling's alluring back, his mind wandering to his own thoughts...
In the hotel's men's restroom, Zhang Bing was relieving himself when a petite figure suddenly pressed up from behind!
"Brother Bin! Ling Ling missed you so much!" Lan Ling had unexpectedly barged into the restroom unnoticed, looking for Zhang Bing to rekindle their past relationship!
"Ah! I'm so scared... Lan Ling, this is the men's restroom, aren't you afraid of being seen?!" Zhang Bin hurriedly pulled up his pants and pulled away from the embrace.
"Don't be afraid!" Lan Ling pouted, annoyed at Zhang Bing for pushing her away. "Brother Bin doesn't even want to talk to me, so why would I care if it's a men's or women's restroom?!" Lan Ling tried to hug Zhang Bing again.
Zhang Bing still pushed Lan Ling away, explaining, "Oh! Lan Ling, listen to me, we were just impulsive before!... Big Brother is so good to me, I can't let him down! And I have a girlfriend now..."
"What about Sister Mengyan? Are you being so close to her enough to be worthy of Yang Ming? Brother Bin... I don't care..." Lan Ling said stubbornly.
"I... I... Let's talk about it later!" The mention of Chen Mengyan made Zhang Bing think of a haunted woman, and he felt very upset. He said sternly, "Lan Ling, I'm very busy lately. Let's talk about it later!" Zhang Bing said, and walked out of the restroom without looking back.
"Alas... Brother Bin, what's wrong with you?" Lan Ling, feeling bored, left in a huff.
What Zhang Bin and Lan Ling didn't notice was that in a corner of the restroom cubicle, a withered hand was holding a cell phone, silently recording what had just happened...
The birthday banquet was just as Xiao Qing had described it, hosted by Xiao Qing and an emcee. After a round of opening remarks and pleasantries, the climax of the gift-giving session arrived. The wealthy competed with each other for their wealth, but everyone understood that the leader was none other than Yun Guangdu, the CEO of Yun Jewelry.
Sure enough, when it was Mr. Yun's turn to open his gift in front of everyone, the guests erupted in delight! Mr. Yun presented a jadeite piece. While its quality was average, it was still worth two or three hundred thousand. Mr. Yun enjoyed the admiring glances from the crowd and thought about how he could create opportunities to curry favor with Mr. Liu.
Just as President Yun was gloating, Xiao Qing approached the emcee, took the microphone, and said, "Excuse me, there's another guest who has a gift to present. Please welcome Yang Ming."
"Huh?" Yang Ming was stunned. Zhang Bin was supposed to present the gift, so why did Xiao Qing call his name? But everyone's eyes were already on him, so he had no choice but to go forward.
"Sister Xiao Qing...what's going on? Shouldn't Zhang Bin be the one to present the gift?" Yang Ming asked softly.
"Ling Ling told me that the jade is yours. I know you want Zhang Jewelry to take some credit, but you can't completely exclude yourself."
"Well...alright." Yang Ming cleared his throat and said, "This is a birthday gift from me on behalf of Zhang Jewelry to Mr. Liu Weishan."
The guests, who had just witnessed President Yun's gift, didn't seem to mind Yang Ming's gift and mostly chatted among themselves. But Xiao Qing, knowing it contained top-grade jade, called on the emcee to help them open the gift box. The moment the gift box was opened, the noisy crowd immediately quieted down! Their mouths dropped open in astonishment! It was a pure, clear jadeite, twice the size of Mr. Yun's! Anyone in the know knew it was worth at least two million!
Even Liu Weishan, who had been smiling all the time, now grew serious: "This... Yang Ming, this gift is truly priceless!"
"Mr. Liu, today is your happy day. Forget about that, this is a token of our appreciation." Yang Ming said, then walked back to his seat.