Chapter 647: Chapter 645: Luck with Ladies? Magnet for Heartthrobs?
The Crown Prince sneered, "Tolerance? Do I need your tolerance? I neither broke the law nor stole anything, nor did I ask you to use your influence to get me a position. What exactly are you tolerating in me?"
"Are you even in a position to speak of tolerance?! Is your Ming family in a position to say that?! If you have the guts, go say that to my mom! Go tell my grandpa!"
Hearing his son talk about his late wife and the Yue family, Mr. Ming suppressed his anger. His expression showed a bit of desolation as he closed his eyes momentarily before slowly saying:
"Ming Wan doesn’t owe you anything, and you’ve had your way for years now, haven’t you? Stop using the same old trick. Overused, it loses its effect, and it won’t hide your real intentions."
"A piece of advice for you: it’s time to stop. I’m retiring next year, and the phrase ’people’s hearts grow cold when the person leaves’ isn’t just an expression."
"Once I retire, I’m going to Jiangnan, to be with your mother."
At those words, the expression on the Crown Prince’s face finally softened. Both of them remained silent after that, and Mr. Ming didn’t say another word to drive him away. He just opened his files and read seriously, leaving the room in silence.
After a long pause, the Crown Prince finally spoke, "That woman... she must leave here."
Mr. Ming heard him but didn’t even lift his eyes. "Unrelated people don’t concern me."
The Crown Prince stared at him, trying to detect any change, but found none. He finally said, "Fine, then let Ming Wan get married."
It was only then that Mr. Ming stopped his work, looked up at him, and nodded, "Make sure to visit your grandpa more often when you have the time."
The Crown Prince responded with an "Hmm" and left.
Soon, Yan Hui and Ming Wan’s wedding was finalized.
When Wan Chu’er found out, she took it upon herself to handle the wedding attire for Ming Wan and Mao Xiaoyu, including a wedding dress, three sets of formal wear, and outfits for the honeymoon. Naturally, these clothes would be made by Time Studio.
Ming Wan and Yan Hui were prominent figures in Beijing. Just imagining the grand scene at the wedding, with high-ranking officials and social elites from Beijing and even across the country seeing the bride’s clothes, made it an excellent opportunity for Time Studio to showcase its work.
Yu Zimu keenly noticed the opportunity. After a meeting, everyone at Time Studio sat up straight, fully focused on the task.
In fact, Wan Chu’er purely wanted to contribute and had great trust in Yu Zimu and Jiang Lingling’s abilities, without intending for the event to promote Time Studio. But given the circumstances, along with the trust Yan Hui and Li Shan placed in her, she had no choice but to move forward and deliver her best.
After the discussion, Yu Zimu was tasked with designing the bridal gowns for the two brides, while Jiang Lingling was responsible for two sets of formal wear for each bride. The rest of the tasks were delegated to other designers at Time Studio.
When Dan heard that the Diamond King of Beijing, Yan Hui, was getting married, he was relentless in his inquiries. Upon discovering that Time Studio was responsible for all the wedding attire, he exclaimed about Wan Chu’er getting perks due to being close. He then went to Time and bargained with Mai Qiqi and Wan Chu’er, securing the design of two sets of formal wear.
After all related matters were arranged methodically, Mai Qiqi finally had a moment to relax and sought out Wan Chu’er for tea while cradling her pregnant belly.
Wan Chu’er, eyeing the cup of clear water before her, teased, "Shouldn’t you be resting during your pregnancy? What are you doing coming to have tea with me?"
Mai Qiqi let out an exaggerated sigh, "Oh, I’m just mourning all the youth wasted. Can’t I?"
Wan Chu’er: "Fine, you’re the pregnant one. I’ll leave it to you." She glanced around furtively and whispered with mischievous concern, "Are you feeling lonely because Brother Yan Hui is getting married?"
Ever since the news of Yan Hui’s wedding, this girl had seemed off, always carrying a mournful air.
Mai Qiqi rolled her eyes at her, "Even though you’re touching my sore spot, you still understand me."
"Be careful, or I’ll tell Chen Ke." Wan Chu’er laughed heartily, her eyes gleaming. "Last time, Chen Ke stirred trouble between me and Kechu, though I’ve yet to repay him. Maybe I should stir a bit of trouble myself?"
Mai Qiqi glared at her, "Wan Chu’er! Are you even my good friend? I’m going to break up with you!"
Wan Chu’er could keep Jiang Kechu under her thumb, but it was she who was firmly in Chen Ke’s clutches. If Chen Ke genuinely suspected her, she wouldn’t have a peaceful life.
Wan Chu’er laughed even more joyfully and, without any courtesy, said, "Look at you being all scared. As concerned as you are about Chen Ke, how can you even think about Yan Hui?"
Mai Qiqi rolled her eyes at her again, took a sip from her cup, and lazily replied:
"I’m not thinking about Yan Hui. I’m simply lamenting my youth and not being born in the right era. Why don’t any of my ideal type male gods consider me? Jiang Kechu is devoted to you, Yan Hui is also off marrying younger, greener pastures, and my luck in love seems so poor. Should I seek some enlightenment or good fortune with a sage? In the next life, I want an epic romance with my ideal man, to feel what it’s like being cherished like that."
Hearing her words, Wan Chu’er nearly burst out laughing, "Mai Qiqi, enlightenment? What are you, some kind of charm of good fortune?"
Seeing Wan Chu’er laughing uncontrollably, Mai Qiqi sighed in self-appreciation, "A summer insect cannot discuss ice; how could you understand my sorrow?"
Wan Chu’er was greatly amused and said, "Come on, stop being sour. Back in school, plenty of girls admired An Zihao, who was their ideal man. Wasn’t he also head over heels for you at the start? Okay, if you don’t want to talk about him, then let’s talk about Chen Ke. Chen Ke, with his tall physique and handsome rugged looks, is like walking hormones. Toss him onto the matchmaking scene, and he’ll be snapped up by women eager to marry. You should be content."
Hearing Wan Chu’er say this, Mai Qiqi turned her head in thought, and it was true. Regardless of the unreliable An Zihao before or Chen Ke now, they were quite all-rounded. This made Mai Qiqi happy again.
"This tea outing indeed is good for your health."
Wan Chu’er chuckled softly.
The next afternoon, Mai Qiqi noticed Chen Ke looking at her with a sullen and dangerous expression, making her feel inexplicably uneasy and fearful. She secretly thought: Could this guy not hold it back any longer? This is a critical period; the doctor said it’s strictly off-limits.
At bedtime, when Chen Ke hugged her and placed a hand on her left chest, he asked, "I heard you have two beloved idol men you can’t have?"
Mai Qiqi: "...Wan Chu’er is trying to stir us up. Don’t fall for her tricks!" That Wan Chu’er really did sell her out!
Chen Ke said, "I know she’s trying to stir things up, but I’m still very curious about your idol men. So, answer me honestly first."
Seeing his expression like a wolf, Mai Qiqi thought that if she answered truthfully, she’d surely be in trouble tonight. After a quick thought, she cleverly responded:
"Indeed, I have two idol men in my heart... but shouldn’t you first remove your wolf claw?"
"No, just tell me."
"Can you at least not touch around?"
"No, go ahead and speak."
Mai Qiqi gritted her teeth, held onto that restless claw, and with sincere emotion, said:
"The two idol men in my heart, one is you from the Northwest Military Region, and the other is you here in Beijing.
Back in the Northwest, after you heroically saved me, it was love at first sight for me. From then on, you became the idol in my heart, albeit one high and beyond reach."
She saw the pride and amorous look in Chen Ke’s eyes, so she continued softly, "The second one is the current you. Especially with your heroic display, it made my feelings grow even deeper, unyielding in this lifetime."
Chen Ke listened to her flattering nonsense without debunking it, and he found it all very pleasant. He immediately forgot about what Wan Chu’er said and lowered his head again.
"Son... be careful... the son..."
Chen Ke lifted his head and corrected, "Daughter!" before diving back down.
