Hong Kong Nights of Passion

Chapter 83 No! You're not allowed to date him!
Duan Jiaxu stamped his feet in frustration: "What era are we living in? Don't you understand the concept of freedom of marriage? If you want to find marriage partners, look over there—my elder brother, and Young Master Chi, aren't they both outstanding individuals? Go find them!"

After saying that, he raised his glass to Wen Jinnian and gestured, "See you in the art studio tomorrow!"

After saying that, he grabbed his phone and dashed off to the back garden like a greased rag doll, leaving the two girls standing there dumbfounded, along with Wen Jinian, whose shoulders were shaking from trying not to laugh.

But as soon as she stopped laughing, the two young ladies turned their attention to her.

Lin Jiaojiao stared intently at Wen Jinnian's delicate face for a long while before speaking with a cold expression.

"What's your relationship with Young Master Duan? Does he call you 'Classmate Wen'?"

Chen Yaoyao also came closer, her eyes wary: "Are you two dating? Does he have a crush on you?"

Wen Jinian blinked her almond-shaped eyes: "We're not classmates, nor are we lovers."

Seeing that the two of them visibly relaxed, she abruptly changed the subject: "However, we work in the same art training studio, so we see each other every day."

"No! You're not allowed to date him!"

The two screamed almost simultaneously.

Lin Jiaojiao raised her chin and said arrogantly, "You heard it too, Yao Yao and I are the future daughters-in-law that Uncle Duan has chosen, and it's not up to outsiders to interfere!"

Wen Jinnian looked Lin Jiaojiao and Chen Yaoyao up and down, then suddenly asked, "You two are so wary of outsiders, but what if one of you really becomes the young mistress of the Duan family? What will happen to the other?"

"Uncle Duan said that only one of us can marry! But he will absolutely not cause any trouble!"

They both answered in unison.

Wen Jinnian raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are your thoughts on Miss Ruolin being chosen?"

"I'm sure I'll be chosen!"

Chen Yaoyao interrupted.

"What will happen to Miss Lin if you get selected?"

The two froze instantly at the question.

The next second, they started comparing themselves on the spot.

They would meticulously analyze everything from his height and measurements to his academic credentials, even down to how many slices of toast he ate that morning.

While they were arguing heatedly, Wen Jinian quietly slipped away.

Inside the banquet hall, people were raising their glasses and chatting, some busy offering congratulations, others quietly planning new business opportunities.

Wen Jinian spotted Wen Jin at a glance. Wen Jin was standing in front of another round table, surrounded by several wealthy women adorned with jewels.

"Aunt!" Wen Jinnian called softly.

Wen Jin turned around upon hearing the sound. Although her makeup was exquisite, the dark circles under her eyes could not hide her weariness.

Her heart tightened, and after nodding to the other ladies, Wen Jin pulled her to the back garden.

The two sat down on the stone bench, and Wen Jinnian held her cold hand: "Aunt, have you not been sleeping well lately?"

Wen Jin's expression changed slightly, but she forced a smile and said, "Silly girl, I just have some insomnia..."

"Don't lie to me!"

Wen Jinnian interrupted her, her voice trembling, "Last time I saw you crying, did your uncle bully you?"

Wen Jin's face turned deathly pale instantly, and she subconsciously looked towards the banquet hall: "Niannian, don't talk nonsense!"

"Aunt, come with me!"

Wen Jinian's eyes reddened, her voice urgent, "My comic sold its copyright, it's going to be adapted into an anime, and I have a job and shares, and my savings can buy a small house. We'll leave here, and we'll never have to..."

"Niannian, it's not that simple."

Wen Jin's eyes reddened, and she gently patted her hand, her eyes filled with exhaustion and helplessness.

"Aunt, I found out! Are you really going to spend your whole life as a substitute for his unrequited love?"

Wen Jin smiled bitterly upon hearing this, the moonlight falling on her profile. "I only understood in recent years... Your uncle was very good to me at first, but later..." She paused, her nails digging into her palms, "The year you went abroad, I was pregnant, but he hid in the study smoking all night. It wasn't until after my miscarriage that I realized that what he wanted was never me."

"So you knew the medicine was problematic, but you still drank it?"

Wen Jinnian suddenly stood up.

Wen Jin hurriedly grabbed her, "Otherwise what? Your uncle is ruthless. As long as that woman doesn't wake up... I'll have to continue being the wife of the Jiang family."

"Just because you look like her?"

Wen Jinnian's voice choked with sobs, "He's hiding him in a suburban villa, with people guarding him every day. How long are you going to endure this?"

Wen Jin lowered her eyes, gazing at the overlapping shadows under the moonlight, and after a long while, she whispered, "Niannian, some debts can never be repaid..."

"So, Aunt, you were forced to marry into this family because of your parents, right?"

Wen Jinnian's eyes were red with tears. "I will definitely find a way to repay the Jiang family for all the kindness they have shown me over the years!"

According to Chi Yige's investigation, how could an ordinary family like hers afford a burial plot in the Chinese cemetery in Tseung Kwan O when her parents passed away?

A single tombstone could cost hundreds of thousands of yuan, which was simply unaffordable for the Wen family at the time.

Just as Wen Jin was about to speak, a familiar call suddenly broke the silence.

"What are you two talking about here?" Jiang Xiao's voice came from behind.

Wen Jinian hurriedly turned around and saw Jiang Xiao standing by the path, looking at them suspiciously.

Wen Jin quickly wiped her eyes and forced a smile, saying, "Brother Xiao, it's just some women's gossip..."

"Alright, everyone's in the banquet hall up ahead, go have some fun. Niannian, stay here."

Wen Jin tightened her grip on Wen Jinnian's hand.

The latter gently patted her back with her other hand, "Aunt, I'm fine, you can go now."

Wen Jin was still uneasy and glanced warily at Jiang Xiao.

"I'm going to talk to Niannian about some work-related matters."

Wen Jin had no choice but to get up, glancing back frequently as she left.

After Wen Jin left, Jiang Xiao put her hands behind her back, straightened her back, turned around and faced away from Wen Jin Nian, looked at the sky and said softly, "Nian Nian, look, the moon is almost full again."

“I know. Jiang Shu mentioned the automotive electronic chip development project. It was because of you that Chijiang Group was willing to cooperate with Jiang Jiang. Thank you in advance, Uncle.”

Wen Jinnian gripped the hem of her skirt tightly with her fingertips. She lowered her eyes and bit her lower lip, her eyelashes trembling violently as she suppressed her emotions. When she looked up again, she had returned to her docile appearance.

"Uncle, what are your instructions?"

Jiang Xiao then turned around and strode forward, a calculating glint in her eyes: "Uncle's judgment is never wrong; Crown Prince Chi values ​​you highly."

Wen Jinian's blood froze instantly, her nails almost digging into her flesh.

He was cunning and shrewd, and wanted to squeeze some value out of her.

"I don't think those rumors are credible, saying things like he's not interested in women..."

Jiang Xiao looked her over meaningfully, "Why did he remember you, his classmate? Niannian, you've certainly caught his eye."

"Impossible!" Wen Jinnian retorted directly, her throat tightening. "What kind of family is the Chi family? And what am I? We've only met a few times..."

Wen Jinian was unwilling to be used as a bargaining chip, especially by Jiang Xiao.

"Niannian, what's the panic?"

Jiang Xiao smiled calculatingly. "Uncle has been in the business world for so many years, surely he knows a thing or two? Just listen to my arrangements, and I guarantee it will be a good thing."

He suddenly lowered his voice and gestured with his chin toward the banquet hall, "Coincidentally, Prince Chi is just ahead. Come with me and say hello."

(End of this chapter)