This tone displeased Chen Jinzhao.
He couldn't understand how his uncle, a man of reason, could have such a daughter. It was truly baffling.
"Fine."
"I'll inform Uncle first, to avoid him misunderstanding," Chen Jinzhao said.
Wu Lingyun sneered, "Are you tipping off my father? That's a petty move. Are you sure you want to do that?"
Chen Jinzhao put down his phone and looked at Wu Lingyun again.
He was now quite certain that this cousin of his simply disliked him. Chen Jinzhao didn't understand what he had done to provoke Wu Lingyun. He averted his gaze, intending to make the call to clarify things and prevent any misunderstandings.
As for what Wu Lingyun thought, it was none of his concern.
"Hey!"
"Cousin, don't rush to call. This might be a misunderstanding."
The one who addressed Chen Jinzhao as cousin was not Wu Lingyun, but the young man accompanying her. The youth smiled apologetically, "Cousin, Lingyun has always been this way. She's been spoiled since childhood. Please don't take it to heart."
Chen Jinzhao looked at the young man in surprise.
This same young man had just shown him hostility. How had he changed his tune so suddenly?
The youth introduced himself, "Cousin, I'm Lingyun's friend, Jiang Donghui. I've grown up with Lingyun since we were children."
"The Jiang family of the capital?" Chen Jinzhao asked.
Jiang Donghui nodded repeatedly, seeming to be trying to curry favor with Chen Jinzhao. "Yes, that's right, the Jiang family of the capital. However, my standing within the Jiang family isn't high, not like those elder cousins of mine."
The Jiang family was one of the middle-tier families among the nine great families of the capital. For a scion of the Jiang family to speak so courteously indicated that Jiang Donghui was a decent person.
At least, he wasn't the type of arrogant, spoiled brat.
Chen Jinzhao glanced at Jiang Donghui, then at Wu Lingyun, and immediately understood.
Jiang Donghui was likely pursuing Wu Lingyun.
Under Chen Jinzhao's gaze, Jiang Donghui spoke kindly to Wu Lingyun again, "Lingyun, quickly apologize to cousin. Let this matter pass. You know our cousin has a certain status, he deserves some respect."
Clearly.
Jiang Donghui also knew Chen Jinzhao's identity.
Wu Lingyun took a deep breath and, ultimately, adopted Jiang Donghui's suggestion, softly apologizing to Chen Jinzhao.
Chen Jinzhao waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind.
"I'll take you to Uncle's place to rest first, and then we'll attend a banquet tonight." This banquet was being held by some local individuals for Wu Lingyun, recognizing her status.
Wu Lingyun nodded without comment.
Jiang Donghui, seeing this, said to Chen Jinzhao again, "Lingyun has always been like this, please don't mind."
Chen Jinzhao, of course, couldn't be bothered to argue.
After dropping them off at Li Qiutao's residence in Ninghai, Chen Jinzhao didn't even get out of the car, opting to rest inside.
He preferred to avoid interacting with Wu Lingyun if possible.
Jiang Donghui watched Wu Lingyun walk into the villa without looking back, then looked troubled at Chen Jinzhao, who remained in the car. He eventually followed and tried to persuade Wu Lingyun to kindly invite Chen Jinzhao inside. Wu Lingyun replied coldly, "If you want to invite him, you do it. I won't do such a thing. He's a grown man, what hardship could he possibly be facing?"
"Sigh..."
Jiang Donghui was speechless.
But he didn't go back to persuade Chen Jinzhao to come in. He knew Chen Jinzhao's personality was always resolute.
It wasn't until dusk that the two emerged from the villa.
Wu Lingyun saw Chen Jinzhao still resting in the car and frowned, about to call for someone else to pick her up for the banquet. However, Jiang Donghui beat her to it, walking to the car and knocking on the window. He politely asked Chen Jinzhao, "Brother Chen, could you please give Lingyun and me a ride to the hotel? Would that be convenient for you?"
Chen Jinzhao glanced at Jiang Donghui and nodded, "Get in."
Wu Lingyun was somewhat reluctant, but under Jiang Donghui's persistent persuasion, she got into the car. Chen Jinzhao diligently drove them to the hotel where the banquet was being held, then parked the car in the underground garage without accompanying them upstairs.
He remained unmoved, even when Jiang Donghui tried to persuade him.
Wu Lingyun's dissatisfaction with Chen Jinzhao was evident. She directly showed her displeasure to Jiang Donghui, "Are you coming or not? If you're not, I'll go up alone."
Jiang Donghui sighed and could only follow.
Chen Jinzhao had been unhappy at first, but he later realized that besides a slight blood relation, he had no emotional bond with Wu Lingyun. What was the difference between them and strangers?
At worst, he could pretend not to see her.
Half an hour later.
Another car drove into the underground garage and parked next to Chen Jinzhao's.
Yu Mengzhi then stepped out of the car and, upon seeing Chen Jinzhao, asked with a smile, "How long have you been waiting for me?"
She casually linked her arm through Chen Jinzhao's. He smiled, "Not long. Let's go up."
Yu Mengzhi had also received an invitation to the banquet and had specifically rushed to the hotel after work to meet Chen Jinzhao. They arrived at the banquet half an hour after it had started.
The banquet was high-profile, with only about twenty-odd attendees, all under forty years of age.
Without exception, they were all scions of merchants and dignitaries. The purpose of such banquets was to share their respective resources and build a network of connections controlled by them.
It held significant meaning.
Chen Jinzhao disliked such banquets, even hated them.
Yu Mengzhi knew his thoughts and said in a low voice, "I'm just giving them face. After all, they are all people in the business world, and some face must be given. I won't agree to any of their proposals."
"It's fine, do as you see fit," Chen Jinzhao respected Yu Mengzhi and didn't want to impose his own desires on her.
Yu Mengzhi pursed her lips, already having a plan in mind.
At this moment.
Wu Lingyun suddenly walked towards them. Chen Jinzhao said in a low voice to Yu Mengzhi, "This is my uncle's daughter, Wu Lingyun. She's from the fourth generation of the Wu family in the capital."
Yu Mengzhi's heart stirred slightly.
Since Chen Jinzhao didn't call her "cousin" directly, it implied their relationship was not good, perhaps even hostile.
As they spoke, Wu Lingyun had already reached them.
However, Wu Lingyun wasn't approaching Chen Jinzhao, but rather examining Yu Mengzhi with a smile. "So you are Yu Mengzhi? I've heard your name even from afar in the capital. It's truly thunderous."
Chen Jinzhao, standing beside her, knitted his brows.
Why was Wu Lingyun's sentence laced with such barbs?
Chen Jinzhao moved closer to Yu Mengzhi. Yu Mengzhi hadn't expected Wu Lingyun's tone to be so aggressive, but she patiently replied, "I'm just a small figure compared to the Wu family. I wouldn't catch your eye."
However.
Wu Lingyun didn't buy it at all.
She said directly, "No need for modesty. I know you're a capable woman, otherwise Qin Fengwu wouldn't be so persistent about you."
"To be honest, you've greatly disappointed Brother Qin."