247: Chapter 243: Jiang Zhendong’s Provocation 247: Chapter 243: Jiang Zhendong’s Provocation As the young man appeared, both Chen Hai and Ye Qingqing greeted him with smiles on their faces.
When they heard what he had said, their expressions instantly soured.
“Qingqing, who is this…?” With a face that flickered between light and dark, Chen Hai turned to Ye Qingqing beside him and asked.
Since he didn’t know what the relationship between this guy and the Ye Family was, even if he felt anger in his heart, he had to hold it back for now.
Besides, today was his big day, and if possible, he didn’t want to create any unpleasantness!
“Jiang Zhendong, Chen Hai has been very good to me, you can rest assured.”
“Today is the great day of our engagement, and you are welcome to come and celebrate with us!”
“But if you have any other intentions, I ask you to leave on your own, to avoid making it awkward for everyone!”
Ye Qingqing said sternly, looking straight at the young man in front of her.
Although Jiang Zhendong hadn’t said anything in particular, his attitude towards Chen Hai had still made Ye Qingqing quite uncomfortable.
“Qingqing, you’ve changed.
In the past, you were extremely enthusiastic when you saw me, always calling me ‘Brother Dong.'”
“I went to study in the USA, and in just a year or two, you’ve become so distant.
What made you change?”
“I came here, of course, to drink to your happiness.
My remarks earlier had no other meaning, I was simply feeling that it wasn’t worth it for you!”
“When looking for a fiancé, I’m not saying you have to seek an exact social match, but at least find someone with a decent status and background, right?”
“I really don’t understand what kind of enchantment this bumpkin has placed you under?”
“To think that someone of his status could gain the approval of Uncle Ye and Aunt Song?”
“If only I had known that this is the standard the Ye Family sets for choosing a son-in-law…”
At this point, Jiang Zhendong paused, appearing heartbroken and remorseful, sighing deeply several times.
Without waiting for Ye Qingqing or Chen Hai to say anything more, he straightened his clothes and leisurely walked into the banquet hall.
“Chen Hai, Jiang Zhendong’s parents are acquainted with mine!”
“When I started at Tsinghua University, I was just a freshman, and he was already a senior serving as vice president of the student council.”
“In school, he took good care of me and was very kind to me.”
“After he went to the USA, we kept in touch, but only in these recent few months did our communication slightly dwindle.”
“Why would someone who used to be so nice suddenly come back and change like this?”
Pouting, Ye Qingqing still felt wronged as she looked toward Chen Hai and explained.
“That guy, he was nice to you before, probably with some ulterior motives!”
“Seeing you engaged to me, is he envious, jealous, and resentful towards me?”
“Rushing back from the USA uninvited to come here and mock me with cold taunts, this Jiang Zhendong is up to no good!”
After some thought, Chen Hai spoke in a deep voice.
He turned back to look into the banquet hall.
When his gaze fell on Jiang Zhendong, a few indistinct flashes of light passed across his face.
In front of Chen Hai and Ye Qingqing, Jiang Zhendong spoke like a bitter woman, his words harsh and unpleasant.
However, once inside the banquet hall, he seemed to transform into someone else.
His conversation was cultured, his behavior elegant, moving through the crowd like a sociable nobleman.
Even with someone he was meeting for the first time, he was able to chat and laugh with ease, engaging them for hours on end.
Beyond his speech and mannerisms, he also seemed to have an indescribable charm about him.
After talking with Ye Qingqing’s mother, Song Ling, for just a few moments, he had her laughing merrily.
“Chen Hai, I am your fiancée, and in my heart, there will always be only you!”
“I have always regarded that Jiang Zhendong as a brother, I really don’t understand what he’s really after!”
Seeing no more guests arriving, both Chen Hai and Ye Qingqing entered the banquet hall as well.
Noticing Chen Hai occasionally glancing at Jiang Zhendong with an apparently troubled expression, Ye Qingqing quickly came over to explain to him.
“You don’t need to explain to me, I know very well how kind you’ve been to me, Qingqing!” Chen Hai said with a nod and a smile.
He naturally believed what Ye Qingqing had said.
However, just because he believed Ye Qingqing didn’t mean he harbored no resentment towards that Jiang Zhendong.
“Qingqing, congratulations, congratulations.
I never expected that the little girl from the past has now grown up and is about to get engaged!”
“I just had a chat with Aunt Song, and she’s really reluctant to let you go.
She’s a bit worried about you and told me to take extra care of you.”
“In terms of academics, there’s still a significant gap between China and the USA.”
“I suggested to Aunt Song that you should consider studying abroad in the USA for a few years.
She just said she’d consider it, and hasn’t made a decision yet!”
…
Jiang Zhendong approached again and stopped in front of Ye Qingqing to congratulate her.
At this moment, his face was gentle, always maintaining a faint smile.
The way he presented himself now was a stark contrast to the half-hearted smile he wore at the entrance of the banquet hall.
His words seemed harmless, but Chen Hai always felt there was something more to them, as if Jiang Zhendong was flaunting his victory.
“Brother Chen, congratulations, congratulations.
You and Qingqing really are a match of talents and beauty…”
After congratulating Ye Qingqing, Jiang Zhendong approached Chen Hai with a friendly face, extending his arm and ready to shake hands.
The banquet hall was still packed with guests.
Although most people were engaged in their own conversations, many eyes were still drawn towards Chen Hai and Ye Qingqing.
After all, the engagement party was for them, and within the hall, they naturally attracted attention.
Knowing very well that Jiang Zhendong’s handshake was nothing more than a facade, that he held no good intentions, Chen Hai certainly couldn’t just ignore him and outright refuse at this moment.
“Kid, getting engaged isn’t the same as getting married.
As a nobody with no foundations, I’d advise you to be sensible and leave Qingqing be.
Otherwise, you’re going to regret it!”
“Mr.
Jiang, with different faces for different crowds, aren’t you tired of wearing a false mask?
What Qingqing and I have is none of your business.
If you’ve got nothing better to do, you’d better watch yourself!”
“Chen Hai, in this world, there are many people you can’t afford to offend.
I’d advise you not to court death!”
“I just love courting death, what can you do about it?”
…
A handshake followed by an embrace; to those observing, Chen Hai and Jiang Zhendong appeared very enthusiastic, both of them maintaining brilliant smiles on their faces.
Only they themselves knew that, in less noticeable ways, their words had clashed several times.
It seemed Jiang Zhendong’s intention was to provoke Chen Hai, to push him to make some sort of improper move.
In this hall filled with distinguished guests, if Chen Hai were truly unable to control his anger and laid hands on Jiang Zhendong, it would undoubtedly bring disgrace upon himself and lower his standing in the eyes of others.
And Jiang Zhendong himself could play the victim and gain others’ sympathy.
All these calculations were in his mind, and if things panned out as he planned, sabotaging this engagement party wasn’t out of the question.
Unfortunately for him, Chen Hai wasn’t falling for it.
Jiang Zhendong smiled warmly, and the smile on Chen Hai’s face appeared just as radiant to anyone looking on.
To the uninformed observer, coming upon this scenario abruptly, one might think they were old friends.
Only Ye Qingqing, standing beside them, was completely confused and uncertain.
His schemes having failed and feeling a bit disappointed, Jiang Zhendong released Chen Hai’s arm.
He strolled leisurely towards a plump aunt he was fairly familiar with not far away.
“Aunt Liu, how do you take care of yourself?
It’s been more than two years since we last met, but I feel like you look several years younger than before…”
With a warm and gentle smile, Jiang Zhendong walked up to the plump aunt, feigning surprise and complimenting her.
Unfortunately for him, he only got halfway through his sentence, and the smile on his face suddenly ceased, transitioning into sheer horror.
“Leeches, so many leeches, crap…”
Exclaiming in shock and hopping several times, Jiang Zhendong stripped off his suit and, clad only in his underwear, started furiously rolling on the ground.