Chapter 24 - 24: 024 Ming Jing
Chapter 24: 024 Ming Jing
Translator: 549690339
The Jiangs’ residence is situated in the high-end villa district in the West District, home to elites from various sectors, where casually throwing a stone could hit a big shot.
This is the first time Zheng Xiangxiang has come here. The villa district is more heavily guarded than the Zhu family’s complex, with security officers patrolling everywhere — surprisingly not security guards, but Special Forces. Zhu Xiangxiang found it a bit strange, for she had not sensed such a class difference before.
The car couldn’t drive into the courtyard, so they had to walk in. Fortunately, Madam Jiang had thoughtfully arranged for an assistant to greet them at the entrance.
“I’m Madam’s assistant, Zhou Xue, please follow me, ladies,” said the woman speaking, who was around 25. She wore a white business suit, her hair up in a high ponytail highlighting her proficient and competent demeanor.
Zhou Xue scanned Ming Jing with a quiet yet noticeable gaze, then turned around and led the way.
The complex’s greenery was impressive, with palm trees lining the roads, shading everything with their lush foliage, and nicely cooling the air.
The Jiangs’ house was nestled in the northwestern corner. It was a two-story Western-style house with a large courtyard. In the courtyard was a lush bamboo grove that rustled when the wind blew, making the yard fragrant with the smell of fresh bamboo.
A long table was set up in the yard covered with a blue and white striped tablecloth. Exquisite multicolored glazed tea sets were spread out, and artfully arranged flowers filled a celadon vase. Every angle had its own aesthetic style, as if measured with a ruler.
At this moment, Madam Jiang was sitting in the hostess seat, trimming flowers with a pair of scissors. She wore a black velvet cheongsam with subtle golden borders and clasps evoking an understated sense of luxury. Embroidered blue peonies adorned the left chest and lower hemline, making her appear dignified, graceful, and splendidly elegant.
Two young women sat left and right next to her, one with a lively charisma, the other a little quieter, both in the bloom of youth.
Zhu Xiangxiang recognized them immediately, one was Charles Gao’s cousin,
Gao Tia. the other was Zhao Oin’s cousin. Ye Lan. Both of them were among the
top socialites in Jiangzhou.
Gao Jia said something that made Madam Jiang laugh; they appeared to get along well.
“Madam, the two young ladies from the Zhu family have arrived.”
All three looked up, presumably most interested in seeing the genuine heiress of the Zhu family for the first time.
Zhou Xue stepped aside, revealing the two young girls behind her.
The girl in the goose-yellow dress stood out the most, capturing people’s attention at first sight. She was like the first rainbow after a rain shower, dazzling and refreshing.
She was beautiful, with an elegant demeanor, like a well-bred young lady who stepped out from the olden days. Everything about her was flawless, even her smile was perfectly timed.
This was Zhu Xiangxiang, the number one socialite in Jiangzhou.
Everyone coveted this lofty title, but none were as adept at marketing as Zhu Xiangxiang. By the time they realized it, this title had already become inextricably linked with Zhu Xiangxiang.
Both Gao Jia and Ye Lan concealed a hint of deep jealousy in their eyes.
If it came to family background, they were no worse off than the Zhus. In terms of appearance, they were even better than Zhu Xiangxiang. As for temperament… that is a subjective matter. Why should Zhu Xiangxiang be the number one socialite?
The world only remembers the first man who walked on the moon. Who cares about the second or the third?
“Good afternoon, Madam Jiang.” Zhu Xiangxiang greeted Madam Jiang with a courteous, gentle voice and a charming smile. Who wouldn’t like her?
Jiang Chunlan nodded with a smile.
“Oh? Is this the genuine heiress who the Zhu family recently found?” Gao Jia, looking at the girl standing behind Zhu Xiangxiang to the right, asked curiously.
Compared to Zhu Xiangxiang’s dazzling goose-yellow, the other girl’s understated white seemed very plain, enough to be overlooked at first glance.
But once one’s gaze landed on her, it was hard to look away.
The young girl was quite tall, nearly one meter seventy. She was half a head taller than Zhu Xiangxiang. She was thin, with a delicate bone structure that gave her a fragile look. She wore a slightly retro, white cheongsam, the waist tied with a purple belt, and grey water ripple patterns embroidered on the hemline, outlining her tall and slender figure. As she moved, an ethereal beauty emanated from her.
Her long black hair was draped over her shoulders. A purple headband held up her partially tied hair, trailing down to her waist, adding charm to her demeanor.
The sun overhead suddenly became dazzling, making it a bit difficult to see her face clearly, reminiscent of a distant dream.
“Yes, this is my sister, Ming Jing.” Zhu Xiangxiang took Ming Jing’s hand and strode forward. The sun now hid behind her head, allowing people to finally see her face clearly.
No one noticed Jiang Chunlan’s slightly changing expression as she leaned forward to get a better look at the girl.
Her exquisite eyebrows resembled the far-off willow trees, her lips as red as cinnabar, a masterpiece of the creator. With her pale, jade-skinned complexion and inky eyes,
If Zhu Xiangxiang was a refreshing daisy, then she was a vibrant peony, renowned for its beauty and elegance.
However, what was contradictory was that her quiet and reserved bearing was at odds with her beautiful appearance. With the warmth of spring, the coolness of a summer night, the tranquility of autumn, the chill of a winter snowfall, the clarity of a mountain spring, the serene peace of a midnight breeze, and the gentle compassion of the incense within a Buddhist temple mixed together, it formed a unique temperament that was unforgettable at first sight and drove people crazy at second thought.
It’s true that people should never be compared because in this girl’s presence, Zhu Xiangxiang just seemed to be a foil. Her perfect manners now looked like a mask of hypocrisy, as the spontaneity of nature can never be surpassed with affected refinement.
Seeing the stunned expressions on the faces of the three opposite her, Zhu Xiangxiang’s smile gradually stiffened.
Jiang Chunlan suddenly stood up and was about to say something when Ming Jing beat her to it: “Good afternoon, Madam Jiang, I’m Ming Jing.”
Her voice was soft and melodious, with a quiet power.
Jiang Chunlan was taken aback, looking straight into Ming Jing’s dark eyes.
Jiang Chunlan raised an eyebrow and suddenly broke into a smile: “So the true heiress of the Zhu family is so talented. It’s truly an eye-opener.”
Gao Jia and Ye Lan exchanged glances, spotting a crisis in each other’s eyes.
Walking over in person, Jiang Chunlan took Ming Jing’s hand: ” I feel a connection with you at first sight. Forget the formalities, just call me Aunt
Lan.”O
Then she personally led Ming Jing to the table. Only then did she turn her head and say, “Miss Zhu, please take a seat.”
Their attitudes towards the two were poles apart..