Chapter 217 - Cheng Dongge, You Can Be Very Cruel, You Know That? (1/2)
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“I take it they’re all men of good character?” Qi Chengzhi asked as his long fingers peeled open the envelope. From within, he took out a stack of photos.
Qi Chengyue could only see the topmost photo, but, even then, she could not discern the person captured.
“Of course. Your grandmother is meticulous.” Grandmother Qi patted her chest and said, “I do not associate with people of bad character. I always start with their family. If the elders in a family are well-mannered, then the young ones will usually turn out okay. During my mahjong games, we talk about the younger generation in our families. These ones are not too bad. None involved in any crazy incidents. All honest and capable girls– talented even.”
Grandmother Qi pointed to the topmost photo—the one that Qi Chengyue could not really see. “This one graduated from Columbia University and has just returned. She’s never had a boyfriend despite her pretty face. She is so pretty that all boys take one look at her and assume she must already have a boyfriend. And this–”
Grandmother Qi switched to another photo. “This is Chu Zhaoyang’s cousin sister. You should all know her. She’s cute, energetic, and polite. She just graduated from medical school. Instead of going to her family’s hospital, she’s doing her housemanship in one of the top-tier public hospitals. She wants to rely on her own capabilities and hone her skills. She figured if she went to Chutian Hospital, people would just turn a blind eye to her mistakes; and that’s unacceptable when patients’ lives are at stake. She may look young, but she’s very independent. Without saying a word to her family, she applied to Renhe Hospital. Even her colleagues don’t know her true identity. She never goes home, and chooses to live in the hostel provided by the hospital with her peers. She’s a tough cookie, this one.”
Grandmother Qi presented this all in one breath. Clearly, she was partial to Chu Zhaoyang’s cousin sister, lavishing her with high praises.
“This is because you said you wanted to introduce a match for Cheng Dongge. If not, I would have kept this young lady!” Grandmother Qi’s eyes darted to Qi Chenglin and Qi Chengji. “I was hoping to match her to one of them.”
Qi Chengzhi smiled and flipped through the stack of photos. They were of young ladies from respectable families. From the very first glance, it was clear they were all quality matchmaking material.
He placed the photos back into the envelope and glanced at Qi Chengyue. She looked anxious. Clearly, she wanted to have a look, but common sense held her back.
He smirked and passed the photos to Song Yu for safekeeping. “You are aware of Cheng Dongge’s situation. His previous relationship fell apart, unfortunately, and now he’s single. There’ll be plenty of families who will want to introduce their daughters to him. We figured you’d have some good recommendations. Daughters from wealthy families will not act like his previous girlfriend, mistaking his lack of pedigree for a bleak future and constantly looking for rich men.”
Similar to Qi Chengyue’s marriage, it was an arrangement that would benefit both parties. The daughters of prestigious families would not mind a man’s family background if he was talented and capable.
Unlike Huang Ziyue, who was dead set on marrying someone of high standing but did not bother to improve her own qualities. A person like her would not be able to hold a good man for long. The imbalance in their lineage ultimately left her as the losing party.
“Yes.” Grandmother Qi nodded. “Dongge is a good person.”
Qi Chengyue’s chest ached, but she stayed silent.
Song Yu took one look at Qi Chengyue and a thought crossed her mind. She took out the photos and gave them to Qi Chengyue. “Chengyue, you’ve been talking a lot with Cheng Dongge lately. Have a look.”
Qi Chengyue went through the photos. “They’re quite good. Very pretty, most of them,” she said quietly.
“Not just pretty.” Grandmother Qi quickly cut in. “Their education, attitude, family background, capabilities… they’re all are as good as they can get. Even that so-called debutante in America, Mu Sisi, is no match for these women. This one–”
Just as Qi Chengyue saw someone, Grandmother Qi hurriedly pointed at another photo and said, “This one managed to get into the elite social club in America that Mu Sisi was dying to join but never got accepted.”
“Our Chengyue never studied overseas. If not, she would be in the club too,” Qi Chenglin said.
“Indeed, indeed.” Grandmother Qi quickly followed with a nod.
…
…
The next evening, Qi Chengyue drove over to Qilin and waited in the car park. When Song Yu came to have lunch with Qi Chengzhi in the afternoon, she let slip that Cheng Dongge was attending a matchmaking date with the daughter of the Jiang family tonight.
Qi Chengyue thought Cheng Dongge would refuse the matches, yet he proved her wrong.
Did he not just confessed his feelings for her? Why was he going on matchmaking dates?
Not long after, she saw Cheng Dongge walk out of the office building dressed handsomely in a suit. He had one hand in his pocket and the other holding his car keys. Qi Chengyue followed his car as he drove off.
She tailed him to Shengyue. He parked his car and went into the restaurant. Qi Chengyue was hesitant to park beside him, but worried that, if she parked too far, she might lose track of him. After much effort, she found a spot that was suitable for her surveillance needs. Moments later, a red BMW Z4 parked in the spot diagonal to where she was.
A woman in her twenties exited the car. She was wearing a baroque-style, floral patterned blouse and light yellow, slim-fit pants with a pair of tan, mid-heel ankle boots.
The young woman was fair and good-looking. Stepping out from the luxury car, she caught the attention of the surrounding people.
Qi Chengyue recognized her as Jiang Xiyao. While Jiang Xiyao had cousins, she was an only child in her family.
Jiang Xiyao had a warm disposition in public. Her gentle and giving nature endeared her to the elders. Qi Chengyue had met her before in private during one of her gatherings. Jiang Xiyao had come off as aloof and haughty. Qi Chengyue had the impression that her speech and actions were superfluous.
Somehow, her grandmother had chosen Jiang Xiyao as one of the potential matches for Cheng Dongge. Qi Chengyue frowned as she watched Jiang Xiyao walk into Shengyue.
Cheng Dongge chose a comfortable booth that was by the window.
Qi Chengyue saw Cheng Dongge stand—his every move executed with purpose. He stood tall and had a confident mien that outclassed even the wealthiest of heirs.
Qi Chengyue was used to the three older boys in her family. Qi Chengzhi was stoic and steady, his aura intimidating; Qi Chenglin was elegance personified, mature and wise; and, while Qi Chengji was the youngest among the three, his service in the military had made him a steadfast and decisive man.
All three had strong, desirable qualities that set them apart in their social circle.
In the past, Qi Chengyue had only had eyes for Jian Yi. She had never noticed other men, not even Cheng Dongge. She believed that Jian Yi was exceptional, with his influence and talents that all came from no-name family. Yet, now that she thought about it, Jian Yi’s presumed qualities and influence were insignificant when compared to Cheng Dongge.
Inside-out, from capabilities to attitude, Jian Yi did not hold a candle to Cheng Dongge.
After some time, Jiang Xiyao stood in front of Cheng Dongge. Jiang Xiyao gave him a smile and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. Her head was bowed. Qi Chengyue could not make out what she was saying, but she doubted that woman’s sincerity.
Cheng Dongge nodded in turn, and spoke a little. From this distance, Qi Chengyue could not make out the subtle changes in his expression. She could not tell if she saw a smile on Cheng Dongge’s face.
Cheng Dongge pointed to the opposing seat, and they both settled into the booth.
The waiter brought over menus for them, but Jiang Xiyao allowed Cheng Dongge to order the dishes.
The conversation flowed easily between them as they waited for the food to arrive. This made Qi Chengyue’s stomach roil. “This is the first meeting, and he’s already so happy. Babbling away; what’s there to talk about?”
She saw Jiang Xiyao cover her laugh with her hand. Jiang Xiyao shrugged and said something, but Qi Chengyue was too far to hear. She could not see Cheng Dongge’s face, but he seemed to be in a good mood. He seemed to have been swayed by Jiang Xiyao.
Qi Chengyue tapped on her chest to tamp down her dismay.
After a while, the dishes were served. She could not smell the food, but her stomach was staging a protest. A swift glance at the digital clock in her car showed that it was already seven o’clock.
Here she was, starving outside, worried that Cheng Dongge might be tricked, while he enjoyed his dinner date with Jiang Xiyao!
The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. Tears were starting to sting her eyes. She should have just started the car and left, but her heart would not let her. She stared as Jiang Xiyao took small bites of the food while her own stomach growled.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Qi Chengyue turned around in surprise. It was the waiter from Shengyue, still in uniform.
Was he shooing her away because she was parked in their parking lot without purchase?
A frown was on Qi Chengyue’s face as she opened the car window. Unexpectedly, the waiter handed her a beautifully crafted food carrier made of black wood. There were sakura patterns on the lid which made the carrier look exquisite.
“Miss, this is the take-out for you,” the waiter said with a smile.
Qi Chengyue eyed the carrier suspiciously and said, “But I didn’t order any take-out.”
“Your car number plate is A·N3633. If you’re the driver of this car, this take-out is meant for you,” the waiter said and promptly pushed the food carrier through the open car window. “This is from the gentleman sitting at the window booth. It’s been paid for in full.”
The waiter pointed at Cheng Dongge in the restaurant.
Qi Chengyue fell dumb.
‘Did he know all along?’
This was such an embarrassment. Qi Chengyue’s face turned crimson.