The CEO’s Substitute Wife Is A Genius
Chapter 176 You’re Deceiving into Marriage!

Chapter 176: Chapter 176 You’re Deceiving into Marriage!

"Really?" Lu Zhendong originally had little interest.

Upon hearing Yi Sha’s words, he immediately tilted his head.

His gaze fell on Jiang Man’s face, then moved past her to look in a further direction.

"Who?"

"It’s just..." Yi Sha’s gaze settled on Jiang Man, and inevitably, she was drawn to Lu Xingzhou standing beside her.

She possessed a pair of eyes that instantly captured ’beauty’.

The nobility and handsomeness of Lu Xingzhou could not escape her sights.

When she realized that the person sitting opposite Jiang Man was actually Lu Xingzhou, she was utterly disbelieving.

"Lu... Young Master Lu?"

Lu Xingzhou’s fame was renowned internationally. Which young girl wouldn’t have a slight crush on him?

However, everyone was aware of their limitations and knew that he was unapproachable and indifferent to women, so they kept their distance.

Yi Sha suddenly stood up and gave a slight nod to Lu Xingzhou: "I didn’t expect Young Master Lu to be here..."

"Accompanying my Third Brother on a matchmaking event to help him screen candidates," Lu Xingzhou said coolly, every gesture exuding nobleness.

Especially his hands, adorned with an expensive wristwatch, revealing half an arm, both abstinent and silently enticing.

Yi Sha’s breathing paused, and her smile was extremely unnatural.

It wasn’t strange for Lu Xingzhou to be here; she was astonished to see Jiang Man here and sitting next to Lu Xingzhou!

"May I know who this is?" she asked, glancing at Jiang Man and pulling up a smile.

Jiang Man, propping her cheek, interrupted before Lu Xingzhou could reply, her voice languid: "Aren’t I just the ’boastful comedian designer’ you mentioned? I heard everything you said to Third Brother earlier."

Upon her words, Lu Zhendong’s eyes widened, and he exchanged glances with Lu Xingzhou.

A fleeting surprise appeared in Lu Xingzhou’s eyes but quickly calmed down.

There was nothing surprising; what wasn’t his Manman capable of?

A designer, just making an article of clothing; Manman said she could, and it was not at all surprising.

Lu Xingzhou had already managed to accept calmly every time Jiang Man had a setback.

But Lu Zhendong couldn’t, very shocked, finding it unbelievable.

"So the person Yi Sha was mocking is you?"

"No... actually..." Yi Sha suddenly became flustered, stuttering and stumbling over her words, not knowing how to explain.

She had thought Jiang Man was just an ordinary girl, merely the roommate of some eighteenth-tier female singer, nothing more.

Who could have imagined she would be sitting at the same table with Young Master Lu, appearing to be on close terms?

"No, I was just joking; please don’t take it seriously," Yi Sha hurriedly backpedaled.

She thought the matchmaking event was in the bag, not wanting it to be ruined because of Jiang Man.

"Joking? It didn’t seem like it," Jiang Man persisted, though her face remained expressionless as if indifferent. However, a raised eyebrow gave her a cold and sinister look.

"Just now you were quite eloquent, really seeming to look down on me."

"No... really, no! Miss Jiang, I was actually joking with you all last time. Wen Rui has a promising future, and designing for her would be my honor! I’ll call Huayin right now to clear things up," Yi Sha pleaded.

"No need," Jiang Man interrupted her abruptly, sitting up straight with a commanding presence: "I have already designed Ruirui’s battle attire, so no need for your concern."

"You’ve already designed it?" Yi Sha was incredulous.

It had only been a short while since then, and the garment was already designed?

Custom haute couture for celebrities typically needed to be booked at least six months in advance, at a minimum of three months.

From the design concept to the final product, it usually took at least a month.

Yet how had Jiang Man managed it in just a few days?

She probably hadn’t designed much, just hastily tailored a bit, right?

Although Yi Sha inwardly scoffed at Jiang Man’s design, she still forced a smile to maintain a good impression in Lu Zhendong’s eyes.

"Miss Jiang is truly talented for designing attire for such a grand event as the Weibo Night in such a short time; it’s truly amazing!"

She tried hard to flatter.

But what she didn’t know was that Jiang Man took grudges seriously.

Ever since the moment Yi Sha refused to design for Wen Rui and looked down on her, Jiang Man had made a mental note of it.

Not to mention her recent ramblings in front of Lu Zhendong, mocking her and using her as a subject of amusement to please Lu Zhendong.

"Third Brother, I don’t think this woman is suitable. Let’s move on to the next one," Jiang Man cut to the chase.

Yi Sha’s eyes widened, utterly incredulous.

Weren’t these things supposed to be said behind someone’s back after she had left?

But who was Jiang Man? She disdained speaking ill of others behind their backs; if she had something to say, she would say it to their face.

"This person despises the poor and loves the rich, her appearance belies her true nature."

Jiang Man summarized in eight words.

Lu Zhendong was very persuadable, took out his phone, and blocked and deleted Yi Sha.

"Sorry, I don’t think we are a good match," he said.

Yi Sha froze on the spot, unsure whether to leave or stay.

"Is it just because I offended Jiang Man that you are having regrets?" she asked with a forced smile.

Lu Zhendong remained noncommittal.

Yi Sha nodded, not wanting to degrade herself further.

She picked up her coat, bowed to him and Lu Xingzhou separately, "Then I won’t disturb you any further."

She left the restaurant with a red face, as if she had suffered a great humiliation, got into her car, and found it hard to calm her emotions for a long while.

She rummaged through her car for a cigarette and lighter, lit a cigarette, and puffed away.

After a few drags, she felt somewhat calmer.

She took out her phone, scrolled through her contacts, and dialed the number saved as ’Miss Ming.’

...

The arranged dating in the restaurant continued.

Due to the episode with Yi Sha, Lu Zhendong’s scrutiny of the prospective dates had become a bit more severe.

Jiang Man leisurely continued her meal.

The next few prospective dates moved on very quickly.

Lu Zhendong asked some questions but soon lost interest.

"The last one," said Lu Zhendong, glancing at his watch.

Lu Xingzhou couldn’t help teasing, "Third Brother, you’re speeding through these dates. None of them lasted more than ten minutes; the girls barely had time to warm their seats."

Lu Zhendong just smiled and didn’t reply.

He had actually been prepared to marry on impulse that day.

But after Yi Sha, he realized it was better to be cautious.

Marriage is a serious affair, not a child’s play; he had to be responsible, both to the woman and to himself.

"Sister-in-law, which of the ones that came later do you think could be an option?" Lu Zhendong turned his head, curious about Jiang Man’s opinion.

Jiang Man wiped the corner of her mouth, just about to speak.

A figure appeared before them, accompanied by a strong perfume scent.

"What does this mean? You already have someone and yet you come to a dating event? Lu Zhendong, you’re deceiving!"

The voice was familiar, one he had avoided for many years.

Upon hearing it again, he found there was still a stir in his heart.

Looking up, their eyes met.

Lu Zhendong observed the woman’s beautiful face, no longer the youthful one he knew, now more mature and charming.

Ming Ran also saw the man before her, more mature, more poised, very solemn, looking very sophisticated.

"Min Ran, Ming Ran, haha, turns out it’s a fake name," Lu Zhendong read the name of the last dating candidate on the record.

Glancing again at the unrelated picture above, he scoffed, "This is something you would do."

"Since it’s you, there’s nothing for us to discuss," he said, then stood up, picked up his suit jacket, and made to leave.

Seeing this, Ming Ran’s demeanor softened.

She grabbed his arm, her voice conciliatory: "What’s really going on? If you are with Jiang Man, then why accept the family’s arrangement for arranged dates?"