The CEO’s Substitute Wife Is A Genius
Chapter 185: Whose Gift is More Impressive?

Chapter 185: Chapter 185: Whose Gift is More Impressive?

"Madam Ming, do you know who she is?"

Yi Sha held a wine glass and came to Mrs. Ming’s side.

Mrs. Ming was chatting and laughing with several high-society ladies when she heard this, glanced over, and immediately noticed Jiang Man, who did not fit in with the group.

She was striding purposefully toward the backyard, seemingly intent on going there.

"Who is she?" Mrs. Ming furrowed her brows, slightly puzzled.

Yi Sha covered her mouth with her hand, leaning close to her ear, "She’s Young Master Lu’s girlfriend."

"What?" Mrs. Ming’s voice involuntarily raised, "That’s impossible, isn’t it?"

There were no secrets in the high-society circles. If Lu Zhendong had a girlfriend, how could she not know?

Moreover, the Lu Family had arranged a blind date for Lu Zhendong.

"You are unaware, the Lu Family disapproves of her, so they are eager to find a proper heiress to replace her."

"Is that so?" Mrs. Ming fiercely downed a glass of wine, a chilling light suddenly flashing in her eyes.

Her daughter had been distressed these past few days, having lost a considerable amount of weight.

If anyone dared to hinder her daughter’s marriage, she wouldn’t hesitate to destroy them, gods or Buddhas!

"Heh, she came empty-handed? Let’s see how she handles the gift ceremony later!" Mrs. Ming said viciously, gripping her wine glass tightly.

The delicate stem of the glass seemed fragile, as if it might shatter in the next moment.

...

In the backyard, female family members filled the courtyard.

From time to time, bursts of laughter echoed from the main house.

"Auntie, your blessings are still to come. When Zhou’er’s wife gets pregnant, and we see four generations under one roof, it will truly be a joyous family gathering."

"Ah, no rush, Manman is still in university; her studies are more important."

"Zhou’er has already found someone. It’s time to arrange something for Jingya, right? Matching her with Zhendong is not out of the question."

"It makes sense, she has been raised as a child bride for our family. If she does not marry into the Lu Family, outsiders will gossip."

"Who dares gossip about our Lu Family?"

"Children and grandchildren make their own fortune, and despite how much we elders worry, if the younger ones don’t like it, there’s nothing we can do."

A chorus of voices made Jiang Man stop in her tracks, no longer wanting to enter.

She detested these kinds of gatherings of relatives.

"Manman, I think I’d better not go in and add to the hustle." Wu Yingfan said with a pleading, mournful face.

Jiang Man raised her eyebrows, "I’m not going in either. Let’s find a quiet place to rest."

"By the way, how is the preparation for the gift coming along?"

"Rest assured, it’s all arranged!" Wu Yingfan’s eyes shone, brimming with confidence.

Jiang Man did not ask any further.

Over the years, she had grown increasingly trustful of Wu Yingfan, considering him her right-hand man.

After leaving the backyard, the conversation behind them continued.

...

Finally, at twelve o’clock, the birthday banquet started on time.

Madame Lu wore traditional attire, her neck adorned with an antique string of Buddha Beads, clutching an expensive bead string in her hand.

Her entire demeanor was modest, yet she exuded an untouchable authority.

As she took her seat in the place of honor, she immediately displayed the dignified presence of a matriarch from a prominent family.

Rows of guests took their seats according to their rank and age in an orderly fashion.

Place cards were set on the table, and everyone found their seats accordingly.

Mrs. Ming, Ming Ran, and Yi Sha sat at the tenth table, which was not very close to the front.

Jiang Man arrived late, walking into the front hall courtyard, searching for her seat.

Lu Xingzhou sat at the first table.

Those at the same table with him were the elders of the family.

Even Lu Zhendong was not qualified to sit at the first table and could only sit at the second table next to it.

Lu Xingzhou, distracted, kept looking for Jiang Man.

When he saw her, he immediately waved her over.

The strict family rules of the Lu Family, although Lu Xingzhou wanted Jiang Man to sit by his side, did not permit it.

He had no choice but to arrange for Jiang Man to sit as close to him as possible.

Jiang Man frowned and walked determinedly over.

"Sit here." Lu Xingzhou pointed to the second table behind him.

Jiang Man saw that her seat was awkwardly positioned, directly back-to-back with Lu Xingzhou.

On her left was Lu Zhendong, and on her right was Wen Jingya.

After she sat down, she clearly heard a burst of noise.

This noise came from the table behind her.

"She’s actually sitting at the second table?"

"Didn’t you see her sitting next to the third young master of the Lu Family?"

The guests whispered amongst themselves.

At the table, Ming Ran’s mood was not high.

Today, she and her mother were dressed impressively in unique designs by Yi Sha.

Despite knowing she looked stunning today, she was still listless and expressionless, unable to smile.

"Ranran, are you okay?"

Madame Ming turned to her daughter, her eyes full of sorrow.

Ming Ran shook her head and lifted her eyes toward the direction of Lu Zhendong.

Recalling the unpleasant departure that day, her heart ached even more.

Lu Zhendong had said she was disgusting and that he wouldn’t touch her even if she stripped.

If he detested her so much, how could there still be a chance for them?

As these thoughts circulated, her nose tingled, her eyes reddened, and a single tear fell.

"Mom, I’m going to the restroom," Ming Ran’s voice was hoarse as she quickly stood up and hurried off.

Yi Sha followed her with her eyes and couldn’t help saying, "Mrs. Ming, it seems Miss Ming is very heartbroken."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Ming unconsciously clenched her fists.

Her lips twitched, and a cold gleam flashed in her eyes.

"No one can steal my daughter’s happiness, just you wait and see!"

"Indeed," Yi Sha curled her lips, feeling very satisfied.

That day, because of Jiang Man’s interference, her matchmaking with Lu Zhendong had not succeeded.

It seemed she wouldn’t have to personally deal with Jiang Man herself; others were eager to do so.

While they were talking, suddenly a sound of drums and gongs filled the air.

The butler was shouting ahead.

At a grand family patriarch’s birthday, presenting gifts was a very important segment.

Because it involved not just the act of gift-giving but also an invisible competition.

"Hall grandson Lu Zhenbei, presents two thousand-year ginseng roots!"

"Hall nephew... presents ten jars of hundred-year-old Daughter’s Red wine!"

As the gifts were announced, they were also displayed to the guests.

The guests cheered and applauded loudly throughout.

This process also enlightened many people.

"Hundred-year Daughter’s Red? That’s rare, isn’t it?"

"I heard it took several years to find. Eventually, they found a family that wouldn’t sell it for any price. The elder visited daily, rain or shine, and finally touched them with his filial piety, and they agreed to part with ten jars of their grandfather’s brew of hundred-year Daughter’s Red."

"Such a heartwarming story! Mr. Lu is really commendable, very filial!"

"Grandson Lu Xingzhou, presents a Han Dynasty jade ruyi!"

After this announcement, the whole place suddenly fell into a deathly silence.

A Han Dynasty jade ruyi was an antique, authentically displayed in museums.

Its value and the meaning it represented were both paramount and incomparable.

The guests had long prepared not to compete with the Lu Family members, competing among themselves instead for who could present a rarer gift and thus gain more face.

Finally, after a long wait, it was the Ming Family’s turn.

"Mrs. Ming, Miss Ming, present a custom-made cheongsam from the famous designer Yi Sha!"

When the cheongsam was displayed before everyone, it was met with cheers from the crowd.

"This cheongsam looks beautiful, very suitable for the old lady."

"Deserving of a famous designer’s work."

Hearing this praise, Madame Ming felt very dignified, raising her eyebrows and lips, giving Yi Sha a look implying ’you did well, I’ll reward you handsomely’.

After the cheongsam was accepted, the butler proceeded to announce the next gift.

When the name ’Jiang Man’ was announced, the whole place suddenly fell into a deadly silence...