Bowing to Arranged Marriage [Rebirth] - Chapter 3

Zhang Yi fell silent for a long time after hearing Zheng Xiyun’s words. What kind of life could drive someone to make such a decision? What kind of family could push a person to this point?

Zhang Yi said, “Is transferring the assets really necessary? A-Yun, let’s think of other options. That’s what your mother and grandparents left for you.”

Zheng Xiyun smiled bitterly. “Yes, it was left to me by my mom and grandparents. I can’t just give it away.”

“But you can deceive them,” Zhang Yi continued. “Make them think twice before acting against you.”

Zheng Xiyun suddenly sat up, her gaze sharpening. “I could let my father and that woman know I’ve already had a lawyer draft my will. They’ll definitely investigate, so we’ll need a reliable lawyer and firm to handle it properly. They need to understand that if anything happens to me, they won’t get a single penny instead, they’ll lose a fortune on company projects.”

“Coincidentally, I have a couple of foolproof, confidential projects here. Once you’re in, they won’t be able to interfere.” Hearing the renewed confidence and energy in Zheng Xiyun’s voice, Zhang Yi gradually relaxed.

A faint smile curled at Zheng Xiyun’s lips as she said to Zhang Yi, “If they’re good projects, you should keep them. I have my own resources, and I even have some to introduce to you.” Having lived a second life, who could possibly know more about lucrative opportunities than her?

Economic foundation determines the superstructure. No matter the circumstances, wealth and resources would always make her stronger.

Zhang Yi laughed at her words. “Alright then, I’ll be counting on you in the future!”

“Stop teasing me,” Zheng Xiyun replied, walking back inside. “I’m in Su Zhou right now. Do you have any good lawyer contacts there? The people I know are all somewhat connected to my family. You know I’ve only been back in the country for a few years, I don’t have much of a network.”

“I’ll help you find someone,” Zhang Yi agreed, then asked in surprise, “Why are you in Su Zhou? Weren’t you supposed to be in Shanghai for Kang Minghong’s birthday?”

Zheng Xiyun said, “Something came up, and I wasn’t in the mood, so I got off the train midway. I didn’t want to go to Shanghai anymore.”

As Zheng Xiyun spoke, background noise came through from Zhang Yi’s end. Then Zhang Yi said, “I’ll find you a lawyer in Su Zhou. I was actually going to suggest you visit Su Zhou after your boyfriend’s birthday, but since you’re already there, I’ll look up her contact details. In the meantime, you can tell me what happened that made you leave the train early.”

Zheng Xiyun took a sip of water and replied, “Zhang Meiyan called me. She said the Mu family is putting on a lot of pressure. If I don’t compromise, I might face serious consequences.”

Zhang Yi scoffed. “Wow, they’re really going all out selling their daughter for glory. Your father must be out of his mind. If it were a man, I’d say it’s somewhat normal. Arranged marriages or matchmaking between families like ours isn’t unusual. But forcing you to marry a woman? What kind of nonsense is that!”

Zheng Xiyun continued, “And it seems someone is sabotaging my projects. I don’t know who exactly, but it’s definitely connected to them.”

She mixed truth with fiction as she recounted her experiences to Zhang Yi. The matter of her rebirth was too surreal. She hadn’t even fully processed it herself, so she wouldn’t share it.

“Okay, I understand. I’ll keep an eye on your family’s situation too. If there are any issues, let me know. I’ll send you a contact now, it’s for that lawyer. When do you plan to reach out to her?” Zheng Xiyun glanced at her watch and replied, “Tomorrow. It’s already late today.”

After hanging up with Zhang Yi, Zheng Xiyun noticed a text message on her phone. Thinking Zhang Yi had acted quickly, she tapped on it only to find an unfamiliar number. Even before opening it, she could see the flirtatious line: “Hey beautiful, let me repay your kindness by treating you to dinner. Up for it?”

Zheng Xiyun deleted the message, set her phone down, and headed to the bathroom, muttering coldly, “Not up for it…”

She had no intention of engaging with this woman, yet the woman seemed to cling to her like glue. After freshening up and preparing to go out for dinner, Zheng Xiyun picked up her phone again and saw two new messages from Mu Qing.

“Hey beautiful, I’ve got money now. Time to pay you back!”

“Hey beautiful, reply to me, will you? I feel like such a scammer. Give me a chance to repay you and return the favor.”

Zheng Xiyun smirked and replied, “I don’t need the money. Forget it.”

Mu Qing responded instantly, “No, no, I insist! Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.”

But Zheng Xiyun really didn’t want anything more to do with her. Given Mu Qing’s shameless persistence, she feared that one dinner might lead to being stuck with her all the way back to the hotel and possibly even sharing her bed.

The mere thought was horrifying, making Zheng Xiyun even more determined to ignore her.

Searching online for good dining options in Su Zhou, Zheng Xiyun slipped on her high heels and headed out.

She wore a Burberry knee-length dress, elegant yet exuding nobility. Though the women in five-star hotels were never lacking in charm, Zheng Xiyun outshone them all in both grace and beauty.

Accustomed to such attention, she frowned slightly, unable to decide which restaurant from the recommendations would suit her best. Suddenly, a shadow fell across her path. Startled, she stopped and looked up to see Mu Qing standing before her.

Mu Qing was dressed in her signature black sheer cotton blouse, her slender waist faintly visible beneath. Her short hair was tousled, giving her an air of wild rebellion. With a meaningful smirk, she said, “I think fate’s playing games with us. You don’t want anything to do with me, but the heavens keep throwing us together.”

Zheng Xiyun walked past her, but Mu Qing followed. She stopped abruptly and glared at her. “You know I don’t want to deal with you, don’t you?”

Mu Qing grinned. “Of course. You’ve made that very clear.”

“Then why are you still clinging to me like this? Is this fun for you?” Zheng Xiyun’s tone was sharp and confrontational.

Mu Qing remained unfazed. “Actually, it is. I adore beautiful women like you and you’re my savior, too!”

Every attempt to push her away felt like punching cotton, leaving Zheng Xiyun frustrated. It was rare for someone she’d only met three times to get under her skin like this.

Turning away, Zheng Xiyun continued walking, but Mu Qing kept pace. “I saw you looking up places to eat. Let me take you somewhere consider it my way of repaying you!”

Zheng Xiyun gave her a long, scrutinizing look before finally relenting.

“Just from the websites you were checking earlier, I could tell those places aren’t good. They’re all bought recommendations by the hotels themselves, specifically designed to scam out-of-towners like you.” Seeing that she no longer objected, Mu Qing raised her hand to rest on Zheng Xiyun’s shoulder and guided her outside.

“Aren’t you an out-of-towner too?” Zheng Xiyun tilted her shoulder, shaking off Mu Qing’s hand.

Mu Qing didn’t press further but stayed close. “I am too, but I’m a professional at this!”

As they reached the roadside, Mu Qing hailed a taxi. A gentle breeze swept past, rustling Zheng Xiyun’s skirt and Mu Qing’s black blouse. Zheng Xiyun tucked her fluttering long hair behind her ear, gazing in the direction of the approaching car under the dim yellow streetlights. The lamplight reflected in her eyes, shimmering like scattered stars against the darkening sky.

Mu Qing turned to look at her but was met with a cold glance. “The car’s here.”

With a smirk, Mu Qing stepped forward and opened the car door for her. “After you.”

Zheng Xiyun didn’t bother with politeness, bending her legs to slide into the seat.

Mu Qing followed. “Driver, to Deyuelou, please.”

“Oh! That’s a great spot. You’ve got good taste, miss,” the driver remarked as he started the car. “Not just outsiders even us locals love going there. The food’s great, prices are fair. Really solid place.”

Mu Qing turned to Zheng Xiyun, blinking with a faintly triumphant glint in her eyes. Zheng Xiyun opened her phone’s browser history and held it up to Mu Qing, one of the pages was about Deyuelou.

“So, we thought of the same place. How?!” Before Mu Qing could finish, Zheng Xiyun cut in, “Don’t say it.” She was certain whatever Mu Qing was about to say wouldn’t be appropriate.

Mu Qing burst into laughter, leaning against Zheng Xiyun’s shoulder. “You’re adorable.”

“Are you trying to die?” Zheng Xiyun gritted her teeth.

Mu Qing straightened up immediately. “No, no. By the way, my money is on my card. I’ll transfer it to you through Alipay. Is your account linked to your phone number?”

Zheng Xiyun nodded. Mu Qing picked up her phone, searched for the number, and after a moment, murmured softly, “Xiyun?” Her voice was actually quite pleasant, but Mu Qing always spoke with a hint of mischief, and the things she said usually left Zheng Xiyun exasperated so she had long ignored the charm of her voice.

“Such a beautiful name. It suits you.”

Zheng Xiyun felt justified in ignoring her voice. This person was simply incompatible with her.

Deyuelou was popular, so getting a table wasn’t easy. Mu Qing took the initiative to ask, only to return and tell Zheng Xiyun, “Let’s go somewhere else. No seats available.”

By now, Zheng Xiyun was getting hungry and had no desire to go elsewhere. For once, Mu Qing dropped her usual bravado, looking apologetic. “I should’ve called ahead. I forgot my luck’s terrible. I never get a table.”

Zheng Xiyun turned to leave but felt unwilling to give up. She spun back around and walked into Deyuelou. A waiter approached, and Zheng Xiyun asked, “Do you have any tables available?”

“One just finished. If you don’t mind waiting, we’ll have it ready soon,” the waiter replied.

Hearing this, Zheng Xiyun turned to call Mu Qing, only to find her standing behind her with a dark expression. Zheng Xiyun’s mood instantly lifted. Mu Qing really did have terrible luck.

Perhaps feeling a bit deflated, Mu Qing didn’t chatter during the meal, but Zheng Xiyun could tell she was more captivated by the delicious food than anything else; too busy eating to talk. The dishes were indeed tasty, but Zheng Xiyun wasn’t the type to obsess over food. Still, they shared one thing in common: their dining manners were a pleasure to watch. Zheng Xiyun ate slowly and gracefully, while Mu Qing ate faster yet still managed to appear refined. Zheng Xiyun thought to herself that Mu Qing must come from a decent family, despite her seemingly frivolous demeanor.

After dinner, on the way back to the hotel, Mu Qing, perhaps full and content, leaned back in her seat and stopped bothering her.

Zheng Xiyun noticed a message from Zhang Yi, who had sent her the lawyer’s contact information and informed her that she had already spoken to the lawyer. All Zheng Xiyun needed to do was call to schedule an appointment and show up the next day. When Zheng Xiyun replied with thanks, Zhang Yi playfully scolded her, telling her not to be so formal. Zheng Xiyun chuckled softly.

As she put away her phone, she realized Mu Qing was resting her head on her hand, watching her. Zheng Xiyun instinctively wiped the smile off her face. Mu Qing pouted and said, “Life’s so unfair. I always get your scowls and have my luck rubbed in my face. Were you just texting your boyfriend?”

Zheng Xiyun didn’t answer the question, but she didn’t get angry either. After all, they’d never see each other again, right?

Mu Qing didn’t press further. But when they arrived at the hotel and Zheng Xiyun stepped out of the elevator, Mu Qing suddenly called out, “Xiyun, I think we’ll meet again.”

Zheng Xiyun turned around, only to see the elevator doors closing. A surge of irritation welled up inside her, leaving her fuming.

If we ever meet again, the first thing I’ll do is kill you!