My Marriage Partner is a Crazy Mermaid - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Welcome Banquet

Luo Miao let out a surprised “Huh?” Over the past few days, she had mentioned Xie Yuhan’s name in Meng Ke’s ear countless times, but Meng Ke had never taken it seriously. She thought Meng Ke wasn’t interested at all.

“Why the sudden desire to understand her?” Luo Miao asked.

Meng Ke sighed and said half-jokingly, “After all, she’s someone I might marry. I should probably find out what my future wife is like, right?”

“Why does that sound so terrifying?” At the thought of the two of them getting married, Luo Miao’s skin broke out in goosebumps.

Luo Miao gripped the steering wheel, her eyes fixed on the road ahead as she searched her mind for what she knew of Xie Yuhan. Her contact with her had been fragmentary; for a moment, she didn’t know where to begin.

If it hadn’t been for that accident three years ago, their paths might never have crossed.

“Actually, we saw her back in high school. She was at the school next door. Weren’t you injured in the leg back then because you saved someone?”

“That person was her?”

“No. It was her desk-mate. She was right next to you at the time. Back in high school, she was very frail—the type that looked like a gust of wind could knock her over. She spoke very little, and her brother always picked her up and dropped her off. We didn’t have much contact.”

“It was even rarer to see her after you went abroad. I heard she went to F University, she didn’t stay in Tan City for college.”

“Then, three years ago, she was seriously injured for some unknown reason after jumping into the sea. Her brother went crazy, begging everyone for help. Afterwards, she became disabled.”

“She took over the Xie family and swallowed the Lu family. Privately, she became very strange. she has sought out both boyfriends and girlfriends, but later those people all went abroad or moved away.”

“Wait… that’s not right. Why does this plot sound familiar? She’s not trying to date you, is she?”

The two arrived at a real estate agency. Luo Miao turned into a regular Sherlock Holmes. “Oh no, Xie Yuhan has her sights on you.”

“Maybe I’m an exception. Didn’t I say she just took a shower in my hotel room that day? That’s why this is happening.”

“Then it means everyone who has seen her shower has been sent away.”

“…” That was a bit strange, but it seemed oddly logical.

“Do you think it’s because she has a bad personality, her partners couldn’t accept her legs, and she didn’t want the word to get out?” Luo Miao speculated. “Disabled people can sometimes become a bit twisted mentally, and you never know.”

“But don’t you think that’s too much trouble?” Meng Ke felt it was illogical. “Even if she’s rich, she can’t just throw money away like that, right?”

As she said this, the two looked at each other, thinking of the “benefits” Xie Yuhan had offered her—which was blatant, cold hard cash. In unison, they said, “Then again, maybe she would.”

Evil capitalism. With enough money, one might truly squander it on a whim. Luo Miao said sheepishly, “If I were that rich, I wouldn’t be a good person either.”

Meng Ke shrugged and chimed in, “What a coincidence. Neither would I.”

The two entered the agency. Meng Ke introduced her requirements in detail; she disliked wasting time, so her requests were specific and the price she offered was fair. The agent showed them three apartments, and Meng Ke settled on one.

“I’ll move after I attend the Meng family’s banquet.”

“Then I’ll drop you back at the hotel and head home first. I can’t stay with you for a while—I don’t know what my brother is up to again,” Luo Miao complained while explaining. “There’s an issue with my hotel in Qingcheng; I need to go check it out.”

“Go do your thing. I just got back and I’m not familiar with anything yet, otherwise I wouldn’t have dragged you along to help me.”

Before transmigrating into the book, Meng Ke had been an extremely independent person; she didn’t strictly need company. It was only because she was truly unfamiliar with this strange environment.

The paternity test report confirmed a blood relation. This result was both unexpected and within expectations.

Ruan Yalan never did anything she wasn’t certain of. With this report in hand, Meng Ke had no grounds to refuse the banquet.

On the morning of the banquet, Meng Ke woke up very early. The purpose of this welcome banquet was as clear as day: it was meant to let the upper class of Tan City know that the Meng family recognized Meng Ke’s status as a daughter, preparing the way for her to act as a substitute in the marriage later.

This banquet would surely invite many prominent figures from Tan City. She couldn’t treat it casually; she had no desire to lose face in front of the Mengs. If they wanted her to stand out, why shouldn’t she just go along with it?

Because of the recent rain, Wu Siyi was frantically catching up on her filming schedule and couldn’t return for the banquet. However, to help her friend’s smooth return to Tan City, she had specifically obtained two unreleased gowns and matching jewelry from brand sponsors.

Meng Ke didn’t stand on ceremony and accepted them directly. She didn’t have much money on hand—at least, a few million wasn’t enough to be considered wealthy in Tan City. She had to be frugal where she could.

After washing up, Meng Ke took a flower-petal bath and wrapped herself in a towel to choose a gown in the living room.

One was a pure white mermaid dress. The design wasn’t complex, with fashion sense reflected in the details. The waistline was beautifully tailored, highlighting her figure. The jewelry was a pearl set.

The other was a black pleated dress, adorned with a few black and red roses at the waist. The jewelry was a colored gold set.

In terms of color, Meng Ke liked the black one; in terms of style, she liked the white one. After much deliberation, she chose the white one. Since she was returning to the Meng family, she might as well see who could better play the “little white flower.”

Playing the victim? Who didn’t know how to do that?

At 7:00 PM, Meng Ke finally set out leisurely from the hotel. “Feng Hua Xue Yue” was located in the city center; the drive would take at least half an hour. Meng Ke was in no hurry, sitting in the car admiring the scenery outside.

Having just arrived in Tan City, everything was strange. From receiving the original host’s memories to adapting to the new body and identity, she hadn’t yet had a good look at the city itself.

The streets were lined with skyscrapers. As summer approached, it wasn’t yet dark at seven, and there were scattered pedestrians along the roads—young couples just off work taking a stroll, shop owners preparing for tomorrow, or students after school. Setting aside the messy struggles of the elite, Tan City was a very suitable place to live.

As she neared her destination, the four large characters of the venue came into view. Meng Ke took a deep breath, lifted the hem of her skirt, and stepped out of the car.

Unlike her relaxed pace, in the lounge of the third-floor banquet hall, Meng Yingxue was pacing anxiously. “Mom, what do we do? What if she doesn’t show up?”

“What are you panicking for?” Ruan Yalan glanced at her. “Does she dare not come? I heard the third miss of the Cheng family is here, and the second young master of the Liu family is also present. Go over and make some connections.”

“I know.” Meng Yingxue tugged at her skirt and turned back to the banquet hall.

The hall was filled with people standing in small groups, whispering.

“Isn’t this a welcome banquet for that Meng girl? Why isn’t she here yet?”

“She has no sense of propriety at all.”

“Exactly. As expected of someone who isn’t biological—she doesn’t have the fate of a true heiress. Look at the biological one, it’s just different.”

These words happened to reach Meng Yingxue’s ears. She couldn’t help the corners of her mouth twitching upward, then she pursed her lips. “Auntie Chen, don’t say that. Sister just got back; it’s normal that she hasn’t adjusted to the jet lag.” Her voice was melodious and full of consideration for others.

“Why are you speaking up for her?”

“It was because of me that Sister chose to go abroad. It’s my fault.”

“Being able to go abroad is her good fortune.”

While they were talking, a commotion broke out at the door. Someone in the crowd shouted, “Meng Ke is here.”

All eyes shifted instantly, landing on Meng Ke as she entered. She wore a white mermaid gown that perfectly outlined her waist, her steps graceful. Her black, wavy hair fell naturally over her shoulders.

The crowd was stunned. They hadn’t seen Meng Ke in three years, and her image had faded in their memories. They all thought she would look like someone who hadn’t seen the world; they didn’t expect her to be this beautiful.

Seeing Meng Ke capture everyone’s attention, Meng Yingxue was extremely displeased. Suppressing her inner rage, she hurried forward with small steps and took Meng Ke by the arm.

“Let me introduce everyone, this is my sister, Meng Ke,” Meng Yingxue said with poise. “She just returned to the country recently…”

The incessant chatter in her ear was noisy. Meng Ke pulled her arm free and walked straight toward the main seats.

Meng Yingxue’s words were cut short. She looked at the people around her, her eyes glistening with a layer of tears, and lowered her head to tug at her skirt. In a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, she cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, Sister hasn’t seen me in too long. She might not be quite used to it yet.”

“How can she be like this? The Meng family raised her, and they’re even letting her stay despite everything—how can she be so ill-mannered?”

“Exactly. The Meng family spent all those years raising an ungrateful wolf.”

In the years Meng Ke was abroad, Meng Yingxue hadn’t been idle. To retaliate for the rumors that appeared because of her, she had spread countless bad words about her in Tan City—claiming she didn’t want to be in the Meng family so she went abroad, and that she disliked her younger sister.

“Uncles and Aunties, it’s all my fault. I just got back a few days ago, and all my money went toward staying at a hotel. I only had a few yuan left, so I took the subway here today. That’s why I’m late.”

Meng Ke gripped her skirt and lowered her head slightly. She was different from Meng Yingxue; her face was her greatest advantage when playing the “little white flower.”

Meng Ke took the opportunity to stand next to Ruan Yalan. “Auntie, it’s my fault. I have no manners and I’ve embarrassed the family.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it cut through the entire hall. The discussion below stopped abruptly. Everyone felt that something wasn’t quite right. They looked suspiciously at the two women at the main seats.

As a member of the Meng family, how could she have come by subway?

“Where is Miss Meng living now?”

“The ‘Three-Day Lovers’ suite behind Zunyue Mansion.”

“Why there?”

Most of the hotels there were… those kinds of places. Very unsanitary.

“I don’t have a place to stay in Tan City…”

Her voice was timid. Ruan Yalan finally couldn’t control herself anymore. She stood up and spoke: “Ke-er just returned, and it was my oversight as a mother. That’s why I specifically arranged this banquet. From now on, Meng Ke will move back to the old residence.”

In a good area of Tan City, property prices started at twenty million. Even for Meng Yingxue, buying a place would be painful, let alone giving one to Meng Ke. Weighing the pros and cons, Ruan Yalan chose the lesser of two evils—anyway, Meng Ke wouldn’t actually stay there for long. Once the marriage was finalized, she would sever all ties with her.

“Since everyone is here, let us begin.” Ruan Yalan looked down at the guests with an air of superiority.

Now that the head of the house had spoken, no one dared to say anything else. Each area prepared for the banquet to start, and the music switched to a soothing waltz.

Ruan Yalan glared at Meng Ke and whispered a warning: “Meng Ke, that’s enough. Don’t forget our agreement.”

She was losing her cool already.

Meng Ke watched Ruan Yalan’s crumbling composure with amusement. Just as she was about to say something to provoke her further, the voice of the greeter rang out from the door, shouting: “Someone from the Xie family is here!”