The Ex-Wife-to-Be Is Acting Weird After Losing Her Memory - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Sonata One

The Zhen Group was founded by Zhen Zhen’s grandfather, Zhen Langting. Over half a century, it gradually developed from an unknown foreign trade firm into a commercial empire encompassing real estate, finance, technology, and numerous other industries. Now that the elderly gentleman was nearing eighty, the question of which successor he would choose became a focal point of widespread attention.

Elder Zhen had two sons. His younger son and daughter-in-law passed away in a car accident years ago, leaving behind only Zhen Zhen, his granddaughter, whom the elderly gentleman brought back to the main family to raise. Currently, the most prominent technology sector under the Zhen Group, Tianfeng, is managed entirely by Zhen Zhen.

The day of the birthday banquet arrived quickly. Zhen Zhen set off for the old residence early. It was the custom for the elderly gentleman to have a bowl of longevity noodles on the morning of his actual birthday, and she always accompanied him for this meal.

Upon arriving at the old residence, a plump woman in neat attire was sitting by the entrance. Seeing Zhen Zhen’s car approaching from a distance, the woman immediately put down the basket she was holding, carefully wiped her hands on her apron, and then rose with a smile to greet her.

“Knowing you were coming, the old gentleman specially instructed them to send a few fresh yellow croaker, just to simmer the broth for you,” Aunt Lian said, looking at Zhen Zhen with affection. “Look at your face, you’re thinner than the last time I saw you!”

“Aunt Lian,” Zhen Zhen greeted her with a smile, allowing the woman to hold her hands and look her up and down.

Aunt Lian looked her over like a child, then reluctantly let go: “My dear young lady has grown up. Don’t mind Aunt Lian’s nagging, but no matter how busy work is, remember to eat well. Go on in, the old gentleman is waiting for you.”

Zhen Zhen walked into the courtyard as instructed and indeed saw her grandfather waiting for her in the stone pavilion by the rock garden.

Despite being eighty years old, Elder Zhen still maintained a vigorous and healthy spirit, his back straight. He had been a soldier in his early years, and his military life had forged a decisive and efficient character. Even after years in the business world, this military demeanor had not faded. Elder Zhen pointed to the tea set in front of him and smiled broadly: “You’ve come at the right time. Taste this year’s new Jin Jun Mei.”

Hearing this, Zhen Zhen quickened her steps, walked up, took the teapot from her grandfather’s hand, and willingly took on the task of brewing tea.

Wreaths of hot steam dispersed like clouds. Grandfather and granddaughter sat facing each other, leisurely enjoying their tea.

“What excellent tea indeed…” Elder Zhen took a satisfying sip of tea and looked at his granddaughter. “I hear little Lu has moved back in?”

Zhen Zhen hadn’t expected her grandfather’s first question to be about Lu Jiayin. She paused before answering: “She just got discharged from the hospital, and the media is watching closely. My place is quieter and better suited for her recovery and recuperation…”

Elder Zhen put down his teacup and leaned closer to his granddaughter, speaking mysteriously: “Zhen’er, in Grandpa’s eyes, this is a rare opportunity… You two were often separated before. Now is the perfect time to foster your relationship. You need to put in more effort.”

“Grandpa!” Zhen Zhen’s cheeks flushed slightly. She unconsciously rotated her teacup. “It’s not a matter of effort…”

Although the current Lu Jiayin was more intimate with her than before, Zhen Zhen knew it was only temporary. She would eventually recover her memory and remember the fact that she actually… never loved Zhen Zhen.

Seeing her granddaughter’s downcast expression, Elder Zhen felt disappointed: “Extinguishing your own spirit before the battle. I don’t recall teaching you to be like this.”

He offered advice: “Little Lu is a big star; she needs jewelry, accessories, and beautiful clothes. Don’t be so stingy; spend more money on her… And what about commercial resources? Be more attentive to your wife’s needs. If you don’t do anything, how can the young lady feel your intentions?”

Zhen Zhen was speechless. When she and Lu Jiayin got engaged, the happiest person was her grandfather. Unfortunately, Lu Jiayin had promised to attend the grandfather’s first birthday banquet after their engagement but found an excuse at the last minute to fly to a neighboring city for an event. Since then, Zhen Zhen rarely mentioned asking her to come home together.

“Is little Lu coming tonight?” Elder Zhen asked, seeing her silently lower her head.

Zhen Zhen hesitated: “She was just discharged a couple of days ago, and her health hasn’t fully recovered. I wanted her to rest at home first…”

Although Lu Jiayin had agreed to come that day, her manager drove her away early this morning, saying there was an important matter. Zhen Zhen felt that perhaps Lu Jiayin had only made a casual promise on a whim and didn’t dare to assure her grandfather.

She was afraid her grandfather would be disappointed, or perhaps, she was afraid of setting herself up for disappointment again, and could only avoid expectations by deceiving herself.

Fortunately, Elder Zhen didn’t press the matter. Grandfather and granddaughter finished breakfast harmoniously, and Zhen Zhen then set off for the banquet venue.

The number of relatives and friends attending the celebration was large. Every year, the birthday banquet was held at Xishan Villa near the old residence. When Zhen Zhen arrived at the venue, service staff were working in an orderly manner. A middle-aged man in a suit was coordinating the event, looking extremely busy.

He was slightly rotund, but his clothes were costly, and his leather shoes were polished to a shine. When he looked up and saw Zhen Zhen, his eyes narrowed, and then he switched to a smile: “Well, well, if it isn’t our Ms. Zhen!”

Zhen Zhen met his gaze and greeted him respectfully: “Cousin Ming, thank you for your hard work.”

This cousin, Zhen Ming, was the only son of Zhen Zhen’s eldest uncle, just thirty years old, and worked in the Zhen Group’s brand public relations department. He was also in charge of this birthday banquet. Zhen Ming swaggered over, patting his stomach, and sighed: “I’m not as good as you at winning favor; I can only use my effort to show filial piety to Grandpa.”

Faced with this clearly sarcastic remark, Zhen Zhen smiled and didn’t respond.

Seeing her cousin’s unperturbed demeanor, Zhen Ming rolled his eyes and then smiled again: “I was just saying. Cousin, don’t take it to heart. By the way, why don’t I see our big star, Best Actress Lu?”

“She just got discharged from the hospital, and her health hasn’t recovered,” Zhen Zhen repeated the same reason she gave her grandfather.

Zhen Ming squinted, saying with interest: “That’s a shame. I thought I could take advantage of Grandpa’s birthday banquet to finally meet the long-awaited Best Actress Lu.”

He deliberately raised his tone: “I say, Zhen Zhen, even though you are capable in your studies and work, the most important thing for a woman is still family. If you can’t manage your own small family well, how can you bear the responsibility of the large Zhen Group family? Don’t you agree?”

His voice was a bit loud for this last statement, and the busy staff nearby all looked over, their gazes carrying a hint of inquiry.

Zhen Zhen’s jaw tightened slightly, and the smile receded from her eyes: “Cousin Ming is right. I heard you recently signed a two million yuan advertising contract with a small media outlet, right after they broke the sensational news of a certain rich second generation and a young star secretly visiting a boudoir for a ‘Monday scoop.’ I suppose Cousin must have been impressed by their excellent ability to take candid shots, which is why…”

Zhen Ming was completely taken aback that Zhen Zhen knew about this. He panicked: “That’s not true!” He nervously looked around, lowering his voice: “That was part of a media matrix configuration; I didn’t just sign with that one outlet…”

“Of course, I believe you. Cousin is certainly not the type of person to use company funds for his own crisis management,” Zhen Zhen said unhurriedly.

Zhen Ming stared at her face with resentment, then slowly forced a smile after a long pause: “Naturally.”

He returned to his amiable expression: “Look at me, chatting with you and almost neglecting an important guest. Zhen Zhen, I’m specially assigning you to take care of this guest who traveled a long way…”

As he spoke, a graceful figure appeared at the entrance of the flower hall, walking elegantly toward them.

She was a woman about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, wearing a floor-length white evening gown. Her long hair was styled in a high bun, circled by a silver hair clasp. She had a refined, elegant demeanor and carried a violin in her hand, smiling before she spoke.

“Long time no see, Xiao Zhen,” Gu Huizheng greeted her gracefully. “Surprise!”

Zhen Zhen was surprised: “Sister Huizheng, when did you return to the country?”

“How could I dare not come on such an important day as Elder Zhen’s eightieth birthday?” Gu Huizheng smiled, winking mischievously at her. “You’ve grown up so much since I last saw you a few years ago!”

“Sister Huizheng, you still look the same as ever,” Zhen Zhen’s tone naturally became lighter upon seeing an old friend.

Gu Huizheng made a show of annoyance, placing one hand on her hip: “I don’t look the same at all! I haven’t properly eaten for days just to fit into this gown. I plan to eat a huge meal as compensation after the performance!”

Zhen Zhen was amused by her words, and her gaze fell on the violin in the other woman’s hand: “Is this the legendary ‘Guadagnini’?”

Gu Huizheng generously offered the violin: “Good eye. Want to give it a try?”

This violin was made by the 19th-century luthier family, the Banner family. It had a gorgeous deep red varnish. Seven years ago, the famous violinist Ke Shi bought it for 1.7 million US dollars and then gifted it to her closed-door disciple, Gu Huizheng, which was a celebrated story at the time.

Zhen Zhen didn’t take the violin, only admiring it up close: “I haven’t played the bow in years. I won’t embarrass myself.” She suddenly realized: “Are you going to perform live with this violin later?”

She was three years younger than Gu Huizheng. The two had studied the violin together for a few years when they were children. Later, Zhen Zhen’s interests shifted, but Gu Huizheng continued her studies. Seven years ago, she was admitted to the top French music academy, the Aimers School, and had been living overseas for musical training ever since.

Gu Huizheng nodded: “I came specifically to celebrate Elder Zhen’s birthday. How about you introduce me later? I hate it when people add a bunch of titles; it makes it sound like listening to the performance is about listening to the fame.”

“Who told you that you really are a great artist?” Zhen Zhen agreed with a laugh.

At exactly eight o’clock, the birthday banquet officially began. The grand hall was filled with well-dressed people, a bustling crowd. After the live band performance concluded, Zhen Zhen walked to the stage front.

She had changed into a dark blue Yves Saint Laurent haute couture suit dress. The tuxedo-style suit outlined her slender, tall figure. Zhen Zhen took the microphone from the host and, as promised, introduced Gu Huizheng to the stage with just a few words.

Gu Huizheng was renowned. Her personal performance immediately drew much applause. When the piece ended, the guests present gave continuous applause, pushing the atmosphere to a small climax.

The graceful violinist held her skirt and walked to Elder Zhen’s seat, performing a ladylike curtsey: “Elder Zhen, Huizheng wishes you a happy birthday and a long life full of blessings.”

Immediately, the gaze of everyone present focused on this outstanding young performer.

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