Chapter 116: Whispers of Fate

Jiang Jingshi bent her head and continued scrutinizing the documents and photos, flipping through the records of achievements that followed.

Suddenly, she couldn’t hold back a light chuckle, her expression full of amusement.

It was as if she’d thought of something entertaining: “I wonder what Qian Qian’s reaction would be if she knew her arranged marriage partner—the one she’s been reluctant to meet—is actually Lin Zheng Ran, the guy she’s been paying attention to lately?”

Fang Meng said honestly, “Truth be told, I’m curious about her reaction too.”

Jiang Jingshi gathered up the documents: “But I’ve got an idea now. Let’s see how it plays out later.”

She turned and left the study, with Fang Meng hurrying after her, puzzled.

Jiang Jingshi returned to the living room, holding up the documents: “Grandfather, I’ve printed the materials. Qian Qian, want to take a look?”

Jiang Qian, seated on the sofa, barely moved and responded flatly: “Hand them over.”

She reached out her hand.

But when Jiang Jingshi started to pass them, she pulled back suddenly and asked Grandfather curiously:

“Wait a minute, Grandfather, I remember you told me a long time ago that originally, this arranged marriage was meant for me. It only went to Qian Qian because he was born later, right?”

The elderly man nodded as he sipped his tea: “Yes, that’s how it was. When I made the arrangement with my old comrade, your mother was just pregnant with you. His side didn’t have a child for years, and only later did they have one, so we assigned it to your sister.”

Fang Meng had no idea what the young mistress was up to.

Jiang Jingshi looked again at the photo in the documents.

Recalling the scenes from yesterday and today when she met and chatted with Lin Zheng Ran at the town competition ground, her cheeks flushed slightly as a playful idea struck her, and she asked Grandfather:

“Grandfather, isn’t this boy just three years younger than me?”

“Four years. You’re twenty, he’s sixteen.”

Jiang Jingshi clicked her tongue in correction: “What twenty? I’m nineteen. My birthday’s in November, so it’s late in the year.”

Grandfather sighed helplessly: “Fine, fine, you’re nineteen. So, that makes it three years between you.”

“Hmm, a three-year age gap between a guy and a girl isn’t much. Sister-brother relationships are popular these days. How about this, Grandfather—if Qian Qian doesn’t want to meet him, I could step in. I’d go on the blind date with him.”

Grandfather stared at his granddaughter in surprise: “You?”

Jiang Qian remained expressionless, though she felt a sense of relief, not knowing what her sister was thinking.

But she didn’t notice Fang Meng’s eyes widening in confusion at the young mistress’s idea: “Young Mistress, you!”

Jiang Jingshi turned to Fang Meng, putting a finger to her lips and shushing her, so Fang Meng fell silent.

Jiang Jingshi went on, holding the documents: “Grandfather, what do you think? After all, a meeting’s a meeting, no matter who goes. And if Qian Qian’s not interested, I am.”

“Well… that’s true,” he said, glancing at Jiang Qian, “but you should ask Qian Qian, since it was originally for her.”

“Nonsense,” Jiang Jingshi said firmly. “Wasn’t it meant for me at first?”

“Oh, right. It was because he was born late that we gave it to Qian Qian. Anyway, if she doesn’t want to go and you do, that’s fine. You’re not that far apart in age.”

Jiang Jingshi bit her lower lip, looking triumphant as her little scheme succeeded, and she slowly sat beside her sister, asking gently: “Qian Qian, what do you say? Do you want to meet him yourself or have me go for you?”

Jiang Qian, feeling one less burden, picked up her teacup and took a sip: “If you want to go, Sister, then go. I’m not really interested in this anyway.”

Jiang Jingshi said meaningfully: “Are you sure? Really sure? To avoid any regrets later, I’ll ask twice more—you’re okay giving him to me?”

Jiang Qian stayed expressionless: “Yes, sure.”

At that moment, Fang Meng couldn’t help but remind her: “Qian Qian… I advise you to think carefully,” but seeing Jiang Jingshi look her way, she rephrased it:

“Because I think meeting him wouldn’t hurt. At least check his profile first—you might find him interesting.”

Jiang Qian sipped her tea, gazing at the coffee table, thinking about Lin Zheng Ran over the past while.

From childhood, Jiang Qian had never thought about marrying anyone or even liking someone.

Her mind was always on the Jiang Family, focused on growing up to make it even stronger.

If there was anyone she might care about, Lin Zheng Ran was the only possibility.

After all, he was not only outstanding but their personalities complemented each other well.

Yet, romance was the biggest obstacle to learning and progress, as many books said—falling in love stalls growth, and breakups spur it.

At least, Jiang Qian couldn’t imagine snuggling in some boy’s arms; just picturing it felt decadent and boring.

That time could be spent studying—hugging a boy wasted the time of flipping a page.

Kissing one would waste two pages, and besides, it seemed unhygienic. Why did such a thing even exist? Lips were for eating, after all.

Moreover, she knew she didn’t really like Lin Zheng Ran; she was just purely curious about why he was so exceptional.

So, if even someone as amazing as him, whom she couldn’t surpass, didn’t spark her interest, Jiang Qian figured she’d never like anyone or marry.

Jiang Qian took another sip of tea.

Of course, at that moment, she had no idea where her views were off; people can’t understand what they’ve never experienced.

It was like trying to earn money beyond your comprehension.

So, after Fang Meng’s reminder, Jiang Jingshi asked again: “Qian Qian, are you sure you want to give this boy to me?”

Jiang Qian nodded slowly: “Yes, no matter how many times you ask, it’s the same. I’m not interested in blind dates.”

Jiang Jingshi’s lips curved into a smile, her eyes soft as she looked back at the documents, recalling the incident with the instant noodles and the investigation she had her secretary do.

She never imagined that the boy who had scolded her back then was Lin Zheng Ran: “Thanks, though it’s not quite right to say thanks—after all, he was mine from the start.”

Grandfather, overhearing his granddaughters’ conversation, said: “Well, since it’s turned out this way, let Jingshi go meet him. You’re both so capable.”

Fang Meng watched Jiang Qian’s serene, almost enlightened expression and sighed, hoping she wouldn’t regret it later.

Though Fang Meng didn’t like seeing curiosity cloud her judgment, she still felt Jiang Qian would end up regretting this.

Jiang Jingshi folded up the documents, excited for the blind date: “So, Grandfather, when’s the meeting?”

“There’s a holiday next week, National Day. Let’s set it for the evening of the second day. I’ll check with his grandfather too.”

“Okay, let me check the dates.” Jiang Jingshi pulled out her phone, looked at her schedule, and thought:

“This week’s pretty packed, so I’ll have to wrap up the busy stuff in the next couple of days. Then I can carve out a day for the date. For the evening…”

She bit her lip: “Maybe a candlelit dinner? There’s so much I want to chat with him about. But what should I wear for a blind date?”

She stood up: “Grandfather, I’m heading to my room. I need to find something nice to wear—it’s my first blind date, so I have to look good.”

Grandfather hummed in agreement, thinking how girls change when they grow up; they get so proactive about dates.

Finishing his tea, the old man stood: “Alright, with that settled, I’ll head to my room for some rest. I’ll stay here this week. Is my room ready?”

Fang Meng explained: “Grandfather, everything’s been prepared for you.”

“Thanks, Xiao Meng.” As the old man went upstairs, Fang Meng noted his sturdy health: “Goodnight, Grandfather.”

“Hmm, you two carry on.”

With Grandfather and Jiang Jingshi in their rooms, Fang Meng looked at Jiang Qian still sipping tea and let out a long breath.

After that family discussion, Fang Meng was curious why the young mistress was so interested in Lin Zheng Ran.

As far as she knew, they didn’t even know each other.

Jiang Qian suddenly asked: “Why is Sister suddenly so interested in this blind date? She’s got lots of hobbies, but she should hate being alone with guys, right?”

Fang Meng replied to Qian Qian’s question: “I’m not sure why, but maybe it depends on the person. Oh, and Qian Qian, even though it’s late, do you want to see who your arranged partner is?”

“No.”

“Alright, I’ll ask tomorrow.”

The next day, school started, and Fang Meng saw Jiang Qian continuing to observe Lin Zheng Ran’s behavior during the day, though her shyness had faded, her curiosity remained strong.

That evening, she asked again: “Qian Qian, are you sure you don’t want to see who your arranged partner is?”

Jiang Qian answered casually: “No.”

By the third evening, Fang Meng said: “Qian Qian… are you sure?”

Jiang Qian looked puzzled, not understanding: “Xiao Meng, why are you asking me this so many times? What do you mean?”

“Nothing much, I’m just reminding you that National Day break starts the day after tomorrow. If you don’t look now, it’ll be too late. I could tell you his name directly, but since you won’t look, I won’t say. I think you don’t need to meet him for that, but I’m worried you’ll blame me later for not warning you, so I’ve been reminding you.”

“…”

She still hadn’t connected the dots.

On the fourth day, school finally let out for National Day! The whole country celebrated.

After school, Fang Meng and Jiang Qian sat in the car, Fang Meng gazing out the window and asking casually: “Qian Qian, want to look?”

To her surprise, Jiang Qian replied:

“I wasn’t curious at first, but your constant asking has me wondering what his name is. Show me, though it doesn’t really matter who he is—even if it’s Lin Zheng Ran, so what?”

She muttered to herself: “It’s probably not, anyway. He’s from my grandfather’s old comrade’s side, so he’s likely the son of some businessman. I’d be fine making friends with peers in business, but skip the blind date.”

“Is that so? No wonder,” Fang Meng said, turning with a wink:

“Well, if you can let it go that easily, that’s good. I was worried you’d regret it.” She pulled out Lin Zheng Ran’s profile from her pocket and handed it over.

“Here, take a look.”

Jiang Qian was puzzled that she had it with her, but when she took the paper, she saw it was a perfect score report—and it was Lin Zheng Ran’s.

Jiang Qian asked, confused: “Why are you giving me Lin Zheng Ran’s report card? Isn’t this supposed to be my arranged partner’s info?”

Fang Meng realized: “Oh, I didn’t bring the full file, but it’s the same. The name’s the same.”

“What do you mean? The name’s the same?”

“Just what it sounds like. Your arranged partner’s file says Lin Zheng Ran too—which means your sister is going on a blind date with him.”

In that instant, Fang Meng saw Jiang Qian freeze like stone.

She sat there rigid, as if cracking apart with stone fragments falling off.

Fang Meng brushed off the bits that landed on her lap: “No need to be that shocked, Qian Qian. You said yourself, even if it’s Lin Zheng Ran, it doesn’t matter since you don’t like him.”

The Rolls Royce sped onward, the driver wondering: “Why does the car feel so heavy today?”

Fang Meng answered: “We’ve got a big rock in here now, so it’s normal.”

She patted the stone dust off herself again.

“Though Qian Qian acts tough, I think she’s starting to care about Lin Zheng Ran a bit—even if it’s not love yet, something might spark it soon.”