Chapter 352: You are Really Thoughtful
In order to ensure that she would be able to attend the Lu family’s reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, Jiang Yuning applied for leave with Director Mong in advance. Jiang Yuning also requested for Director Mong to focus on filming her scenes before New Year because she would have to attend an award ceremony which would be held immediately after the New Year. The enntire cast of were invited to attend the award ceremony as the drama obtained the popular vote online. Jiang Yuning did not manage to secure any spots as the top actress. However, she ranked first on one of the polls for the popular actresses’ awards.
Even though she was not good enough to win the best actress award, it was already very remarkable for Jiang Yuning to secure the most popular actress award.
It had been really humiliating for Jiang Yuning last year because she had been blacklisted and was one of the most hated artistes last year. Who would have expected Jiang Yuning to gain more than ten million fans in a year and to win the award for the most popular actress?
“I will pick you up and drop you off directly at the Lu family mansion at two o’clock in the afternoon tomorrow. I will not be able to accompany you for the dinner because there are several media outlets and reporters who have approached me. They would like to arrange for an interview with you after the awards ceremony. Therefore, I have already arranged a meeting with Director Shen to discuss this matter with him,” Vera said as she explained her schedule to Jiang Yuning over the phone.
“I think you should just turn down their invitations,” Jiang Yuning replied in a serious manner. “After all, Director Mong has already given me a lot of leeway. I do not want to keep breaking his rules.”
“That’s because he knows that you have already worked hard enough and put in so much effort to make sure that you finished filming all your scenes ahead of time. Otherwise, Director Mong would not have allowed you to apply for leave at all no matter how much you try to persuade him. So many television stations have already heard the news and all of them are already keen to invite you for an exclusive interview and after party. We can’t let go of this opportunity just like that, can we?” Vera asked as she rolled her eyes.
“Alright then. I would also like you to make sure that you find a good place to celebrate your New Year,” Jiang Yuning replied as she dropped a subtle hint at Vera. She wanted Vera to celebrate New Year together with Xiao Chennan at his house.
“You had better take care of yourself first. You will be going to the Lu family mansion tomorrow and I am sure that things will not be that easy for you. Make sure that you stay alert and be careful not to reveal the fact that you are already married to Second Young Master Lu.” In fact, Vera was avoiding the subject because Xiao Chennan had not told her about his plans for New Year’s Eve.
“I understand.”
Vera did not inform the Ginger Candies that Jiang Yuning would be returning to Luo City because Jiang Yuning was coming back to attend a private function at the Lu family mansion.
Therefore, Jiang Yuning arrived at the airport at Luo City in a low-key manner in the afternoon the next day and she went directly into Vera’s car as soon as she stepped out of the airport.
“I have prepared a set of formal clothing for you to wear to the dinner tonight. You can change out of your clothes in the car later.”
“I got it.”
Jiang Yuning looked into the paper bag and she smiled when she saw the clothes that Vera packed for her. There was a beige-colored cashmere round neck sweater, a black-colored skirt and also a brownish-red coat to complete her look. It was perfect.
“Your fas.h.i.+on sense is really improving greatly. I love the outfit that you have matched for me.”
“Second Young Master Lu packed that outfit for you,” Vera replied immediately. “I am not the one who understands you best in this world.”
Vera was a little sarcastic as she said this sentence because she was talking about Jiang Yuning’s body in general.
“Hehehe…Empress Jiang’s man really lives up to his reputation indeed,” Jiang Yuning praised Lu Jingzhi immediately. At this time, Vera suddenly stuffed something into Jiang Yuning’s pocket. Jiang Yuning could not help but yell in surprise when she took the item out of her pocket. “Why are you giving this to me?”
“I am afraid that you would not be able to control your urges at the Lu family mansion and I don’t want you to be put in a difficult spot if you are too embarra.s.sed to go out to buy it.”
“You are really thoughtful…” Jiang Yuning laughed out loud as she put the box of condom aside. Anyway, she was already legally married to Lu Jingzhi so she did not feel ashamed or embarra.s.sed in front of Vera.
After a short drive, Vera’s car finally arrived in front of the Lu family mansion. Vera looked at the brightly lit courtyard that was s.h.i.+ning beautifully with a water fountain right smack in the middle of the courtyard. Vera could not help but sigh at this magnificent view. Royal Dragon Villa was already very extravagant but the Lu family mansion was even more magnificent. The entire Lu family mansion looked as though it comprised of antiques.
“I also prepared a gift for you to bring to Old Master. It is in the car trunk. Remember to bring it down with you.”
“Okay, I got it. You can leave now,” Jiang Yuning replied as she got out of the car. However, she did not bring the gift down with her and she entered the Lu family mansion empty-handed.
Jiang Yuning looked at the number of cars that were parked around the courtyard and she knew that it would definitely be a very lively event tonight.
“Miss Jiang, you are here,” the butler greeted Jiang Yuning immediately as soon as he spotted her standing in the courtyard. “Come on in already. It is very cold outside.”
Jiang Yuning had initially planned to wait for Lu Jingzhi to arrive so that she could enter the Lu family mansion with him. However, he was too slow. Therefore, Jiang Yuning decided to enter the house without waiting for him.
As soon as she entered the house, Jiang Yuning could hear laughter coming from the living room. Jiang Yuning remained calm and composed as she entered the living room in an elegant and graceful manner. At this time, there were more than ten people in the living room of the Lu family mansion.
Everyone was shocked and they had a strange expression on their faces when they saw Jiang Yuning entering the living room. This was because they never would have expected her to make an appearance here today, since the Jiang family was in such an awkward situation and Jiang Yuning was also an artiste in the entertainment industry. Moreover, what was even more surprising was the fact that Jiang Yuning actually showed up empty-handed in front of Old Master Lu! She did not have any etiquette at all!
Two of the guests who were here tonight had in fact worked for Old Master Lu for a very long time. They had brought their daughters along with them to attend the dinner tonight and their intentions for doing so were obvious and self-evident.
Jiang Yuning entered the living room with a bright smile on her face before she rushed over to Old Master Lu’s side and said, “Grandpa Lu, I will write you a couplet!”
“Don’t you know how to behave even though the Jiang family has already lost its prestigious status? How can you be so uncivilized? You should at least have the decency and respect to bring Old Master Lu a gift when visiting him. How can you come empty-handed?”
“She was from a prestigious family with a good background but in the end, she chose to enter the entertainment industry. Who knows what kind of tainted character and personality she has right now?”
One of the guests started whispering to the other guests as he lowered his head in disgust.
When Jiang Yuning heard what the man was saying about her, she looked at Old Master Lu before she said, “Grandpa Lu, when I was just a young kid, I would always rush over here excitedly without any worries and back then, my parents and grandfather would always be following behind me. As the representative of the Jiang family now, I know that I should not have forgotten my duties and I should not have arrived empty-handed but…I was just so excited at the thought of finally coming back to the Lu family mansion. It feels as though I am coming back home after such a long time and that is why it slipped my mind and I forgot my etiquette…”
Grandpa Lu immediately waved his hand as soon as he heard Jiang Yuning’s words. The young girl spoke so sincerely and pitifully, so how could he bear to be so strict and hard on this young child when he had watched her grow up?
“Alright then, I will punish you now. Hurry up and write me the couplet now.”
“Your wish is my command!”
“Yuning, let me come along with you,” Chen Jingshu quickly took this opportunity to speak up at this time.
After all, she was not really used to being surrounded and questioned by a large group of strangers.
“You can go.”
When the two men who were whispering amongst themselves heard the conversation between Jiang Yuning and Old Master Lu, they felt very embarra.s.sed of themselves.
Moreover, the impression that Grandpa Lu had on the men’s daughters was also greatly reduced.
…
“Yuning, did you…do it on purpose?”
“Shh…” Jiang Yuning replied as she made a hush gesture at Chen Jingshu before she closed the door of Old Master Lu’s study room behind her. “How did you see right through me?”
“Yuning, you are so intelligent. That is why I know you would not make such a silly mistake.”
“One of the reasons why I am here tonight is to see what kind of girls that Grandpa Lu has set up for a blind date with Second Brother! I saw them earlier and I think they are all really mediocre and they would not be a threat to me at all.” They might be excellent in their own ways but they did not stand out at all. Second Brother would never be interested in them.
“You…are really not jealous at all?”
“Why would I feel jealous?” Jiang Yuning asked before she walked over to the study table and picked up a calligraphy brush in her hand.
A short while later, there was a loud commotion in the living room and Jiang Yuning could only a.s.sume that Lu Jingzhi was finally home.
However, Jiang Yuning did not rush out to greet Lu Jingzhi. Instead, she stayed back in the study room until she had finally finished writing the couplet before she pushed Chen Jingshu out of the study room.
At this time, Lu Jingzhi was seated on the sofa and he turned around and glanced at his little descendant as she walked out of the study room. Lu Jingzhi was relieved when she saw that she was smiling and enjoying herself because he initially thought that Jiang Yuning would definitely feel uncomfortable at the Lu family mansion.
The two men were seated next to Lu Jingzhi as they took the opportunity to praise and boast about their own daughters.
For instance, they could not stop talking about their daughters’ academic qualifications, which university they had studied abroad at, and the types of degree and doctorates that they had right now.
In the end, after praising their daughters, they did not let go of the opportunity to belittle Jiang Yuning. “Children nowadays should be more willing to learn and receive education for their own benefit. It is a really important aspect in life. Nowadays, anyone that you b.u.mp into on the street would at least have a bachelor’s degree. Those without any education and academic qualifications would eventually be eliminated and ostracized by society in general.”