When Su Mei was young, she was a famous socialite in SH Bay, surrounded by friends like Zhang Lianying, Zhou Zhifu, Yan Rongmei, Wu Jing, and Sheng Aiyi, as well as the renowned Lady Zhao the Fourth.
These socialites shared a common trait: their ancestors were extremely influential, and their families were connected to powerful figures like Li Hongzhang, the Viceroy of Two Guangs, the Minister of Beiyang, and the President of the Republic of China. Even the old-money capitalists who looked down on the “Four Families” were part of their social circle.
Lady Zhao the Fourth was considered relatively lowly among them, as her father was only the Deputy Minister of Transportation in the Beiyang government, equivalent to a vice-ministerial level… In their circle, being the child of a vice-minister didn’t mean much. Lady Zhao the Fourth could only elope with Zhang Xueliang because, in their families’ eyes, Zhang Xueliang’s background was not good enough, even though his father was Zhang Zuolin.
The country was in shambles, and the people were suffering, but the upper class continued to uphold their three-thousand-year-old tradition of being literati. Back then, Lu Xman and Lin Huiyin were also very famous, not just for their talents, but also for their revolutionary efforts against the Japanese. However, many socialites didn’t think much of them, considering they were already declining or were only local officials.
Old Lady Zhu didn’t like Su Mei’s flashy lifestyle, surrounded by socialites. Su Mei was friends with Qin Peng and Ye Siyuan, and they made efforts for the revolution and anti-Japanese movement, rather than just enjoying life.
Years later, Su Mei’s family invested heavily in the mainland after the reform and opening-up policy. Qin Peng personally invited Su Mei’s family to invest, and their investments flourished. Qin Yanan knew Zhu Juntang since she was young.
Before marrying into the Zhu family, Su Mei also had a romantic past. That romance was said to be very tragic, with men being unfaithful and women being pitied. In the end, it didn’t work out, and there was nothing new about it.
“I remember you mentioning that there was a photo on your grandfather’s desk, and the man in it looks like the one your grandmother used to paint. Right?” During the Republican era, women without talents were considered useless. They could only impress men with their sketching or oil painting skills, which were mere tricks to impress.
“Very similar, but I asked about it, and she didn’t tell me. She looked unhappy, so I didn’t dare ask again.” Zhu Juntang was most afraid of her grandmother, even though the old lady loved her dearly. However, if Zhu Juntang made a mistake, the grandmother would discipline her without mercy.
Qin Yanan took out her phone, searched for a while, and found a photo of the mysterious man on her grandfather’s desk.
Zhu Juntang nodded vigorously, as if she had seen the photo before. She was very close to Qin Peng and had visited him before his birthday.
“What’s with the sudden question?” Zhu Juntang asked.
“That man might be your grandmother’s first love,” Qin Yanan said with certainty. “Only a first love would be remembered so vividly.”
“Why bother digging up old gossip?” Zhu Juntang asked, unhappy. As a member of the wealthy Su family, Zhu Mei had to deal with the typical melodrama found in high-society families. Rumors about Su Mei’s past relationships had spread throughout the household, and some even doubted the legitimacy of the young master, saying Su Mei was not chaste.
Zhu Juntang didn’t like these rumors and related gossip.
“You’re really reaching…,” Zhu Juntang said, realizing Qin Yanan’s intention. “You think this might be related to my grandmother?”
Qin Yanan nodded.
“This is top-secret. If my grandmother finds out, she might come to investigate, and who knows what might happen?” Zhu Juntang still respected her grandmother, even though she was as old as Qin Peng’s father. Zhu Juntang hoped her grandmother could live one more day.
“I think your grandfather might tell my grandmother about this. After all, they were close friends back then.” Qin Yanan smiled, looking at Zhu Juntang with malice. “Your family might have done something similar. I think you two are quite a match.”
“This is ridiculous! You’re pushing me to fight!” Zhu Juntang said, baring her teeth.
Zhu Juntang was worried about her grandmother’s schemes. She knew her grandmother’s character and suspected that she might take revenge by allowing the man’s descendant to marry into their family…
Qin Yanan thought about the possibility of using Zhu Juntang as a pawn.
Zhu Juntang saw the malicious intent in Qin Yanan’s eyes and cursed, “You’re trying to provoke me! Even if I die, I won’t be with that man you despise. I’ll steal your favorite man instead!”
“You think you can steal my favorite man?” Qin Yanan said, looking down on Zhu Juntang. “You’re just a little girl; you don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
Zhu Juntang saw Qin Yanan’s expression and realized she was not going to back down.
“Generally okay, I guess,” Zhu Juntang said, after being taken aback by Qin Yanan’s rapid-fire questions. “I’m the most beautiful goddess in the world, and you’re the second-best.”
“I’m telling you, people aren’t what you think they are…”
“Cut it out! Stop copying me!”
“He said he couldn’t accept me because I look too much like my grandmother… Do you think that’s just an excuse, and he actually thinks I’m ugly?”
Zhu Juntang examined Qin Yanan carefully and angrily said, “He must be blind! It’s not possible that he thinks you’re ugly, or else what’s the point of saying you look like a beauty?”
“Whatever, it’s all nonsense. Whoever it is, they’re just making excuses. Who cares about him? He probably likes girls his own age. Otherwise, what’s the point?” Qin Yanan said, still in shock.
“That is…” Zhu Juntang started to say, but stopped, wary of Qin Yanan’s intentions. “Don’t try to pawn me off on him. You’re the second-most beautiful goddess, and I’m not that different. If he doesn’t like you, he won’t like me either.”
Qin Yanan rolled her eyes at Zhu Juntang’s words. Their sisterly bond was getting weirder by the minute. She didn’t plan to use Zhu Juntang as a pawn, anyway. If Liu Chang’an didn’t like her, that was his problem, not hers.
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