Chapter 188: Marriage
Chapter 188
They chatted for a while, and soon the banquet was about to begin. The three of them hurried to the banquet hall.
Old Madam Ji was already standing in the middle, flanked by Chairman Ji and his wife, with Ji Family's children beside them. The Ji Family had good genes, with the men looking handsome and the women attractive.
First, Chairman Ji gave the opening speech, and then the banquet officially began.
The opening dance was performed by Ji Ke and the eldest son Ji Si, after which other couples entered the dance floor.
In the middle, Zhang Yuan was even invited to dance by a young lady. After finishing one dance, Ji Ke returned to her sisters.
"Ke Ke, why don't you invite Young Master Chi to dance? We just saw several girls invite him, but they were all rejected. You should try, he would definitely accept your invitation."
Ji Ke looked over at Chi Yan, who had just rejected another girl's invitation.
Hou Sheng sighed beside him, "Standing next to Brother Yan, no one can see me." As he spoke, a small hand extended in front of him, "Hello, may I have this dance with you?"
Hou Sheng was stunned, "Yes, yes, of course." Finally, someone was attracted by his good looks.
Chi Yan felt a bit bored, wondering what his beloved Chu Yang was doing at home.
"Chi Yan, would you like to dance?" Ji Ke stood in front of Chi Yan, inviting him.
Chi Yan glanced at her and then took a step back.
Ji Ke: ?
Chi Yan: "I'm sorry, I only dance with my girlfriend."
Ji Ke: ??
Ji Ke felt a bit embarrassed, but soon regained her smile, "No problem. It's all for fun."
Then Ji Ke invited another young man, who quickly accepted. Ji Ke finally relieved her embarrassment, as she had doubted her charm for a moment.
After the banquet ended, Chi Yan and Chi Xin left quickly.
In the car, Chi Xin revealed the Ji Family's intention, "They want to form a marriage alliance with our family, tsk! What a preposterous dream! Don't think that just because I came to the banquet, it means I'm trying to break the ice with them. Think again!"
This was the first time Chi Yan had seen Chi Xin in this state, "Uncle, is there any feud between our family and the Ji Family?"
Chi Xin said matter-of-factly, "Of course there is! The old patriarch of the Ji Family once tried to steal my mom, your grandma."
Chi Yan: ??? What the hell?
Chi Xin continued, "It's all about those love and hatred stories. You just need to know that Grandpa doesn't like the Ji Family."
"So the Ji Family still wants to form a marriage alliance with us?"
Chi Xin: "The old patriarch of the Ji Family is long dead. Now it's Chairman Ji in charge of Ji Company. Who knows what he thinks? That must be his idea, but he underestimates how much our family dislikes his. Anyway, a marriage alliance is impossible. Don't you fall for their daughter, alright?"
Chi Yan immediately refuted, "Of course not! I'm utterly loyal to my Chu Yang! I even rejected dancing with her tonight. Anything that could jeopardize my relationship with Chu Yang is out of the question!"
Chi Xin scoffed, "Tsk," forgetting that his nephew was a loyal, lovesick puppy.
"Oh, I'm going back to the Forest Garden Community tonight. You can tell Grandpa about the banquet. And mention my grievance too."
Chi Xin laughed, "What grievance do you have?"
Chi Yan: "I was almost forced into a marriage alliance, that's the grievance!"
Chi Xin: "You silly rabbit!"
...On the other side, at the Ji Family, Ji Qi asked Ji Ke, "What did you think of Chi Yan from the Chi Family?"
Ji Ke's face turned a bit red. To describe Chi Yan, she felt he was the most outstanding among their peers. She hadn't met anyone better than him, and he would inherit Chi Company in the future, a definite potential catch. Ji Ke would definitely marry the best man.
But...
Ji Ke suddenly recalled Chi Yan's words, and her expression turned calm again, "But, it seems Chi Yan already has a girlfriend."
Ji Qi frowned, "Is that so? Which family is she from? Does anyone know which family his girlfriend is from?"
Ji Si: "It doesn't seem to be someone from our circle. I heard before that the young lady from the Zhu Family had tried to cause trouble for him. But I haven't heard of her being from our circle."
Ji Qi relaxed a bit, "Well, as long as she's not from our circle, it's fine. Those girls are just for playing around. Which young man hasn't played with a few girls before?"
Ji Yu, who had been nonchalant, suddenly spoke up, "What are you talking about? Do you want our big sister to become a mistress?"
Ji Ke's face instantly turned pale.
Ji Qi was so angry that he wanted to hit him, "Watch your words! Those outside girls are just playthings. And it's not even confirmed yet. Ji Ke doesn't have to marry him if she doesn't want to."
Ji Yu rolled his eyes, "You want to sell your daughter, but he might not even want her. What do you mean by 'doesn't have to?' Do you think he'll definitely choose her just because you chose him?"
Ji Qi clutched his chest, "Shut up! If you weren't so incompetent, why would I have to do this?"
Ji Yu: "What incompetence? The projects I landed, weren't they successful for Ji Company? Our company is doing so well, why can't we find a suitable son-in-law?"
Ji Qi: "You don't understand. The Chi Family has a top-secret technology. If they master that technology, our Ji Company will forever be suppressed by them."
Ji Yu: "So you want to marry our big sister over there to steal their top-secret technology?"
Ji Qi slammed the table, "What stealing? It's just friendly sharing after the marriage alliance, cooperation!"
Ji Yu stood up, scoffed, and left, not wanting to talk to him anymore, thinking he was delusional.
Ji Ke stood by the side, feeling that her second brother was right, but ultimately, she had to follow Ji Qi's decision.
Ji Qi patted her hand, "Don't listen to your second brother's nonsense. You're so beautiful, and all the ladies in our circle praise you. The Chi Family will definitely be satisfied with you."
Ji Ke: "Dad... maybe we should find someone else?"
Ji Qi: "Ke Ke, our family has raised you so well. Don't you want to consider the Ji Family's interests?"
Ji Ke lowered her head, "I understand, Father."
"Good, you may go now."
...
On the other side, Chi Yan returned to the Forest Garden Community. Chu Yang was sitting on the bed reading a book, not yet asleep. Chi Yan immediately went to the bathroom to freshen up, then pounced on her, "Chu Yang!"
Chu Yang freed one hand to pat his head, her eyes not leaving the book, "Hmm, what's up?"
Chi Yan grabbed one of her hands, their fingers tightly intertwined. "Shall we get married right after we graduate in our senior year?"
Chu Yang felt that he was just saying it casually. "Why?"
Chi Yan: "I'm too attractive, you'd better let me into your family soon, so others won't covet me anymore." Then Chi Yan talked about going to the banquet today.
"I will never marry anyone else, only you," Chi Yan blinked his big eyes.
Chu Yang pinched his face, measuring how thick his face could be. "Good to know you're obedient."
Chi Yan: "Then give me a kiss."
Chu Yang put down her book and gave him a gentle kiss, but Chi Yan was not satisfied. He took the initiative and gave an intense kiss.
A long while later...
Chu Yang lay down. "Time to sleep, no more kissing." Her lips were swollen.