The next day, just as Lu Ming was about to head to work at the Jiang Corporation, Jiang Mengxin called him to the villa.
Jiang Mengxin was dressed in casual, loose-fitting clothes and looked relaxed.
Lu Ming walked up and asked, "Aren't you going to work today?"
Jiang Mengxin replied without looking up, "I have more important things to attend to. The day after tomorrow is Grandma's eightieth birthday, and I need to select a hotel and decide on a gift in advance."
An eightieth birthday was a very significant occasion, not to be taken lightly.
Jiang Mengxin continued, "I called you here to remind you to pick out a gift early. Make sure you don't embarrass me at the banquet."
Then, without even glancing at Lu Ming, she handed him a bank card. "There's a hundred thousand yuan in here, enough for you to buy a high-end gift. Choose carefully, understand?"
So this was the reason Jiang Mengxin had summoned him home.
"A gift..." Lu Ming suddenly thought of the thousand-year-old ginseng. Wouldn't it be more suitable to present it to Grandma?
He then said, "No need to trouble yourself. I've already decided what to give."
"Oh?" Jiang Mengxin finally looked up at Lu Ming and asked, "What are you going to give? Is it valuable? Don't give me any nonsense, or it won't just be your face that's lost, I'll be embarrassed too, you know?"
Lu Ming put on a mysterious air and said, "Don't worry, what I'm giving is priceless. It definitely won't embarrass you!"
Jiang Mengxin was skeptical. She waved her hand, "I hope you're true to your word. Alright, you can go now."
Summoned at will, dismissed at whim.
Jiang Mengxin treated Lu Ming like a servant, never as her fiancé.
Lu Ming didn't take it to heart and turned to leave.
As soon as Lu Ming left, Jiang Lan emerged from her room, her face a mask of cold fury.
Her relationship with Jiang Mengxin was currently very strained.
The sisters barely spoke to each other.
Seeing Jiang Lan about to leave, Jiang Mengxin couldn't help but ask, "Have you prepared a gift for Grandma's birthday the day after tomorrow? You're part of this family too. If you embarrass yourself, I'll be embarrassed by association."
Jiang Lan let out a cold laugh, "I'll prepare a gift."
With that, she walked straight out the door.
Honestly, Jiang Lan didn't want to spend another minute in this house.
After Jiang Lan left, Jiang Mengxin frowned, her expression displeased.
Just then, her father, Jiang Xueyi, and her mother, Xu Qin, walked out one after another.
Jiang Xueyi asked, "Mengxin, are you having a disagreement with Jiang Lan lately? You two seem a bit at odds."
Jiang Mengxin said coldly, "There was a minor issue. Jiang Lan has been too close to Lu Ming, always defending that grave-sweeper and almost damaging our family's reputation. I said a few words, and she got upset."
Jiang Xueyi listened, his brow furrowed with worry, "It's not appropriate for you sisters to be at odds over an outsider."
In Jiang Xueyi's eyes, Lu Ming, his prospective son-in-law, was considered an outsider.
Meanwhile, Xu Qin chuckled and said, "Mengxin, you need to remember that you are the CEO of the Jiang family, the head of the family! Sometimes you have to be ruthless. If Jiang Lan is disobedient, you should discipline her."
Her words made Jiang Mengxin a bit puzzled.
They were both daughters, yet Xu Qin was so harsh towards Jiang Lan.
Upon further reflection, it seemed to have been this way since childhood. Xu Qin had always doted on her, but was always indifferent to Jiang Lan.
Wouldn't a normal parent dote on the younger child and neglect the elder? Why was Xu Qin the opposite?
Jiang Mengxin didn't think much of it.
She nodded and said, "It's not just Jiang Lan, I'm going to deal with Lu Ming too. Seeing them both in the company these days makes me sick. When the opportunity arises, I will definitely drive them both out."
Was it normal behavior to treat her own sister and fiancé this way?
However, Xu Qin not only didn't get angry but burst into laughter.
She said, "Good girl, it's absolutely right for you to think that way! These two deserve to be taught a lesson. When you get the chance, teach them a harsh lesson!"
Jiang Mengxin's brow furrowed slightly.
She turned to look at Xu Qin, "Mom, aren't you angry that I said that? Why do I feel... why do I feel like Jiang Lan isn't your daughter?"
As soon as she said that, both Xu Qin and Jiang Xueyi's faces showed shock.
Xu Qin flusteredly explained, "What nonsense are you spouting? How could Jiang Lan not be my daughter? I'm not asking you to be cruel to your own sister, just to teach her a lesson, set her straight, and help her get back on the right path! Do you understand a mother's good intentions?"
The explanation was flimsy.
But Jiang Mengxin believed it.
She nodded, "Jiang Lan is indeed going further and further astray. Ever since Lu Ming came into our family, she's been completely led down the wrong path. No, I need to find an opportunity to guide her back to the right path."
Xu Qin finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Yes, that's right."
...
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
The Jiang family matriarch, Cao Chunhui's, eightieth birthday banquet was held as scheduled at a renowned five-star hotel in Jinling.
That evening, the event was filled with distinguished guests.
Dignitaries adorned in gold and silver were coming and going.
Although the Jiang family was past its prime, they still held considerable influence. Moreover, Cao Chunhui was the spouse of the esteemed Elder Jiang Dingbian, so many attended the banquet out of respect for him.
Even Yuan Chengji, the head of the Yuan family, who had parted ways with the Jiang family, attended the banquet.
Yuan Keying, who usually disliked such occasions, insisted on coming along so she could see Lu Ming.
Luxury cars were parked everywhere outside the hotel.
None were worth less than a million.
It was evident how distinguished the guests were that evening.
Cao Chunhui sat on her high birthday chair, her face beaming with joy as she watched guest after guest enter.
She was so happy.
Every distinguished guest came to greet her and present their gifts.
The old lady was in high spirits, receiving gifts and listening to flattery.
However, her mood soured when a particular 'guest' arrived.
It was none other than Lu Ming.
Firstly, he had arrived on a small electric scooter!
And because it was too far, his scooter was almost out of battery by the time he reached the hotel. He was pedaling with his foot while twisting the throttle, wobbling and weaving his way to the hotel entrance.
He looked as pathetic as one could be.
When he parked his scooter at the entrance, a security guard even came over and asked him to move it to an inconspicuous corner, so as not to "pollute the environment."
After all, the cars parked there were worth at least a million!
Lu Ming smiled, parked his scooter in a corner, and then, holding the box containing the thousand-year-old ginseng, happily walked into the hotel.
He was here to present his birthday gift to the old lady.