Scumbag Forcing Me to Divorce? Watch Me Turn Around and Marry a Powerful Capital Tycoon! - Chapter 55

They went to Jiang Ning.

Mr. and Mrs. Yue… had gone to Jiang Ning!

Cheng Zijun froze in place, staring blankly at the scene before him. His mouth hung open in the shape of an “O,” cold sweat running down his spine.

Even the reporters, who had been ready to interview him, were dumbfounded.

No one had expected the situation to turn so dramatically.

“Who is that girl?”

“She’s so beautiful!”

“Yes, stunning… and if Mr. and Mrs. Yue personally came to greet her, her identity must be extraordinary.”

“Just now, Cheng Zijun looked so proud—I really thought they were here for him. Turns out, he was nothing to them.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Yue probably don’t even know who he is.”

“What a disgrace. If I were him, I’d want the ground to swallow me whole.”

“Exactly…”

Cheng Zijun stood stiffly, listening to the hushed discussions all around. His face flushed hot, then turned pale, shame burning through him until he wished for a hole to crawl into.

It would’ve been bad enough if Mr. and Mrs. Yue had simply ignored him.

But they hadn’t just ignored him—they had gone straight to Jiang Ning.

To Cheng Zijun, this was a humiliation of the highest order.

Jiang Ning?

What was Jiang Ning compared to him?

How had she managed to climb her way up to the Yue family?

Her identity and status weren’t even in the same stratosphere.

He had never imagined—even in his wildest dreams—that the Yue family, a clan he himself could hardly approach, would treat Jiang Ning with such respect.

If he had known, he never would have stepped forward just now.

And now?

He had lost face in front of the entire city.

Cheng Zijun drew a sharp breath, forcing himself to calm down.

Don’t panic.

He couldn’t panic now.

After all, Jiang Ning was his obedient lapdog.

Everything she did was for him.

Of course—that must be it. She had gone to cozy up to the Yues for his sake.

That little village girl had no real ability, but she excelled at currying favor.

If not, she would never have coaxed his grandfather into forcing their marriage years ago.

Yes. That had to be it.

She was only trying to win his approval tonight, worried he wouldn’t take her back.

Which meant—

Very soon, Jiang Ning would return with Mr. and Mrs. Yue to introduce them to him.

And the moment she did, all the dignity he had lost would be restored.

His steps steadied with that thought.

Ten seconds.

All he needed was ten seconds.

Ten seconds, and Jiang Ning would appear before him.

Closing his eyes, he counted silently in his heart.

10, 9, 8…

When he reached 5, a soft female voice called, “Brother Zijun.”

She was here.

He knew Jiang Ning could never escape his grasp.

A smirk tugged at his lips as he opened his eyes, full of smugness. But when he saw the figure in front of him, his eyes widened.

“Shuyi? Why is it you?”

It was Zhang Shuyi.

Not Jiang Ning.

He blinked, momentarily unable to process it.

Seeing his reaction, Zhang Shuyi hesitated. “Brother Zijun, the engagement ceremony is about to begin. Who are you waiting for?”

His gaze whipped toward Building B’s entrance.

But Jiang Ning was already gone, disappearing into the banquet hall with the Yues.

She hadn’t brought them to him.

His legs nearly gave out. For a moment, he thought he might faint.

Beside him, Wang Qingke’s face had also stiffened.

Only minutes earlier, she had ridiculed Jiang Ning, saying she wasn’t even qualified to attend the Yue family’s banquet.

Yet now—Jiang Ning was their honored guest.

Why?

She was just a peasant girl from the countryside!

Wang Qingke’s eyes burned red with jealousy.

First it was Shen Jingshu.

Now it was the Yue family…

How had that little bumpkin stepped on her again, forging ties with people Wang Qingke couldn’t even dream of reaching?

“Brother Zijun?”

Zhang Shuyi’s gentle call snapped him from his daze. He forced a stiff smile. “No one. I wasn’t waiting for anyone. Come on, Shuyi, let’s go inside.”

She nodded, and he draped an arm around her shoulders, leading her toward the hall.

The engagement banquet bustled with lights, laughter, and endless toasts.

Cheng Zijun smiled mechanically, accepting blessings left and right, but in his mind, only Jiang Ning’s image lingered.

She hadn’t come yet.

Which could only mean she was planning to storm in later—at the most dramatic moment.

He narrowed his eyes, glancing at Lin Yuze. With a small wave of his hand, he summoned him over.

“Brother Zijun.” Lin Yuze hurried close.

“Add more men around the stage,” Cheng Zijun ordered in a low voice. “When Jiang Ning shows up, make sure to control the scene.”

That jealous woman—who knew what madness she might cause in her rage?

There were too many reporters here tonight. He couldn’t allow a single scandal to tarnish Shuyi’s reputation.

“As her fiancé, I must protect her,” he added, almost self-righteously.

“Brother Zijun,” Lin Yuze hesitated, “Jiang Ning already went to attend the Yue family’s banquet. She won’t be coming here.”

Cheng Zijun’s eyes narrowed. “That’s just a pretense. She’s buttering up the Yue family for my sake. Mark my words—she’s probably already negotiated our cooperation with the Shanghai circle.”

Lin Yuze thought Cheng Zijun was delusional.

The Jiang Ning before them was nothing like the one he remembered.

But before he could speak, Cheng Zijun snapped, face dark, “Enough! Just do as I said.”

“…Got it,” Lin Yuze muttered, though doubt clouded his gaze.

Meanwhile, inside the Yue banquet hall—

Mr. and Mrs. Yue guided Jiang Ning warmly toward the center.

“Miss Jiang,” Madam Yue beamed, “our March is still in the dressing room, so her father and I came to welcome you personally.”

“You really didn’t have to,” Jiang Ning replied softly. “I could’ve come in by myself.”

“Nonsense!” Madam Yue said quickly. “You saved March. You’re her benefactor—how could we not come to greet you?”

Gratitude filled her eyes. She would never forget that night—what could have been, and what Jiang Ning had prevented.

Even now, thinking of it made her heart tremble with fear.

Mr. Yue nodded firmly. “My wife is right. Without you, Miss Jiang, there would be no 18^th birthday celebration for our daughter tonight.”

Jiang Ning smiled lightly. “Uncle, Auntie, you flatter me. In that situation, anyone would’ve stepped forward. I only did what was right.”

Madam Yue looked at her, admiration shining in her eyes. Such humility. Such grace.

At that moment, a cheerful voice called out.

“Yuning!”

Yue Qianlan skipped forward in her glittering gown, her eyes wide with delight. “You look stunning tonight—like a fairy!”

She had never seen Jiang Ning in an evening dress before. Compared to her, even red-carpet stars paled.

“You’re beautiful too,” Jiang Ning said with a smile. She handed over a small box. “This is for you—your birthday gift.”

Inside lay a golden necklace with a small, delicate lock-shaped pendant.

“In my hometown,” Jiang Ning explained, “we gift longevity locks at 18. It means a life of peace and joy. This one open—and inside is a Snow Lotus Pill. If you ever face danger, swallow it. It can save your life.”

At her words, Yue Qianlan gasped, quickly opening the lock.

Sure enough, nestled inside was a pristine white pill.

Mr. Yue’s pupils contracted sharply.

He recognized it immediately: the Anhe Snow Lotus Pill.

A rare lifesaving medicine, priceless and unattainable even with wealth.

Jiang Ning had given it away as a birthday present.

Qianlan’s eyes sparkled with gratitude. “Ningning, thank you! I love it so much—help me put it on?”

Jiang Ning nodded, fastening the necklace around her pale neck. The golden chain shimmered against her skin, elegant and radiant.

Mr. Yue leaned toward his wife, whispering, “Shouzhen, March has truly met her benefactor tonight.”

“I think so too,” Madam Yue whispered back, eyes glistening.

Meanwhile, in the neighboring hall—

The engagement ceremony of Cheng Zijun and Zhang Shuyi officially began.

After the opening remarks, the host announced warmly:

“Now, please welcome our accomplished groom-to-be, the CEO of Cheng Group, President Cheng, to the stage!”

Applause thundered.

Cheng Zijun strode forward, smiling broadly.

“Today is a great day in my life,” he declared into the microphone. “Shuyi and I are grateful to each of you for witnessing our happiness. Your presence is our greatest honor.”

Another wave of applause.

Then, the host called, “Now, let us welcome our beautiful bride-to-be, Miss Zhang Shuyi!”

Draped in a luxurious gown, she stepped gracefully onto the stage.

The host’s voice rang again: “Please exchange rings.”

The rings were presented on a tray.

Cheng Zijun lifted one tenderly, sliding it onto Shuyi’s finger. But his gaze… remained fixed on the entrance.

Any moment now, Jiang Ning would burst in, screaming that Shuyi was a mistress, then collapse to her knees, begging him to return.

The thought made his lips curl smugly.

In the audience, Wang Qingke whispered urgently, “Auntie, when Jiang Ning comes, you mustn’t forgive her so easily! That bumpkin isn’t worthy of Brother Zijun. She must take me to meet the Shen family instead—then, maybe, you can consider forgiving her.”

Wang Yuan, too, kept glancing at the doors, having secretly ordered the guards to let Jiang Ning in.

But—

As the ring slipped onto Zhang Shuyi’s finger, the ceremony concluded smoothly.

And Jiang Ning never appeared.

Cheng Zijun froze, his mind blank.

He couldn’t believe it.

He had actually… gone through with the engagement.

Shuyi looked up at him, concern in her eyes.

“Brother Zijun, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”