Gossip is human nature.
Meng Ruozhao and Ai Gao both cast curious looks at Xu Lin.
Xu Lin lowered her voice, as if sharing some earth - shattering secret.
"Cuir an's fiancé is the young master of the renowned Pei Group!"
"Pei Group?" Ai Gao gasped, "Is it the Pei family from Haicheng?"
"Yes! That very Pei family!"
Xu Lin nodded vigorously and swiped her finger on her phone, searching for relevant information.
"However, this young master is extremely mysterious. He hasn't made a public appearance yet, and even his exact name is unknown to the outside world."
"There are rumors that he takes his mother's surname and has been living abroad. Some also say that he is in poor health and has been well - protected..."
"Anyway, there are all kinds of speculations, but the news of the alliance between the Cui and Pei families is said to be a done deal in the circle. It's a union of two powerful families!"
As Meng Ruozhao listened, her heart stirred slightly.
The Pei Group... Although she didn't know that mysterious young master, she had met Pei Jingdu and even had a meal with him.
That man with a noble air and sharp eyes had left a deep impression on her.
She never expected that the Cui family and the Pei family, which seemed to be in two completely different worlds to her, actually had such a close connection.
And this Miss Cui, who had suddenly paid a visit, was going to be Pei Jingdu's future sister - in - law.
This strange connection made that odd feeling in her heart resurface faintly.
It was just like the indescribable sense of familiarity she had felt when she first saw Pei Jingdu.
This time, hearing Cuir an's name, she had the same strange feeling.
A ridiculous thought flashed through her mind - did she really know them before losing her memory?
But she quickly dismissed this thought.
How could it be possible?
Even someone as opportunistic as Du Feng couldn't reach the top - tier families like the Pei and Cui families.
She, a junior who was out of favor in the Du family and was even treated as a pawn, how could she have had the chance to meet people at that level?
Maybe... she had just seen reports about them in the news or magazines before losing her memory, leaving a vague impression, which was why she felt familiar with them.
She shook her head, no longer dwelling on this inexplicable sense of familiarity, and refocused her attention.
"Marriages of convenience among the wealthy are far beyond our reach."
Meng Ruozhao smiled and said calmly.
"We'd better focus on the present and do a good job on the orders."
"However, since we know Miss Cui's identity, we also know that she has good taste."
"If Miss Cui comes again next time, we can offer her some more designer products. Maybe she'll be interested."
She didn't care who the other party's fiancé was.
Since the customer had walked into Cloud Dream Pavilion, she was her customer.
Seeing that she didn't seem very interested, Xu Lin and Ai Gao put away their gossiping minds and got back to work.
On the other side, the news of Meng Ruozhao's brilliant performance on the show spread like ripples from a stone thrown into a lake, quickly reaching places she didn't want to touch.
Du Xixi saw the related hot searches and discussions almost immediately.
Looking at the confident and composed Meng Ruozhao on the screen, being highly praised, and then comparing it with the cold - shouldering she had been feeling in the social circle recently, a strong fire of jealousy instantly burned away her reason.
She immediately went to Du Feng's office and exaggeratedly told him about it.
"Dad, you didn't see. Sister has really become something! After going on that lousy show and being flattered by those people, she's almost forgotten her own identity!"
Du Xixi's voice was shrill and full of provocation.
"I think, if Yan Qiubai can get through this difficult time in the end, how will the Yan family feel about her, who threw stones at them when they were in a low - ebb and made a high - profile appearance on TV?"
"Even if the Yan family doesn't care about her, which of those well - known wealthy families would like a daughter - in - law who is always in the spotlight and laughing on TV?"
"Dad, how can you arrange a marriage for her to contribute to the family then?"
She paused for a moment and her tone became even more sarcastic.
"Besides, what she calls a designer is actually just a high - class tailor!"
"This kind of unseemly occupation is so demeaning. If people find out that the eldest daughter of the Du family is a tailor in the future, where will the Du family's face go?"
This provocation precisely hit Du Feng's sore spot.
Du Feng was already extremely dissatisfied with Meng Ruozhao's behavior of breaking free from his control and opening her own shop.
In his deeply - rooted concept, daughters, especially those who could be used for marriage to gain benefits, should be well - behaved.
It would be best if they spent their days learning how to be a qualified wealthy - family wife and how to win the hearts of their future in - laws.
Instead of engaging in some "career", not to mention a line of work like fashion design, which he considered "serving others".
Previously, due to the relationship with Yan Qiubai, he could barely tolerate it.
Now that Meng Ruozhao had broken up with Yan Qiubai and was becoming more and more estranged from the family.
Last time, she had even allowed her subordinate to attack Du Changlin.
Now, she was so "ungrateful" and "embarrassing" herself in public.
All these behaviors made the anger that Du Feng had been suppressing finally ignited by Du Xixi.
"This rebellious daughter! She's becoming more and more outrageous!"
Du Feng slapped the table hard, his face ashen.
He knew that it was useless to talk to Meng Ruozhao directly. She had grown too strong - willed and didn't obey his control at all.
He frowned and thought for a moment with a gloomy face, then pressed the intercom and called in his trusted assistant, Wu Qian.
"Go and make some arrangements."
Du Feng's voice was cold and emotionless.
"Find some people who are good at their jobs and can keep their mouths shut. Go to her shop at night and 'teach it a good lesson' for me."
He deliberately emphasized the words "teach it a good lesson", and a hint of cruelty flashed in his eyes.
"Preferably, make it impossible for her to continue running the shop."
He added, as if he were talking about an eyesore instead of his own daughter's business.
Wu Qian stood in front of the desk. When she heard this order, her heart sank.
She hesitated, with a look of doubt and hesitation on her face.
She had met Meng Ruozhao a few times because of the abortion report.
She thought that although the eldest miss was cold, she was very proper in her dealing with others and had her own ideas. She wasn't as bad as what Mr. Du described.
Moreover, after all, they were father and daughter. How could he use such despicable means?
"Mr. Du, this..."
Wu Qian tried to persuade him gently.
"The eldest miss's shop is quite well - known now. If something suddenly happens to it, it might attract unnecessary attention. And... after all, it's the miss's hard work..."
"Hard work?"
Du Feng sneered and interrupted her.
"What hard work does she have? She's just being idle! Do as I say! I want her to understand that without the Du family and my permission, she's nothing!"
Looking at Du Feng's gloomy and unyielding face, Wu Qian knew that it was useless to say more.
As a subordinate, she had no choice but to execute the order.
She could only sigh silently in her heart, replied "Yes", and then left the office, going to arrange the "task" Du Feng had assigned with a complicated mood.