Chapter 66: I don't care—Lin Meng has to become our Ye family's daughter‑in‑law

Ye Xiangrong's words had barely fallen when an uproar erupted instantly; every guest's face showed shock, and even Ye Chenjing's expression changed, a strange thought popping into his mind.

Everyone was left dazed by the old master's sudden announcement; after reacting, they all wondered who was getting engaged, who would become the Ye family's prospective granddaughter-in-law.

"I said Ye Lao was acting odd today, and I was right—one of the Ye family's two young masters must have been engaged."

"The title 'young master' is an elegant nickname outsiders privately gave to the Ye family's two brothers."

The Ye family's current standing in the business world is enough to dominate and reign supreme.

Now the old master actually announced his grandson's engagement in public, which is telling them that the business world is about to change.

One family might, through marriage into the Ye family, soar to great heights from now on.

"Wait, Ye Lao just said it was a unilateral engagement—what does that mean? Does it mean the girl's side hasn't agreed yet?"

"Impossible? Who in this world would refuse a marriage alliance with the Ye family? Must be an idiot."

Lin Meng listened to the chatter around her and couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Refusing to marry into the Ye family makes one an idiot? She thought these people were the idiots."

Lin Mengye was also a bit curious: was the engagement today for the Ye family's eldest grandson, or that younger brother who deals in horses?

But no matter who it was, it had nothing to do with her.

At this moment she also felt especially fortunate that she wasn't a lovesick fool with a muddled mind, and it was good that she had called off the childhood engagement with the Ye family.

The Ye family already had a marriage prospect in mind; she, a poor and ordinary girl with no family background, if she stubbornly insisted on marrying into the Ye family despite not knowing her place, would surely become a thorn in their side.

These aristocratic families have always treated marriage this way—everything comes down to profit.

After the old master finished his announcement, his gaze swept the crowd looking for Lin Meng's figure.

He had told Chenjing to fetch Lin Meng; she should have arrived by now, right?

But soon, the old master was taken away by his two grandsons.

In the private villa study of the manor, the old master glared.

"Nonsense, there are so many guests waiting outside; we can talk about it later."

Ye Chenyu glanced at his elder brother, curled his lip, and said:

"Grandpa, how come you're suddenly acting up just because you feel better, and then accuse us of messing around? What did you just mean? What does 'unilateral engagement' mean? Who is getting engaged?"

The old master wasn't pretending; after eating Lin Meng's Jade Marrow Pill yesterday, he felt ten years younger this morning, lying in bed growing more excited by the thought, and smacked his head deciding to win back Lin Meng, his prospective granddaughter-in-law.

"I don't care; this girl Lin Meng must marry into our Ye family. You two brothers figure it out among yourselves—who will take her? Such a fine prospective granddaughter-in-law shouldn't go to someone else."

Upon hearing this, Ye Chenyu's eyes widened instantly, wearing an expression that said 'I knew it would be like this.'

"Grandpa, Lin Meng already called off the engagement with us, didn't she? And you said she didn't take a liking to me—if I'm not good enough, then only my older brother remains, such an outstanding person—how could Lin Meng deserve him?"

Who would have thought that the usually silent Ye Chenjing would suddenly speak up.

"I'll do it."

Those two simple words carried a hint of determination and a barely perceptible lightness; as if uttering them made all his inner turmoil and hesitation vanish at once, leaving him feeling much lighter.

Ye Chenjing silently told himself that, as the Ye family's eldest grandson, he would eventually have to marry, and Grandfather would never let him remain a bachelor forever.

Rather than marry a woman he doesn't love for the sake of family business, he might as well choose Lin Meng.

She has many secrets, and he is very interested.

Moreover, the two families already had a childhood engagement, so his decision also has ample justification.

"Brother, are you crazy? You really want to marry Lin Meng?"

The old master shoved Ye Chenyu aside, smiling narrowly as he looked at his eldest grandson, who had always been slow-witted.

"Chenjing has finally come to his senses; I have high hopes for you. We, grandfather and grandson, have agreed: go fetch Lin Meng and bring her back. While I'm still healthy, I can even help you raise children at home…"

——

For some reason, Lin Meng felt a chill run over her body, as if cold winds were slipping into her skirt, making her shiver involuntarily.

The grandfather and grandsons abandoned the guests and left; the scene was in an uproar, and Lin Meng also wanted to slip away.

But just then, several women in custom haute couture gowns each holding a glass of champagne approached Lin Meng from the side.

They had already noticed Lin Meng; amid the many young women vying for beauty and splendor, nobody would yield to another.

But when Lin Meng appeared, many women who noticed her felt inexplicably ashamed, and only after reacting did they realize they were envious of her beauty at that moment.

A sense of crisis welled up; seeing that the host was absent, these few people formed a group and surrounded Lin Meng.

Four beautiful women, each with her own charm.

Lin Meng immediately recognized one of them—none other than the current top-traffic star Xie Zhiyun.

She had a strikingly beautiful face with exceptionally three-dimensional features, a fiery figure, and bold fashion choices, making her stand out in today's entertainment scene with many die-hard fans.

"Hey beautiful, may I ask what your connection to the Ye family is?"

The speaker gave Lin Meng a once‑over, a flash of contempt and mockery flickering in her eyes.

Although she tried to hide it, Lin Meng still caught it.

The three seemed to take Xie Zhiyun as their leader, with hostile intent; Lin Meng had no wish to entangle with them, but they wouldn't let her leave, each taking a position to hem her in on all sides.

"Why aren't you speaking? Could you have sneaked in?"

"I think that's very likely, sisters—look at what she's wearing, so shabby; this skirt couldn't be from a street stall, could it? It looks so cheap, how could the Ye family possibly invite such a tacky person to the banquet?"

Xie Zhiyun's expression flickered, and she stopped the three.

"Don't say that about her; the Ye family's private manor has strict entry screening—how could anyone slip through? Perhaps the Ye family didn't inform her of the banquet's grandeur, so she didn't prepare in advance."

While Xie Zhiyun spoke up for Lin Meng on the surface, she was actually reminding Lin Meng that the Ye family does not value her.

Otherwise, why would they let her come to the banquet dressed like that?

Everyone here is a prominent figure of the elite, influential in the industry; even she, a top‑traffic star, is merely a decorative foil at the very edge.

Everyone spares no effort in dressing up, aiming to match their status and avoid becoming a laughingstock.

Lin Meng entered so casually—surely she would attract pointed fingers and gossip.

Lin Meng understood Xie Zhiyun's meaning, her eyes darkened, and she coldly said:

"My clothes may not be worth much, but they are clean and proper, covering what should be covered, quite suitable."

"I'm not like you lot who need to rely on looks to elevate themselves; I don't make a living from my face, so naturally I don't need to doll myself up."

Lin Meng glanced at the four, the smile in her eyes deepening.

"Besides, if I really dolled myself up, would you still have a chance? I'm also giving you an opportunity."

After speaking, Lin Meng raised her hand and shoved Xie Zhiyun aside rudely, then left gracefully.

She felt a secret satisfaction; arguing with people was this enjoyable.

Seeing them so angry their eyes and mouths twisted, just thinking about it is funny.

"This woman is too arrogant! She makes me furious!"

"No rush, we'll think of a way to embarrass her later."

"I haven't even asked what skincare she uses; her skin is so good, I spend so much money each year on this face, compared to her it's simply unbearable to look at!"

The three's words made Xie Zhiyun feel even worse.

She had spent all her money on maintaining her face and figure, yet ended up being outshone by a shabby, arrogant woman.

She was unwilling!