Chapter 10: What Defines Upbringing

The rain in the capital always carried a sultry heat, as if it could not suppress the restless molecules in the air.

Jiang Mian arrived at the Earl Club by car at 4:30 in the afternoon. Having spent the last few days busy trying to find a path for her studio’s design drafts, she had almost forgotten about the alumni reunion dinner she had promised to attend. The gathering had been initiated by a senior two years her elder, who was rumored to be doing quite well in the legal profession.

She stepped out of the car under her umbrella, clutching a pearl-encrusted handbag. A heavy heatwave rippled through the air as she glanced up at the Earl’s signboard and headed toward the steps. She was wearing a light, pale-grass green dress today, her long hair pulled up and secured with a smoky cyan ribbon. She always presented herself this way—gentle and intellectual. As raindrops splashed onto her white high heels, she gave them a faint, dismissive glance before continuing up the stairs.

The private room for the alumni dinner was on the third floor. As she stepped into the elevator, her phone vibrated in her handbag. She tucked away her umbrella and pulled out the device to check. It was a message from Xiao Li confirming that the salary had been deposited. Jiang Zhimu was indeed a man of his word; the funds had arrived exactly on the second day. After settling her studio’s outstanding debts, she had used the remainder to pay her staff.

The elevator doors opened. Jiang Mian put her phone away and stepped out.

"You’re Jiang Mian, right?"

Someone blocked her path, looking at her with a puzzled expression. Looking up, she saw a man in a grey hoodie, a faint smile playing on his handsome face. Jiang Mian was certain she did not know him.

"Hello, may I ask who you are?"

"Oh, you don't know me, but my wife once commissioned a necklace from your studio." The man explained, his smile relaxing. He was a graduate of Jingjiang University, and his family was in the real estate business—a sector that had been very lucrative for them in recent years. His wife, his childhood sweetheart, enjoyed purchasing unique items. The necklace he mentioned had been commissioned two years prior.

Jiang Mian thought for a moment before she remembered. The young woman had been about to graduate at the time and wanted a custom necklace as a graduation gift. Back then, the prices at Jiang Mian’s studio weren't as high as they were now, and upon hearing that the girl was also from Jingjiang, she had given her a discount.

"My name is Xu Zhu," the man said, pulling a business card from his pocket and offering it to her.

Jiang Mian smiled faintly, nodding slightly as she took it. "It’s a pleasure to meet you." She glanced down to see that the card identified him as the General Manager of Xu’s Construction. She tucked the card into her bag and retrieved one of her own. "This is my card," she said, her eyes carrying a soft smile. "If your wife needs anything else, feel free to contact me."

"Of course," Xu Zhu replied, reaching out to take it.

"Sister, have we started soliciting business from random people now?"

Jiang Mian turned to see Jiang Zhixuan walking toward them. She was wearing a dark grey dress cinched at the waist, highlighting her slender figure. Xu Zhu had already taken the business card, and Jiang Mian gave it a quick look, then retracted her gaze without acknowledging the remark.

Jiang Zhixuan, however, stepped forward and looked Xu Zhu up and down. "Sister, if you're struggling to get by, just ask me. It’s not like I’m an ungrateful person." She seemed to assume Xu Zhu was just a random passerby.

Jiang Mian offered a polite smile to Xu Zhu. "Mr. Xu, why don't you head inside? I need a moment to speak with my sister."

Xu Zhu, no stranger to the infighting of the wealthy elite, knew better than to get involved in someone else’s family business. With a polite nod, he turned and walked toward the private room.

Seeing him enter, Jiang Zhixuan looked slightly surprised and covered her mouth with her hand. "Oh my, has my sister already hooked up with someone from the alumni association so quickly?" Her eyes held a mocking glint, and her words were grating.

Jiang Mian turned to look at her, her eyes filled with a touch of disgust. "Jiang Zhixuan, did our second uncle never teach you what manners are? The fact that you got together with Wen Yan and replaced the original fiancé—that is what you call 'hooking up.'" Her tone was flat, merely stating a fact. Yet, the moment the name Wen Yan was mentioned, Jiang Zhixuan’s expression shifted instantly.

"Sister, you and Wen Yan were never a couple. What we have is a normal relationship."

"Is that so? Tell me, which daughter of a wealthy family goes around dating someone else’s fiancé?" Jiang Mian tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. She possessed the classic beauty of a woman from the Jiangnan region, and her almond-shaped eyes were always bright. Now, with a calm smile, it was impossible to tell she was angry.

It wasn’t the stolen engagement that angered her, but their insatiable greed. She had known since childhood that people were never content with their current situation, but witnessing the avarice of Jiang Zhouyi’s family truly opened her eyes.

Jiang Zhixuan was speechless, her fists clenching and unclenching. Jiang Mian was half a head taller than her, and even in terms of presence, she felt utterly defeated.

"Sister, don't get too smug. After all, everyone eventually has to bow to reality." She fell silent, and as she looked up, she saw Wen Yan walking down the hallway.

She had forgotten to check the messages beforehand; she didn't know they would both be here, or she would never have come to this unlucky encounter. What a nuisance.

"Jiang Mian?" Wen Yan approached, looking puzzled.

It seemed he truly hadn't known she would be at the alumni dinner. However, Jiang Zhixuan certainly had. At that moment, Jiang Zhixuan enthusiastically linked her arm with Wen Yan’s, laughing giddily. "A-Yan, I didn't expect Sister to be here either. What a coincidence."

Jiang Mian watched them with a cold gaze and turned away. Just because Jiang Zhixuan wanted to put on a show didn't mean she was willing to play along. Behind her, Jiang Zhixuan’s delicate voice drifted over: "A-Yan, does Sister not want to see me? Maybe we should just leave?"

As she walked away, Wen Yan’s voice boomed, seemingly meant for her to hear: "Xuanxuan, don't pay her any mind. She’s always been arrogant and can’t stand seeing you doing better than her."

Arrogant? She couldn't stand seeing Jiang Zhixuan doing better than her?

*Hmm,* she thought, *I suppose that's true.* After all, a family of thieves was currently living high on the hog using her belongings.

Jiang Mian lowered her eyes and pushed open the door to the private room. Her expression softened, and by the time she stepped inside, there was no trace of the unpleasantness she had just endured. Xu Zhu was sitting on the sofa to the left; seeing her enter, he nodded at her. Returning the smile, Jiang Mian walked over and took a seat in the empty chair beside him.