Chapter 12 - 009 The Number One Rich Family
The next morning, Yun Shen was out early.
Breakfast was exceptionally quiet, as Yun Ya and Yun Miao were naturally silent, and Kang Jinse couldn’t be bothered to make conversation with Yun Ya. After eating, she remembered Yun Shen’s instructions from the previous night and took Yun Ya out shopping at the mall to prepare for the next evening’s banquet.
Kang Jinse first took her to Jiangzhou’s most upscale beauty salon. Accompanying them was Su Ye. This salon operated on a membership basis, and the average person simply couldn’t gain entry. Kang had pleaded with Yun Shen for quite some time before finally obtaining a membership card, an achievement that greatly satisfied her vanity and allowed her to network with many high-society women, which she needed to establish herself firmly in the upper echelons.
"Miss Kang, please come this way," greeted a keen and efficient woman eagerly, dressed in a black business suit, her hair meticulously styled.
As a second-tier actress, Kang Jinse had a moderate reputation in the entertainment industry, but what really made her famous was her rumored affair with Yun Shen.
Although Yun Shen kept affairs of the Ji Family tightly under wraps, there was no such thing as a secret that couldn’t leak. Everyone who needed to know was aware. Yun Shen had risen as a prominent figure in Jiangzhou years ago, handsome and outstanding, with a foreign education. Despite his ordinary background, his resume was so flawless that no one could find the slightest fault. He had caught the eye of several major families, but it was Ji Lanyi who preempted them all.
The Ji Family empire was built single-handedly by Old Master Ji Huaixi. His background was a real rags-to-riches story, having grown up an orphan and endured much hardship. He started hawking at the stall markets at thirteen and, through hard work and sheer tenacity, rode the wave of reform to success in business. Although he faced several setbacks, he always pulled through. Starting from a humble stall, he created the massive Ji’s conglomerate.
Initially dominating the national food service industry, Ji’s was known as a giant in domestic dining. Unsatisfied with just this, Ji Huaixi expanded into the travel and cultural sectors with significant success. For instance, Ji’s was the major shareholder of Jiangzhou University and heavily invested in several private schools, showing a keen interest in philanthropy. The Charity Foundation launched in the name of Ji’s donated to remote mountain villages annually and was always among the first to respond to natural disasters, earning a sterling reputation among the populace. Ji Huaixi was even dubbed a "charitable entrepreneur" and was selected as one of the nation’s top ten most influential figures just two years ago.
Ji’s was a legend, and Ji Huaixi even more so. In Jiangzhou, their status surpassed the old-established Bai Family, cementing their position as the undisputed number one power in the city.
The affair between Jiangzhou’s most sought-after belle, Ji Lanyi, and Yun Shen was a sensational topic, with their extravagant wedding known to the entire nation.
Accusations of being a gold-digger and kept man were frequently directed at Yun Shen. After the marriage, he joined Ji’s and worked his way up from the bottom. Many waited to see him fail, but he slapped their faces hard with his actions, climbing to the CEO position in just five years. Even those who resented him had to admit defeat in the face of his overwhelming competence.
Yun Shen was renowned for his capability and maintained a low profile, even though he was ostensibly the Ji family son-in-law. As Old Master Ji’s health declined in recent years, Ji’s had effectively become Yun Shen’s domain, solidifying his untouchable status in Jiangzhou. The idea of Yun Shen being just a son-in-law was laughable; everyone knew the Ji empire was now in the palm of his hand.
Scandal between Yun Shen and Kang Jinse surfaced two years ago but was forcefully suppressed by Ji Lanyi. Externally, all that was known was that the marriage between Yun Shen and Ji Lanyi was troubled, and that Yun Shen reportedly kept an actress as a mistress outside. After all, wealthy men behaving such was nothing unusual or unheard of. However, the once proud and untouchable top belle had turned into a complete joke.
The twist occurred just a month ago.
Ji Huaixi suddenly passed away, Ji Lanyi disappeared, and the scandal involving Kang Jinse and Yun Shen blew up. Especially considering Ji’s recent series of strategic moves, it was apparent to any discerning observer what was unfolding. People are creatures of self-interest, and the Ji family had become a thing of the past; Yun Shen was the future.
It wouldn’t be long before Ji’s would be renamed Yun’s.
Some lamented, some sighed, some were indignant, but this was the nature of the world. Whatever the feelings, reality had to be accepted.
As Yun Shen’s only publicly recognized mistress, Kang Jinse naturally became a highly sought-after figure in high society. Wherever she went, she carried the label of "Yun Shen’s woman," and the perks that came with it were countless. Reveling in her position, she certainly intended to cling onto this status tightly.
Visiting the beauty salon was her best avenue to breaking into high society, as it was where the wealthy ladies frequented. By becoming acquainted with them, she had no concerns about entering their circle.
Manager Gao worked at this salon and, knowing Kang Jinse was connected to Yun Shen, dared not offend her. He attentively ushered her into a private room, "Miss Kang, please wait a moment, Allen is currently busy."
Allen is the best beautician here, and Kang Jinse asks for him every time, a fact that Manager Gao is well aware of.
Kang Jinse frowned, she was someone who hates waiting the most, she glanced at the time, she even had a hair appointment at one o’clock in the afternoon.
"Don’t make me wait too long," she said with a hint of dissatisfaction.
Manager Gao nodded in agreement, his face was respectful, but a quick trace of contempt flashed through his lowered eyes.
Allen is indeed the best beautician at their club, a must-have for these rich ladies every time they come, but Allen also has his own temper. These wealthy ladies are differentiated into classes, and Kang Jinse is Yun Shen’s lover, she gets that amount of face from him, but she’s not the legitimate wife. What status is she putting on here? Which of the ladies who come here isn’t more noble than her? Does she really think that just because she’s attached to Yun Shen, she’s stepped into high society?
What Allen finds most annoying is this Kang Jinse, stingy with tips, always just that hundred bucks every time, and she has the nerve to give that. Coming from a humble family, she’s just typical of small household pettiness.
The server walked in from the outside, bringing blueberry juice: "Miss Kang, please enjoy."
Kang Jinse frowned, "Switch it to coffee, freshly ground."
The server made a troubled face: "This..." Where could they get freshly ground coffee from here? Instant coffee would be more like it.
Kang Jinse’s eyebrows shot up in irritation: "Is there a problem?"
Manager Gao waved the server away: "There’s a coffee shop across the street, go get Miss Kang a cup of freshly ground coffee, don’t keep Miss Kang waiting, now hurry up." She hasn’t even married Yun Shen yet and is already putting on quite the airs.
The server immediately turned and left.
Ever since she walked in, Yun Ya had been following Kang Jinse quietly by her side, hardly noticeable. Seeing this, she hooked her lips in a smile, which was exactly spotted by Manager Gao. This young girl was both beautiful and well-behaved, making one unable to resist wanting to hold her close and cherish her.
Feeling his gaze, Yun Ya looked over, smiling with her lips pursed, her eyes gleamed like bright, sparkling stars, instantly melting one’s heart into a soft mess.
"This young lady is really beautiful," Manager Gao praised sincerely.
Kang Jinse shot Manager Gao a cold glance, he didn’t understand where he had offended her and was somewhat baffled, "Miss Kang?"
Kang Jinse had already averted her gaze, speaking indifferently, "Leave, I want to be alone for a while."
After Manager Gao left, the room was left with the three of them. The atmosphere froze for a moment. Suddenly, Kang Jinse turned her head to look at Yun Ya. The young girl was sitting on the sofa, smart and clever. Kang Jinse felt suffocated when she thought of how much Yun Shen valued her.
𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
Especially those bright and clear eyes of hers made her heart skip a beat involuntarily, and she said irritably, "What are you looking at? Keep staring and I’ll gouge out those eyeballs of yours."