Ji Ningxue The Male Protagonist Who Married into the Family

The next morning.

"Jiang Che, these clothes won't do. Change into something else."

"Honestly, don’t you ever pay attention to your outfits? This turtleneck looks so handsome on you!"

Early in the morning, Jiang Che was treated like a mannequin by Gu Lingfei.

But Gu Lingfei did have impeccable taste. With just a few simple adjustments, she completely transformed Jiang Che’s look.

Jiang Che was already good-looking, but now he carried an air of mature sophistication.

"Hmm, much better." Gu Lingfei rubbed her chin and nodded in satisfaction.

"Lingfei, it’s just a class reunion. And didn’t you say... I’m just pretending to be your boyfriend? It’s not like we’re actually together."

Gu Lingfei smirked and waved a hand playfully in front of Jiang Che’s face. "What’s wrong? Is my little friend upset? You’re right, we’re not boyfriend and girlfriend... we’re husband and wife, hehe."

Jiang Che sighed. "Lingfei, I’ve realized you’d make an excellent femme fatale. You could probably manipulate 99% of men like dogs, believe me."

"Oh? And are you part of that 99%?" Gu Lingfei raised an eyebrow, her fox-like smile glinting behind her silver-rimmed glasses.

"Me? Of course not. But I’d happily let you manipulate me. Woof woof—" Jiang Che grinned shamelessly.

"Alright, enough joking. Let’s go!"

......

Hangcheng, Haiyan Restaurant.

A group of about a dozen men and women had already gathered in a private room. Though the venue was upscale, the expenses weren’t extravagant.

"Why aren’t they here yet? Are we supposed to wait for them?"

A young man wearing a gold watch spoke impatiently.

"Of course. After all, they’re all very important people now."

"True. Ji Ningxue has become the CEO of a billion-dollar company."

"When Ji Ningxue arrives, we can’t just call her by name anymore. We’ll have to address her as ‘CEO Ji,’ haha!"

"But I heard Ji Ningxue got married young. Is that true?"

"Yeah, to some useless guy. He even married into the Ji family," said a flashy rich kid, his face twisted in displeasure. "What a waste of a good woman!"

The others glanced at him but quickly looked away. Zhou Kai had been their class monitor in high school. The Zhou family was one of Hangcheng’s elite clans, and back then, he had been one of Ji Ningxue’s most ardent pursuers.

As for Gu Lingfei? She had lived with the Jiang family back then, far beyond his reach even if he had admired her.

Just as the chatter continued, the door swung open.

A stunning figure walked in, dressed in a black coat and white trousers, her silver-rimmed glasses radiating an icy, unapproachable aura.

"Gu Lingfei?"

The moment they saw her, everyone’s eyes lit up with awe. She was breathtakingly beautiful!

And behind Gu Lingfei, Jiang Che stepped forward.

Dressed up by Gu Lingfei, Jiang Che looked even more dashing—like a noble young master straight out of a painting.

"And this is...?"

Many didn’t recognize Jiang Che, unsure who this incredibly handsome guy was.

But Zhou Kai’s expression instantly changed. His demeanor deflated, and a sycophantic smile spread across his face.

While the others might not know Jiang Che, as a young master of the Zhou family, he certainly did.

The Zhou family held influence in Hangcheng, with a business empire worth billions. But compared to the Jiang family—a true superpower—they were nothing.

Even Ye Mengyao’s family outranked the Zhous.

Gu Lingfei scanned the room. "Ningxue invited me."

Then she casually looped her arm through Jiang Che’s. "This is my boyfriend, Jiang Che."

The declaration caused an immediate stir.

"Boyfriend? Lingfei, you have a boyfriend? But he looks so young!" A girl with a bun gasped, covering her mouth.

No matter how mature Jiang Che’s outfit was, he was still just a 19-year-old.

"So that’s why you’ve always been single! You like younger guys, huh?"

Jiang Che glanced sideways at the bun-wearing girl.

Calling me young? You’re fired!

"Wait, Jiang Che... that name sounds familiar!" Another person frowned. "I remember now! Isn’t Jiang Che Hangcheng’s youngest billionaire? There were reports about him inheriting his father’s trillion-dollar company. His net worth is in the billions now."

"Not just that. Qiangsheng Group, Hangcheng’s newest corporate giant, was built by him. In just six months, its market value hit nearly five billion."

Instantly, the women in the room looked at Jiang Che like hungry wolves.

A young, handsome guy like him would be easy to manipulate—and with that kind of wealth? Just thinking about it was exhilarating.

"Ahem, Mr. Jiang, let me toast you." Zhou Kai stood up, raising his glass with an ingratiating smile.

"I don’t drink," Jiang Che replied flatly.

Zhou Kai stiffened but quickly pulled out an expensive pack of cigarettes, offering one.

"Sorry, I don’t smoke traditional cigarettes."

Jiang Che was just here to mess with him.

When status wasn’t equal, even if your pride was trampled, you could only smile and take it.

"By the way, where’s Ningxue? Why isn’t she here?"

The only reason Gu Lingfei had come to this dull gathering was for her best friend, Ji Ningxue.

"Oh, she texted earlier saying she’s stuck in traffic. She should be here soon."

Gu Lingfei sat down with Jiang Che, her icy demeanor softening only around him, like a melting glacier—utterly captivating.

Before entering, Jiang Che had already sized up everyone in the room. No protagonist aura in sight.

That meant the key was Ji Ningxue.

With a name like that, she was definitely a female lead. No doubt about it. And where there was a female lead, there would be a protagonist.

Jiang Che could’ve had his people investigate, but he didn’t. He was starting to enjoy the hunt.

After Gu Lingfei arrived, the chatter died down. Everyone knew she was Ji Ningxue’s closest friend.

Then, the door opened again.

A woman in a fitted purple dress walked in, her hair elegantly swept to one side. Her figure was flawless, her curves mesmerizing, exuding mature charm as she carried a designer bag.

"Sorry, traffic held me up."