The Overbearing CEO's Beloved

Chapter 1 Stand - in Marriage "The Ji family isn't like your grandmother's place, where there's no decorum. Once we go in, put away all your bad habits. Don't make a fool of yourself and embarrass me." At the entrance of the Ji family's old - style residence. A luxurious black sedan was parked there. Instead of ringing the doorbell, Sun Yurou gave instructions to the girl beside her, rubbing the center of her brows in annoyance. Bai Ling carried a black cross - body bag and was dressed in a pure black hoodie. Her duckbill cap covered half of her cheek, her eyes beneath the brim were half - closed, and she had her hands in her pockets, nodding absent - mindedly. "You'd better remember what I said. If you mess this up, don't blame me for being tough on you." Sun Yurou had been married into the Ji family for over a decade, living a life of ease and privilege. Every gesture of hers exuded the air of a noblewoman. Seeing Bai Ling looking like a street - loiterer made her furious. "This marriage alliance with the Fu family is your chance. With your academic record, you won't get into a key university in the future. You'll just end up working for others." Hearing this, Bai Ling raised her head and looked at the person giving her such earnest advice. Suddenly, she smiled, a cold smile that didn't reach her eyes. "If it's such a great opportunity, why don't you send your second daughter?" "Can Xin'er be compared to you? I've painstakingly groomed her. She's bound to have a better life in the future. How could she marry into the Fu family's... " Sun Yurou realized her tone was a bit too excited and softened her voice. "Bai Ling, don't blame me for being heartless. All these years in the Ji family, it's all thanks to your sister being smart and obedient that I've managed to hold my ground. Now that Ji Mohan is dead, the Ji family's situation is getting worse by the day. We must rely on this marriage alliance to save the Ji family's business. It'll be good for both you and me if you marry into the Fu family." More than a decade ago, her ex - husband suddenly disappeared and wasn't found for two years. Not willing to spend her whole life toiling in the countryside, she heartlessly left the newly - born Bai Ling with her grandmother and resolutely left. Later, she married Ji Yian, the second son of the Ji family who had lost his wife, and gave birth to a daughter for him. Although Ji Xin was smart and obedient, winning the favor of Ji Yian and the old lady, in fact, her life wasn't easy. The Ji family favored sons over daughters. Ji Yian and his late wife had a son, Ji Mohan, who was excellent and the pride of the Ji family. In recent years, with Ji Mohan around, the Ji family's business had been booming. Therefore, when they first learned that she had given birth to a daughter, the Ji family members weren't happy. Over the years, she had put a lot of effort into grooming Ji Xin, turning her into an outstanding young lady in all aspects. Only then did her life in the Ji family get a bit better. But now that Ji Mohan was dead, the Ji family's business began to decline sharply. To save the Ji family's business, the Ji family wanted Ji Xin to marry the eldest young master of the Fu family. How could this be allowed? Everyone knew that the eldest young master of the Fu family had suffered a serious illness half a year ago. Not only had his temper become violent and his appearance been completely ruined, but it was rumored that he might not live for more than two years. She absolutely couldn't let Ji Xin become a young widow and be lonely for the rest of her life. So, she could only sacrifice Bai Ling. Bai Ling's cold eyes fixed on Sun Yurou's face, and she curled her lips in mockery. Just look at this. This was her biological mother. Justifying her selfishness as if she had the best of intentions. "Did you hear what I said?" Seeing that Bai Ling wasn't speaking, Sun Yurou asked angrily. Bai Ling retracted her gaze and casually acknowledged with a "hmm". Sun Yurou was furious but helpless. She rang the doorbell, and soon a maid came to open the door. "Madam." It was Aunt Chen who opened the door. She had worked in the Ji family for forty years and was the most trusted person by the old lady. Aunt Chen glanced at Bai Ling behind Sun Yurou and calmly said, "The old lady is waiting for you." Although her tone was polite, there wasn't much respect. Over the years, Sun Yuro had long been used to being looked down upon by the Ji family's maids. She responded and led Bai Ling inside. The Ji family's old residence was large. It took them a few minutes to walk to the main hall. When they opened the door, the long table was filled with people, as if they were about to hold a family meeting. The old lady of the Ji family was seated in the first place. On her left was her eldest son, Ji Yiyu, and on her right was her second son, Ji Yian. On both sides sat the daughters - in - law and grandchildren of the old lady of the Ji family. "Mom, I've brought Bai Ling here." Sun Yurou was very afraid of her mother - in - law and spoke cautiously, losing the overbearing manner she had in front of Bai Ling. The old lady of the Ji family nodded and sized up Bai Ling with her cloudy eyes. Bai Ling hung her head slightly, with her hands still in her pockets, standing quietly in place. A look of disdain flashed across the old lady of the Ji family's eyes. "Bai Ling, although you haven't received a high - quality education, you should at least have basic manners. When you see your elders, shouldn't you greet them?" A country bumpkin, without a mother's education since childhood, raised by a half - dead grandmother. How could she have any refinement?" It was Ji Xinhui, the second daughter of Ji Yiyu, Mrs. Ji's eldest son, whose words were full of sarcasm. Bai Ling slightly raised her eyebrows and eyes, and a cold glint refracted in her pupils. With her hands in her pockets, her slender figure seemed as if it would topple over in the wind, yet she exuded a powerful aura. The girl was startled by this look and unconsciously lowered her eyes. "Sorry, I'm a wild child. I don't know what manners are." Bai Ling retracted her gaze. Her face was cold, expressionless, and her tone was calm. The Ji family members were enraged by her attitude. Someone couldn't help but curse, "Hmph! She looks so shabby and unrefined." "Don't say that. After all, she's going to marry the eldest young master of the Fu family. What if she causes us trouble?" someone sneered. "Ha, her? Cause us trouble? I just hope she's not scared to death by the eldest young master of the Fu family." Laughter and jeers rang out one after another. At this moment, Bai Ling's phone rang. It was the sound of a text message. She took out her phone and slowly replied to the message, turning a deaf ear to the Ji family's ridicule. Mrs. Ji was annoyed that Bai Ling dared to ignore her and even played with her phone right in front of her. But she held back her anger. She raised her hand to stop the others from speaking and looked at Bai Ling. "Did your mother mention the marriage alliance to you?" For her, the most important thing was the marriage alliance with the Fu family. "She did." After replying to the message, Bai Ling raised her head. Her cold eyes swept over everyone, and she spoke indifferently. Mrs. Ji nodded. "Although it's a marriage alliance, the daughter - in - law of the Fu family can't be without a high - school diploma. I heard your academic performance is poor, so I won't arrange for you to go to Hengchuan High School. You'll go to Jingyang High School and finish the third year of high school first." "You're only nineteen years old. We'll hold the engagement in a few days. When you turn twenty, we'll get the marriage certificate. By then, you'll have graduated from high school and can marry into the Fu family. As for your grandmother, don't worry. We'll arrange for the best hospital to treat her. As long as you marry in obediently, we won't treat her badly." Sun Yurou had already told Bai Ling these things many times before they came. But Mrs. Ji was still worried and wanted to give instructions in person. "Fine." Bai Ling gave a one - word answer crisply.