Just like the Han Family ranks third among the top ten wealthy families in the whole Binhai, yet is the richest in South City, the Shi Family ranks fourth among Binhai's top ten wealthy families, and is the richest in North City!
The Shi Family controls almost all of Binhai City's oceanic trade, with their dock company forming just a small part of it. Besides this, they also manage a significant portion of Binhai's import and export of marine goods, seafood fishing, dock markets, and other profitable businesses, earning a fortune daily, famously known as the Ship King family of North City.
Now, the Crown Prince of the Dragon King has personally come to the hospital room to visit the Old Man and has also brought flowers for Nangong Qingcheng, leaving Nangong Yan and Jin Shixiang feeling both honored and surprised!
"Oh my, so you are Young Master Shi! I've heard so much about you, it's like thunder in my ears. I finally get to meet you today!" Jin Shixiang quickly flattered, fearing that his fawning might not be sufficient.
"Who are you?" Shi Lang frowned at Jin Shixiang, not recognizing him at all.
"Young Master Shi, hello, my name is Jin Shixiang. I am an employee of a certain department in South City. I've admired you for a long time. Despite being from the Ship King family, you have surpassed your predecessors and are considered a young talent, a role model for the younger generation in Binhai." Jin Shixiang said, spraying spittle everywhere.
"Oh." Shi Lang was immediately pleased by Jin Shixiang's flattery. Even though he looked down on Jin Shixiang's position, flattery never fails, and Jin Shixiang's praise made him comfortable. Especially at this critical moment, he was even more pleased to glance at Nangong Qingcheng, raising his head arrogantly.
"Xiao Yan, quick, greet him! This is the Young Master Shi I've always told you about!" Jin Shixiang also had an exceptionally thick skin. A minute ago, he didn't even know who Shi Lang was, and now he was almost his fervent admirer.
Nangong Yan, not daring to show impatience any longer, immediately rearranged her expression, nervously smiling: "Hello, Young Master Shi~"
At this moment, she was afraid that Shi Lang might blame her for her earlier rudeness, as she absolutely couldn't afford to offend someone like him!
"And you are?" Shi Lang frowned and took another look at Nangong Yan. Apart from her long legs, which were somewhat appealing, everything else about her was quite average, just a regular person.
"In response to Young Master Shi, I am Nangong Qingcheng's cousin, my name is Nangong Yan!" Nangong Yan intentionally said coquettishly and smiling.
"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Shi Lang's expression eased a bit, and he actively extended his hand, saying, "Hello, Sister Yan."
Nangong Yan was overjoyed. For someone like Shi Lang to call her "sister," she was so happy that she almost floated into the air. She quickly pretended to be modest and shook Shi Lang's hand: "Young Master Shi, you're too courteous, I don't dare take that title~"
"You're Miss Qingcheng's cousin, I'm at the same level as her, so naturally, I should call you sister." Shi Lang said with a smile.
"Oh my, Young Master Shi, you're so down-to-earth, I am speechless~" Nangong Yan covered her mouth and giggled.
"That's right, I've always said it, Young Master Shi is not only handsome and wealthy but also well-bred, with excellent manners and impeccable character. It's truly our great fortune to be acquainted with him!" Jin Shixiang added another round of flattery.
Nangong Qingcheng saw the three of them chatting away so enthusiastically, her face turned even colder. She was especially angry with her cousin and brother-in-law—her grandfather was still lying in the hospital bed in a coma, yet they were here having the time of their lives; was this a visit or attending to the sick?
"If you want to chat, go outside, don't disturb grandfather here!" Nangong Qingcheng coldly said.
"Nangong Qingcheng, what kind of attitude is this with Young Master Shi here?" Nangong Yan crossed her arms, displaying the dignity of an elder cousin.
"Nangong Yan, if you don't want to attend to grandfather, then please leave; I'm enough here by myself!" Nangong Qingcheng said expressionless, without even looking at Nangong Yan.
"What did you say? Say that again?" Nangong Yan, as if invigorated, shot back uncompromisingly.
"Okay! Aren't you afraid of embarrassing Young Master Shi?" Jin Shixiang said seriously: "Qingcheng, I'm just saying, you've gotten more and more disrespectful. Is this how you talk to your cousin? Furthermore, with Young Master Shi going out of his way to come here to see the Old Man, how can you ask him to leave? Even if Uncle and Aunt were here, they wouldn't approve of the way you're treating guests!"
"You all!" Nangong Qingcheng was so angry that she couldn't speak. She felt really wronged, feeling isolated and helpless with just herself here. Now, with an outsider coming to disturb her grandfather's rest, it was one thing, but even her cousin and brother-in-law were targeting her, even bringing up her parents to pressure her. It was her first time experiencing such a feeling of isolation!
Shi Lang, at this time, was watching indifferently from the side, finding Nangong Yan and Jin Shixiang's actions very pleasing. These two could indeed become his helpers in infiltrating the Nangong Family.
"Right, Young Master Shi, you previously mentioned something, didn't you? You said you had taken a fancy to my cousin, right?" Nangong Yan eagerly asked Shi Lang.
"To be precise, it's admiration! Even though Miss Qingcheng has some misunderstandings and prejudices against me, I still have deep affection for her. If she's willing to give me a chance, I'm willing to pursue a deeper relationship with her." Shi Lang said with a smile.
"Oh my, a rare romantic indeed! Young Master Shi, it's Qingcheng's blessing that you took a liking to her! It's practically a real-life Cinderella story. If she could marry into your Shi Family, it would be our great fortune, even smoke rising from our ancestor's grave at the Nangong Family!" Nangong Yan hastily added: "Rest assured, I'll talk to Uncle and Aunt, and I'm sure they will have no objections to you, Young Master Shi!
Nangong Yan had no doubt that if she could facilitate the pairing of Nangong Qingcheng and Shi Lang, it would be immensely beneficial for her and the entire Nangong Family.
Moreover, from Shi Lang's words, Nangong Yan also deduced that Shi Lang wasn't aware of Nangong Qingcheng's engagement; otherwise, he wouldn't have spoken of deep affection.
If that's the case, why not quickly push Nangong Qingcheng forward? If it becomes known that she's a widow before even leaving the boudoir, it won't be worth much!
"Sister Yan's words make me embarrassed, but, it also depends on Miss Qingcheng's own wishes, doesn't it?" Shi Lang glanced at Nangong Qingcheng again.
"You're so keen on matchmaking, why don't you marry him yourself? Wouldn't you like to be Cinderella?" Nangong Qingcheng finally couldn't stand it anymore, rebuked Nangong Yan, and didn't want to see her opportunistic face any longer, turned, and walked out—the Old Man was gravely ill, not to be left alone, but she was suffocating here, and she needed to get some air.
"Where are you going? Stop! Come back!" Nangong Yan, relentless, took a quick step forward and grabbed Nangong Qingcheng: "Today you must make it clear to me, do you even consider me your cousin? Am I harming you by trying to create happiness for you? Do you really intend to remain chaste for that useless dead man all your life?"
Just as the words fell, the door to the hospital room was pushed open once more, and Jiang Feng appeared at the doorway with a cold expression, exuding an intimidating aura from his hurried journey!