Chapter 129: Playing Yourself

Qiuyue Anbang was a villa community developed a decade ago. While its reputation in Qing City paled in comparison to Fengjing Garden, where Hong Chen lived, Hong Chen realized upon arrival that Fengjing Garden was actually a grade below.

The community consisted of only ten villas spread over an area of more than 300,000 square meters. Each villa was at least a thousand square meters, with fifty meters of private space surrounding each; the distance between villas exceeded two hundred meters. It was essentially a community composed of ten miniature estates.

Because the BMW Hong Chen was driving belonged to Jiang Ying, the gate security waved him through without question. He drove for about five or six minutes before reaching Villa No. 3.

He parked the BMW on the wide road outside the villa, draped the gift bags over his arms, and strode toward the large iron gate to ring the doorbell.

A woman in her fifties opened the door; judging by her attire, she was a domestic worker. She looked bewildered by Hong Chen’s appearance until he introduced himself. She then regained her composure and led him through the garden.

Jiang Ying was already waiting in front of the villa. She wore simple yet elegant loungewear, her hair in a braid, and light makeup on her face. Standing there, she radiated the poise of a young lady from a prominent family.

However, upon seeing Hong Chen’s getup, Jiang Ying’s composure shattered. Her expression shifted into something bizarre—a mix of shock, bitterness, and daze. In short, she was utterly lost.

"You, you, you..." The woman left as soon as she brought Hong Chen to Jiang Ying. Jiang Ying pointed at him, her body trembling with frustration, her chest heaving. Hong Chen pushed his oversized sunglasses up onto his forehead, gave her a wide grin, and followed her instructions, calling out, "Ying'er."

Jiang Ying gritted her teeth: "Are you here to act or what?"

Hong Chen looked innocent: "Isn't that what tonight is for?"

He then gestured with the gift boxes hanging from his arms: "Let’s go in. I bought these for your parents. My arms are about to fall off."

Jiang Ying let out a sigh of frustration. They were already at the door; there was no way to change his outfit now. She had no choice but to take it one step at a time.

In the living room, a middle-aged couple sat on the sofa. The man wore simple loungewear, yet he could not hide the authority in his face, especially with those thick brows that added a touch of boldness. The woman beside him wore a plain dress, her lips curled into a gentle, elegant smile.

This couple was Jiang Ying’s parents, Jiang Yidong and Shi Jie.

As Jiang Ying led Hong Chen into the room, the couple turned to look. Their expressions stiffened the moment they saw Hong Chen’s attire.

"Dad, Mom, this is Hong Chen." Jiang Ying kept her gaze averted, not daring to meet their eyes. Hong Chen, however, was not the least bit reserved. He bowed slightly to the couple and said with a smile, "Uncle, Auntie."

The couple nodded politely.

He then stepped forward and piled all the gift boxes onto the coffee table. "Uncle, Auntie, it’s my first time visiting. Just some meager gifts, please don't take offense."

Looking at the seven or eight bags, Shi Jie said politely, "You bought so much, Xiao Hong. You're too kind."

"Auntie, I'm the younger generation, it’s only right." Hong Chen waved a hand grandly and began taking the items out one by one like he was showing off treasures, explaining as he went: "These four bottles of vitality tonic are specifically for Uncle. After reaching middle age, especially for men, supplements are important. I wish you health and vigor. And this pearl powder and royal jelly are top-tier products for beauty, specifically for Auntie. I hope they keep you looking forever young. Also, this blood-nourishing paste—it's very important for women in middle age..."

Hong Chen spoke with great enthusiasm, his face full of sycophantic smiles. Jiang Yidong’s face tightened, Shi Jie frowned, and Jiang Ying was on the verge of tears, staring at her toes, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her.

Vitality tonics, pearl powder, royal jelly, blood-nourishing paste—what was he thinking?

If the Jiang family were ordinary, these supplements might have been seen as a sign of a future son-in-law's filial piety, especially given their likely high cost. But the Jiangs were the premier family in Qing City. The price of the gifts was secondary; what mattered was propriety.

This pile of miscellaneous items would have been better left unbought!

"Sister Hu, please take these to the room. Come, Xiao Hong, sit." One doesn't hit a smiling face, and since Hong Chen was a guest, Shi Jie maintained her basic decorum. She had the servant put the gifts away and invited Hong Chen to sit, forcing a smile back onto her face.

"Thank you, Auntie." Hong Chen nodded, and before sitting down, he took off his trench coat. The large gold chain and the LV belt buckle hidden underneath suddenly caught the light, causing the couple to squint instinctively.

Jiang Ying was also blinded by the glare. She covered her forehead, feeling utterly defeated. At her mother’s gesture, she sat down next to Hong Chen like a zombie.

Shi Jie asked, "Xiao Hong, what do you do for a living?"

Hong Chen replied according to Jiang Ying’s script: "I’m a jockey. I spend half my time training in the provincial capital and only return to Qing City for a day or two each week."

Having answered, he began to gesture wildly, "Auntie, I’m a gold-medal jockey now. I compete in over a dozen national races every year. Between prizes and sponsorships, I make at least seven figures annually. I’m not bragging, but at my age, there are very few in all of Qing City as accomplished as I am. Uncle, Auntie, guess how many digits are in my bank account right now?"

Without waiting for them to answer, he made a finger-gun gesture and gritted his teeth: "Eight figures! I live in a villa, drive luxury cars, wear famous watches, and everything I wear, right down to my underwear, is an international top-tier brand. Everywhere I go, I’m surrounded by people. I’ve never met anyone more successful or prestigious than me."

Hong Chen wore the face of a man who thought he was the center of the universe. He was animated, spitting as he spoke. To the couple, he looked like a textbook case of a nouveau riche upstart who had forgotten his own name.

Both parents’ faces darkened. Their daughter bringing a boyfriend like this home—this was a joke gone too far!

Jiang Ying was completely resigned, her head hanging low. No one could out-brag this man; his performance was worthy of an Oscar.

She had originally intended for Hong Chen to just make an appearance and register his presence, but now it was ruined. In her parents' eyes, Hong Chen was absolutely finished.

Hong Chen finally stopped boasting, and a silence fell over the hall. It didn't last long, however, as Jiang Yidong announced that it was time to eat—anything to finish the meal and get him out of the house.

The four of them moved to the dining room. There were six dishes and a soup on the table—few in number, but each was exquisite and perfectly prepared.

Jiang Yidong had originally planned to drink, but he skipped it entirely, having the servant serve four bowls of rice. During the meal, Hong Chen tried to keep the momentum going, but after he started bragging again, Shi Jie pointedly remarked that she had raised Jiang Ying to be silent while eating.

That was a clear enough hint. Hong Chen stopped being annoying and focused on his rice.

The meal was flavorless. Toward the end, a servant walked over and whispered something to Jiang Yidong. Jiang Yidong set down his bowl and stood up, saying, "My elder brother is here."

Shi Jie and Jiang Ying stood up as well, clearly intending to welcome him. Only Hong Chen remained seated. Seeing this, Jiang Ying frowned: "Hong Chen..."

"Haha, having a family meal, are we?" A hearty laugh rang out. A middle-aged man with a three-part resemblance to Jiang Yidong walked into the dining room, a gentle smile on his face. It was none other than the eldest of the Jiang family, Jiang Yiyao!

"Big Brother, Big Brother, Uncle," the three of them greeted. Jiang Yiyao nodded with a smile, his gaze shifting to Hong Chen at the table. A hint of confusion crossed his eyes: "And this is?"

Hong Chen had put his sunglasses back on, and with that outfit, Jiang Yiyao didn't recognize him at once.

"Hong Chen, this is my uncle, my brother's father." Jiang Ying glared at Hong Chen in annoyance. The more prominent the family, the more they valued etiquette. Jiang Yiyao was the head of the Jiang family; the whole family had stood to greet him, and Hong Chen, a junior, remained seated—it was disgraceful!

"Hello, Uncle," Hong Chen said, forced to stand. He tilted his head slightly, deliberately avoiding facing Jiang Yiyao directly, hoping he wouldn't be recognized.

"Hong Chen? Hahaha, this outfit of yours... Hahaha..." However, hope did not become reality. Jiang Yiyao recognized him the moment Jiang Ying spoke his name. He stared at Hong Chen for a moment, then burst into laughter, leaving the other three feeling utterly bewildered.

Hong Chen sighed internally, took off his sunglasses, and gave Jiang Yiyao an awkward nod, correcting himself: "Hello, Uncle Jiang."