Epiphanies of Rebirth Chapter 96 (Part 1)
Translated by Pure
Chapter 96.1 Extra [Jiang Qiaqia]
Xiao Miao's wedding stirred up a significant amount of commotion.
Numerous media outlets covered the grand celebration live, blending the union of the newlyweds with the corporate empire standing behind them. The actions of the wealthy and influential never fail to captivate attention, especially when the central figures are an attractive couple.
The videos and live images swiftly became the headline news. The scenes portrayed were nothing short of dreamlike and enchanting, resembling a fairy tale. The opulent venue, a fleet of luxury cars, and the bride adorned in an exquisite, extra-long wedding gown with a train extending up to five meters—all contributed to the magical ambiance. The satin fabric boasted an intricate weave of countless diamonds and jewels, resembling the starry sky, and the alluring round pearls adorned the gown. This haute couture masterpiece, crafted by a renowned luxury brand, was bound to evoke dreams in the hearts of countless women.
In addition to the bride's dazzling jewelry, the spotlight was on her massive eight-carat wedding ring, valued at nearly tens of millions.
Yet, the most buzzworthy moment was captured in a photo taken just before the official commencement of the wedding.
The image showcased the hotel corridor, flanked by closed banquet hall doors on both sides. A long red carpet stretched toward the end, illuminated by the warm glow of spotlights at the top of the corridor.
A procession of people approached from a distance.
Bridesmaids, flower girls, elders, hotel staff—countless individuals involved in the wedding surrounded the two central figures. The bride, adorned in her gown, was held horizontally in the air, a veil resembling mist covering her delicate face. Tearfully gazing at her brother with a reluctant expression as she clutched a bouquet of flowers in her hand. The tall man supporting her weight maintained an unwavering expression, took steady steps, and gazed straight into the distance.
He was attired in an exquisite suit, and even the pocket square on his chest was meticulously and elegantly folded. At a glance, he projected a very stable and reliable image. The lighting cast his facial features into deeper shadows, and even his sharp eyes involuntarily captivated onlookers.
Despite the apparent closeness between him and the bride, there was unmistakable clarity in their relationship. The intense emotions displayed during their interactions, coupled with the contexts in which they appeared, left those who witnessed it with an inexplicable sense of melancholy.
Indeed, few scenes can be as heartwarming as a brother cradling his sister in his arms and entrusting her to her soon-to-be husband.
The blogger who shared the photo couldn't help but express their sentiment - {The universe owes me a brother QAQ}
This sentiment undoubtedly struck a chord with many. The image of Xiao Chi princess-carrying Xiao Miao to the venue quickly went viral. However, keen observers soon noticed the highlight, and a well-known forum promptly initiated a post: {Did anyone else notice the recently popular picture of the brother holding the bride… doesn’t that ‘brother’ look like Lin Jingzhe’s boyfriend?}
This topic instantly ignited the forum, stealing the spotlight even from the groom, who seldom ventured into the public eye. Fans, driven by curiosity, flocked to unearth nearly every media-captured photo involving the relatives of the two families at the wedding. They quickly found Lin Jingzhe was among the attendees.
Not only did he join the procession, but he also confidently stood side by side with Xiao Chi, surrounded by his family. Guests at the venue and even the media didn't cast any strange glances his way. The groom, unmistakably Xiao Chi's sister's husband, respectfully toasted to him after the ceremony. The beautiful bride also appeared visibly fond of him. The smile Lin Jingzhe directed toward them differed significantly from the warmth he displayed when interacting with others in public.
This development brought immense joy to fans of Lin Jingzhe and Xiao Chi— {It's great that they are accepted by their families.}
The public announcement of their relationship had once sparked a heated debate on the internet. In this era, understanding and acceptance of choices different from one's own were still lacking for many. Fortunately, given their prominent status, the gossip from anonymous individuals in the outside world no longer posed a threat. After a brief period of shock and sadness among some fans, their concerns shifted to potential resistance from their families.
However, the fact that Lin Jingzhe could attend his partner's sister's wedding as an integral part of the family indicated acceptance within their social circle. It couldn't have been a happier ending for them.
However, there were also individuals attempting to sow discord and find faults within this harmonious atmosphere. A photo capturing Lin Jingzhe hugging another bridesmaid and engaging in conversation quickly fueled their suspicions — {Who is this woman? Why does she seem so close to Lin Jingzhe?}
Shen Tiantian, a somewhat well-known female entrepreneur, occasionally represented the company in public. Young, successful, with a good family background, and still unmarried, she had become the epitome of Ms. Perfect in the eyes of many in the same social circle. Consequently, there were quite a few people who were familiar with her. Within a few minutes, they managed to uncover her other public photos, her age, and details about her business.
She exuded beauty effortlessly, and even under the scrutinizing gaze of the domestic media, she never faltered. Once, she and Xiao Miao participated in the launch ceremony of a renowned intellectual property owned by the company. Young reporters new to the industry, unaware of their identities, mistook them for upcoming stars in the show. The group photo featuring all the attractive individuals on the crew showcased their undeniable allure. Thanks to their successful careers, they radiated an aura of confidence that set them apart from other girls. Regardless of their company, they effortlessly stood out, leaving no room for criticism in terms of appearance.
She was of the perfect age, one year and four months younger than Lin Jingzhe.
Huh? Also graduated from Yan University?
Hold on. Jinjiang Literature (jjwxc) has been under her leadership since its establishment and has been collaborating with Best Partner IT. While it has now grown into a literary giant, during its initial stages, Best Partner IT was clearly assisting them through financial challenges!
Everyone was aware of the relationship between Best Partner IT and Lin Jingzhe, but could Lin Jingzhe have personally played a role in such poverty alleviation decisions?
Various speculations quickly went awry, and individuals with peculiar ideas suddenly emerged. Some even discovered and spread the photos of Lin Jingzhe and Shen Tiantian having dinner together, captured by paparazzi by chance. Sensing that things were about to get out of hand, an insider couldn't bear to stay silent any longer and retorted: {You bunch of dumb@sses, every time you see a man and a woman together, your minds immediately go to the gutter. You can allow Xiao Chi to have a sister, so why can’t this woman be Lin Jingzhe’s sister?}
Some individuals, skeptical and unwilling to accept this explanation, dismissed it as mere whitewashing. Seeing this, the insiders simply decided to divulge the partially public family backgrounds of both Xiao Chi and Lin Jingzhe.
With the rapid development of the times, information confidentiality has decreased significantly. When Xiao Chi and Lin Jingzhe initially rose to fame, they attempted to keep certain aspects private, such as Lin Jingzhe's past.
Surprisingly, the more they tried to keep things under wraps, the more others grew curious, and rumors began to circulate. In particular, Lin Jingzhe's remarkable journey of building his own industry from scratch at a young age fueled speculation, with some even suggesting that he might be the offspring of a prominent political figure. Unbelievably, there are still individuals who believe in such rumors.
Following their visit to Liyun Town, Xiao Chi and Lin Jingzhe opted for transparency, openly sharing their genuine life stories. Since their parents had already retired, it did not lead to any complications. The revelation of Lin Jingzhe's background shifted the narrative from a pampered rich kid from a powerful family to a top student and resilient individual from the countryside. Raised by his grandfather after his parents' divorce, he consistently persevered and worked hard. Ultimately, he secured admission to Yan University with the highest score of his town, relying on his own merit to achieve everything he has today.
This disclosure was simply astounding, garnering even more admiration than the previously speculated background.
Consequently, in the first half of the year, after the media conducted the first interview with Lin Jingzhe narrating his childhood experiences, discussions remained widespread for over two months. Social experts everywhere were contemplating the extent of harm that irresponsible parenting can inflict on children.
Not to mention the significant positive impact that incident had on the growth of children in the country, Lin Jingzhe’s circle of friends and personal experiences were no longer closely guarded secrets.
That insider was evidently quite well-informed. Not only did he know about the relationship between Shen Tiantian and Lin Jingzhe, but he also knew the names of Lin Runsheng, Gao Sheng, and Zhou Haitang.
After the wedding, a group photo including every attendee was captured by the media and released to the public. A vast family tree diagram unfolded, with Lin Jingzhe and Xiao Chi at the center. Xiao Miao and Shen Tiantian, who jointly run a literature company; Lin Runsheng and Hu Yu, associated with Hanhai University and Yan City’s Teacher Education Institute respectively; Gao Sheng, chairman of Gao Sheng Film, and Zhou Haitang, the future successor of Haitang Non-Staple Food, were photographed numerous times with their arms around Lin Jingzhe’s shoulder (later-released elementary school graduation photos proved they indeed knew each other from childhood). Additionally, Deng Mai, Hu Shaofeng, Fang Wenhao, and so on—spanning various industries, they are all renowned figures in their respective business worlds. Before this, no one could even associate these names together.
The gathering of such a group of characters was no less shocking to the spectators than a picture of long-established best actors and actresses suddenly gathering around a table to play mahjong.
After the voices of making trouble with bad intentions disappeared, the topic seemed to have changed to another direction:
{Oh my God! As expected, the circle of friends of Mr. and Ms. Perfect are all living versions of Gary Stu’s and Mary Sue’s!}
The onlookers who had witnessed the entire event gazed with tears in their eyes at the group of handsome men and beautiful women in the photo. If the knowledgeable insider hadn't unveiled the influential figures behind these individuals capable of shaking the domestic economy, one might have mistaken this gathering for a reunion of entertainment stars!
Not to mention Xiao Chi and Lin Jingzhe, who stood out wherever they went. Even the seemingly inconspicuous man in the crowd named Deng Mai, with skin almost as dark as carbon, possessed striking facial features, resembling an exotic and handsome foreigner!
In comparison, many people turned to look at their partner lying on the bed, who possessed neither wealth nor good looks, engrossed in playing "Legend of Jianghu II" on a Hero phone and idly picking at their feet...
….Forget it, it's time to take a shower and call it a night.