Chapter 54: Tripping Qiao Yue

Qiao Lan had long possessed the strength to protect herself, but the bullying she endured in her youth was a shadow that lingered.

Suddenly, she was pulled into a warm embrace.

Above her head, Mo Qian’s deep, magnetic voice echoed: “You can only truly become strong when you conquer yourself.”

Mo Qian said, “With me here, you don’t have to care about anyone else’s opinions. Be yourself!”

Qiao Lan looked up, the unwavering determination in the man’s ink-black eyes touched her.

Qiao Lan nodded: “Okay.”

Qiao Lan sat before the vanity, the stylist delighted by her transformation: “I’ve been trying to convince you to change for so long, but you wouldn’t. It seems you’ve finally found love.”

Qiao Lan always kept her styling simple. With her good foundation, her face didn’t need much embellishment.

The stylist always felt guilty about charging Qiao Lan.

Besides, she was beautiful and had a great figure. It was a shame not to dress her up properly.

Finally, she had the opportunity to transform a beauty.

…

An hour later

Qiao Lan emerged from the fitting room.

She hadn’t worn a dress in a long time, and she felt a bit awkward in it.

Qiao Lan’s slender white hand rested on the hem of the dress, her head bowed shyly. She asked nervously, “How does it look?”

Mo Qian looked up, his eyes filled with astonishment.

It was a one-shoulder gown, revealing her delicate collarbone and graceful swan neck curve. The tailored design outlined her beautiful figure.

The dress featured exquisite hand-stitched embroidery, high-end yet not ostentatious.

Her jet-black hair was styled in a high bun, with wispy strands framing her face, adding a touch of gentleness to her appearance.

Mo Qian sincerely praised, “You’re beautiful!”

Qiao Lan’s pink lips curved into a smile: “Thank you.”

“We don’t need to be so formal with each other.”

Mo Qian took Qiao Lan’s hand and led her away.

Qiao Lan looked out the car window, her slender fingers intertwined.

Mo Qian could sense Qiao Lan’s nervousness.

He said, “I’ll go in with you later.”

“Okay.”

Thinking about Mo Qian accompanying her, all her tension and anxiety vanished.

She noticed her own change and furrowed her beautiful brows.

When did she learn to rely on others?

Reliance was dangerous.

Qiao Lan’s mood suddenly turned somber.

Mo Qian sensed the shift in Qiao Lan’s emotions and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Qiao Lan didn’t want to reveal her thoughts. Looking at the gown she was wearing, she changed the subject: “Is this dress custom-made?”

The craftsmanship and tailoring of the dress were exceptional, and the embroidery on the skirt was meticulously hand-stitched.

The complexity of the dressmaking process clearly indicated it was a private commission, and it must have been made by a renowned dress designer.

Mo Qian hummed: “I didn’t pay for it.”

It was a gift from someone else. He didn’t pay for it.

Qiao Lan automatically assumed that Mo Qian had used the money from the card she gave him.

Qiao Lan said, “You have many secrets.”

“There are no secrets between us. Just ask, and I’ll tell you.”

“Will you tell the truth?”

“Lanlan, the most important thing in a marriage is honesty. Do you think I would deceive you?”

Qiao Lan hummed: “Men’s mouths are full of lies.”

Mo Qian’s eyes darkened: “Not all men are scumbags.”

Qiao Lan oh’d: “I’ll give you a chance sometime.”

“Okay.” Mo Qian’s thin lips curved into a smile.

Was Qiao Lan’s willingness to understand him a sign that she was starting to accept this marriage?

…

Qiao Zhenyuan cared deeply about this collaboration. He announced the news of the partnership at the most upscale hotel in Haishi.

He had become the head of the Qiao Corporation, shedding his former foolishness and weakness, like a complete transformation, full of vigor and confidence.

He moved among the crowd, his every word and action exuding the demeanor of a mature and steady business elite.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

They had initially doubted Qiao Zhenyuan’s transformation, but seeing it with their own eyes, they had to believe.

Qiao Zhenyuan saw their astonishment and admiration, and he couldn’t help but feel proud.

Qiao Yue was just as proud as he was.

Her father’s success in the business world brought her benefits as well.

She clearly felt that during her recent visits to the hospital to see Chu Zhiheng, Chu’s parents had become much warmer towards her.

Their words hinted at wanting to match her with Chu Zhiheng.

Qiao Yue was Chu Zhiheng’s best choice at the moment.

Even her former friends who had once ignored her started contacting her again. She had regained her former glory of being surrounded by admirers.

As soon as Qiao Lan entered, she saw her father and sister like two peacocks, flaunting themselves in the banquet hall.

The moment everyone saw Qiao Lan, they were stunned.

They all knew Qiao Lan was beautiful, but after years of seeing her in dull and formal suits, they had become accustomed to her appearance.

Over time, they subconsciously overlooked her stunning face.

She had simply dressed up today, and she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Qiao Yue followed the astonished gazes of the crowd and saw Qiao Lan, elegant and noble, standing at the entrance of the banquet hall. Her entire face contorted.

Qiao Lan!

She had started dressing up again, attracting everyone’s attention.

Back in school, because Qiao Lan was so beautiful, all the boys in the class were drawn to her. Qiao Yue hated it, and she felt that Qiao Lan, an orphan, didn’t deserve to be liked by so many boys.

So, she joined forces with her classmates who were equally jealous of Qiao Lan and bullied her together.

They turned her into a boring bookworm, and only then were they satisfied.

She hadn’t dressed up in all these years, and she had almost forgotten how beautiful Qiao Lan was.

Qiao Lan looked at Qiao Yue’s twisted face and sneered.

Even after all these years, Qiao Yue was still jealous of her.

But she was no longer the helpless little orphan she used to be.

If Qiao Yue wanted to bully her, she had to first assess whether she was qualified enough.

Qiao Yue was no match for Qiao Lan, but seeing her easily attract the attention of the entire hall, she was filled with resentment.

She walked up to Qiao Lan and said smugly, “Qiao Lan, you’re here. I thought you wouldn’t dare to come.”

Qiao Lan smiled: “Why wouldn’t I dare to come?”

“You know the reason.”

The collaboration between Qiao Corporation and He Miao was a done deal. Qiao Zhenyuan would pass Qiao Lao’s assessment and gain control of the Qiao Corporation.

Once Qiao Lao was gone, Qiao Lan would be immediately kicked out.

Qiao Lan looked at her arrogant demeanor and felt it was a waste of time to talk to this fool.

She turned to leave.

Qiao Yue saw Qiao Lan’s long dress and a dangerous and vicious idea arose in her mind. She stretched out her foot to trip Qiao Lan.

Qiao Lan sensed her little trick and narrowed her eyes dangerously. She mercilessly kicked Qiao Yue’s shin.

Ah!!!

A pig-like scream echoed through the banquet hall.

Qiao Yue fell flat on her face.

Qiao Lan furrowed her brows and scolded: “Qiao Yue, can’t you be a little more careful? You’re making a fool of yourself on such an important day!”

Qiao Yue slammed onto the ground, her bones feeling like they were about to fall apart. She glared at Qiao Lan with bloodshot eyes: “Qiao Lan, don’t pretend to be innocent. You tripped me.”

Qiao Lan smiled: “Qiao Yue, you still haven’t learned to stop slandering people.”