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Chapter 24: Xie Yanli Finds Out Song Qiao Is Getting Married!

Song Qiao had a cold expression on her face and said nothing.

To make Song Qiao believe what she said, Jiang Xinhui added at the right moment, “Song Qiao, I know about Yanli taking you to the hospital a couple of days ago. At that time, we had a bit of a falling out. He said he wanted to make me regret it, but not long after, his anger subsided, and he apologized to me. He even took the initiative to confess everything to me.”

She let out a self-deprecating laugh. “To be honest, he’s such a childish man. Even at the last gathering, when he wouldn’t drink for me and instead stood up for you—that was just him acting out of spite. Though he’s ruthless and decisive in business, when it comes to relationships, he’s just a kid. But I know deep down, he does all this because he loves me.”

Then her tone changed, and she said to Song Qiao, “He’s always been like this. I’m used to it. You really don’t need to take it to heart.”

So the reason Xie Yanli took her to the hospital was to use her to spite Jiang Xinhui.

Even though she didn’t want to believe Jiang Xinhui’s words, what she said did explain Xie Yanli’s hot-and-cold behavior.

She couldn’t help but think back to his indifference in the UK. Suppressing the sorrow and anger rising in her chest, she frowned and forced herself to say, “You’re overthinking it. Even if I once liked him, that was ten years ago. I was young and naïve—it’s normal to fall for a scumbag back then.”

Jiang Xinhui furrowed her brow, staring at Song Qiao in disbelief. “Song Qiao, did you just call Yanli a scumbag? Are you sure you’re not just being sour grapes because you can’t have him?”

Song Qiao gave her a faint smile. “Whether the grapes are sour or sweet, I’m not interested. I don’t even like grapes. But let me remind you: the best grapes are custom-ripened. The sour ones are the ones that rot on the ground. If you can’t tell the difference, then stop being so smug.”

Hearing that, a flash of malice crossed Jiang Xinhui’s face. She asked furiously, “Song Qiao, are you seriously saying you don’t care about Yanli?”

Song Qiao curled her lip disdainfully. “Care about him? I’m living a very happy life now. My wedding date is already set. What would I care about him for?”

After saying that, she turned and walked out, unwilling to stay a second longer. But Jiang Xinhui wouldn’t let her go so easily.

Crossing her arms, she raised her eyebrows and asked, “Oh? How come you never mentioned your wedding at the last gathering? You set a date that quickly? Is it even real? Song Qiao, are you just making this up to save face?”

Seeing the smug expression on Jiang Xinhui’s face, Song Qiao’s temper flared. She retorted, “Jiang Xinhui, you think too highly of yourself. I’d lie about my own marriage just to get back at you? Ridiculous.”

“So when is your wedding? I wonder if Yanli and I will have the honor of attending. You know, to share in the joy and maybe learn a thing or two about the process.”

Song Qiao glanced at her meaningfully and replied, “This weekend. Anyone who comes with a sincere heart to bless us is welcome.”

“Oh really? In that case, would you mind if I shared the good news in our old class group chat? After all, everyone there witnessed your pursuit of Yanli back then—it’s like watching you grow up. I’m sure they’d be thrilled to witness your happiness.”

Song Qiao remembered that Xie Yanli was in that chat too. Although part of her wanted him to hear the news, she hesitated.

Before she could say anything, Jiang Xinhui had already pulled out her phone, tapped a few times, and spoke into it:
“Everyone, Song Qiao is getting married this weekend. She hopes you all can come and celebrate with her!”

Song Qiao hadn’t expected her to move so fast. She stared at Jiang Xinhui, seething with anger.

Jiang Xinhui then looked up and asked, “Oh right, Song Qiao, where’s the wedding being held?”

Suppressing her rage, Song Qiao answered, “I’ll let you know in advance.”

As if something had just occurred to her, Jiang Xinhui smiled and asked, “The best five-star hotel in the city is the Marriott under the Xie Group. Want me to ask Yanli to book a spot for you? I’m sure he’d give you a discount—after all, he did hurt you before. This could be his way of making up for it.”

Song Qiao bit her lip and said coldly, “Make up for it? Jiang Xinhui, you really overestimate him. I’m not short on money and don’t need his apologies. Where I hold the wedding is none of your concern.”

“Alright, junior. Then you don’t mind joining our class group, right? I don’t have your contact info, and the chat is already blowing up,” Jiang Xinhui said, waving her phone.

Left with no choice, Song Qiao walked up to her and added her on WeChat.

As soon as Jiang Xinhui accepted the friend request, she added Song Qiao to the group chat.

Before Song Qiao could even check the dozens of unread messages, her phone rang—it was Chen Yang.

“Qiaoqiao, are you okay? You’ve been in there a while. Is your stomach still hurting? Do you want me to take you to the hospital?”

Truthfully, Song Qiao was in some pain. She always had cramps during her period. Though this time the pain was milder than usual, it was still a dull tugging pain. She’d only bled the first day and planned to visit the hospital soon just to be safe.

She pursed her lips and, deliberately in front of Jiang Xinhui, responded sweetly, “Chen Yang, I’m fine. Don’t worry. I’m coming out now.”

Without sparing Jiang Xinhui another glance, she left the restroom and saw Chen Yang waiting outside.

As soon as he saw her, he hurried over and asked anxiously, “Qiaoqiao, are you really okay?”

Song Qiao smiled and shook her head. “I’m fine.”

She heard footsteps behind her—she could feel Jiang Xinhui watching intently.

So she slipped her arm into Chen Yang’s and said gently, “Mom and Dad must be waiting. Let’s go back quickly.”

Chen Yang was pleasantly surprised by the sudden shift in how she addressed his parents. Just moments ago, he had worried she might change her mind—but now it seemed he had nothing to fear.

Unable to resist, he pinched her cheek and said tenderly, “Alright, let’s go.” With that, he wrapped an arm around her waist and led her back to the private room.

Jiang Xinhui, not missing the chance, recorded their affectionate interaction and immediately posted it in the class group.

She even added: “Let’s all send our blessings to this sweet couple. Their sugar level is off the charts!”

As expected, the chat exploded with congratulatory messages from their overly enthusiastic classmates.

Meanwhile, Xie Yanli remained completely unaware. First, because he didn’t really use his phone much. Second, although he was in the group, he found the messages annoying and had long muted the chat.

But Shen Huaichuan was different—he was addicted to his phone. As soon as he saw the message about Song Qiao’s wedding, he immediately called Xie Yanli.

As soon as the call connected, he blurted out, “Yanli, drop whatever you’re doing and check the class group chat!”

Xie Yanli was in the middle of a crucial business negotiation. Annoyed by Shen Huaichuan’s panic, he frowned and said, “Shen Huaichuan, I’m not as idle as you.”

Just as he was about to hang up, Shen Huaichuan yelled, “Yanli, it’s about Song Qiao—she’s getting married this weekend!”

Xie Yanli froze.

He hung up the call and quickly opened the group chat. After just a few seconds, his pupils contracted, and his dark eyes turned bloodshot.

Then he swallowed hard, but no words came out of his mouth.

Clang!
The coffee cup in his hand fell and shattered on the floor, its contents splashing everywhere.

The business partners present were stunned. He had been perfectly composed just moments ago—what kind of phone call could shake the prince of Beijing’s elite circle like this?

Terrified by the bloodthirsty aura emanating from Xie Yanli, one of the partners tried to speak, but before he could utter a word, Xie Yanli stormed out of the meeting room in a rage.

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