Chapter 20

Lin Qian planned to buy a meal from one of the nearby food stalls to try it out.

Suddenly, Lin Dawei appeared behind her. “Qianqian, what are you doing here too?”

Lin Qian was startled.

Lin Dawei chuckled. “The Lu family has booked a banquet table at Qingfeng Restaurant today to discuss your cousin and Lu Zhanting’s marriage. I thought, since our family’s situation isn’t great right now, maybe I’d bring you along for some meat. Want to come?”

Lin Qian had a hunch that Lin Dawei wasn’t simply trying to take her to a free meal. Could it be that they still wanted to test if she had feelings for Lu Zhanting?

Perfect. She wanted to go see the show anyway.

She nodded. “Sure, let’s go eat some big fish and meat together.”

On the way there, as expected, Lin Dawei began probing subtly. “Qianqian, can you tell Dad why you suddenly gave up on Lu Zhanting?”

“I realized we’re not a good match. Yuan Yuan and he seem more suited to each other.”

Lin Dawei carefully observed her expression as she spoke, then continued, “You two girls grew up together as one family. Now that this swap has been decided, no matter how things go with Yuan Yuan in the Lu family, you mustn’t be jealous, alright?”

Lin Qian replied, “Don’t worry, Dad. Once I gave up on Lu Zhanting, I meant it. I’m not going to fight Yuan Yuan over a man.”

“Good, good.” Lin Dawei was very pleased with her response.

The two of them arrived at Qingfeng Restaurant.

Lin Yuanyuan and Lu Zhanting were waiting outside, as if greeting Lin Dawei.

“Auntie’s husband, you’re finally here,” Lin Yuanyuan said as she came over. Her expression changed sharply the moment she saw Lin Qian.

“Auntie’s husband, why did you bring her along?” she muttered resentfully, not even trying to hide it from Lin Qian.

Lin Qian ignored her completely.

Lin Dawei opened his mouth but hadn’t had a chance to respond when Lu Zhanting also approached. “Uncle Lin, my parents are already inside the hall waiting for you.”

Lin Yuanyuan was afraid Lu Zhanting would notice her two-faced attitude, so she quickly tugged at Lin Dawei’s hand, signaling him to keep quiet.

She snuck a glance at Lin Qian and Lu Zhanting, and seeing that the two didn’t interact at all, she finally relaxed.

To save money, the Lu family had only reserved one table in the main dining hall to discuss the marriage.

Lu Zhanting’s parents and his younger sister Lu Xiaoqin were all there. Just a moment ago, they’d been chatting and laughing happily with Ma Guixin, but the moment they saw Lin Qian, the smiles instantly vanished.

All three of them stared nervously at Lin Qian, clearly afraid she would expose the skeletons in their closet.

Wang Xiulian had applied thick powder on her face to cover the bruises, but her face still looked swollen—like a puffed-up steamed bun. She looked like she’d gained weight.

When she met Lin Qian’s gaze, she looked very guilty.

Lu Jianguo felt deeply ashamed.

Clearly, Lin Qian hadn’t told the Lin family about their dirty laundry, otherwise Lin Yuanyuan wouldn’t have agreed to marry into their family.

Compared to the two elders who had some self-awareness, Lu Xiaoqin couldn’t hold herself back. She suddenly shot up from her chair.

“Lin Qian, you were already rejected and dumped by my brother. How do you still have the nerve to show up and eat at our engagement dinner?”

Lu Jianguo and Wang Xiulian both held their breath. They didn’t even dare exhale. Why was this brainless girl still provoking Lin Qian at a time like this?

Lin Qian smiled sweetly. “You’re the groom’s sister, and I’m the bride’s cousin. If you can come eat at this engagement dinner, why can’t I?”

Lu Jianguo sighed in relief. Thankfully, Lin Qian didn’t get angry.

Wang Xiulian quickly stood up and dragged Lu Xiaoqin outside.

“You stupid girl, don’t you know how disgraceful the things you’ve done are? Why are you provoking her now?”

“Mom, how would she even know about the stuff I did unless she overstepped while working at our house?”

“Shut up!”

Wang Xiulian knew her daughter was nothing but a little troublemaker—always trying to force her way even when she had no right to.

“I’m warning you. Today is your brother’s big day. He finally found a clean and proper girl willing to marry him. If you stir up trouble, I will not forgive you.”

Lu Xiaoqin pouted with resentment, her cheeks puffed out in anger. She felt that if she didn’t take revenge on Lin Qian, she wouldn’t deserve the Lu family name.

Wang Xiulian didn’t trust her daughter one bit. After thinking it over, she said, “Xiaoqin, you’re clearly not suitable to stay here today. Go home and keep your grandfather company.”

“Mom, when did you get so timid?”

Smack!

Wang Xiulian slapped her across the face. “Get lost!”

If Lin Qian got really mad today, it wouldn’t just be Lu Xiaoqin who suffered.

After driving her away, Wang Xiulian stood in place for a while, then finally decided to find Lin Qian for a private conversation.

Back inside, Ma Guixin also sensed something was off. She quietly asked Lin Qian, “What exactly did you do to their family? That Lu Xiaoqin looked like she wanted to eat you alive.”

Lin Qian responded casually, “Difficult younger sisters-in-law are common. I just didn’t win their favor, so they broke off the engagement.”

Ma Guixin was annoyed that Lin Qian wasn’t telling the full truth. She grabbed her arm, ready to ask more questions, but just then, Wang Xiulian came over with a sweet smile.

“Qianqian, I have a few words I’d like to say to you. Could you come with Auntie for a moment?”

Lin Qian figured she must want something from her. As expected, this trip hadn’t been in vain.

Lu Zhanting, standing nearby, also found it odd. By right, Lu Xiaoqin’s scandals shouldn’t have affected his engagement much—so why were his parents so afraid of Lin Qian?

Seeing his wife finally pull Lin Qian away, Lu Jianguo eagerly called Lin Dawei, Ma Guixin, and Lin Yuanyuan over to begin discussing the marriage.

Ma Guixin still felt something was off. She wanted to sneak off and eavesdrop on what Wang Xiulian was saying to Lin Qian.

But Lin Yuanyuan stopped her. “Mom, today is the most important day of my life. Don’t mess things up for me.”

Ma Guixin looked aggrieved. “I just care about you and want what’s best—”

“If you really care about me, then just happily marry me off into the Lu family.”

Outside the dining hall—

Wang Xiulian looked at Lin Qian and started cautiously, “Qianqian, it was you who didn’t want to marry Zhanting, right? Our family was always very satisfied with you. Now that your cousin is going to marry him, you don’t resent us, do you?”

Lin Qian smiled. “Of course not. Your family’s drama is so entertaining. My cousin’s always liked stealing things from me since we were kids. She’s the one who suggested the partner swap. You can rest easy.”