Chapter 22: An Unexpected Encounter

The word spread that Xiao Qingru was “waiting to attend the wedding banquet.”

Some people thought she was just putting on a brave face to save her dignity, while others believed she truly had moved on from Jiang Chuan, especially considering she had a stable job with the cultural troupe, a good family background, and plenty of men interested in her. Either way, it was a bit tragic for everyone who had seen the once praised childhood sweethearts end their relationship so bitterly. Who would have expected things to come to this?

People gossiped:

• “Du Wanqiu’s impressive, huh? Getting remarried so soon after her postpartum period! Wonder what her late husband would think if he knew.”
• “Let’s not drag the deceased into this gossip.”
• “But Jiang Chuan really cared for Xiao Qingru. Now he’s stuck with Du Wanqiu this can’t end well, right? Sounds like the kind of match that turns sour quickly.”

To this, others replied:

• “He’s old enough to know what’s right. He was still caught in Du Wanqiu’s trap because he couldn’t make a clean break.”
• “Well, they say you reap what you sow. He wanted to take care of her and her child, so now he’s got his wish.”

The rumors didn’t faze Jiang Chuan much, but when he heard that Xiao Qingru was waiting to attend his wedding banquet, his spirits hit rock bottom. She was truly determined when she said it was over, it really was over.

Once, he had pictured their wedding, where she would be his bride. Now he was marrying someone else. Jiang Chuan let out a bitter laugh there was no turning back now. His dream wedding was no more than that a dream. Trying to shake off the gloom, he returned to the reality he now faced.

Seeing him so downcast, Du Wanqiu offered sweetly, “Comrade Jiang, you can still change your mind, even divorce after the wedding if needed. If your heart is really with Comrade Xiao, then please go find her. Don’t ruin your future with me.”

Jiang Chuan shook his head, “No. No more rumors. I’ll take care of you and Xiao bao.”

Du Wanqiu hid her real thoughts she wanted Jiang Chuan to forget Xiao Qingru, and eventually, maybe even love her. After all, if a woman wants to secure a man, intimacy is the best way to bind him. She’d let things develop naturally once they were married.

Elsewhere, Xiao Qingru and Song Yuan had finished watching a movie and headed to a state owned restaurant for a meal. The moment they entered, they spotted a familiar figure.

“Comrade Xu! What brings you here?” Xiao Qingru asked, surprised.

“Business trip. Fancy meeting you both here.”

Song Yuan, with a friendly smile, agreed to share a table, and the three of them found a cozy spot by the window.

When asked what they wanted to eat, Xiao Qingru glanced at the menu posted at the counter, “I’ll have beef noodles,” she said, and Song Yuan echoed her choice. They handed their money and tickets to Xu Muzhou, who graciously accepted and headed to place their order.

As he walked away, Xiao Qingru mentioned, “I also need to bring home a portion of braised pork for my parents.” Xu glanced back with a small smile, amused by her thoughtfulness.

Watching their friendly interaction, Song Yuan couldn’t help but think how well the two matched.