Chapter 2 — The Mysterious Buyer!

A glimmer stirred in Lin Xue’s eyes, but she quietly nodded and thanked Master Yunqing.

Song Qiao glanced at her watch — it was almost time for her appointment with Chen Yang. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Lin Xue, she bid her farewell and left.

Only after stepping out of the temple did she realize there were no other worshippers today, and hailing a cab here was nearly impossible.

In a rush to get to the bridal shop, she was just about to call Chen Yang when his message came through first:

[Qiaoqiao, something urgent came up at work and I can’t step away right now. You go to the bridal shop on your own. Once I pick up my mom this evening, we’ll have dinner together as a family!]

Song Qiao knew Chen Yang had always been diligent in his work, and since he was doing this for his family’s company, she couldn’t complain.

Rubbing her hands against the cold wind, she waited in vain for a taxi. Instead, Xie Yanli’s car showed up.

With snow and ice all around, she didn’t think twice — she raised her hand to flag him down.

The window rolled down. Leaning back in the rear seat, Xie Yanli gave her a cold look.
“What’s the matter?”

Thick-skinned, Song Qiao forced a smile.
“Xie Yanli, could you give me a ride?”

His face remained stern as he curtly replied,
“It’s not on my way.”

“Just drop me somewhere it’s easier to catch a cab.”

Afraid he’d refuse again, Song Qiao quickly added,
“Xie Yanli, it’s been ten years. You’re not still holding a grudge, are you?”

His eyes darkened.
“Get in.”

As soon as she sat down, Xie Yanli casually remarked,
“Miss Song coming to seek a fortune reading — did you get entangled in another romantic mess?”

Another?
Song Qiao lowered her gaze. In her 26 years, she’d only dated two men — Chen Yang and Xie Yanli.

Besides, her relationship with Xie Yanli had been a naive teenage romance at sixteen. It was ancient history — what did he mean “another”? Song Qiao pursed her lips.
“I’ve always been faithful in relationships. Your comment makes no sense, Mr. Xie.”

She clearly heard him scoff. Just as she was about to retort, the partition in the car dropped down instantly.

The next second, Xie Yanli leaned towards her, forcing her into the corner of the car.

Staring at his increasingly close and handsome face, she pressed herself against the door and warned in a low voice,
“Xie Yanli, I’m engaged. What exactly do you want?”

His gaze dimmed slightly before he sat back in place.

Undoing a button, he lounged lazily and sneered,
“Faithful? You didn’t act that way when you toyed with me. Back then, I thought you’d end up with Zhou Yi — turns out you switched again not long after.”

Song Qiao’s blood boiled at his words. Back then, she had been wholeheartedly devoted to Xie Yanli. If he hadn’t suddenly broken things off, she would’ve never initiated their breakup.

Casting him a cold glance, she fired back unflinchingly,
“Life is unpredictable. I thought you’d end up with Senior Jiang.”

An awkward tension instantly filled the air. Neither of them spoke.

The truth was, Song Qiao had pursued Xie Yanli first.

He’d been a year ahead of her, single at the time, though he and Jiang Xinhui were considered the perfect golden couple by everyone. Song Qiao had barged in and relentlessly chased him.

Eventually, her persistence wore him down, and he reluctantly agreed to date her. They actually had a sweet relationship for a while.

But it didn’t last. Just over six months later, Xie Yanli disregarded her tearful pleas and insisted on studying abroad in the UK.

Not long after, Jiang Xinhui also went to the UK. When Song Qiao found out, she angrily ignored Xie Yanli for a month. During that time, he never contacted her either.

Finally, she couldn’t hold back and called him overseas — only to hear Jiang Xinhui’s voice answer the phone.

Jiang said Xie Yanli was asleep and asked why she was calling. Flustered, Song Qiao hung up immediately.

Later, she saw photos Jiang Xinhui posted on Instagram — in one, a blurry profile next to her unmistakably belonged to Xie Yanli.

It wasn’t until half a month later that Xie Yanli called her. His voice was cool and distant. Just as he solemnly said he wanted to talk about something, Song Qiao realized he was going to break up with her.

Wounded pride got the better of her — she blurted out first that she wanted to break up.

On the other end, Xie Yanli paused for a long while before hoarsely asking why. Panicked, she lied that she had feelings for someone else and deliberately mentioned Zhou Yi’s name. After saying that, she quickly hung up.

They never spoke again. Later, Song Qiao heard from alumni that half a year after their breakup, Jiang Xinhui passed away from illness in the UK.

Years later, their paths crossed again — at her engagement party with Chen Yang.

Although she’d spent two years drifting aimlessly after their breakup, she had long moved on. But when Xie Yanli saw her at the engagement banquet, his attitude was icy, almost like she was an enemy.

Song Qiao couldn’t understand why. Before she could shake off her memories, Xie Yanli’s cold voice cut in.
“Get out.”

The car stopped immediately. Song Qiao glanced outside — they had just reached the city center. She sighed inwardly. As expected, Xie Yanli is still as cold as ever.

Before getting out, she shot a glare at the indifferent man beside her, scoffed lightly, and stepped out.

After she left, Xie Yanli stared at her retreating figure, his expression inscrutable. Only after he saw her leave by taxi did he instruct,
“Back to Nanshan Temple.”

Song Qiao arrived at the bridal shop by cab. Shen Yao was already there, dressed in her selected bridesmaid dress and cheerfully ushering Song Qiao to try on her altered wedding gown.

When Song Qiao came out in the dress, Shen Yao’s eyes lit up instantly.

“Qiaoqiao, this dress is perfect for you! You look like a fairy descended to earth — absolutely stunning!”

Looking at herself in the mirror, Song Qiao smiled with satisfaction. She took several photos and picked the best one to send to Chen Yang.

He replied quickly:

[Qiaoqiao, you’re beautiful. Once I finish my work, I’ll go pick up my mom. Let’s meet in two hours at Yong’an Restaurant, private room 806.]

Thinking about meeting Chen Yang’s mother soon made Song Qiao nervous. She turned to Shen Yao and asked,
“Yao Yao, since Chen Yang’s mom is coming, what gift should I prepare for her?”

Hands on her hips, Shen Yao looked annoyed.
“That mom of his is so hard to please. I say skip the gift and just give her money. Who doesn’t like money? Let’s see what she can nitpick then.”

Song Qiao knew Shen Yao was just standing up for her. She walked over, wrapped her arms around her friend’s waist, and gently said,
“Yao Yao, Chen Yang’s father passed away early, and no matter what, his mom raised him on her own. I should treat her kindly. Whether she’s easy to get along with or not, she’ll go back home after our wedding anyway.”

Shen Yao rolled her eyes in frustration.
“Qiaoqiao, sometimes I think Chen Yang doesn’t deserve you. Besides his looks, sweet words, and fancy degree, what else does he really have?”

Song Qiao teased with a laugh,
“That much and it’s still not enough? Then tell me, who does suit me?”

Shen Yao rested her chin in her hand and thought hard before saying seriously,
“I think Xie Yanli wouldn’t be bad.”

Song Qiao pictured Xie Yanli’s frosty face and curled her lip in disgust.
“Yao Yao, spare me. I still want to live a few more good years.”

Shen Yao was about to say something when Song Qiao’s phone rang — it was her assistant calling. The assistant told her the mysterious client had just placed another large order worth 5 million yuan. After giving a few instructions, Song Qiao hung up and hurried to change clothes.

When she came out, Shen Yao looked at her thoughtfully.
“Qiaoqiao, your studio’s only been running for two years. It’s a newcomer with no reputation. Why does this person have so much faith in you? They order 5 million worth of products from you every year and don’t even specify a delivery time. Don’t you think… maybe they have a crush on you?”

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