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Chapter 23 – Jiang Xinhui’s Manipulative Lies!

Song Qiao was stunned by Chen Yang’s question. Her mind went blank for a moment — it was the first time she didn’t know how to answer a question Chen Yang posed to her.

Chen Yang noticed the flicker of evasiveness in Song Qiao’s eyes and immediately thought of Xie Yanli. A dark, brooding look flashed across his gaze.

Panicking, he stepped forward and pulled Song Qiao into his arms, comforting her gently:
“Qiao Qiao, I was just joking, speaking nonsense. You’re probably just feeling some pre-wedding anxiety — that’s totally normal. Don’t overthink it. Once we get married, you’ll feel better.”

For some reason, even though Song Qiao was in Chen Yang’s embrace, all she could think about were scenes of Xie Yanli carrying her to the hospital when she was ill.

Song Qiao was startled by her own thoughts. She pressed her lips together — why was she thinking of him at a time like this?

Although Song Qiao didn’t immediately agree to set a wedding date with Chen Yang, she did agree that after she was discharged from the hospital, their two families would sit down for a meal together.

Three days passed in a flash, and soon it was time for Song Qiao to be discharged. After Chen Yang picked her up from the hospital, the first thing she did was visit her studio to check on her staff’s progress, and then return to her workspace to work on an order for a mysterious client.

Just as she was busy and overwhelmed, she received a call from Chen Yang.

Chen Yang said he was coming to pick her up to go to the restaurant. Song Qiao glanced out the window and realized it was already afternoon — almost time for the family dinner they had agreed on.

She quickly left the workspace, changed into a spare set of clothes, freshened up, and did some light makeup. When she exited the studio, Chen Yang was already waiting outside, and with him was Xu Qin.

Song Qiao noticed Xu Qin had changed into new clothes and had dressed up meticulously. It was obvious she took this meeting seriously, and along the way, Xu Qin went out of her way to be pleasant to Song Qiao.

After they arrived at the restaurant and got out of the car, Chen Yang opened the trunk, revealing it was filled with various high-end gifts. The restaurant Chen Yang had chosen was also one of the top establishments in Jing City. Song Qiao felt both touched and pressured by Chen Yang’s generosity.

After entering the private dining room, it wasn’t long before Song Zhiming and Bai Shuyu arrived. After exchanging pleasantries with Xu Qin and sitting down, Xu Qin asked Chen Yang to pour her a glass of white liquor, then she stood up holding the glass.

“In-laws, I didn’t treat Qiao Qiao well before. I’ve reflected deeply on my mistakes. From now on, I will treat Qiao Qiao twice as well, as if she were my own daughter. I hope you both can give me another chance.”

After she finished speaking, she tilted her head back and downed the glass of liquor in one go, then bowed deeply to the two of them.

Although Song Zhiming and Bai Shuyu still harbored dissatisfaction toward her, they were well-mannered and educated people. They quickly stood up and responded politely:
“Qiao Qiao is our only child. She has her spoiled and willful sides too, so please don’t say that.”

Xu Qin noticed they still didn’t address her as “in-law” and knew they still had reservations. She quickly waved her hand and explained:
“Qiao Qiao is a good child, born into a prestigious family. Chen Yang, on the other hand, is from the countryside. Not only did she not look down on him, but she also treated him very well — I’ve seen all of this clearly as his mother. I used to have doubts about Qiao Qiao because I was afraid she would look down on us, but now that I’ve seen everything with my own eyes, I’m reassured. Qiao Qiao is not that kind of person — it’s our Chen family who is marrying above our station.”

She then asked Chen Yang to pour her another glass of liquor, and sincerely added:
“In-laws, I know I’m from an older generation and there might be a gap between me and the kids. Rest assured, once they get married, I’ll immediately return to the countryside. Honestly, I’m more used to life back home anyway. Staying here doesn’t suit me — I’ve got chickens and ducks back home waiting for me to feed them.”

Xu Qin had just touched on the point that Bai Shuyu and Song Zhiming cared about most: they were worried Xu Qin would interfere too much in their children’s married life. Seeing Xu Qin firmly express her intention to return to her hometown put their minds at ease.

If they only considered Chen Yang and set Xu Qin aside, they actually didn’t mind his background and were very satisfied with him.

Seeing their expressions relax significantly, Xu Qin moved on to the real purpose of today’s meeting:
“In-laws, I wanted to ask — when do you plan to schedule the wedding for these two kids?”

As soon as she said this, Chen Yang immediately stood up. Looking at Song Zhiming and Bai Shuyu, he said solemnly:
“Uncle, Auntie, I’m serious about Qiao Qiao. I love her, and I’m willing to spend my life taking care of her. Please rest assured — I will always treat her well and never let her suffer any grievances.”

Song Zhiming glanced at Bai Shuyu, who nodded. He then stated his position:
“Chen Yang, you and Qiao Qiao have been together for many years. Both her mother and I like you very much. Of course, we hope you two can get married soon, so we can hold our grandchild sooner.”

Upon hearing this, Song Qiao unconsciously bit her lip.

Chen Yang, seeing Song Zhiming had agreed, quickly followed up:
“Uncle, once we sign the agreement with the Lu Group, we’ll be busy. Why not hold the wedding as soon as possible while we still have some free time?”

Before Song Zhiming could answer, Xu Qin pulled out a bank card from her coat and handed it to Bai Shuyu, grasping her hand as she said:
“In-law, there’s 500,000 yuan in here — all of our family’s savings. The password is Qiao Qiao’s birthday. This isn’t just the bride price we’re offering for Qiao Qiao, it also represents our Chen family’s utmost sincerity.”

Song Zhiming’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but he said nothing.

Previously, Bai Shuyu had reservations about Song Qiao marrying Chen Yang precisely because Xu Qin had been unwilling to offer a bride price. Bai Shuyu didn’t care about the amount — she wouldn’t keep the money and would even provide a dowry for Song Qiao. What she had always wanted was just an attitude.

Now seeing Xu Qin’s sincerity, she felt reassured. She nodded and accepted the money, signaling her consent to the marriage.

“They’ve been together for years and were even engaged before. Let’s hold the wedding soon, before the big order comes in. This weekend is an auspicious day — in-law, what do you think?”

Xu Qin excitedly gripped Bai Shuyu’s hand, smiling broadly as she agreed repeatedly:
“In-law, that’s wonderful.”
Then she paused, turned to Song Qiao, and cautiously asked,
“Qiao Qiao, Chen Yang is overjoyed with this. What do you think?”

In an instant, all eyes turned to Song Qiao. She froze for a moment, then stood up, murmuring:
“Sorry, my stomach feels a little uncomfortable. I need to use the restroom.”

With that, she left the private room. Song Zhiming and Bai Shuyu smiled and teased,
“This child — still acting shy at a time like this.”

Xu Qin quickly smiled and smoothed things over:
“She’s a young woman — it’s normal to be shy. In-law, such a joyous occasion — let’s drink another toast.”

“Sure, cheers!”

Chen Yang drank with them, but his brows furrowed deeply with worry.

Song Qiao, looking dazed, went to the restroom and sat inside for a long time before finally coming out.

While washing her hands at the sink, she unexpectedly ran into Jiang Xinhui, who was touching up her makeup. Song Qiao didn’t want to greet her. After washing her hands and just as she was about to leave, Jiang Xinhui called out and spoke condescendingly:
“Song Qiao, I’m technically your senior from the same school. Isn’t it a bit rude not to greet me?”

Song Qiao couldn’t be bothered and replied blandly:
“There’s no one else here — who are we putting on a show for?”

Jiang Xinhui let out a soft snicker and raised an eyebrow:
“I see — you’re still hung up on what happened back then, aren’t you?”

Song Qiao stared at her, sharply retorting:
“So you’re admitting that you interfered in my relationship with Xie Yanli back then?”

Jiang Xinhui leaned in close, suddenly smiling calmly:
“Song Qiao, you don’t need to obsess over the past. Yanli and I were a pair to begin with. The only reason he accepted your confession back then was because he was angry at me.”

After a few seconds of heavy silence, Jiang Xinhui added sarcastically:
“Why else do you think he went to the UK alone without you? And once he got there, didn’t contact you? You probably don’t even know — I went to the UK because he begged me to go. He even bought my plane ticket. Honestly, it was Yanli who wronged you — just to spite me, he took advantage of your feelings.”

Song Qiao instantly froze where she stood, her fingers unconsciously clenching tightly.

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