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Song Qiao was instantly furious after seeing Xie Yanli’s message. Who did he think he was, meddling in her life and trying to control her future? She had already backed down—why was he still refusing to let things go?
Even if the whole city of Jing feared him, she wasn’t going to let him bully her. Jiang Xinhui’s words echoed in her mind again, fueling her anger even more.
She pressed her lips together tightly, her eyes flashing with fury, and forced herself to hold back the rage as she replied to Xie Yanli.
[Xie Yanli, don’t think that just because you have power and influence you can do whatever you want, playing people in the palm of your hand. I’m not afraid of you. In my eyes, you’re just a bastard and a lunatic. If you’re not afraid of making a scene, then go ahead and come. But let me make it clear—I’m marrying the one I love, and it’s not a crime. This marriage is happening, no matter what.]
After sending the message, Song Qiao immediately deleted Xie Yanli from her WeChat. Although venting her anger felt good, she knew full well what might happen after he received that message.
Still, she quickly made up her mind. No matter how powerful or unruly Xie Yanli was, he had no right to interfere in someone else’s family matters. If he dared provoke her again, she wasn’t going to sit back and take it.
Even though she had just cursed him out, the anger still didn’t dissipate. Just thinking about what he’d done made her boil inside. She slammed her phone down on the table in frustration—only to realize too late that there were others in the private room.
Her action immediately caught the attention of everyone present.
Bai Shuyu was the first to speak. She looked Song Qiao over with a frown and reprimanded her:
“Qiao Qiao, ever since you came back from the restroom, you’ve been distracted. We’re discussing your marriage to Chen Yang—something this important and serious—and you’re there fiddling with your phone the whole time. What does that look like?”
Song Zhiming, who doted on his daughter more than anything, quickly jumped in with a smile to smooth things over:
“Hey now, Shuyu, it’s the digital age. All the young people are like this. Qiao Qiao’s grown up now. Give her a bit of face, don’t be too harsh.”
Song Qiao quickly played along, clasping her hands playfully toward Bai Shuyu and acting cute:
“Mom, I know I was wrong. Please don’t scold me.”
Xu Qin also smiled indulgently and chimed in:
“In-laws, kids will be kids. Let’s not make a fuss over Qiao Qiao. Let’s keep chatting—let the two youngsters handle their own matters.”
Afraid that Bai Shuyu would continue nagging, Song Zhiming quickly turned to Chen Yang and said:
“Chen Yang, this restaurant has a nice environment. Why don’t you take Qiao Qiao outside for a bit to enjoy the view?”
Chen Yang immediately stood up. Walking over to Song Qiao, he bent down and said gently:
“Qiao Qiao, want to step outside for a while?”
Knowing Xie Yanli might show up soon, Song Qiao also wanted to discuss how to deal with it. She nodded and agreed.
Once they left the private room and turned the corner, Chen Yang stopped walking. He gently grabbed her arm with both hands and asked with concern:
“Qiao Qiao, I’ve noticed you’ve been distracted. Did something happen?”
Song Qiao pouted and told him everything that had just happened.
Meanwhile, on Xie Yanli’s end, after receiving Song Qiao’s message, a shadow fell over his eyes.
Did Song Qiao really like Chen Yang that much? She had the nerve to accuse him of manipulating her? Who was the one who pulled his tie and kissed his throat at the bar? Who kept seducing him?
His pale knuckles gripped the edge of the leather seat tightly. After a moment of silence, he sent her another message:
[Song Qiao, if you’re really going to marry Chen Yang, then what did that night at the hotel between us mean?]
Xie Yanli was an innately proud and arrogant man—especially after what happened with his mother. He had promised himself never to give a second chance to anyone who abandoned him. Yet now, here he was, fighting another man for a woman’s affection.
Right after sending the message, a verification notification popped up in their chat:
“The other party is not your friend…”
That unsent red exclamation mark felt like a slap in the face. Staring at the screen, his expression grew darker and darker. A storm was brewing in his ink-black eyes.
His Adam’s apple bobbed violently, and a bitter, suppressed smile flitted across his face:
“Song Qiao, are you playing me?”
Overwhelmed with frustration, he threw open his suit jacket and roughly tugged at his tie. A reddish hickey just beneath his collarbone came into view.
He lit a cigarette with a flick of his slender fingers, exhaling smoke as his thoughts spiraled. The rising pale-blue haze obscured his furious yet handsome face.
Soon, the car pulled up at Xiangya Restaurant. Ye Han respectfully said:
“President Xie, we’ve arrived.”
Before Ye Han could even open the car door, Xie Yanli had already gotten out, striding swiftly toward the restaurant.
As he approached the entrance, the general manager of Xiangya Restaurant had been waiting. Smiling broadly, he flattered:
“President Xie, it’s our great honor to have you dining here today. We—”
Before he could finish his flattery, Xie Yanli shot him a cold glare and snapped:
“Move. Don’t block the way.”
He strode straight toward the elevator. The manager, intimidated by the hostility radiating from him, froze in place, not daring to follow.
When Xie Yanli reached the third floor and headed toward private room 506, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
He had spotted Song Qiao and Chen Yang just ahead. Though not close enough to hear their conversation, he could clearly feel the strong affection between them.
His eyes fell on their joined hands, and a burning jealousy churned in his chest. It was almost more than he could bear.
He didn’t walk toward them—just stood frozen. His gaze finally settled on Song Qiao’s face.
She was smiling radiantly, like a flower in bloom. It stabbed into his heart like a knife. His face grew uglier by the second, and he felt as though jealousy would consume him entirely.
Before he could approach, Song Qiao and Chen Yang, still chatting and laughing, turned around and saw him.
Song Qiao paused. As expected, Xie Yanli had come. The sight of his cold expression reignited her anger.
Suppressing her feelings, she leaned close to Chen Yang and whispered:
“Chen Yang, no matter what Xie Yanli says, don’t get mad, okay? I know you’re gentle, but let me handle this thug.”
Chen Yang glanced sideways at Xie Yanli, a flicker of coldness in his eyes, though he quickly hid it. Looking back at Song Qiao, he smiled lightly:
“Qiao Qiao, don’t worry. I wouldn’t stoop to his level. But you, be careful—he’ll probably try to say bad things about me to break us up. Don’t fall for it, okay?”
Song Qiao nodded firmly, then wrapped her arm around Chen Yang’s and walked toward Xie Yanli.
As soon as they reached him, before Xie Yanli could say anything, Song Qiao beat him to it:
“Xie Yanli, you really are shameless. You actually dared to show up?”
Xie Yanli, seething with rage, suppressed his voice and asked coldly:
“Do you even know that Chen Yang cheated on you with Lin Shiyu?”