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Chapter 3: An Awkward Misunderstanding!

Song Qiao repeatedly denied it.
“Yaoyao, I’ve never even met him. How could he possibly have a secret crush on me? And besides, who would silently spend that much money just to please a woman without expecting anything in return? I think you’ve just watched too many idol dramas.”

Shen Yao felt that Song Qiao’s words made sense. There was no such thing in this world as someone who only gave without expecting anything back. Men were all realistic and shrewd—their devotion to women was nothing more than bait. Sooner or later, they would find a way to get it all back with interest.

She frowned slightly and reminded her,
“Qiaoqiao, when you send the order out, remember to include some wedding candies as a token of thanks.”

After she spoke, something suddenly came to her mind, and her eyes widened as she asked,
“Qiaoqiao, did you go to Nanshan Temple to ask for a fortune reading?”

Song Qiao was in a hurry to leave. She also felt that the master’s words were inaccurate, so she brushed it off:
“Today is the day Xie Yanli is chanting sutras for his mother. The temple isn’t receiving other worshippers.”

Shen Yao finally remembered that today was the first of the lunar month. She couldn’t help but sigh,
“Everyone says Xie Yanli is ruthless and unapproachable, but he’s actually very filial. I read in the gossip news that even during the years he was in England, he would fly back every month to the temple to pray and perform rites for his mother’s soul.”

“But speaking of it, his stepmother is quite remarkable too. I heard that Lin Xue has treated Xie Yanli as her own son all these years. To avoid making him feel uncomfortable, she never had her own children after marrying into the Xie family.”

Song Qiao didn’t have the patience to listen to Shen Yao’s gossip. After changing her shoes, she exchanged a few words with Shen Yao and hurriedly caught a taxi to her studio.

Her studio was located in the bustling city center, on the 10th floor of the Jinyan Building—all of this belonged to the Xie family’s business empire. Right across from her studio was the headquarters of the Xie Corporation.

She had originally opened the studio more as a way to fulfill her dream, just a hobby project.

Song Zhiming had only one daughter—her. He had her study economics and management so that she could take over the family’s pharmaceutical company in the future.

But her ambitions lay elsewhere. Song Zhiming indulged her and let her study the craft of lacquerware in her spare time. After she graduated, Song Zhiming gave her one million yuan in seed money to support her in starting her studio.

Originally, that money wouldn’t have been nearly enough to support a studio in that location. But by luck, she happened to come across a previous tenant who urgently needed to sublet to go abroad, and Song Qiao snagged the opportunity. The lease was signed for ten years.

Her studio had three designers including herself, two client assistants, and three customer service staff. They were all recent graduates, lacking both experience and reputation.

So when the studio first opened, even though they tried every means to promote it, business was extremely bleak.

Just when her studio was about to fail, she suddenly received a massive 5-million-yuan order from a mysterious client. He never once visited the studio, nor even spoke with customer service—he simply placed the order directly through her online shop.

Thanks to the support of this mysterious customer, her studio was saved from collapse. Shen Yao was right—she really should send some wedding candies to express her gratitude.

After reviewing the mysterious client’s order, Song Qiao confirmed all the details with her staff and then rushed off to the restaurant.

While in the taxi, Song Qiao received a call from the car dealership. They told her that the part her car needed had arrived from abroad and the car was now repaired—she could pick it up anytime.

But she was already running late and had no time for that now. By the time she hung up and arrived at the restaurant entrance, Chen Yang had already texted her twice urging her to hurry.

First, she dashed to the SKP mall next door, hurriedly bought a bunch of premium health supplements, and then rushed back to the restaurant.

When she reached the restaurant entrance again, Chen Yang was already waiting there. Seeing her, he approached gently with warm eyes. Carrying the things in one hand and holding her with the other, he led her into the private room.

At the table, Xu Qin and Lin Shiyu were chatting and laughing. Steadying herself, Song Qiao smiled and said,
“Auntie, I’m so sorry. I was working on a big order today, so I’m late.”

As soon as Xu Qin saw her, the smile on her face instantly vanished. Her expression darkened, and she said sarcastically,
“It’s fine, I know you’re busy with work. After all, I’m not an important person.”

Chen Yang lifted the bags in his hand and said cheerfully,
“Mom, how can you say that about Qiaoqiao? She specifically bought these for you. See how much she cares about you.”

Xu Qin’s brows knitted together, her expression growing colder.
“I come from a humble background; these things are wasted on me.”

This wasn’t Song Qiao’s first experience of Xu Qin’s coldness and prejudice. Although she had mentally prepared herself before coming today, hearing Xu Qin speak like this still made her somewhat angry, and the atmosphere turned subtly tense.

Seeing this, Lin Shiyu stood up with a smile and walked over to Song Qiao, gently saying,
“Qiaoqiao, Aunt Xu is just frugal by habit. Don’t take it to heart—I’ll help smooth things over for you.”

She then took the things from Chen Yang and personally handed them to Xu Qin, coaxing sweetly,
“Auntie, it’s Qiaoqiao’s kind gesture. Please just accept them.”

Xu Qin’s expression softened instantly, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
“Shiyu, I can’t possibly eat all these. Take two boxes home for your parents.”

“Auntie, today is a family gathering for you three. As an outsider, I really shouldn’t be here. How could I possibly accept gifts that Qiaoqiao bought for you?”

Xu Qin hinted meaningfully,
“Shiyu, I’ve known your parents for many years. After Chen Yang’s father passed away, your parents helped us a lot. If anyone dares say you’re an outsider, I won’t accept it.”

Song Qiao knew full well that Xu Qin’s words were aimed at her. The reason Xu Qin had disapproved of her all these years was because she wanted Lin Shiyu to become her daughter-in-law.

She could also tell that Lin Shiyu had feelings for Chen Yang. But since Chen Yang’s heart was set on her, she couldn’t be bothered to fuss about it.

Chen Yang gently wrapped his arm around Song Qiao’s shoulders and signaled with his eyes not to mind it too much. To reassure him, Song Qiao smiled at him, and the two of them sat down.

Seeing how loving the two looked, Lin Shiyu’s gaze dimmed slightly. She awkwardly responded,
“Auntie, I know you care about me. I appreciate it, but I really can’t accept these gifts. The food is getting cold—we should hurry and eat.”

Since Lin Shiyu insisted, Xu Qin dropped the matter. She then began speaking to Song Qiao in her usual sarcastic tone.

Song Qiao had long grown accustomed to Xu Qin’s personality, so she let the words go in one ear and out the other. It wasn’t until Xu Qin brought up the topic of bride price that Song Qiao finally put down her chopsticks and spoke up.
“Auntie, what do you mean by saying you can’t provide a bride price?”

Xu Qin replied righteously,
“Chen Yang only graduated two years ago. All the money he’s earned these past two years went into building a house. My health hasn’t been good, and we’re from the countryside—I can’t make much money. So we simply can’t offer any bride price.”

Song Qiao knew about Chen Yang’s family situation and had never made high demands of him. Even for their apartment in Beijing, she only let him contribute symbolically to the renovation costs. Although she wasn’t materialistic, offering nothing at all was simply disrespectful.

Just as she was about to argue her point with Xu Qin, Chen Yang wrapped his arm around her waist and said with a smile,
“Mom, you and Shiyu go ahead and eat. Qiaoqiao and I will step out to see if we want to order anything else.”

After speaking, he led Song Qiao out of the private room. After they walked a short distance, he spoke softly,
“Qiaoqiao, my mom is just used to being frugal. Whenever money is mentioned, it pains her. Don’t worry—I’d never let you suffer. Just think of how hard it was for her to raise me alone, and let’s not make a fuss, okay?”

Song Qiao pursed her lips and asked angrily,
“Then how do you explain Lin Shiyu suddenly showing up here?”

Chen Yang shrugged innocently.
“Qiaoqiao, it wasn’t my idea. My mom invited her.”

Song Qiao furrowed her brows and said with feigned indifference,
“I know your mom likes her, and she likes you. Since that’s the case, you two might as well be together. That way, you can avoid any future mother-in-law conflicts, and you won’t be stuck in the middle. Everyone wins—how great.”

Hearing this, Chen Yang looked like he was about to cry. He grabbed Song Qiao’s hand and said pitifully,
“Qiaoqiao, you’re the only one in my heart. How many times do I have to say it before you believe me?”

Seeing his miserable expression, Song Qiao’s heart softened immediately.
“Alright, I was just joking. I won’t stoop to her level. Let’s go back, otherwise, she’ll say we were gossiping about her behind her back.”

“Qiaoqiao, you promise not to be mad anymore, okay?”

“Okay.”

When Chen Yang and Song Qiao returned to the private room, they hadn’t even sat down before Xu Qin glared at Song Qiao and shouted sternly,
“Song Qiao, what did you mean by giving me supplements for strengthening yin and yang? I might not be well-educated, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let you mock me like this!”

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