Chapter 30: How Are You Going to Repay the Debt You Owe Me That Night?

Bai Shuyu, as usual, kept her lips sealed and wouldn’t reveal a single detail. Seeing her unwavering stance, Song Qiao didn’t press further.

Bai Shuyu quickly changed the subject. She chatted with Song Qiao for a while about the wedding. Right before hanging up, she reminded her, “Yanli has already informed the manager at the Marriott Hotel. He wants you and Chen Yang to go to the front desk at 4 PM to select the venue. Since time is tight, the emcee will also be there to go over the wedding process with you two. Qiaoqiao, whatever you do, don’t be late.”

Although Song Qiao didn’t want to hold the wedding at the Xie family’s hotel, seeing how happy her mother was, she didn’t want to spoil her mood. So she reluctantly agreed.

After Bai Shuyu hung up, Song Qiao called Chen Yang. He agreed immediately. Since their workplaces were far apart, they agreed to head there separately and meet at the hotel.

After hanging up, Song Qiao checked the time. There was still a while before 4 PM, so she went into the workshop to catch up on her work. To avoid getting too absorbed and missing the appointment, she even set an alarm.

Two hours later, the alarm rang and Song Qiao left the workshop. She quickly showered, changed into clean clothes, freshened up, and took a cab to the Marriott Hotel.

Just as she entered the hotel and before she could reach the front desk, a sharply dressed man walked toward her.

He smiled and asked politely, “Excuse me, are you Miss Song Qiao?”

She guessed he was the hotel manager and nodded with a smile. “Yes, that’s me. Are you the manager of the Marriott Hotel?”

He nodded with a smile. “Yes, Miss Song. Mr. Xie has already spoken to me. I’ll take you to—”

He glanced around, noticing only Song Qiao, and asked in confusion, “Miss Song, is your fiancé not with you?”

Song Qiao checked the time—past their agreed meeting. Embarrassed, she said, “Sorry, could you wait a moment while I call him?”

Just as she was about to dial, she received a text from Chen Yang:

[Qiaoqiao, traffic is terrible over here. I might be late. You go ahead and pick the venue first. I trust your judgment anyway.]

She had told him in advance, and this was such an important occasion—yet he dared to be late?

Song Qiao pursed her lips in frustration. She looked up at the manager who was still waiting and sighed. Knowing how busy he must be, she decided to go ahead without Chen Yang.

“He’ll be a while. Let’s just go check out the venue first.”

As a client personally arranged by Xie Yanli, the manager didn’t dare show the slightest neglect. Smiling warmly, he led her to the central hall.

The central hall was the most luxurious and popular banquet space in the Marriott Hotel. Normally, it required reservations six months in advance or significant connections to secure. All rooms had long been booked.

But Xie Yanli had specifically requested for Song Qiao’s wedding to be held there. No matter how difficult, the manager didn’t dare refuse. He planned to let Song Qiao pick a hall, then go apologize and compensate the original clients tenfold for the breach of contract.

Song Qiao knew none of this. Upon arriving, she was surprised to see Xie Yanli already there, lounging lazily on a sofa, long legs crossed.

She frowned in annoyance. Didn’t the Xie Group have work to do? Why was he here?

Despite her dislike for him, she knew their wedding being held here was thanks to his help. Out of courtesy, she walked over and said unwillingly, “Thank you for helping with the wedding, Xie Yanli.”

Xie Yanli looked at her, his tone light: “I’m a practical man. How do you plan to thank me?”

Song Qiao had meant it as a polite remark and was caught off guard by his seriousness. She thought hard but couldn’t think of a proper way to thank him.

Meeting his gaze, she replied candidly, “How do you want me to thank you? It’s not like you need money. And with our relationship, I can’t exactly treat you to a meal, can I?”

“Why not? When are we eating?” Xie Yanli stood up, hands in pockets, eyes fixed on her.

Song Qiao froze. She’d only said that to make a point—she didn’t expect him to take it seriously.

It was just a meal. No matter how luxurious his tastes, she could afford it. But their relationship was more like enemies. She worried they’d end up fighting before finishing dinner.

Then again, why would someone like Xie Yanli need her to treat him? He must be teasing her.

She looked at him and asked directly, “Xie Yanli, are you seriously asking me to treat you to dinner, or are you just messing with me?”

“Do I look like someone who jokes around?” he replied. His gaze sharpened. “Or was that just empty talk earlier because you don’t actually want to spend money on me?”

His condescending tone annoyed Song Qiao. She snapped back, “You think I’m too stingy to buy you dinner? Don’t underestimate me!”

Xie Yanli raised an eyebrow. “Great. Where and when?”

Afraid he’d think she was being stingy, and unwilling to lose to him, she raised her voice slightly. “You pick the time and place. I’ll be there.”

“Then please re-add me on WeChat so I don’t lose contact and think you were just stringing me along,” he said, eyes darkening.

Song Qiao didn’t want to, but she didn’t want him saying she was unreliable either. So she took out her phone and re-added him on WeChat.

Once they were connected again, Song Qiao suddenly remembered the medical expenses and clothes he had paid for earlier. She asked quickly, “Xie Yanli, how much were the medical bills and the clothes? Let me pay you back.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable. “It’s just a small amount. No need to repay.”

That outfit cost 280,000 yuan. And he called that “a small amount”? The wealthy truly live differently.

Still, Song Qiao didn’t want to owe him anything. She also didn’t want any more entanglements with him. She said firmly, “I looked it up. The clothes were about 280,000. The medical bills were under 5,000. Add in the band—”

Before she could finish, Xie Yanli shot her a cold look. “Song Qiao, are you drawing such a clear line because you’re afraid I’ll use this debt to pester you later?”

He hit the nail on the head. Song Qiao pursed her lips and said nothing, which was answer enough.

Xie Yanli’s face darkened, and his eyes turned icy.

Song Qiao was shaken by his reaction. Though shocked, she also found it unreasonable. Their relationship was clearly strained. What was wrong with her paying him back? Why did he have to be so angry?

Seeing his stormy expression, she snapped, “Even real brothers settle debts clearly. It’s only right for me to pay you back. Why are you looking so sour?”

“Pay me back?” His handsome face turned frosty. He leaned in, eyes sharp. “Then how do you plan to repay the debt you owe me from that night?”