Chapter 33: A Win-Win Situation

Turning around, Qiao Jiu was startled and shivered. “Why is it you?”

She thought of the memorial tablets and hurriedly pointed to the wall covered in them. “Here, here…”

Lu Fengzhou stepped to her side, understanding what she meant. “I put those up for my parents.”

Qiao Jiu blinked, taking a while before she spoke. “I never knew.”

Lu Fengzhou glanced at her and scoffed. “You don’t know anything.”

After a few seconds, as if dissatisfied, he added, “You don’t know anything at all.”

Qiao Jiu was displeased. “You never talk about these things. I didn’t ask because I was afraid it would upset you. So now, in the end, it’s my fault?”

Just as she finished speaking, Liang Xiucheng returned. He was surprised to see Lu Fengzhou there. “Mr. Lu, you’re here.”

Lu Fengzhou gave him no face, acting as if he hadn’t heard anything.

Qiao Jiu didn’t want to deal with him and turned to Liang Xiucheng. “Did you find it?”

Liang Xiucheng nodded. “It’s over there.”

He led Qiao Jiu aside and pointed out his grandmother’s memorial tablet.

Qiao Jiu looked up at it, then after a few seconds glanced at Lu Fengzhou.

Lu Fengzhou stood straight before his parents’ memorial tablets, his profile betraying no particular expression.

Qiao Jiu snorted inwardly. She could muster no sympathy for Lu Fengzhou; that bastard had ruined her so thoroughly, all she felt for him was hatred and resentment.

There was no need for incense at the memorial tablets, so after a while, Qiao Jiu and Liang Xiucheng prepared to leave.

But then, the ever-calm Lu Fengzhou suddenly spoke. “Qiao Jiu, I have something to tell you. It’s about the ritual this afternoon.”

Qiao Jiu paused, then turned to Liang Xiucheng. “Mr. Liang, go ahead and eat. I’ll join you soon.”

Liang Xiucheng hesitated. “I’ll wait for you in the dining hall.”

Lu Fengzhou only came over once Liang Xiucheng had left, his tone flat though his words were provoking. “Young Master Liang has been back less than two weeks, yet you two are already so cozy. I used to think you were nothing but a fool, but it turns out you’re quite adept in this area.”

Qiao Jiu kept her face blank. “If you have something to say, say it quickly.”

“What’s the rush?” Lu Fengzhou deliberately took his time, standing before her and looking down. “I thought you had something going on with that bartender, given how attentive he is to you. But thinking about it now, I was too hasty. How could a bartender compare to Young Master Liang? Once you cling to him, you’ll turn things around immediately.”

Qiao Jiu waited several seconds, then looked up at Lu Fengzhou, a smile curling at her lips. “Mr. Lu, you’ve truly given me a reminder. Young Master Liang is indeed a good choice. I’ve never suffered in my life, but thanks to your kindness, these days have been miserable. I had no idea what to do, and look—you’ve pointed me toward a bright path.”

She clicked her tongue twice. “Isn’t it ridiculous? I don’t know whether I should blame you or thank you.”

The mocking expression faded slowly from Lu Fengzhou’s face. He didn’t seem angry, but his cold features and gloomy temperament made him especially intimidating when expressionless.

But Qiao Jiu wasn’t afraid. “What, are you angry?”

She laughed, feigning confusion. “Why should you be? You swallowed up the Qiao family. I know I don’t have the ability to take it back, so I’ve stopped thinking about it. The Qiao family is yours now, and if I marry Liang Xiucheng, I’ll have a good life. Look, it’s a win-win for both of us. Isn’t that ideal?”