Chapter 76: Nothing Normal About It

There was a certain unspoken understanding between Qiao Jiu and Guan Wei; the moment she addressed her as "Boss Guan," Guan Wei immediately knew Liang Xiujin was nearby.

Her voice was low, "I just woke up. The waiter told me you and Acheng stayed here all night. I hope I didn’t embarrass myself too much or make a scene."

Qiao Jiu replied, "You were very well-behaved after drinking, just curled up and slept."

Guan Wei breathed a sigh of relief. "If you see Acheng this afternoon, please apologize to him for me. Dragging him over was really inconsiderate of me."

Liang Xiucheng, who had been sitting nearby, shot a glance at Liang Xiujin and suddenly spoke up, "Boss Guan, I’m right here. No need to be so formal with me. We're not strangers."

Guan Wei seemed a little surprised to hear his voice. "Oh, Acheng, it’s you."

She almost laughed, but held back, "Still, some formalities are necessary. You can never be too sure about anything; everything is subject to change."

Her tone was teasing, and Liang Xiucheng played along, not taking it to heart. "You’re right about that."

Qiao Jiu glanced at Liang Xiujin, who kept his eyes on the road, driving quietly as if he hadn't heard a word.

After a few seconds, Guan Wei said, "I haven’t eaten yet, so I’ll let you go for now. Drop by my bar when you have time, let’s have a drink together."

Qiao Jiu agreed, and the call ended.

Guan Wei hadn't mentioned a word about last night, making what she said to Liang Xiucheng seem all the more genuine.

After a while, Liang Xiucheng spoke, addressing Liang Xiujin, "What’s going on between you and Boss Guan? She seemed pretty upset yesterday."

"It’s nothing," Liang Xiujin replied. "What couple doesn’t argue from time to time? It’s normal."

Qiao Jiu turned her head to look out the window, her expression tinged with mockery.

Whether or not it’s normal for couples to argue depends on the reason. If it’s because of a third person, how could that ever be normal?

The car returned to the company but didn’t make it to the parking lot, stopping instead by the roadside.

Liang Xiucheng was a bit surprised, "Aren’t you coming in to eat with us?"

Liang Xiujin waved his hand, clearly not in the mood. "You go ahead. I have something to take care of."

He made no move to get out, so whatever he needed to handle clearly wasn’t work.

Qiao Jiu got out of the car with Liang Xiucheng. As soon as the car door closed, Liang Xiujin floored the gas and sped away.

Liang Xiucheng clicked his tongue but said nothing more.

The two of them headed to a nearby restaurant. They had just finished ordering when Liang Xiucheng’s phone rang.

He answered in front of Qiao Jiu. It was probably Mrs. Liang on the other end.

Qiao Jiu listened for a bit, and when Liang Xiucheng hung up, she asked, "The Zou family?"

Liang Xiucheng put down his phone. "Miss Zou is getting engaged. The invitation even reached our house; I got one too."

Qiao Jiu nodded. The social circle was small—everyone ran into each other all the time. It was only natural for the Liang family to be invited.

She didn’t bring up her own entanglements with Zou Qingqing, only remarked, "Sounds like she’s making quite the show of her engagement party."

...

After work in the evening, Guan Wei called again.

She wanted to invite Qiao Jiu to dinner, probably with a lot on her mind.

Qiao Jiu hesitated a little. "I need to stop by home first. Zou Qingqing will probably be coming by later to deliver me an invitation."

"She’s actually coming to find you?" Guan Wei’s voice shot up a notch. "That woman is really petty. Even now, she’s still trying to compete with you."

Her tone was scornful. "Finally gets a chance to step on you, and she can’t wait to do it."

Qiao Jiu didn’t take it to heart. "It’s only fair. If I were her, I wouldn’t let this opportunity slip by either."

Guan Wei snorted. "No big deal. I received their invitation, too. We’ll go together, and I’ll help you put her in her place."

Qiao Jiu laughed. "No need for theatrics. Words are more than enough to handle her."

Zou Qingqing was a lot like Song Wan—vain, pretentious, a little green tea type. Dealing with her was almost too easy.

Guan Wei thought for a moment. "Wait for me at the office. I’ll go back with you. I’d like to see Zou Qingqing again; it’s been a while."

Qiao Jiu agreed and hung up.

She tidied her desk and went downstairs to wait in the lobby.

It was only about ten minutes before Guan Wei’s car pulled up.

Qiao Jiu hurried out, but before she could reach the car, a sudden screech caught her attention—a car pulled up abruptly in front of Guan Wei’s vehicle.

Startled, she turned to look.

It was Liang Xiujin’s car.

Apparently, he hadn’t returned to the office all afternoon.

Qiao Jiu steadied herself, ignored him, and got into Guan Wei’s car without a word.

Guan Wei started the car, backed up a bit, turned the wheel, and drove off.

After a moment, Qiao Jiu broke into a smile. "I thought you might at least say hello to him."

Guan Wei snorted. "Why bother? Just seeing him annoys me now."

Qiao Jiu asked, "You two haven’t talked at all today? Just giving each other the silent treatment without resolving anything?"

"It can’t be resolved," Guan Wei said. "Let’s just leave it. I don’t want to talk to him for a while."

Qiao Jiu had the impulse to mention Xu Yi, but after some hesitation, swallowed the words.

They drove to Qiao Jiu’s place but didn’t get out, just sitting there waiting.

After a few minutes, Qiao Jiu’s phone rang. It was Zou Qingqing.

Holding her phone, Qiao Jiu looked outside at a car parked nearby. "That must be her."

She answered the call and asked directly, "Is that silver sports car yours, parked by the road?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the car door opened and Zou Qingqing stepped out.

Guan Wei clicked her tongue. "Look at that outfit—like a peacock in full display."

Qiao Jiu hung up and got out of the car. Zou Qingqing walked over in towering heels, wearing a poised smile as she glanced around. "Oh, Jiu, you live here now?"

She chuckled. "I always wondered why I never ran into you in Yun City. Turns out you moved somewhere like this. No wonder."

Before Qiao Jiu could answer, Guan Wei interjected, "Congratulations on the engagement. I heard it’s to the Zhao family’s second son, isn’t it?"

Zou Qingqing looked her up and down. "What are you doing here?"

Her tone was indifferent. "I saw you both get out of the same car. How curious."

Everyone knew the two of them didn’t get along.

"What’s so curious about it? Sometimes people you used to dislike become close, and those you once liked become annoying overnight," Guan Wei replied. "Just like the other day, Zhao Shuo was at my bar and booked our star hostess, Ruyue. They really went at it in the private room. I wasn’t even surprised. People are fickle creatures."

Zou Qingqing froze before snapping, "Guan Wei, whatever issues we have are between us. If you start spreading rumors, I won’t forgive you—"

Qiao Jiu glanced at the invitation in Zou Qingqing’s hand and took it. "I’ve received your invitation. I’ll be there."

She turned to Guan Wei. "I haven’t met the second young master of the Zhao family yet. Is he handsome?"

Guan Wei snorted. "Looks just like a pig."