Chapter 87: Whose Lady Is She?

Zou Qingqing’s engagement banquet was on a Tuesday. Guan Wei arrived early with her stylist in tow. Qiao Jiu had just finished washing up when the two knocked at her door.

She opened it to find Guan Wei looking in pretty good spirits.

Qiao Jiu remarked, “Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were here to crash the wedding.”

Guan Wei flopped onto the sofa. “I’ve been feeling awful these past couple of days. I need to dress up and steal the spotlight, make Zou Qingqing suffer a little—only then will I feel better.”

Qiao Jiu patted her shoulder. “Even if you stole her man, I doubt it would set your mind at ease.”

Guan Wei stiffened, her face tense, but she didn’t argue.

Qiao Jiu put on the dress she’d bought the other day. The stylist did her hair and makeup first. She checked herself in the mirror and was quite satisfied.

While Guan Wei was getting her hair done, Qiao Jiu asked, “So, what happened after Mr. Liang took you away?”

Guan Wei exhaled. “Nothing much, really.”

She’d spent the night at Liang Xiujin’s place. The next morning, once she’d sobered up, she’d tried to leave. Liang Xiujin, perhaps still annoyed by her behavior, stubbornly refused to let her go.

His attitude gave Guan Wei some relief: if he’d gone along with a breakup, she’d have been truly crushed.

But his resolve didn’t last long. Xu Yi called, sobbing and barely able to speak. Liang Xiujin couldn’t think of anything else. After a few words of warning, he left immediately, finally allowing Guan Wei to slip away.

Qiao Jiu asked, “You didn’t try to stop him?”

“No,” Guan Wei replied. “You can stop him once, but not every time. This sort of thing will only happen more often. I don’t have the energy to fuss over it.”

Qiao Jiu sighed. “He just left like that? Did he ever explain himself later?”

Guan Wei lowered her gaze. “He called, but I didn’t answer.”

He’d called a few times, but she ignored them. In any case, he’d already shown enough sincerity.

The styling was done quickly. Once the stylist left, Qiao Jiu and Guan Wei sat together on the sofa.

Guan Wei rambled through the story of Liang Xiujin and Xu Yi. The two had dated for over three years. Liang Xiujin did have feelings for Xu Yi, but perhaps the passion faded over time, and work kept him busy, so he stopped paying as much attention to her.

That’s when another man appeared, showering Xu Yi with care and attention, and she wavered.

But Xu Yi never meant to break off the engagement. When her affair was first discovered, she begged for forgiveness.

But the Liang family would never tolerate such a thing, and Liang Xiujin was adamant about ending it. Xu Yi had no choice but to turn to the other man.

Qiao Jiu didn’t know what to say. She tried to comfort Guan Wei from a different angle. “See, she’s getting her comeuppance now. That man doesn’t want her, and Mr. Liang has you by his side.”

Guan Wei gave a soft laugh. “Let’s not speak too soon. No one knows how things will end.”

The one left with nothing might not be Xu Yi after all.

When it was nearly time to leave, the two women stood up and headed out. Just as they reached the door, Liang Xiucheng called.

He knew Qiao Jiu was attending Zou Qingqing’s engagement banquet. “I’m getting ready to leave now. Are you two set? Do you want me to pick you up?”

Qiao Jiu asked in return, “Is your brother leaving with you?”

Liang Xiucheng paused. “He left early. He’s not coming with me.”

Qiao Jiu exchanged a glance with Guan Wei, whose eyes flickered and grew cold.

Qiao Jiu sighed. “Alright, come over now.”

Liang Xiucheng arrived quickly, and Qiao Jiu and Guan Wei went downstairs. He played the gentleman, opening the car doors for both of them.

He looked at Qiao Jiu and couldn’t help but smile. “Miss Zou will probably regret inviting you.”

Guan Wei scowled. “I’m still here, you know. Can’t you compliment us both? Why leave me out?”

Liang Xiucheng hurried to add, “You’re beautiful too.”

Guan Wei huffed. “That was perfunctory.”

They got in, and the car headed to Sanxi Hotel, which was already bustling with guests.

Liang Xiucheng parked the car. Guan Wei got out on her own.

Qiao Jiu lifted her skirt and Liang Xiucheng opened her door, offering his hand.

He smiled. “Careful.”

Qiao Jiu placed her hand in his. “Thank you.”

No sooner had she steadied herself than a car pulled up beside theirs. The Zou and Zhao families had invited many guests, and the entrance was packed with private cars. This one stopped right next to Liang Xiucheng’s.

Qiao Jiu looked over. The first person she saw was the driver—she recognized him as Lu Fengzhou’s chauffeur.

The driver got out and opened the back door. Lu Fengzhou stepped out, then walked around to open the other side. A woman emerged.

Lu Fengzhou glanced at Qiao Jiu, his gaze dropping to her and Liang Xiucheng’s still-clasped hands.

He showed no particular emotion, only paused a little before looking away.

Liang Xiucheng murmured to Qiao Jiu, “Was this the woman you saw at the restaurant yesterday?”

Qiao Jiu nodded. “I saw her face this time. She’s pretty, isn’t she?”

Liang Xiucheng’s expression was indifferent. “Her back view was better.”

Qiao Jiu couldn’t help but laugh and tried to pull her hand back.

But Liang Xiucheng tightened his grip, lowering his voice, “Come on, let me show you off.”

He linked Qiao Jiu’s arm through his.

Lu Fengzhou and the woman headed towards the hotel.

Guan Wei walked over, clicking her tongue. “Where did he find this one? Her face has had more work than Song Wan’s.”

Inside the hotel lobby, the elders of the Zou and Zhao families were gathered. Lu Fengzhou stopped to exchange pleasantries with Mrs. Zou.

When Qiao Jiu walked by, he turned to look at her. Qiao Jiu hadn’t meant to look at him, but at Mrs. Zou beside him. Yet, their eyes met.

The woman beside Lu Fengzhou stood properly, her manner impeccable.

Lu Fengzhou nodded to Qiao Jiu, his expression polite but distant, as if greeting a familiar acquaintance.

Qiao Jiu averted her gaze. She wasn’t as good an actor as Lu Fengzhou, nor did she intend to pretend.

There were many people in the hall, most from their social circle. Those who recognized Lu Fengzhou naturally also recognized Qiao Jiu. Seeing the two of them at the same event, many couldn’t hide their surprise.

Especially when they noticed Qiao Jiu standing next to the second young master of the Liang family.

This was... quite something.

Qiao Jiu could guess exactly what was running through their minds.

The woman with Lu Fengzhou glanced at Qiao Jiu as well—she obviously knew who Qiao Jiu was, and even gave her a smile.

Qiao Jiu had no intention of being cordial with Lu Fengzhou, nor did she want to acknowledge the woman.

Liang Xiujin and Guan Wei, meanwhile, were exchanging pleasantries with the Zhao family. When they were done, the three of them headed towards the banquet hall.

At the same time, Lu Fengzhou and his companion walked in their direction. Their paths crossed.

Guan Wei spoke first. “Mr. Lu, quite the charmer—who’s the young lady this time?”

She used to be rather afraid of Lu Fengzhou, but for some reason her courage had grown; her words were sharper now.

The woman didn’t mind at all and smiled, “Miss Guan.”