Chapter 89: Yielding to Gentleness, Fearing Force

Guan Wei followed with a cold laugh. "We really ought to call Lu Fengzhou over and ask him whose people dare to mock his ex-wife—stealing from someone and then putting on that sour attitude, where do they get the nerve?"

Ding Mei's eyes flickered noticeably; it was clear she felt uncertain.

Qiao Jiu had no interest in tattling. She merely gave a dismissive snort. "Miss Ding, I advise you not to provoke me. Even now, when I've fallen on hard times, I have enough means to make sure your good days are numbered. If you don't believe me, you're welcome to try."

Ding Mei pressed her lips together, silent, most of her earlier bravado gone.

Qiao Jiu and Guan Wei ignored her from then on and strode away. As they passed by, Guan Wei couldn't help herself, her voice loud enough to carry, "Pah! What a piece of work."

The two returned to the banquet hall, heading toward Liang Xiucheng.

Halfway there, however, Liang Xiujin intercepted them. "A-Wei."

Guan Wei glanced at him, her face expressionless. "Is there something you need, Mr. Liang?"

Liang Xiujin looked helpless. "Can we talk?"

Qiao Jiu patted Guan Wei's arm. "I'll be over there. You two go ahead."

Without glancing at Liang Xiujin, she returned to the corner from earlier. Liang Xiucheng was still seated there and smiled at her. "You came back quickly."

Qiao Jiu sat down. "Overheard a bit—nothing interesting."

They exchanged a few words, and as Qiao Jiu's gaze wandered, she saw Ding Mei returning through the side door. She watched as Ding Mei walked up to Lu Fengzhou, who was in the middle of exchanging pleasantries with others. He turned to glance at her.

Ding Mei stood beside him, hands demurely at her sides.

After a while, the people Lu Fengzhou was speaking with left, and he turned fully to Ding Mei. She smiled, saying something—quite a bit, in fact—while Lu Fengzhou listened quietly.

When she finished, Lu Fengzhou handed his empty wine glass to her and said a couple of sentences.

Immediately, the smile vanished from Ding Mei's face, replaced by confusion and discomfort.

Lu Fengzhou turned and walked away.

Ding Mei, flustered, lifted her skirts and hurried after him. But Lu Fengzhou's stride was long, and she couldn't keep up. In this setting, she couldn't very well call after him, so she eventually stopped, clearly unwilling to give up.

Qiao Jiu narrowed her eyes. Had they quarreled?

Arguing in a place like this—utterly lacking in sense.

Soon after, both the Zou and Zhao families appeared, stepping onto the stage to deliver their speeches. They offered a barrage of formalities, thanking everyone for attending and the like.

Zou Qingqing and Zhao Shuo followed behind.

Earlier, they'd argued fiercely, but now they stood together, radiating tender affection. All good actors.

At this moment, Guan Wei came over and pulled Qiao Jiu's arm, guiding her into the crowd. "Zou Qingqing didn't see us before—unacceptable. We need to stand somewhere highly visible."

It wasn't really necessary. After that argument with Zhao Shuo, Zou Qingqing's mood must already be in tatters—no need for anyone to add to it.

Still, the two managed to squeeze to the front. Zou Qingqing, face flushed with shyness, scanned the crowd and her gaze landed directly on Qiao Jiu, her smile faltering.

Qiao Jiu had been expressionless, but upon seeing this, she broke into a smile.

She didn't recognize Zhao Shuo, so she took the opportunity to study him. Guan Wei had once said he looked like a pig, and honestly, she hadn't exaggerated. Perhaps due to his obesity, Zhao Shuo looked nothing like his peers—standing next to the elderly Mr. Zou, they could have passed for brothers.

To be honest, Qiao Jiu had once told Zou Qingqing that she would marry better than her. Even now, despite her own difficulties, she still felt she'd come out ahead.

Thinking this, her gaze drifted around the room. She was allergic to Lu Fengzhou, and though he was standing far away, she spotted him at once.

Ding Mei was no longer at his side. He stood alone, his eyes meeting hers across the sea of faces.

Qiao Jiu was surprised, but didn't look away. The two of them maintained eye contact for quite some time amid the shifting crowd.

Finally, Qiao Jiu smiled and turned her gaze aside.

After a moment, Guan Wei leaned in and spoke in a low voice, "I really don't get what the Zou family is thinking. Even for the sake of profit, how could they ruin their daughter's life like this? Zhao Shuo's reputation is in tatters."

Qiao Jiu couldn't figure it out either. The Zou family was well-off; even without an alliance with the Zhao family, their business was thriving. Some people simply didn't know when enough was enough.

After a while, when Zou Qingqing glanced over again, Qiao Jiu discreetly gave her a thumbs-up.

Zou Qingqing clearly picked up on the mockery and hastily looked away.

Once the elders had finished their speeches, the microphone ended up in Zhao Shuo's hand. Holding Zou Qingqing's hand, he poured his heart out, thanking her for showing him all the beauty in the world and reassuring the Zou parents that he would cherish her from now on.

No matter how cloying the words, at an event like this, no one would be put off. Zou Qingqing turned shyly to Zhao Shuo, lowering her head.

Qiao Jiu couldn't help but grow dazed. She and Lu Fengzhou had skipped the engagement and gone straight to the wedding. Her father had given the wedding speech; the groom's side was unrepresented. Later, Lu Fengzhou had also spoken a few words into the microphone—just thanks, nothing sentimental.

Yet even so, she'd been moved to tears.

Now, looking back, she felt more and more that she had been astoundingly foolish in the past. How could loving someone make you lose your wits entirely?

Once the speeches were over, the guests didn't head straight to the dining hall. The place was crowded, and though it was billed as an engagement party, most people were eager to use the opportunity to network.

It soon became more like a cocktail reception, with people searching for connections, glasses in hand.

Qiao Jiu and Guan Wei had no interest in such social climbing, and turned to leave.

Suddenly, a voice called out behind them. "Well, you really did show up."

Qiao Jiu turned to see Huo Ting.

Huo Ting had dressed with great care today, graceful and eye-catching.

She was accompanied by several other young women—part of their old circle, all familiar to Qiao Jiu.

Huo Ting laughed dryly, standing in front of Qiao Jiu. "I thought for sure you wouldn't come."

Then she turned to the girls at her side. "We haven't seen Miss Qiao in ages. Can any of you still recognize her?"

Those women had never openly clashed with Qiao Jiu before; their status wasn't high enough, and with Qiao Jiu's notorious reputation and powerful family, they hadn't dared. But now that Qiao Jiu had fallen on hard times, and with Huo Ting backing them, a few found their courage.

One of them laughed, "Honestly, if you hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have recognized her. Miss Qiao's been gone so long—what happened to you?"

Guan Wei's face turned cold. "And what exactly are you supposed to be? Where did you crawl out from?"

She gave the girl a dismissive once-over, then addressed Huo Ting. "When did you pick her up? Barely out of the kennel and already eager to bite."

The girl glared. "Why are you stepping in? Weren't you two always at odds?"

"I just can't stand your kind," Guan Wei replied. "All bark and no bite."

At that moment, Liang Xiucheng sauntered over. "What's going on?"