“You… you’re not joking with me, are you?” Sheng Qiao was so shocked her mind went completely blank.
Her best friend had been missing for over a month.
And now she came back already a married woman???
Could anything be more unbelievable than this?
Besides, they were still in university!
She had been worrying about her safety at home every day.
And here she was—she actually went and got married???
“Did you really get married? Please tell me you weren’t tricked by some shady man?” Sheng Qiao snapped back to reality and immediately grabbed Ye Xixi’s arm worriedly: “Xixi, we’re still young.”
“Get a grip, don’t be fooled by those sweet words men feed you. Men are all pigs.”
Pfft!!!
Pigs.
If Uncle Lu knew her best friend described him like that.
He’d definitely be furious.
Ye Xixi bit her lip to suppress her laughter. This time, she really wasn’t tricked by some shady man—she went into this completely willingly.
Because the man she married was the crush she had been dreaming about for so long.
Moreover, she was carrying Uncle Lu’s child.
What else could she do but get married? Although… they might divorce later.
But she wasn’t afraid.
As long as she could be with Uncle Lu now, that was enough.
“Don’t worry, he’s not some shady man. He’s very good, very outstanding—he rescued me from my aunt’s place.” Ye Xixi chuckled lightly, a sweet smile playing on her lips: “Qiaoqiao, you’re the only one I’ve told about my marriage. Don’t spread it around.”
“I’m afraid of causing trouble for him.”
Sheng Qiao pouted: “I’ll keep your secret.”
“But… who exactly is he? Do I know him?”
Ye Xixi: “I’ll introduce you to him when the time comes. Anyway, you don’t need to worry.”
Alright, even with such tight lips she still won’t tell her?
It seemed her dear Xixi really liked this man?
Probably wasn’t tricked then?
“By the way, did he buy you this Chanel dress too?” Sheng Qiao sighed, hoping her dear Xixi really hadn’t been deceived.
Ye Xixi nodded.
(⊙o⊙)… Well, he certainly doesn’t hold back with money?
“He… he’s not much older, is he?” Sheng Qiao thought for a moment, then suddenly had a brainwave and slapped her forehead: “Xixi, be honest with me—you didn’t marry some old man, did you…”
Ye Xixi o(╯□╰)o, fingers touching her nose, she was truly impressed by her best friend’s imagination: “What are you thinking? How could I possibly marry some middle-aged man.”
“Don’t worry, he… he’s only 28!”
28 years old? 28 isn’t that young either?
That’s 8 years older than them?
While not exactly middle-aged, he’s still uncle territory.
But… barely within Sheng Qiao’s acceptable range.
“Don’t worry, if I didn’t like him, no one could force me to get married.”
“Alright, I can tell you seem to really like him. That age is acceptable.” Sheng Qiao sighed again, finally accepting her best friend’s married status as her closest friend.
“I’m starting to suspect you two knew each other before?”
Ye Xixi pressed her lips together in a shy smile, Lu Peishen’s exceptionally handsome face unconsciously flashing through her mind.
If she revealed Lu Peishen’s name, Sheng Qiao would definitely recognize him.
Her family also had business dealings with the Lu Family.
But she couldn’t disclose Uncle Lu’s identity yet.
She didn’t want to cause trouble for him.
“Yeah, we met a long time ago, just never had the chance to interact before.”
Back when the Ye family was still wealthy and influential, they were at the peak of their glory, frequently collaborating with the Lu Corporation, much like Sheng Qiao’s family.
It was during that time, when she accompanied her father on business meetings, that she came into contact with Lu Peishen, who was then the head of the Lu Corporation.
Even back then, he was exceptionally handsome, dressed in a well-tailored suit, sitting in his spacious office discussing business matters with her father.
As for her? She was still young then.
Around 15 years old, she didn’t understand the adults’ business discussions or their sophisticated conversations. Too shy to sneak glances at Lu Peishen, she pretended to be busy reading magazines on the office sofa.
Thinking back to those days, she was truly happy and content—doted on by her parents and secretly crushing on her idol.
But later… her family fell from grace.
“You saying that just makes me even more curious about which man has captured your heart.” Sheng Qiao turned to stare at her, suddenly looking excited.
This man—someone Xixi knows?
Then chances are she should know him too???
“Tell me secretly, which family’s young master is he?”
“Maybe next time?” Ye Xixi wasn’t intentionally keeping it from her; it really wasn’t the right moment.
“I’ll definitely tell you next time.”
Unable to get an answer, Sheng Qiao didn’t press further and laughed lightly: “Alright, I’ll wait for you to introduce him to me then.”
“Mm.” When the time comes, she’ll find an opportunity to ask Uncle Lu?
See if he’s willing to meet her best friend?
The two girls continued whispering quietly to each other.
Not far away, Zhao Ziqi was still fuming over the earlier incident with the Chanel dress. Gripping an A4 paper on the table, she kept tearing it angrily.
Only after nearly shredding it to pieces did she remember to text Ye Xixi’s cousin Fang Shanshan: 【Shanshan, that ugly cousin of yours is back at school. Weren’t you planning to sell her off to South Africa?】
【Should I help lure her out this afternoon when we have no classes?】
Fang Shanshan was currently painting in the art studio of the wealthy Chen family.
Recently, after stealing several of Ye Xixi’s paintings, she had successfully caught the eye of Madam Chen, who adored art, and was personally chosen as a marriage candidate for her son.
Fang Shanshan would never pass up the chance to marry into the prestigious Chen family.
She had to work hard at painting to impress her future mother-in-law.
But her skills were truly lacking—otherwise, she wouldn’t have frequently stolen Ye Xixi’s paintings or forced her to paint for her.
After struggling in the Chen family’s studio for a long time, she barely managed to produce a messy-looking ink wash painting of lotuses.
Madam Chen, who loved art, frowned deeply at the sight.
She looked skeptically and incredulously between the canvas and Fang Shanshan, as if the paintings this girl had been sending her lately weren’t actually her own work?
The lotus ink wash painting before them had broad lotus leaves without any texture, and the pale pink lotuses were crooked and tilted—it was truly… hideously painted.
Madam Chen’s expression shifted slightly: “Miss Fang, this painting seems quite different from your previous works?”
“It feels a bit… off?”
Fang Shanshan knew full well her painting was different—this was her actual skill level.
The paintings she had given Madam Chen were all created by Ye Xixi.
But she would never admit to the deception.
She was determined to marry into the Chen family using her reputation as a genius painter.
“Auntie, perhaps it’s because… I’m not quite accustomed to this place. As you know, painters prefer a fixed studio that inspires them. I usually paint in my home studio.” Fang Shanshan set down her brush and immediately put on an apologetic smile.
“Auntie, if you don’t mind, I could paint one tonight and give it to you?” After all, she had forced Ye Xixi to paint hundreds of artworks for her over the past few years.
It would be more than enough to satisfy Madam Chen.
Madam Chen didn’t suspect anything, as her love for art extended to Fang Shanshan—this particularly ‘inspired’ talented female college student painter.
She immediately revealed a warm smile and said, “Is that so? Then it’s my oversight.”
“No problem, you can give it to me next time.”
“You’ve been painting for so long, you must be very tired. Why don’t you rest here for a while? I’ll go arrange for the maid to prepare some lotus root sweet soup for you?” After saying this, Madam Chen left first.
As soon as Madam Chen was gone, Fang Shanshan quickly patted her chest and let out a sigh of relief.
That was terrifying.
She almost got exposed.
After catching her breath, she picked up her phone to check a text message from her close friend Zhao Ziqi. Fang Shanshan opened the interface and skimmed through it briefly.
She frowned momentarily but quickly relaxed her expression.
Her mother had already informed her—that wretched woman Ye Xixi was really lucky. She actually managed to return to university relying on some executive from the Lu Corporation.
Although her one million was gone just like that.
But it didn’t matter.
Coincidentally, since she was going to marry into the Chen family, keeping Ye Xixi around could still be useful.
Fang Shanshan curled her lips into a sinister smile: [Don’t worry about her. I still have use for her now.]
[When she’s no longer useful, I’ll have my mother get rid of her.]
After sending the message, Fang Shanshan put away her phone and immediately put on a virtuous, ladylike demeanor, pretending to be elegant as she walked out of the studio to flatter Madam Chen.