The Engagement Has Been Moved Forward
Unable to decline such warm hospitality, Qiao Mengdi accepted Lian Tongwei’s invitation and joined them for lunch. They ate Cantonese cuisine at a restaurant on the top floor of the shopping mall.
As they ate and chatted throughout the meal, Lian Tongwei managed to grasp the basic requirements that Yao Chiyue and Qiao Mengdi each had for their formal gowns.
“There are only a few days left in October. I’ll try my best to provide the sketches by the end of the month. After you’ve looked them over, point out anything you’re unsatisfied with, and I’ll make detailed adjustments and revisions,” Lian Tongwei said toward the end of the lunch.
“I’ll leave it to you then,” Yao Chiyue replied calmly, seemingly very confident in her friend’s abilities.
“Thank you for your hard work, Sister Weiwei,” Qiao Mengdi added politely.
“It is my honor.”
Lian Tongwei said this while looking directly at Yao Chiyue. Qiao Mengdi couldn’t help but feel surprised; did someone as famous as her really need to flatter Yao Chiyue?
It wasn’t until much later that she realized she had completely misunderstood Lian Tongwei’s meaning.
Qiao Mengdi felt that Lian Tongwei and Yao Chiyue shared a similar temperament. Both seemed career-oriented with powerful auras—the kind of people who looked like they could stand on their own and hold the reins of their lives firmly in their own hands.
Next to these two, who were similar in age and had been middle school classmates, Qiao Mengdi found she couldn’t really contribute to any topics other than the wedding dresses.
Lian Tongwei tried to draw her into the conversation several times, but seeing Qiao Mengdi’s lack of enthusiasm, she eventually gave up. Yao Chiyue seemed indifferent to this, though she did occasionally say a few words to Qiao Mengdi.
Overall, it was a pleasant lunch.
After lunch, Lian Tongwei invited them back to her studio for tea.
“I have things to attend to this afternoon,” Yao Chiyue declined. She looked at Qiao Mengdi. “What about you?”
Qiao Mengdi wanted to speak with Yao Chiyue privately, so she said, “I want to go back and take a nap.”
The three of them parted ways at the mall’s slide entrance. Qiao Mengdi and Yao Chiyue walked together toward the elevators.
While waiting for the elevator, Yao Chiyue asked, “Did you drive here as well?”
“No, I don’t have a car,” Qiao Mengdi shook her head.
“Didn’t I give you a card? Go buy one.”
“I… I don’t have a driver’s license.” Qiao Mengdi had actually tried to learn, but every time she got behind the wheel, she became so nervous she would break into a cold sweat, so the matter had been dropped.
“I have a meeting later. Take a taxi back yourself.”
“Okay.” Since it was just the two of them waiting, Qiao Mengdi hesitated before saying, “Sister Yao, I have something I want to tell you. It will only take a few minutes, but it’s not very convenient here.”
“Fine. Let’s talk in my car.”
Just then, the elevator arrived. After the people inside exited, they entered, and Yao Chiyue pressed the button for the B2 level.
As the doors closed, the elevator began its descent. In the confined space with just the two of them, Qiao Mengdi’s heart began to race inexplicably.
Just like yesterday in front of the securities Building, today felt like a surreal day.
The sudden encounter, the lunch, and every second spent sinking rapidly in the elevator made Qiao Mengdi feel dazed, as if reality were slipping away. Yet, seeing that beautiful figure reflected in the stainless-steel walls—and the faint, unique fragrance belonging only to Yao Chiyue—it all made Qiao Mengdi’s heart flutter.
Ding! The elevator arrived, startling her.
Yao Chiyue stepped aside slightly to let Qiao Mengdi exit first. Once out, Qiao Mengdi deliberately slowed her pace, falling slightly behind Yao Chiyue. She liked watching her walk—confident, elegant, and composed.
Inside the car, the space became enclosed again. That faint, distracting scent from the other woman hit her once more, making her throat feel dry.
Turning her head, Qiao Mengdi’s eyes met Yao Chiyue’s. Her gaze seemed to be urging her: If you have something to say, say it quickly.
Qiao Mengdi subconsciously swallowed, recalling the words the Dean of Students had said at Qiao Mengyang’s school that morning.
“Regarding the alliance between our two families… I remember on the day our parents met, there was an agreement not to announce it publicly before the engagement.”
“Yes, that’s right.” Yao Chiyue knew what she was going to say, but she waited for her to continue.
“I don’t know how the news leaked,” Qiao Mengdi turned her head again, seeing Yao Chiyue remain perfectly calm. “But it has spread through my brother’s school.”
“Your brother’s school?”
“Yes. His classmates used our marriage to provoke and humiliate him, and he got into a fight with them. I only found out today when I went to the school that the things they said were quite nasty. Our families agreed on a unified narrative—that this is a marriage of love—but from his classmates’ mouths, it’s turned into something else entirely. It’s quite a headache.
“I originally guessed it was one of my father’s competitors trying to mess with him. But if that were the case, the news wouldn’t have started in a school; the internet and the media would have been the first targets. I’ve confirmed with my family that no one leaked it. While it might not be a huge deal, I felt it was necessary to tell you. I’m afraid this information might be further exploited and affect you as well.”
“And you?” Yao Chiyue asked coldly and briefly, her expression unruffled.
“Me? I don’t care! But judging by the insults hurled at my brother, I think the person who leaked the news knows quite a lot about our alliance.”
“Give me the names of the people who insulted your brother.” Yao Chiyue had a vague idea of who was behind it.
“Oh, hold on.” Qiao Mengdi had heard the names in the Dean’s office.
She took out her phone, opened WeChat, and typed the two names. Then she thought that her very first message to Yao Chiyue shouldn’t just be names, so she cut the text and sent a cute emoji first.
Yao Chiyue took out her phone and opened WeChat. Seeing the emoji, her face went blank for a moment.
Then, the names were sent. She immediately understood Qiao Mengdi’s intention and gave a faint smile.
Yao Chiyue looked up from her screen. “A strategic marriage like ours is bound to be talked about eventually. But in essence, we haven’t done anything out of line. You don’t need to worry too much.”
Qiao Mengdi realized then that Yao Chiyue truly seemed to have zero expectations for this. Did she not feel like this marriage was gambling away her entire life?
“I thought negative news might affect your company’s operations.”
“It won’t. If anything, it has a bigger impact on your father. To be safe, I will look into it to see if anyone on my side is causing trouble. I have high hopes for your father; whether or not he is elected in the future will affect both of us.”
Yao Chiyue’s bluntness surprised Qiao Mengdi. Most people would at least try to sugarcoat such things.
“I hope everyone gets what they want,” Qiao Mengdi said. She knew she shouldn’t expect anything from Yao Chiyue, yet she couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of disappointment.
“Mhm. Wait for my word.”
“If there’s any news from my father’s side, I’ll let you know too.”
Yao Chiyue started the car and drove out of the basement. Once out of the parking lot, she pulled over at the curb, and Qiao Mengdi got out.
The early autumn sunlight was exceptionally bright. The wind blew through the large palm trees, making a rustling sound. The sky was terrifyingly blue; the clouds, terrifyingly white.
Qiao Mengdi’s long hair was tousled by the wind, and her dress was pressed tight against her body. She didn’t care about any of that. Yao Chiyue’s departure left her feeling lonely, even though she knew perfectly well that the other woman didn’t like women.
The car had already disappeared at the end of the street, but she continued to stare in the direction it had gone, unable to pull her gaze away.
Because of the rumors slandering the union, the two families met once more. Both sides agreed that it would be better to make the wedding announcement public sooner rather than later.
Thus, the engagement, originally scheduled for November 20th, was moved forward to November 1st.
The timeline had suddenly become extremely tight.