The next day, Qiao Shu woke up naturally.
Opening her eyes, what greeted her was an enlarged version of a handsome face. Qiao Shu’s mind went blank with a “boom.”
What was going on?
Why was Jiang Tu so close to her?
The man’s eyes were closed, his sleeping face gentle, with sharp, well-defined features, a high nose bridge, and a smooth, sharp jawline. Up close, not a single pore could be seen.
Qiao Shu’s nose was filled with the fresh, pleasant scent of aftershave. How could someone be born so perfect?
Suddenly, the man opened his eyes. Qiao Shu’s captivating fox-like eyes widened, and for a moment, she forgot to move.
Jiang Tu cleared his throat lightly. The girl’s slender, lotus-like arms were wrapped around his waist, and her long legs were draped over his.
Qiao Shu’s cheeks flushed. She let go of her hold on Jiang Tu’s waist and quickly moved to the other side of the bed.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
Jiang Tu: “…”
Qiao Shu’s cheeks were slightly red. She didn’t know why this had happened—her sleeping posture was never like this.
Jiang Tu glanced at the time on the bedside table. It was almost eight o’clock. He had woken up before she did.
The girl had clung to him like an octopus all night. He hadn’t slept well at all. Every time he moved her away, she would cling back. After a few attempts, he gave up.
Qiao Shu felt too embarrassed to face anyone. She quickly burrowed under the covers, pulling the blanket over her head.
So awkward, utterly mortifying.
So awkward she could dig out a three-bedroom apartment.
Jiang Tu: “…”
“Come out. Aren’t you suffocating?”
Qiao Shu: “…”
She really didn’t want to live anymore. She needed to apply to move to another planet. This was just too, too, too embarrassing.
The corners of Jiang Tu’s lips lifted slightly, his brow carrying an imperceptible hint of helplessness as he pulled the blanket away from her.
The girl’s eyes were tightly shut, her long, curled eyelashes trembling faintly, and her cheeks tinged with a light blush.
Whether from suffocation or embarrassment was unclear.
Jiang Tu’s thin lips curved slightly, his voice soft and captivating. “I haven’t even said anything, and you’re already like this?”
Qiao Shu gritted her teeth and slowly opened her eyes. The man was propping his head up with one hand, looking at her with a faint, teasing smile.
Qiao Shu swallowed and changed the subject. “Jiang Tu, can you come with me to the Han Family this afternoon?”
Jiang Tu gazed into her eyes. “Sure.”
Qiao Shu breathed a sigh of relief. She had thought Jiang Tu might refuse and had already prepared herself for him not going.
“Let’s get up,” Jiang Tu said, throwing off the covers and getting out of bed.
“Okay.” Qiao Shu’s lips curved into a wide smile. She hadn’t expected the man to be so easygoing.
In the afternoon, Qiao Shu put on a beautiful makeup look. For a place like that, she needed to arm herself fully. She couldn’t lose her presence—she wanted to infuriate Han Lianmeng.
Jiang Tu sat on the sofa reading a book. Casually, he lifted his gaze toward the vanity table.
The girl had her back to him. She wore an apricot-colored dress with a waist-cinching design that accentuated her graceful, perfect figure. Above it was a stretch of fair, delicate nape.
Qiao Shu applied her lipstick, pressed her lips together, and admired her beauty in the mirror. Hmm… I’m really gorgeous.
It’s just that this short hair makes me look too young. If only I had a curling iron, I could give myself a temporary curl.
Qiao Shu walked into the walk-in closet, put on the wool coat Su Xi had bought for her, slung her bag over her shoulder, and twirled in front of the full-length mirror. She looked absolutely stunning.
Qiao Shu stepped out of the walk-in closet, her gaze lingering on Jiang Tu. “Teacher Jiang, I’m ready.”
Jiang Tu’s hand, holding the book, paused. She was calling him “Teacher Jiang” again. Counting the times she had called him by his name, they were few and far between.
The girl wore a light beige wool coat, her bright and charming face lightly made up, with her most striking feature being her shimmering, fox-like eyes that added a touch of dreaminess.
Downstairs, in the living room.
Qiao Shu and Jiang Tu emerged side by side from the corner of the hallway. Su Xi greeted her with a warm smile.
“Qiao Qiao, come here for a moment.”
Qiao Shu paused. On the coffee table were several gift bags, their luxurious appearance alone indicating their high value.
Su Xi glanced at the gift bags. “Today is your first visit back home after your wedding. These are the gifts we prepared for you. Be safe on the road.”
Qiao Shu felt a stir in her heart. “Thank you, Mom.”
“No need for formalities, we’re family,” Su Xi chided gently. “It’s getting late, you should head out now.”
“Alright.” Qiao Shu nodded with a smile.
Aunt Zhong and the maid followed behind them, carrying numerous bags. They entered the elevator, went downstairs, and got into the car.
Jiang Tu drove, and the journey passed in silence.
5:00 PM, the Han Family residence.
It was New Year’s Day, and the entire Han family was gathered.
Han Lianmeng sat beside Grandma Han, wearing an apricot-colored knitted maxi dress. The form-fitting design accentuated her graceful figure, and her face was adorned with exquisite makeup.
Suddenly, the butler’s voice echoed in everyone’s ears. “Grandma Han, the eldest young lady and her husband have returned.”
Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze toward the entrance.
Han Lianmeng nervously clenched her hands. Jiang Tu was here. Her eyes remained fixed on the entrance.
Abruptly, two figures appeared before everyone. Jiang Tu held Qiao Shu’s hand, and Qiao Shu stood beside him, a blissful and sweet smile on her face.
Han Lianmeng gritted her teeth. Damn it, how dare that bitch Qiao Shu wear a dress of the same color as hers? Could Qiao Shu even afford this brand? She must have gotten it through some shady deal!
Upon entering the living room, Qiao Shu put away her smile and greeted them calmly. “Grandma, Dad.”
Han Xing looked at his daughter, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, feeling a pang of bitterness. He hadn’t been a good father.
“Grandma, Dad,” Jiang Tu glanced at the gift bags the butler was holding. “A small token for our first meeting.”
Grandma Han smiled, her eyes crinkling. “You’re too polite. There was no need to bring gifts just for visiting.”
Liu Lin dug her long nails into her palms. That wretched girl truly didn’t regard her at all. Not only did Qiao Shu not greet her, but Jiang Tu didn’t even spare her a glance.
“A Tu, have some tea,” Han Xing was the first to pour tea for Jiang Tu. “This Da Hong Pao is quite good.”
Jiang Tu nodded and accepted it. “Thank you, Dad.”
Han Lianmeng stared intently at the man across from her. “Hello, brother-in-law. I’m Han Lianmeng. You probably know me—we met at a gala before.”
Jiang Tu replied indifferently, “Hmm.”
Han Lianmeng’s sweet smile cracked slightly as she dug her long nails into her palms. Damn it!
Qiao Shu curled her red lips mockingly. She knew Han Lianmeng liked Jiang Tu—whether it was genuine or not, Han Lianmeng always tried to take whatever was hers.
Seeing Qiao Shu’s cold smile, Han Lianmeng clenched her teeth in anger. How dare that bitch Qiao Shu laugh at her?
Grandma Han chattered on, “Meng’er told me she went to audition for the female lead role in that drama, but unexpectedly, the director took a liking to Qiao Shu.”
“Now it seems fate has brought you two together, working in the same crew. A Tu, when do you and Qiao Shu plan to announce your relationship?”
Jiang Tu nodded. “We’ll see.”
Grandma Han’s smile stiffened. “Of course, the sooner the better. Isn’t your entertainment industry most wary of secret marriages? Won’t Qiao Shu be criticized for it later?”
Jiang Tu replied calmly, “You’re overthinking it.”
Qiao Shu was slightly taken aback. She hadn’t expected Jiang Tu to respond to the old lady with such composure.