The next morning.
Qiao Qingyan got out of bed and changed into an elegant blue collared shirt dress. The fabric was soft, smooth, and breathable, while the fitted waist perfectly accentuated her slender, graceful figure.
A narrow white belt cinched her waist, making her look even taller and more refined.
She paired it with a pair of strappy sandals. They had already been worn for two years, and the edges of the shoes had begun to peel, revealing dull black patches beneath.
Qiao Qingyan took out a piece of white chalk and, with practiced ease, carefully rubbed it over the damaged spots, skillfully covering every trace of wear until the flaws were nearly impossible to notice.
Just then, Xiao Jinye walked out of his room and happened to witness the scene.
His gaze lingered for a moment, but he said nothing.
Qiao Qingyan stood up. Seeing him dressed in a dark T-shirt and jeans, she frowned slightly.
“Can you change into something else?”
“What should I wear?” he asked awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. “Why don’t you pick something for me?”
She walked into his room and searched through the neatly folded but pitifully small pile of clothes before finally selecting a light-colored short-sleeved shirt.
“Wear this. It’ll make you look more refined.”
Refined?
Xiao Jinye narrowed his eyes, letting out a barely audible scoff.
Just as I thought… She likes the scholarly, gentle type like Jiang Runsheng.
Now she’s trying to turn me into one too?
As if. I’m not going to be anyone else’s substitute.
He stared at her fair, delicate face for two seconds before snatching the shirt from her hand with a gloomy expression.
Then, right in front of her, he casually grabbed the hem of his T-shirt with one hand and pulled it off.
Broad shoulders.
A narrow waist.
Powerful back muscles.
The smooth, well-defined lines of his muscular upper body were completely exposed before her eyes.
Flustered, Qiao Qingyan immediately turned around and hurried out of his room.
When he emerged after changing, she examined him carefully.
His proportions were excellent, and his deep, handsome features stood out even more. Although his skin was tanned, it only added to his wild, untamed charm. Dressed in the light shirt and jeans, he looked effortlessly rugged and devilishly handsome.
“Well?” Xiao Jinye asked. “Do I look refined now?”
“It looks good.”
Qingyan nodded in satisfaction.
Not long after breakfast, the two of them set off.
As they neared her parents’ house on the bicycle, Qiao Qingyan reminded him that Chen Xiaomeng suspected their marriage was only for show.
“When we get there, cooperate with me. We need to make it convincing and not let anyone see through us.”
“I don’t want them finding out we’re only husband and wife in name—a marriage based on an agreement.”
Xiao Jinye assured her not to worry.
“I’ll cooperate with you completely.”
The moment they stopped outside the Qiao family home, Jiang Runsheng and Chen Xiaomeng happened to arrive as well.
Chen Xiaomeng shot them a venomous glare.
So Xiao Jinye really came back with her.
Hmph. Today I’ll see whether the two of you are genuinely affectionate or just putting on an act for everyone.
Qiao Qingyan’s expression darkened slightly as she moved a little closer to Xiao Jinye.
Meanwhile, Xiao Jinye froze for a split second when he noticed that Jiang Runsheng was also wearing a light-colored shirt.
Qiao Nianshan and Chen Xiuying beamed when they saw both sons-in-law carrying large bundles of return-home gifts.
“Come in, come in!”
The group filed into the main hall.
The moment the gifts were set down, twelve-year-old Qiao Yi rushed over and began rummaging through the bags to see what delicious treats they contained.
“Mom! My sister bought so many pastries!”
His face lit up with excitement as he tossed the gift bags into a mess, grabbed a large bag of pastries, and ran into the inner room to stuff himself.
Watching her younger brother behave so disgracefully, Chen Xiaomeng felt embarrassed and frowned at her mother.
“Mom, do something about Qiao Yi. He’s only twelve, and he’s going to ruin all his teeth eating so much candy.”
Chen Xiuying smiled indulgently.
“He’s just a child. What’s wrong with letting him enjoy a few treats? There’s no need to be so strict.”
Chen Xiaomeng said nothing more.
She knew perfectly well that her mother spoiled her son and always favored boys over girls.
Everyone sat down, drank tea, and chatted.
Qiao Nianshan filled the room with polite small talk, though it was obvious from his attitude that he favored Jiang Runsheng over his other son-in-law.
“Runsheng, how’s work been lately?”
“Pretty good.”
“I heard from Xiaomeng that your broadcasting station has excellent benefits. They even hand out grain, cooking oil, and mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival?”
“That’s right.”
Jiang Runsheng answered absentmindedly, but his eyes kept drifting toward Qiao Qingyan.
Chen Xiaomeng immediately wrapped her arm around his with exaggerated affection and smiled.
“Father, Mother, Brother Runsheng is one of the station’s Outstanding Broadcasters. Besides the holiday gifts, he’ll also receive a generous bonus for Mid-Autumn Festival.”
She cast a smug glance at the silent Qiao Qingyan and Xiao Jinye before continuing to flatter her parents.
“Brother Runsheng already told me that once he gets his holiday bonus, he’ll take both of you and little brother into the city for a nice trip.”
Hearing that, Jiang Runsheng turned to look at Chen Xiaomeng, who had spoken without consulting him. His brows knitted together into a deep frown.
Qiao Nianshan and Chen Xiuying were overjoyed.
“Wonderful! Wonderful! Runsheng is truly thoughtful. Your mother and I will get to enjoy some blessings because of you.”
Unable to contradict them in public, Jiang Runsheng could only force a stiff smile.
Chen Xiaomeng then brought up her sister-in-law, Jiang Chunhua.
“If you ever need anything, just go to the township supply and marketing cooperative. My elder sister works there.”
“Just mention my name, and buying whatever you need will be much easier.”
Chen Xiuying smiled brightly, already planning a visit to the cooperative at her earliest convenience.
Watching his father-in-law’s obvious favoritism, Xiao Jinye finally understood just how neglected his wife had always been in this household.
His heart ached for her.
Not wanting to remain here as someone else’s foil—or let Xiao Jinye suffer alongside her—Qiao Qingyan stood up.
“Father, we still have things to do at home. Jinye and I should head back now. We won’t be staying for lunch.”
The smile on Qiao Nianshan’s face faded.
“You’ve only just arrived, and you’re already leaving? If people see that, they’ll think we’ve treated you badly and didn’t even offer you a meal.”
Chen Xiuying chimed in.
“I specially slaughtered one of our free-range chickens because I knew you’d be coming home today. Stay for lunch before you leave.”
Chen Xiaomeng added with a smile that carried unmistakable pressure.
“Exactly, Qingyan. It’s not often that you come home. Stay and have a meal with Father and Mother. This is the first time our whole family has gathered together since we got married.”
Their excessive enthusiasm immediately filled Qingyan with a sense of foreboding.
Something told her today’s homecoming banquet wouldn’t be so simple.
Still…
She would meet every move with a counter.
She wanted to see exactly what this family was planning.
Qiao Nianshan chatted with Jiang Runsheng for a while, asking after his parents before finally turning to Xiao Jinye.
Xiao Jinye answered only briefly.
Knowing that Xiao Jinye made a living through hunting while supporting two sick family members, Qiao Nianshan assumed life must be difficult for him.
Deliberately avoiding the topic of money so as not to wound his pride, he searched for another subject.
An awkward silence settled over the room.
Unable to think of anything else to say, Qiao Nianshan turned his attention to Qiao Qingyan instead.
“Qingyan, your mother-in-law has trouble walking. When you’re home, take good care of both your husband and your mother-in-law. Even if you don’t know how to cook, you should learn. A woman’s priority should always be her family.”
Before Qiao Qingyan could answer, Xiao Jinye spoke first.
“My mother is perfectly healthy. She’s an excellent cook and even weaves bamboo baskets in her spare time to help support the family.”
“And even if the household chores become too much, I can cook several home-style dishes myself.”
“I would never let Qingyan go hungry.”
As he spoke, he naturally reached out and took Qiao Qingyan’s hand in front of everyone.
“Besides, Qingyan’s hands are too delicate.”
“None of us can bear to let her do rough work.”
“She’s educated and knowledgeable.”
“These hands were meant for writing… and for teaching.”
Xiao Jinye’s fingertips and palm were rough with the calluses earned through years of hard labor.
Yet his hand was broad and warm, wrapping completely around her incredibly soft little hand as though carrying a gentle current.
Qiao Qingyan’s ears instantly turned red.
Embarrassed, she instinctively tried to pull away, but the man only held on more tightly.
Whether intentionally or not, his thumb gently stroked the tips of her fingers.
Qingyan suddenly realized…
Her heart was beating much faster than before.