“Sorry, Nan Gong. Something came up on my side. Do I look too embarrassing showing up like this?”
She stretched out her hand toward Nan Gong He’s direction, blinking as she looked at him with watery eyes.
The crowd around them began whispering more and more loudly.
“Is that girl really someone important?”
“Is she Nan Gong He’s fiancée?”
A faint hint of amusement flashed across Nan Gong He’s face.
From his angle just now, he had clearly seen her being chased and, in a desperate panic, jumping into the swimming pool.
And he recognized this woman.
She was said to be the daughter of the Qiao family who had been found and brought back from the slums. Public opinion about her was mixed.
But her design talent was extraordinary—every piece she created was stunning, a true genius in the fashion world.
Meeting her for the first time today, she actually dared to take the initiative and set her sights on him.
Nan Gong He suddenly felt a trace of interest.
He stepped forward with his long legs, slowly approaching her. Before he could speak, Qiao Xi familiarly grabbed his arm and leapt out of the pool.
In a flash, she whispered only for the two of them to hear:
“I know your wedding was missing a bride. Help me, and I can pretend to be your bride.”
“You’re negotiating with me?”
Nan Gong He’s expression remained calm, but his sharp, defined features carried an aura of domineering danger.
“Not at all—we’re just helping each other,” she said with a sly smile, blinking mischievously.
At that moment, a group of people suddenly arrived outside the wedding venue, aggressively surrounding the place.
Then Feng Jiao’s sharp voice rang out:
“We saw our daughter fall in here just now. What did you do with her?!”
“She’s already engaged. If you delay this, who’s going to take responsibility?!”
Qiao Ying’er chimed in sweetly but insincerely:
“Don’t worry about responsibility. This is our family matter. As long as my sister comes out safely, that’s all that matters.”
Qiao Xi frowned, looking visibly annoyed.
“How disgusting. They caught up this fast.”
Nan Gong He quietly released her hand and said with a faint smile:
“Deal with your trouble first, then come talk terms with me.”
Qiao Xi gave him a quick wink, signaling him to relax, then lifted her wet dress and stepped forward.
She said bluntly:
“And who is this? Oh—are you the Mrs. Feng who forced her own biological daughter into a situation where she nearly fell to her death?”
In front of others, Feng Jiao was very skilled at acting.
She immediately put on a worried expression.
“Oh my goodness, that was terrifying. Do you know how dangerous that was? Come back quickly—Young Master Chen is still waiting for you.”
“Who is Young Master Chen? I only know my groom is Mr. Nan Gong He,” Qiao Xi replied, pretending to be confused.
Feng Jiao’s expression stiffened as she gritted her teeth and lowered her voice.
“Can you stop embarrassing our family? Do you even know where you are right now?”
Qiao Xi replied calmly:
“In this world, what parents wouldn’t want their daughter to be happy? Me marrying Nan Gong He—this should be a huge blessing for our family.”
“The Young Master Chen you personally picked for me is a gambler, womanizer, and worthless scoundrel. Are you really doing this for my sake—or just humiliating me?”
“Mom, do you hate me that much that you brought people here to ruin my wedding?”
Her tone was calm, but every sentence cut like a blade, leaving Feng Jiao momentarily speechless.
Qiao Ying’er then softly interjected:
“Big sister, whatever the matter is, we can discuss it at home. This isn’t the place.”
“Once I go home, will I even have a chance to come out again? You stole my life and still dare to act innocent in front of me,” Qiao Xi said coldly.
Seeing that persuasion failed, Feng Jiao lost patience and stepped forward to grab her.
With several bodyguards behind her, Qiao Xi stood no chance against them.
Just then, a pair of long, well-defined hands reached out, grabbed Qiao Xi’s arm, and pulled her back.
A group of black-clad men surged in behind Nan Gong He, instantly restraining the Qiao family’s bodyguards.
“You’re causing trouble in my territory?” Nan Gong He’s voice was low and icy, carrying overwhelming authority.
“And the Qiao family doesn’t even have the sense to know their place?”