As she spoke, she pretended to unintentionally separate Gu Zheng and Qiao Xiâs interlocked hands and squeezed between the two of them. She looked at Qiao Xi with a naive expression. âWow, Sister Qiao Xi, how did you do it that there arenât any pores on your face? Did you put on makeup? Unfortunately, my hands are too clumsy. I canât even put on makeup properly, so I can only go out without makeup. Sister Qiao Xi, do you have time to teach me how to put on makeup?â
Qiao Xi: ââ¦â
She was a b*tch, wasnât she? She seemed to be praising but was secretly mocking Qiao Xi? This was a high-level tactic.
Qiao Xi smiled and was about to speak when Gu Zheng spoke up first, âYouâve put on makeup? Why didnât I see you putting it on?â From the moment the servant came up to knock on the door till they were done getting ready, less than ten minutes had passed. Could Qiao Xi have the time to put on makeup? Hadnât she just gone to the bathroom to wash her face before coming out?
Qiao Xi: ââ¦â
Alright, she did not need to say anything else now. Gu Zhengâs words made Meng Wanâs eyes turn red. She took a step back and looked at Gu Zheng in disbelief. âBrother Gu Zheng, y-youâre living with Sister Qiao Xi?â
Gu Zheng looked at her with an odd look. âIs it abnormal for me to be living with her?â Ever since Qiao Xi came, it was his first time staying in the master bedroom on the third floor last night. It was also an accident that he spent the night there. However, there was no need to tell Meng Wan about such a private matter.
Meng Wanâs eyes turned red as large drops of tears fell. âBrother Gu Zheng, do you blame me for not marrying you previously? But Iâ¦â She quickly looked at Qiao Xi and said in a depressed tone, âI know that you have a new wife now, so I shouldnât come and disturb you. But I couldnât control myself. I thought that even though we couldnât end up together, we could still be friends. â
Gu Zheng did not speak, nor did Qiao Xi. The scene was slightly awkward.
This was the first time Qiao Xi saw someone other than Qiao Rou show off her acting skills in front of her. If it were not for the fact that the timing was not right, she really wanted to applaud Qiao Rou. Her acting skills, her attitude, and her fake expression could totally compete with Qiao Rou!
Gu Zheng did not have the heart to be gentle with this woman. He called the servant over. âSend the guest out.â
The servant replied, and Meng Wanâs eyes turned even redder. They seemed to be throwing her out. âBrother Gu Zheng, youâre chasing me away? How can you treat me like this? Just because youâve married her? Sheâs clearly only my substitute, so what right does she haveâ¦â
Qiao Xi did not agree with the word âsubstituteâ. She and Gu Zheng were in a transactional marriage.
Just as she was about to retort, suddenlyâ
âWan Wan, stop fooling around.â
A noblewoman who had maintained her appearance well and had a gentle expression on her face walked in with a smile. She sighed, and her gaze carried a trace of apology as she looked at Qiao Xi. âMiss Qiao, Iâm sorry. Wan Wan was supposed to marry Gu Zheng, but now that things have become like this⦠Wan Wan canât help herself from being slightly emotional. Please forgive her, Miss Qiao.â
Qiao Xi raised her brows.
No wonder Meng Wan was so pretentious. She had a mother who was equally pretentious! Did this family not know how to talk nicely? Why did they have to point out that she only got her identity as Mrs. Gu because she was a substitute?
Madam Mengâs gaze was gentle. âGu Zheng, Iâm sorry. Old Jian and I wanted to come over ourselves, but Wan Wan insisted on coming when she heard the newsâ¦â
Gu Zheng asked casually, âIs that so?â
His tone was clearly very cold, but Madam Meng seemed to not realize it. Perhaps Gu Zheng had always been so arrogant in front of them, so she did not think that there was anything wrong with his tone.
On the other hand, Qiao Xi looked at Gu Zheng in surprise and as if she was very intrigued by him. When Madam Meng saw this, it was inevitable that she felt disdainful. However, the words she said were still warm and soft. âMiss Qiao, youâre so beautiful. No wonder you could captivate Gu Zheng. Back then, we were still guessing what kind of woman Gu Zheng would marry in the future. Would she look like Wan Wan?
âIâm finally meeting you now, but your and Wan Wanâs personalities are nothing alike. I guess itâs because Gu Zhenggot tired of Wan Wanâs attitude, thatâs why he married you, Miss Qiao. However, this is also quite good⦠Itâs quite good.â Madam Meng pretended to wipe her tears.
Qiao Xi leaned against the railing and watched Madam Mengâs performance sluggishly.
After all, the elderly were more experienced. Madam Meng told Qiao Xi a few facts with just a few words.
First of all, she, Qiao Xi, had no abilities and could only seduce people with her looks.
Secondly, Gu Zheng was deeply in love with Meng Wan. Even though the two of them couldnât get married, he found a woman who looked like Meng Wan to express his sentiments.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Thirdly, Gu Zheng did not want to keep missing Meng Wan, so that was why he chose a woman who had a completely different personality from Meng Wan to be his wife.
Qiao Xi supported her chin with one hand and smiled meaningfully.
Gu Zhengâs gaze swept past Qiao Xi, and then he said indifferently, âMadam Meng, youâre trying to drive a wedge between us in front of me. Do you think Iâm deaf?â
Madam Meng and Meng Wanâs expressions changed at the same time.