Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studiosn/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
She reluctantly gave the cab driver the fare and headed home as he sized her up.
âDad, Mom, Grandma, Iâm home.â Not in good spirits, Qiao Chen changed out of her shoes and walked in tiredly.
The atmosphere at home had been heavy these days.
âI heard that Zhao Jingwei is about to be sentenced.â
Qiao Chen saw her parentsâ usual disappointed expressions the moment she entered, and that made her feel even worse.
Qiao Nian was such a jinx!
If only sheâd just gone to Luohe County, but no, sheâd chosen to stay in Rao City. Ever since she left their family, they seemed to have been cursed by her. Every day was terrible.
Shen Qiongzhi quickly got up when she saw that Qiao Chen was home. She got the housemaid to help her carry her stuff while forcing a smile. âChen Chen, youâre back. Was it tiring in school today? Youâre back only now, were you out having dinner with Fu Ge?â
Qiao Chen stammered while avoiding her eyes. â... Iâm not tired... Mm, we had dinner.â
âSo, Fu Ge sent you back?â Shen Qiongzhiâs smile finally turned genuine. She felt relieved deep down. No matter the family situation, as long as Qiao Chen was still with Fu Ge, she wouldnât have to worry about her daughterâs future.
Qiao Chen felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart, and by her own mother at that. She bit her lip and tried to save herself from embarrassment. â...Mm.â
Anyone who listened closely would be able to tell that her response was unconvincing. Even her eyes were shifting.
But Shen Qiongzhi had been depending on this one matter for security for the past whole month and did not sense anything different about Qiao Chenâs mood.
She even teased her. âSince heâs already sent you back, how could you not have called Fu Ge to come in and have a seat? Mom could pare some fruits for him and the both of you can talk for a bit more.â
Qiao Chen felt bad now and quickly cut her off. âMom, heâs busy. Another day.â
Shen Qiongzhi knew that the Fu family was different from theirs. The Fu family was such an important household in Rao City and Fu Ge was such a young, handsome talent. He had so much expected of him, so this was no surprise.
She didnât harp on this and instead, casually said, âThatâs true. Ask him out when heâs free, then. Get him to come over and have a meal with us, Iâll prepare his favorite dishes for him. Let your father and him have a good talk over some tea.â
Although Qiao Weimin was upset at how the Fu family was leaving the Qiao Corporation in the lurch, he was still very satisfied with Fu Ge as a son-in-law.
Moreover, he knew that Fu Ge couldnât call the shots in the Fu family yet.
But Fu Ge was the most outstanding child among his cousins in the Fu family, and also a high-achieving student in Qing University. The Fu familyâs power would be handed to him someday. If Qiao Chen married him in the future, there were only benefits to be reaped.
Hence, he added as Shen Qiongzhi tried to teach her daughter the ropes, âYour mom is right. Fu Ge has been back for so long, but you havenât even invited him over for a meal yet. Youâve got to be more caring as a girlfriend. Donât just go with the flow without showing much concern. No matter how much a guy loves you, his heart would still go cold if you go on being like that.
âMoreover, Fu Ge respects you and hasnât spent the night with you since youâre still young. This makes it even more plausible for others to come between you. Heâs such a fine young man, youâd better do whatâs right for yourself.â
Qiao Chen felt her face go red and covered her cheeks with her hands. She raised her voice at her dad as her eyes were filled with shame and frustration. âDad, what are you saying!â
Shen Qiongzhi suddenly noticed her slightly swollen face. âWait a minute, Chen Chen, what happened to your face and knees?â
Her knees were wrapped in a bandage.
And she appeared to have been beaten on the face?