Li Qiao is a stubborn child.
He, refusing to believe in misfortune, took Zhang Xiaoman and her mother to several restaurants he considered respectable, only to be turned away at each one.
This really damaged Li Qiao's pride.
Zhang Xiaoman indeed called him cousin.
But there's no blood relation between them.
Li Qiao is the son of Zhang Xiaoman's uncle's ex-wife, and since Zhang Xiaoman was accepted into Kyoto University, both families intended for her to marry Li Qiao.
Also, Li Qiao was aware of his stepmother's intentions, who is Zhang Xiaoman's aunt. Zhang Xiaoman might not be particularly attractive, but having a girlfriend from Kyoto University wasn't bad, and their family had financial resources in Qin City. Moreover, Zhang Xiaoman was the only daughter; if he married her, the Zhang Family's businesses could eventually belong to him, Li Qiao.
Additionally, this arrangement would please his stepmother, so he agreed readily.
