"Sister-in-law... Xiao Xue... Xue..."
The greetings were all over the place, yet everyone asked in unison, "Are you okay?"
These four people were naturally Yun Shi Yu, Yang Hanqing, Shen Siyi, and Zhang Dachuan.
Shen Siyi and the others were still in their formal attire, and Zhang Dachuan was even more flamboyant, sporting a lipstick mark on his cheek—obviously, he had rushed over from the Fragrant Beauty Bureau.
Jiang Xue hurriedly got out of the car and gratefully said, "I'm fine! Thank you for your concern!"
"My goodness!"
Zhang Dachuan clutched his chest and leaned on Shen Siyi, "For the next month, I won't flirt with anyone, in thanks to the heavens for their protection!"
"Get lost!" Shen Siyi pushed him away, laughing and scolding, "Making such an indecent vow, be careful the heavens strike you down!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
At this moment, Xiao Ming and Jiang Yonghan also got out of the car, and Jiang Xue quickly introduced her father to them.
Seeing the scions of a major hospital and Qianshan Group bowing and calling him uncle, Jiang Yonghan felt as if he were dreaming. He lost his words and after a long pause managed to say, "It's getting late; let's go upstairs for some tea."
Shen Siyi and Zhang Dachuan exchanged glances, wondering if the old man was also a kindred spirit who liked to stay up late.
Polite refusals were made by everyone, saying they didn't want to disrupt their rest and would soon be on their way. So, Jiang Xue gave the house keys to Jiang Yonghan, telling him to go upstairs first.
Xiao Ming told the others to continue chatting while he went towards someone not far away.
Because there stood Zhou Qingyuan.
Both Yun Shi Yu and Yang Hanqing couldn't help but curl their lips.
"Why are you here?"
"Naturally, I came to get my car! I need to thoroughly check if it's been scratched or dented."
Zhou Qingyuan stood with her hands behind her back, chest pushed out, eyes and the sequins of her black dress combining into a field of stars.
Xiao Ming smiled, "Doesn't the Continental feel too greasy for a young lady?"
"What car do you think I should drive?"
"If you're driving for others to see, then even a little hatchback will do because no matter the car, it all pales in comparison to you.
If you're driving for yourself and want speed then it's McLaren, and if comfort, then Porsche.
Both brands suit your temperament quite well."
"What if I want both speed and comfort?"
"Are you the 'why' girl?"
"When giving someone else advice, one should be prepared for a follow-up questioning."
As a young woman, she sure was a tough cookie.
Xiao Ming shook his head, "Just buy the brand that comes to mind."
"I want to hear you say it!"
Zhou Qingyuan stepped forward, nearly pressing her chest against him, seemingly determined to pin him down for an answer.
"Aston Martin."
Having said this, Xiao Ming immediately stepped back and turned to wave at Jiang Xue.
"Xue'er, come here, let me introduce you."
Jiang Xue walked over, and Xiao Ming wrapped his arm around her, proudly saying, "This is the sunshine in my life, the goddess of my dreams, the angel who saved my soul, my beautiful and adorable wife, Jiang Xue."
Jiang Xue flushed with embarrassment under the praise and couldn't help but jab him in the side with her elbow.
Xiao Ming grinned, casually pointing at Zhou Qingyuan, "And this is the girl who lent me her car, our niece, Zhou Qingyuan."
"Miss Zhou, hello! Thank you for your generosity tonight!" Jiang Xue extended her hand, "Xiao Ming likes to fool around, please don't mind him."
Zhou Qingyuan clasped her hand, with a proud twist at the corners of her mouth, shockingly saying, "I like his fooling around!"
Swish, swish, swish, swish!
Eight pairs of eyes shot over simultaneously.
Yun Shi Yu and Yang Hanqing both wore incredulous expressions, while Shen Siyi and Zhang Dachuan were visibly excited, inwardly fanning the flames of gossip.
Jiang Xue was stunned for a moment, then lifted her head to see her husband's open, smiling face and immediately felt relieved.
"Miss Zhou is refreshingly straightforward. It seems my beloved performs quite well outside; I'm very gratified."
Zhou Qingyuan tilted her head, "Didn't I make myself clear just now? I like him! Mrs. Jiang, doesn't that bother you?"
Jiang Xue smiled confidently, "Isn't that perfectly normal? I can hardly hope for my husband to be disliked by the whole world.
If everyone likes him, his career will be more likely to succeed and it will also prove that I have exceptional taste. In any case, it's all good news."
Not only did this statement stun Zhou Qingyuan, but Shen Siyi and Zhang Dachuan also opened their mouths in surprise.
A moment later, the two closed their mouths, exchanged glances, and clearly saw the envy, jealousy, and resentment in each other's eyes.
"How come Ming has such good fortune? When will I ever meet a woman like that?" Zhang Dachuan couldn't help but exclaim.
Shen Siyi nodded, "Before, I didn't understand what a fortune-enhancing woman was like, but today I've truly gained some insight.
If I ever come across one, I mustn't hesitate for even half a minute; I must marry her immediately!"
"Don't daydream!" Yun Shi Yu, feeling irritable inside, couldn't help but throw cold water, "With the way you two hang out in bars and nightclubs every day, you won't meet such a good woman even in the next life."
On the other hand, Zhou Qingyuan, having regained her composure, looked somewhat more solemn.
"I understand now. The person I need to defeat is not you, but Xiao—ouch!"
She couldn't finish her words because Xiao Ming gave her a noogie.
"Call me uncle!"
Zhou Qingyuan bit her lip and called out "Uncle" in a voice no louder than a mosquito's hum.
"Mischievous kid, not doing anything proper, always pondering nonsense! Have you finished your homework? Hurry up and roll back home to sleep!"
Xiao Ming assumed the full air of an elder, stern both in voice and manner, making Jiang Xue worry that he was being too harsh on the girl.
After all, that was Zhou Jicang's daughter.
However, Zhou Qingyuan was not angry at all; she even gave a respectful bow to her and Xiao Ming, bade them goodnight, and then headed for her car.
Watching the Continental slowly drive away, Jiang Xue's heart finally started to feel heavy.
Because Zhou Qingyuan was clearly different from Yun Shi Yu and Yang Hanqing; she was an opponent more aggressive and more difficult to handle.
She lifted her face to look at her husband and thought: Maybe it's time I moved back in?
After a few more idle exchanges, Shen Siyi and the others bid their farewells and left. Jiang Xue did not follow Yang Hanqing.
Back at home, after washing up and getting into bed, she leaned against the headboard and looked around the very familiar bedroom, yet she felt a trace of inexplicable strangeness.
Perhaps the very decision to live apart was a mistake at the outset...
As she wrestled with these conflicting thoughts, the door swung open, and Xiao Ming walked in holding a keyboard.
"What are you doing with that?" she asked curiously.
Xiao Ming stood obediently beside the bed like a model student, "We don't have a washboard at home, is this a suitable replacement?"
Jiang Xue chuckled at that, then deliberately put on a serious face, "Why? What did you do wrong?"𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖
Xiao Ming pouted, "If you ask me what I think now, it's regret, immense regret!
I shouldn't have shown off just for a bit of business benefit at the dinner, and I shouldn't have paid attention to Zhou Qingyuan.
Knowing that girl is crazy but still provoking her, that was a serious violation of husbandly conduct, please punish me, my dear wife."
Jiang Xue couldn't hold back anymore and fell onto the bed giggling.
"You... how can you be so silly? And 'husbandly conduct,' such smooth talk, where was this husbandly conduct when you were out gambling?"
Xiao Ming sat on the bed with a sheepish look, "Isn't that because I was enlightened by the compassionate radiance of you, my dear, and came to realize that 'thing' afterward!"
"Am I very old?"
"Not old at all. Every time I see you, I feel the urge to turn myself in, even wanting to wear a sign around my neck that says: Don't shoot! My wife is of age!"
Jiang Xue was laughing heartily and, at some point, had softened entirely into Xiao Ming's arms, her face pressed against his chest, and she murmured softly, "Husband, it's so good to have you back!"
"Yes!"
Xiao Ming tightened his embrace around his wife, gazing out at the night sky, and murmured, "It's so good to be back!"