CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 41: ACCOMPANY TO THE END

Qiao Yuxian tidied up the room and casually pulled off the sheets and duvet cover.

As she walked out of the room, she ran into Aunt Mei who was cleaning on the second floor.

"The lady is awake?" Aunt Mei saw the sheets in her arms and came over to take them, "You could have just told me, I’ll do it."

"I just took them off in passing," Qiao Yuxian said, glancing towards her own room.

Aunt Mei said, "The room is already tidied."

"Thank you, Aunt Mei," Qiao Yuxian said with a smile.

"It’s nothing." Aunt Mei lowered her gaze to look at her foot, "Sir said he’s arranged for you to take two days off from school to rest at home."

Qiao Yuxian paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Alright, got it."

"Shall I prepare breakfast for you?" Aunt Mei asked.

"Mm."

Qiao Yuxian went back to her room to freshen up, changed her clothes, and went downstairs.

When she reached the living room, she suddenly noticed someone in the corner of the living room.

Shang Chen was holding a spray bottle, standing in front of the potted plant, expressionless...or rather looking gloomy as he watered the plant.

Qiao Yuxian halted her steps, glanced at him, and then looked around to ensure Gu Yanjing indeed wasn’t there.

Shang Chen sensed someone watching him and turned to look over.

Qiao Yuxian felt that the moment he looked over, the gloominess intensified.

She thought for a moment and then, without mincing words, struck straight to the point: "Uh...did Gu Yanjing dump you?"

Shang Chen clenched his back teeth tightly, and with a slight force, bent the handle of the spray bottle.

Seeing his reaction, Qiao Yuxian turned from merely asking to looking completely sympathetic: "Really dumped you?"

Shang Chen glared at her, then turned back to continue watering, ignoring her.

Qiao Yuxian walked over to the coffee table, poured herself a glass of water, and leisurely continued, "Sigh—Gu Yanjing is something else. What was he thinking? If it were me...I wouldn’t want you either."

Shang Chen put the spray bottle down with a thud, turned around, and said coldly, "Mr. Gu said from now on I’ll be following you, responsible for protecting you."

"Pfft—cough cough cough cough..." The water Qiao Yuxian had been sipping suddenly sprayed out, followed by a fit of coughing.

She coughed into her hand and pointed at Shang Chen.

Her fair little face quickly turned red from coughing, the look of fright and disbelief akin to having been almost strangled by Shang Chen.

Shang Chen frowned, looking at her.

After a while, Qiao Yuxian finally stopped coughing and sat on the sofa wiping her teary eyes: "Gu Yanjing really...do I look like someone who needs protecting?"

Especially with Shang Chen.

This is more like placing a danger by her side than protection.

Shang Chen’s personality, likely annoyed with her constantly.

With time, they might end up fighting.

Shang Chen stood in the corner of the living room watching her, and after a long while, said, "You talk to Mr. Gu."

Qiao Yuxian looked at him, "Talk about what?"

"Get someone else to protect you," Shang Chen said bluntly.

"Why don’t you say something?" Qiao Yuxian replied warily, "You’re trying to set me up, aren’t you?"

Shang Chen glared at her, silent once more.

Qiao Yuxian blinked, then smirked smugly, "Oh—you don’t dare."

Shang Chen clenched his fists, thinking: Why is she so infuriating?

He remained silent for a few seconds, finally admitting begrudgingly, "You saying it would be more effective."

"Is...that so?" Qiao Yuxian said, full of doubt.

"Mm," Shang Chen replied coldly.

"Oh," Qiao Yuxian said halfheartedly, paused, "Then I’ll give it a try."

Shang Chen said no more, turned to pick up the spray bottle, and resumed watering.

Qiao Yuxian worried the plant might drown, opened her mouth but, seeing his mood, eventually kept quiet and headed to the dining room for breakfast.

...

Qiao Group.

Qiao Yu finished his morning meeting and returned to his office to find Jiang Shouzhuo waiting inside.

Jiang Shouzhuo dressed in trendy clothes, legs crossed on the sofa, saw Qiao Yu enter the office, uncrossed his legs, and smiled, "Mr. Qiao."

Qiao Yu wore a black suit, gold-rimmed glasses, with a poised physique and a serene yet sharp aura.

He discreetly assessed the young man on the sofa before sitting across from him, "Young Master Jiang."

"Mr. Qiao, you flatter me," Jiang Shouzhuo smiled smoothly, with a little bit of roguishness in his demeanor, "You can just call me Shouzhuo."

Qiao Yu smiled graciously, skipping the pleasantries and getting straight to the point, "Young Master Jiang, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today?"

"Mr. Qiao is indeed straightforward." Jiang Shouzhuo raised an eyebrow, placing the file envelope on the table, pushing it towards Qiao Yu, "Have a look."

Qiao Yu looked at the envelope, picked it up, and started reviewing the contents.

As he perused the documents, Jiang Shouzhuo slowly remarked, "This project is currently under the responsibility of our Jiang family."

Qiao Yu glanced at him.

Jiang Shouzhuo continued, "Mr. Qiao must understand well what this project signifies."

Qiao Yu didn’t respond.

"Because of this project, many wish to partner with the Jiang family. My father indeed wants a partner," Jiang Shouzhuo paused, "Frankly speaking, this partner wouldn’t normally be the Qiao Family."

His words didn’t make Qiao Yu’s expression alter even the slightest, making it hard to read his thoughts.

Jiang Shouzhuo pressed on, "But I can convince my father to partner with the Qiao Family."

Qiao Yu remained silent, merely watching him.

"Mr. Qiao, you should be well aware. By completing this project with the Jiang family, the Qiao family’s status in Capital City will elevate significantly," Jiang Shouzhuo dangled the enticing offer enticingly, "rather than being in its current awkward position."

Qiao Yu continued to look at him, and once he seemed done, asked directly, "Such a lucrative deal, Young Master Jiang suddenly offers to the Qiao Family...what’s your condition?"

"It’s refreshing dealing with straightforward people." With the main point approaching, Jiang Shouzhuo’s excitement became evident, "I’ll be blunt. The Jiang family wishes to form a marriage alliance with the Qiao family."

Qiao Yu regarded him with glasses reflecting a cold shimmer, "A marriage alliance? Which daughter of mine has Young Master Jiang taken a fancy to?"

"Qiao Yuxian." Jiang Shouzhuo leaned forward slightly, determined and slightly impatient, "As long as Mr. Qiao agrees, we can expedite the contract signing. From then on, the Jiang and Qiao families will be as one."

Qiao Yu gave a polite smile, adjusted his glasses, refusing with who the feeling of having foreseen this: "Young Master Jiang, Yu Xian’s marriage is her own decision to make. I do not have the right to agree on her behalf."

Jiang Shouzhuo’s smile abruptly faltered.

"If Young Master Jiang is fond of Yu Xian, you are free to pursue her directly," Qiao Yu added slowly, "I fail to understand using a project as leverage means... Or could it be...Yu Xian has turned you down."

Jiang Shouzhuo’s expression turned ominously sour quickly. After all he said, to be rejected in just a few words.

How was he being regarded?

Qiao Yu glanced at him and poured himself a cup of tea: "Looks like I hit the nail on the head. If she declined you, it means Yu Xian doesn’t find you suitable. Young Master Jiang should not force it."

"So Mr. Qiao is refusing our collaboration?" Jiang Shouzhuo posed with the project as a threat, "Projects like these are not something the Qiao family would ever likely get their hands on."

"I am well aware of our standing and do not seek what is beyond our grasp," Qiao Yu replied mildly.

Jiang Shouzhuo frowned upon hearing his underlying meaning, his demeanour darkening, discarding pleasantries, he abruptly stated, "Mr. Qiao, I will be frank. I am determined to have Qiao Yuxian. If you agree, the Qiao and Jiang families collaborate, and everyone stands to gain. If you do not agree, then the Qiao family might have to experience crossing the Jiang family."

Due to previously misunderstanding Qiao Yuxian, Qiao Yu had thoroughly looked into Jiang Shouzhuo’s character.

Not to mention how long he remained ambiguous with Qiao Lech and then turns to court Qiao Yuxian.

Now with Qiao Yuxian repeatedly rejecting him, there was no way Qiao Yu would agree.

"Not just anyone can marry into the Jiang family," Jiang Shouzhuo threatened arrogantly, "Mr. Qiao should think carefully. Don’t make a rash decision and end up dragging the entire Qiao family down. Our Jiang family isn’t someone to provoke."

"And not just anyone can marry my daughter," Qiao Yu responded, his serene eyes cold and forceful with anger, his voice calm yet with underlying threat, "Young Master Jiang, do your worst, I am down for the challenge."

...