39 Rich Family

◎Her sister-in-law...isn't she herself?◎

"Good morning, Sister Qiao."

Amidst everyone's surprised gazes, Liang Youwei walked over as if unnoticed, first greeted Qiao Shuyu, then looked at Li Jingya and others, and said good morning in a general way.

Liang Youwei had a mediocre memory. If she didn't try hard to remember, she couldn't tell who was who among all the girls. So she just smiled as not to offend anyone, and then said, "Sorry for the long wait, good morning everyone."

"Have you ever seen us without makeup?" (Have you ever seen us without makeup)

As they got closer, Zheng Minhua realized the problem, her eyes widening in surprise. They had to wear makeup when they went out, not only for their own sake but also as a courtesy to others.

Liang Youwei tried hard to stifle a yawn. She stared at the other woman's beautiful lips, trying to process the words in her mind and translate them, but to no avail. Finally, she pleaded awkwardly, "Can you speak Mandarin? I'm not quite understanding."

The Liang family's companies in the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao area are managed by dedicated personnel, so there is no need for the family's children to learn Cantonese. In addition, she rarely watches Hong Kong dramas, so she can hardly understand authentic Hong Kong dialect.

"I'm telling you - don't you ever put on makeup when you meet guests?" Zheng Minhua's Mandarin wasn't very standard, but it wasn't difficult for her to understand. She repeated it patiently.

Liang Youwei understood now. She smiled sheepishly and said, "I don't know how to put on makeup. Sorry."

It is true that Liang Youwei loves beauty, but she is used to being lazy and leaves things like makeup and styling to professionals.

In contrast, Ms. He was speechless, but Liang Zhihui supported her to live a life of luxury, saying that this would create more jobs and was a good thing.

When the girls heard the words "I don't know how to put on makeup", shock instantly appeared in their eyes.

What era is this? There are still young people who don’t know how to put on makeup?

Liang Youwei pinched Qiao Shuyu's hand and looked over with a pleading look: What should I do, sister?

Qiao Shuyu: ...

Weiwei, can you show one tenth of the arrogance you had in the imperial capital?

She thought so in her heart, but she said gently on the surface: "Excuse me, ladies. Weiwei is spoiled by her family. She usually doesn't do things like this herself."

This person was a clumsy person, so only her first attempt at makeup was acceptable. She got discouraged faster than anyone else, and after three attempts with no improvement, she simply gave up and handed it all over to the people around her.

Liang Youwei was thinking about playing games with Qiao Shuyu today, so she didn't go out and naturally didn't plan to ask someone to do her makeup.

Seeing her bewildered look, Li Jingya couldn't help but sigh and took the initiative to invite her in Mandarin: "Youwei, there's a new Japanese restaurant that's pretty good. Would you like to try it together? It just so happens that we can take you on a tour of Hong Kong Island, since this is our first meeting after all."

"Thank you. Then I'll tell my family in advance. My brother and sister asked me to report every day." Liang Youwei nodded blankly and followed her train of thought.

"Is Manager Liang very strict?" Zheng Minhua was curious.

Her brain slowed to a crawl, and she pondered for a moment before answering, "Not strictly, but I'm just worried something might happen to me." She took the phone Assistant Tang handed her, "Excuse me, I need to make a call first..."

But before she could finish her words, she was interrupted excitedly by crisp Hong Kong Mandarin.

"It's okay for you to make a phone call here, we won't bother you!"

"Yes, yes, I haven't heard Mr. Liang's voice in person yet!"

"That's right, sister, just hit me!"

Liang Youwei, who had no idea what was going on, was completely bewildered. Qiao Shuyu, who seemed to understand a little, twitched his lips and felt helpless.

"Oh, that's fine. Thank you for understanding."

She didn't understand what was so good about Third Sister's voice. She wasn't a singer famous for her voice.

But... Normally when I call Liang Jingyi, he would answer within three seconds. I don't know what happened today, but the other party didn't answer.

Under the gaze of so many bright eyes, Liang Youwei gently touched the back of her neck and decided to let her brother beat her.

There must be nothing wrong with my brother's phone, because he answered it immediately. His voice was very charming, and his tone was particularly gentle, making him even more charming.

He called her: "Weiwei, finally remembered to call your brother?"

The eyes of the young ladies, whose delicate hair was down to their fingers, lit up slightly as they looked at each other. As expected, they all saw some anticipation.

Liang Youwei hadn't fully recovered yet, and spoke a little slowly: "Yeah, I remember now...Brother, Miss Li and the others came to our house today and said they would take me out for dinner. Can I go?"

"Go ahead if you want to play, but be with Shuyu." Liang Ting'an had no intention of strictly "keeping an eye" on his sister. "Outside the country is not like the capital, so it's best to listen to her, okay?"

Hearing this, Li Jingya's eyelids moved slightly, and then she cast a slightly scrutinizing gaze at the woman who was looking up the Hong Kong language guide.

It seemed obvious whose personal secretary she was.

"Well, I'll listen to Sister Qiao, don't worry, big brother." Liang Youwei didn't think there was anything wrong with it and responded obediently, but then she frowned again: "One more thing... Big brother, I just called Third Sister, why didn't she answer?"

"He should be in a meeting." Liang Ting'an said gently: "Check WeChat to see if they have sent you a message."

"Well, I'll hang up first. Bye, brother."

"Hang up."

After the call ended, Liang Ting'an put his phone away and continued to look at the man who was about to open his mouth to report. He interrupted their staring at each other and said calmly: "You can continue, please."

The people below watched with their eyes and their noses, and finally felt the reality of the statement "The Liang family dotes on the fourth young lady".

Even at work, they never forget to answer the phone, and their tones are worlds apart: one is businesslike, the other gentle and patient.

…

Here, Liang Youwei smiled at everyone and said, "Then I'll go get ready first. Please feel free to do as you please."

Qiao Shuyu did not leave, but stayed where she was, slowly drinking iced American coffee to reduce the swelling, and chatting with several wealthy daughters from the Hong Kong circle.

Li Jingya stared at her pointed chin, her mind inevitably flashing back to the pictures from the reports she'd seen so many times. Her white fingertips tightened their grip, and an inexplicable negative emotion coursed through her heart.

Daddy said that Liang Ting'an rejected the Li family's marriage proposal for a "sweetheart". Was that Qiao Shuyu? But she didn't seem much prettier or more elegant than him, and more importantly, her professional ability was unknown.

To be honest, Li Jingya didn't like Liang Tingan very much, but more than 20 years of proud life had determined that she could not accept "losing" to another woman.

"Secretary Qiao, huh?" The tall, slender girl calmly asked, "How many years have you known Mr. Liang? And how long have you been with him?"

Qiao Shuyu had just answered Miss Zhou's question about earrings when she heard this and replied with a smile, "I was Mr. Liang's high school classmate. I've been his personal secretary since I graduated from Stanford."

To be on the safe side, it would be better for her not to mention that they were classmates in college.

Zheng Minhua glanced at the two of them, a hint of pity appearing in his eyes.

Look at Secretary Qiao, he doesn’t even realize the seriousness of the problem.

"What do private secretaries in mainland China usually do?" Li Jingya pursed her lips and asked again, her tone losing a bit of condescending tone.

"...This is the same everywhere in the world, Miss Li."

Qiao Shuyu sensed this subtle hostility and remained silent, feeling speechless and helpless - she seemed to have been misunderstood again.

Maybe it was because she was good-looking, had a good relationship with the Liang family, and wore a lot of luxury brands, so people always linked her to "Liang Ting'an's lover."

Qiao Shuyu said he was very tired.

The big boss is very abstinent and heartless. He only has eyes for four women - his three younger sisters and his biological mother, and the only one who has any connection with his love is Liang Youwei.

The overall environment is not good now, and other people’s misunderstandings are caused by secular prejudices. Ignorance is not a crime.

After coaxing herself, Qiao Shuyu said seriously, reiterating her job description: "I am only responsible for assisting Mr. Liang with his personal affairs, and sometimes helping take care of Youwei's daily life. That's all."

Li Jingya chuckled, "Oh, I see."

Looking at his expression, I don’t know whether he believes it or not.

But Qiao Shuyu was too lazy to explain any further. After all, she was not the one who felt bad. She knew what the Li and Liang families had mentioned.

Liang Youwei emerged quickly, wearing only minimal makeup and a discreet braid of her long hair. She took a few steps closer to Qiao Shuyu, the gold filigree maple leaf hairpin on her temples trembling. She asked with a hint of doubt, "Sister?"

Why does it seem like Sister Qiao is not happy?

"It's okay." The person smiled, still gentle: "Are you ready, Weiwei?"

If you are ready, I will go to the new "battlefield".

She had an inexplicable premonition that lunch today would not be easy.

A Japanese restaurant with a simple and elegant style, incorporating many Chinese characteristics.

"Secretary Qiao often accompanies Mr. Liang on social occasions, right?"

Li Jingya was always surrounded by people who flattered her. There were things she couldn't do, things she disdained to do, but people around her, both men and women, would do them for her. Just like now, the girl sitting next to Qiao Shuyu smiled brightly and handed over the first and last glass of sake.

Qiao Shuyu paused and said, "Ms. Chen, Mr. Liang's social dinners are not my responsibility."

Liang Ting'an had two personal secretaries, one male and one female, one in the open and one in the dark, while she was responsible only for the "behind-the-scenes" work. Liang Ting'an never brought his female secretary to dinner parties, as it was a bit more dangerous.

Miss Chen didn't mean to put down her wine glass. She smiled faintly: "Really? Secretary Qiao, are you not giving me face? You just drank all of Kiki's wine."

Liang Youwei frowned and took the initiative to stop the glass of wine before Qiao Shuyu could speak: "My sister doesn't usually drink. Sister Lili, what do you want to say?"

Originally, Liang Youwei thought that they toasted frequently because they liked Qiao Shuyu, but when she heard them mention her eldest brother, she realized that this was a deliberate targeting.

"She called me sister before she even entered the door. Youwei really protects her sister-in-law." Zheng Minhua said vaguely, with a smile on her face.

Liang Youwei was stunned.

sister in law?

Her sister-in-law...isn't she herself?

Qiao Shuyu silently clenched her palms, neither humble nor arrogant: "Ms. Zheng, please be careful with your words. I'm just Mr. Liang's secretary. Youwei calls me sister only because I watched her grow up."

Just a secretary?

Li Jingya scoffed. Her father's secretary had also said this with tears in her eyes. She was about the same age, looked outstanding, and wore designer clothes. And she said she was just a secretary? Who would believe it?

She hated the so-called "secretaries" most. They were nothing more than materialistic women seeking fame and fortune. There was nothing shameful about pursuing fame and fortune, but destroying other people's families was. Secretary Qiao was indeed innocent, but Liang Ting'an was clearly confused and had ruined a good opportunity for cooperation between Beijing and Hong Kong. How could she not secretly blame him?

Li Jingya never complained about having too much money, so how could she not feel regret for missing out on such a huge sum of money? Was she crazy to let go of such a vast mainland market?

"That's what I was saying. Secretary Qiao isn't like us. How could she be related to Mr. Liang?" A girl said with a smile, "Smoothing things over." "By the way, Weiwei, I heard Zhiliang has released a new product, right?"

They skillfully brought up new topics, as if the coercion and humiliation they had just inflicted on Qiao Shuyu had never happened.

Qiao Shuyu lowered his eyelashes to hide the disdain and disgust in his eyes.

The behavior of these young ladies is exactly as I expected. No matter if they are from the imperial capital, Hong Kong Island, or other places... the so-called wealthy families are just like this. Are there any good ones among them, men or women?

She sneered in her heart, then thought sarcastically - Oh, no, Liang Youwei may be a good girl, but the price is also very serious.

She is the "waste" in that circle.

【Author’s words】

One of the world's unsolved mysteries - where did my red envelope go... I clearly set it up, why isn't it showing? So I don't know if I sent it out or not [burst into tears] I'm really drunk (I didn't even want to warm up the wine, I just drank it cold)

P.S. Qiao Shuyu is a very noble woman, serving the rich but never fawning over them. Therefore, she dislikes these wealthy young ladies. Otherwise, with her comprehensive qualities and strength, she would have long since married a wealthy second-generation or even n-generation rich man from the imperial capital. The arrogant nature of Miss Li and other young ladies cannot be changed, as her living environment destined her to be "not easy to mess with." There is no intentional discrediting of any particular female character.