They were led to the study, where Zhu Yuzhen sat behind the desk and Zhang Dahai stood beside her, his face pale. When the two entered, she gestured for them to sit down.

"Aunt Zhu..." Qin Xiaoyu didn't sit down, but bowed first, wanting to apologize, but Zhu Yuzhen raised her hand to stop her.

"Don't call me 'Auntie' anymore."

"Okay, Mrs. Zhu, I apologize to you first." Qin Xiaoyu bowed deeply.

"How much do you know about this? When did you find out?" Zhu Yuzhen's anger surged within her, and her features became somewhat ferocious.

"I only knew they were dating before, but during this trip to Shanghai, I vaguely heard that they got engaged. I haven't had a chance to ask Xiaoye for details because I've been busy with the fashion show," Qin Xiaoyu answered truthfully.

“Vaguely?” Zhu Yuzhen picked out a single word.

"Yes, because they didn't invite us to their engagement, nor did they notify us. We had to guess through several roundabout ways."

"Ha, you've got it all figured out." Zhu Yuzhen sneered. "Didn't you bring your sister out of our hometown under an assumed name with this in mind?"

"Mrs. Zhu, you overestimate me. I have never planned her life, nor is her life something I can control." Qin Xiaoyu felt like each sentence was a slap in the face, but she had to endure it.

“From the beginning, you all knew she was with Dahai, yet you didn’t mention that you were sisters, and you even said you didn’t have any ulterior motives? Who would believe that?” Zhu Yuzhen’s words made Zhang Dahai look at Qin Xiaoyu with eyes full of guilt and pleading.

Thinking of all the help Zhang Dahai had given her, Qin Xiaoyu couldn't bring herself to expose his lies. Now that she had ruined Qin Xiaoye, she didn't want to ruin Zhang Dahai as well.

"Madam Zhu, I came here to ask you if we could handle this in a businesslike manner..."

"No way! Do you think I'm stupid? You think I'll just listen to you after you flatter me? If it weren't for Qin Xiaoye's connection, do you think you could have gotten the right to use the Friendship Hall? Dream on!" Zhu Yuzhen's words completely exposed her true feelings, making Qin Xiaoyu feel both fear and respect. It turns out that they were all honest, they just hadn't been forced to be so. Unfortunately, now was not the right time.

“I know you’re just saying that out of anger. And you have your reasons for being angry. But if this matter isn’t handled properly, it could affect the livelihoods of thousands of people. It’s true that I, Qin Xiaoyu, will be the most affected, but I have four factories and several retail stores supporting me. Those people are innocent. I hope our personal grudges won’t affect them. Please.”

“I admire your courage to come here. I’ve had enough of cursing. You can leave now. Don’t try to intimidate me with those things. I’ve never been afraid of anyone.” Zhu Yuzhen got up and walked out, with Zhang Dahai following closely behind.

On the way back, the two of them remained silent.

"Hehe, it's unnecessary for you to come here and ask for a scolding." A Lei looked at Qin Xiaoyu with pity.

“I did it on purpose. It’s best to let her vent this way. If she can’t get rid of her anger, she might become even more ruthless next step. Once she’s vented enough, her rationality will slowly return.” Qin Xiaoyu leaned her head back wearily and closed her eyes.

When they got home, Mrs. Fang and Zhou Xing's mother were still sitting in the living room waiting for them. Judging from their expressions, they knew something was wrong, so they didn't ask any questions.

"Go upstairs and rest, you must be tired." Madam Fang didn't keep them to talk, and the two women continued to chat to pass the time.

Qin Xiaoyu returned to her bedroom and sat on the sofa in a daze.

There was a knock on the door a few times, and Zhou Xing's mother cautiously said from outside, "Xiaoyu, I have something to do."

"Mom, what's wrong?" Qin Xiaoyu jumped up and opened the door.

"I know you're busy. Your wife was throwing a tantrum on the phone, and I really..." Zhou Xing's mother was so embarrassed she almost cried. Qin Xiaoyu knew that her mother-in-law was becoming more and more like a child, and Zhou Xing's mother had no choice but to come to her at this time.

"Okay, I'll make the call. Don't worry, it's alright." Qin Xiaoyu pulled over the phone in the room and dialed his wife's number.

"Qin Xiaoyu, you didn't even tell me you were going to have a fashion show! Your whole family went to Shanghai and you didn't come to pick me up! I was wrong about you!" Qin Xiaoyu was startled by his wife's explosive temper.

"Madam, are you worried about making things difficult for yourself? You just recovered from a cold," Qin Xiaoyu could only coax her.

"I don't care, book me a ticket right now! I want to go to Shanghai!" the wife insisted.

"Okay, okay, I'll contact my uncle and arrange it for you right away." Qin Xiaoyu didn't have the energy to persuade her at the moment, so she could only agree for the time being.

Less than five minutes after hanging up with her wife, the phone rang. Needless to say, it was her brother-in-law. Qin Xiaoyu sighed and answered the phone.

"Haha, your wife is bothering you again, I'm sorry. My mom said she'll stay a few more days, and then we'll send it back to you properly." Qin Xiaoyu had heard her uncle say this dozens of times before.

"Okay, you can arrange it." Qin Xiaoyu's voice was weak, which her uncle probably sensed.

"Are you tired from preparing for the fashion show? I wish you a successful fashion show in advance."

"It can't be done now." Qin Xiaoyu said these four words, almost bursting into tears with grievance, her voice choked with sobs.

"Why? Didn't you all go to Shanghai?" The uncle was taken aback and quickly asked.

Qin Xiaoyu could only give a general account of the situation.

“I’ve actually dealt with Zhu Yuzhen before; our family has been friends with them for generations. Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll call my father. I don’t know how well it will turn out. Let’s give it a try.” The uncle hung up after saying this.

Qin Xiaoyu stared blankly at the receiver, still unable to believe what she was hearing.

What's going on? Did my uncle go to figure out a solution?

Just one sentence isn't enough to make you believe it all. Qin Xiaoyu sighed and came downstairs.

Mrs. Fang and Zhou Xing's mother sat in the living room, both looking worried.

"Mom." Qin Xiaoyu walked to Zhou Xing's mother's side and nestled into her arms. Zhou Xing's mother hugged her back.

"Still no solution?"

"My uncle said he'd try to think of a solution, but I don't know if it will work," Qin Xiaoyu repeated her uncle's words.

“If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have completely forgotten. The Du family and the Zhu family are related by marriage. Also, there was something else back then that I doubt many people know about, or have even forgotten.” Madam Du recounted the past to them.

It turns out that Zhu Yuzhen's family was no ordinary family; they were a prominent clan. Therefore, she received an excellent education from a young age, studied abroad, and worked, and was raised like a boy. However, when she insisted on marrying the then-unpopular Zhang, her family strongly opposed it.

For a young, unmarried woman to marry a man with four children is simply asking for trouble.

But Zhu Yuzhen was determined, and it was only after Old Madam Du persuaded her that the marriage was finally arranged. Later, as Old Zhang's career progressed smoothly and he rose through the ranks, everyone realized that these two women, one old and one young, had a keen eye for men.

Hearing this, Qin Xiaoyu had more faith in her uncle's words, and her mood improved somewhat.