Five o'clock in the morning.

Yu Qiao emerged shakily from Jiang Fang's room.

She was wearing a long white cotton-linen dress, and there were faint red marks on her fair arms.

She walked quickly to her door, turned the knob to step inside, and heard a rustling sound behind her.

Yu Qiao's eyes darkened, and she turned her head to look, only to see a familiar figure.

They sneaked upstairs and eventually returned to their room.

Yu Qiao raised an eyebrow.

Where did her good mother go so late?

Yu Qiao lowered her gaze, then suddenly remembered something, chuckled softly, and returned to her room.

…………

The next day.

It was rare for Jiang Zedong to eat at home. Yu Meijiao, like a virtuous wife and loving mother, was busy in the kitchen with a gentle smile on her face.

"Zedong, this is the fish soup I made for you. Have a bowl to fill your stomach first."

Jiang Zedong sat on the sofa, took the fish and sipped it. The rich aroma of fish wafted up, and the taste was fresh. It was still jumping around in the water before being put into the pot, which showed how much care Yu Meijiao had put into it.

Jiang Zedong had been tense these past few days because of Jiang Huiyun's matter, but he finally relaxed now: "It tastes pretty good."

"Oh, there are just a few more dishes, they'll be ready soon." Yu Meijiao greeted them with a smile, then asked, "Is Afang coming back?"

"late."

Yu Meijiao turned her head and glanced at Yu Qiao, who had just returned home, and said in a nonchalant voice, "Yu Qiao, come and help."

Yu Qiao lifted her eyelids to glance at the hypocritical Yu Meijiao, nodded in agreement, and went into the kitchen.

Yu Meijiao disliked her from childhood to adulthood, so Yu Qiao was very good at cooking.

Yu Qiao noticed the red marks on Yu Meijiao's neck with her sharp eyes. Her gaze darkened, and she turned to the sink to wash the vegetables without saying a word.

"What do you think of Zhou Shugen?" Yu Meijiao asked.

Yu Qiao was surprised and looked up at Yu Meijiao with her small face.

Still haven't given up?

Is this a case of sending one's daughter over after the mother has fallen asleep?

Yu Meijiao said softly, "I've already thought it through. I'll persuade your Uncle Jiang to transfer your household registration here. Then you'll be a good match for Zhou Shugen when you marry him."

Yu Qiao pursed her lips, her brows furrowed, and stared at Yu Meijiao with an expression as if she were looking at someone with an idiot.

“You’ve met Zhou Shugen. Although he’s a bit older than you, the company he manages is worth hundreds of millions. He’s very wealthy. You won’t suffer if you marry him.” Yu Meijiao’s tone was very admonishing: “Yu Qiao, you should be content.”

There's no doubt that Yu Meijiao dislikes Yu Qiao. Every time she sees her, she's reminded of her own foolishness and folly in her youth.

but……

Thinking of Zhou Shugen,

She gritted her teeth.

In order to successfully marry Jiang Zedong, Yu Qiao had no choice but to marry Zhou Shugen!

Yu Qiao smiled insincerely, her head down as she washed the vegetables.

Seeing that Yu Qiao remained silent, Yu Meijiao became increasingly angry and pinched her arm in frustration: "I'll tell your Uncle Jiang about this later!"

"You'd better ask him yourself, or you'll be in big trouble!"

Yu Qiao's long, curled eyelashes trembled slightly.

She gave a soft "hmm," then turned away from Yu Meijiao and sent a message to Jiang Fang.

…………

The long dining table was filled with dishes that Yu Meijiao had carefully prepared, all of which were Jiang Zedong's favorites.

Jiang Zedong glanced at Yu Meijiao and said, "Thank you for your hard work. You can have the servants do these things from now on."

"I'd be happy to cook for you." Yu Meijiao, with a gentle and dignified demeanor, saw that Jiang Zedong was in a good mood and changed the subject, saying in a consultative tone, "Zedong, didn't I take Qiaoqiao to see Zhou Shugen last time?"

“They are very satisfied with Qiaoqiao. Last night, Qiaoqiao pulled me aside and said that she was also thinking of getting to know Zhou Shugen.”

Yu Meijiao swallowed hard: "Since Zhou Shugen is so sincere, I think we should..."

Jiang Zedong frowned again: "Zhou Shugen?"

"Yes, that's right. It's mainly because Qiaoqiao likes it. Besides, Qiaoqiao is twenty this year, and it's time for her to start looking for a partner. You know we come from a poor background, so if Qiaoqiao can marry into that family, it will be a kind of security for her."

"Qiaoqiao, is that so?"

After all, she wasn't his own child. Even though he felt it was outrageous and uncomfortable, Jiang Zedong still asked Yu Qiao in a calm voice.

Yu Qiao licked her pink lips and almost burst out laughing when she saw Yu Meijiao winking at her.

She shook her head: "No, Uncle Jiang."

"You child!" Yu Meijiao's face changed drastically: "Didn't you tell me last night that you were very satisfied with Zhou Shugen? Don't be too picky. Zhou Shugen is such a good catch. The fact that he's interested in you means you've climbed the social ladder!"

A sinister voice rang out: "Why don't you mention that Zhou Shugen is older than you, recently lost his wife, and has two sons who are fat and ugly?"

It's Jiangfang.

Yu Qiao immediately stood up, looking at Jiang Fang with her big, watery eyes.

Jiang Fang pulled out the chair next to Yu Qiao with her long, well-defined fingers, sat down calmly, and raised her eyebrows aggressively: "Aunt Yu, why aren't you saying anything?"

"This..." Yu Meijiao was embarrassed and awkwardly forced a smile. "His conditions are a bit lacking, but he's wealthy and intelligent. If Qiaoqiao marries him, she definitely won't suffer..."

Jiang Fang pulled Yu Qiao down to sit, and clicked her tongue lightly: "He's so good, why don't you marry him?"

Yu Meijiao's smile froze, and she could no longer smile. The image of Zhou Shugen crawling on top of her like a wild boar made her feel nauseous.

Jiang Fang casually placed her hand on the chair behind Yu Qiao, conveying a strong sense of possessiveness.

No one knows a son better than his father, Jiang Zedong's brow twitched violently.

really,

Then they heard Jiang Fang's nonchalant yet aloof voice.

"Aunt Yu, how do I look?"

Yu Meijiao's face cracked; she felt she had misheard and asked incredulously, "What did you say?"

Jiang Fang tapped the edge of the table lightly with her fingertips and said slowly, "I want to marry Yu Qiao."

"Don't you understand?"

Bang,

The bowl in front of Yu Meijiao crashed to the ground.

But she didn't dare to get angry at Jiang Fang, so she could only turn her head away and glare at Yu Qiao with vicious eyes: "Yu Qiao!"

Yu Qiao lifted her long eyelashes and replied, "Mom, I want to marry Jiang Fang."

"Jiang Fang, go to the study!" Jiang Zedong lost his composure, his eyes sharp and piercing.

"What should I do if Yu Meijiao bullies my wife while I'm not here?" Jiang Fang sat casually in the chair, his posture domineering and assertive.

"She doesn't have the guts!"

Jiang Zedong choked with anger and glared at Yu Meijiao.

Yu Meijiao looked as if the sky had fallen; her face was ashen and dark, as if she had been dead for three days without being buried.

After whispering a few words in Yu Qiao's ear, Jiang Fang slowly followed Jiang Zedong up to the study on the second floor.

As soon as they left, Yu Meijiao's expression changed drastically. Her eyes flashed with malice as she roared at Yu Qiao, "Yu Qiao! Are you crazy! You're with Jiang Fang?! How could you be with him?!"

"What am I supposed to do?! How am I supposed to marry Jiang Zedong?! Yu Qiao, don't you have a heart?! Can't you even think about me for once?!"

Yu Qiao remained expressionless, pushed her away, and said with a forced smile, "Mom, stop daydreaming."

"He is my future husband and your future son-in-law."