“I always stand by what I said before. I’ve seen everything you’ve done for Xiaoqi over the years, and I know how filial you are to me. So last time I was sincere. If you want to find someone else, then go ahead and find someone else. You’re still young, and you have decades ahead of you.”

"Mother, I really don't have that intention!" Seeing that Qiao Qiqi's words had ruined all his efforts over the years, Xiao Tanghai was extremely anxious.

But the old lady was determined: "In any case, my word always stands. If you look for me again, I won't blame you."

"Mother, I really didn't have such intentions!" In his haste, Xiao Tanghai simply revealed the purpose of his visit. "When I came in, the gatekeeper told me that he hadn't seen Miss Qiao leave this morning, but he saw her return just now, so I asked out of curiosity. I absolutely do not have any improper thoughts about her."

Seeing that he spoke with such conviction, Madam Qin was certain that he truly had no such intention, and then she turned her gaze to Qiao Qiqi.

She didn't doubt Qiao Qiqi; rather, she knew that Xiao Tanghai had never given up his suspicions about Qiao Qiqi, so she just wanted to prove her innocence. "Qiqi, tell him what time it was this morning and how you got out."

Qiao Qiqi replied without hesitation, "I left by car around seven or eight o'clock."

"You're talking nonsense!" Xiao Tanghai immediately retorted, as if he had caught Qiao Qiqi red-handed, and loudly declared, "The family car didn't go out at all today."

Qiao Qiqi remained calm and composed. Meeting Xiao Tanghai's excited gaze, she said calmly, "When did I say I went out in the Qin family's car? Can't I ride in my neighbor's car?"

"..." Xiao Tanghai choked for a moment.

Seeing that Qiao Qiqi was clearly trying to make him look foolish, he didn't fall for it and asked, "Okay, then tell me whose car you went out in?"

"I don't know him!"

"You've already ridden in their car, how could you not recognize them?"

"Do we have to know each other to take a ride? I happened to run into them as I was walking out, and they gave me a ride. Can't I just forget to ask their name?"

"You...you're clearly just making excuses!"

Xiao Tanghai was furious. Seeing that Qiao Qiqi was obviously making excuses, he gritted his teeth and said, "I will verify what you said. I will definitely expose your true colors!"

"Whatever!"

Qiao Qiqi maintained a calm and composed expression.

"Madam, son-in-law, Miss Qiao, dinner is ready." Aunt Zhou came out of the kitchen at this moment, but Xiao Tanghai was in a hurry to investigate whose car Qiao Qiqi had taken today, so he got up and left without eating.

"Let's eat too," the old lady said, not minding anything else, and directly invited Qiao Qiqi to eat with her.

Qiao Qiqi glanced at the old lady, thinking that the old lady would definitely ask her questions after Xiao Tanghai left. However, seeing that the old lady didn't ask a single question, she thought for a moment and then remained silent.

The next morning—

After Qiao Qiqi finished breakfast, she went upstairs to play with Xin Xin for a while. Suddenly, Aunt Zhou knocked on the door, "Miss Qiao, Miss Xiao is here. The old lady invites you to come downstairs."

Qiao Qiqi opened the door and asked in confusion, "Miss Xiao?"

"Second Master's daughter, Xiao Jinyu, Miss Xiao."

Qiao Qiqi understood and let Xin Xin play by herself for a while before following Aunt Zhou downstairs.

Xiao Jinyu was wearing a yellow plaid skirt and small leather shoes, and carrying an exquisite knitted bag. Her features were completely different from Xiao Tanghai's, and her bright face was adorned with meticulous makeup.

Seeing Qiao Qiqi come down, Xiao Jinyu subconsciously frowned.

Seeing that this woman from the countryside was beautiful with rosy lips and white teeth, fair and delicate skin, and even without makeup, a flash of jealousy quickly crossed her eyes.

But she still tried her best to maintain a haughty attitude and asked in a cold voice, "So you're the one who saved Xin Xin and Chen Chen?"

The old lady looked up unhappily. "Jin Yu, I have decided to recognize Qi Qi as my goddaughter. Although you two are about the same age, according to seniority, you should call her 'aunt' when you see her. Don't be impolite."

Xiao Jinyu came after hearing about this incident. When she saw that the old lady was scolding her for this outsider, she immediately grabbed the old lady's arm and started to act coquettishly.

"Grandma, this is all just this woman's side of the story. What if she's lying to you? I think we should wait until Chenchen comes back and ask her for clarification before we talk about it."

Just as the old lady was about to speak, Xiao Jinyu glanced at Qiao Qiqi again and quickly said, "Besides, I've always felt that this woman's appearance was too sudden. Who knows what she's up to? What if she has ulterior motives towards you..."

"Stop talking!"

The old lady finally couldn't listen anymore. "I believe Qiqi just as much as I believe you. In short, I've made up my mind about this matter, so please stop talking about it."

"grandmother……"

Xiao Jinyu wanted to say more, but under the old lady's warning look, she had to stop.

But she still felt that Qiao Qiqi had approached their family with ulterior motives. The more favored she was by her grandmother, the deeper the woman's scheming was.

Xin Xin waited upstairs for a long time, but seeing that Qiao Qiqi hadn't come up, she came downstairs to look for her.

Upon hearing the voice and seeing Xiao Xinxin, Xiao Jinyu immediately stood up with a smile, "Xinxin, do you still remember your older sister? Come here, let me see you."

Xin Xin glanced at Xiao Jinyu with a wary look.

Then, under Xiao Jinyu's ingratiating gaze, she quickly rushed behind Qiao Qiqi and grabbed Qiao Qiqi's hand with her small hand, seeking a sense of security.

"..." Xiao Jinyu's face darkened upon seeing this.

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!