Chapter 80
An Yilin's eyes were filled with surprise and astonishment. Qiao Yu was afraid of scaring her away, so she quickly explained, "This is Aunt Bai, my mother's good friend of many years."
A good friend? An Yilin's skeptical gaze swept over Bai Yiyu's indifferent eyes again, her heart filled with disbelief. Would an elder's good friend look at her, at herself, with that kind of gaze? Did they think she was a three-year-old child easily fooled?
An Yilin felt a tightness in his chest, and a strange sense of unease rose within him, causing his expression to turn sour.
Upon hearing the words "good friend," Bai Yiyu composed herself and her gaze instantly fell on Qiao Yu. Qiao Yu chuckled awkwardly, stood up, and called out to Aunt Bai, "Aunt Bai, you've just arrived, why don't you find a place to sit and rest for a bit? When my brother gets back, I'll tell him and come back to find you."
Qiao Yu only has one older brother, Qiao Junhao, but Bai Yiyu did not see Qiao Junhao here.
It is not a safe thing to leave a vulnerable ega alone with a strange and aggressive alpha.
Bai Yiyu's expression remained unchanged, and she even sat down next to Qiao Yu in a very formal manner. Although she no longer gave An Yilin any extra glances, her unhurried tone seemed to be a veiled warning to An Yilin: "It's okay, you two chat, I'll sit here for a while."
Her actions clearly showed that she was worried about Qiao Yu being with an alpha, and An Yilin pursed her lips unhappily.
However, Bai Yiyu's position was not something that a charlatan like him could shake. Even if he was very unhappy, he could only suppress his displeasure and pretend to be magnanimous, nodding and saying, "I have long heard of President Bai's reputation. Meeting you for the first time, you are indeed as rumored."
His intention was for everyone to exchange pleasantries, but after he finished speaking, Bai Yiyu turned around with a serious expression and asked, "Oh?"
An Yilin had a bad feeling when she saw her expression, and sure enough, the next sentence came immediately, "What kind of person am I according to the rumors? Tell me."
"..."
Seeing An Yilin's pained expression, as if she had swallowed a fly, Qiao Yu immediately felt better. Sure enough, even if you have a silver tongue that can talk the dead back to life, you can't stir up any trouble in front of someone as assertive as Bai Yiyu. You can only obediently lower your head and behave yourself.
Qiao Yu was naturally happy that someone was helping her to punish An Yilin a little. She shifted her posture and watched with amusement as An Yilin moved her little stool and started to watch the drama unfold.
Just as everything was ready, Bai Yiyu's calm voice rang in her ear, showing no regard for An Yilin's feelings, "He's very handsome?"
Huh? Qiao Yu was stunned for a moment and turned to look at her.
Bai Yiyu's delicate eyelashes trembled slightly. "What's so interesting about him?"
An Yilin, who was innocently caught in the crossfire: "...?"
He was certain that Bai Yiyu was indeed targeting him.
An Yilin felt a pang of anger, but then she quickly realized that it must be because she had made Bai Yiyu feel threatened that Bai Yiyu disliked her so much. Her mood improved somewhat, but then she thought about how, besides Song Wanzi, Lu Shangyi, and Jiang Mei, there was also the equally formidable Bai Yiyu who had a one-sided crush on Qiao Yu, and An Yilin's happiness vanished in an instant.
Let alone the fact that he's a rich kid, even if he were the crown prince today, he couldn't fight city hall and couldn't possibly defeat so many competitors in such a short time.
An Yilin suddenly felt very worried, so worried that her hairline seemed to have receded by half a centimeter.
An Yilin certainly didn't look good, and Qiao Yu did answer just that, but her reply was tactful and cunning. Bai Yiyu seemed to frown slightly in dissatisfaction, and then handed her a cup of tea, "Have something to drink."
Qiao Yu had only taken two sips when Bai Yiyu shoved several more snacks into her mouth. Qiao Yu hadn't eaten much that day in order to maintain her best condition, so she took the opportunity to eat a few bites. Bai Yiyu didn't force her, but she always knew when to stop, offering new food just as Qiao Yu was about to finish eating.
Qiao Yu thought about it and realized that there wasn't much food, and there was still a long time from afternoon to evening, so it would be better to eat more.
So, without realizing it, she kept eating under Bai Yiyu's feeding, and had no chance to talk to An Yilin anymore. An Yilin tried to interrupt several times, but the atmosphere between the two was too intimate, as if there was a transparent barrier around them, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get a word in edgewise.
After watching for a while, An Yilin belatedly realized: Bai Yiyu simply didn't want Qiao Yu to chat with her, which was why she kept stuffing things into her mouth!
What a cunning and shrewd alpha!
Despite his dissatisfaction, An Yilin dared not voice any objections. Everyone knew the Bai family's status and position, and even more so, Bai Yiyu's personality. Who would dare to openly provoke such a powerful figure? He could only swallow his pride and bear the humiliation alone.
Qiao Yu was a little full and was about to try to get more information out of An Yilin when Qiao Junhao returned.
Qiao Junhao paused when he noticed Bai Yiyu beside her, his expression subtly changing. However, he quickly composed himself and walked over, feigning surprise. "President Bai?"
Bai Yiyu didn't even raise her head, only letting out a soft sound from her nose as a reply. Qiao Junhao's eyes widened slightly at her coldness, but he was adept at extricating himself from the awkward situation. He shifted his attention from Bai Yiyu to An Yilin, saying, "Young Master An, Young Master Zhao invites you over for a couple of drinks."
An Yilin immediately stood up. "Okay."
With Bai Yiyu here, he couldn't openly make his move. Rather than that, he might as well eat some small fish and shrimp to fill his stomach. Even a mosquito's leg is still meat; little by little, it will add up and eventually be of some use.
As for Qiao Yu... let's talk about her in a couple of days.
Qiao Yu stared regretfully at An Yilin, who had escaped again. It was such a pity that such a good opportunity had slipped away. She genuinely felt sorry for such a good opportunity, but little did she know that her sighing appearance would be interpreted in a different way by Bai Yiyu.
Bai Yiyu followed her gaze and stared intently at An Yilin, who was indeed good-looking, her eyes gradually turning cold.
But as soon as Qiao Yu looked over, all her emotions vanished, and she acted as if nothing had happened. Qiao Yu felt that she was a little strange, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She made a mental note of it and then took the initiative to chat with Bai Yiyu.
Bai Yiyu listened attentively and answered questions attentively, her focused gaze fixed on the girl, as if there was no room for anyone else in the world.
After glancing over here briefly, An Yilin became even more certain of her guess.
Bai Yiyu is indeed in love with Qiao Yu.
He lingered for a while, which Bai Yiyu probably noticed. She slowly lifted her eyelids, but her gaze was not friendly, giving him the illusion that Bai Yiyu would tear him to pieces and throw him to the dogs.
An Yilin couldn't help but shiver. When Qiao Junhao looked over with a puzzled expression, An Yilin casually changed the subject: "Come on, let's continue drinking."
The birthday banquet tonight was a lively affair. Qiao Yu looked around and bumped into Qiao Jinghuai and his wife, who were surrounded by countless flatterers. She glanced at them and decided not to join in the fun. But just as she turned around, the sharp-eyed Mrs. Qiao called out to her.
The other person ignored her and took out a pain relief patch and stuck it on the back of her neck. Qiao Yu couldn't help but cry out "It hurts!" but she didn't get a kind look from Madam Qiao. "If you know it hurts, then behave yourself tonight."
This place is a mixed bag, and you never know when someone with ill intentions might target you. Just in case, Mrs. Qiao put up three stickers for her. Qiao Yu stared at herself in the mirror, "..."
It's just like an old lady who's too old and in poor health to do square dancing in the neighborhood every day with plasters on her face.
With looks like that, which alpha could possibly be interested?
Mrs. Qiao carefully checked everything and only let her leave after confirming there were no problems. Before leaving, she didn't forget to remind her, "Your sister Jingjing and brother Junhao are here today too. If there's anything you don't understand or know how to do, just learn from them." Her tone was natural, and her words were full of affirmation for the two of them. "Don't just think about playing all day long."
Qiao Yu looked up, met her mother's harmless gaze, and grinned, "I know, I know."
Outsiders felt that the mother and daughter seemed to be implying something, but their expressions were so innocent and naive that it was hard to guess that they were up to no good.
Remembering her mother's teachings, Qiao Yu searched the area and finally found Qiao Jing. Without thinking twice, she immediately rushed over like a butterfly, calling out, "Sister Jingjing!" Her arrogant voice attracted everyone's attention.
She affectionately took Qiao Jing's arm, and Qiao Jing's face twitched twice, somewhat awkwardly trying to pull her arm away. Qiao Yu stopped her in time, explaining, "Sister Jingjing, my mom told me to learn more from you and Brother Junhao." Glancing at the people beside her, Qiao Yu blinked, "What are you all talking about?"
Mu Siyan tensed up involuntarily, her expression stiffening. When Qiao Yu looked at her questioningly, she forced a smile but remained silent.
She had only recently met Qiao Jing, who approached her and suggested a casual chat, repeatedly hinting that she could help resolve the arranged marriage between herself and Qiao Junhao. That's why she chose to go with Qiao Jing. Little did she know that before anything even started, Qiao Yu caught her red-handed.
She wasn't stupid; on the contrary, she was very perceptive and far more insightful than the average EGA. She knew about the Qiao family's situation and also about Qiao Jing and Qiao Junhao's thoughts. Therefore, at this moment, Qiao Yu might have mistaken her for someone "on Qiao Jing's side."
Feeling a sudden unease, Mu Siyan tightened her expression and said, "Then you two talk first."
Worried that she wouldn't be able to leave, she quickly said, "I'll go find Jiang Mei first..."
Before she could finish speaking, a familiar "Yu Yu" rang in her ears. Mu Siyan turned around and saw Jiang Mei's beautiful face, which had softened considerably. Her mood immediately plummeted, and Mu Siyan lowered her eyelashes, trying to hide her disappointment.
Jiang Mei finally found a suitable opportunity to see Qiao Yu. When she glanced at Qiao Jing, who was affectionately holding her arm, the young alpha subconsciously frowned, his eyes filled with displeasure.
Although Qiao Jing was experienced, EGAs always had an instinctive fear when facing Alphas, especially an Alpha like Jiang Mei who was reckless and inexperienced and didn't know how to hide her true feelings. Unconsciously intimidated by the other party's aura, Qiao Jing instantly pulled her arm back and then took two steps away from Qiao Yu, drawing a clear line between them.
Jiang Mei clearly didn't like someone as insignificant as herself being there and ruining the atmosphere, so she reached out and pulled Mu Siyan, "Miss Lin has arrived. Siyan and I will go and talk to Miss Lin first."
She called out so naturally that Mu Siyan glanced at her without showing any particular emotion.
Qiao Yu couldn't help but stare at Mu Siyan for a while, and Jiang Mei noticed this and immediately shot her sharp gaze towards Mu Siyan.
Mu Siyan paused in her movement, her eyes widening in disbelief: "???"
You actually suspect I'd try to steal your woman?!
Author's Note: Mu Siyan: It's outrageous that my sweetheart has become my rival.
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