Chapter 163 Don't Neglect Your Friends for Romance
When Wang Qin met her gaze, she immediately became flustered and subconsciously tightened her grip on Lin Xi beside her.
Back then, she was just like this woman, never forgetting to dress up before going out. Although she used all sorts of cheap and inexpensive skincare products, at least she still used them.
However, now, standing next to Joey, who is the same age as her and even older, she looks so old and haggard.
Auntie noticed Joey's gaze and immediately introduced, "Father-in-law, this is Xingxing's mother. She just came back a few days ago. Please come and meet her."
Joey smiled broadly, walked over to Wang Qin, and extended her hand: "Hello, in-law. It's our first time meeting. Please take good care of me."
Wang Qin stood up awkwardly, wiped her hands on her clothes, and grasped Qiao Yi's hand. "No, no, you must be Qin Ce's mother, right?"
"Yes, I just got back yesterday, but you weren't here yesterday, so I came over today. I hope I didn't bother you."
Looking at Qiao Yi's demeanor, Wang Qin's face became somewhat unnatural. "No, I've heard that your family lives abroad. It seems that life abroad is indeed different."
Joey maintained her smile. "Actually, it's the same everywhere. Everyone has their own lifestyle."
At this point, Joey changed the subject again, "I heard that you and Xingxing haven't seen each other for twenty years. Did you also go abroad?"
This question stumped Wang Qin, and the atmosphere in the room became somewhat awkward.
Faced with this question, Wang Qin felt even more ashamed. If she were doing well outside, she would be standing here now, looking as glamorous as Joey.
She might still have the courage to answer, but now, she doesn't even have the courage to look Joey in the eye.
"No, I didn't go abroad." Wang Qin's face was extremely pale; she felt ashamed to even stay there.
Joey smiled. "You didn't go abroad? Then why didn't you come back to visit?"
If the previous sentence was a coincidence, then this sentence has a rather accusatory tone.
Auntie stepped in to smooth things over, "My dear in-law, you don't know the truth. Qin hasn't had a good life these past few years, and she can't come back even if she wants to."
"Oh, I see. Well, my dear in-laws, you've really had a hard time." Joey acted as if nothing was wrong, and pointed to the things over there, "You don't look too well, so I bought a few boxes of donkey-hide gelatin. Take them and eat them later."
"Donkey-hide gelatin? I heard it's very expensive," my aunt said in surprise.
"It's not expensive, it doesn't cost much, please don't be shy, in-laws."
"Oh dear, Xingxing is so lucky. Seeing how kind you are as her mother-in-law, I feel relieved," Auntie said with a hearty laugh.
"That's right. I only have one daughter-in-law now. If I don't treat her well, what if she runs away?"
These words made Auntie laugh out loud, while Wang Qin, standing next to her, looked bitter.
Joey looks kind, but his words are laced with barbs; most people wouldn't notice unless they listened carefully.
Qiao Xing was also somewhat moved, and she couldn't help but take another look at Qiao Yi.
She was supposed to be meeting her in-laws, but Joey and her aunt chatted enthusiastically while Wang Qin sat in the background like a background character.
This mother-in-law is clearly here to avenge Qiao Xing...
My aunt cooked a table full of dishes at noon and invited Grandpa Qin over. The whole family sat together, and it looked very lively.
But the aunt's compliments to Joey at the table, and the atmosphere at the scene, all seemed to be an attempt to curry favor with Joey and his family.
It's obvious to anyone with eyes that this is a gathering where the social statuses are unequal.
Auntie then asked Joey to attend Wang Ye's wedding, which Joey readily agreed to.
After the meal, Joey didn't stay at her aunt's house for long and left.
On the way back, Qiao Xing remained silent.
Qin Ce glanced back at her every now and then, when suddenly his phone rang. It was Yang Han calling.
He picked up his phone to answer the call.
"Old Qin, is your sister over there?"
"Yes, what's wrong?"
Yang Han sighed, "Yeah, I'm here. I'm telling you something, but don't make a sound. I didn't sleep well at all last night. I thought about it and decided to tell you anyway. Something's wrong with your sister, you know?"
Qin Ce didn't speak, but he naturally knew.
Yang Han added, "You have no idea, yesterday she ran into my car crying and making a scene, asking me why I got married, why I didn't wait for her to grow up before marrying her. I mean, is she crazy?"
"Is she sick? Why don't you take her to see a doctor? I'm so scared!"
Qin Ce hummed in agreement. "Is there anything else?"
"Yes, it's my dad's birthday, right? He heard that Auntie was back, and he kept telling me to make sure to invite her over."
"You said your whole family came, you can't just leave Qiao Xing alone at home, can you? So I'm telling you, you should think carefully about what to do."
"And also, don't prioritize your girlfriend over your friends this time. You're making me lose face in front of my dad because of your wife. You can skip it if you want, but your auntie absolutely has to come, understand?!"
Yang Han also gave him a lot of instructions, this was a death order from his father, if he didn't complete it, he wouldn't be able to live.
Qin Ce frowned and asked again, "When?"
"One week from now, that is, the Wednesday after next."
"good."
After saying that, Qin Ce hung up the phone. He glanced at the rearview mirror and, sure enough, saw Xue Ling staring straight at him from behind.
You don't even need to think to know what this girl is thinking.
Actually, besides Qiao Xing, Xue Ling is also a problem.
"CeCe, what's up?" Joey asked.
"We'll talk about it when we get back." Qin Ce put his phone in his pocket and drove back.
He hadn't found a chance to tell Joey about this until the afternoon when Qiao Xing took Xue Ling out to buy groceries, and that's when he finally had the opportunity to tell Joey.
Joey sighed and rubbed his forehead, "I shouldn't have brought Xue Ling along."
“So many years have passed, and she still…” Joey couldn’t laugh anymore. “I knew it. She insisted on bringing me back to China. It’s not that she wanted to see her sister-in-law.”
"So what do we do now?" Qin Ce asked.
"Let me think about it." Joey nodded. "Wednesday, how about we take her?"
Qin Ce: "..."
"Never mind." Qin Ce got up and went to his study; there was no need to discuss it any further.
The next day.
Qiao Xing got up early in the morning to make breakfast, but found that breakfast had already been bought and was already on the table.
Qin Ce had already set out breakfast. Seeing her come out, he said, "Go wash your hands and eat."
"Okay, sure." Qiao Xing came out after washing her hands. She remembered her business. "I'm going to S&C today. I'll ask later whether I should go by myself or go to the company first and go with my colleagues."
"If you go by yourself, then we can go together."
Qin Ce's hand holding the chopsticks trembled. He was silent for a moment, then placed the chopsticks in front of her. "Go ahead and ask."
Qiao Xing asked without hesitation, taking out her phone to send a WeChat message to Bai Yi to inquire.
A short while later, Bai Yi replied, "You can go by yourself."
Qiao Xing happily grabbed Qin Ce's arm and said, "Our team leader said it's fine, so I'll go with you. That way you won't have to make an extra trip to take me to the company."
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