Chapter 23 Scheming and Spoiled Stepsister VS Cold Childhood Sweetheart Brother
"Chengzhao." Jiang Yao knocked on the study door, but there was no response.
Jiang Yao stood at the door and gently knocked again.
Finally, a reply came from inside, the tone still tinged with anger.
"Come in."
"What's wrong? Are you unhappy? Xunzhou just left. We asked him to stay for dinner, but he wouldn't eat."
Jiang Yao walked in with a smile and placed the fruit on the tray on the low table next to her.
"Ah, what happened?" Jiang Yao exclaimed in surprise as she looked at the broken teacup on the ground.
"It's nothing, I just bumped into it accidentally. I'll call the housekeeper to clean it up later."
Fu Chengzhao lit a cigarette, his brows furrowed: "Zhizhi has grown up now. Didn't you like Xu Qingrang from the Xu family before?"
“I think he is quite suitable. The Xu family and our family are a good match. It would be good for Zhizhi to marry into the family.”
"Let's arrange a time to talk about this another day and ask the two children for their opinions. If it's suitable, then we'll arrange it for her."
Jiang Yao lowered her eyes and said softly, "Okay."
"Hmm." Fu Chengzhao responded, then looked away from her and sat down in his chair to look through the documents.
Jiang Yao knew he was busy and didn't dare to disturb him any further. She silently left the study and gently closed the door behind her.
A few days later.
Yunhu Lake.
It's far from the city center, has a quiet environment, a nice lake view, and the fish is absolutely delicious. It's a great place to discuss business.
When Jiang Zhiyi received Jiang Yao's call, saying that she had made an appointment with someone to come over for dinner, she guessed what it might be about.
Sure enough, as soon as she entered the room, she saw Xu Qingrang sitting there.
He was the only one in the private room at the moment. Xu Qingrang was slightly taken aback when he saw her, clearly not expecting to run into her again.
Soon, Fu Chengzhao, Jiang Yao, and Xu's parents arrived.
Both of them realized the true purpose of today's meal.
At the dinner table, the elders chatted happily, but the conversation always returned to her and Xu Qingrang.
Jiang Zhiyi looked up at Xu Qingrang, who gave her a helpless expression.
This situation is rather awkward.
Although she had met Xu Qingrang many times before, it was always with Qingran, and the two of them were not actually very familiar with each other.
Mrs. Xu was a very warm person. She had just witnessed the exchange of glances between her son and Jiang Zhiyi, and went straight to the point: "Zhiyi, you don't have a boyfriend yet, do you? What do you think of our Qingrang? Would you like to consider him?"
Jiang Yao replied with a smile, "Zhizhi, I think you two are quite a good match."
Jiang Zhiyi smiled, unsure how to reply.
Xu Qingrang quickly came to her rescue: "Mom, why are you suddenly bringing this up? We should have invited Qingran along today. She and Zhiyi are best friends and are inseparable."
Madam Xu understood her son's meaning. Today was their first formal meeting, so there was no need to rush.
She was quite satisfied with Jiang Zhiyi, even though she wasn't a child of the Fu family, she had been raised in the Fu family for so many years.
If the Xu family can get in touch with the Fu family, it would be a great opportunity for them.
So when Fu Chengzhao and Jiang Yao brought up the idea of arranging a marriage between the two children, the Xu family naturally agreed without hesitation.
"Alright, alright, next time we'll invite that girl too. Qingrang, serve some food to Zhiyi. Be a gentleman and take good care of the girl."
Upon hearing this, Xu Qingrang picked up the serving chopsticks, put some food on Jiang Zhiyi's plate, and then ladled out a bowl of soup and handed it to her: "This fish soup is very good, try it."
"Thank you, Brother Qingrang."
Jiang Zhiyi thanked her politely and reached out to take it.
...
Suddenly, the door to the private room was pushed open from the outside.
The group looked up and immediately spotted Fu Xunzhou and Xu Qingran.
Fu Chengzhao frowned and looked at Fu Xunzhou with displeasure.
Xu Qingran greeted them and immediately explained, "My brother told me you had arranged to eat here and asked me to come along."
Xu Qingran immediately pushed her own brother out to take the blow.
I'm sorry, bro, but for Zhizhi's happiness, I have to sacrifice you a little.
"We ran into Brother Xunzhou on the way here. He was looking for Zhizhi, so we came together."
Xu Qingrang immediately understood. It turned out that Xu Qingran had asked him to keep an eye on Fu Xunzhou's news not because she wanted to pay attention to Fu Xunzhou, but because her best friend needed to.
"Come and sit down, and let's order a few more dishes. It'll be more lively with more people."
Jiang Yao gestured for them to sit down and tried to smooth things over.
It was a large round table. Fu Xunzhou asked the waiter to add a seat next to Jiang Zhiyi, and then sat down directly next to her.
Xu's parents naturally noticed that something was wrong.
At first, they were puzzled as to why the Fu family was so concerned about Jiang Zhiyi's marriage, since Fu Xunzhou's marriage was still undecided.
The couple exchanged a glance and understood.
Although the Xu family is not as powerful as the Fu family, it is not like they are indispensable to the Fu family.
If Fu Xunzhou and Jiang Zhiyi really have something going on, this matter is indeed quite troublesome. They'd better not get involved in the Fu family's affairs.
After dinner, they had originally planned to meet at another venue, but Mr. Xu declined, saying he had something to do at home, and left with Xu Qingran and Xu Qingrang.
Before leaving, Xu Qingran winked at Jiang Zhiyi, giving her an encouraging look.
Although Xu Qingran is usually carefree, she is well aware that the pressure of being with Zhizhi and Fu Xunzhou together is considerable.
Now she can only try her best to help Zhizhi solve some unnecessary troubles; the rest is up to them to do.
The atmosphere was somewhat awkward.
"Take Zhizhi back first. Xunzhou and I have other things to do. The driver is waiting for you outside."
Jiang Yao nodded, pretending not to know anything, and left with Jiang Zhiyi.
Once they left the private room, Fu Chengzhao asked directly, "What are you doing here today?"
The tone was very unfriendly, and it was spoken to Fu Xunzhou.
Fu Xunzhou looked at his stern father and said in a calm tone, "I like Zhizhi, and I will marry her."
"You can't."
“This is between her and me, and I hope that you and Aunt Jiang will not interfere.”
night.
The conversation between father and son that afternoon undoubtedly ended unhappily. Fu Chengzhao returned to the Fu family home, where the hall was quiet except for Jiang Yao sitting alone.
He walked over and stood in front of Jiang Yao.
"You probably already know that," Fu Chengzhao said, not intending to beat around the bush.
"Send Zhizhi abroad, and once they've completely severed ties, then bring her back. Don't worry, I won't mistreat you."
Jiang Yao listened without changing her expression or making any movement. She then said, "You should know why I'm following you."
"Zhizhi is my life. I will support her in whatever she wants, whatever she wants to do, who she likes, and who she wants to marry."
“Fu Chengzhao, I have never wronged you in the slightest over the years, and I have never owed your Fu family anything.”
Aside from the money for Zhizhi's medical treatment, she never asked him for anything else.
Since coming to the Fu family, she has been doing her best to take care of everyone in the family.
“If you dare send her away, then we’ll fight to the death. You should know what I’m capable of.”
Having followed him for so many years, Jiang Yao naturally knew a lot about the Fu family. Who could really know all the dirty tricks in the business world?
"I'm moving out." Jiang Yao didn't look at him again.
Fu Chengzhao stared at Jiang Yao's departing figure, remaining motionless for a long time.
He took out his phone, scrolled through the contacts for a long time, and found a number without a note.
The call was answered after a long pause: "Jiang Yin, it's me."
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