Chapter 102: Chain Stratagems
At the entrance to the banquet hall, Qiao Xi, lightly made up and wearing a white hibiscus-embroidered cheongsam, walked in. She tugged at the collar of her cheongsam to hide the kiss marks on her neck.
Last night was ridiculous and her hands are still a little numb.
Xu Xingluo went to meet her, looking like a swan flying against the light, so beautiful that it was breathtaking. She greeted her generously, "Ms. Qiao, welcome."
Qiao Xi nodded politely.
She and Xu Xingluo didn't have much interaction, but the two times they did meet, it wasn't very pleasant. Perhaps it was the unclear relationship between her and Huo Xingzhou that made her feel uncomfortable.
Xu Xingluo had no grudges and intimately took Qiao Xi's arm and said, "Speaking of which, we are destined to meet. We look so similar. Let's add each other's contact information first. I'll scan it for you."
She pulled out her phone, refusing to accept the offer.
Qiao Xi passed her friend verification, but found that her profile picture was a white swan. She was stunned because she had accidentally seen this profile picture on Mr. Huo's phone before.
"Miss Xu, you don't have to entertain me specially. I'll go sit in the corner for a while." Qiao Xi said politely.
Xu Xingluo was the focus of the whole audience. Qiao Xi didn't like the feeling of being stared at. It seemed as if he wanted to strip her naked and study her carefully.
She even heard whispers in the crowd saying that she and Xu Xingluo looked like sisters standing together.
There are even more extreme speculations.
"Huo Xingzhou can't forget his old love. Look at that face..."
"That's right. How can a country girl compare to Xu Xingluo? Is it like she turned love into hate and found a substitute?"
Xu Xingluo smiled and said generously, "Miss Qiao, don't mind what they say."
These words stung Qiao Xi's heart like ants.
The word "substitute" hurt her.
But she repeatedly used Huo Xingzhou's words to calm her restless heart. Mr. Huo once said, "Xu Xingluo is just an insignificant person."
Qiao Xi looked into her eyes and said, "We are not alike."
Xu Xingluo laughed faintly, she knew that Qiao Xi was not calm inside.
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the crowd.
It turned out to be Liu Zongquan and Yang Yuerong, holding the baby. Everyone gathered around to tease the child and took the opportunity to give precious gifts. Qiao Xi had only seen those dazzling and luxurious gifts on TV.
She subconsciously pinched her handbag, which contained the full-moon party gift she had made herself.
She thought about waiting until there were fewer people around before sending it off, so as to avoid any criticism.
"A jade cicada from the Ming Dynasty! Wow! Mr. Yang, you're such a generous uncle!"
The guests exclaimed.
The gift was from Yang Yuerong's brother, the baby's uncle. He presented a Ming Dynasty jade cicada, a symbol of everlasting life and a symbol of the elders' best wishes for their children.
Xu Xingluo's delicate and crisp voice rang out: "What kind of jade cicada is it? I want to see it too!"
As soon as she saw the jade cicada, she burst into smiles.
"Uncle Yang, it turns out that you were the one who bought the other jade cicada at the Yuandu Auction. I was planning to put together a pair and give them to my little cousin." Xu Xingluo took out an antique little mahogany box and opened it.
The lifelike jade cicada was indeed the same as the one the Yang family had taken out.
“It’s exactly the same!”
Mr. Yang nodded in approval and said, "Xingluo is thoughtful."
The Yuandu Auction was not something a little girl like her could enter, so she must have put a lot of thought into it. This Ming Dynasty jade cicada was rare, expensive, and hard to come by.
Xu Xingluo said modestly, "If you praise me again, I'll be so proud. We all hope that our little cousin can be safe and sound."
When everyone heard Xu Xingluo say this, they praised her for being beautiful and kind.
Xu Xingluo smiled and winked at Xiang Huai in the crowd.
Xiang Huai raised his voice and said, "Miss Qiao, what gift have you prepared? As the disciple of the national doctor Cheng Han and the wife of the president of Tianyuan Group, the gift she prepared must be priceless."
"We also want to open our eyes."
"Yeah, what good stuff are you hiding?"
In a lively atmosphere, guests are most likely to make a fuss.
Xu Xingluo took Qiao Xi's arm and said coquettishly, "I'm curious about what they said. Can I have the honor to take a look?"
Her face was filled with a simple and innocent smile, as if she was a pure and innocent fairy.
Yang Yuerong, holding her baby in her arms, said, "The feast is about to begin. Let's take our seats. Gifts are secondary. You are all here to give face to our Liu family."
She blamed Xu Xingluo in her heart for not knowing the seriousness of the matter, and didn't know whether she did it intentionally or unintentionally.
Xiang Huai refused to give up. He looked at Qiao Xi aggressively and said, "You didn't even prepare a gift?"
Qiao Xi felt nervous.
She knew it would be difficult to escape this disaster, as Xiang Huai's hostility towards her had always been obvious.
Instead of feeling uneasy, it's better to be generous. Her soft voice rang out: "I did bring a gift, a handmade one, not worth mentioning."
She opened her handbag and took out an exquisitely embroidered sachet.
"cut."
Seeing the sachet, Xiang Huai scoffed disdainfully, "A sachet that can be bought everywhere on the street?"
Qiao Xi explained, "Compendium of Materia Medica records that smelling incense can cure illnesses. This sachet is used to dispel external pathogens, strengthen the body's defenses, and prevent colds. The child was born with difficulty and is weak. Summer is approaching, and air conditioning can be very cold, so it's best to be prepared."
After hearing her explanation, many people suddenly understood.
"I heard that the sachets Cheng Han prepared many years ago were all the rage and sold out. The herbal formula is..."
Qiao Xi said, "My master improved the prescription in the Compendium of Materia Medica so that it won't harm children."
This is such a thoughtful gift!
Yang Yuerong was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. "Only a mother can understand Dr. Qiao's ingenuity. You really solved my urgent need. This child is weak, so we are taking great care of him."
"This is a thought that money can't buy." Mr. Yang looked at the sachet carefully and exclaimed, "These are all rare treasures handed down from our ancestors. Miss Qiao is truly a wonderful person!"
Xu Xingluo forced a smile and said, "Qiao Xi, you're amazing. Compared to your gift, mine feels a bit inferior. No wonder my aunt and grandmother like you so much."
Qiao Xi said softly, "This is just a trivial skill."
Yang Yuerong said, "Doctor Qiao, could you please put the sachet on the baby?"
"good."
Qiao Xi didn't refuse. She pinched the sachet and tied it to Liu Rongbao's clothes. The white and tender little ball was very happy and babbled, pulling at her clothes to stop her from leaving and even reaching out for a hug.
Yang Yuerong smiled and said, "You and this child are destined to be together. He usually doesn't even let Xingluo hold him. It seems that he really likes you. Doctor Qiao, please hold him."
Hearing this, Xu Xingluo's eyes darkened.
Qiao Xi tried to refuse, but couldn't resist the enthusiasm of the mother and child, so she reached out and took the child.
Others joked, "Since you are so popular with children, why not have one yourself?"
Qiao Xi blushed, held the soft little ball in her arms and coaxed it softly, her heart melting.
Sudden.
She stumbled.
Qiao Xi twisted her high heels and fell out while holding the child.
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