Chapter 102: Chain Schemes

At the entrance of the banquet hall, Qiao Xi, wearing a light makeup and a white cheongsam with hibiscus embroidery, walked in slowly. She pulled the collar of her cheongsam to cover the kiss mark on her neck.

Her hands are still a little numb from last night's nonsense.

Xu Xingluo went to meet her, like a swan flying against the light, stunningly beautiful. She greeted her generously, "Miss Qiao, welcome."

Qiao Xi nodded politely.

She and Xu Xingluo didn't have much interaction, but the two times they met, it wasn't very pleasant. Maybe it was because of the unclear relationship between her and Huo Xingzhou that made her feel uncomfortable.

Xu Xingluo had no grudges at all. He took Qiao Xi's arm intimately and said, "Come to think of it, we are also destined to meet. We actually look so similar. How about adding contact information first? I'll scan it for you."

She pulled out her cell phone and refused 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.

"Ms. 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 place. Qiao Xi didn't like the feeling of being stared at, as if she 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 extravagant 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 from love to hate and found a substitute?"

Xu Xingluo smiled and said generously: "Miss Qiao, don't mind what they say."

These words, like ants, stung Qiao Xi's heart.

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 smiled faintly, she knew that Qiao Xi was not calm inside.

Suddenly, there was a commotion in the crowd.

It turned out that Liu Zongquan and Yang Yuerong showed up with their baby in their arms. Everyone gathered around to tease the child and took the opportunity to give him valuable gifts. Qiao Xi had only seen those dazzling and extravagant gifts on TV.

She subconsciously held the handbag, which contained the full-moon party gift she had made herself.

She thought about waiting until there were fewer people around before delivering the gift so as to avoid any criticism.

"A jade cicada from the Ming Dynasty. Wow! Mr. Yang, you are such a generous uncle!"

The guests exclaimed in surprise.

It turned out that the gift was given by Yang Yuerong's brother, Xiaobao's uncle. He directly gave a Ming Dynasty jade cicada. The jade cicada symbolizes "endless life" and carries the elders' good wishes for the child.

Xu Xingluo's crisp voice rang out: "What kind of jade cicada is this? 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 buy 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 that the Yang family took out.

“It’s exactly the same!”

President Yang nodded in praise, "Xingluo is thoughtful."

Yuandu Auction was not something that a little girl like her could enter. I'm afraid she had to put in a lot of effort to get in. This Ming Dynasty jade cicada is rare and expensive, and it's hard to come by.

Xu Xingluo said humbly: "If you praise me again, I will be so proud. We all hope that our little cousin can be safe and sound."

When people heard Xu Xingluo say this, they praised her for her beauty and kindness.

Xu Xingluo smiled and winked at Xiang Huai in the crowd.

Xiang Huai said loudly: "Miss Qiao, what gift have you prepared? The apprentice of the national doctor Cheng Han and the wife of the president of Tianyuan Group, the gift prepared must be worth a fortune."

"We also want to be more discerning."

"Yeah, what's so good about hiding something?"

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 an innocent smile, as if she were a pure and innocent fairy.

Yang Yuerong, who was holding the baby in her arms, said, "The feast is about to begin. Let's take our seats first. Gifts are secondary. You are here to give face to our Liu family."

In her heart, she blamed Xu Xingluo for not knowing the seriousness of the matter and not knowing whether she did it intentionally or unintentionally.

Xiang Huai refused to stop, and looked at Qiao Xi aggressively and said, "You didn't even prepare a gift, did you?"

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 being uneasy, it is better to be generous. Her soft voice rang out: "I brought a gift, a handmade thing, not worth mentioning."

She opened her handbag and took out an exquisitely embroidered sachet.

"cut."

Seeing the sachet, Xiang Huai sneered, "A sachet that can be bought everywhere on the street?"

Qiao Xi explained, "Compendium of Materia Medica records that smelling incense can cure diseases. This sachet can dispel the exterior pathogens, strengthen the exterior and strengthen the body, and prevent colds. The child was born in a dystocia and has a weak constitution. Summer is coming, and the air conditioning will cause severe cold, so it is better to be prepared."

After hearing her explanation, many people suddenly understood.

"I heard that the sachets prepared by Cheng Han were very popular many years ago and were sold out. The formula of the medicinal materials is..."

Qiao Xi said, "My master improved the prescription in the Compendium of Materia Medica, so it won't hurt children."

This is such a thoughtful gift!

Yang Yuerong was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes: "Only a mother can understand the ingenuity of Dr. Qiao. You really solved my urgent problem. This child is weak, so we are very careful in raising him."

"This is a thought that cannot be bought with money." Mr. Yang looked at the sachet carefully and exclaimed, "These are rare treasures passed down by our ancestors. Miss Qiao is really a wonderful person!"

Xu Xingluo forced a smile and said, "Qiao Xi, you are amazing. Compared to your gift, mine is a bit inferior. No wonder my aunt and grandmother like you so much."

Qiao Xi said softly, "This is just a trivial trick of mine."

Yang Yuerong said, "Doctor Qiao, could you please put the sachet on the baby?"

"good."

Qiao Xi didn't refuse, she took the sachet and tied it to Liu Rongbao's clothes. The white and tender little girl was so happy that she babbled and pulled at her clothes to stop her from leaving, and even stretched out her hands to hug her.

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 at first, 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, you might as well have one yourself."

Qiao Xi blushed, held the soft little girl in her arms and coaxed her softly, her heart melting.

Sudden.

Her foot stumbled.

Qiao Xi's high heels twisted and she fell out while holding the child.