Qiao Xi slowly raised her eyes, and her stunning face was shrouded in shadows. She took a sip of the fruit wine, and her lips were stained with the sparkling wine, making her look even more charming.
However, Xia Yunlou did not find Qiao Xi stunning in the slightest. Instead, she said with a gloomy expression, “You’re still so rude. You don’t even greet me when you see me.”
Qiao Xi leaned comfortably against the sofa and said indifferently, “I’m wondering if I should call you Madam Xu or Madam Xia.”
These words were like a heavy blow to Xia Yunlou’s heart. In the past, she was the glorious Madam Xu, but now, Xu Zhi wanted to divorce her. Although the procedures had not been done, her marriage with Xu Zhi had already ended. The title of Madam Xu was a blatant mockery.
“Qiao Xi! Is this how you speak to your mother? I really hate it when you’re like this. You’re so arrogant. I’d rather dote on my adopted daughter and niece than waste a single second on you!”
Xia Yunlou glared angrily and pointed at Qiao Xi as she shouted in exasperation, “Other people’s daughters are all obedient and sensible, but you act like my enemy. As long as you curry favor and say a few good words, I’ll naturally dote on you. You’ve never had a mother to dote on you since you were young. Could it be that you don’t desire maternal love?”
Qiao Xi put down her wine glass and lazily leaned against the sofa. Her thin lips parted slightly. “What a coincidence. I don’t like you either. Moreover, there are many people who are good to me. You’re not the only one who can dote on me.”
These simple words almost made Xia Yunlou faint from anger. She glanced at the people around her before suppressing the anger in her heart. She gritted her teeth and warned, “Let me tell you, you need to shut up today. Don’t spout nonsense in front of others. Now that Mengyan and President Gu’s marriage has been decided, I won’t let you off if you ruin it!”
Qiao Xi raised her eyebrows indifferently with a disdainful expression. She, the legitimate wife, was still around, yet Xia Mengyan wanted to marry Gu Zheng. She was really daydreaming!
Xia Yunlou was infuriated by her appearance. She berated coldly, “Look at you. Are you worthy of President Gu? Moreover, this engagement doesn’t belong to you. You stole Mengyan’s engagement, so it’s time to return it to her.
“Once the news of the engagement is out, the Xia family’s business will improve a lot. If you dare to ruin it, you’ll be disloyal to the Xia family and unfilial!”
Qiao Xi snorted coldly. “Is there something wrong with you? What does the Xia family have to do with me?”
Xia Yunlou was angered to the point of having a ferocious expression. The flesh on her face trembled slightly as she pointed at Qiao Xi and shouted, “What are you talking about?! You’re also half a member of the Xia family! Mengyan is your cousin. She’s so good to you, yet you still snatched her engagement away. Why are you so selfish?!”
Qiao Xi had always been very curious. How could the Xia family be so shameless and lie through their teeth? Xia Mengyan was good to her? Hmph, she was so good that Qiao Xi wished for nothing more than to kill her!
Xia Yunlou suppressed her anger. “In any case, if you still want to acknowledge me as your mother, you’re not allowed to fool around today. You and President Gu are not compatible. You’d better divorce obediently. I’ll find a more suitable man for you.”
Qiao Xi raised her eyes and glanced at her with slight doubt. She chuckled and asked, “Madam Xia, why do you think I want to acknowledge you as my mother?”
Xia Yunlou originally thought that she had deceived Qiao Xi, but she did not expect that Qiao Xi did not care at all. She was angered to the point her face flushed red, and her tone was vicious. “Qiao Xi! I’m warning you. If you ruin this marriage, I won’t let you off!”
“Madam Xia, you’re also a socialite from an aristocratic family. Why are you losing your composure?! Are you qualified to give me a warning?” As soon as Qiao Xi finished speaking, she stood up and left. Xia Yunlou looked at the surrounding guests and was angered to the point her entire body trembled. She quickly rushed to Qiao Xi’s side with the intention of grabbing her.
At this moment, Xia Mengyan hurriedly rushed over and comforted her softly. “Aunt! Don’t make things difficult for Cousin. It’s normal for her to be sad, but Cousin, I’ve already gone to see President Gu. He said that he’ll announce the marriage between the two families at the banquet. I advise you not to cause trouble lest you anger President Gu.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of Qiao Xi. Yin Jinglin raised his eyebrows with a disdainful expression. “Announce the marriage contract between the two families?”
Xia Mengyan smiled in embarrassment. “Cousin, I know you dote on Xi Xi, but President Gu has already agreed to this marriage. If Xi Xi continues to pester him, she’ll be laughed at. At that time, everyone will be in a difficult position.”
Yin Jinglin’s eyes turned cold. “Don’t call me your cousin. Are we close? Is the daughter of an illegitimate child worthy of being my relative? Are you worthy?”
