Zhang Xiaoyun was instantly taken aback.
They had visited her sister’s house quite a few times before and had asked around about the Fu Family. They knew exactly how many people were in the Fu Family.
Naturally, they also knew Fu Qianqian.
She was said to be even more doted on by the family than her brother—a true heiress.
But because of her personality, she was very difficult to approach.
Her sister had even told Si Nian to try to get along with her, but the two just couldn’t get along. They acted more like enemies, quarreling every time they met.
At the time, Zhang Xiaoyun had even felt a bit gleeful about it.
So why was she showing up here now?
Could it be... that she was here specifically to pick them up?
Zhang Xiaoyun’s eyes lit up at the thought.
Given the relationship between Fu Qianqian and Si Nian, not fighting was already a good outcome.
So there was no way she was here to pick them up.
Besides, Si Nian was no longer connected to the Si Family, and Fu Qianqian definitely wouldn’t come all the way to the main gate to fetch them.
That left only one possibility.
—She was here to pick up herself!
After all, she was Zhang Cuimei’s own younger sister.
Now that Fu Qianqian’s brother, Fu Yang, had married Lin Sisi, the two families were closely connected, making her a relative of the Fu Family as well.
It was only natural for Fu Qianqian to come pick her up.
With this thought, Zhang Xiaoyun’s heart swelled with joy, her smile nearly bursting from her face.
She didn’t even care about Si Nian, eagerly stepping forward to greet, “Oh, isn’t this Qianqian? What a hassle for you to come all this way to pick us up. My sister and I are perfectly capable of finding our own way.”
Fu Qianqian had just seen Si Nian about to wave, but suddenly an older woman appeared out of nowhere and started talking to her. Hearing what she said, Fu Qianqian was utterly confused.
“Hmm?” she said, “Who are you, ma’am?”
She looked the woman over suspiciously. She had assumed this was that relative, otherwise why would she be so friendly and call her by name? But on closer inspection, she realized she didn’t know her at all.
Zhang Xiaoyun continued talking without missing a beat, “Honey, this is Qianqian, Lin Sisi’s fiancé’s younger sister, the Fu Chief’s daughter. This must be your first time meeting.”
Her husband quickly smiled, “So this is Qianqian? I’ve heard Sisi mention you before.”
Hearing them go on and on about Sisi, Fu Qianqian immediately knew this had nothing to do with her but was all about Lin Sisi’s side.
Her face darkened. She was supposed to be close with Lin Sisi?
“Wait, wait, wait...” she hurriedly interrupted the two who were enjoying themselves, frowning, “Who exactly are you?”
Zhang Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment, then her smile stiffened. “Y-you don’t remember me? I’m Zhang Cuimei’s younger sister, Sisi’s aunt, and this is her uncle.”
After saying this, she noticed Fu Qianqian’s frown deepen. Suddenly realizing something, she glanced sharply at Si Nian, quickly stepped back, and whispered, “Qianqian, don’t misunderstand. We have nothing to do with Si Nian anymore. It’s them who stubbornly followed us in.”
Zhang Xiaoyun thought Fu Qianqian had seen Si Nian standing behind them and mistakenly assumed they were still connected, which was why she had shown such a cold face.
She hurriedly distanced herself from Si Nian and made it clear they were on her side.
Si Nian, who was caught in the crossfire, could only sigh silently: “.....”
"Yeah, it’s me, shamelessly trailing behind you all. If it weren’t for your help, the three of us wouldn’t have even gotten in. Is that what you’re trying to say?"
Zhang Xiaoyun, about to retort, was left speechless.
Fu Qianqian looked puzzled. "Respectful 'du du'?"
Zhang Xiaoyun felt a mix of embarrassment and anger at being called out. "Even if it wasn’t because of us, without my sister, you definitely wouldn’t have gotten in. Today, Director Li and the others are here. If you, his adopted daughter, hadn’t been brought along, my sister would have worried about people gossiping. Otherwise, do you really think you could have gotten in?"
Director Li?
Zhou Yueshen and Si Nian exchanged a glance.
Si Nian broke into a smile. "You’re right about all of that."
Zhang Xiaoyun thought she was finally intimidated and immediately lifted her chin, proudly saying, "Good, you know the truth."
"Qianqian, let’s go. Don’t bother with her." Si Nian’s expression shifted as she looked at Fu Qianqian.
Fu Qianqian finally understood, rolling her eyes and snapping impatiently, "Go where? Who do you think you are? Do I even know you?"
Seeing Si Nian and Zhou Yueshen walk away, Fu Qianqian frowned at the couple blocking her path and said irritably, "Move aside!"
Then, with a friendly smile, she hurried after Si Nian. "Si Nian, wait up!"
With that, she warmly grabbed Si Nian’s hand.
Zhang Xiaoyun and her husband exchanged confused looks.
Weren’t they supposed to be bitter rivals, always at each other’s throats?
Fu Qianqian immediately looked humble and explained, "I’m not here to pick them up. I don’t even know them. They’re just talking to themselves over there, probably crazy."
"Of course, I’m not here to pick you up either. I just happened to be passing by and saw you."
"How was it? The guards didn’t give you a hard time, right? I already told them not to stop you, blah blah blah..."
Zhang Xiaoyun and her husband stood there dumbfounded, completely thrown off.
Before they could react, a car suddenly sped in.
Both of them glanced over instinctively. Zhang Xiaoyun immediately recognized it — wasn’t that their director’s car?
She didn’t have time to be surprised at Fu Qianqian’s change in demeanor and quickly straightened up.
Sure enough, Director Li and the others had really arrived.
She spotted Boss Wang from the department store in the passenger seat.
The two were chatting and laughing.
Zhang Xiaoyun was thrilled and quickly raised her hand to greet, "Direc—"
Before she could finish, the car roared past them.
Zhang Xiaoyun was blasted with a cloud of dust and nearly choked.
Her expression darkened for a moment, about to say something, but then she saw the car stop right next to Si Nian and Zhou Yueshen.
Her eyes lit up. Maybe the director hadn’t noticed them earlier?
She certainly didn’t think Zhou Yueshen and Si Nian knew Director Li — after all, last time they went to the police station, it was her sister who had made the arrangements in advance.
She hurriedly grabbed her stunned husband and rushed after them.
Director Li intended to greet Zhou Yueshen and Si Nian’s group.
But before he could say a word, Zhang Xiaoyun’s breathless voice cut in.
"Direc—Director, Boss Wang, are you here for my niece’s wedding too? We are as well."
Seeing the two who had caught up, Si Nian was speechless.
So annoying, really.
Director Li was speechless. He had just pretended not to see them, yet these two had caught up again.
He rolled his eyes and replied indifferently, "Oh."
Zhang Xiaoyun didn’t mind his attitude. The director was always like this—cold and aloof. She glanced at the serious-looking Boss Wang beside her and quickly put on a flattering smile. "Why don’t we all go together? It’s better to go as a group."
If she and her husband could hitch a ride with Director Li, how impressive would that be!
Zhang Xiaoyun shamelessly pushed her luck.
After saying that, she looked triumphantly at Si Nian.
Although she didn’t know how Si Nian had gotten close to Fu Qianqian, so what?
No matter how favored Fu Qianqian was, she was just a daughter—and daughters were meant to be married off eventually, so she wasn’t useful.
But Director Li was different. His son was still unmarried. If she could get in good with Director Li, maybe one day she could introduce her daughter to Captain Li...
Just thinking about this possibility made Zhang Xiaoyun’s face flush with excitement.
Director Li was too lazy to bother with her and immediately refused, "No, the back seat is already taken. It would be too cramped if you got in."
Zhang Xiaoyun’s face fell in disappointment.
But then she thought about the important person sitting in the back seat—there was no way she could be on equal footing with them.
"That’s true, that’s true. Anyway, it’s not far. We can just walk over ourselves. When we get there, everyone has to have a drink together."
Director Li ignored her again and looked at Si Nian and Zhou Yueshen’s group with an expression as indifferent as flipping through a book.
"Xiao Zhou, Xiao Zhou’s wife, you’re here for the wedding too?"
Zhou Yueshen nodded slightly but said little.
Zhang Xiaoyun and Director Li’s earlier attitudes seemed to have completely reversed.
Zhang Xiaoyun’s smile stiffened, still caught off guard, when the usually cold and taciturn Director Li smiled and said, "What a coincidence, we’re going too. Get in quickly; I’ll give you a ride."
Si Nian glanced at Zhang Xiaoyun and her husband, who were growing increasingly wide-eyed, and said, "Isn’t it too many of us?"
"Not many at all. We can squeeze in. If it’s really too much, Old Zhang can get out and walk. How could I let you carry a child all the way there?"
Chief Zhang in the back seat: "?"
Fu Qianqian was unfazed. The last time she attended Si Nian’s wedding, she saw Zhou Yueshen and Director Li sitting at the same table, eating and drinking.
Being a bit scatterbrained, she didn’t think much of it. After all, Zhou Yueshen was wealthy and handsome; it was normal for him to know some big shots. Nothing strange about that.
She couldn’t understand why the Zhang family was making such a fuss.
She hurriedly asked, "What about me? What about me?" She also wanted a ride!
Director Li’s car was fairly spacious in the back. He chuckled, "Everyone get in, everyone get in. We won’t get fined for overloading here anyway."
"Little one, let me hold you. Our little treasure has gotten so chubby~~~"
Boss Wang, who had just been so serious, now smiled like a Buddha.
Si Nian didn’t refuse and handed Yaoyao over to him.
The group squeezed into the car. To avoid taking up a seat, Si Nian sat on Zhou Yueshen’s lap.
The car pulled away, brushing past Zhang Xiaoyun and her husband as they stood there, still bewildered in the wind.
They vaguely heard the voice of the senior officer from the North China Military Region, who took the initiative to greet them: "Xiao Zhou, why didn’t you say a word before coming over? I almost thought Old Li was lying."
But then came the cold, indifferent reply from that country bumpkin they all looked down on: "Just passing by, nothing to mention..."
The two were speechless.
...
Exactly six o’clock.
The Si Family set off firecrackers.
A group of guests gathered outside.
Whispers spread among them.
“It’s time. Why haven’t Director Li and the others arrived yet?”
“Yeah, could it be they’re bluffing? I just don’t think a family like theirs could know such important people.”
“No way... I even gave extra gifts just now...”
“...”
The murmurs around made the Si family struggle to keep their smiles.
Si’s Father was anxious to no end. Where was Director Li?
Lin Sisi stood beside her father, surrounded by the women who had just shown her favor.
Now that the banquet had started but the guests hadn’t arrived, those women cast doubtful glances at her.
Lin Sisi’s heart pounded wildly as she glanced nervously at her parents.
Her father wore a look of absolute confidence, boasting everywhere that Director Li and the others would come. That was why she had said so to these people.
But if Director Li didn’t show up, how would she explain herself?
Amid the awkward atmosphere, a car approached from afar.
Everyone’s attention was drawn to it.
Some recognized the vehicle as Director Li’s and immediately exclaimed, “Director Li’s here!”
“Wow, he really came? The Si Family’s something else!”
“Oh my, Director Li’s here! The Si Family’s really going to make a name for themselves.”
“If only I could know so many big shots.”
The crowd swarmed forward.
The car stopped.
The door opened.
Director Li stepped out.
In the front passenger seat, Boss Wang got out holding a little toddler.
“That’s Boss Wang?”
“No way, it really is Boss Wang from the department store!”
“What on earth does the Si Family have going on? Even Boss Wang showed up.”
“Hey, Boss Wang, long time no see. Is this your granddaughter? She’s really pretty.”
Someone reached out to pat Yaoyao’s head.
Boss Wang immediately dodged, looking annoyed.
Boss Wang: “Have we met before?”
The other person: “.....”
Si’s Father was grinning from ear to ear, watching those who originally held higher positions get stumped. His mood couldn’t have been better.
He stepped forward to greet them, “Boss Wang, long time no see. This child here...”
Before he could finish his praise, Si’s Father froze.
This child looked vaguely familiar.
Sure enough, a moment later, several familiar figures stepped out of the back seat.
Chief Zhang was one thing, but what were Si Nian, Zhou Yueshen, and Fu Qianqian doing here?
Not just Si’s Father, even others thought they must be mistaken.
Isn’t that Si Nian?
Hadn’t she already married off to a remote rural area?
How could she appear here, stepping down from Director Li’s car?
And Fu Qianqian?
Wasn’t the Fu Family on cold terms with Director Li’s family?
Why was she getting out of Director Li’s car?
Not only those present but even the Fu couple were stunned.
Had their daughter defected?
When Fu Yang saw Si Nian, his eyes tightened, and he even forgot to take a drag from his cigarette.
Her eyes fixed intently on Si Nian, as if trying to see right through her.
In that instant, his heart pounded wildly.
Could it be... she came to ruin the wedding?
Was it that she simply couldn’t accept him marrying Lin Sisi?
Si Nian hadn’t even noticed his gaze before the man beside her gently pulled her closer into his arms.
She glanced at Zhou Yueshen but made no move.
Instead, she leaned in naturally.
Fu Yang: “.....”
“Ni, Nian Nian?” Si’s Father and Si’s Mother recognized the two and realized what was happening, but their expressions were tinged with awkwardness.
Yet, considering Zhou Yueshen’s connection with Director Li and the others, it didn’t seem all that strange.
They just didn’t want outsiders to know that it was only through their country-born son-in-law, Zhou Yueshen, that they were acquainted with Director Li and his circle.
For now, they forced polite smiles.
Lin Sisi’s face was even more sour.
“Director Li, we’re truly grateful you helped bring Nian Nian here on your way,” Si’s Father said after a moment’s thought.
Director Li gave a faint, knowing smile. “No need to thank me. It’s only right.”
Envious murmurs rose from the crowd.
Si’s Father basked in the attention, his smile growing even brighter. “Director Li is right. Please, come inside quickly. The banquet is ready, and we’ve been waiting for you all.”
Director Li waved a hand. “No rush. My son hasn’t arrived yet.”
Si’s Father froze for a moment.
The people around were equally surprised.
Captain Li is coming too?
Just then, a police car drove in.
Several tall men in police uniforms stepped out.
Everyone was stunned.
Showing up to a banquet in uniform?
I’m dying here. With the daily cliffhangers, there’s barely time to catch my breath—dying here. (Powered by love)
