C18 Xue Zhengchao

The train finally pulled into Jinzhou. Shang Wu and Xue Zhengqing were gathering their belongings, so they asked Qian Duojing to head down first and wait for them on the platform.

Initially, Qian Duojing stood by the door of their car, waiting for them. But as the crowd swelled, she made her way toward the platform. Midway, someone bumped into her, sending her world spinning, and she braced for a fall, closing her eyes in alarm.

However, the anticipated pain never came. An arm hooked around her waist, pulling her into a safe embrace.

Opening her eyes, Qian Duojing saw a refined man with glasses who bore a striking resemblance to Xue Zhengqing. Yet, his presence was more forbidding, his demeanor shadowed, while Xue Zhengqing exuded a warmth akin to sunlight.

A flicker of astonishment crossed the man's eyes as he steadied Qian Duojing. "Are you alright, Miss?" he inquired.

"Thank you," Qian Duojing quickly expressed her gratitude. "If it weren't for your timely intervention, I would have had a nasty fall."

Observing her, the man noted Qian Duojing's flowing hair and her chic attire, reminiscent of a young lady freshly returned from studying abroad. He ventured, "Would you be willing to join me for a cup of coffee as a token of thanks?"

With a polite smile, Qian Duojing declined, "I'm sorry, sir, but I'm waiting for someone here. I'm afraid I can't join you for coffee."

The man's suspicion was piqued. Leaning in, he smiled at Qian Duojing. "Miss Jiang, I'm Xue Zhengchao. My father sent me to pick you up."

Qian Duojing was taken aback. Xue Zhengchao, Xue Zhengqing—she realized, "You're Xue Zhengchao?!"

Xue Zhengchao nodded at the vibrant "Miss Jiang" before him and was about to speak when Xue Zhengqing's voice interrupted from behind:

"Second brother! Duojing!"

Xue Zhengqing approached them, embracing his brother heartily, then turned to Qian Duojing at his side and introduced her, "Second brother, this is my wife, Qian Duojing."

Xue Zhengchao was momentarily taken aback, but he quickly recovered and offered an apology, "I'm sorry, Miss Qian, I mistook you for someone else. I thought you were Miss Jiang, whom I'm supposed to meet."

Hearing this, Xue Zhengqing couldn't help but chuckle. "Even you can make a mistake, second brother. Bet you didn't see this coming. Meet Qian Duojing, your sister-in-law."

In his brother's presence, Xue Zhengqing reverted to a boyish demeanor, his voice brimming with liveliness.

Adjusting his glasses with a smile, Xue Zhengchao said, "Zhengqing, why don't you take Miss Qian home? I'll wait here for Miss Jiang. Wu, stay with me and lend a hand. Zhengqing's group has a car; carrying a few items won't be an issue."

Xue Zhengqing grabbed the items from Shang Wu. Since Qian Duojing had arrived empty-handed, he and Shang Wu each ended up with just one suitcase. Xue Zhengqing, carrying both suitcases, warmly nudged Qian Duojing's shoulder as he escorted her towards the station exit.

Xue Zhengchao remained behind, watching the red silhouette disappear into the distance. His expression turned serious as he questioned Shang Wu, "Wu, give it to me straight. Did Zhengqing hire someone to pose as Qian Duojing to deceive our father?"

Shang Wu was quick to set the record straight for Xue Zhengchao, "I swear on my honor! This is indeed Qing's betrothed wife, Qian Duojing, whom we fetched from her village and brought back from the city."

Shang Wu recounted the entire saga, detailing how they were chased out of the village when they went to retrieve Qian Duojing, how she had gone to the city to work in a textile factory to earn money, and how they had followed her there.

He tactfully left out the part about Xue Zhengqing getting into a scuffle with a local thug, being pursued by the police, and the ensuing chaos that led to a late-night distress call. Recalling the panic-stricken Xue Zhengqing, who normally wouldn't flinch even with a gun to his head, was indeed a rare sight.

Then he chuckled and remarked, "Mr. Chao, don't you agree that Qing's wife doesn't seem like she's from around here? She's stunningly beautiful and vibrant, almost like a fairy nurtured in the mountains. No village girl possesses such an aura. Dressed in those clothes, she could pass for a wealthy heiress."

Xue Zhengchao responded with a smile, "Indeed, Zhengqing is truly fortunate."

From a distance, a girl approached, striding confidently in a dress and high heels, suitcase in hand. She stopped in front of Xue Zhengchao, her demeanor proud.

"You're Xue Zhengchao, aren't you? My father showed me your photo. Hello, I'm Jiang Lulu."