Volume One Chapter 59: Rotten Luck in Love

Xiao Jin looked at Chi Yueyao, her expression odd. “Yueyao, how do you know Sun Wusheng?”

Chi Yueyao felt deeply embarrassed. She had met several second-generation heirs at Chi Xingwan’s engagement party, and later kept them dangling, occasionally meeting up with them. It was during one of these gatherings that she met Sun Wusheng. He was a rotten man, but his family background was the best among them.

Naturally, Chi Yueyao was unwilling to settle for someone like Sun Wusheng, so she only kept him hanging on, hoping to use him as a stepping stone to someone of even higher status.

She had only just found out that Sun Wusheng was at odds with the Xiao family. Compared to Sun Wusheng, she would, of course, choose the Xiao family.

“Xiao Jin, I met Mr. Sun through a friend. We’ve only seen each other a few times,” she explained.

Xiao Rui was very wary. “You’ve only met him a few times, yet you’re out alone with him late at night? Aren’t you being a little too careless?”

Ever since the incident with Su Tang, Xiao Rui was particularly sensitive about such matters.

Chi Yueyao was both awkward and annoyed.

Sun Wusheng was clearly displeased. “Hey, kid, what’s your problem? Why can’t she go out alone with me? What do you take me for?”

Xiao Rui exploded. “Who are you calling a kid? I’m already an adult!”

As the argument escalated, Qiao Qingyun finally hurried over, smiling as she asked, “What’s going on? What are you all up to?”

With the main character’s arrival and her attempt to smooth things over, neither side pressed further.

Sun Wusheng grinned wickedly. “We were just having a lively conversation, got a bit loud, that’s all. I just saw a friend, so if you’ll excuse me.”

He forcefully put his arm around Chi Yueyao and dragged her away. Chi Yueyao followed, clearly reluctant, and as she looked back at Xiao Jin, she saw that Xiao Jin wasn’t looking at her at all, but rather at Chi Xingwan. The sight nearly made her choke with anger.

As Sun Wusheng walked off, Qiao Qingyun apologized, looking embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know he was that kind of person. I called him because our families have business ties.”

Zhang Shaodan reassured her, “There’s no need to apologize. Even if we don’t get along with the Suns, our families still do business. We can’t completely fall out, and sometimes you simply have to invite certain people.”

Qiao Qingyun looked gratefully at Zhang Shaodan. She was the one who had organized this welcome party in the first place, and when she’d asked Qiao Qingyun to invite a few friends, Qiao Qingyun had included Sun Wusheng, thinking of the business ties between their families.

Only later did she discover Sun Wusheng’s true nature, but by then it was hard to cut him off.

Zhang Shaodan smiled. “Don’t let a scoundrel ruin your mood. Here, let me introduce you to a friend.”

She pulled Qiao Qingyun over to Chi Xingwan. “This is Chi Xingwan, Xiao Yue’s fiancée. Xingwan, this is Qiao Qingyun—the star of tonight’s show.”

Qiao Qingyun extended her right hand with a smile. “Hello, I’m Qiao Qingyun. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Chi Xingwan also extended her hand. “I’m Chi Xingwan. Actually, I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.”

Qiao Qingyun was surprised. “You’ve heard of me before?”

Chi Xingwan nodded, smiling. “My father was Chi Zhengmao, and my mother was Xue Miao. When they were alive, they were business partners with your father. I heard their relationship went beyond business—they were like brothers.”

Qiao Qingyun suddenly understood. “So you’re Uncle Chi and Aunt Xue’s daughter! My father always spoke of them with such regret. Even now, every year on their memorial day, if he’s in the country, he visits their graves in person.”

“Uncle Qiao is very thoughtful. If it’s convenient, I’d like to visit him someday.”

Qiao Qingyun brightened. “Of course! My father would be delighted to see you.”

With this connection, the two quickly grew close.

Chi Xingwan asked, “This might seem abrupt, but may I ask—have you been troubled by something lately?”

Qiao Qingyun was taken aback.

Zhang Shaodan caught on immediately. “Xingwan, did you notice something?”

Chen Qifan added, “Wait, are you saying Qingyun’s being haunted by something?”

Qiao Qingyun was utterly confused. “What are you all talking about?”

Even Xiao Rui, who knew about Chi Xingwan’s abilities, leaned in and whispered, “Actually, my sister is a celestial master. She’s really talented—we’ve all seen it.”

Even Xiao Jin nodded. “Don’t be afraid, Qingyun. There’s nothing that can’t be solved.”

Their serious tone startled Qiao Qingyun, making her nervous as well.

Chi Xingwan sighed. “You’re all overthinking it. I just noticed that Qingyun is having a run of romantic luck lately—unfortunately, it’s with the wrong people.”

At that, Qiao Qingyun immediately remembered. “That’s right, I have been pestered by someone lately. I didn’t realize it was bad luck in love.”

Zhang Shaodan glanced around. “Let’s find someplace to sit and talk.”

They found an empty spot in the corner, and only then did Qiao Qingyun explain, “When I’d just returned to the country, I accidentally took the wrong luggage at the airport. After we got in touch and exchanged our bags, he kept saying it was his fault and tried to invite me to dinner to apologize, but I refused every time.”

Xiao Jin cut straight to the point. “That’s a setup—maybe he swapped the luggage on purpose.”

Zhang Shaodan asked, “Qingyun, didn’t you add his contact info? Can you show us?”

Qiao Qingyun quickly pulled out her phone and opened WeChat. Chen Qifan took one look at the profile picture and recognized him at once.

“So it’s that freeloader.”

Prompted by this, Xiao Jin also remembered. “Isn’t he the same guy who conned Sister Qin last year?”

Qiao Qingyun grew anxious. “Stop talking in riddles—just tell me who he is!”

Chen Qifan explained, “You know the Gao family in Huaihai City, right? Qin is their daughter. Last year, she dated a guy, claimed he was a well-educated overseas returnee, that his family owned a vineyard abroad—everything sounded perfect. She was completely taken in, and they were already talking about marriage.”

Zhang Shaodan, unfamiliar with this gossip, asked curiously, “So what happened?”

Xiao Jin picked up the tale. “Qin’s mother was sharp and sensed something was off. She had him investigated, and it turned out everything was a lie. He wasn’t some high-flying scholar; he hadn’t even finished high school and was just a drifter using his looks to swindle people.”

“Qin was so furious she exposed him in the group chat and on her social media. He couldn’t stay in Huaihai City and ended up coming to Beijing.”

Xiao Jin looked worried. “Qingyun, he must have found out about your background somehow and is trying his old tricks again. You absolutely can’t fall for it.”

Qiao Qingyun smiled at her. “I never wanted to have anything to do with him in the first place. Now that I know he’s a fraud, I certainly won’t go near him.”

But Chi Xingwan said, “But your face shows you’re in a run of bad romance. It’s not as easy to avoid as you think.”