The car stopped in front of a grand and ancient private residence.
Before they could even get out, a doorman approached to open the doors.
Qiao Ci was poised and graceful, while Zhou Ye appeared somewhat bewildered. Could this affluent family, occupying nearly half a mountain, truly be his wife's maternal home?
"Daydreaming? Let's go in," Qiao Ci led Zhou Ye, guided by a servant, into the main hall.
In the original plot, Zhou Ye had come here to execute a mission from the army, protecting a high-ranking officer at the time. He was discovered by Deputy Commander Zhou, who had been invited to lend prestige. This was because Zhou Ye bore an uncanny resemblance to him in his youth. After inquiring in detail about his background, he was recognized as a member of the Zhou family. Besides Deputy Commander Zhou Batian, the Zhou family had always been involved in business and maintained commercial ties with the Qiao family, which was why Zhou Batian had been invited this time. Qiao Ci brought him here at this moment precisely because she wanted him to make his own choice. In their previous life, he had chosen to return to the Zhou family, and this life, she would not be a variable hindering his recognition of his kin.
The two followed the servant for quite some time before reaching the reception hall. The hall was exceptionally spacious, capable of accommodating over two hundred people. It incorporated many modern elements, yet they did not clash, and many people were already mingling within. The arrival of Qiao Ci and Zhou Ye clearly drew a wave of attention. A combination of a handsome man and a beautiful woman is always eye-catching, regardless of the circumstances.
Lu Ming, who had arrived early to expand his social connections, was momentarily stunned upon seeing Qiao Ci and Zhou Ye. He mustemphasized internally why they would be present at such an occasion. He did not associate Qiao Ci with the Qiao family, as if she were truly a Qiao family daughter, the wedding would surely not be low-key, and moreover, a Qiao family daughter would not marry a commoner. It had to be said, upon meeting again, Lu Ming was captivated by Qiao Ci's increasingly beautiful face and noble demeanor. He had expected that after marrying Zhou Ye, she would gradually transform into those unkempt village women, but unexpectedly, she had become even more refined and charming. His steps unconsciously moved in front of Qiao Ci. With a gentlemanly smile, he extended his hand, believing himself to be handsome, "Hello, Qiao Ci, long time no see."
Zhou Ye intercepted Lu Ming's greeting with a large hand, applying slight pressure. The smile on the face of this refined but weak man faltered. After finally breaking free from Zhou Ye's grip, Lu Ming frowned, "Zhou Ye, this isn't the countryside. This isn't a place for you to act wild." Zhou Ye's sword-like eyebrows rose, "When did I act wild? I just didn't want you to touch my wife's hand. What? Am I not satisfying enough by shaking your hand, and you have to covet my wife?" By the end, his voice had become icy. "Ignorant fool. I was merely greeting Qiao Ci. Shaking hands is the most basic etiquette, do you understand?" Lu Ming looked at him with disdain, finding Zhou Ye crude and unsophisticated. "I don't understand, but I just don't want you to touch my wife. Forget her hand, not even a strand of her hair!" Zhou Ye retorted with a rascally demeanor. Lu Ming, naturally, did not argue further with him, who was clearly brimming with physical strength. He merely offered Qiao Ci an apologetic smile and walked past them to greet acquaintances. Feeling pleased, Zhou Ye, fearing Qiao Ci might find him too possessive, quickly lowered his head and looked at her pitifully, his voice laced with a hook, wronged, "Wife, that scoundrel wanted to touch your hand, and I sent him away. You're not angry, are you?" Qiao Ci, seeing his expressions shift so readily, couldn't help but chuckle, "It's alright. I wasn't going to shake hands with him anyway." Zhou Ye grinned foolishly, thinking his wife was truly wonderful. Lu Ming walked over to his friends. A close friend asked him, "That doll-like beautiful woman just now, do you know her?" "Yes," Lu Ming lit a cigarette, took a puff, and slowly exhaled a ring of smoke. "When the educated youth were sent to the countryside, I dated her." "Haha, Brother Lu is amazing! Given your romantic nature of passing through a hundred flowers without a leaf sticking to you, you must have slept with the young lady and then dumped her, right? Looking at her graceful figure, she must have been quite lively?" a friend teased him with a wicked smile. "Cough cough cough! Cough!" Lu Ming inhaled sharply, the smoke entering his trachea, making his eyes water. Damn it, let alone sleeping with her, he hadn't even held her hand! To be honest, during their ambiguous period of mutual affection, he didn't know if it counted as dating. However, Lu Ming was not going to explain. If he, a rich young master, couldn't compete with a country bumpkin, his friends would surely mock him. His friend quickly patted his back, concerned, "What's wrong, Brother Lu?" "Nothing," Lu Ming caught his breath and waved his hand, signaling his friend to stop. Qiao Ci ignored the curious glances from those around her and led Zhou Ye straight towards the second floor. Those downstairs were merely to fill the numbers; those upstairs were the influential figures. Father and Mother Qiao were entertaining guests on the second floor. Seeing them ascend, Lu Ming's friend was stunned, "Brother Lu, what's your ex-girlfriend's status? How can she go directly to the second floor? That's where the Qiao family's important relationships are concentrated. Do they have any background?" Lu Ming narrowed his eyes, then shook his head after a moment, "I don't know. I only know she was an educated youth sent to the countryside, and the man next to her is an orphan from the countryside." "...Doesn't seem like it~" Lu Ming's friend murmured, watching as they smoothly went upstairs without anyone stopping them. Lu Ming stubbed out his cigarette, his expression obscure, "They're not related to us. Why bother with her?" Meanwhile, as Qiao Ci and Zhou Ye reached the second floor, a servant led them to a private reception room. Inside, Father and Mother Qiao were ready, their expressions quite grim. They wanted to see which young man had "corrupted" their meticulously raised daughter into getting married, and then left for three years, leaving their precious daughter to an empty marital bed for three years!!! As Zhou Ye entered the room, he immediately felt the chilling atmosphere. Upon seeing the expressionless middle-aged couple sitting on the sofa by the tea set, he felt a slight discomfort in his nose, almost suffocating him. This situation was not right. It was indeed an interrogation! Zhou Ye looked desperately at Qiao Ci beside him, his eyes frantically sending signals for help: Wife, save me... Qiao Ci walked directly to the sofa opposite Father and Mother Qiao, smiling as she greeted them, "Hello, Mom and Dad." Father and Mother Qiao, having only one child, naturally cherished her dearly. Their expressions immediately softened, and they smiled, gesturing for her to sit down. Seeing this, Zhou Ye quickly stepped forward. As he was about to sit, Father Qiao's cool gaze fell upon him. Upon recognizing his face, he seemed slightly stunned but quickly returned to normal, his gaze fixed intently on him. Zhou Ye felt a prickling sensation all over from the intense stare, making him unable to stand or sit comfortably.