The award ceremony was filled with a sense of ritual. Although it was just a "small" family gathering, there was a host, ushers, flower children, a stage, flowers, and gifts – everything that was needed.
Unbeknownst to whom, the award moment turned into a photo opportunity for Grace and Qin Yunxi.
"Click, click—"
By the time Grace realized Feng Linwan and Zhan Lan were taking pictures of her and tried to dodge the camera, it was too late.
She: "————"
She cast a resentful glare at Du Ruoxin, who was watching the show from the stage stairs, and issued a silent warning, "What are you doing? Why aren't you coming over?"
Du Ruoxin smiled and nudged Rong Jingwen, "Let's go."
If they didn't go over soon, Grace would surely be upset.
But there was no help for it. After all, she had just accepted a bribe from Aunt Zhan and decided to adopt a proactive and approving attitude towards "matching Grace and Brother Qin."
Du Ruoxin was truly surprised that Aunt Zhan had set her sights on Grace as the Qin family's daughter-in-law, just as her own mother-in-law had recognized her.
This—
She had intended to match Grace with Rong Jingshu, but instead, she caught Aunt Zhan's eye.
Alright.
As long as Brother Qin could mend his ways and treat Grace well, Du Ruoxin was very willing for her good friend to marry into the Qin family.
Not to mention, Aunt Zhan was truly wonderful!
Grace would definitely not be bullied in the Qin family, but—
Could a prodigal son truly turn over a new leaf?
Du Ruoxin didn't believe Qin Yunxi would fall in love with Grace, but she couldn't refuse Aunt Zhan's request.
Therefore.
She could cooperate to some extent, but she wouldn't help Brother Qin pursue Grace.
Grace was unaware of Du Ruoxin's little schemes. As soon as she saw Sister Xin, she quickly inserted herself between Du Ruoxin and Rong Jingwen, isolating the annoying man.
"I don't like Qin Yunxi!"
"I hate him!"
Grace tilted her head and whispered earnestly into Du Ruoxin's ear.
Du Ruoxin quickly soothed her friend, "I know, I know."
Grace: "If you know, then why!"
Du Ruoxin was very direct and frank, "I was wrong. It won't happen again."
Grace: "……"
The unexpected apology stunned her.
Du Ruoxin continued, "Can you forgive me?"
"My dear~~~"
Grace couldn't resist Du Ruoxin's coaxing and quickly replied, "Mhm."
The award ceremony continued. After the flower children presented the awards to the winning team, the host asked everyone to open their gift boxes on the spot and share the joy.
Qin Yunxi opened his first. His was casual, just a pair of Guardian Angel limited edition plush dolls.
A toy a young girl would like, and it looked pretty good.
He'd give it to Rong Doudou later.
Grace opened hers second. As she held a jade bracelet, emerald green all over and warm to the touch, someone gasped.
"Hiss—"
Qin Yunxi felt his teeth ache! His stomach ached! His heart ached!
His mother, no, his birth mother, had given the family heirloom to Grace?
This was it! It was all over!!!!
Did his mother really want him to marry this ugly woman?
Refuse!
Protest!
He declared he couldn't accept it!
He hadn't had enough fun yet, didn't want to get married and have children, and certainly didn't want to give up a whole forest for one woman.
Unless Grace could accept him having one woman on each arm, lingering in the flower patch, he wouldn't mind having a wife at home as a decoration with the title of "Mrs. Qin."
However, she probably wouldn't agree?
"Oh, this bracelet is great. It can promote health," Du Ruoxin said as she helped her friend put it on. "You've been having trouble sleeping, haven't you? See if it can help relieve it."
Grace examined the jade bracelet—this bracelet? It's just a prettier stone, what kind of health can it promote?
Qin Yunxi glanced at the jade bracelet already on the ugly woman's wrist—he desperately wanted to snatch it away!
This was for the Qin family's daughter-in-law!
And he didn't want to marry her!