Because Qi Weiran seemed to have taken some sort of potion by mistake, he, who used to come back only once a year, had been staying over frequently lately.
This meant Yi Qingju couldn't linger around the pig farm for too long. As the time for the kindergarten to let out approached, she had to rush to pick up Qi Xinian and return home.
Stepping inside with the little one, as expected, they caught sight of that figure with broad shoulders and a slim waist, currently being helped out of his suit jacket.
Upon hearing footsteps, Qi Weiran turned around.
"Sir, we're back," Yi Qingju said.
The little one slipped out of Yi Qingju's hand, pulled off his yellow cap, and ran over, bouncing with excitement. "Uncle, I'm back!"
Qi Weiran bent down to pat his head, lips curling slightly. "Hmm."
Auntie Zhang emerged at this moment, smiling. "Sir, Madam, young master, come wash up and have dinner."
Yi Qingju sniffed.
[Great, it's pig trotters—]
Though her heart was leaping with joy, Yi Qingju still shyly smiled at Qi Weiran and offered, "Sir, let me help you wash up."
[Puppy love, until the inheritance is all yours]
[I promise to wash them cleaner than pig trotters,]
Watching Yi Qingju's eyes gleaming with excitement and focused on her hands, Qi Weiran remained silent for a moment.
Then, he nodded reservedly.
Clean enough to go in the pot.
The young girl, with her innocent cat-like eyes lowered, gently caressed her fingers, letting the clear water wash away the excess foam.
He could faintly smell the fragrance coming from the dining room and the tender voice of Qi Xinian from there.
All of these, together, resembled the concept of 'home' as Qi Weiran had read in books.
Looking at her slightly reddened fingertips, Qi Weiran spoke up, "That's enough."
Yi Qingju immediately stopped her actions.
"Alright."
[Don't worry, when you go to the western heaven, I'll wash them just as clean as now]
[Just practicing early]
Qi Weiran: "..."
Romance may die, but he couldn't.
"No need to wash in the future, I'll do it myself."
He said lightly, then walked out first.
Yi Qingju watched his retreating figure, a slightly surprised look on her face.
[So you can wash your hands yourself]
Qi Weiran: Otherwise?
Did you just wash pig trotters?
A few minutes later, Yi Qingju finally realized that all important matters in this house were announced at the dining table.
"There's a banquet tomorrow, I'll have Wan Sui pick you up."
The head of the household, Qi Weiran, suddenly spoke up after taking a bite of his food.
Qi Xinian's eyes lit up. "Can I go too, Uncle?"
"You still have homework."
The little one's face instantly fell, unwilling. "I'll finish it at kindergarten!"
Yi Qingju dealt him the heaviest blow, "You have to rehearse for the play, where will you find the time?"
Qi Xinian instantly wilted, then angrily gnawed on another pig trotter.
...
"Madam, you look stunning in this outfit, it accentuates your waistline so well, Mr. Qi will surely be greatly moved if he sees you."
The stylist sister praised Yi Qingju in front of her, showering her with compliments.
The makeup artist next to her nudged her with her elbow, giving her a look that signaled her to shut up.
Thinking about how Mr. Qi despised this madam the most, the stylist awkwardly fell silent. In her gaze towards the beautiful woman in front of her, there was a hint of sympathy.
Yi Qingju caught a glimpse of the expressions of those two in the mirror and knew what they were thinking. Immediately, a touch of melancholy and bitterness flashed across her face. "Really? Thank you for your praise."
The little system squatting on her head shook its head: "This acting, does the host really not consider entering the entertainment industry to become a queen of the screen?"
It persistently asked.
Swirling her skirt, Yi Qingju smirked, "What's good about being a screen queen? I want to be the uncrowned queen of pig farming."
The girl in the mirror wore a white long dress, with loosely tied long hair that seemed casual but every strand was meticulously designed. The dazzling necklace on her fair neck became the finishing touch to the elegant dress.
The little system looked at Yi Qingju in the mirror and praised, "The necklace looks so beautiful. It was Qi Weiran who sent it, he's still thinking about the host."
Yi Qingju reached out to touch the necklace, shaking her head at the comment.
"What is he thinking about me? It's obvious that boy has ulterior motives."
"This necklace is a new product that Qi Jewelry plans to launch this year. Qi Weiran asked me to be a free spokesperson and wear it to the banquet to show it to those wealthy ladies," she explained.
The small system couldn't understand these twists and turns, exclaimed, "Your circle is really chaotic."
"Madam, it's almost time," Wan Sui's voice suddenly came from outside the door.
"I'm coming," Yi Qingju grabbed her bag and left.
She was dressed too lightly. The moment Wan Sui saw her, he handed her the shawl he had prepared in advance. "It's windy outside, madam, be careful not to catch a cold."
Yi Qingju took it from him, smiling, "Wan Assistant's recent attitude really surprises me."
Facing her undisguised sarcasm, Wan Sui smiled without changing his expression, "Madam, you're exaggerating. This is what Mr. Qi asked me to give you."
Yi Qingju's eyebrows were about to reach the sky, looking incredulous.
On the car, a man lazily leaned his arm against the window. The silver ring on his hand was from the same series as Yi Qingju's necklace, making his fingers appear slender and captivating in the dim light.
"Sir," Yi Qingju called out.
Qi Weiran turned his head to glance at her, then nodded indifferently as usual.
But Wan Sui noticed that his gaze lingered on Yi Qingju's face for a second longer.
This was an unprecedented situation, Wan Sui's eyes under the lenses flashed.
Seemingly silent throughout the journey, but Qi Weiran actually listened to half an hour of complaints without feeling bored.
"Sir, we've arrived," Wan Sui's reminder sounded from the passenger seat.
Yi Qingju glanced outside for a moment, the flashing magnesium lights outside the dark car window reminded her of the banquet she attended with Qi Weiran just after they got married.
Just like this, under various lights and Qi Weiran's cold and impatient profile, because she wasn't used to wearing high heels, she accidentally—
Stepping on the long skirt of the girl in front, causing her elegant dress to transform into a shorter one, losing a piece of fabric against her will.
Qi Weiran, who had already exited the car, followed her words and recalled the incident.
Meanwhile, the journalists holding their cameras were secretly anticipating the appearance of Mrs. Qi.
"That year, her outstanding performance saved the day. Although Yi Qingju is not favored by Qi Weiran, her popularity is still considerable."
Someone sneered, "Who doesn't like a clown seeking attention? She earned so much criticism with her own efforts."
"Last time, when she stepped on the heiress's gown and tore it apart, you guys didn't see it. Qi Weiran's face turned dark, and he immediately left her behind."
"These elite families are not easy to get into..."
So, when Yi Qingju got out of the car, she was surprised to find Qi Weiran extending his hand like a gentleman as she descended.
"Thank you, Mr. Qi."
Enduring the flashing camera lights and inexplicable screams around her, Yi Qingju placed her hand in his, her face blushing slightly.
In the shadows, a pair of malicious eyes watched this scene with burning rage.
At the moment the two stepped onto the red carpet, a disheveled woman suddenly broke through the security, holding a paint bucket and splashed it onto Yi Qingju.
"Yi Qingju! You dare to marry him! Shameless wretch!!"
