Li Huan ran out crying.
"Sorry for the little interruption, I didn't mean to dampen everyone's spirits, my apologies. Please continue," Qi Huifen said with a smile, properly addressing the guests.
The upper class is a group of people who have seen the world.
It didn't take long for the hall to return to its usual orderly state.
Qi Huifen led Qiao Xiguan towards Yan Xintong, who was not far away, "Was Li Huan invited by you?"
"I..." Yan Xintong couldn't utter a word.
Even the scene just now was deliberately instigated by her to provoke Li Huan into action.
"Don't make friends with such a messy crowd in the future; it lowers your own status!" Qi Huifen said harshly.
"Mom, I'll pay attention to that in the future," Yan Xintong obediently nodded.
Yet her malicious gaze drifted towards Qiao Xiguan, her cold eyes flashing a fierce light.
Qiao Xiguan, because of you, I actually got scolded by Qi Huifen twice tonight!
You remember this!
Qiao Xiguan seemed not to care, her smile was very appropriate.
Perhaps there might even be a third time?
Once the little incident was over, Qi Huifen left again, calmly greeting the other guests.
Qiao Xiguan pursed her lips, about to leave when Yan Xintong called her, "Wait a second."
Qiao Xiguan looked up at her.
Yan Xintong stepped closer, staring at her fiercely, and spoke word by word, "Qiao Xiguan, I don't know if you suddenly became smart after three years or if someone is backing you, but let me tell you, don't try to compete with me, you are not my opponent."
With a slight upturn of her mouth, Qiao Xiguan revealed an innocent smile, "Little sister, I really don't know what you're talking about. We're a family, why should we fight?!"
"Stop pretending in front of me," Yan Xintong coldly snorted.
"I'm not pretending. Is there some misunderstanding about me?" Qiao Xiguan looked at her, seemingly astounded by the misunderstanding.
"There's no misunderstanding! Qiao Xiguan, let me tell you, you will never climb over my head in this lifetime. The man you married has already sealed your fate!" Yan Xintong's icy words burst forth as she turned around and left after dropping that sentence.
Qiao Xiguan bit her lip, her mouth corners subtly curving.
Yet.
Suddenly, there was a "hiss" sound in the hall.
Yan Xintong froze, feeling a sudden coolness at her chest. Looking down, her black evening gown had slipped below her bosom, exposing her flesh-colored invisible bra, embarrassing beyond measure.
Suddenly, the hall was abuzz.
Yan Xintong tugged fiercely at her black evening gown, pulling too hard and causing another "hiss", as the hem was ripped, and her underwear became faintly visible, utterly disgraceful.
No!
Yan Xintong's face turned red instantly, so red it almost went white in a flash.
When had she, Yan Xintong, ever suffered such embarrassment? This was worse than death for her, and she wished she could dive into a crack in the ground and find nowhere to hide.
Voices echoed around her, and she felt mocking glances piercing her, like spotlights showcasing her awkward plight for all to see. She really wanted to just smash her head and die.
"Qiao Xiguan!" Yan Xintong screamed.
She turned her head to look at Qiao Xiguan's high heels, still stepping on her black hem.
"I..." Qiao Xiguan was at a total loss, "Just now when you turned and left, I just wanted to explain that I didn't mean to target you intentionally, even though you said the husband I married is not as good as yours, I wasn't jealous of you. I think Zichen is really great, but you left in such a hurry that I accidentally stepped on your dress..."
"Qiao Xiguan, you did it on purpose, you did it on purpose!" Yan Xintong couldn't stand it.
She wanted to kill this woman!
That moment she didn't have a tiny bit of reason left.
"Aren't you ashamed?! Go back to your room right now!" Qi Huifen came over, fury written all over her face.
Gu Yaoqi's face also turned ugly in an instant.
"Mom..."
"Go now!" Qi Huifen's face had become even colder, her voice harsher.
Biting her lip, Yan Xintong clutched the only piece of fabric left to her and ran upstairs to the second floor, seething with anger, tears streaming down her face. She was consumed with hatred but helpless, she absolutely loathed Qiao Xiguan, despised her to the core.
"Really, I apologize for the spectacle," Qi Huifen said with decorum as she watched Yan Xintong leave, "I hope it hasn't disturbed everyone's enjoyment."
The others shook their heads to indicate it didn't matter.
But privately, they couldn't help noting that the Gu Family's dinner parties were indeed full of ever-emerging disasters, one after another.
Upon reflection, it seemed that they were all related to the Gu Family's eldest daughter-in-law.
The Gu Family's eldest daughter-in-law, that so-called socialite dud in marital relations, when had she become so unforgettable to everyone?!
Everything was restored to order.
"Come with me," Qi Huifen suddenly said to Qiao Xiguan, her expression cold.
A sly smile flashed across Qiao Xiguan's eyes, and she nodded obediently, "Yes, Mom."
The two of them walked to a corner of the hall, a place that did not attract much attention.
"What happened tonight?!" Qi Huifen asked coldly.
"Mom, are you also misunderstanding me?" Qiao Xiguan looked at her.
Qi Huifen frowned.
"After returning from prison, I haven't thought of causing trouble. I know how ignorant I had been. After serving three years, I've come to understand a lot of things. A few days ago, I was hit in the head by a cellmate, barely escaped death, and got three stitches. The scar is still there, but it was a wakeup call. Now, to be able to return to such a warm home, I sincerely want to live a good life with Zichen and look after my parents," Qiao Xiguan spoke earnestly, "Just when I felt that Zichen had started to see me differently, I couldn't help but react whenever someone spoke of him… but I really didn't do anything to my sister-in-law on purpose just now."
Qi Huifen looked at Qiao Xiguan.
Same appearance, the same woman, yet she suddenly felt as if she had completely changed from head to toe.
She remained silent, "I haven't misunderstood you, I just want to clarify things. Since you haven't done anything, I won't blame you without reason. Just be more careful next time."
Qi Huifen's tone had clearly softened a lot.
Qiao Xiguan smiled obediently and nodded.
Qi Huifen wasn't so easy to dismiss. What she was thinking inside didn't matter, nor did it matter whether she believed Qiao Xiguan's side of the story. The important thing was that as long as Qi Huifen understood that Gu Zichen felt differently about Qiao Xiguan, and that Qiao Xiguan always protected Gu Zichen's reputation, that was enough. Here, there was no place for heartfelt confessions, only a transaction of mutual benefit.
Watching Qi Huifen's retreating back, Qiao Xiguan turned looking for Gu Zichen.
Gu Zichen was not in the hall for some time; in fact, it seemed he seldom spent much time there. On the other hand, Gu Zijun stood not far away, watching her with a meaningful gaze.