"Finished speaking?"
Qiao Yi had said a lot, but Lu Yanchuan seemed as if he hadn't heard a word, just staring straight at Qiao Yi.
"You, what do you mean? Have you been listening to me?"
Qiao Yi frowned, not liking this man's arrogant attitude.
Lu Yanchuan caught sight of Qiao Yi's knitted eyebrows and suddenly curved the corners of his lips, reaching out to pull Qiao Yi from the stairs to his side.
"Isn't it just about playing our own games without interfering with each other after marriage? I got it."
"What nonsense are you talking about? How is that what I meant!"
Qiao Yi exclaimed in shock, almost twisting her ankle, but thankfully Lu Yanchuan reached out to steady her.
"A lady shouldn't yell and scream at a banquet. According to what Miss Qiao said, you should still try to be a good Mrs. Lu in public."
Lu Yanchuan's large hand encircled Qiao Yi's waist, its scorching heat making it impossible for Qiao Yi to ignore.
"Let go of me!"
Qiao Yi lowered her voice and growled softly, both hands struggling to pry Lu Yanchuan's hand away.
But no matter how hard Qiao Yi struggled, Lu Yanchuan's hand seemed to be welded there, unmoving.
Through the fabric, Lu Yanchuan could almost feel the softness of the slender waist beneath his palm.
Unable to break free and seeing that Lu Yanchuan was behaving like a gentleman, just holding her without any further action, Qiao Yi let him lead her into the crowd.
All along the way, the sounds of sincere or insincere congratulations were non-stop, and Qiao Yi's face was about to stiffen from smiling. Turning to look at the man beside her, he had a stern face and not even a hint of a smile.
This was what people in the Capital City expected of Third Young Master Lu, not the owner of the wandering hand at her waist!
Qiao Yi cursed Lu Yanchuan's rogue behavior in her heart as they walked towards Qiao Benqing.
"Father-in-law."
Hearing the voice at his side, Qiao Benqing turned around, and upon seeing that it was Lu Yanchuan greeting him, he hurriedly turned towards him.
"Yanchuan is here, Yiyi really is... She just ran back saying she missed her mother. Don't make trouble today. Later, go home properly with Yanchuan."
Qiao Yi pursed her lips, reluctantly agreeing.
Watching her back of the head carrying reluctance, a hint of a smile finally appeared on Lu Yanchuan's face.
"Yiyi has never been away from her parents; of course, she would miss home. It's only right to come back and stay for a few days."
Lu Yanchuan's considerate words made Qiao Benqing feel even more favorably towards him, and the initial awkwardness about the abrupt change of groom subsided, as he and Lu Yanchuan together greeted the guests.
Qiao Yi watched as Lu Yanchuan integrated himself as if he wasn't an outsider, standing next to Qiao Benqing with even more presence than herself, the Qiao Family's second daughter!
The more Lu Yanchuan behaves like this, the more doubts and unease arose in Qiao Yi's heart.
Just for that accidental one-night stand between them, is it worth for Lu Yanchuan to go to such lengths?
Or is Lu Yanchuan really such a responsible person?
"Because I'm a man with a sense of responsibility."
For some reason, Qiao Yi suddenly remembered this phrase said by Lu Yanchuan.
Looking towards Lu Yanchuan again and catching his gaze, Qiao Yi swiftly turned her head away, taking a sip of wine to hide her embarrassment.
Hopefully, Lu Yanchuan is truly as responsible as he claims to be.
Qiao Xin stood on the second floor, watching the two people exchanging tender glances below, almost crushing the handrail!
Qiao Yi! She will not let her off!
"Xinxin, why are you still here? The guests have all arrived downstairs, hurry down,"
Zhang Wenjing's voice came from behind, and Qiao Xin hurriedly composed her emotions and face. When she turned around, she had already put on a smile.
"Mom, I was just standing here to get some fresh air. You know I really dislike the smell of alcohol down there."
Qiao Xin, arm in arm with Zhang Wenjing, coquettishly pouted, receiving a gentle tap on her forehead from Zhang Wenjing.
"Alright, hurry down now,"
Zhang Wenjing withdrew her hand, leaving Qiao Xin to descend the stairs by herself.
Qiao Xin clenched her empty embrace, a fleeting look of dissatisfaction crossing her face before she finally stepped forward to follow.
The banquet passed by amid a sea of insincere flattery and clinking glasses. Qiao Xin and Qiao Yi both stood behind Qiao Benqing, who was relishing the endless compliments, feeling an indescribable delight in his heart.
Although these flatteries were common in the past, now that both his daughters were married into the Lu Family, the bond between the Qiao Family and the Lu Family would only grow stronger. Prosperity was within reach!
Just as the reception was drawing to a close, Qiao Yi's feet felt like they were breaking. She called an auntie to help her to the resting room. As they turned past a pillar and hadn't yet ascended the staircase, they were suddenly surrounded by a group of people.
"So you are Miss Qiao, Qiao Yi?"
The leader, a girl, held her chin high with arrogance, scrutinized Qiao Yi from top to bottom, and snorted disdainfully.
"I really don't see what's so good about you. You had such an embarrassing scandal right before your big wedding day, yet you still managed to ensnare Third Young Master Lu's affection!"
Is this... one of Lu Yanchuan's unwanted suitors?
Having never experienced something like this, Qiao Yi was momentarily stunned, not only surprised but also slightly amused.
She never thought she would face a day when she'd be cornered with threats; it was always her leading her underlings to corner others.
"So, what is it? What exactly do you want to say by stopping me here?"
Qiao Yi, though finding these people laughable, felt a severe pain in her feet. Under normal circumstances, she might have entertained them, but now, Qiao Yi had no intention of entangling with them.
"If you have nothing important, I'll be leaving first."
Having said that, Qiao Yi tried to walk past them, tiptoeing forward with difficulty.
"I haven't finished speaking, and you want to leave? Stop right there!"
A sudden force tugged on her arm, Qiao Yi lost her balance, and with a startled cry, she fell backward.
The auntie couldn't catch her, and Qiao Yi closed her eyes, crying out in her heart, knowing the fall was inevitable!
After what seemed an eternity, the expected pain and ridicule did not come. Instead, there were soft gasps around her.
Qiao Yi opened her eyes slightly, and from behind the light, she could only see a man catching her.
Lu Yanchuan!
"Are you injured?"
Qiao Yi was half-craddled in Lu Yanchuan's arms, his deep, mellow voice close to her ear. She uncomfortably shifted her body and was just about to say she was fine when a sharp pain from her ankle made her cry out involuntarily.
"Ah..."
"Is it your foot that's injured?"
Lu Yanchuan's brows furrowed slightly, seeing Qiao Yi's expression of pain, which did not seem faked. He immediately bent down to pick her up and quickly headed towards Qiao Yi's room upstairs.
Behind them, a few girls looked at each other, their faces pale.
With Lu Yanchuan showing such concern for Qiao Yi, could it be that their relationship was very good?
They had offended Qiao Yi, and while several families combined would not fear the Qiao Family's revenge, the Lu Family was not one they could afford to provoke!