The Billionaire's New Wife in Chief

Chapter 703 - 183: Xiao Qiao, You’re Too Paranoid

"I’m going to cancel our engagement." As soon as Lu Jingchen finished speaking, Xi Mohan had already snuffed out the cigarette in his hand and spoke directly, "We’re not suitable for each other; she can find a better man. She’s just wasting her time and youth on me."

Hearing Xi Mohan’s words, Lu Jingchen was somewhat surprised. After all, Ning Yan’er had been with him for at least six or seven years. They could be said to be the most representative high-profile couple in An City, perfectly matched in appearance, family background, and all other aspects.

Everyone thought they would get married, and everyone also believed that this was a fact that even the young Ning Wan, no matter how hard she tried, could not change.

Lu Jingchen glanced at him indifferently and then spoke detachedly, "You say you’re not suitable only now, why didn’t you say so before? Mo Han, you should have expected this, especially since Yan’er has been by your side for so many years. Making such a decision suddenly, do you think those guys, including Yan’er’s parents, will agree?" After a pause, Lu Jingchen continued, "Mo Han, don’t forget that your position at Xi’s isn’t completely secure yet, and right now it’s a critical period. If you really decide to cancel your engagement with Yan’er, it won’t be good for you, or even for the people behind you."

Xi Mohan’s lips were pressed into a straight line, his originally somewhat scholarly features instantly covered with an overcast shadow, his jawline tense as he expressionlessly watched the doctors and nurses coming and going in the corridor.

Because Lu Jingchen had arranged for Ning Wan to stay in the highest-grade ward in the hospital, the patients who could afford to stay on this floor were either rich or noble. Still, not many people were hospitalized, so it was very quiet, with only some doctors, nurses, and a few relatives of patients moving about. Other than that, it was so quiet that one could almost hear their own breathing.

Undeniably, Lu Jingchen was completely right.

If he cancelled the wedding now, it wouldn’t be good for anyone involved, and his loss would be even more severe, possibly making all his previous efforts in vain.

Xi Mohan was very clear about the pros and cons. Getting married to Ning Yan’er was indeed beneficial and harmless to him.

But at this moment, Xi Mohan didn’t want to continue with her, not because of these benefits or losses, but probably because of the woman in the ward.

Standing up straight, Xi Mohan didn’t continue the topic, but said indifferently, "Call me if there’s anything else, I’m going back to the company first."

Lu Jingchen raised his eyebrows slightly but didn’t move, just watching Xi Mohan and casually asked, "Are you coming back tonight?"

Xi Mohan was taken aback, then hummed softly in response, and headed straight out.

...

Lu Jingchen didn’t immediately walk into the ward but stood at the door for quite a while before pushing it open.

Song Qiao was sitting on the sofa inside the ward, scrolling through Weibo about Huayi Media’s new movie "Life Reversal." She saw quite a few discussions about the actors involved, and especially as newcomers, An Ke and Qin Zhe received quite a bit of attention.

The sound of the ward door opening wasn’t very loud, but sitting close to the door, she still heard it. She looked up instinctively and saw Lu Jingchen walking into the ward. A sense of relief inexplicably washed over her, and she stood up, gathered her iPad, and tugged the corners of her mouth, asking, "Why are you here?"

Song Qiao was somewhat speechless. Lu Jingchen would come in and out of the ward, yet Xi Mohan was so quiet. Ever since she came to take care of Ning Wan, that man had just been waiting outside without coming in.

"You weren’t at work or at home, so I guessed you’d definitely be at the hospital. Have you eaten? I brought you some food," Lu Jingchen said as he entered, handing her the bag he was holding.

The aroma that hit Song Qiao’s nose was incredibly appetizing, her eyes lit up, and she took the bag to the table to open it. Sure enough, it was her favorite dessert. She picked one and took a bite, the sweet and crispy taste instantly relaxing and delightful.

Indeed, it was still as delicious as ever. She seldom ate these things after starting to work. For one thing, the shop was quite far from here, and secondly, the pastries were ridiculously expensive — every visit felt painfully extravagant.

Lu Jingchen washed his hands in the restroom, and when he came out and saw Song Qiao had devoured several pieces already, his eyebrows quirked, but he said nothing. He sat on the sofa that Song Qiao had been sitting on, picked up her iPad, and glanced at the interface to see that she had been browsing Weibo.

His mind stirred ever so slightly, and Lu Jingchen jumped to Song Qiao’s Weibo profile to glance at the name before clicking around.

After eating a few pastries, Song Qiao’s mood had greatly improved. However, thinking of seeing Xi Mohan at the door of the ward, she turned to look at Lu Jingchen and asked quietly, worried about disturbing Ning Wan, "Did you see Xi Mohan at the door just now?"

Song Qiao really couldn’t say she liked Xi Mohan. If not for him, Ning Wan wouldn’t be in this situation now.

Lu Jingchen didn’t look up, he just hummed in acknowledgment.

Song Qiao was eating her pastries, and hearing his single-word response, she nearly choked. She asked, "Is he still outside right now?"

If she remembered correctly, she saw him outside two hours ago.

What’s more, it seemed that Xi Mohan had been outside even earlier than that.

Song Qiao couldn’t figure out what that man was really up to.

Could it be that he still thinks he hasn’t caused Ning Wan enough harm?

"He’s already gone back." Lu Jingchen put down the iPad in his hand and looked up at Song Qiao, who was channeling her grief and anger into an appetite for pastries. He slightly raised his eyebrows and asked, "Qiaoqiao, do you not like Mo Han?"

Song Qiao’s dislike was blatantly obvious; it was clear that she detested Mo Han.

Lu Jingchen probably guessed it was because of Ning Wan, but Song Qiao’s attitude made it difficult for him to be caught in the middle.

After all, he was good brothers with Mo Han, having grown up together. If it ended up making his wife dislike him because of Mo Han, it would be a loss not worth the gain.

He felt it was necessary to explain to Song Qiao.

Song Qiao didn’t try to mask her feelings and scoffed directly, without a hint of hesitation, "Why should I like him? If it weren’t for him, Wanwan wouldn’t be in the state she is now."

"Qiaoqiao," Lu Jingchen sighed upon hearing her words and said directly, "The matter between Ning Wan and Xi Mohan is not something we bystanders can interfere with..."

"What do you mean, Lu Jingchen?" Song Qiao became displeased as soon as she heard Lu Jingchen’s words, setting down the pastry she was holding and looking straight at him. Biting her lip subconsciously, she said, "Are you suggesting I should just ignore Wanwan? Sorry, if that’s really what you think, I have to say I can’t do that."

Ning Wan was her closest girlfriend and dearest sister, their relationship was even better than that of sisters connected by blood.

If she were to stop caring for Ning Wan, how could that be possible.

"Xiao Qiao, that’s not what I mean." Lu Jingchen’s expression deepened, his gaze became obscure, and seeing Song Qiao, who was already somewhat unhappy, his demeanor didn’t change as he said lightly, "You’re being too stubborn. What I mean is the emotional issues between Ning Wan and Xi Mohan should be resolved by themselves, not by us bystanders."

Song Qiao, "..." That seemed to make some sense.

Lu Jingchen didn’t say much more. He trusted that after saying so much, Song Qiao would definitely understand what she should do.

After all, on one side was his good brother, and on the other was his wife. Being caught in the middle was not easy.

...

Inside the western restaurant, when Lu Jingchen saw Aunt Zhang arrive around five o’clock, he immediately pulled Song Qiao out for dinner.

Flipping through the menu, Lu Jingchen glanced over its contents, then without lifting his head, asked Song Qiao sitting across from him, "Qiaoqiao, what would you like to eat?"

Song Qiao was still feeling somewhat down, fiddling with the cup containing lemon water when she heard Lu Jingchen’s question, and replied without changing her gaze, "Anything, I’m fine with whatever."

Whenever she dined out with Lu Jingchen, it was always he who ordered their meals. Why would she need to choose?

Although she knew that Lu Jingchen was probably asking because he knew she was feeling down, she really didn’t have much appetite, not to mention any particular cravings.

Lu Jingchen ordered two of the same dishes, the ones Song Qiao most frequently ate, and also chose a fruit salad for Song Qiao before handing the menu to the server who had been standing waiting.

The restaurant they visited was the same one he and Song Qiao had gone to for the first time, when there were two other guys joining. The restaurant belonged to his uncle, and Xiao Qiao had a membership card for this place.

Their table was in a quiet corner by the window, which was right at the corner of the outside street, allowing a side view of the bustling commercial buildings and flowing traffic.

"Are you upset?" Lu Jingchen saw Song Qiao’s downcast demeanor and asked with a low chuckle.

Song Qiao’s hand that was playing with the cup paused, and then she looked up at the man across from her, denying, "No."

Lu Jingchen didn’t say a word, just arched his eyebrows and continued to look at her, his deep eyes reflecting her figure, like a whirlpool too deep to see the bottom, irresistibly drawing one in.

Song Qiao felt somewhat uneasy under his gaze, and diverted her eyes, insisting stubbornly, "I’m really not upset."