Chapter 20: What a Coincidence

Qiao Jiu had no interest in what Guan Wei’s driver was called; her expression remained indifferent. “Oh,” she replied. Liang Xiucheng noticed her lack of enthusiasm and added, “My brother’s name is Liang Xiujin.” Qiao Jiu blinked, looking a bit puzzled, but still said, “Alright, I understand.” Liang Xiucheng chuckled softly after a moment, not pressing the matter further. “Come on, let’s go inside.” With that, he rolled up the car window, started the engine, and drove off.

Qiao Jiu turned and walked toward her residence. She didn’t care what Guan Wei’s driver was called, and the driver’s brother’s name was even less relevant to her. Why tell her this at all? She climbed the stairs, unlocked the door, and stepped inside. As she bent down to change her shoes, her movements paused and her expression finally changed.

Liang Xiujin—she remembered that the eldest son of the Liang family also seemed to have that name. Liang Xiujin had a younger brother who went abroad two years ago, and his name was… also… She quickly grabbed her phone from the shoe cabinet and dialed out.

After so much time, even the most persistent man would have quieted down. Guan Wei answered quickly, though she still sounded irritable, her tone cold. “Home already?”

Qiao Jiu hurried to ask, “Who did you send to pick me up just now? That guy was your driver, right?” Guan Wei laughed as soon as she heard. “Driver? How could I afford a driver like that?” She must still be lying in bed, her voice shifting as she turned over. “That was the young master of the Liang family, just returned from abroad last week.”

Qiao Jiu held her phone, thinking one thing but saying another. “So, you and Liang Xiujin have gotten involved?”

...

From the moment she arrived at work, Qiao Jiu sat in the kitchen in a daze until Guan Wei’s message came through, prompting her to get up and wander into the main hall. Guan Wei said she was on her way and would arrive soon. Exhausted from the afternoon, she hadn’t said much over the phone, only grumbling that tonight they could meet and talk about everything.

After waiting a while, Qiao Jiu finally saw her arrive. But Guan Wei didn’t come alone; two men accompanied her. Qiao Jiu recognized Liang Xiujin. Before marriage, she’d been carefree and kept to herself. Afterward, she toned down and attended a few business gatherings with Lu Fengzhou, seeing these respectable businessmen firsthand.

She glanced again at the man beside Liang Xiujin, feeling a little awkward. Liang Xiujin clearly recognized Qiao Jiu as well. When they approached, he greeted her, “Miss Qiao, I didn’t expect to run into you here.”

Qiao Jiu, unembarrassed by her current circumstances, let out a dry laugh, her tone teetering between amusement and indifference. “Isn’t that what everyone says? What a coincidence.”

Guan Wei’s gaze flickered between the two of them, then she suggested, “Let’s go upstairs. I’ll introduce you properly.” Qiao Jiu glanced at Guan Wei, just about to speak, when another voice suddenly called out, “Mr. Liang.”

She paused and turned, spotting Lu Fengzhou standing at the entrance to the bar, though she had no idea when he’d arrived. Qiao Jiu frowned—this man had been showing up at the bar constantly these past few days. He used to claim he was busy, always working overtime or attending dinner meetings, but it now seemed those were all lies.

Liang Xiujin was surprised to see Lu Fengzhou as well and greeted him, “Mr. Lu, what a coincidence.” Lu Fengzhou walked over, his gaze briefly sweeping across Qiao Jiu, then lingering on Liang Xiucheng before settling on Liang Xiujin. “We met at the club last time, but didn’t get to chat. I’d originally thought to invite you out for tea sometime. How unexpected to run into you here.”