My Wife Always Wants to Run Away - Chapter 45

With two elders watching, Xie Xiangyi withdrew her gaze. Only the foolish Zhang Yueqi continued to provoke her, earning another tap on the head before finally quieting down.

Zhang Wanzhu couldn’t understand why Xie Xiangyi would associate with someone like her daughter. After all these years, they remained close while ignoring everyone else.

She subtly appraised the newcomers. Their appearances were undeniably pleasing to the eye, and the thought of what she had made her Yueyue do earlier made the corners of her lips twitch upward.

“Tang Jinzhi, are you feeling better now?” Zhang Wanzhu asked calmly, pressing down on Zhang Yueqi to stop her from interrupting. She looked at Tang Jinzhi with feigned concern. “Yueyue told me you’re still struggling with memory loss?”

Tang Jinzhi nodded, her expression gentle. “Thank you, Aunt Zhang. I’ve fully recovered physically. The memory loss is permanent, but I’m doing well enough now.”

Xie Xiangyi smoothly took over the conversation. “I’ve examined her thoroughly. She’s in perfect health.”

Xie Rujun, standing nearby, wanted to speak up, but she couldn’t understand why Zhang Wanzhu kept making such a fuss to draw attention. Those are my lines! I’m the parent of these two children!

Deliberately ignoring Xie Rujun’s resentful gaze, Zhang Wanzhu sneered inwardly. Parents? What right do the Xie family have to call themselves Xiangyi’s parents? I’m the one who raised her! If I hadn’t failed to kidnap her those few times, Xie Rujun wouldn’t even be in the picture now.

Thinking back to the adorable little girl who had refused to go home with her, Zhang Wanzhu’s heart melted. Her eyes softened with affection. “Whenever you have time, come over and visit. We were supposed to have dinner together, but one meal doesn’t count, you know?”

Xie Rujun was about to interject when another voice cut her off.

“They’re already going to be at the engagement banquet, Mom. They’ll be staying at our place then anyway. Since we live right next door, we can eat together every day. Honestly, Mom, you’re just asking pointless questions.” Zhang Yueqi rolled her eyes, looking exasperated.

Zhang Wanzhu’s eyes narrowed with amusement. She resisted the urge to scold Zhang Yueqi again, while Xie Rujun, standing beside them, wore a dark frown.

Tang Jinzhi glanced at her Aunt, who seemed to be struggling to speak, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She had expected to feel nervous facing both sets of parents, but now…

Xie Xiangyi, however, seemed unfazed, her attention drawn back to Zhang Yueqi.

She nodded in response. “I’m still busy at the hospital. I’ll come over as soon as I’m done. If Aunt Zhang is home, we can all have dinner together.”

Tang Jinzhi found Xie Xiangyi’s formal reply unsettling. Outside, Xie Xiangyi was always so reserved, almost detached. Now, she had reverted to the cold, distant Doctor Xie Tang Jinzhi had first encountered during her hospitalization.

Tang Jinzhi felt strangely uncomfortable.

Xie Xiangyi felt equally awkward. Her wife had fallen silent.

When Xie Rujun finally managed to offer a few words of concern, she noticed Xiangyi’s distracted replies, her gaze frequently drifting toward Tang Jinzhi.

I’m just showing concern, Xie Rujun thought. I’m not pressuring her wife. Why is she so worried?

Unaware of her aunt’s misunderstanding, Xie Xiangyi simply wanted to chat with Tang Jinzhi, but with others present, they couldn’t whisper privately.

Tang Jinzhi couldn’t ignore Xie Xiangyi’s frequent glances. With others around, why does she keep looking at me so obviously?

Forcing herself to remain calm, she asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Xie Xiangyi blinked and handed the menu to Tang Jinzhi. “I just finished ordering. See if there’s anything else you want.”

Just because of that?

The four of them, including Tang Jinzhi, nearly choked. Why not just hand it over? All that staring—what’s the big deal?

Tang Jinzhi reluctantly took the menu.

As she lowered her head to look at it, Zhang Yueqi couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Xie Xiangyi, can you show some restraint? Haven’t you stared enough at home? We’re out eating, and you’re still at it.”

Zhang Yueqi couldn’t resist taking a jab. She knew her mother well; there was no helping it. This was exactly what her mother wanted to hear.

Sure enough, her mother let out a soft, pleased sound.

Xie Rujun, sitting beside them, felt a mix of emotions. I told you Xiangyi was being silly. My wife isn’t going anywhere.

With a complicated expression, she said, “Xiangyi, show some restraint…”

Tang Jinzhi bit her lip, her face burning red from the teasing. She wanted nothing more than to kick Xie Xiangyi under the table.

Xie Xiangyi remained silent. How am I being unreserved? I just handed Tang Jinzhi something!

Besides, I don’t even stare at her that much. At home, I don’t have to try so hard to look at Tang Jinzhi.

Zhang Yueqi is just misleading everyone.

Xie Xiangyi maintained a composed expression. “Aunt, don’t listen to Zhang Yueqi’s nonsense.”

Her earnest tone almost made it seem like she was being unfairly accused, but everyone at the table had eyes.

Tang Jinzhi raised a hand to her forehead and kicked Xie Xiangyi under the table. Idiot! You’re about to lose all your dignity and you still haven’t realized it!

Zhang Yueqi showed no restraint, bursting into laughter.

“Ah, right, right, right! I’m just talking nonsense. Just nonsense, ha ha!”

Zhang Wanzhu waited for Zhang Yueqi to finish before chiming in. “Exactly! What nonsense are you spouting? Stop interrupting. Xiangyi isn’t being unreserved at all.”

“Mom, I know, I know!” Zhang Yueqi replied cheerfully, showing no sign of being reprimanded.

Xie Xiangyi: “……”

Tang Jinzhi: “……”

Great. This whole thing was supposed to be about Xie Xiangyi, but somehow I’m the one suffering too.

She had initially planned to quickly glance at the menu and let Zhang Yueqi order, but now she decided to take her time.

Had she been staring at Tang Jinzhi the whole time? she wondered.

As she thought this, her gaze…

Tang Jinzhi, sensing the stare, thought, Does she think one fire isn’t enough?

She quickly looked up. “Ahem, I’ve already ordered.”

Xie Xiangyi gave a soft “Oh,” and took the menu Tang Jinzhi was about to hand to Zhang Yueqi. “She’s already ordered.”

She then called the waiter outside to take it away.

Zhang Yueqi glared at Xie Xiangyi. “I want to order more.”

Xie Xiangyi glanced at Zhang Wanzhu and retorted, “Aren’t you supposed to be working?”

Zhang Yueqi scoffed coldly. “Do you think everyone’s like you, with no weekends off?”

Tang Jinzhi checked the time. It’s Saturday today.

Xie Xiangyi, stung by the remark, felt a pang of hurt before instinctively turning to Tang Jinzhi.

Tang Jinzhi gave her a brief glance and said, “It’s Saturday today.”

She knew Xie Xiangyi was suffering, but she couldn’t comfort her right then.

Xie Rujun, watching the three of them talk, couldn’t help but remark, “Xiangyi and Tang Jinzhi really are a perfect match.”

“Thank you, Aunt,” Xie Xiangyi replied with a serious nod.

She agreed.

Tang Jinzhi gave a polite nod as well.

She found Xie Xiangyi and her aunt’s conversation dry and formal, but she didn’t know how to interject.

Zhang Wanzhu was amused by Xie Xiangyi’s reaction and chuckled. “I’ve heard Yueyue say you two have a great relationship. You’ve been living together ever since you got your marriage certificate, and now I see it’s true.”

“Well, married couples naturally live together,” Xie Xiangyi said, glancing at Zhang Yueqi. At least she said something sensible for once, she thought.

Zhang Yueqi let out another untimely snort.

Tang Jinzhi glanced at her, a premonition of trouble brewing.

Sure enough, Zhang Yueqi began complaining about Xie Xiangyi to the two elders.

“Mom, Auntie Xie, let me tell you—their relationship is fine, but Xie Xiangyi can be so annoying sometimes. Tang Jinzhi has to coax her to calm down.”

Xie Xiangyi’s composed expression nearly faltered. She shot a cold glance at Zhang Yueqi, who completely ignored her.

“She’s such a nuisance! When Tang Jinzhi and I are cooking, I’m busy preparing the ingredients, and Xie Xiangyi keeps butting in. In the end, I end up doing all the work. My vegetarian dishes are actually the best—Xie Xiangyi can’t even make them properly.”

Zhang Wanzhu’s head was buzzing. She snapped impatiently, “Get to the point! Who cares if your cooking is good or not?”

She dreaded Zhang Yueqi would start explaining the recipe in detail, down to how many spoonfuls of salt to add.

Xie Xiangyi considered that she had only helped in the kitchen, not actually done anything herself. Zhang Yueqi wouldn’t be able to fabricate a story, so she decided not to interrupt.

Tang Jinzhi thought the same; Xie Xiangyi was generally honest.

Zhang Yueqi pouted. “Fine, I’ll tell you.”

“I asked Tang Jinzhi to teach me how to cook. Xie Xiangyi didn’t need to interfere—she can’t even cook! But she kept barging into the kitchen to mess things up. Why? To show off her presence! She loves flaunting herself in front of Tang Jinzhi, as if I can’t see through her.”

“And then Tang Jinzhi would end up chatting with her. Yes, they’d just talk to each other, completely ignoring me! I’m slaving away cooking, and I have to endure their lovey-dovey nonsense. Xie Xiangyi is so annoying—she’s always there!”

Tang Jinzhi fell into deep thought, recalling that Zhang Yueqi’s account seemed accurate.

Xie Xiangyi was seething with anger, but she forced herself to maintain a calm facade, acting as if she couldn’t care less.

Under the gazes of the two elders, Xie Xiangyi pressed her lips together, feigning composure. “She’s just imagining things.”

Tang Jinzhi couldn’t withstand the elders’ piercingly curious, gossipy stares.

She cleared her throat, trying to defuse the situation. “Xie Xiangyi was just helping out and learning a bit.”

The two elders turned their attention to Zhang Yueqi.

Zhang Yueqi understood it was her turn to speak.

“Helping out my ass! She was just trying to make herself seen, wanting to see you. She hasn’t even learned how to cook a single dish properly, you know!”

“And don’t forget when you two were arguing the other day? She was in the kitchen then, trying to make herself seen. I saw it all clearly.”

Tang Jinzhi realized Zhang Yueqi might be right.

She glanced at Xie Xiangyi, So, you were just trying to make yourself seen?

Xie Xiangyi grew even more indignant. Even if that was true, she had been waiting outside for Tang Jinzhi to come out after their argument. She never considered going in to find her.

She glared at Tang Jinzhi. “Don’t listen to her nonsense.”

Xie Rujun seized on the key detail, scrutinizing the young couple. “You two were arguing?”

Tang Jinzhi froze, remembering the reason for Xie Xiangyi’s sulk. Her ears instantly flushed crimson.

Xie Xiangyi had also realized this, since Tang Jinzhi wouldn’t let her kiss her.

She swallowed hard and immediately denied it. “That’s not true at all!”

Zhang Yueqi feigned shock. “Huh? Not true? Are you sure?”

Tang Jinzhi guessed what Zhang Yueqi was about to say. Forgetting the two elders were watching, she immediately covered her face with her hands.

Her sudden action left everyone bewildered except Zhang Yueqi.

Xie Xiangyi looked at Tang Jinzhi with concern, wanting to ask her wife what was wrong.

Soon, Zhang Yueqi spoke again, tugging at Xie Rujun’s sleeve. “Auntie Xie, Auntie Xie, let me tell you something.”

Xie Rujun blinked in surprise. “Mm-hmm, go ahead.”

Zhang Yueqi: “Remember when they had that fight? Xie Xiangyi took her anger out on me! Every time I tried to take a bite, she snatched the food away. She even said my cooking was terrible!”

Zhang Wanzhu tilted her head, puzzled. “The way you’re describing it, it sounds like Xiangyi was mad at you.”

Xie Xiangyi nodded vigorously. “Exactly! I was just mad at her.”

Tang Jinzhi, still covering her face, kicked her under the table.

“Idiot!”

Zhang Yueqi looked puzzled. “I’ve been in the kitchen cooking the whole time. Why are you mad at me?”

Xie Xiangyi remained silent.

She stole a glance at Tang Jinzhi, who had kicked her earlier, and mumbled, “It’s none of your business.”

Her voice was barely audible, and she knew she was in deep trouble.

Zhang Yueqi’s mouth couldn’t be stopped. Was it too late for Xie Xiangyi to join Tang Jinzhi in covering her face?

Zhang Yueqi, however, didn’t care about Xie Xiangyi’s predicament.

With a mischievous grin, she tugged at Xie Rujun’s sleeve. “Auntie Xie, you know, your Xiangyi has quite the temper. Tang Jinzhi offered her some food, and she slammed her chopsticks down and refused to eat!”

She paused deliberately, glancing at her mother.

Zhang Wanzhu had already heard Xie Xiangyi’s version of the story, but hearing it again still amused her.

Suppressing a smile, she chided Xie Xiangyi, “Xiangyi, that wasn’t right. How could you slam your chopsticks down at Tang Jinzhi like that?”

Xie Xiangyi had no way to explain herself. She hadn’t slammed her chopsticks down at Tang Jinzhi!

Gritting her teeth, she insisted, “I… it’s not how she’s making it sound.”

“Then how was it?” Zhang Yueqi pressed.

Xie Xiangyi’s gaze shot daggers at Zhang Yueqi.

Zhang Yueqi immediately sidled up to Xie Rujun.

“Auntie Xie, Xiangyi is glaring at me! She won’t let me speak!”

Xie Rujun was torn between siding with Xiangyi and indulging in gossip. After a brief struggle, she turned to Xiangyi. “Xiangyi, how could you throw down your chopsticks like that?”

Xiangyi clenched her fists, lowering her head to mutter, “I didn’t throw them down…”

Tang Jinzhi wanted to defend her, but realizing Zhang Yueqi hadn’t finished her story, she simply covered her face and waited for her to finish.

Zhang Yueqi didn’t keep Tang Jinzhi waiting long. Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she continued, “Oh, you didn’t throw them down? Of course not! You just didn’t pick them up, waiting for your wife to feed you.”

Xie Rujun’s usually composed expression nearly cracked.

She glanced at Xiangyi, then back at Zhang Yueqi.

Is this child just making things up?

Suddenly, she found herself believing Xiangyi more than ever.

“Yueyue,” she said gently, “tell Auntie, were you just saying these things to provoke Xiangyi?”

Xiangyi, who appeared calm, was actually on the verge of exploding.

Zhang Yueqi crossed her arms and jerked her chin toward Xie Xiangyi. “Auntie Xie, ask her if she’s ever apologized. Look, she’s not even arguing now.”

“She only eats when Tang Jinzhi feeds her, bite by bite. Otherwise, she refuses to eat.”

Xie Xiangyi was so furious she wanted to beat Zhang Yueqi right then and there.

Seeing Xie Rujun’s shocked expression, Zhang Wanzhu struggled to suppress her laughter, turning away and shaking with silent giggles.

Xie Rujun was stunned. She glanced at Tang Jinzhi. Ah, no wonder she’s covering her face. If my wife were this embarrassing, I’d want to hide too.

She stammered, “Well, Tang is still… has a good temper…”

Tang Jinzhi was about to lower her hands to respond to her aunt when Zhang Yueqi spoke again. She quickly covered her face again.

Zhang Yueqi: “She does have a good temper, but mostly she’s just blind.”

Zhang Wanzhu slapped her daughter’s arm, glaring. “Watch your mouth!”

Zhang Yueqi rubbed her head, pouting. “Mom! It’s your fault I’m not smart! All that hitting!”

Zhang Wanzhu: “……”

Zhang Yueqi huffed indignantly. “Tang Jinzhi isn’t blind, she just has a ridiculous filter on. She keeps saying Xie Xiangyi is cute, but how could she possibly be cute?”

Tang Jinzhi lowered her head, hiding her flushed face.

Xie Xiangyi tugged at Tang Jinzhi’s hand, pulling her thumb to express her hurt feelings.

Tang Jinzhi yanked her hand away, refusing to acknowledge her. What good would her hurt feelings do?

Xie Rujun studied Xie Xiangyi intently. I never imagined Xiangyi had this temperamental side, she thought.

Instead of addressing Xie Xiangyi directly, she turned to Zhang Yueqi and said, “What filter? Xiangyi is genuinely adorable.”

Her tone was so natural that it was impossible to tell if she was teasing.

Tang Jinzhi forced herself to maintain a neutral expression and nodded at Xie Rujun. Aunt really understands me, she thought.

Xie Rujun was pleased. Tang Jinzhi has excellent taste, she thought. She can see Xiangyi’s charm, even though everyone else calls her cold and aloof. Nonsense!

Afraid the two young women would become restless, Zhang Wanzhu quickly called the waiter to bring the food. She had been shocked earlier to discover this side of Xie Xiangyi, but now she found it amusing. Xie Xiangyi’s face was flushed crimson.

Zhang Yueqi continued to rant incessantly.

The two women, already stripped of their composure, listened with blank faces.

“They’re perfect in every way, except their relationship is moving at a snail’s pace,” Zhang Yueqi sighed. “Even holding hands was something I had to force.”

Xie Xiangyi, who had been silent for some time, finally looked up, clearly disagreeing.

“Just because you didn’t see it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen,” she said coldly, her voice brimming with confidence.

Tang Jinzhi closed her eyes in exasperation. Does Xie Xiangyi really have to pick a fight at a time like this?!

“What ‘it’?” Zhang Yueqi scoffed. “Are you talking about that time you secretly kissed Tang Jinzhi’s cheek? That hardly counts!”

Xie Rujun was shocked again, even asking aloud, “You secretly kissed her?”

Xie Xiangyi clenched her jaw.

Zhang Wanzhu turned to Zhang Yueqi. “Yueyue, why didn’t you tell your mother about this?”

Zhang Yueqi looked bewildered. “Ah, I was so tired that day, I forgot.”

Tang Jinzhi didn’t need to look to know that Xie Xiangyi’s ears, hidden beneath her hair, were burning crimson.

She raised a hand to her forehead, her voice filled with resignation. “There was no secret kiss. She didn’t do that.”

Xie Xiangyi was too furious to speak, leaving Tang Jinzhi to explain.

Tang Jinzhi squeezed Xie Xiangyi’s hand, forcing herself to continue. “We’re married now. It’s perfectly normal for her to kiss me.”

She never imagined she’d have to say such things in front of their elders, not to explain, but to soothe Xie Xiangyi.

Zhang Yueqi hadn’t actually said anything wrong. Xie Xiangyi needed to be coaxed, and her current words were precisely that—coaxing.

Slightly appeased, Xie Xiangyi shot Zhang Yueqi a dangerous look and echoed Tang Jinzhi’s words: “You’re the only one who thinks it was a secret kiss.”

The two elders finally caught on. Right, it’s just kissing your own wife. They’d simply been caught off guard.

Xie Xiangyi wanted to quickly change the subject. She glanced at Zhang Wanzhu, then turned to Zhang Yueqi and said, “I know you’ve been feeling awkward as a third wheel for so long. It’s okay that you couldn’t win over Dr. Qiu. Dr. Song seems to be around your age too—should I set you two up?”

Tang Jinzhi: !

Zhang Wanzhu’s gaze turned ominously toward Zhang Yueqi.

Zhang Yueqi’s face paled. She stammered, “N-no, don’t be ridiculous! I-I don’t even like… doctors.”

Xie Xiangyi propped her cheek on her hand, speaking casually, “What about Zou Limeng? She’s a perfect match. Didn’t you say before that arranged marriages could be a good thing?”

Zhang Wanzhu was about to explode when she heard this. She froze, startled. “Zhang Yueqi, you think arranged marriages are a good thing?”

“What’s wrong with your brain? The Xie family might have issues, but we don’t need to marry off our children for alliances.”

“Still, Mengmeng is a really nice girl.”

Zhang Yueqi immediately jumped to his feet. “Don’t listen to Xie Xiangyi’s nonsense! I said her arranged marriage was a good thing, not mine!”

Zhang Wanzhu pointed at Tang Jinzhi and said earnestly, “Xiangyi’s arranged marriage is good because her partner is good. The key is Tang, not the arranged marriage itself.”

Xie Rujun surprisingly agreed with Zhang Wanzhu. “Exactly! It’s because Tang is a good person. Yueyue, don’t let them mislead you. Use your brain for once.”

Tang Jinzhi, suddenly praised, felt a little embarrassed. She now understood that both women were quite satisfied with her.

Zhang Yueqi was furious. “I know that! I don’t want an arranged marriage! Who wants to marry Zou Limeng? Are you trying to scare me to death?”

Xie Xiangyi, who had secretly grabbed her phone, released the voice recording button and sent Zhang Yueqi’s outburst.

Tang Jinzhi glanced at it—it had been sent to Zou Limeng.

Zhang Yueqi was in for a rough day.

Serves him right.

Xie Xiangyi spoke up, addressing Zhang Wanzhu. “Aunt Zhang, she’s working for Zou Limeng now. Zou Limeng is really nice. Let them get to know each other first.”

Though Zhang Yueqi was reluctant to date or marry, Xie Xiangyi’s endorsement made Zhang Wanzhu reconsider. After a moment’s thought, she agreed it might not be so bad after all.

Tang Jinzhi glanced at Zhang Yueqi, who looked like she wanted to bite Xie Xiangyi to death, and decided to add fuel to the fire. “Zou Limeng is indeed very capable and intelligent.”

Zhang Yueqi stared at Tang Jinzhi, feeling betrayed. Even Tang Jinzhi is bullying me!

Now that even Tang Jinzhi had spoken up, Zhang Wanzhu pondered for a moment before nodding. “Alright. I’ll talk to Mengmeng’s mother. Ultimately, it depends on whether Mengmeng agrees.”

Zhang Yueqi clung to Zhang Wanzhu’s arm, her face crumpled in despair. “Mom, Mom, please don’t listen to them! They’re just retaliating because I criticized them earlier.”

“Zou Limeng is so fierce with me! If she finds out I’m the reason she’s stuck with this job, she’ll torture me to death! I don’t want to work for her!”

Zhang Wanzhu was surprised. “Mengmeng can control you too?” She had thought only Xie Xiangyi could manage her.

Zhang Wanzhu fell into deep thought, increasingly convinced that Xie Xiangyi’s suggestion was worth considering.

Zhang Yueqi frantically shook her mother’s shoulders. “Mom! Snap out of it! Zou Limeng would never agree!”

Xie Rujun weighed the situation and glanced at Zhang Wanzhu. “It really depends on the child’s own wishes. Look how worried Yueyue is that Zou might refuse. Perhaps we should ask Zou first.”

Zhang Yueqi opened her mouth, but she wasn’t worried about Zou Limeng refusing at all!

Tang Jinzhi pressed her lips together, watching Zhang Yueqi. Silly girl, she thought, you’re asking the wrong person. You should be asking Xie Xiangyi. One word from her could change your mother’s mind.

At that moment, Xie Xiangyi cleared her throat, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

She glanced at Zhang Yueqi and said, “I asked about it for you.”

Zhang Yueqi tensed up. “Asked about what?”

Xie Xiangyi played the voice message directly. Zou Limeng’s voice echoed from the phone: “An arranged marriage? What makes Zhang Yueqi think she can refuse to marry me? Shouldn’t I be the one saying that? Is she talking behind my back? When she gets back, I’ll definitely call her out for slacking off at work. Still, an arranged marriage with her isn’t out of the question. My family’s been driving me crazy, asking about it every other day.”

The private room fell into complete silence.

Tang Jinzhi was stunned. She never imagined such a coincidence was possible—Zou Limeng actually had an interest in an arranged marriage!

Xie Xiangyi had been equally bewildered when she first heard it, but she was certain it was just a coincidence.

Zhang Yueqi pointed at Xie Xiangyi, her hand trembling with anger.

“You two planned this together! You’re ganging up on me!”

Zhang Wanzhu slapped her hand down, her finger pointing at Zhang Yueqi with undisguised disapproval.

“Enough. It’s not like we’re forcing you to marry. Just spend some time with Mengmeng and see how things go. If you develop feelings, then we’ll talk about marriage.”

The more Zhang Wanzhu thought about Zou Limeng, the more satisfied she became.

Zhang Yueqi wore a pained expression. “…I’m only 22.”

Xie Rujun suggested, “You could get engaged first.” After a moment’s thought, she added, “The kind without the marriage certificate.”

Xie Xiangyi’s eyes flickered slightly as she turned to look at Tang Jinzhi. They had been practically forced into their engagement, given no time to develop feelings. Everyone feared they might back out.

That’s why they had to get married before even meeting properly.

Fortunately, she had been lucky enough not to choose the wrong person.

Tang Jinzhi’s heart skipped a beat as Xie Xiangyi’s hand tightened around hers. She lowered her gaze, avoiding her eyes.

Zhang Yueqi felt utterly defeated. She knew her family was just talking, but she was certain her mother had taken this seriously, especially after Zou Limeng said she was open to it.

She lost her appetite and immediately started texting Zou Limeng, trying to guilt-trip her into changing her mind. Instead, Zou Limeng sent her a mountain of work, adding sarcastically, Who told you to look down on me? You deserve this.

Zhang Yueqi fell silent, and Tang Jinzhi didn’t press the matter further.

She had given up on Dr. Qiu. He was getting married soon, and clinging to hope would be futile.

It was a pity, though. They had such a strong connection. Zhang Yueqi had met Dr. Qiu when she was in kindergarten, back when he was still a middle school student. He had even held her and played with her back then.

But neither of them seemed willing to listen to her stories.

Such a significant connection! Isn’t that how it always goes in novels?

After zoning out for a while, Zhang Yueqi realized they had already started discussing the details of the engagement banquet.

She narrowed her eyes at Xie Xiangyi. You villain.

Xie Xiangyi noticed her gaze and sneered inwardly before meeting her stare head-on. “What?”

Zhang Yueqi blinked, her expression suggesting she had something to say but refused to voice it.

Xie Xiangyi: “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Tang Jinzhi sighed softly, lowering her head to sip her orange juice. She couldn’t understand why these two always acted like this, even in front of their families. The elders seemed quite used to it.

Zhang Yueqi: “I was wondering why you’re not eating. And why aren’t you asking your wife to feed you? Is it because you’re holding hands under the table and it’s too awkward?”