CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 111 Who Will Start the Dance

Chapter 111: Chapter 111 Who Will Start the Dance

Qiao Rui looked at Pei Liyan with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

The butler of the Pei Family saw that Qiao Rui had turned her gaze to Pei Liyan and smiled faintly, saying, "Elder Pei said that the young mistress has just come from the countryside and might not be quite familiar with some of the rules, so Miss Xiang should take her place instead!"

"Pfft!" Qiao Rui suddenly burst into laughter.

The butler was taken aback, unable to see a hint of jealousy or embarrassment on Qiao Rui’s face.

It was as if she wasn’t angry at all; instead, she looked at him as if she was watching a joke.

Accustomed to all sorts of scenes, the butler managed a smile and asked, "What is the young mistress laughing at?"

"Nothing much," Qiao Rui replied with a light smile. "I’m just amazed at how many rules there are in this grand mansion. It’s enlightening to experience the Pei Family’s education and manners. Keep up the good work, haha."

Despite her calm exterior, the butler could tell she was mocking the Pei Family for their lack of understanding in manners and etiquette.

Indeed, at the first dance, it would be proper for the heir of the Pei Family and his wife to open the floor. That would be in keeping with tradition.

But Elder Pei had insisted on arranging it this way, and it was the butler’s duty to convey the message.

Yet he hadn’t expected the young mistress to sarcastically remark in this manner.

Looking at Young Master Liyan, it seemed as if he had anticipated this, showing not a bit of urgency.

The butler also smiled and said, "The Pei Family naturally has its own etiquette and rules. Having stood unshakable in Qingcheng for so many years, there must be a reason for it."

"I can see that," Qiao Rui blandly responded.

"Young Master Liyan, please," the butler invited again.

Pei Liyan glanced at the butler and said, "Butler Pei, please tell Grandpa Pei that today, at the opening dance, Qiao Rui and I will dance together!"

Qiao Rui was taken aback, not expecting him to say such a thing.

The butler showed no particular emotion, but he smiled and asked rhetorically, "Can the young mistress dance?"

Qiao Rui smiled without answering.

Pei Liyan said sternly, "Whether she can dance is her business. Whether to allow it is a matter of the Pei Family’s etiquette. Go tell Grandpa that if the Pei Family doesn’t want to make a spectacle of itself, it had better follow the rules."

The butler was startled and smiled as he asked, "Are you sure about that, Young Master Liyan?"

Pei Liyan looked at the butler seriously and said, "Very sure."

"Alright." Pei Yi nodded and then turned to depart.

As he left, he gave Qiao Rui a meaningful glance.

Qiao Rui also calmly met Butler Pei’s gaze, and even returned a similarly meaningful smile.

Pei Yi soon left to report back.

He whispered to Elder Pei about what had just happened. Elder Pei slightly raised his eyebrows, showing no pleasure or anger, merely asking, "Did Liyan really say that?"

"Yes," said the butler, nodding.

Elder Madam Pei turned her head towards Elder Pei and said, "What’s going on with Liyan? He should be getting ready to open the dance with Xiangxiang; why hasn’t he come over yet?"

Upon hearing that she was to open the dance with Pei Liyan, Qiao Xiang was also overjoyed, her face revealing a glow of happiness.

She and Pei Liyan had always been the top choice in Elder Madam Pei’s heart—if Qiao Rui hadn’t barged in, how could things have turned out this way?

If she were to open the dance with Pei Liyan today, it meant she would still hold a position in the Pei Family.

But before she could revel in her triumph, she heard Elder Pei say, "Xiangxiang, go find Qiu He for me; I saw that girl earlier."

"Yes, Grandpa Pei," Qiao Xiang immediately got up to look for someone.

Elder Pei glanced at Elder Madam Pei.

Elder Madam Pei immediately understood. "You sent Xiangxiang away because you have something to say?"

"Liyan won’t open the dance with Xiangxiang. That girl Qiao Rui also ridiculed our proposal, claiming that the Pei Family lacks manners and etiquette," Elder Pei spoke deliberately.

Upon hearing this, Elder Madam Pei immediately looked stern. "Heh, she’s really bold!"

"She certainly is bold," Elder Pei said, having experienced it himself.

At that moment, Elder Madam Pei had been outdone by Qiao Xiang and couldn’t help but chime in, "Big brother, big sister, if you ask me, the first dance should be done by Liyan together with his wife. That would be following the proper etiquette."

"Second sister-in-law," Elder Madam Pei gave her a look and said, "It’s just that Qiao Liu has just returned from the countryside and doesn’t know how. Having her open the dance would be throwing our family’s face away."

"We are all family here; if we lose face, it won’t go beyond the Pei Family," the second Madam countered with a smile. "Big sister, besides, we haven’t actually asked Qiao Liu if she knows how!"

"Pei Yi?" Elder Pei spoke sternly.

"The young mistress did not say if she could."

"Never mind her; I will personally arrange it later!" Elder Madam Pei said firmly.

"Yes!" Pei Yi refrained from further comment.

Meanwhile, Qiao Rui and Pei Liyan exchanged a glance.

Pei Liyan frowned at her expression. "You certainly have a lot of nerve."

Qiao Rui smiled faintly, "Thanks for the compliment; just average."

Pei Liyan scanned the entire room. They were being watched, and it didn’t seem right to go upstairs directly.

After all, Qiao Rui had just arrived at the Pei Family, and everyone was curious about the woman who had captivated Pei Liyan’s interest.

"Going to the study today is probably not a good idea," Pei Liyan said solemnly. "I’ll find those old photos of grandpa for you later."

Qiao Rui was startled, not expecting him to be so kind.

She couldn’t help but be doubtful.

"You needn’t doubt me; if I said I would help you find them, I will," Pei Liyan said again, glancing at the crowd. "Everyone is watching you."

Qiao Rui also looked around, feeling a bit strange inside. How did he know what she was looking for?

At that moment, the garden was filled with innumerable men and women, all looking at them, each dressed in luxurious attire.

Men were in suits and leather shoes, ladies in colorful gowns, all staring intently at her and Pei Liyan.

Qiao Rui was still baffled when she heard Pei Liyan’s voice. "Come on, let me introduce you to our friends and relatives of the same generation."

When Pei Liyan finished speaking, he grasped her wrist.

Qiao Rui instinctively tried to pull away.

The man said in a low voice, "Don’t make a fuss; if you embarrass me, you can forget about the photos."

Qiao Rui quieted down and stopped struggling.

She silently cursed in her heart, finding the man annoying for threatening her.

She stared at him with annoyance, just as Pei Liyan also looked at her, with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

This scene, seen by others, painted a different picture; they assumed that Pei Liyan and Qiao Rui were exchanging affectionate glances.

The man, as the heir to the Pei Family, was undoubtedly outstanding in both looks and talent.

And the woman he’d chosen, far from looking out of place, was graceful and elegant today.

Especially that long pale neck of hers, like a swan’s, and her alluring figure made them seem like an ideal couple.

Qiao Rui was not at all nervous, calmly accepting everyone’s scrutiny with a serene smile on her face, unconsciously making others feel a bit submissive.

While everyone was in awe, Pei Liyan said in a deep voice, "Brothers and sisters, let me introduce you. This is Qiao Rui, my wife, Pei Liyan’s wife."