CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 115: Look, He Still Follows Me

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: Look, He Still Follows Me

Qiao Xiang glanced back at Qiao Rui with a triumphant expression on her face, as if to deliberately show off, "Look, he’s still walking with me!"

Qiao Rui watched the departing duo with a faint gaze, her eyes half-closed.

She stood in the corridor, sweeping her gaze over the expanse, realizing that the hallway was long, with countless rooms—it would be like finding a needle in a haystack if she tried to look for the photographs.

Moreover, she might attract a lot of attention today. If she made a move and was caught as a thief, it would be more of a loss than a gain.

Qiao Rui quickly descended the stairs as well.

Meanwhile, in the downstairs hall, everyone was dancing.

On the staircase, Pei Liyan and Qiao Xiang descending together surprised many—eyes turned to Pei Liyan’s back, wondering how he came down with Qiao Xiang when it was Qiao Rui he had gone upstairs with.

"Why is Qiao Xiang always following big brother around?"

Pei Jibai glanced over, then exclaimed in front of He Zheng, Pei Qiuhua, and Si Ran, "Big brother is really something, wherever he goes, Sister Xiang always follows."

Pei Qiuhua also looked towards the staircase and furrowed her brows, "Wasn’t it Qiao Liu who went up with him? Why has he suddenly changed company?"

He Zheng turned to look as well, sighing, "Seems like they didn’t come to an agreement."

Pei Qiuhua frowned, "What’s there to not come to an agreement about? Big brother and Sister Xiang made it awkward for her, but she also brought Second Brother to make it awkward for big brother, no?"

Pei Jibai snorted, "That awkwardness was started by big brother."

Pei Qiuhua gave Pei Jibai an eye roll, and he just shrugged.

"Second Brother, are you trying to stand up for big sister-in-law today?" Pei Qiuhua spoke gravely, "Aren’t you afraid grandpa and grandma won’t let you off?"

Pei Jibai smiled, "Forgive my obtuseness, I don’t understand what you mean."

"Playing dumb?" Pei Qiuhua raised an eyebrow.

Pei Jibai continued with a smile, "I’m naturally dumb, no need to pretend. Alright, I’m going to find big sister-in-law."

Having said that, he started walking towards the stairs.

Just then, Pei Liyan and Qiao Xiang came down.

As Pei Jibai brushed past him, he saw Pei Liyan intending to go upstairs.

He frowned and asked, "Jibai, where are you going?"

"Big brother, I’m going to find big sister-in-law," Pei Jibai didn’t hide his intentions; in fact, he was quite open about them.

Pei Liyan’s gaze grew heavier, "Don’t you think it’s inappropriate for you to find her?"

"What’s inappropriate?" Pei Jibai laughed lightly, looking at Qiao Xiang, "With you and Sister Xiang always appearing together arm in arm, if you don’t find that inappropriate, then my going to see big sister-in-law, especially in full public view, is not inappropriate at all."

"Pei Jibai, what are you implying?" Qiao Xiang flared up as soon as she heard him.

Pei Jibai looked straight at Qiao Xiang, "My meaning is simple, Sister Xiang. My big brother is a married man; in the future, you should be careful not to be too close with him, lest people think you’re still not over your feelings for my big brother."

"Pei Jibai!" Pei Liyan rebuked in a heavy tone.

Pei Jibai just shrugged, "Big brother, I always thought you were our role model. Tonight, I’m very disappointed."

With that said, he went upstairs.

Qiao Xiang was left standing there, her face turning red and then white, clearly embarrassed.

"President, I shall go check on the elder lady," she quickly found an excuse to leave first.

However, the thought of Pei Jibai saying such things made her even angrier.

"Sister Xiang," Pei Qiuhua called out and followed after her.

Si Ran didn’t follow, looking at Pei Liyan and respectfully asking, "President, do you have any further instructions?"

Pei Liyan replied with a mild voice, "No."

He Zheng looked at her with a smile, "Si Ran, you’re not thinking of leaving now, are you?"

Having her thoughts guessed, Si Ran bowed her head.

He Zheng continued, "I’ll drive you back later, don’t leave yet. There are matters here that still need your attention."

Si Ran had no choice but to look at Pei Liyan. Seeing that he didn’t object and didn’t seem to want Si Ran to leave, she nodded in agreement.

"I’ll leave after it ends, there’s no need for President He to send me."

"Why so polite?" He Zheng chuckled. "I haven’t offended you, have I?"

Si Ran’s expression remained calm. "President He is joking, I don’t drink, no need to escort me."

"Then you escort me." He Zheng still smiled charmingly. "I’ll have some drinks later."

Si Ran paused.

He Zheng continued, "Secretary Si, it’s settled then."

He Zheng didn’t give Si Ran a chance to speak further and turned to Pei Liyan, "Shall we drink?"

Pei Liyan looked back towards the direction of the staircase.

Neither Qiao Rui nor Pei Jibai had come downstairs.

He Zheng said, "Are you worried about the two of them?"

Pei Liyan’s handsome face betrayed little emotion, hiding a hint of displeasure that his friend He Zheng clearly caught.

"It’s fine, Qiao Rui knows her limits," He Zheng said.

"I think she has no limits at all." Pei Liyan snorted coldly, took a glass of wine, and sipped it.

He Zheng smiled gently, enthusiasm waning, "Tonight has been fascinating; she is indeed full of surprises, not as docile as one would think."

He remembered the last time outside the hotel when she was bullied by the Qiao sisters and yet, had managed to fend off several of them without a scratch.

Today, she had staged a comeback at such a Pei Family banquet without causing any stir, which was quite impressive.

Pei Liyan thought about Qiao Rui’s performance today, which momentarily filled his eyes with anger.

She could have told him that she could dance, but she chose not to reveal anything; she indeed had her own plans.

He scoffed, "You are right, she is really not that honest."

He Zheng: "Isn’t that what you wanted, a capable Mrs. Pei?"

Pei Liyan: "..."

Second floor.

Pei Jibai went to find Qiao Rui and as soon as he got to the second floor, he saw Qiao Rui standing in the hallway.

"Sister-in-law?" he called out.

Qiao Rui turned to look, and upon seeing Pei Jibai, greeted him, "Jibai?"

"It’s me." Pei Jibai’s long legs moved swiftly, closing the distance in a few steps, "Is big brother mad at you?"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Rui nodded.

"What are you going to do?" Pei Jibai was a bit worried.

Qiao Rui spread her hands, "Let it be."

Never expecting such a response, Pei Jibai couldn’t help but laugh. "Sister-in-law, you’re the first person I’ve seen who dares to challenge big brother."

"Haven’t you challenged him too?" Qiao Rui replied nonchalantly, "Dancing with me, you’ve become the public enemy of the Pei Family today."

"So you knew, sister-in-law?" Pei Jibai was surprised by her astuteness, recognizing the situation so well.

"Thanks for your great help, allowing me not to be too embarrassed during my first appearance at the Pei Family," Qiao Rui said with a smile on her lips, "I know you took a big risk to help me today, and I, Qiao Rui, will remember this kindness."

Shock appeared in Pei Jibai’s eyes, followed by a shake of his head and a chuckle, "Sister-in-law, don’t take it so seriously, it was just a small effort on my part."

"It might have been a small effort for you, but for me, it was invaluable," Qiao Rui spoke earnestly, "They wanted to see me embarrassed, and although I don’t care, I didn’t enjoy it. Of course, now the ones who are probably not enjoying it are those who wanted to see me in that state."

For a moment, Pei Jibai was stunned, and then burst into laughter.

Seeing him laugh, Qiao Rui shrugged, "Let’s go, downstairs."

"Sister-in-law, did big brother have something to show you when he took you upstairs?"

"He said he was going to show me old photographs, but then my elder sister arrived, and he left me behind," Qiao Rui smiled.

"Old photographs?" Pei Jibai paused. "Why were you looking at old photographs?"

"A hobby," Qiao Rui said.

"Hmm, there are indeed old photographs, but they’re in grandfather’s safe," Pei Jibai said.