CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 18: Enemies on a Narrow Path

Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Enemies on a Narrow Path

Rejected.

Pei Liyan’s thin lips curved into a faint arc, as if tinged with a hint of mockery.

"Miss Rui, may I know why?"

Qiao Rui tugged at her lips indifferently, her tone a bit cold, "Mr. Pei, do you have a hundred thousand ’whys’?"

The atmosphere suddenly took on a gunpowder-like flavor.

Pei Liyan was also startled, seemingly not expecting to be talked back to.

He couldn’t help but take another look at Qiao Rui.

Qiao Rui met Pei Liyan’s gaze squarely, then looking away, she walked toward Song Muyu to sing.

Jiang Jinfeng, who had been silent the whole time, also sweated a little, looking at Qiao Rui unsure of how to break the ice, fearing to mess up Qiao Rui’s plans with a wrong word.

Meanwhile, Pei Liyan was put in his place.

He Zheng and Fu Yichen watched his face change colors, and they too didn’t dare to even breathe too loudly.

Jiang Jinfeng, afraid of the awkward silence, spoke up, "President Pei, President He, President Fu, I toast the three of you."

Fu Yichen smiled. "President Jiang, Miss Rui has quite the personality, doesn’t she?"

Jiang Jinfeng chuckled. "Modern girls all have personality, right, President He?"

He Zheng, being called out and recalling how he had just been stung by Song Muyu, felt a lot more balanced in his heart as he got the same treatment as his good brother.

It was so unexpected that the renowned Pei Liyan would receive such treatment.

He raised his eyebrows and said, "It seems both these sisters are roses with thorns."

Jiang Jinfeng smiled again.

Pei Liyan’s desire to flatter Qiao Rui was truly surprising.

With Qiao Rui’s many identities getting involved with him, it was going to be troublesome.

Pei Liyan, however, didn’t get angry. His expression was calm, showing no hint of pleasure or anger.

Qiao Rui and Song Muyu sang in harmony, their voices raised in song.

Qiao Rui’s voice was sweet yet sensual, clear yet laden with vicissitudes, carrying an indescribable charm.

When the singing was over, Pei Liyan still hadn’t left.

He actually started drinking on their side.

When the two returned, Fu Yichen was asking Pei Liyan, "Brother Pei, did you really choose the Qiao family’s unsophisticated sixth daughter for marriage?"

Upon hearing this, Qiao Rui froze, then picked up her milk tea and took a sip.

Song Muyu also paused, looking at Qiao Rui worriedly.

Qiao Rui, on the other hand, just smiled at her, not taking it to heart.

"Mind your language," Pei Liyan cautioned.

"Language? What did I say?" Fu Yichen was confused. "I heard the Qiao family’s sixth daughter is indeed pretty ugly, just brought back from the countryside. I’m not wrong, am I?"

"The person I choose is not up for other people’s comments," Pei Liyan said sternly.

Qiao Rui was taken aback; even though her back was turned to them, she still heard Pei Liyan’s voice.

Eh, she hadn’t expected this man to stand up for her.

He was at least abiding by their agreed rules.

But that didn’t change the fact that he was a womanizer.

Such a sanctimonious hypocrite was no good person.

Qiao Rui’s impression of him was thoroughly bad now.

Wanting to flatter her after just one meeting.

Ha, it was nothing but a desire to possess her.

Humph, men!

Fu Yichen felt wronged, "Brother Pei, I’m just worried about you. You’re a fine plant sticking out of manure."

"Yichen!" Pei Liyan’s tone became heavier. "Say another word, and I’ll really get angry."

Fu Yichen now truly didn’t dare to speak ill of Qiao Rui.

He was depressed; why was Brother Pei so protective of his chosen ’country bumpkin’ when it was just to appease Grandpa Pei? Why was he taking it so seriously?

Pei Liyan’s behavior left Qiao Rui surprised again; she hadn’t expected him to be so protective of the ’country bumpkin’ Qiao Rui.

Song Muyu didn’t expect it either, her eyes lighting up as she winked at Qiao Rui.

Qiao Rui remained nonchalant, as if she saw nothing.

He Zheng, noticing the tense atmosphere, said, "Can we not talk about family matters? We’re here to have fun, and since Miss Rui doesn’t want to get involved in the entertainment circle, we shouldn’t force her. It’s enough to just make friends."

Qiao Rui nodded. "Thank you, Mr. He, but I’m afraid befriending all of you would be me punching above my weight."

"No, let’s exchange phone numbers!" He Zheng said.

Qiao Rui looked at Song Muyu and said to He Zheng, "You can add Muyu. I’m planning to change my number, anyway. If you find Muyu, you can find me."

"That works, Miss Rui. You’re giving me face," He Zheng exclaimed sincerely, turning to Song Muyu, "May I add you?"

Song Muyu snorted, "That would be my honor."

"Miss Song, you don’t have to be so resistant to Mr. He," He Zheng said with a smile.

"Mr. He has already said as much, so I shouldn’t say any more. Come on, let’s exchange phone numbers." Song Muyu handed her phone to He Zheng directly.

They exchanged contact information.

Fu Yichen also joined in the fun.

But Pei Liyan didn’t come forward; he didn’t add Song Muyu’s number.

Qiao Rui was unsure what this man wanted.

But after playing for a while, Qiao Rui quietly said to Song Muyu, "Let’s find a time to slip away."

Song Muyu nodded. "Yeah, okay, let’s slip away."

The two glanced at Jiang Jinfeng, gave him a look, and then made their covert departure.

On the way back.

Song Muyu was excited, "Pei Liyan didn’t recognize you."

"Yeah, he didn’t."

"But he’s very sure about your voice; he wants to package you, which shows he has good taste."

"How do you know he wants to package me?" Qiao Rui countered.

Song Muyu was taken aback, "Or does he want to keep you?"

Qiao Rui’s heart was a mix of emotions, somewhat resigned, "No need to think so vilely."

Song Muyu chuckled, "But you’re hostile towards him; you’re angry."

"You could tell?" Qiao Rui didn’t conceal it from Song Muyu. "Indeed, I feel hostile towards him."

"Why?"

"Don’t you think he has a talent for flirting with women?"

Song Muyu was taken aback and countered, "So, you were charmed by him?"

Qiao Rui speechless, "That’s not what I meant. Forget it, you wouldn’t understand."

"How could I not understand? Isn’t it just because you think he’s flirting with other women right after getting married to you?"

"Of course that’s not it." Qiao Rui didn’t explain further; she simply had a bad impression of Pei Liyan.

"What’s it really about then?" Song Muyu asked again.

"I’ll tell you later." Qiao Rui didn’t want to elaborate. "Take me to the pedestrian street."

"What for?" Song Muyu was taken aback, "This late at night?"

"To change clothes," Qiao Rui said. "I’m going to change my clothes and then pretend to return to Pei Liyan’s place."

"That’s both troublesome and thrilling," Song Muyu said. "But thinking about how he didn’t recognize you today makes me feel quite refreshed."

Qiao Rui felt the same.

Soon, she got out at the pedestrian street, changed her clothes, and returned to her previous disguise, looking once again like a rustic country figure.

When she got to the front door of her house, she saw Pei Liyan’s car driving in through the gate.

Talk about a narrow escape; he had gotten back before her.

Qiao Rui’s heart skipped a beat because at that moment, Pei Liyan rolled down the car window, revealing his handsome face, stern and resolute, exuding the charm of a mature man.

Seeing her returning from outside in the deep of night, his eyebrows furrowed and he said coldly, "Where have you been so late at night?"