CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 223: Choking

Chapter 223: Chapter 223: Choking

He Lan frowned suddenly, feeling cornered. Song Muyu actually dared to sass her.

Today she had already been sassed by Qiao Rui upon her arrival, and now again by Song Muyu, which only added to He Lan’s anger.

Song Muyu just looked at her with a light smile, her laughter deepening as she caught Qiao Rui’s gaze.

Qiao Rui also smiled faintly, signaling with her eyes that she shouldn’t stoop to He Lan’s level.

Song Muyu arched her eyebrows, indicating that she was merely defending herself and wouldn’t have retaliated if Miss He hadn’t provoked her.

After all, she had come to attend Song Xun and Shen Shuyi’s engagement party and didn’t want any trouble.

But she couldn’t bear it if He Lan was looking for trouble.

She had endured Song Xun, endured everything about the engagement party, and now she had to endure a stranger’s provocations, too—why should she?

She wasn’t obliged to keep tolerating it forever.

Qiao Rui, somewhat helpless at last, gave her a "do as you please" look.

Only then did Song Muyu truly smile.

Seeing the way they exchanged glances and laughed wickedly, He Lan couldn’t hold back.

Feeling she was among friends without outsiders present, she decided to confront them directly.

"So your taste only represents you personally, huh?" He Lan huffed, "Your taste isn’t really all that great."

"Yes, that goes for each of us," Song Muyu responded nonchalantly, "So you appreciate your Miss Qiao, and I appreciate my Mrs. Pei. Let’s not let our waters meet."

He Lan paused, immediately feeling the offense in Song Muyu’s words.

"Miss Song, what are you implying?"

Song Muyu gave her a look and countered, "I also want to ask what Miss He means."

"You!" He Lan scowled, "You are the one starting an argument with me."

"This is arguing?" Song Muyu said with a faint smile, "Well, if you shut your mouth, you certainly won’t be able to argue."

"You!" He Lan quivered with anger, "You shut your mouth!"

Song Muyu tugged at her mouth, indeed remaining silent.

She felt that arguing was pointless and had intended to call a truce, but to her surprise, Qiao Xiang spoke up.

She said, "Miss Song, aren’t you Mr. Song’s sister? Why are you sitting with us guests? Shouldn’t you be greeting guests?"

That remark, clearly in support of He Lan, was an accusation that Song Muyu shouldn’t be seated there.

Everyone present could tell Qiao Xiang was taking He Lan’s side in a direct confrontation with Song Muyu.

Qiao Rui’s gaze shifted to Qiao Xiang, her elegant eyebrows raised slightly.

Song Muyu turned to Qiao Xiang as well, "Miss Qiao, you may not be very familiar with the customs here in Liancheng. Our family teaches that girls should be calm and steady, and not interfere in everything."

Qiao Xiang was taken aback, as it seemed the remark was reflecting on her, portraying her as restless and meddlesome.

A trace of displeasure surfaced in her eyes as she forced a smile and glanced at Song Muyu, unsure how this woman could click with Qiao Rui so quickly.

Of course, she wouldn’t act rashly, especially in front of Pei Liyan and He Zheng, and she needed to maintain her image.

Thus, Qiao Xiang smiled and said, "Oh, then I am simply uninformed. I really am not familiar with Liancheng’s customs. My apologies, Miss Song."

Seeing Qiao Xiang not continuing the confrontation, Song Muyu didn’t trouble herself further.

She also smiled at Qiao Xiang, saying, "No problem."

He Lan, however, sneered, "I know a thing or two about Liancheng’s rules, and they’re not quite like what you described, Miss Song. It seems to me you don’t consider yourself part of the Song Family."

A sting shot through Song Muyu’s heart.

He Lan’s indifferent words had inadvertently jabbed at Song Muyu’s heart—she indeed was not the Song Family’s own child.

As an adopted daughter, there were matters where she couldn’t be visible or involved.

But He Lan’s words deeply wounded Song Muyu, causing her face to pale.

Her silence caused the atmosphere to suddenly become delicate.

Anyone could feel the desolation in Song Muyu’s eyes at that moment.

Qiao Rui’s face turned frosty, and a sharp edge flashed in her eyes.

He Zheng was taken aback and glanced at Qiao Rui, alarmed by the cold aura she exuded.

He immediately interjected, "He Lan, stop talking."

But why would He Lan miss such a perfect opportunity for a counterattack?

She responded with a cold laugh, "Miss Song, if you saw yourself as part of the Song Family, you wouldn’t be having this conversation with us. You should be greeting guests, or helping Shuyi get comfortable. Instead, you are acting just like one of the guests here—quite rare."

Song Muyu turned even paler.

Jiang Jinfeng’s eyes tightened, wanting to speak up, but it was beneath his dignity to argue with a young girl.

Qiao Rui, protective as ever, wouldn’t allow anyone to bully Song Muyu.

She coldly retorted, "As Miss Shen’s close friend, did you come to join her engagement party or to disrupt it?"

He Lan was taken aback, clashing with Qiao Rui’s gaze, replying with a sneer, "I wasn’t talking to you, why do you jump in?"

"Since I want to speak, I will," Qiao Rui’s tone was cold, but it carried an invisible pressure, "If Miss Shen learns how you treat her future sister-in-law, will your friendship with her withstand this test?"

"Of course, it will," He Lan was very certain, "My friendship with Shen Shuyi, how could you understand it?"

"And what about Song Xun then?" Qiao Rui scoffed, "Would he also tolerate you deliberately provoking like this?"

"What does Song Xun have to do with it?"

"Song Xun is Miss Song’s brother," Qiao Rui reminded, "If Mr. He Zheng defends you, wouldn’t it be uncivilized if Mr. Song didn’t stand up for his sister?"

He Lan’s eyes widened, "You, you are escalating the conflict! That’s not what I meant at all, you are speaking too harshly."

Qiao Rui gave her a cold look, the chill in her eyes unmistakable, "If you find me harsh, then you should rein yourself in. Not everyone will indulge you, Miss He!"

"You, Qiao Rui!" With that, He Lan stood up abruptly, her movements excessive.

"Yes, I am Qiao Rui," Qiao Rui’s gaze remained ice-cold as she watched He Lan.

He Lan appeared very agitated, pointing at Qiao Rui, "You dare trouble me—who do you think you are?"

"Sit down!" He Zheng abruptly pulled his sister back, "Apologize!"

He Lan certainly couldn’t swallow her pride so easily. She glanced at He Zheng, "Brother, are you really my brother? They are bullying me, and yet you’re telling me to suffer in silence."

"Shut up." He Zheng was also embarrassed. He could see that Qiao Rui was targeting He Lan because of Song Muyu and wasn’t being polite.

She didn’t normally lack measure.

She must be speaking on behalf of Song Muyu, her words sharp, but why was she reacting so strongly?

He Zheng was puzzled.

Although it had been He Lan who started it, the matter could have been dropped. Why say such things?

This was beyond He Zheng’s comprehension, his hesitant gaze falling on Qiao Rui.

Qiao Rui’s gaze remained detached, her powerful presence chilling to the onlooker.