CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 278 You Are the One Who Set the Scheme

Chapter 278: Chapter 278 You Are the One Who Set the Scheme

At the Ludao Hotel lobby, several people saw Song Xun and Shen Shuyi off as they departed.

Song Xun personally opened the car door for Shen Shuyi, a gesture of utmost gentlemanliness.

Witnessing this scene once more, Qiao Rui felt deeply relieved that Muyu hadn’t seen it.

He Lan, however, was genuinely happy for her good friend Shen Shuyi.

Qiao Rui’s gaze was indifferent, her expression aloof; as soon as they got into the car, she turned and walked away.

Pei Liyan caught hold of her in haste.

Qiao Rui met his eyes, "Is there something you need?"

Before Pei Liyan could speak, Fang Mo and Lu Heming returned.

"President Pei, we need to discuss something."

Pei Liyan had no choice but to let go of Qiao Rui and follow Lu Heming and Fang Mo to Lu Heming’s office for a talk.

As he was leaving, Pei Liyan instructed Si Ran, "Si Ran, take good care of the lady!"

"Yes, Mr. President, rest assured."

He Zheng reminded He Lan, "Don’t go out and stir up trouble."

"I know," He Lan replied impatiently, "I won’t go out, but don’t think you can downplay big issues or dismiss the small ones."

He Zheng was taken aback and looked up at Pei Liyan.

Pei Liyan frowned slightly.

He Lan pouted her lips.

Pei Liyan assured her, "He Lan, don’t worry, we’ll get to the bottom of this for you."

"That’s good," He Lan nodded then in agreement.

Once they had left, Qiao Rui prepared to go upstairs.

"Oh, right, Qiao Rui," He Lan called out to stop Qiao Rui, "I’m a bit confused. We sent Qiao Xiang to the police station earlier, and now we’re trying to rescue her. What was the point of all that fuss before?"

Qiao Rui, seeing her seriousness, explained seriously as well, "Pressure from our elders."

He Lan looked at her and muttered, "But you don’t seem like someone who bends to the pressure of elders."

Qiao Rui opened her mouth and then chuckled.

She certainly wasn’t.

But she had her reasons.

"I would be very upset if she really planned against me; I would be too angry," He Lan said with a frown. "Anyway, I’m not happy with how things are ending."

Qiao Rui stopped in her tracks and turned to ask her, "So what do you want to do?"

"I want to find out the truth," said He Lan. "Why should we leave things unclear?"

Qiao Rui nodded. "So was that your way of stating your request to them just now?"

"How come I feel like you’re more capable than they are?" He Lan observed her. "I didn’t see it before, but now, I think following you would be more badass than following them."

"Thank you for thinking so highly of me," Qiao Rui couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and gratitude.

Si Ran also smiled, suddenly feeling that Qiao Rui was indeed not as straightforward as she seemed.

"Qiao Rui, tell me the truth, do you plan on not pursuing this any further?" He Lan asked seriously.

Qiao Rui smiled, throwing the question back at her, "Pursuing what?"

"The scheme Qiao Xiang set up to trap you," said He Lan.

"Do you know she set a trap for me?"

"I don’t have solid evidence," He Lan admitted, "But when I came here, knowing that you and everyone else would be in Liancheng, she approached me first. Honestly, I can’t bring myself to believe she wants to harm me."

"Then you can hold on to your belief that she indeed did not want to set you up," Qiao Rui stated the matter as it was.

He Lan was taken aback, "But she used me."

That was true; Qiao Xiang indeed took advantage of He Lan.

"I believe she wanted to harm you," He Lan reiterated.

Qiao Rui paused, then couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Nearby, Si Ran could barely suppress a laugh, watching He Lan change sides so abruptly, unsure what to say.

He Lan, noticing they were both looking at her, immediately said, "I know it’s not great to switch sides like this, but she used me first. My betrayal came after, so it’s not too much, is it?"

"Indeed," Si Ran nodded.

"But you have no proof," Qiao Rui reminded her, amused.

"That’s why I insist on calling the police to get to the bottom of this."

Qiao Rui was speechless, knowing that some issues aren’t as simple as black and white.

"No, I have to confront her now," He Lan could no longer contain herself and rushed upstairs to find Qiao Xiang.

At that moment, Qiao Xiang had locked herself in her room, with Fu Yichen keeping her company.

She sat on the couch, her eyes red and swollen from crying.

When He Lan burst through the door, Fu Yichen saw her storming in and immediately frowned, "He Lan, what are you doing?"

"I need to talk to her, to find out what’s really going on," He Lan entered without heeding Fu Yichen or the others following her—Qiao Rui and Si Ran.

She confronted Qiao Xiang, "I’m going to ask you one more time, did you or did you not plot to lure Qiao Rui into the trap?"

"He Lan!" Fu Yichen, worried that He Lan’s impulsiveness might harm Qiao Xiang, tried to scold her away.

But He Lan shouted, "Fu Yichen, you can’t control me. I want the truth, all it takes is for her to tell it."

"Yes!" Qiao Xiang raised her eyes to He Lan, Qiao Rui, and Si Ran.

He Lan was momentarily stunned, taking some time to process before she managed to say, "You dare confess?"

Qiao Xiang pursed her lips, "I did attempt to lure her into the scheme, but I never intended to harm you, nor to use you. It turned out that I, too, was being used."

"You!" He Lan was lost for words and turned to look at Qiao Rui.

Qiao Rui’s reaction was incredibly calm.

Qiao Xiang, surprised by her composed expression, similar to Si Ran’s shock at seeing such an unexpected reaction, realized Qiao Rui was too serene.

After a moment, Qiao Xiang asked, "Qiao Rui, did you already know?"

Qiao Rui nodded. "Yes, I had known for a while now, but I am surprised you actually admitted it."

It must be a difficult thing for Qiao Xiang to do.

But today, she had confessed publicly, something Qiao Rui hadn’t expected.

"Even if I didn’t admit it, what then?" Qiao Xiang bitter-smiled, "I’ve paid a steep price for it, a prime example of ’harm set, harm get.’"

At this, everyone fell silent.

Qiao Rui knew that to kick someone when they’re down would only make her seem worse.

Fu Yichen froze as well, aware of Qiao Xiang’s pride, astonished to see her conceding to Qiao Rui.

"He Lan, I know I’ve wronged you, any trouble you want to bring my way, I’ll accept it," Qiao Xiang said. "Right now, I want to talk to Qiao Rui privately. Everyone, please leave."

He Lan hesitated for a moment, looked at her, and said, "Alright, we’ll talk later."

"Xiangxiang!" Fu Yichen was very concerned.

Qiao Xiang turned to him, "You should leave too, let me talk to Qiao Rui."

Eventually, even Fu Yichen had no choice but to exit.

The room was left with only Qiao Rui and Qiao Xiang.

Qiao Xiang opened the conversation, "You’re formidable. Fu Yichen said I’m no match for you, and it seems he’s right."

Qiao Rui only smiled. "Fu Yichen’s affection for you was genuine, which is quite rare."

"Since you’ve got all the evidence, why did you still hold back?" Qiao Xiang countered her question with another.

Qiao Rui pondered before answering, "He told you this too?"

"Yes, I’ve been the clown," Qiao Xiang sighed, her long lashes hiding the sharp light in her eyes. "While you were the one in control, watching my folly."

Qiao Rui shrugged, "I’m not as formidable as you think, all I’ve done was in self-defense."

"What are you really after?" Qiao Xiang lifted her gaze to meet Qiao Rui’s eyes.

Qiao Rui thought for a moment, then said, "If you want to talk about a purpose, I do have one."