CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 343: Fallen in Love?

Chapter 343: Chapter 343: Fallen in Love?

Pei Liyan was about to be infuriated to the point of spitting blood by Qiao Rui.

This girl was like a tough man—actually tougher than most men.

He stared at Qiao Rui speechlessly.

"Don’t look at me like that," Qiao Rui said bluntly. "Pei Liyan, you should be the kind of man who stays cool and collected in my mind—not this clingy and indecisive type. Do you even realize, you’re acting just like a wimpy guy right now!"

At this, Pei Liyan really felt like spitting blood. Being described as that kind of man—how could he even live with himself?

He looked at Qiao Rui with deep, intense eyes.

Qiao Rui avoided his gaze, but then he burst out laughing, "Tell me, why do you resist the idea of falling in love?"

With his eyes locked on her, Qiao Rui reluctantly lifted her head and replied, "So, does this mean you’ve fallen for me?"

Pei Liyan froze, unable to say a word for a moment.

Watching his reaction, Qiao Rui frowned slightly and said, "See? Without love, what’s the point of talking about relationships, right?"

Just as he was about to respond, she yawned. "I’m tired. Talk later, good night."

The call was cut off.

Pei Liyan held the phone in his hand, glanced at the clock—late at night. He thought, this topic will have to wait for another day.

Fallen for her?

He asked himself the same question.

After hanging up the phone, Qiao Rui lay in bed, motionless for a long time, unable to fall asleep.

Neither of them called the other again.

Unable to sleep in the middle of the night, Qiao Rui got up, slipped past the surveillance cameras, and silently snuck out.

Song Muyu returned to her Qingcheng residence, took a shower, ate something, and received a call from Qiao Rui saying she was coming over.

She immediately asked Qi Yun to prepare some food.

Not long after, Qiao Rui arrived.

As soon as they met, Song Muyu’s eyes turned red.

Qiao Rui looked at her, thinking of all the suffering she had endured, and couldn’t bear to reprimand her.

The two exchanged a glance. Years of tacit understanding told them what each other was feeling inside.

"I’m sorry for hiding this from you," Song Muyu said softly.

Qiao Rui shook her head. "I know you didn’t want me to worry. And I also know you want to settle things once and for all with Song Xun."

Despite her red-rimmed eyes, Song Muyu did not cry—instead, she laughed. "Yes, I have to settle it with him."

"So, next, we’re going to acquire shares from the Liu Family and Song Family. You will become a shareholder in the Liu Family," Qiao Rui said, looking at her. "Can you handle that?"

Song Muyu was stunned. "You acquired shares in the Liu Family?"

"Yes," Qiao Rui nodded. "I’ll soon have twenty-five percent of it."

"The Liu Family didn’t suspect anything?"

"They probably just noticed it now," Qiao Rui looked at her seriously. "But they don’t know who’s behind it yet. I had agencies handle the acquisition, and after securing twenty-five percent, it’ll be transferred under your name."

"That’ll make me a prime target," Song Muyu looked at her.

"Afraid?" Qiao Rui asked, staring back.

Song Muyu chuckled, her eyes still red, but her face unusually resolute: "Who’s afraid? Not me. Since it’s your arrangement, I’ll carry it out as you’ve planned, just as I promised."

"Good," Qiao Rui smiled. "When the time comes, they’ll all have to bow to you."

"This is just your plan to make them bow to me, isn’t it?" Song Muyu looked at Qiao Rui with a complicated expression. "There’s no need for you to go through so much trouble just for me."

"Muyu, we’re friends," Qiao Rui said. "I won’t allow anyone to belittle you or bully you."

Song Muyu laughed. "You know, you’re acting so much like a domineering CEO right now; I almost want to marry you. Too bad you’re a woman."

"Ha, if I were a man, do you think I’d let Song Xun or Pei Liyan off so easily?" Qiao Rui joked back.

The mood instantly lightened, dispelling the earlier heaviness.

Qi Yun was busy preparing food while observing the cheerful scene between the Young Master and Miss Song. She couldn’t help but envy them. The Young Master was always sincere and genuine; she had chosen to follow the right person.

"Young Master, Sister Yin has also arrived in Qingcheng," Qi Yun remarked.

"I know," Qiao Rui responded. "I arranged it. I’m returning to the Qiao Family, and Sister Yin will be my assistant."

"Oh, so everything was under the Young Master’s control," Qi Yun exclaimed in delight. "I thought Sister Yin returned on her own."

Qiao Rui smiled, "Take good care of Muyu. She’ll be returning to Liancheng soon, and at that time, the risks will multiply. I’ll need you to face them with her."

"Young Master, I’ll protect Miss Song with my life!" Qi Yun immediately pledged.

"One person’s strength isn’t enough. It looks like I’ll need to assign some more bodyguards to protect you both in secret."

This time, Song Muyu didn’t refuse. "If I become a shareholder in the Liu Family and return to Liancheng, I’ll definitely be targeted for assassination."

"I already thought of that," Qiao Rui said with a sly smile. "Draft a will. If something happens to you, all your shares will be donated to society. Announce this during the board meeting."

"Brilliant!" Qi Yun exclaimed in awe. "Young Master, your plan is impeccable!"

"With this arrangement, they’ll want me dead but can’t afford to let it happen," Song Muyu laughed heartily, clutching her stomach as it hurt from laughing so hard.

"Don’t overdo it," Qiao Rui said. "Get your health back in one week."

"I will," Song Muyu promised earnestly. "I’ll recover fully within a week."

Initially feeling a bit down and lethargic, Song Muyu now seemed energized and determined after Qiao Rui’s visit and thoughtful arrangements.

She understood that only by saving herself could she honor the trust and effort that had been placed in her.

Seeing her resolve, Qiao Rui felt content. "Looks like my trip wasn’t in vain?"

"Of course," Song Muyu smiled, and the two seemed to be back in their days of youthful ambition.

Seeing her improved state, Qiao Rui felt relieved. "I’ll head out now. I still need to meet with Jinfeng."

"Be careful. Do you think Pei Liyan is keeping an eye on you?" Song Muyu reminded her with concern.

"Not only keeping an eye on me—he’s suspicious too," Qiao Rui replied. "I’ll choose the right time to come clean, but now isn’t that time."

"Do you want Qi Yun to escort you?" Song Muyu asked.

"No need," Qiao Rui waved her off. "I’m off. You two get some rest."

As Qiao Rui left Song Muyu’s place, she felt someone tailing her.

She paused underfoot, her peripheral vision catching movement behind her. Instead of stopping outright, she suddenly dashed away.

The people following her were momentarily startled and hesitated.

After sprinting forward, Qiao Rui made a quick turn toward the side of a building, hiding in its corner.

Two men chasing after her reached the corner. One muttered under his breath, "Where did she go? She ran so fast—did she get away?"

"Impossible," the other retorted. "She must be hiding. This woman’s movements are elusive—it’s not easy to catch her. We’ve come this far; don’t lose her now."

Qiao Rui also froze for a moment, unsure of their intentions and how much they knew about her. They seemed well-informed.

Frowning slightly, she decided it wasn’t wise to make a move beneath Song Muyu’s residence. The property management here was decent, but these individuals obviously had ways to bypass it.

She darted out from the building and sprinted away.

"Over there—follow her!"