CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 352: Are You Willing to Be Played by Him?

Chapter 352: Chapter 352: Are You Willing to Be Played by Him?

"Well, isn’t it? It’s been over a year in the blink of an eye." The shopkeeper Hui Jie chuckled. "When Miss Huang called to place the order, I wasn’t sure you’d really come. But here you are."

Qiao Rui nodded slightly. "Hui Jie, you look like you’re doing quite well."

"All thanks to you, Miss Rui. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today." Hui Jie still felt deeply grateful as she recalled the past. "If you hadn’t helped me deal with those thugs, my little shop would’ve closed ages ago."

"It was Hui Jie’s cooking that conquered my stomach." Qiao Rui smiled. "It’s fate between us, too."

"Exactly, it’s fate." Hui Jie quickly added, "Miss Rui, what do you feel like eating today? It’s on me."

"No need to treat me, Hui Jie. I’m here to host a rather special guest today. I just need you to keep an eye out and make sure no one snaps any photos of him."

"Ah, alright." Hui Jie nodded quickly. "I’ll take care of it."

"That settles it. I’ll head to the private room first."

Hui Jie guided her toward the private room. Before stepping in, they overheard someone outside asking, "Excuse me, is there a private room reserved by Miss Rui?"

Both Hui Jie and Qiao Rui turned back.

"Mr. Liang’s assistant?" Qiao Rui glanced at the man.

"Yes, I’m Fang Chen, Mr. Liang’s assistant, Miss Rui." Fang Chen smiled and said, "Mr. Liang has arrived. I’ll inform him to come straight in and find you."

"Alright," Qiao Rui replied lightly with a nod.

In a short while, Liang Jinqian entered.

He wore a hat and sunglasses, his appearance resembling that of a gangster at first glance.

Yet he carried a powerful and aristocratic aura that immediately signaled he was no ordinary man.

Hui Jie recognized him instantly and froze, startled. Instinctively, she looked at Qiao Rui. "Is he a big celebrity?"

"Yes, Hui Jie. Later, I’ll help you ask for an autograph." Qiao Rui smiled. "You can go ahead and keep busy now. I’ll take him to the private room."

"Alright." Hui Jie quickly withdrew.

Qiao Rui turned her gaze to Liang Jinqian as he removed his sunglasses. Underneath, his sharp, luminous eyes fixed on her intensely.

"Miss Rui, this place isn’t the easiest to find."

"As long as no one’s taking your picture, isn’t that good enough?" Qiao Rui responded casually.

Liang Jinqian burst out laughing. "Miss Rui, you certainly have a straightforward way of speaking."

Qiao Rui opened the door to the private room and gestured to him. "Go inside the room first."

Liang Jinqian smiled slightly and walked over in a gentlemanly manner. "Miss Rui, after you."

Qiao Rui gave him a brief glance, not saying a word, and entered the private room first.

Once inside, Hui Jie came in with tea service as well. Having spotted the celebrity, Hui Jie personally served them instead of sending the waiter.

"What kind of tea would you like, the both of you?"

"Mr. Liang, what would you prefer?"

"Flower tea," Liang Jinqian said.

"Flower tea it is," Qiao Rui echoed.

Hui Jie promptly brewed a pot of flower tea, set it on the table, and left the room.

Liang Jinqian poured Qiao Rui a cup of tea.

Qiao Rui glanced at it. "Thank you. Now, Mr. Liang, cut to the chase. Why did you have someone follow me?"

"Pfft!" Liang Jinqian chuckled once again. "You’re really impatient."

"I don’t want to waste time." Qiao Rui’s tone carried a hint of irritation. Seeing Liang Jinqian stalling, her gaze falling on him turned even colder. "Mr. Liang, let’s keep this direct."

"Don’t be hasty." Liang Jinqian smiled. "I’ll tell you what I want, but let’s discuss it over food later."

Qiao Rui furrowed her brow slightly.

He added, "No matter how busy you are, you should still eat, right?"

"That’s true." Qiao Rui replied, "I just don’t like wasting time with someone investigating me."

"Miss Rui, let me put it bluntly then. My objective is Pei Liyan," Liang Jinqian said with a slight smile, his gaze holding a playful edge.

Qiao Rui’s brows furrowed instantly as she looked at him, a sharpness flashing in her eyes.

Liang Jinqian chuckled again as he saw her silence. "I wanted to see if you’d consider working with me?"

Qiao Rui settled down, letting out a calm laugh. "I have no connection with Mr. Pei. If you want to collaborate, you’re knocking on the wrong door."

Liang Jinqian raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly. "Miss Rui, I’ve been quite candid, yet you respond like this—doesn’t that make me a little disappointed?"

Qiao Rui remained indifferent, her gaze unwavering. This man had been upfront about his intent—it centered on Pei Liyan.

Inside, Qiao Rui felt a mix of surprise and, oddly, a sense of relief.

"Then it seems I’ll have to keep disappointing you, Mr. Liang." Qiao Rui said. "I truly have no ties to Mr. Pei, nor do I intend to have any in the future."

"Are you really willing to let him toy with you like that?" Liang Jinqian countered.

Qiao Rui fixed her gaze upon him, noticing a hint of hatred buried in his eyes.

She raised an eyebrow slightly, her tone displeased. "Who said he toyed with me?"

"Ha," Liang Jinqian snickered, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "The man’s married. What more do you need to call it ’not toyed with’?"

Qiao Rui narrowed her eyes, locking her gaze onto his. Liang Jinqian’s stare met hers directly, carrying traces of confusion—almost questioning her unusual reaction.

Qiao Rui laughed lightly, her tone calm. "Mr. Liang, if we’re talking about toying around, haven’t you fooled around with plenty of little flowers yourself?"

Liang Jinqian froze, entirely unprepared for such a response. He shook his head, a faint laugh escaping. "Miss Rui, you’ve truly got a sharp tongue."

"Not as sharp as your double standards." Qiao Rui countered effortlessly. "Holding others to high standards while setting the bar abysmally low for yourself—I’m impressed."

"When Miss Rui puts it that way, it truly makes me reflect in shame." Although the words sounded self-critical, Liang Jinqian’s expression betrayed none of it. "I simply thought perhaps we could form a united front."

"Against Pei Liyan?" Qiao Rui asked pointedly.

"Exactly," Liang Jinqian nodded.

"Why the animosity toward him?" Sensing he had no intention of letting this go, Qiao Rui sought his underlying reason.

Liang Jinqian smiled faintly. "That’s personal, Miss Rui. I can’t share it."

"So if I don’t agree, you’ll team up with someone else against him?" Qiao Rui pressed.

Liang Jinqian did not hide his motives, nodding. "That would likely be the case."

"Without revealing your reason, you’ll find it hard to win me over." Qiao Rui remarked, her smile tinged with amusement.

Liang Jinqian held her gaze, equally amused. "Miss Rui, even if I told you the reason, you still might not agree to form an alliance with me."

Qiao Rui nodded. "You’re right. I’d have to weigh the circumstances—see if it’s worth it."

"Miss Rui, your pragmatic approach to weighing benefits does make sense." Liang Jinqian smiled again. "But I can’t help but feel you still hold some hope for Pei Liyan."

Qiao Rui shrugged. "As you pointed out yourself—he’s married."

"His marriage doesn’t necessarily negate your hopes for him," Liang Jinqian said, his gaze intense. "You like him."

Qiao Rui raised an eyebrow. "I like you too. I’m actually your fan."

"Haha! Miss Rui, you truly are a master negotiator. Fans of mine are usually obsessed, but you seem more like my anti-fan."