CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 353 His First Love

Chapter 353: Chapter 353 His First Love

Qiao Rui said indifferently, "Anti-fans are still fans. But I don’t have the time to slander you—or rather, I don’t care enough to slander you."

"That, I believe." Liang Jinqian chuckled and replied, "You must think I’m not even worth slandering."

"But then again, anti-fans are still fans." Qiao Rui smiled faintly. "If your die-hard fans find out about all the ambiguous entanglements you’ve had with those actresses, I believe, Liang Yingdi, your carefully crafted persona will shatter completely."

Liang Jinqian’s gaze suddenly grew sharp, his expression darkened as he stared at Qiao Rui. "Are you threatening me?"

"Does Mr. Liang think I’m unqualified to threaten you?" Qiao Rui didn’t hold back, her tone was uncharacteristically assertive. "If I wanted, bringing down your persona would be a simple matter."

"It seems I’m at your mercy." Liang Jinqian chuckled and leaned back in his seat. "Miss Rui is indeed a formidable character, but I, Liang Jinqian, am no ordinary man either."

"True. That’s why exposing you would be simple." Qiao Rui smiled. "And even more impactful."

"Do you want to ruin me?" Liang Jinqian asked in a low voice.

"I don’t have such intentions for now." Qiao Rui spoke with deliberate calmness, "But it depends on whether Mr. Liang can show some sincerity."

Liang Jinqian raised his brows and continued to smile. "So, you want to know the reason I’m targeting Pei Liyan?"

"Yes." Qiao Rui nodded and stated directly, "Mr. Liang, you might as well share the reason with me."

"I didn’t expect Miss Rui to be so curious." Liang Jinqian spoke with a mocking tone. "It seems you truly care about Pei Liyan, don’t you?"

Qiao Rui smiled slightly. "If you don’t want to say it, that’s fine, suit yourself."

After saying this, she didn’t press further and simply picked up her teacup and began to drink.

Liang Jinqian observed her sipping tea gracefully, his lips curved slightly as he picked up his own teacup, took a sip, and remarked, "This flower tea tastes nice—fragrant upon entry, lingering sweetness on the lips. It’s hard to imagine such good tea could be found in a small alley like this."

"If you like it, come often." Qiao Rui said, "Sister Hui is trustworthy, and she’ll ensure no one photographs you."

"And if I do get photographed?" Liang Jinqian countered.

"Even better. Sister Hui’s shop will see more customers often in the future." Qiao Rui said calmly, "Consider it free advertising for her—though there’s no endorsement fee."

Liang Jinqian became momentarily speechless. "Miss Rui, are you always like this? Do you insist on having the upper hand in every conversation?"

Qiao Rui smiled. "Not necessarily. It’s not mandatory to dominate the conversation, but if I find someone unpleasant, I definitely will retort—and not just retort. If provoked, I might get physical too."

Liang Jinqian froze, recalling last night when the people he sent to spy on her and Song Muyu were severely beaten by her. They were still lying in the hospital now.

She had indeed proven herself with her skills—finishing them off in just a few moves.

"Does Miss Rui intend to hit me?" Liang Jinqian raised his brows and asked.

Qiao Rui laughed. "Yes, I’m somewhat tempted to hit you."

This man’s words kept circling around instead of addressing the reasons directly—it was truly infuriating.

"If we can’t cooperate, then so be it. Why resort to threatening me?" Liang Jinqian protested with some dissatisfaction.

Qiao Rui simply smiled. "Naturally, you provoked me, so don’t expect to walk away unscathed."

"Miss Rui, the more you want to know my reasons for targeting Pei Liyan, the less I can afford to tell you." Liang Jinqian said, "You’re intelligent and formidable—I don’t think working with you would necessarily benefit me."

"How rare—Mr. Liang has such discerning insight." Qiao Rui smiled. "Thank you for the compliment. If I’m not mistaken, you seem to have a sister, don’t you?"

Liang Jinqian was immediately stunned, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes.

He stiffened visibly, as though she had struck a nerve.

"You investigated me?" Liang Jinqian asked slowly and deliberately, his tone grim.

Qiao Rui smiled. "You sent people to follow me; is it unreasonable for me to investigate you? It’s simply reciprocation, wouldn’t you say?"

She certainly had made preparations before meeting Liang Jinqian.

Of course, Liang Jinqian’s data was meticulously crafted, and she hadn’t had time to dig deeper—her investigation was limited to general details about him.

Earlier, he kept talking about targeting Pei Liyan but refused to reveal the reasons.

Qiao Rui found it odd.

Bringing up his sister overseas was a way to test his reaction.

Unexpectedly, his reaction was unusually sharp.

It seemed his sister was indeed the key reason.

But had his sister crossed paths with Pei Liyan?

Qiao Rui wasn’t sure; she could only wait for Liang Jinqian’s answer.

"Ha!" Liang Jinqian reined in his tense demeanor, looking at Qiao Rui. He couldn’t help but sigh and say, "Miss Rui, you are truly remarkable—without even showing your hand, you’ve already prepared thoroughly, investigating me, and now sitting here speaking as if it’s all so effortless. I’m impressed."

"If I set my mind to it, I’ll absolutely achieve it." Qiao Rui didn’t mince words. "Mr. Liang, why not be honest with me?"

"Alright." Liang Jinqian finally replied, "My sister was Pei Liyan’s first love."

Qiao Rui wasn’t surprised at all. It seemed her guess was correct.

The person Qiao Xiang always mentioned should be Liang Jinqian’s sister.

With that, it all made sense.

Liang Jinqian perceived Pei Liyan as having married another woman, gotten entangled in a scandal with Rui Qing, and additionally involving the identity of Ruirui—this led him to feel that Pei Liyan had wronged his sister, compelling him to act against Pei Liyan.

Qiao Rui suddenly understood and remarked, "So that’s it. Mr. Liang thinks Pei Liyan toyed with your sister’s feelings and wants to go after him?"

"Yes." Liang Jinqian nodded and asked, "Isn’t that reason enough?"

"I think that reason is rather insufficient." Qiao Rui looked at him calmly.

Liang Jinqian frowned deeply. "You disagree because you’ve been toyed with too? If he can toy with you lightly, don’t you find that reprehensible?"

Qiao Rui felt that she herself was the one playing with Pei Liyan. If anyone were to be accused of being vile, then she was guilty too.

She had no grounds to comment on it.

"Romance between men and women is simply a matter of mutual exchange. Even dating couples have the freedom and right to break up and move on—to remarry or start new relationships. Should they be sentenced to solitude for life?" Rui Danran retorted calmly.

"Ha! What if they never broke up?" Liang Jinqian countered coldly.

"That sounds like your own wishful thinking, Mr. Liang." Qiao Rui looked at him steadily. "As far as I recall, Pei Liyan was single for four to five years domestically. During that time, his reputation was consistently strong. The real controversy seemed to begin after his scandal with Rui Qing, didn’t it?"