Plunder
Chapter 118 - 118 118 Seeing Zhou Jinan Again

Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Seeing Zhou Jin’an Again Chapter 118: Chapter 118: Seeing Zhou Jin’an Again As soon as Aunt Jin finished speaking, Qiao’s mother’s suspicious gaze fell on Qiao En.

“Did you come back last night?”

The drive to Rong City’s downtown area took two to three hours, so a round trip would take about four to five hours.

Last night, Qiao En indeed wasn’t home and returned quite late, but she had no time to come here.

Qiao’s mother’s cloudy eyes looked towards Qiao En, waiting for her response.

But Qiao En acted as if she hadn’t heard her question.

“Aunt Jin, did you see me come back last night?”

Qiao En asked.

“Oh.”

Aunt Jin laughed, “En’en, Aunt Jin has watched you grow up. No matter how you change, I can always recognize you. Yesterday, you even came to get the spare key to your house from me, and when you left, you bought me a big watermelon. Why waste that money? Aunt Jin is alone at home; how can I finish it all by myself? Now, come with your mom to my house and have some watermelon; I’m afraid it will go bad if left too long.”

Aunt Jin enthusiastically invited her, pulling Qiao’s mother’s arm and dragging her towards her room.

Qiao En stood still, her legs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead.

“En’en, come quickly, it’s hot outside, but it’s cool inside the house.”

Aunt Jin had already reached the door and called out to Qiao En again.

“You go ahead, I’ll put the photo album back.”

Qiao En responded, picking up the photo album and walking towards the staircase.

But, each step she took felt as if she were stepping on cotton.

That woman had come again, impersonating Qiao En and taking all her photos. Why was she doing this?

Once inside, Qiao En set the photo album aside and sat on the edge of the bed, deep in thought.

Then, she pulled out her cell phone and sent a message to Detective Wu.

“She hasn’t left, she’s come again.”

Detective Wu replied immediately, “Where is she?”

Qiao En sent her location and told Detective Wu how Su Nian had appeared at her ancestral home and impersonated her to take the photo album.

“Is there anything special about those photos?”

Unable to hold back, Detective Wu asked.

Qiao En took a deep breath; she couldn’t begin to guess what that woman wanted to do.

She was like a ghost, appearing and disappearing unpredictably.

Yet she seemed to know everything about Qiao En, knowing where she lived, understanding her social connections. Staring at the face that resembled two people, what exactly did she want to do?

“No, they just recorded my growth trajectory.”

There was a long silence from Detective Wu before he finally sent another message, “Secretary Qiao, take my advice and leave quickly. I think you might be in danger.”

But what danger was Qiao En really in? It was just a speculation, and without factual basis, Detective Wu didn’t elaborate further.

But Qiao En took it to heart, vaguely feeling that Su Nian was playing a big game.

Qiao’s mother chatted about family matters at Aunt Jin’s for a while, and then Qiao En and she set out on the return journey.

“En’en, I’m sorry. I imposed on you with your brother’s marriage. But that wasn’t what I meant. Although you’re not my biological daughter, I’ve always considered you as my own.”

Qiao’s mother took Qiao En’s hand, apologizing with remorse.

Only Qiao En’s photos were missing in the album, which led her to think a bit more about it.

Aunt Jin said that Qiao En came back last night. She raced back in such a hurry, could it have been intentional, to spitefully throw away the photos?

Qiao’s mother felt guilty, and that was the only explanation she could think of.

“Mom, I understand, we will always be a family.”

Qiao En consoled, hugging Qiao’s mother’s hand even tighter.

That afternoon, just as she had arrived home, Ding Hao’s phone call came through.

“En’en, there’s a party tonight. Dress up nicely; I’ll pick you up at seven o’clock.”

The high society of Rong City loved to host parties under various pretexts. Previously, when Qiao En worked in Nanchen, she had attended many parties with Zhou Jin’an.

Initially, she was curious, and each new party offered a fresh experience. But as she attended more, she gradually understood their purpose. People were keen on parties to expand their networks under the guise of social gatherings, looking for new business opportunities.

The Ding Family also held a significant place in Rong City. Ding Hao was a doctor and he had never been involved in business, but no one could forget that he was the young master of the Ding Family, the future young head of the Ding Corporation.

Qiao En chose to collaborate with him, even if it was just a faux marriage, and she needed to willingly participate in such parties.

Therefore, although she felt repelled inside, she did not refuse verbally.

“Okay.”

Qiao En agreed.

At 7 p.m., Ding Hao appeared on time under the Qiao Family’s building.

Qiao En was dressed in a moon-white modified cheongsam, looking gentle and virtuous, embodying the essence of a demure beauty. She chose an ivory white hairpin to gather her jet-black hair into a softly tied bun.

She was naturally delicate, and with just a light touch of makeup, her skin looked creamily translucent.

Seeing Qiao En like this, Ding Hao couldn’t help but have his eyes light up as he exclaimed, “En’en, you look so beautiful!”

Her beauty was unconscious, unassuming, and unforgettable at just one glance.

Such understated yet memorable beauty was most adept at capturing hearts.

“Where are we going?”

Qiao En asked.

This brought Ding Hao back to his senses, but his gaze still clung to Qiao En, unmoved.

“Get in the car first, you’ll know when we arrive.”

Half an hour later, the car stopped at an estate.

Qiao En had been to this place several times with Zhou Jin’an.

The European-style estate was expansive and splendidly luxurious, featuring a large lawn suitable for an open-air party, a terrace for chatting and stargazing, and a large outdoor swimming pool, a great spot for leisure and entertainment.

Ding Hao got out of the car and walked around to Qiao En’s side, where he gentlemanly opened the door and offered his arm, which Qiao En naturally took.

Ding Hao was tall and handsome, radiating the joy of spring, and Qiao En was soft and gentle. Together, they looked like a tree and its vines, intertwined and thriving together.

“Mr. Ding, please, this way.”

Someone recognized Ding Hao and greeted him enthusiastically, but their eyes were fixed on Qiao En.

Under the lights, she was incomparably beautiful, like a lotus rising from the water, or Chang’e descending from the moon.

“Hey, keep staring, and I’ll gouge out your eyes,” Ding Hao said, poking his fingers towards the man’s eyes.

The man grabbed Ding Hao’s shoulder, his voice very low, but Qiao En still heard him, “Mr. Ding, you’ve got good taste. This sister-in-law of yours is quite charming. Introduce me, will you?”

Before the man could finish his sentence, Ding Hao grabbed the hand that was on his shoulder. His face still bore a smile, but his grip was fierce.

“Prepare the gift money first, I’ll properly introduce you during the wedding.”

The words “introduce” were gritted out between Ding Hao’s teeth.

The man winced in pain, his face contorting like a bitter melon.

“Don’t worry, I’ll prepare a double portion of the gift money, I promise not to let you and your sister-in-law down.”

Ding Hao then released his hand, and the man quickly scurried away.

“It’s crowded here, just stick with me to avoid those wolves lunging at you.”

Ding Hao tightened the arm that Qiao En was clinging to, like a victorious general wanting everyone to see the woman by his side, yet he was also like a spiteful cur ready to upset the apple cart if anyone else gave Qiao En an extra glance, wanting to clench his fists and punch them.

“I don’t feel very well, I want to find a corner to rest for a while.”

Qiao En said, holding her chest.

Ding Hao scanned the venue and immediately spotted an empty spot near the pool.

“I’ll take you there to rest.”

That place had an open view. Qiao En sat there, not very conspicuous, but still within his sight from any angle.

Once Qiao En sat down, Ding Hao instructed a waiter to bring over some fruit and snacks, then he turned and left.

Qiao En did not enjoy such noisy excitement. She drank a bit of the beverage and rested on the lounge chair.

Suddenly, the venue became agitated.

Qiao En had her eyes slightly closed, enjoying the night breeze.

When she opened her eyes, she saw Zhou Jin’an appearing in a moon-white suit.