Heartwarming Aristocratic Marriage: Influential Master's Wife-Chasing Strategy

The next day, at Yuncheng Liya Hotel…

Yan Wangchuan had just returned from the hotel gym. He was wearing a lightweight black sports shirt and had a light-colored towel around his neck. He was holding a sports water bottle and drinking water while walking back to his room.

When he reached the door of the room, he saw Qiao Xiyan. His expression remained cold.

“Uncle-Master.” Upon seeing his outfit, Qiao Xiyan gave him a sideways look. He’s really self-disciplined to insist on working out on such a cold day.

“What’s the matter?”

No one had mentioned what had happened yesterday to Qiao Xiyan, so he naturally didn’t know.

“I’m preparing to go back to Suzhou, so I came to bid you farewell.”

“Just call or send a message.” Yan Wangchuan walked to the door, entered the password, and shot him a look. “Aren’t you leaving?”

Qiao Xiyan was stunned. Is he not even letting me enter the room?

Yan Wangchuan seemed to think of something. After all, he was Qiao Aiyun’s nephew. “Come in.”

“Thank you, Uncle-Master.” Qiao Xiyan let out a sigh of relief. Out of so many uncle-masters, he has the most eccentric temper.

“Have you had breakfast?” Yan Wangchuan tugged at the towel around his neck nimbly.

“Not yet. I’m planning to eat with Aunt and Wanwan.”

“Then, I’ll send you there.”

“I’ve already called for a car, and it’s still waiting outside the hotel. I won’t trouble you.” Qiao Xiyan had been afraid of him since he was young. It wasn’t that he was terrifying but that he was high in seniority and was difficult to interact with.

“I’ll send you.” Yan Wangchuan’s attitude was firm.

“Then I’ll make a call and tell the driver.” Qiao Xiyan smiled awkwardly.

When he was in his teens, he had gone to Nanjiang and stayed at Yan Wangchuan’s house for a few days. On the way back, Yan Wangchuan had only spoken a few words.

“When I was a teenager, I had already gone to your grandpa alone to learn his craft.

“Boys can’t be spoiled. Don’t be so delicate. You have to be independent.

“I’ll give you money. Go to the train station yourself.”

Qiao Xiyan held the money with a dumbfounded expression and took a taxi to the train station.

When he got home, his father called Yan Wangchuan to scold him angrily. In their argument, he didn’t refute a single word. He only said one thing before hanging up.

“You spoil the child too much.”

His father was fuming mad.

Later, when he went to Nanjiang to find the Yan family to customize jewelry, he accidentally heard something from one of Yan Wangchuan’s former assistants.

That day, Yan Wangchuan had driven and followed after him all the way to the train station when he left. He had even specially called someone he knew and asked this person at the train station to pay more attention to him.

He watched him get on the train before returning.

Qiao Xiyan seemed afraid of him, but he respected him more.

He was not an unreasonable person. Otherwise, the two families wouldn’t still have business dealings for so many years.

While he was distracted, Yan Wangchuan had already taken a shower and changed his clothes. The well-tailored suit accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist, and the steel-gray color was mature and reserved.

***

Yan Wangchuan drove him to the entrance of the residential building complex.

On the way here, no one spoke. He listened to the morning radio in the car. There was nothing much other than the host saying that the cold weather was moving down south recently, so people had to be careful about protecting against the cold and staying warm.

“Uncle-Master, my father often talks about you. When you’re free, come to Suzhou for a visit.” Qiao Xiyan unfastened his seatbelt.

He didn’t say anything.

“I’m leaving then?” Qiao Xiyan pointed outside. It was really awkward that someone continued to remain silent.

“Uncle-Master, you’re already here. Do you want to come up and have a seat?”

“Okay.” Then Yan Wangchuan drove the car to the designated parking area. He stopped the car and turned off the engine, his actions elegant and smooth, done in one go without any hesitation.

Qiao Xiyan touched his nose.

You were waiting for me to say this.

You are way too restrained…

If you want to go up, just say so directly. Why did you have to wait for me to say it?

***

Qiao Xiyan had called in advance. Qiao Aiyun knew that he was leaving today, so she had cooked porridge and had even gone out to buy a few trays of buns. She had also specially cooked a plate of side dishes.

Around 7:30 a.m., there was a knock on the door…

“The door’s not locked. Come in.” Qiao Aiyun was arranging the tableware. When she saw Qiao Xiyan enter, there was still a smile on her lips. When she caught sight of another person coming in, she displayed slight surprise.

“I went to say goodbye to Uncle-Master. He happened to have time to send me over, so I invited him up.” Qiao Xiyan coughed twice.

“Yes, I couldn’t decline.” Yan Wangchuan closed the door gently.

Qiao Xiyan nearly spat. He’s making it seem like I forcefully dragged him upstairs.

“You haven’t eaten yet, right?” After what had happened yesterday, Qiao Aiyun had gained some understanding of his temperament and spoke much more casually to him now. “Sit down and eat together.”

“Sorry to trouble you.” Yan Wangchuan wasn’t polite at all.

Qiao Xiyan licked the corner of his mouth with the tip of his tongue. I seemed to have been conned.

“Good morning, Uncle Yan, Cousin.” Song Fengwan walked out of her room in thick pink pajamas.

She went to the kitchen to help with the meal and even gave Yan Wangchuan a few suspicious looks.

She had left at around eight o’clock last night and had to go report early this morning.

Everyone knew Sima Zhao’s intentions[1].

Qiao Aiyun was only glad that she had been worried that Qiao Xiyan wouldn’t have enough to eat, so she had bought a lot of buns. It would have been awkward if there was not enough breakfast.

“Wanwan, why is your left cheek a little swollen?” Qiao Xiyan was excellent at the art of carving, so he had good eyesight.

“Huh?” Song Fengwan reached out to touch her face. Yesterday, Song Jingren had been very heavy-handed. When she got home, she had rubbed an egg on it for more than half an hour. The swelling had only subsided at night. “Maybe because I drank water in the middle of the night, it’s a little swollen.”

Given Qiao Xiyan’s temper, if he knew what had happened yesterday, he would definitely rush to the Song residence to embarrass him. There would probably be no end to this matter. She would be taking the exam the day after tomorrow, so she didn’t want to cause trouble before this.

“Mhm.” Qiao Xiyan nodded. “Where are you planning to apply for the school exam?”

“At the moment, it’s the school in Suzhou and the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.” Song Fengwan lowered her head and ate her porridge.

After saying this, she could clearly feel the three people’s gazes shoot toward her.

Qiao Aiyun said, “Wanwan, after things are over here, and you graduate from high school, I plan to take you back to Suzhou to settle down. The capital is too far away.”

Qiao Xiyan said, “Yes, why would a girl like you run so far away? The art academy in Suzhou isn’t bad.”

Yan Wangchuan said, “There are many people in the capital, and it’s hard to predict the hearts of people. It’s a land of tigers and wolves. It won’t be safe for you alone.”

…

Song Fengwan bit her lip. “I’m just going to take the exam. Whether I can get in or not is another matter. Besides, I haven’t made up my mind to go.”

Why are the three of them suddenly forming a united front?

The land of tigers and wolves?

Is it that scary?

“You can try out two more schools for the school exam.” Qiao Aiyun smiled. “Let’s eat first and prepare well for the joint exam.”

Song Fengwan nodded in agreement.

She wanted to go to the Central Academy of Fine Arts the most. But given the current situation, she didn’t intend to mention this to avoid being group attacked. It was better just to focus on preparing for the examination. If she passed and insisted, her mother wouldn’t be able to do anything.

But seriously, Uncle Yan, you usually don’t say anything, but you actually expressed your opinion now.

Isn’t there Third Master in the capital?

Who could eat me up?

***

After breakfast, Song Fengwan went to her room to prepare for the examination as usual. Qiao Aiyun was reminding Qiao Xiyan to take good care of her older brother and make sure that the latter paid more attention to his health.

On the other hand, Yan Wangchuan answered a call and left in a hurry.

When he got downstairs, he saw his assistant trembling in the cold wind.

“President Yan, you’re finally here.”

“Who exactly leaked the news?” Yan Wangchuan’s voice was as frosty as the cold wind.

The little assistant raised his hand hurriedly. “I swear I didn’t disclose your whereabouts to the old madam.”

“I know it’s not you. Get someone to find out first.”

“Then now…

Yan Wangchuan got into the car and first called his mother. The moment the call connected, the old madam’s tone on the other end was very unhappy. “You still know how to call me?”

“Mom.”

“If I hadn’t heard this from someone, I wouldn’t have known that you actually entered the police station. A fight? Wangchuan, other than your marriage, you have never made me worry. How can I not be worried? I called you, but you didn’t answer either.”

“I didn’t hear it because the phone was on silent.”

“You’re in Yuncheng, right? Because of Old Qiao’s daughter?”

Yan Wangchuan didn’t say anything.

“When she wanted to get married back then, you agreed to drop the engagement. When you returned home, you made such a fuss that you nearly fell sick. I really don’t understand you. After all these years, you still haven’t found a partner because you can’t let her go…

“It’s been more than twenty years. She’s already married and has a child. Why are you so obstinate?!

“You truly fell in her hands! I shouldn’t have agreed to let you study at the Qiao family back then.”

…

“Mom.” Yan Wangchuan was clumsy in speaking to begin with, so he didn’t know what to say at all.

“Do you want to be with her?”

“Yes.”

“Then come back first and tell me what you intend to do properly.” The old madam hung up after saying this.

Yan Wangchuan stared at his phone for a long time. He was her only son and was still unmarried to this day. He already felt guilty toward his mother, so he naturally seldom went against her requests.

“President Yan?” The assistant turned his head around.

“Book a flight back to Nanjiang.”

The assistant nodded and made a call to book tickets. “Hello, help me book two tickets for the earliest flight from Yuncheng to Nanjiang…”

“One ticket,” Yan Wangchuan reminded.

The little assistant was dumbfounded.

“Stay and keep an eye on her. Let me know if anything happens.”

The little assistant twisted his neck stiffly. Have I been abandoned?

***

Nanjiang, Yan family residence…

Old Madam Yan hung up the call and kept sighing.

“Old Madam, Sir has always been sensible. Don’t worry too much.”

“That’s because he hasn’t met anyone or anything he cares about.” No one knew their son better than his mother.

“However, Sir is also strange. In all these years, many ladies have wanted to marry into the Yan family. That person has already gotten married and has a child. Why can’t he forget her? She’s not worthy of our sir.”

When she finished speaking, Old Madam Yan gave her a disdainful look. “Who are you to comment on whether the daughter of the Qiao family is worthy? Watch your mouth.”

The maid’s face turned pale in fright. “Old Madam, I’m not saying she’s not good. I just…”

“If you can’t control your mouth, you don’t have to work for the Yan family anymore.”

“Sorry, I…”

“Hurry up and leave!” An old lady at the side hurriedly dragged her away.

The old madam only had one son. If she hadn’t liked Qiao Aiyun, she wouldn’t have wanted her to marry into the family in the past. She would talk about it in private occasionally, but she didn’t dare to do so in front of Yan Wangchuan, afraid that she would poke at his heart. As time passed, she didn’t mention her anymore.

She didn’t know if she resented her or hated her more.

Or perhaps she felt a bit of pity for her.

The sir was stubborn and had a bad temper. If the old madam didn’t agree, she was afraid that their relationship would change in the future…

“Mother Huang.”

“Old Madam.” The old lady from before hurried over to her.

“Go find someone to help me ask who the wife of the Feng family, who talked to me earlier, has been interacting with recently.” She had gone out for a walk in the morning and heard from others that her son had entered the police station.

“I understand.”

“I hadn’t even received any news, yet someone rushed to report this to me. They’re planning to use me, this old woman, as a tool.” Old Madam Yan lowered her head and rubbed the jade bracelet in her hand.

“Are you saying that someone did this deliberately?”

“It’s always good to be careful. Our Yan family never makes enemies outside, but I won’t allow others to scheme against me. I’m afraid someone wants to use me to restrain Wangchuan and deal with the girl from the Qiao family…”

“Then why did you call Sir back?” Mother Huang was confused.

“I need to talk to him in person to decide what to do next.”

This wasn’t a small matter, and it couldn’t be explained over the phone.

Old Madam Yan was used to seeing storms and had a clear view of things. If Qiao Aiyun wasn’t able to ‘survive’ just because her son left for two days, then even if such a person entered the Yan family in the future, it would be difficult for her to control the overall situation.

***

Qiao Aiyun only found out that Yan Wangchuan had left after he boarded the plane.

She sent him a message.

[Thank you for the past few days. You have to pay more attention to your hand injury. Have a safe trip.]

This was the first time she sent him a message.

Yan Wangchuan stared at the message and read it repeatedly until an air stewardess urged him to turn off his phone.

***

Over the next few days, everything was fine. Song Jingren didn’t come to cause trouble either. As Song Fengwan was taking the examination soon, Qiao Aiyun rarely met the lawyer recently. She wanted to wait for her to finish taking it before settling the divorce.

The fact that Song Jingren didn’t cause trouble made her think that perhaps he had found his conscience or was scared from being beaten up last time. This would at least make her feel at ease for a few days.

The day before the examination, she packed up after lunch and checked in with Song Fengwan at a chain hotel near Yuncheng University.

When they arrived at the hotel, almost all the students in the hotel lobby were 17 or 18 years old. There were boys and girls, as well as parents accompanying them, discussing what they would be tested on tomorrow.

The examination was about to start, so Song Fengwan was a little nervous. She lifted her easel, feeling slightly uneasy.

“If you don’t want to draw, rest for a while and watch TV. You did well on your review. You have to be confident.” Qiao Aiyun smiled and encouraged her.

“Okay.” Even so, Song Fengwan felt extremely uneasy at the bottom of her heart.

The sky had just darkened when Qiao Aiyun took her out for dinner. It was bitterly cold, so they didn’t stay long before returning to the hotel.

Around eight o’clock, Qiao Aiyun’s phone vibrated. It was the manager of one of the jade stores. She usually helped manage the few stores owned by the Qiao family.

“Manager Cao, did something happen so late at night?” She had already informed him in advance that she would be accompanying her daughter for her examination. If there was nothing urgent, he shouldn’t look for her.

“Just now, we were taking stock and preparing to close the door when a few people rushed in. They insisted that they had bought fake goods from us during the day and even smashed the counter.”

Qiao Aiyun walked out of the room with her phone. “Fake goods? How is that possible?”

Jade indeed varied in quality. There were good and bad pieces, but you got what you paid for. If you spent 5,000 yuan, you would definitely not get a 4,000 yuan item.

“We explained it to them, but they refused to listen.”

Qiao Aiyun could vaguely hear the sounds of people arguing and smashing things.

“Our products all have certificates. The compositions inside are clearly marked, and the products put out for sale are also strictly checked. How can there be fakes?”

“The other party keeps saying that our store is bullying our customers because we are a major merchant. He isn’t listening to our advice at all and even smashed the store. Even the mall’s security guards can’t stop him. I’ve already called the police. If you have time, come and take a look.”

“I understand.”

Qiao Aiyun went to Song Fengwan and told her to rest early before leaving in a hurry.

Song Fengwan looked confused. It’s already so late. What happened to make her so flustered?

***

Beijing, Yunjin Prime Manor…

Fu Chen was currently staring at Huai Sheng doing his homework.

He had missed preschool education and was now studying the pinyin alphabet. His handwriting was crooked and unsightly. Fu Chen took a look at it. “How is it that someone can write pinyin so ugly?”

“I just learned. It definitely won’t look nice. You have to be patient with children.”

Fu Chen sneered. What he didn’t lack the most was patience.

“Third Uncle, when you have a child in the future, will you find his handwriting ugly too?”

“If it’s not well-written, it’s not well-written. How can you insist on praising it?” Fu Chen said matter-of-factly.

Little did Third Master Fu know that his face would be slapped hard in the future.

“Third Master, there’s a situation.” Shi Fang pushed the door open and beckoned him out.

Fu Chen glanced at Huai Sheng. “Continue writing. I’m going out for a while.”

Huai Sheng pursed his lips and exerted force with his fingers, breaking the pencil lead.

As soon as Fu Chen walked out, Shi Fang hurriedly said, “Something’s happening in Yuncheng.”

“Oh.”

“President Yan returned to Nanjiang two days ago, so he hasn’t returned yet. Moreover, he did something big this time. He even dragged the Qiao family’s jade stores into it…”

“Since the Qiao family is involved, we have to inform them.” Fu Chen smiled lightly.

“You mean Young Master Qiao?”

“Since Mr. Qiao is in seclusion and doesn’t have access to the news, find someone to send the information to him. You should know what to do.” Fu Chen hoped that the Qiao family would appear, but not Qiao Xiyan.

For this matter, someone was more suitable than him.

“I understand.”

Fu Chen lowered his head and rubbed the prayer beads, dark light surging in his eyes.

If a certain someone is rushing to die, I don’t mind giving him a lift.

He really knows how to choose the time to cause trouble.

[1] A phrase that means someone’s intentions are too obvious.