Chapter 78
This was the second time Yi Qingju had seen Yu Du in a suit.
Beneath his tousled black hair were a pair of mesmerizing peach blossom eyes, his lip shape was attractive with a smile-like curve, but in stark contrast to his face was his towering height of nearly 1.9 meters. He wasn't wearing a tie, and his exquisite collarbones adorned with a silver chain made him look dazzlingly sexy yet ruggedly handsome.
[Hello, handsome, are you interested in becoming a celebrity? I'm inviting you to play the leading man in the story of my life.]
Yi Qingju genuinely liked this type of ruggedly handsome man with a pretty face and fit physique.
Of course, she had no lascivious thoughts, merely an appreciative admiration, especially since the man in question was the young master of the Yu family.
"Sorry, I'm late, Qi—"
Yu Du shifted his gaze to Qi Weiran, and when his eyes momentarily fell on the girl standing beside him, his expression froze, revealing an undisguised astonishment.
Noticing his reaction, Yu Mu perceptively realized something was amiss.
No way, little brother, don't tell me the one who's caught your fancy is—
"Yu Du, this is the brother your mother mentioned to you before. Aren't you going to greet him?" Bai Nianqiu's voice brought Yu Du back to his senses, and he stared blankly at the man standing close to Yi Qingju.
"Hello, I've often heard my parents mention you. Today, I realized that the highly capable brother my mother often spoke of is actually Manager Qi."
Qi Weiran simply nodded at him in response. "Qi Weiran."
Then, tilting his head towards Yi Qingju, he introduced, "This is your sister-in-law."
Yi Qingju: "......"
[What's going on here.....]
Yu Du abruptly looked up at Qi Weiran, and the two men engaged in a silent standoff, one cold and aloof, the other brimming with hostility, the atmosphere instantaneously becoming tense and fraught.
"Um...hello, Yu Du, I'm Yi Qingju." Amidst this complex atmosphere where it seemed no one had quite grasped what was happening, the valiant Yi Qingju spoke up.
Originally locked in a confrontation with Qi Weiran, Yu Du suppressed the hostility in his eyes and walked towards Yi Qingju, his peach blossom eyes smiling in a way that could dazzle anyone.
Yi Qingju distinctly felt the air conditioner beside her releasing a chill, making her too afraid to smile back.
"Hello, Miss Yi, if I may be so bold as to ask, when will you and Manager Qi be getting divorced?" His smile revealed the dimples on his cheeks, looking utterly innocent, yet the words he spoke were anything but, completely different from the impression he had given Yi Qingju upon their first meeting.
This statement plunged the entire room into a deathly silence.
Yu Mu silently held his forehead, Yu Qi frowned, Qi Weiran even let out a cold scoff, and only Bai Nianqiu and Little Milk Bun, the spectators, visibly became excited as if watching a melodramatic TV show.
Yi Qingju felt utterly pitiful.
She had only come to show off her man, after all.
[Qi Weiran, may your reign be prosperous as you wish.]
"Sorry, I have no such plans for now." Yi Qingju smiled apologetically.
[If I get divorced, where else would I find such a big catch to inherit his fortune?]
Qi Weiran was not the least bit surprised by her answer.
Other men might believe their wives' unwavering love and devotion.
But Qi Weiran was different; he believed in his wife's unwavering love and devotion to his fortune.
Even after being rejected, Yu Du didn't seem disheartened, merely expressing some regret. "I see. Well, if you ever change your mind, come find me. I can join you in playing the game of wooden men."
Yi Qingju's eyes widened in surprise.
He recognized me!
"Apologies for interrupting, but I don't believe you'll have that opportunity." Stepping forward to shield Yi Qingju behind him, Qi Weiran calmly stated, his amber eyes containing a hint of warning.
Little Milk Bun silently recorded this quote in her virtual archive labeled 'Domineering CEO Quotes.'
"Yu Du, come here." Finally unable to watch any longer, Yu Qi spoke up.
After giving Yi Qingju one last glance, Yu Du made his way towards his father.
Yu Qi gave him a look, gesturing for him to stand behind him, then addressed Qi Weiran, "He's just a child, he doesn't know any better."
"A couple of beatings should set him straight," Bai Nianqiu chimed in cheerfully beside him, nodding in agreement.
Although she would love for Yi Qingju to become her daughter-in-law, the fact remained that she was a married woman.
Yu Du looked utterly incredulous. "Mom? Dad?"
Were they really his biological parents?
Yu Mu wore an expression of disbelief.
Who could have imagined that what was supposed to be a warm family reunion dinner would turn into such a melodramatic soap opera?
"Sister-in-law, why don't you sit here? It's warm." Yu Du smiled invitingly at Yi Qingju, completely ignoring Qi Weiran.
Upon hearing that form of address, Yi Qingju nearly sat down on the floor in shock.
[Calm down, do you have to be so intense?]
She discreetly glanced at Qi Weiran's expression.
As expected, he looked furious.
"Yu Du." Yu Qi's gaze warned him.
Yu Du's expression turned somewhat dejected, his beautiful peach blossom eyes dimming. "But isn't that what brother told me to call her? Or should I just call her by her name, sister-in-law? What do you think, brother?" He looked at Qi Weiran, his dark eyes filled with sincerity, not a trace of the previous hostility.
Seeing this, Yi Qingju also switched to spectator mode, curiously observing Qi Weiran.
[Oh my, Qi Weiran has met his match.]
Instead of directly answering Yu Du's question, Qi Weiran sat down beside Yi Qingju and asked, "Do you know why she likes me?"
Yu Du pondered for a moment. "Because you're rich."
"No, it's because she doesn't like drinking herbal tea." (Note: A play on words, with 'herbal tea' implying infidelity)
Yi Qingju and everyone else: (??0?)?~
Watching these two children engage in a war of words. Yu Qi glanced at Bai Nianqiu beside him, silently donning disposable gloves to peel shrimp for her.
Sensing his gaze, Bai Nianqiu looked back at him.
The two seemed to share the same thought— Their child had grown up.
"I heard Yu Du has signed with your company," Yu Qi suddenly said.
Qi Weiran nodded. "Yes, I didn't know his identity at the time."
Only that he was the male streamer Yi Qingju liked.
Upon hearing his father broach this topic, Yu Du immediately became wary.
Born into such a family, he knew he couldn't pursue his passion as a lifelong career, as his father had always hoped he would focus on more serious matters.
But unexpectedly, Yu Qi merely nodded.
"Hmm."
People only become dissatisfied with their mediocrity when they finally have something they desire.
Yu Du's return was just a matter of time.
"Since he's with your company, I'm at ease."
He raised his wine glass, and Qi Weiran stood up to clink glasses with him. "I'll take good care of him."
This statement had no hidden meaning; simply because Yu Du was part of the Yu family, Qi Weiran would naturally look after him.
Seeing the men start drinking and discussing business, Bai Nianqiu winked at Yi Qingju across the table.
Understanding the gesture, Yi Qingju immediately stood up.
[Farewell, sandwich seat, I'm going to hang out with the ladies.]
The moment she rose from between the two men, Qi Weiran and Yu Du, who had been deeply engrossed in their conversation, instantly shifted their gazes to Yi Qingju.
"Where are you going?" The two men asked in unison.