Chapter 580: I’m Here to Pick You Up

Chapter 580: I Came to Pick You Up

Xingxing's words left Wang Jiajia utterly stunned.

She never expected that Gong Qingniang, a merchant-class girl who had her engagement broken, could actually marry into the family of the Lady of Blessed Peace?!

Even though her own circumstances had been rather difficult lately, she still knew that the Yu family was currently the most prominent family in the capital. Countless respectable families were scrambling to form marital ties with them.

Even Wang Jiajia felt a pang of regret. The Yu family's rise had come a bit too late. If it had happened earlier, with her looks, catching the eye of a young master from the prestigious Marquis of Weibei's household would have been easily within her reach—let alone provincial newcomers like the Yus!

But Wang Jiajia never imagined that this merchant-class girl, with her merchant background and even having had her engagement broken by Zhou Yunyi, could actually climb her way into the Yu family!

For a moment, Wang Jiajia's face twisted as she burned with envy.

Earlier, she had run into Deng Xingqiong on the street and heard that Gong Qingniang was shopping with a young girl dressed in fine attire. From Deng Xingqiong's description, Wang Jiajia had guessed that the girl accompanying Gong Qingniang was none other than Xingxing, the Lady of Blessed Peace.

On one hand, she looked down on Xingxing, a Township Lady who had risen from humble origins. On the other, she burned with envy that Gong Qingniang could actually befriend a noblewoman.

Wang Jiajia had come here with two goals: to achieve her own ends and to find an opportunity to establish connections with Xingxing.

Now, hearing Xingxing declare that Gong Qingniang was already engaged to her second brother, Wang Jiajia was visibly irritated!

Even Deng Xingqiong was taken aback.

How could a lowly merchant-class girl be allowed into the Yu family?!

"Lady... could it be that your brother has been deceived by her?" Deng Xingqiong's voice trembled with barely hidden envy. "She's just a merchant-class girl..."

Xingxing cut her off sharply. "What's wrong with being a merchant-class girl? Sister Gong is honorable, never indulging in self-pity. She supports her family with her own hands—independent and resilient. I respect her deeply, and so does my second brother. He cherishes her, loves her. What does her status matter?"

Wang Jiajia and Deng Xingqiong were left speechless.

Gong Qingniang's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

As Xingxing and Gong Qingniang made to leave, Wang Jiajia, refusing to back down, suddenly stepped forward and blocked their path. "...Sister Gong, you and Brother Yi were engaged since you were children. Can't you bear to let him go?"

Gong Qingniang, who had just been moved by Xingxing's words, almost laughed bitterly. But she spoke slowly and deliberately, "Wang Jiajia, can't you understand, or are you deliberately stirring up trouble in front of my future sister-in-law? Fine, let me make it perfectly clear—the previous engagement was arranged by our parents. When he broke it off because of you, I realized he wasn't a man worth relying on. I felt no regret over the broken engagement. And now, I've already found someone I want to spend my life with. Why would I hold onto what's gone?"

Gong Qingniang's words were firm, but someone reacted even more intensely than Wang Jiajia.

"No, I don't believe it!"

The voice came from the doorway. Everyone turned to see Zhou Yunyi standing there, his expression agitated, his hair slightly disheveled. He locked eyes with Gong Qingniang. "You... you're engaged? When...? No, it can't be!"

Wang Jiajia hadn't expected Zhou Yunyi to appear. A flicker of panic crossed her face, but when she saw that he didn't even glance at her, resentment flared in her eyes.

"Brother Yi!"

Wang Jiajia called out to him in a plaintive tone.

But Zhou Yunyi ignored her completely. His eyes red, he took a step forward, fixated on Gong Qingniang. "I don't believe it!"

Gong Qingniang looked visibly irritated. "What makes you think you're important? Do you think you matter that much?"

Zhou Yunyi's face twisted in pain, while Wang Jiajia paled.

Her eyes flashed with malice as she suddenly stepped forward, as if to grab Gong Qingniang's hand. "Sister Gong..."

Xingxing was quicker than Wang Jiajia, yanking Gong Qingniang back with a firm tug. Gong Qingniang had absolute trust in Xingxing, her gut telling her that Xingxing wouldn’t harm her by doing so.

Gong Qingniang didn’t resist but staggered back a step instead, following the force of Xingxing’s pull.

Wang Jiajia, like she’d planned it, stumbled backward—

Had Gong Qingniang not stepped back, it would have looked like Wang Jiajia had reached for Gong Qingniang’s hand, only to be pushed away by her.

But because Xingxing had pulled Gong Qingniang back at that exact moment, the whole thing looked ridiculous—

Gong Qingniang’s hand was tugged back by Xingxing, while Wang Jiajia simultaneously fell backward!

They didn’t even touch!

Anyone could see her setup flopped!

Everything went dead silent!

Wang Jiajia’s face turned white as a sheet in that instant, realizing her mistake.

But she was already falling, crashing down in a heap with Deng Xingqiong, who instinctively tried to steady her but was dragged down too. Both sprawled on the ground together!

Zhou Yunyi watched the absurd scene unfold before him, stunned.

Gong Qingniang was momentarily taken aback before snorting, “Ha!”

Lying there, Wang Jiajia went ghostly pale. “It hurts… it really hurts…”

Gong Qingniang stood at a distance with Xingxing, her expression icy. “Right in front of everyone, you still tried to set me up? Seems you really hate me, Miss Wang. But everyone here saw it clearly, didn’t they? I was nowhere near her—I didn’t even touch her.”

Several onlookers chimed in, “That’s right! We saw it! The moment this young lady stepped back, the other girl just fell over on her own.”

“Probably tripped over herself, huh?”

The words oozed sarcasm, mocking Wang Jiajia’s failed scheme.

Tears pooled in her eyes. “It really hurts…”

Zhou Yunyi stared coldly—until he noticed blood slowly seeping out beneath her.

He froze. “You—!”

The manager of Jinxiu Silver Tower rushed to call a doctor. Zhou Yunyi hesitated before finally stepping forward to help Wang Jiajia up, though his expression remained stiff.

Just then, a figure walked into the shop.

Gong Qingniang’s cold demeanor softened instantly at the sight of him, and she hurried over. “What are you doing here?”

It was Yu Yongbai.

Thanks to Xingxing’s care, his wounds had long since scabbed over, allowing him to move freely again.

Yu Yongbai smiled at Xingxing, who had sent word, and replied, “Heard someone was bothering you. Wanted to make sure you were alright.”

Gong Qingniang rolled her eyes lightly. “Just some pests. You should take better care of yourself.”

The two exchanged a look. Meanwhile, Zhou Yunyi, still supporting Wang Jiajia, looked like he’d been hit by a truck at the sight.

But Gong Qingniang and Yu Yongbai didn’t even glance their way, walking away side by side.