Chapter 162 Farce

Chapter 162 Farce

"Hello, sister-in-law, hello." The curly-haired man named Jiang Yi poured a glass of wine and handed it to Ye Xiaoxiao.

Lu Hanchuan intercepted it mid-air. "She doesn't drink."

Jiang Yi's eye twitched; Lu Hanchuan was "being overprotective" again.

They knew he had always been overprotective since childhood, but this was a bit too much.

It was just wine, not poison.

But... Jiang Yi took a closer look at this sister-in-law.

Damn... is she even eighteen yet?

But she was really beautiful. Being a painter, he was a bit of a looks enthusiast.

Upon closer look, her bone structure, skin, and proportions were all flawless.

Where did Brother Lu find a girlfriend like that!

Jealous!!!

He wanted someone like that too.

Lu Hanchuan was clueless about what his good brother was thinking and simply ordered a glass of orange juice for Ye Xiaoxiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao pondered the names Lu Hanchuan had mentioned earlier; none of them appeared in the original book.

It seemed they were in a completely different world from the main characters, which put her at ease.

Shortly after sitting down, Jiang Yi was still feeling bitter.

A girl approached.

"Hanchuan, it's been a long time since we last met. Why haven't you been back to the neighborhood recently?"

Seeing her, Han Xing quickly found a seat and got ready to watch the drama.

Cheng Min wore a long-sleeved dress, her wavy hair pinned back with a clip, radiating youthful energy.

Ye Xiaoxiao put down her orange juice and looked over.

Only then did Cheng Min notice Ye Xiaoxiao, her expression suddenly changing.

Xia Yi also came back to his senses and, before Lu Hanchuan could speak, said, "Cheng Min, you should stop clinging to my Brother Lu. Look, the real sister-in-law is sitting right here."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "..."

Lu Hanchuan's friend was quite interesting.

Cheng Min's face went from red to pale, looking as if she had been deeply wounded, yet Lu Hanchuan completely ignored her.

"Is... is that so, Hanchuan? Do your grandparents know you're in a relationship?"

Cheng Min then stared at Lu Xiaoxiao. She was indeed quite beautiful, but given the Lu family's status, they would never accept a girl from an ordinary family.

If Cheng Min thought about it, she would realize Mrs. Cheng hadn't invited her over in the past three months, which should have made it clear that her chances with Lu Hanchuan were slim.

Unfortunately, now that she suddenly found out Lu Hanchuan had a girlfriend, her IQ plummeted, and she was completely speaking without thinking.

Only then did Lu Hanchuan glance at her.

"That’s none of your concern."

Cheng Min immediately burst into tears, sobbing as she demanded, "Lu Hanchuan, I've pursued you for three years, and now you say it's none of my business? Do you have a conscience?"

Ye Xiaoxiao looked at Cheng Min and then at Lu Hanchuan.

There’s definitely some history here.

It would be even better if the main character wasn’t her boyfriend.

Lu Hanchuan’s hand on Ye Xiaoxiao’s waist tightened slightly, not because of Cheng Min, but because he was worried Xiao Xiao might misunderstand.

Besides, what kind of occasion was this? Old Mr. Han’s grand birthday celebration, the Han family’s banquet.

If Cheng Min made a scene, it would be incredibly inappropriate.

Despite this, Lu Hanchuan still spoke coldly and firmly, "Cheng Min, everything in the past was just your wishful thinking. I believe I’ve rejected you more than once."

Cheng Min lowered her head, tears falling. Yes.

He had rejected her more than once, but she always thought it was just because Lu Hanchuan hadn’t been swayed yet. As long as she kept trying, she thought her efforts would eventually pay off.

But now... how could he have a girlfriend?

What did her three years of effort even mean?

The stares from others made Cheng Min even more embarrassed. Though no one said a word, the subtle, judging glances felt like they were stripping her bare.

Cheng Min turned and fled.

Liang Chengxu watched the direction Cheng Min left with a smirk, "A beauty in tears, truly pitiful. Miss Cheng is quite bold to have stuck around for so long."

Ye Xiaoxiao gave Lu Hanchuan a kick.

Lu Hanchuan turned back to explain, "I really have no connection to her."

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled, "I believe you."

Han Xing, watching from the side, was practically dying of laughter. One thing tames another, Lu Hanchuan—you’ve finally met your match.

Hahahahaha.

The commotion here had already caught the attention of others.

Among the banquet hall guests, quite a few recognized Ye Xiaoxiao. Seeing where she was seated, they quietly started scheming.

At such a formal event, even if they had something to say, they wouldn’t say it out loud.

Cheng Min’s earlier behavior was already seen as rude.

Mrs. Li dragged He Qiaoxiang to a quiet corner to talk.

He Qiaoxiang: "Mrs. Li, why are you dragging me?"

Mrs. Li discreetly gestured toward Ye Xiaoxiao.

"Look over there, isn’t that your adopted daughter?"

He Qiaoxiang followed the direction pointed out by the other person and indeed, it was Ye Xiaoxiao and Lu Hanchuan.

She never expected Lu Hanchuan to bring her out in public like this.

She gritted her teeth. Had the Lu family really accepted Ye Xiaoxiao?

That girl's luck was really good.

So good it made her jealous, even stirring up a hint of hatred inside her.

Hao Chengbing was busy talking to Old Mr. Han and didn’t know yet that Ye Xiaoxiao had also come.

If he saw her, he’d surely focus on this daughter again.

He Qiaoxiang didn’t want things to turn out this way. When she last spoke to Ye Xiaoxiao, Hao Chengbing wasn’t aware.

So he didn’t know either that Ye Xiaoxiao had completely severed ties with the Hao family.

Lately, he’d been mentioning that Ye Xiaoxiao hadn’t come home during the winter break and wanted her to visit Xiao Xiao at school.

He Qiaoxiang didn’t plan to tell Hao Chengbing either, just let him stay in the dark.

Mrs. Li kept talking to herself.

"Xiao Xiao is really lucky, having tied herself to the Lu family. She won’t have to worry about her future anymore."

He Qiaoxiang turned and walked away. "Mrs. Li, we are all respectable people. Standing here spying isn’t appropriate.

I’ve known about Xiao Xiao and the Lu family’s son for a while. It’s their business, I won’t interfere."

Mrs. Li pouted as He Qiaoxiang walked away.

She spoke casually, but Mrs. Li didn’t believe He Qiaoxiang didn’t regret it.

If they hadn’t kicked that child out, the Hao and Lu families would be in-laws.

Then getting any resources would’ve been a breeze.

On the other side, Deng Xuefeng also noticed Ye Xiaoxiao.

His hand shook, nearly spilling the red wine he held.

So Ye Xiaoxiao really wasn’t lying—Lu Hanchuan really was her boyfriend.

The warmth in his heart instantly faded, and Deng Xuefeng’s heart felt as icy as his name.

Adding frost to snow.

...

Ye Xiaoxiao saw Xu Jianli in the banquet hall, so she said something to Lu Hanchuan and got up to leave.

"I’m going to find a friend."

Lu Hanchuan: "Do you want me to accompany you?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "No need."

Then she got up and walked towards Xu Jianli.

Han Xing chuckled, "Your wife is pretty independent."

Though someone’s being a little too clingy.

He caught a glare from Lu Hanchuan.

Liang Chengxu leaned back on the sofa, "Alright, with her here, it’s not the best time to talk. Hanchuan, let’s pick a time—I’ve got something to run by you."

Lu Hanchuan looked away and nodded casually.