Ye Qingya shook her head, deciding to quietly be a spectator tonight. Xu Chunliang handed each of them a rose.
Ye Qingya smiled and said, "I can’t believe I got one too?"
Xu Chunliang said, "The hand that gives roses retains its fragrance. Both of you outshine the flowers, making these roses look colorless."
Ye Qingya thought to herself that it was through his sweet words that he won i Ru Xue’s heart. In that regard, Wang Jiancheng is no match. Her impression of Wang Jiancheng was of a scion with an air of arrogance.
i Ru Xue sat next to Xu Chunliang, actually taking Ye Qingya’s spot. Naturally, Ye Qingya couldn’t separate the two of them, but this left the seat next to her for Wang Jiancheng. If Wang Jiancheng knew his carefully planned arrangent turned out like this, wouldn’t he be furious?
Ye Qingya quietly glanced around but still didn’t see Wang Jiancheng. With over forty minutes until the concert officially started, she wondered if Wang Jiancheng would appear at the last minute.
Considering the way Wang Jiancheng and Qiao Rulong do things, they weren’t ones to waste ti on trivial matters, so being punctual was normal.
i Ru Xue noticed Ye Qingya seed a bit uneasy. Even if Ye Qingya didn’t say anything, she already guessed that today’s concert was likely a deliberate setup.
She knew her big brother Qiao Rulong well. He was focused on his career, living a life so dull it was practically mundane, and had no interest in concerts or performances like this.
If he arranged this, there must be a reason. i Ru Xue suspected it was likely Wang Jiancheng’s doing. Returning to the capital, the families’ motive to promote this match was too evident. Though she and Wang Jiancheng had known each other for a long ti, there was no emotional foundation between them.
While Xu Chunliang was in the capital, she initially wanted to avoid him. But after the Bao Li Auction, she understood that Xu Chunliang’s stubbornness ant he wouldn’t rest until he saw her. Given this, she had nothing to lose and took this opportunity to make her stance clear to her family and let Wang Jiancheng give up.
Sure enough, Wang Jiancheng arrived fifteen minutes before the performance started, making quite an entrance, with staff specially guiding him. He actually had a part in organizing this concert.
Seeing that i Ru Xue and the others had arrived first, Wang Jiancheng was a bit surprised. In his mind, punctuality was a good habit, and being too early or too late was a waste of ti. Seeing Xu Chunliang was even more unexpected; wasn’t it supposed to be Qiao Rulong?
He could be sure Qiao Rulong wouldn’t make such a foolish arrangent. Nor would Ye Qingya, leaving i Ru Xue as the only one who could have arranged it. Suddenly, he felt like he was doing all the work for soone else’s benefit.
i Ru Xue’s actions were quite disrespectful to him, but rembering how repeatedly he had told Qiao Rulong not to ntion him, there was a high chance that i Ru Xue didn’t know he had arranged this concert.
Despite being displeased, Wang Jiancheng maintained a well-mannered deanor and greeted Ye Qingya: "Sister-in-law, are you here for the concert too?"
Seeing Wang Jiancheng’s attitude, Ye Qingya secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It’s good that he knew how to restrain himself; since Wang Jiancheng pretended it was a chance encounter, she played along: "Yes! What a coincidence! Xiaoxue and I ca together."
Wang Jiancheng greeted i Ru Xue as well: "Xiaoxue, we seem to have quite the fate."
i Ru Xue replied, "You’re getting more humorous."
Xu Chunliang smiled at him voluntarily: "Mr. Wang, I’ve seen you before."
Wang Jiancheng, disdaining small talk with such a minor figure, coolly said, "Sorry, I don’t rember where we’ve t."
Ye Qingya sighed inwardly, today’s concert was not going to be appreciated quietly. The open and hidden rivalries between these two had already begun—competition was in n’s nature. She just hoped they wouldn’t start a fight. Qiao Rulong, you always bring trouble to ! I can’t handle such a complex situation.
Xu Chunliang calmly replied: "Mr. Wang, you have so many connections it’s understandable you’d forget. It was at the Bao Li Auction."
Wang Jiancheng laughed: "Now that you ntion it, I do recall seeing you. You were the one bidding on behalf of Miss Mo." He had already investigated thoroughly. The one who won the Star’s Tear was Mo Han from Equatorial Capital. The implication was clear that Xu Chunliang was just a follower, a re sidekick for Mo Han before, and now for i Ru Xue. How could he be on equal footing with himself?
Xu Chunliang smiled: "Yes, it was !" He praised inwardly, Wang Jiancheng remained composed, handling today’s scenario effortlessly. If it were Tang Tianyi, he would’ve probably lost it on the spot.
Xu Chunliang wasn’t afraid of challenges; the stronger the opponent, the more interesting. He proactively reached out to Wang Jiancheng: "Nice to et you!"
Wang Jiancheng, in his heart, disdained the idea of shaking hands with Xu Chunliang but noticed that the gesture was intentional. Refusing would make him seem small-minded in front of i Ru Xue and Ye Qingya, leading them to think he was petty.
Face was an unavoidable barrier, so Wang Jiancheng reluctantly extended his hand and shook Xu Chunliang’s, although his attitude was sowhat perfunctory. He felt as though Xu Chunliang had forced him into it.
After a brief handshake, Xu Chunliang withdrew first, once again putting Wang Jiancheng at a disadvantage. Wang Jiancheng had intended for a short shake but didn’t expect Xu Chunliang’s to be even shorter. This guy was truly cunning!
Xu Chunliang’s keen observation had already predicted Wang Jiancheng’s next move from his subtle expression, so he strategically withdrew first.
Wang Jiancheng slowly withdrew his hand and said to Ye Qingya, "Sister-in-law, I heard from Brother Long that Adele is your most admired singer."
Ye Qingya nodded and said, "I’ve liked her for more than ten years, starting from her 2008 song ’19’." She was well aware that she was just a backdrop; Wang Jiancheng’s ticket was not intended for her. Her sister-in-law, i Ru Xue, was also an Adele fan just like her. Wang Jiancheng did his howork well, knowing how to win a girl’s favor. At least in this regard, he was more attentive than Qiao Rulong.
"What’s your favorite song of hers?"
"’Soone Like You’ from her second album ’21’." Ye Qingya reminisced about her youth. Although she was not yet thirty, for so reason, she felt that her ntality had aged quietly, even rendering her youthful mories a bit blurry.
Wang Jiancheng turned to Xu Chunliang and asked, "Mr. Xu, which Adele song do you like?"
Xu Chunliang was taken aback for a mont but straightforwardly replied, "I haven’t listened to her, and I don’t like English songs."
i Ru Xue noticed that Wang Jiancheng was seeking an opportunity to humiliate Xu Chunliang; Xu Chunliang shouldn’t have answered like that.
Wang Jiancheng said, "Adele is an internationally acclaid diva, and you haven’t even heard of her?"
Xu Chunliang spoke the truth, "I don’t understand English."
Wang Jiancheng chuckled in disbelief. He found it hard to imagine anyone of their age who didn’t understand English. Wang Jiancheng laughed and said, "Mr. Xu, you must be joking."
Xu Chunliang said, "I’m not joking. I can barely recognize the 26 letters now."
Wang Jiancheng laughed, "Which university did Mr. Xu graduate from?"
i Ru Xue replied, with subtle sarcasm, "Since when did Brother Wang start checking household registrations?"
Xu Chunliang said, "I’m currently pursuing a PhD." Anyone can brag; with i Ru Xue’s previous comnt as a basis, just dare to ask further.
Wang Jiancheng nodded and smiled at i Ru Xue, "I’m always a bit curious when eting new people." He took out his business card and handed it to Xu Chunliang.
Xu Chunliang took it and placed it directly into his coat pocket; he couldn’t afford to appear petty.
At this mont, Wang Jiancheng’s assistant brought in snacks and drinks. Wang Jiancheng offered them to both Ye Qingya and i Ru Xue, and also invited Xu Chunliang. Wang Jiancheng never lost face in such matters. He smiled and said, "Mr. Xu never studied English, yet he also likes English songs."
Xu Chunliang looked at i Ru Xue and said, "Understanding English songs isn’t important; what’s important is with whom you’re listening."
i Ru Xue knew that the person he referred to was herself, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
Inside Wang Jiancheng, a whirl of complex emotions surged up, akin to an overturned bottle of flavors, unable to suppress his bitterness any longer: "If you’re not on the sa level, even if you sit together listening to music, there can’t be any resonance."
i Ru Xue said, "At first, I didn’t understand the aning of the song, but after several listens, I beca part of the song. Often, I can’t understand the lyrics either. Admitting ignorance is far more genuine than pretending to know."
Ye Qingya sighed inwardly. Wang Jiancheng truly gained nothing through words. It would be difficult to insult Xu Chunliang easily, especially since i Ru Xue’s support was clearly on Xu Chunliang’s side. This might only escalate their enmity, and with Xu Chunliang’s status, offending Wang Jiancheng was undoubtedly unwise.
Wang Jiancheng had originally planned to present flowers to i Ru Xue, and his assistant was already prepared. But seeing each of them holding a rose, it turned out Xu Chunliang had acted first.
It was only then that Wang Jiancheng realized that even being fifteen minutes early resulted in being late. His original plan hadn’t included giving flowers to Ye Qingya. His objectives were always precise, and it wasn’t about being stingy, but seeing no reason to waste the thought. He couldn’t think of a reason to give flowers to Qiao Rulong’s wife.
Since Xu Chunliang had done so, Wang Jiancheng couldn’t fall behind. He ssaged his assistant to bring two bouquets before the concert started, one for i Ru Xue and one for Ye Qingya.
Watching the open and covert struggle around i Ru Xue, Ye Qingya, sitting in the middle, felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. If she had a choice, she’d rather not be at this concert, even if it was Adele’s show. This feeling was too uncomfortable.
Qiao Rulong and his sister were also troubleso. Ye Qingya was a peace-loving, non-competitive person, yet tonight she inexplicably got caught up in this conflict.
Wang Jiancheng’s roses were vibrant and dazzling, and in contrast, Xu Chunliang’s two roses lost their presence instantly.
Wang Jiancheng prized his reputation and worried about a direct gift being refused, so he thought of an excuse in advance. After Adele’s performance of half the show, he had already spoken to the organizers to arrange a flower presentation during the intermission, allowing i Ru Xue and Ye Qingya to present flowers, believing they wouldn’t refuse an opportunity to have close contact with their idol.
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