chapter 52

Ji Xiaoli only felt sticky on her body. In particular, the air conditioner in the living room blew cold wind to her chest. And the coldness mixed with a little sticky feeling made her feel very uncomfortable. In addition, her embarrassed appearance was seen by so many people. Even if she had a good temper, she would be angry with Ji Xuewei.

Ji Xuewei pretended to be very concerned about her sister Ji Xiaoli, as if she really spilled red wine on Ji Xiaoli because of her carelessness. She frowned and said, “Sister, I… It’s all my fault. Sister… What my aunt said just now… please don’t take it personally. I’m glad you can come to my engagement party. I’m really happy… Please don’t leave here because of it.”

Miss Ji’s voice was very low but clear. Everyone could hear what she said clearly. As for people who didn’t know exactly what happened, they could also guess a general situation according to Ji Xuewei’s words.

‘Qin Zhenyang’s female companion is also from the Ji family. This Miss Ji calls her sister. Is she really another daughter of Professor Ji?’

Not many of the guests were familiar with Ji Chunlin, but most of them thought that the two sisters didn’t seem to get along well with each other and the elder one seemed to be pettier, ‘This is her sister’s engagement. Her sister accidentally spilled some red wine on her, but had already humbly apologized to her. If she still can’t forgive her sister, she’s too uncultured.’

Ji Xiaoli hated Ji Xuewei’s hypocritical act in her mind. But in front of so many people, she said with a bitter smile, “How could I blame you? Do I blame you for spilling wine on me, or do I blame you for instigating discord in front of Mrs. Qin? How dare I blame you? My dear sister, if I really dare to blame you, not only our aunt, but also our mother will severely criticize me.”

Ji Xiaoli also pretended to play victim like Ji Xuewei. She didn’t want to expose Ji Xuewei, but at that time she had no other choice.

Ji Xuewei thought Ji Xiaoli would be infuriated, and Ji Xiaoli had better slap her. In this way, all the people present could see clearly Ji Xiaoli’s violence. At that time, if she said that Ji Xiaoli and Qin Zhenyang had registered to marry, the guests present would surely think that such a woman was not qualified to be married into the Qin family. Not only outsiders, but also Qin Zhenyang’s old parents would think so.

But what Ji Xuewei didn’t expect was that Ji Xiaoli would pretend to be weak to win others’ sympathy.

“Sister, I don’t understand what you’re talking about. How could I possibly sow discord between you and Mrs. Qin? I know you blame me for not breaking up with Qin Zheng, but we are already together, and today is the engagement ceremony. Qin Zheng can’t marry you any more.” Ji Xuewei cried as she spoke, whose acting were even better than the Oscar winner.

Some directors said that the best actors could burst into tears at any time according to the needs of the plot when they acted in a play. According to this standard, Ji Xuewei was definitely a good actress.

Ji Xiaoli smiled in her heart, ‘As expected, Ji Xuewei mentions Qin Zheng and accused me of coveting other men.’ But she was not angry, looked at Ji Xuewei in a leisurely manner and sighed sadly, “A year ago, after I broke up with Qin Zheng, I told you what I thought. Since Qin Zheng wanted to be with you, I proposed to break up with him. And you asked me to leave him. Since you are engaged with Qin Zheng, I have never thought of having anything to do with Qin Zheng. Although I was very angry at that time that you slept with my boyfriend. Now that this kind of thing happened, I would face it calmly. As for now, there is no need to mention it again.”

Ji Xiaoli sighed bitterly, which surprised the onlookers.

Ji Xuewei was very angry with Ji Xiaoli, ‘How dare the woman say all these things?’

The guests present did have a heated discussion about what Ji Xiaoli mentioned. Women of all ages loved gossips whether they were noblewomen or young ladies of note. They were especially curious about the love triangles.

Fang Youlan was also with the female guests. Some noblewomen came to her and asked her curiously, “Mrs. Ji, it seemed your two daughters both have some history with today’s bridegroom? But why did your elder daughter say that you would scold her for your younger daughter? Is there something we don’t know?”

“In addition, why did your younger daughter say Qin Zheng was her boyfriend, while your elder daughter say Qin Zheng was her ex-boyfriend? Is it really after your younger daughter fell in love with Qin Zheng that your elder daughter took the initiative to break up with Qin Zheng?” It was worth mentioning that the lady really guessed the truth.

Fang Youlan was proud that her daughter took an upper hand in the bickering at first. But to Fang Youlan’s surprise, Ji Xiaoli said that she was Qin Zheng’s ex-girlfriend. She had thought Ji Xiaoli would not mention it. After all, she first fell in love with Qin Zheng, and then fell in love with Qin Zhenyang, which was not a decent thing in the eyes of the elders.

But if Ji Xiaoli didn’t say these things, she would still be the object of criticism of these guests. She didn’t want to be described as a woman who coveted her sister’s man.

Fang Youlan was angry, but she could only pretend that she was the one hurt by Ji Xiaoli’s words, “In fact, this is not the case…”

Just as she was about to continue talking, a woman in a black off-shoulder evening dress interrupted her, “It’s perfectly normal for Mrs. Ji to be partial to her younger daughter. After all, your elder daughter is not your own daughter. Even if your younger daughter stole your elder daughter’s boyfriend, it’s reasonable in your eyes.”

This woman had neat short hair, which seemed to be a little different from these noblewomen. The noblewomen were naturally graceful and delicate, but this women seemed to be…

Fang Youlan seldom mingled with those noblewomen before. After her daughter was married to the Qin family, she had a chance to meet so many noblewomen. She was very proud to experience the grand occasion of the engagement banquet. But she really didn’t know how to speak and behave properly. When this woman refuted her, she was not happy in her heart, even though what this woman said was true. She stood on tiptoe and argued angrily, “What are you talking about? She is not my own daughter, but how do you know that my daughter stole her man? Shut your mouth if you have no evidence.”

If Ji Chunlin was here, he would criticize his wife. It was absolutely inappropriate for Fang Youlan to be so arrogant on such an occasion. Fang Youlan usually got her way in her social circle. However, what she said to this woman had completely deprived her of the opportunity to enter the noblewomen circle in the capital.

“Evidence? I don’t have any evidence, but I’m a friend of your elder daughter, so I know these things.” This woman said in a leisurely manner, but Fang Youlan showed an angry expression. If Fang Youlan was not at her daughter’s engagement banquet, she really wanted her son-in-law to teach this arrogant woman a lesson.

But at the next moment, she would certainly regret what she said.

Another woman echoed this woman’s words, “I agree with Mrs. Zhong. If Mrs. Zhong doesn’t know first daughter of Ji family, why should she say this? What’s more, she has such a high status that she doesn’t have to cheat anyone at all.”

“Yes. If this is the case, second daughter of Ji family will be too good at pretending.”

The first noblewoman supporting the woman in black was Situ Yan, the wife of the vice mayor. Her husband’s administrative level was very high, so her words had a certain influence among the noblewomen. But the vice mayor was only a deputy. The woman in black who just defended Ji Xiaoli was Luo Xia, the wife of Zhong Wanxi, the secretary of the provincial party committee.

Zhong Wanxi’s official position was higher than that of Situ Yan’s husband. In addition, the secretary of the provincial party committee married his wife in his late thirties, who was ten years younger than him. So he was very concerned about his wife. Because of this, Situ Yan did not dare to offend Luo Xia in her usual social activities. In the situation just now, Situ Yan had the opportunity to support Luo Xia in an attempt to establish a good personal relationship with Luo Xia.

In officialdom, men could also take advantage of the personal relationships established by women on some occasions.

Luo Xia looked at Fang Youlan calmly, and she didn’t care what Fang Youlan said to her. In fact, she didn’t really know Ji Xiaoli. She helped Ji Xiaoli because Qin Zhenyang asked her to take good care of his wife at the engagement ceremony.

Luo Xia and Qin Zhenyang were very good friends. They established a deep friendship when they were in the army. At that time, Luo Xia retired from military service and married Zhong Wanxi. Although Qin Zhenyang did not often contact Luo Xia, he still asked Luo Xia for help for his wife.

At that time, after hearing Qin Zhenyang’s request, Luo Xia was very surprised.

‘Qin Zhenyang, who has always been lofty and arrogant, even has a woman. Don’t he know how to have compassion for womanhood? Why is he so considerate of his women now?’ Although she was curious, Luo Xia would try her best to complete the task assigned by Qin Zhenyang.

Luo Xia’s words made the impressions of noblewomen on Ji Xiaoli better. Anyway, the woman who could associate with Qin Zhenyang and get Mrs. Zhong’s support was trustworthy.

Fang Youlan did not dare to say anything more, and she suppressed her anger. Especially after she knew the identity of this woman in black, she kept silent.

Zhang Xiu’e was also overwhelmed by people’s comments. “Mrs. Qin, what’s the matter with you hating the first daughter of Ji family so much? Is there such a relationship between her and your son…”

“But your attitude towards the two daughters of Ji family is too different.”

Zhang Xiu’e was embarrassed to reply. When she saw the old lady coming, she could not help complaining, “Mom, that woman dares to attend Qin Zheng’s engagement ceremony. And why does she make so much trouble?”

Although the old lady didn’t like her son Qin Zhenyang’s wife and instinctively looked down on her, she didn’t want to make any trouble at that time. Instead, she warned Zhang Xiu’e, “You can settle any grudges between you and her later. She came here with Qin Zhenyang. Even if it’s her fault, you can’t slap her on such an occasion. Don’t make any more trouble today.”

The old lady didn’t like Zhang Xiu’e to slap Ji Xiaoli. She felt that this was disrespectful to Qin Zhenyang. After all, Ji Xiaoli came with him.

Zhang Xiu’e was silent, and she was not comfortable in her heart. She wanted to keep saying something. However, seeing the old lady’s displeased expression, she could only choose to keep silent, even though she hated the provocative woman.

Ji Xuewei, who was present, couldn’t help laughing in her heart. All these seemed to be in her expectation. She was just afraid that the quarrel between her and Ji Xiaoli was not thorough enough.

“Sister, your dress is so wet. I’ll take you to the second floor for another dress.” Ji Xuewei was full of kindness, which made people feel that even though she was hurt by words, she was still trying to be a good sister.

Ji Xiaoli looked at her meaningfully.