Chapter 3 To be my wife, you must have the ability to get out of trouble

Several sisters from the Qiao Family chased out from the banquet hall together.

Leading them was Qiao Rui's second cousin, Qiao Yufei, followed by the third cousin Qiao Mei, fourth cousin Qiao Xiguang, and fifth cousin Qiao Lanqian, while she, Qiao Rui, ranked sixth among the Qiao family girls.

It was said that there were two younger female cousins who, because they had not reached the marriageable age, had not attended the wife-selection event.

At that time, Pei Liyan was standing with his good friend He Zheng on the other side of the hotel, seemingly waiting for their car.

Pei Liyan lifted his eyes and saw Qiao Rui being surrounded but he made no move.

He Zheng's deep eyes narrowed slightly as he motioned with his chin towards Pei Liyan, "Your fiancee is being attacked by her cousins."

Pei Liyan glanced at He Zheng, his eyes profound, "If Qiao Rui doesn't have the ability to extricate herself, she would get shredded by others as my wife."

He Zheng paused, then chuckled, "You make a good point. I'm just curious why you chose this country bumpkin?"

Pei Liyan, with one hand in his pocket, glanced over at Qiao Rui from afar, and said with a deep meaning, "Out of a forest of flowers, a single patch of green stands out. I didn't see anyone else, just her."

He Zheng laughed again, "True, you don't often come across a plain Jane like her. It's quite unique at first sight. But will the old master like your choice?"

Pei Liyan's handsome face remained indifferent, his gaze fixed on Qiao Rui's face, half-concealed by black-rimmed glasses. Her face was indeed quite ugly.

Even he found it unpleasant to look at.

"He just wanted me to choose one of the Qiao family girls, and I did. What's there for him to be dissatisfied about?"

Just then, the car arrived.

Pei Liyan was in no hurry to board, instead, he continued to watch the drama unfold from a distance.

He Zheng looked at his good friend and sighed, "You're openly defying the old master this time."

Pei Liyan curved his lips slightly, "He should have anticipated this outcome."

He Zheng heaved a sigh, "The old master probably didn't expect you to rebel like this, choosing a country girl for a wife. Is she presentable enough to be the Pei Group's young mistress?"

"She's presentable," Pei Liyan said playfully, eyeing Qiao Rui in the distance with an inscrutable look. "Ugly, maybe, but smart."

He Zheng was taken aback and followed Pei Liyan's gaze.

Qiao Rui, faced with provocation from her several cousins, remained composed.

There seemed to be a certain aura about this country girl.

Qiao Rui stood at the hotel entrance, looking at her cousins' aggressive demeanor, and asked calmly, "Cousins, what do you want with me?"

"Yokel," Qiao Yufei scorned while sizing up Qiao Rui, "Pei Liyan actually set his sights on you. Do you think you're worthy?"

"Indeed, I'm not," Qiao Rui nodded, her tone even.

Qiao Yufei was stunned for a moment, not expecting Qiao Rui to admit it. She furrowed her brows, sizing Qiao Rui up and down.

She couldn't understand how a country bumpkin like Qiao Rui could catch Pei Liyan's eye.

Why would he choose Qiao Rui in front of everyone, when any other girl from the Qiao Family was miles better than this country yokel?

She had no looks, no education, no cultivation; why should she be chosen?

Qiao Yufei frowned and snapped, "Rube, you are indeed unworthy, but to think you'd actually refuse Pei Liyan? You must be playing hard to get."

Qiao Rui, called a rube, wasn't angry, her expression remained calm as though the insults weren't directed at her.

She pushed her glasses up her nose and spoke unhurriedly, "Yes, I'm playing hard to get."

"Ha, I wouldn't have guessed you had such scheming, you yokel," cursed Qiao Yufei. "You are shameless to think you can play hard to get, looking like that."

Qiao Rui kept her head down and didn't respond, the very picture of someone who was being bullied.

Her third cousin, Qiao Mei, scoffed coldly, "Qiao Rui, I'm telling you, if Pei Liyan finds out about your schemes, he definitely won't marry you. Don't think you can win his favor with your little tricks!"

"Then please do me a favor and tell him that I'm playing games with him. Even better, suggest that he choose you. I have no objections," Qiao Rui said indifferently, then turned to leave.

Qiao Xiguang stepped in front of her, blocking her exit. "How dare you insult third sister."

Qiao Rui glanced at these hostile cousins and said calmly, "Dear sisters, I really don't mean any of this. If any of you wants to marry Pei Liyan, feel free to band together to seduce him. I truly have no objections."

"You, vulgar!" Qiao Yufei cursed, embarrassed and annoyed.

"Shameless," Qiao Mei also started to curse.

Qiao Xiguang glared at her with a red face, "You really are a bumpkin, vulgar and shameless."

Qiao Rui frowned slightly, losing patience, "Fourth sister, when you curse, it's everyone's business. Why do country folks deserve your insults? They haven't taken your food; why should they take your abuse?"

"You!" Qiao Xiguang was at a loss for words.

Qiao Rui didn't give her the chance to respond and continued, "Dear cousins, if any of you can persuade Pei Liyan to choose you as his wife, I will send you my blessings."

"You really are vulgar and shameless!" Qiao Yufei reached out to grab Qiao Rui.

Qiao Rui stepped back, still smiling, then looked in Pei Liyan's direction, "Sisters, your god of a man is watching from across the street. I don't mind being seen as vulgar, but if he sees you ganging up on me like this, the image of the Qiao Family's delicate daughters will surely plummet."

The cousins immediately inhaled sharply and all looked towards the other side.

Indeed, Pei Liyan and He Zheng were standing in front of the luxury car, watching this side.

When they turned their heads back, Qiao Rui had disappeared.

"Where's Qiao Rui?" Qiao Mei asked.

"She ran off."

"Damn it, Pei Liyan saw us, what do we do?"

Pei Liyan and He Zheng got into the car.

He Zheng's laugh was meaningful. "She actually escaped the trap, quite interesting, huh."

Pei Liyan's sharp eyes scanned the direction where Qiao Rui had left. That girl was indeed quick.

In the instant her cousins turned their heads, she had turned and walked away without any hesitation.

Pei Liyan narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile on his lips. "She says she's playing hard to get, do you believe that?"

He Zheng was taken aback, then shook his head. "Who knows, but she seemed pretty determined when she rejected you at the banquet hall."

Pei Liyan looked off into the distance, "She indeed was serious about rejecting me."

He Zheng remembered Qiao Rui's words about worrying Pei Liyan might make rash moves, and couldn't help laughing, "Quite a humorous bumpkin. I suddenly find her quite interesting. Choosing her could be a stroke of luck."

Pei Liyan gave him a glance, "Among all the Qiao family girls, aside from Qiao Rui, who else is worth my choosing?"

He Zheng was stunned, then smiled playfully, "True, choosing those fierce ladies over the down-to-earth girl who just returned to town, when's the registration?"

"Tomorrow morning," Pei Liyan said in a deep voice.

He Zheng frowned. "I don't understand the old man, why is he in such a hurry?"

Pei Liyan said coldly, "He owes the Qiao Family, and he's making me repay the debt. It's a deal between willing parties; I have nothing to complain about."

He Zheng: "....."