Chapter 4 When to Divorce

Qiao Rui didn't take the main road, instead, she slipped into an alley.

From the alley beside the hotel, it led directly to a bustling snack street. Qiao Rui entered the snack street, found a big food stall, ordered some skewers, and prepared to have a meal.

She hadn't enjoyed herself at the banquet hall earlier and was still a bit hungry.

The skewers came quickly, and she leisurely ate them when her phone rang. She answered it.

Immediately a male voice came through, "Ancestor, where are you?"

"Eating."

"How does it feel to be back at the Qiao Family?"

Qiao Rui paused, as if reminiscing, and soon gave a two-word answer, "Lively."

"Lively?" The other side laughed out loud, "With so many girls, it indeed must be lively. So, did they bully you?"

Qiao Rui thought for a moment and said, "No."

"I saw you being mobbed by those pampered misses of the Qiao Family."

"They didn't hit me."

"Do they have to hit you?"

"I didn't give them a chance," Qiao Rui responded.

"Ha, indeed. By the way, I heard that Elder Pei demanded that you pick a wife today, get the marriage certificate tomorrow, no engagement needed, just get the certificate first. You have to get the certificate with Pei Liyan early tomorrow morning."

"So soon?" Qiao Rui didn't expect that. "Is he that desperate for a wife?"

"You'll have to ask Pei Liyan that."

Qiao Rui pondered; she thought Pei Liyan was crazy. Could it be he saw too many beauties and wanted a change of taste?

"Ancestor, what are you really thinking?"

"Taking a break for a while," Qiao Rui said.

"There are so many endorsements," the other side reminded. "Are you just going to give up on them?"

"That wasn't an accident, it was intentional," Qiao Rui said softly.

The other side immediately screamed, "Intentional? Who? Is Pei Liyan trying to kill you?"

"Maybe."

"Damn, now that you mention it, it really does sound plausible," the other side said. "He had one chaotic night with you, and now he might want to silence you permanently. It's possible."

"Don't contact me for now, wait for my news."

"Wait, the police are looking for Rui Qing, Pei Liyan's people are searching, the agency is searching, there could be more than three groups involved."

Qiao Rui wasn't worried in the slightest, "I'm not worried, why are you?"

"Alright, alright, ancestor, you are my ancestor," the other side said helplessly.

"I'm hungry, hanging up now." Qiao Rui quickly hung up the phone and began to eat seriously.

When she returned to the Qiao Family, it was already 11:30 at night. Elder Qiao was waiting for her, obviously displeased to see her back.

"Where have you been? Why are you back so late?"

"I went to eat something," Qiao Rui answered indifferently. "Grandpa, haven't you slept yet?"

"Tomorrow morning, Pei Liyan is coming to pick you up to get the certificate. This is his phone number, save it when you return to your room; the WeChat ID is the same number." Elder Qiao pushed a piece of paper in front of Qiao Rui.

"Yes," Qiao Rui obediently took it, glanced at it, "Grandpa, if there's nothing else, I'll go rest now."

"Go, but don't forget to add Pei Liyan."

"Got it." Qiao Rui took the paper and went back to her room.

She didn't add Pei Liyan even after showering and lying down on the bed, about to charge her phone, when a call came in from an unknown number.

She frowned and answered; a deep male voice came through, "Miss Qiao, this is Pei Liyan."

"Oh, hello, Mr. Pei," Qiao Rui's tone was flat.

"Why haven't you added my WeChat?" Pei Liyan directly questioned over the phone.

"I haven't gotten around to it," Qiao Rui said.

"Really?" Pei Liyan's tone clearly conveyed disbelief.

"Yes," Qiao Rui remained nonchalant. "Is there something you need, Mr. Pei?"

"Tomorrow morning at eight, I'm coming to pick you up, to get the certificate."

"Mr. Pei, may I know why you chose me?" Qiao Rui asked.

"Uh-huh!" The male voice rose, dragging out a trace of sexiness that made one's face heat up. "Why don't you guess?"

"I definitely didn't catch your fancy," Qiao Rui realized.

Pei Liyan's magnetic voice traveled through the phone to Qiao Rui's ears, and he said, "You are really cute, I indeed fancy you."

Qiao Rui unexpectedly blushed. "Really? That is quite an honor for me."

It seemed like Pei Liyan chuckled, "Qiao Rui, see you tomorrow."

Qiao Rui didn't speak.

The man waited a few seconds, then scoffed lightly and hung up.

Qiao Rui stared at the disconnected call, plugged in her charger, set it aside, and soon fell asleep.

The next morning at eight.

Pei Liyan came to pick her up, greeted Elder Qiao, and then left with Qiao Rui and the documents Elder Qiao had given him.

In the car, Qiao Rui sat next to Pei Liyan.

The man's suit was immaculately pressed, his trousers pleated perfectly, it almost made him look like he had OCD, and his legs were long with shoes shining brightly, unblemished by any dust.

Qiao Rui gave him a glance and shifted a bit to the side.

The man's dark, deep eyes lifted, sweeping across Qiao Rui's face.

The black-framed glasses were too obtrusive, his hair a mess, bangs sticking up as if he hadn't dried his hair properly before sleeping, now sticking up all day.

Such a mess.

Pei Liyan frowned.

Sitting in the car, Qiao Rui also felt out of place with the spotless white carpet, and she tensed up unconsciously.

"Anything you want to say?" Pei Liyan's deep voice sounded.

Qiao Rui paused, seeming to think for a bit, then said, "My grandfather said, being chosen by you is the fortune of my three lifetimes."

"And you don't seem to think so."

"I usually don't dream," Qiao Rui said. "Especially not beautiful dreams."

"You are indeed a sober girl." Pei Liyan, who had faced cold treatment from Qiao Rui more than once, was used to it by now; most women were all over him.

Good for her, always keeping her distance.

Qiao Rui said, "Can't help it, if I were ugly and lacked self-awareness, that'd be stupid."

Pei Liyan chuckled, "Sometimes, dreaming isn't bad."

Qiao Rui said, "I want to know, when can we get divorced?"

Pei Liyan was taken aback, "We aren't even married yet, and you're already thinking about divorce?"

Qiao Rui said, "Since it's obvious, why doesn't Mr. Pei set a deadline first so I can be prepared?"

Pei Liyan said coldly, "I can't tell you that, but after we get the certificate, you'll move into my place immediately."

"Immediately?" Qiao Rui was taken aback, she hadn't expected Pei Liyan to say that.

She looked at Pei Liyan suspiciously.

Their eyes met.

Pei Liyan's eyes were half-narrowed, deep and sharp, seemingly able to see right through someone easily.

And this overwhelming pressure emanating from him made escape impossible.

He said, "Starting tonight."

Qiao Rui pursed her lips.

Pei Liyan saw her finally showing some emotion, and a hint of a smile appeared in his narrow eyes.

Qiao Rui knew this man was doing this on purpose, probably as revenge for her rejecting him at the banquet before.

After all, she had caused him to lose face.

She nodded slightly, her voice calm, "Fine, as long as Mr. Pei is ready to live together."

"Are you ready then?" Pei Liyan countered.

Qiao Rui said, "Living with a top-notch figure like Mr. Pei, a girl like me can't lose, and since Mr. Pei doesn't want to divorce, even better for me."

Hearing this, Pei Liyan's pupils narrowed several times.

The driver in the front seat was sweating, amazed at how fierce Miss Qiao of the Qiao family was.