Chapter 7 What are you going to do?

After leaving the Jiang family, Qiao Yitang went to a real estate agency. She didn't want the Jiang family's issues to affect her mood. While she had decided to break up with He Jingchuan, she also planned to slowly cut ties with the Jiang family. Everything had to look forward.The immediate priority was to rent a place, as she couldn't stay in a hotel forever. She had taken a week off, and there were design drafts waiting for submission at her studio, so she needed to arrange accommodation quickly.While she was looking at properties with the agent, Song Zhi called."I didn't have enough fun at Lanmeng last time. I'll come find you tonight and take you somewhere more fun," Song Zhi said.Qiao Yitang sighed. "I'm not going this time. I'm busy renting a place."Hearing this, Song Zhi got upset. "That jerk He Jingchuan, he's so rich but stingy, he won't even buy you a place to stay.""You should ask him for a breakup fee. After all these years, the gifts he gave you are few and far between. What did you even see in him?"Qiao Yitang's breath hitched, and she felt a little short of breath. Yes, what did she see in him?She always carefully picked out gifts for He Jingchuan, even if it meant spending months' worth of wages, yet this year's birthday gift was just an ordinary bracelet.Song Zhi searched online and found that the bracelet cost less than a thousand yuan.Qiao Yitang tried to comfort herself, thinking that He Jingchuan had been studying abroad and wasn't home often, and when he returned, he was busy with his own company, which is why he didn't have time to pick out a gift.But later, he managed to find time to buy a one-of-a-kind ruby necklace worth millions for Shen Keyan.The first time Qiao Yitang lost her composure in front of everyone was when Shen Keyan wore that necklace on purpose to show off.Unable to hold herself back, she slapped Shen Keyan across the face.Shen Keyan immediately leaned on He Jingchuan, crying, saying she had unknowingly upset Qiao Yitang.He Jingchuan, unwilling to see Shen Keyan upset, didn't ask any questions but demanded that Qiao Yitang apologize to Shen Keyan in front of everyone and even wanted Shen Keyan to slap her back.If Song Zhi hadn't been there, pulling her away without a second thought, Qiao Yitang wouldn't know how to handle the situation...Looking back now, Qiao Yitang felt like a fool.She should have broken up with him the moment she found out that he was living with Shen Keyan while studying abroad."Forget it, don't mention it. It's already over. I still need to look at properties, so I'll hang up now."After ending the call with Song Zhi, Qiao Yitang felt a little down.The few properties the agent showed her afterward weren't to her liking.With her current savings, buying a property outright wouldn't be difficult, but she didn't have time to renovate or view multiple places. Housing prices were unstable, so it was better to rent for now.After leaving the agency, she noticed that it was close to the hotel she was staying at, so she decided to walk back.A black Bentley drove down the street from behind.A man in a suit sat in the back seat, his face cold, reading news on his phone.After a long time, Xie Chengyan felt a headache coming on. He rubbed his temple and looked up, inadvertently glancing out the window, just in time to see a slender figure walking by the street.It was evening, and the dim yellow sunset bathed the figure in a golden glow.Qiao Yitang was wearing a white skirt and a light apricot-colored cardigan. Her long black hair hung over her shoulder, looking gentle and soft.As the wind picked up, her skirt fluttered slightly, and her slim ankles were covered by white socks, with white flat shoes on her feet.Her legs, visible above the socks, were very fair.Even though the sky was dim, Xie Chengyan could still see her clearly through the car window.He couldn't help but recall the time he met Qiao Yitang at Lanmeng the night before. His gaze had involuntarily lingered on her exposed calves.Before he could say much, Qiao Yitang was called away by her friend, leaving him with a sense of lingering regret.Seeing the girl on the street now, Xie Chengyan immediately spoke to the driver, "Drive slower."The driver was confused but didn't dare defy Xie Chengyan's order.Fortunately, the street wasn't too busy, and after slowing down, the Bentley didn't draw any curses from cars behind them.The driver didn't know what Xie Chengyan was looking at, but the assistant sitting in the front passenger seat saw Qiao Yitang.The evening breeze had picked up, and Qiao Yitang wrapped her arms around herself, pulling her cardigan tighter as if feeling cold. She started walking faster.Assistant Liang cautiously spoke up, "Mr. Xie, the wind is strong outside, and that girl is dressed lightly. How about we give her a ride?"Xie Chengyan didn't respond immediately.Just as Assistant Liang thought he had said the wrong thing, a deep voice came from the backseat. "No need."Assistant Liang was puzzled, but he quickly regained his professional composure, sitting upright and opening the car door.Xie Chengyan's voice came again: "Go to that real estate agency and find out if she's looking to rent or buy.""Got it."Assistant Liang was left in the chilly evening wind, feeling cold, but he didn't complain and hurried toward the agency.The Bentley continued to drive slowly, following Qiao Yitang at a distance.When Qiao Yitang turned a corner and no longer followed the same route, Xie Chengyan slowly withdrew his gaze and noticed a reminder on his phone. He had a business dinner tonight.He told the driver, "Let's go."A moment later, Assistant Liang called. "Mr. Xie, I found out.""She's looking to rent, but none of the places she saw earlier were to her liking. She seems in a hurry and will come back tomorrow.""Rent?" Xie Chengyan frowned slightly. "Is she living alone?""Yes, the places she viewed were all for single occupancy."Xie Chengyan's frown deepened.Qiao Yitang was about to marry He Jingchuan next month and become the young mistress of the He family. Why would she be out renting a place alone?A thought that made him feel strangely excited crossed his mind.Xie Chengyan pressed his lips together. "Find a suitable place and recommend it to her tomorrow."