Chapter 186: Chapter 187: Guests of the Gu Family

Xia Yangyang followed Gu Qichen upstairs to greet the elder. After a brief chat, the butler announced, "Elder, the guests have arrived."

The jovial elder said, "Ah Chen, accompany me to greet them. Yangyang, fetch Xiao Han; you both go directly to the dining room." Xia Yangyang nodded.

The elder and Gu Qichen then went downstairs. Xia Yangyang paused, then went to Gu Zhaohan's room. As she approached, irritation grew. She stopped at the door, composed herself, and raised her hand to knock. Before her fingers touched the door, it swung open, revealing Gu Zhaohan.

Startled, Xia Yangyang's hand remained mid-air. Gu Zhaohan, equally surprised, raised an eyebrow and coldly asked, "What is it?"

"Why did you help Kim Fei'er today when she was clearly bullying people?" Xia Yangyang demanded angrily.

Gu Zhaohan replied, "I was stating the truth; don't waste your effort."

"Are you so sure your team will win?" Xia Yangyang retorted, her anger escalating.

"I never act without certainty."

"So, you joined Kim Fei'er's team to defeat me? Gu Zhaohan, what did I do to provoke you? Why are you opposing me?"

Gu Zhaohan's gaze intensified. "You haven't provoked me."

"Then why are you treating me this way?" Xia Yangyang asked, confused.

Gu Zhaohan replied coldly, "I simply don't like you." He then left.

Xia Yangyang was furious.

By the time she reached the dining room, the guests had arrived. Xia Yangyang noticed a girl around her age, but their styles were vastly different. The girl, with wheat-colored skin, wore a revealing tank top and short skirt. Despite this, she was strikingly beautiful, her smile radiant. She was attempting to converse with Gu Qichen in broken Chinese. Xia Yangyang frowned.

The elder was speaking with his comrade. Seeing everyone assembled, he said, "Let me introduce you all. This is my comrade, Uncle Qiao, and his granddaughter, Joanna."

The outgoing girl excitedly introduced herself: "My name is Joanna, or Qiao Anna in Chinese. It's my first time in China, so please guide me." Her second-tone pronunciation made her Chinese somewhat difficult to understand.

Her grandfather, Qiao Peiwen, explained, "My granddaughter grew up in the United States. She's excellent in everything except her Chinese. Please be patient."

The elder said, "Anna is a lively and cheerful child; I like her very much. Now, let's sit down and have dinner."

Joanna insisted on sitting next to Gu Qichen, placing her arm around his. She conversed with him in English, calling him "uncle," which grated on Xia Yangyang's nerves. Their English, mixed with other languages, was difficult for Xia Yangyang to follow. Although the dinner was ostensibly a matchmaking event for Gu Zhaohan, Joanna ignored him completely, focusing her attention on Gu Qichen.

As everyone settled, Gu Qichen announced in Chinese, "Let me introduce you to my wife, Xia Yangyang."

Joanna was stunned. "Wife? What?"

Gu Qichen repeated the introduction in English.

Disappointment was evident in Joanna's eyes. "Wife? She is your wife? You're married?" Her pronunciation was less than perfect, and she seemed to be gritting her teeth.