Chapter 231: A Jumping Jack
Xia Weiwei watched Gu Qichen's expression grow grim, a satisfaction blooming within her. She'd secretly kept a photo from an old batch Xia Yangyang had been discarding. Initially intended to threaten Xia Yangyang, she hadn't foreseen this alternative use.
Adopting a tone of wistful remembrance, Xia Weiwei said, "Actually, my sister and Brother Haotian also suffered misfortune. If not for my sister's troublesome ex-girlfriend, they might be married by now. They were close since childhood; Brother Haotian often visited, sometimes even staying overnight. We thought nothing of it then, as they were planning to marry, but who could have known?"
Gu Qichen's complexion darkened. Xia Yangyang, witnessing this exchange, knew Xia Weiwei was lying. Lu Haotian often visited, but he never slept in her room. Their childhood friendship had always been innocent. Xia Weiwei's words were a deliberate attempt to sow discord in Gu Qichen's mind.
Xia Yangyang, realizing Xia Weiwei was inserting Lu Haotian into the existing tension between her and Gu Qichen (created by Gu Zhaohan), chuckled inwardly. She walked past them, set down a fruit plate, and then directly took the photo from Xia Weiwei. Immediately tearing it up, she tossed the pieces into a nearby trash bin.
Dumbfounded, Xia Weiwei momentarily forgot Gu Qichen's presence before yelling, "Xia Yangyang, what's wrong with you?" Realizing her mistake, she quickly changed tack: "Sister, why do that? Brother-in-law isn't petty; you didn't need such a dramatic display of innocence. Brother-in-law, am I right?"
Xia Weiwei was pleased; she sensed growing tension between Xia Yangyang and Gu Qichen. Xia Yangyang remained silent throughout dinner, and while Gu Qichen's demeanor was inscrutable, the strain between them was evident. This was her opportunity.
Xia Yangyang spoke coldly, "Xia Weiwei, our relationship is none of your business. Does he seem foolish enough to fall for your clumsy ploy?" Turning to Gu Qichen, she added, "I have something to say to you."
After Xia Yangyang left, an infuriated Xia Weiwei quickly addressed Gu Qichen: "Brother-in-law, you saw how my sister behaved. Where did I try to create a rift? She's suspicious, always making others the villain."
Gu Qichen ignored her, following Xia Yangyang upstairs. Once inside, Xia Yangyang closed the door and asked, "Gu Qichen, why are you really here?"
Gu Qichen replied, "Didn't you have something to say to me?"
"Gu Qichen, I have nothing to say. I just don't want to see Xia Weiwei creating this drama," Xia Yangyang responded. "Why bother with such a jester?"
Xia Yangyang was startled. Gu Qichen's perception was sharper than she'd anticipated. His voice, cold and grave, cut through the air: "Even if you have nothing to say, I have something to tell you."