Chapter 93: My Brother Is Easygoing, But I Am Not!

It was Lin Shen who reported the matter, yet it was precisely about her inquiry into Qiao Weiwei.

Fu Sisi’s intern called Lin Shen, saying that Fu Sisi had agreed to meet with her.

The intern’s exact words were that Sister Fu didn’t want the meeting to be too formal. Coincidentally, tomorrow night was Sister Fu’s birthday, and a group of close girlfriends had already planned a celebration. If President Song wasn’t averse, she was welcome to come along.

After hanging up, Song Mi asked Qiao Weiwei, “Is Fu Sisi’s birthday tomorrow?”

Leaning sloppily against the back of her chair, Qiao Weiwei turned her head to look at her. “That should be her lunar birthday. I remember my sister-in-law’s birthday was at the end of last month!”

More than half this month had passed; if it was her birthday, it had to be according to the lunar calendar.

Soon, she leaned toward Song Mi a bit. “Why the sudden interest in her birthday?”

Song Mi was reading the message Lin Shen had just sent.

It was the time and place for Fu Sisi’s birthday party.

“Oh right, didn’t you just ask if I had arranged to meet with my sister-in-law?” Qiao Weiwei pulled out her phone and showed her the WeChat message. “See? She hasn’t replied.”

“Ah, it’s all my brother’s fault!” Qiao Weiwei truly couldn’t understand. Mi’er had rejected him hundreds of times, yet he was stubbornly determined to divorce. “They’re having a fight now. My mom said my sister-in-law has been staying at her parents’ house for several days. At this critical moment, I doubt she’ll pay any attention to me.”

After Qiao Yudong recovered from his injury, he decisively decided to divorce. No amount of family persuasion could change his mind.

The key was that Fu Sisi was holding some leverage over Qiao Yudong.

Qiao Weiwei was stunned when she first heard about it. Some things are one thing to know, but another entirely when you see them with your own eyes.

Her parents hoped to maintain a facade of peace and let life go on as usual.

But Qiao Yudong himself was no model of fidelity.

As long as Fu Sisi cut ties with the man outside, after a few years, once they both settled down and had a child, the future days would stretch ahead.

This had all happened by mid-last month. A month had passed, and except for her grandfather, the entire Qiao family knew. Even her second brother and sister-in-law, who lived abroad, had found out.

In short, Qiao Yudong was resolute about the divorce.

And also, this Spring Festival was going to be difficult for the Qiao family.

There was also her pregnancy — three months along now, her belly already starting to show.

If it weren’t winter and the heavy clothes she wore, she wouldn’t dare to come back at all!

Moreover, this time she would likely be returning only once more before the baby was born. She had already thought up a reason: it was too cold, and she needed to spend the winter somewhere warm abroad.

Fortunately, she had been traveling extensively these past two years since graduation, so they wouldn’t restrict her too much.

Recently, they had even been nudging her to go on blind dates. But now, with a divorce looming in the family, they probably had no mind to arrange anything for her!

As Qiao Weiwei pondered this, Song Mi suddenly said, “She agreed to meet me.”

“Tomorrow night at eight, Yunshangju, private room 988.”

Qiao Weiwei straightened up instantly at the mention of the place, which drew a reproach from Song Mi. “Slow down!”

“Where did you say? Yunshangju?” Qiao Weiwei’s already large eyes widened like copper bells, her voice dropping. “Why would she go there?”

Lin Shen had just sent her detailed information about Yunshangju, not only the publicly available company registration data.

It was said to share ownership with Yunshang in Jinzhou, but Yunshang was much cleaner in reputation. Of course, there was still the possibility of discreet services.

Yet in the capital, Yunshangju was well-known in the circles as a place where wealthy wives and young ladies played for leisure and entertainment.

Rumor had it that the young masters there each looked like film stars, with physiques rivaling top international male models.

Seeing Qiao Weiwei first excited then hesitant, Song Mi teased, “How come, you’ve been there before?”

Qiao Weiwei gave her a sharp look. “What are you thinking?”

Then she sighed deeply and told her about Fu Sisi being caught with compromising evidence by Qiao Yudong.

This shocked Song Mi.

Because Qiao Weiwei said Fu Sisi had long-term relations with one of the young masters at Yunshangju.

Song Mi knew about Qiao Yudong’s divorce plans but wasn’t aware that Fu Sisi had someone on the side, especially a young man from an entertainment venue.

She and Fu Sisi first met at Tianxiang Tower by chance. Introduced by Qiao Weiwei, they exchanged greetings up close.

About a month later, Song Mi flew to the capital for an official seminar about building a large ecological cemetery near Yunxi Resort, where she also met Fu Sisi briefly.

But they didn’t have close contact or conversation that day.

Afterward, she tried to arrange a meal with Fu Sisi through connections, but after a month of attempts, they never met.

Despite having a one-time acquaintance and the connection through Qiao Weiwei, Fu Sisi kept declining. The official reason was her position required discretion.

But whether there was a personal emotional reason mixed in, Song Mi did not know.

After all, Qiao Yudong had previously taken a blow on her behalf.

Even if Qiao Yudong’s obsession was one-sided, Song Mi could hardly stay indifferent.

She couldn’t erase her existence or pretend never to have appeared before Qiao Yudong.

She couldn’t be sure of Fu Sisi’s attitude toward her or toward her as a person.

Not just Qiao Weiwei, Song Mi herself was confused.

She swore she never gave Qiao Yudong any hope. Besides, she already had Wen Yanli and then Huo Qingjue around her, yet Qiao Yudong seemed blind to them and stubbornly threw himself in.

Song Mi knew she was attractive, but to be so head-over-heels like Qiao Yudong? Even she, as the subject, couldn’t understand.

But Fu Sisi’s path was one Song Mi had no choice but to walk. The preliminary official plan was out: a large ecological cemetery was to be built beside Yunxi Resort.

Her current task was to do everything possible to have the authorities include the land where Yunxi Resort stood.

It would by no means be easy.

But where there’s a will, there’s a way.

So she was determined to attend Fu Sisi’s birthday party.

Since Fu Sisi’s assistant said it was a birthday celebration with close girlfriends, she couldn’t possibly go empty-handed.

However, given the current ethos of integrity within the system, she couldn’t bring anything too extravagant.

After finishing a meeting at the branch office and dining at the hotel, Song Mi took Liang Liang to a nearby shopping center.

Before they could find something suitable, they ran into an acquaintance.

It was Feng Jue.

Behind him was a young woman.

At this hour, the two had likely just come down from a restaurant upstairs in the mall.

Feng Jue walked fast, and the girl struggled to keep up.

When Feng Jue saw Song Mi stop, the girl caught up to him, walking side by side. “Brother Jue, slow down!”

It was clear Feng Jue wasn’t fond of this date. His already impatient expression darkened completely upon seeing her. “I ran into a friend; I’ll call you a ride.”

Without introduction, he took out his phone and summoned a car.

The girl glanced at Song Mi across the way. “Is the friend you mentioned this lady?”

“Hello, sister, I’m Gu Nana, Brother Jue’s girlfriend…”

Feng Jue didn’t even spare the girl a shred of dignity. “Who’s your boyfriend?”

“Who gets into a relationship the first time they meet?” Gu Nana smiled sweetly, arching her eyebrows. “It’s a blind date, but I like you, so you’re upgraded right here to my boyfriend.”

Feng Jue was about to retort but held back. “Alright, get off downstairs and wait at Gate 3. The plate number is XXXXXX.”

Gu Nana pulled out her phone. “Then add me on WeChat.”

Reluctantly, Feng Jue complied. Afterward, Gu Nana tucked away her phone, satisfied. “I’m off then.”

She waved at Song Mi. “Pretty sister, goodbye.”

Song Mi smiled softly. “Goodbye.”

After Gu Nana left, Song Mi glanced sideways at Liang Liang. “Go explore on your own.”

Liang Liang looked once at Feng Jue, then nodded and turned away.

A few minutes later, on the rooftop garden of the mall, Song Mi and Feng Jue sat across from each other at a table.

Neither spoke for a while. The mall closed at ten, and it was nearly nine.

Feng Jue didn’t know what to say or how to start.

A little over a month ago, they had left the hospital together. He mentioned Song Mi, and Feng Jue’s nephew immediately went off.

After getting into the car, the nephew muttered, “Don’t bring it up again.”

Feng Jue sensed the seriousness and asked if it was his aunt who opposed the relationship or if the Wen family had objections.

But the nephew clammed up completely.

Feng Jue gave up in the end.

Later, he tried to find out more but to no avail.

Two weeks ago, someone sent him news about Song Mi and Huo Qingjue possibly dating.

Lately, the nephew visited his aunt almost every weekend. On the surface, he seemed fine; his injuries had healed long ago.

But something was off.

That kid had problems!

Feng Jue knew his aunt’s thoughts — she disliked Song Mi and wanted to matchmake his cousin Rong Xinan with the nephew.

Once, Feng Jue even drove the nephew to the airport, confessing all he’d told his aunt. His purpose was to help his aunt accept Song Mi.

After all, Song Mi almost gave birth to a child for the Feng family.

But that wasn’t the point.

The point was, Feng Jue realized that nephew was sincere — not just having him arrange Rh-negative blood, but also when he brutally beat Huang Weiguo and got locked in a detention room, and later called to say Qiao Yudong was after Song Mi and to warn Fu Sisi.

He completely understood: the nephew was the type who, once in love, was unwaveringly devoted.

So Feng Jue said, “Why don’t you reconcile, get married quickly, and have a child? Do it first and explain later. Once the baby’s born, my aunt can’t reject her first grandchild and force you to divorce.”

But the nephew replied, “It’s all in the past.”

Before seeing the news about Song Mi and Huo Qingjue, Feng Jue had thought it was his aunt’s opposition that tore the lovers apart.

Until he saw those posts.

— Apparently, Song Mi had stirred up quite a few people!

— Could it be that Song Mi dumped that kid?

He refused to believe it.

But a few days later, he received news about Qiao Yudong and Fu Sisi’s divorce quarrel.

As for Huo Qingjue, the Huo family’s illegitimate son, Feng Jue hadn’t dealt with him but knew he was a formidable figure.

Yes, Song Mi was beautiful and the head of a massive listed company. It was normal for men to like and pursue her, even compete for her affection.

But his nephew was no slouch either!

Anyway, Feng Jue simply refused to believe his nephew had been dumped!

All along, the nephew had only said two things: “Don’t bring it up again” and “It’s all in the past.”

Aside from knowing his aunt’s firm opposition and those two lines, Feng Jue knew nothing else.

How could he comment?

So after sitting down for five minutes, Feng Jue still hadn’t uttered a word.

That didn’t mean he wasn’t angry at Song Mi.

He was protective by nature. No matter what, he recognized his nephew’s sincere feelings!

At least the nephew hadn’t caused any scandals with other women!

Thinking this, Feng Jue straightened a little.

After a while, Song Mi glanced at her watch and was about to speak when Feng Jue interrupted, “Song Mi, what’s really going on between you and my brother?”

He actually meant to ask about her and Huo Qingjue.

But he couldn’t bring himself to say it outright.

He was cautious, afraid of making things worse.

“If it’s because my aunt opposes, then as your cousin, I’ll say this now,” Feng Jue sat upright, looking serious. “If a man can’t even be filial to his own mother, how can he treat his wife well?”

“If it’s because of that, then try to understand him — my aunt’s health isn’t good.”

Song Mi had noticed their close relationship but hadn’t realized it was this strong.

Feng Jue was known for his temper but now was patiently and solemnly speaking to her.

His tone clearly aimed to help Wen Yanli win her back.

Though Feng Jue was only Wen Yanli’s cousin, not even an elder, suddenly four words flashed in Song Mi’s mind that she couldn’t bear.

But the unfamiliar feeling quickly spun away into nothingness as she thought of Rong Xinan.

“Mr. Feng, I think there’s a misunderstanding.”

She smiled faintly, unconcerned. “Wen Yanli and I were never in a serious relationship. Adults come together and part naturally. It’s normal.”

Feng Jue’s expression changed instantly. “You’re playing with my brother?”

Song Mi shrugged. “Emotional games — how can one person play alone?”

“Wen Yanli’s quite the player too!”

“Nonsense!” Feng Jue swore outright. “Do you know my brother? He’s never had a girlfriend before. You think he’d play games?”

Song Mi felt as if struck hard in the chest.

“Song Mi, you better have a clear conscience about my brother!” Feng Jue abruptly pushed back his chair and stood up. “If not, my brother is easy to talk to, but I’m not!”

With that, Feng Jue strode away.

Song Mi remained seated, the faint smile on her thin lips gradually fading.

…

The next evening at 7:50, Song Mi knocked on the door of private room 988 at Yunshangju.

A young male waiter opened the door.

He was handsome but not the slick, made-up type she had imagined.

Seeing her, a fleeting look of admiration sparkled in his eyes. “May I have your name, please?”

“Song,” she replied flatly.

“Please follow me.”

The room was large, comparable to a presidential suite.

The waiter led her to the innermost room and knocked.

The door was ajar. After hearing a voice say “Please come in,” the waiter bowed politely.

Song Mi stepped forward and pushed the door open.

The room resembled a small karaoke lounge, fully equipped with sound and musical instruments, even a drum set.

The floor-to-ceiling wine cabinet before the sofa was lined with bottles, many empty.

Including Fu Sisi, there were five women in total.

No young masters accompanied them.

A Cantonese song played on the screen, paused, so the room was quiet.

Fu Sisi was testing a guitar. Seeing Song Mi enter, she glanced at her first. “Oh, President Song has arrived.”

Once she said this, the other four women turned their gazes to Song Mi.

Women sizing up women are always more discerning than men.

Especially when looking at a younger, prettier woman.

It was easy to tell how much Song Mi could read from those ten eyes staring at her.

Yet she paid no mind.

Her expression neither warmed nor cooled, she walked calmly forward holding her gift bag. “Miss Fu, happy birthday.”

Fu Sisi still held the guitar, so Song Mi didn’t offer her the gift immediately. She looked around for a place to set it down when someone suddenly spoke.

“I say, Sisi, you and Qiao Yudong aren’t divorced yet, right? How come President Song calls you Miss Fu right away?”

That single sentence carried unmistakable tension.

Or rather, Song Mi instantly understood the purpose of Fu Sisi’s invitation tonight.

“Meizi, you’re blowing this out of proportion!” another woman quickly interrupted. “President Song is the chairwoman of a listed group company. The old-fashioned idea of a wife taking her husband’s surname is impossible for her.”

Others chimed in, hinting that Song Mi was the one seducing Qiao Yudong, causing Fu Sisi’s impending divorce.

Tonight’s gathering was clearly Fu Sisi’s way of inviting close girlfriends to mock and humiliate Song Mi, to vent her anger.

Though appearances can be deceptive, based on her brief encounter with Fu Sisi at Tianxiang Tower, Song Mi felt Fu Sisi wouldn’t so easily mix personal grievances with public matters.

That day, Fu Sisi struck her as a sophisticated woman, both traditional and progressive.

Fu Sisi possessed a seemingly paradoxical yet harmonious aura, clearly a woman with a rich and layered inner world.

Women like her were neither haughty nor easily swayed — elegant and unpretentious.

Living with such a woman shouldn’t be unbearable.

So Song Mi truly couldn’t understand why Qiao Yudong had married Fu Sisi early on yet lived a loveless, separate life for years.

Soon, the other four women took turns throwing barbed remarks at Song Mi.

Finally, the last one handed the floor to Fu Sisi.

When Fu Sisi’s gaze landed on her, Song Mi smiled faintly. “Birthday girl, aren’t you going to introduce me?”

“It seems everyone knows me, but I’m the opposite. I’m being terribly rude!”

Fu Sisi smiled too, gently setting down the guitar and glancing at the wine cabinet. “Then I’ll introduce someone. President Song, how about a Bloody Mary?”