Max Level Return—I'll Protect That Fragile One

Upon hearing this, Xu Zeqing’s face turned slightly red. He said guiltily, ”I admit you’re right, but Jing Qiu, even though I haven’t fulfilled my responsibilities as a father, your ability to single-handedly raise two children was also supported by the income from your beauty salon. And that beauty salon, wasn’t it funded by me secretly without telling Yin Shu?”

”Yin Shu, Yin Shu, you call her so affectionately!” You Jingqiu’s eyes instantly turned cold.

Jealousy can make people lose their sanity. You Jingqiu said sarcastically, ”Everyone says Mo Yinshu is deeply in love with you, Xu Zeqing, which is why when your company was on the verge of bankruptcy, she put aside her pride to go and entertain clients for investment.”

”What others don’t know, do you think I don’t know the truth?” You Jingqiu scoffed, ironically saying, ”She doesn’t have any real feelings for you. If it wasn’t for wanting Xu Xingguang to have a complete family, she would have left you long ago. Would she really entertain clients to save your company?”

After saying this, You Jingqiu looked at Xu Zeqing suspiciously, contemplating, ”You didn’t force her to entertain clients, did you?”

Upon hearing this, Xu Zeqing’s expression instantly darkened.

He stared menacingly at You Jingqiu’s face, which couldn’t conceal its fine lines despite numerous aesthetic surgeries, and warned her in a cold tone, ”Jing Qiu, I think you’re too happy today, speaking nonsense.”

You Jingqiu felt chills all over under Xu Zeqing’s gaze.

She licked her lips, turned her eyes away in panic, and explained in a low voice, ”I just got a bit angry hearing you call her Yin Shu.”

Seeing You Jingqiu retreating wisely, the expression on Xu Zeqing’s face also relaxed instantly.

He smiled, brushing aside the hair on You Jingqiu’s forehead and tucking it behind her ear, speaking tenderly, ”I don’t love her at all; marrying her was my mother’s idea. You know better than anyone who I love, where my heart is.”

You Jingqiu also had a smile on her face, but still insisted, ”I can’t see your heart; who knows who you really love.”

The quarrel ended as easily as that.

But after returning to her room and sitting in front of her dressing table, You Jingqiu couldn’t help but recall the look Xu Zeqing gave her earlier, feeling a chill in her heart.

A man who could remarry just two months after his wife died, did he really have a heart?

You Jingqiu raised her head, gazing at the woman in the mirror. She was only in her forties, but no matter how well-maintained, her face bore traces of time.

Many people praised her for still possessing charm.

But charm, how can it compare to the bloom of youth?

They say a man’s true heart has a shelf life, let alone one like Xu Zeqing’s, divided between two women. Maybe Xu Zeqing really loved her once, but what about now?

Did he marry her into the Xu Family because of love, or because of You Jiaoyang and You Mingyue, these two children?

You Jingqiu couldn’t quite figure out Xu Zeqing’s current attitude towards her, nor did she dare to delve into it.

Meanwhile, Driver Lin sped up along the way, taking little time to deliver You Mingyue to the Chu Family.

This was the second time You Mingyue entered the Chu Family’s gates. Compared to the initial awkwardness, she appeared considerably more composed and at ease this time.

Upon seeing You Mingyue, Mrs. Chu scrutinized her from head to toe.

You Mingyue wore a black tailored suit dress today, with the fabric gracefully hanging down. The dress was designed with a cinched waist and a pleated skirt.

The custom fit accentuated You Mingyue’s elegance, matching the demeanor of a noble family’s daughter.

Mrs. Chu finally showed a satisfied expression. ”Today’s attire is appropriate enough.”

Relieved to receive Mrs. Chu’s approval, You Mingyue secretly exhaled.

Noticing that You Mingyue’s look was excessively simple, lacking any decent accessories, Mrs. Chu instructed the housekeeper behind her, ”Go fetch the brooch.”

The housekeeper hurried away and soon returned to the living room with a jewelry box.

Mrs. Chu opened the box and took out a round flower-like gemstone brooch, emitting a pale yellow glow.

She pinned the brooch on You Mingyue herself and said, ”This is just a memorial activity, not a real funeral, so there’s no need to dress too formally. At times like this, choosing a suitable brooch can tone down the formality, making it a highlight.”

You Mingyue certainly knew that wearing a delicate brooch would make her stand out more.

But she simply didn’t have a brooch worth showcasing.

The brooches at her home could at best be considered accessories, not jewelry.

Today, she attended the Xiahou Family’s memorial event as Chu Zimu’s official girlfriend. Wearing cheap accessories would only bring disgrace to the Chu Family.

Luckily, Mrs. Chu understood You Mingyue’s predicament and had prepared a brooch for her beforehand.

You Mingyue nodded bashfully and said, ”Thank you, madam.”

”This brooch suits you well. It was a gift from your Uncle Chu to me on our first wedding anniversary.”

Satisfied with You Mingyue’s performance today, Mrs. Chu said, ”It’s yours now.”

You Mingyue was overjoyed internally but didn’t show it outwardly.

She was well aware that a girl from her family background could never gain full approval from Mrs. Chu. The more that was the case, the more she had to maintain an unflustered, unassuming demeanor.

One can be poor, but should never lack integrity.

You Mingyue dared not accept such a precious gift outright and looked toward Chu Zimu, her eyes filled with inquiry and unease.

Chu Zimu thoroughly enjoyed the way You Mingyue sought his opinion on everything. He felt that such a girl was more comfortable and considerate to be around.

With a smile, Chu Zimu said, ”Since my mom said it’s for you, she sincerely means it. Ming Yue, just accept it.”

Only then did You Mingyue cautiously thank Mrs. Chu, saying, ”Thank you, Auntie, I really like this brooch.”

Mrs. Chu observed their interaction and found You Mingyue sensible and well-behaved.

”Alright, let’s head out.”

Even in a Chu Family car, they didn’t have the privilege to directly drive into the Xiahou Family’s domain.

They parked the car outside the mountain gate and took the Xiahou Family’s shuttle with other distinguished guests to go up the mountain.

Along the way, old friends familiar with Mrs. Chu were inquiring about You Mingyue’s identity. Mrs. Chu didn’t smile much, yet she didn’t neglect You Mingyue either.

Each time someone asked, she would say, ”She’s You Mingyue, my family Zimu’s girlfriend.”

Upon hearing this, those people became even more scrutinizing towards You Mingyue.

But even with their seasoned and critical fashion eyes, they couldn’t find fault with You Mingyue’s appearance and attire.

So, they complimented Mrs. Chu, ”Mrs. Chu is so fortunate to have such a lovely and well-behaved daughter-in-law.”

Mrs. Chu simply replied, ”Thank you.”

Seeing everyone satisfied with You Mingyue, Chu Zimu gently pinched her fingers and whispered in her ear, ”You look beautiful today.”

While she put on an air of calmness, inside, You Mingyue was already over the moon with joy.

However, this joy only lasted until halfway up the mountain before it vanished.

Because she saw someone who shouldn’t be here.

It was a young woman in a dark blue qipao, with her hair styled low and a pair of Australian white pearl earrings dangling from her ears.

The tight-fitting qipao beautifully showcased her graceful and sensuous body curves, revealing only a pair of well-proportioned, fair calves.

Wearing black lace satin high heels, she stood at the exit of the parking garage, facing away from the crowd.

The mountain spring breeze blew, gently lifting the strands of hair beside her forehead, making her beauty inescapable to the eye.

Staring at that particularly familiar profile, You Mingyue couldn’t contain her astonishment and exclaimed, ”Xu Xingguang? What are you doing here?”