Chapter 156: Seeing Mrs. Gao Again

"How about this," Qin Miaoyu said, "I will cover the driver's salary for the time he spends picking me up and dropping me off."

Lu Qi'an looked utterly helpless. "Miaoyu, we are at least still friends, aren't we? If we are still friends, let's not talk about money when it comes to personal safety. I am very worried about your wellbeing!"

Qin Miaoyu turned her head to look at the red light ahead. "Then just send someone to pick me up when the time comes."

"All right."

The car stopped at Maple View Residences. Before getting out, Qin Miaoyu hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It will be September soon..."

"Yes, I know." There seemed to be no other discernible emotion in Lu Qi'an's voice.

Qin Miaoyu said nothing more and stepped out of the car with efficient grace. Watching her retreating figure, Lu Qi'an couldn't help but tighten his grip on the steering wheel.

September was almost here. Two years ago in September, a pleasant surprise had struck him—he and Qin Miaoyu had received their marriage certificate. Now, however, the trip to the Civil Affairs Bureau would be for something entirely different.

Yet, he was powerless to do anything. He didn't even dare to show any other emotions that might make things difficult for her. He loved Qin Miaoyu's resolute nature, yet at this moment, he wished she weren't so firm. It wasn't that there was no affection left between them, but her decision was unchangeable. Furthermore, his grandfather's attitude was truly something Miaoyu could not accept.

He had hesitated so much about being honest about his background precisely because he knew from Qin Miaoyu how Jiang Anqi's mother had made things difficult for her in the past. It had made her deeply averse to joining a wealthy family, and what she resented most was the way the Jiang family matriarch had treated her. His grandfather hadn't said much about his marriage initially, but after Miaoyu had stayed away from Jing City for a long time, compounded by the affairs of the Liang family, his grandfather had grown increasingly displeased with her.

He rubbed his temples. The tangled web of events had led to this current state of affairs. The only consolation was that Miaoyu was not entirely without feelings for him.

Walking into the residential complex, Qin Miaoyu didn't have so many thoughts; she actually felt quite relieved. Several months had passed since she returned from her trip. According to her original plan, the divorce should have been settled long ago, but many things had happened in between, dragging it out until now. Finally speaking the words aloud and seeing Lu Qi'an’s calm reaction had lifted a weight off her heart. She didn't want the two of them to be entangled in this matter at such a juncture.

In the days that followed, the two did not contact each other, as if they had a tacit understanding to avoid further interaction before the divorce. However, this silence was soon broken by an unexpected visitor.

When Qin Miaoyu saw Mrs. Gao, she knew the woman had come for her. Therefore, when Mrs. Gao walked toward her, she was not surprised and even initiated the conversation.

"Is there something you need from me, Mrs. Gao?"

Mrs. Gao stood still and studied Qin Miaoyu for a few moments before saying, "Shall we find a place to sit and talk?"

"Mrs. Gao, I haven't eaten yet. Let's find a place to eat and talk there."

Mrs. Gao agreed. Qin Miaoyu walked toward a small, familiar eatery. Upon entering, she clearly noticed the discomfort on Mrs. Gao's face, but she said nothing, went to the counter to place her order, and chose a corner seat.

Mrs. Gao walked slowly to the table opposite Qin Miaoyu but remained standing. Qin Miaoyu pulled out two napkins and handed them to her. "Mrs. Gao, these tables have been wiped. If you feel it’s not clean, you can wipe it yourself, or use a few sheets as a liner."

Mrs. Gao took the napkins, wiped the table with a frown, and then layered a few more sheets of paper down before sitting. Even then, she kept her bag on her lap, avoiding any contact with the table.

Qin Miaoyu smiled and asked, "Mrs. Gao, can you tell me now why you've come to see me?"

"Ms. Qin, you must have already heard about my daughter and Mr. Lu, right?"

Qin Miaoyu didn't expect her to bring this up. "And what if I have?"

Mrs. Gao said, "Ms. Qin, in many situations, people choose to speak from a perspective that benefits them. So, have you ever considered that the truth might be different from what you've heard?"

"Are you planning to enlighten me, Mrs. Gao?" Qin Miaoyu asked.

"Yes."

As the food she ordered arrived, Qin Miaoyu began to eat while listening to Mrs. Gao recount the past. Because Lu Qi'an had saved Gao Qingqing years ago, the girl had developed feelings for him. The patriarchs of both families had once jokingly discussed a marriage alliance, even teasing about an arranged betrothal. Once Gao Qingqing learned of this, she became convinced that Lu Qi'an was destined to be with her.

"My daughter has always been obsessive, which led to quite a few incidents."

The Gao family had later approached the Lu family to propose the alliance, but Lu's parents stated that the Lu family no longer needed such unions and only wanted their son to marry someone he loved.

"If that had been the end of it, Qingqing wouldn't have been so delusional. However, not long after, rumors spread that the elder Mr. Lu was scouting for suitable marriage candidates for Lu Qi'an. In a moment of impulse, she almost did something irreversible."

"And then?" Qin Miaoyu asked, her tone indifferent.

"And then? Mr. Lu was deeply involved in that incident and nearly ended up in prison. Yet, the Lu family has eyes and ears everywhere; they managed to whitewash such a massive scandal, leaving him completely unscathed."

Qin Miaoyu felt a stir in her heart. At the time, she had felt that Lu Qi'an was holding something back. Hearing Mrs. Gao say he had nearly been imprisoned, she asked calmly, "If he wasn't sentenced, doesn't that mean Qi'an was innocent?"

Mrs. Gao sneered, "Who says? The Lu family has immense power. Back then, the evidence was practically conclusive, including surveillance footage. Who would have thought they would manage to find a scapegoat!"

Qin Miaoyu continued to press, "You keep talking about the outcome. What actually happened?"

"What happened? It was nothing more than the base nature of a man. He almost ruined three girls. One of them even personally identified him, and he still managed to get away with it!"

Qin Miaoyu’s heart skipped a beat. Someone had actually identified him personally. She couldn't help but wonder what had truly transpired back then. It wasn't that she didn't trust Lu Qi'an; she believed he wouldn't do such a thing. But what were the specific circumstances that made Lu Qi'an and his mother look so disgusted whenever the past was mentioned? Furthermore, they clearly harbored a deep dislike for the Gao family. And if Mrs. Gao was as refined as she presented herself, why did she have such an attitude toward the Lu family at the banquet? After all, the Gao family was not much inferior to the Lu family.

She swallowed her food and asked, "Mrs. Gao, what is your true purpose in telling me all this?"

Mrs. Gao looked at Qin Miaoyu with pity. "I just don't want you to be kept in the dark. You are surely being deceived by his mask now. When his true face is exposed one day, do you think your life will still be as comfortable as it is now?"