Chapter 53: The Marriage Alliance

"Nonsense, I haven’t gone out for ages. I’m going out with Miaoyu, and Gu Jing will definitely be there too."
"Can I go with you?" Gu Xunan asked.
Ji Xuan shot him a glance. "Absolutely not. You and Lu Qi’an are so close—if he finds out you went with me, he'll definitely know where Miaoyu is!"
Gu Xunan, firmly rejected, suddenly regretted ever befriending Lu Qi’an.

That same day, Qin Miaoyu, Gu Jing, and Ji Xuan gathered at a hotel.
The three sprawled across a bed more than two meters wide.
"This is the first time we've traveled together," Ji Xuan sighed. "Before, we could never coordinate."
Gu Jing chimed in, "Exactly, it's so hard to get together. We have to make the most of it this time!"
In the middle, Qin Miaoyu glanced left and right, her heart warmed.
"Thank you, both of you."
She knew Gu Jing and Ji Xuan had come especially for her.
It was hard to meet because everyone was busy and lived in different cities; their connections were mostly online.
But when it mattered, Gu Jing and Ji Xuan didn’t hesitate—they simply came.

Originally, Su City wasn’t part of Qin Miaoyu’s travel plans.
She and Lu Qi’an had discussed going first to distant countries—M and A—then to Cloud City and Forest City.
But since she wasn’t traveling with Lu Qi’an now, she didn’t want to follow the old plan. She wanted some inspiration, so after asking some former classmates, she decided to visit Su City.

The three spent two or three wild days in Su City, when Gu Jing suddenly remembered she’d forgotten to mention something important.
"I’m getting engaged at the beginning of May. I’ll send you invitations—you must come, okay?"
Qin Miaoyu and Ji Xuan exchanged glances.
"Why so sudden?"
"You haven’t reconciled with that little male celebrity, have you?" Ji Xuan’s voice was incredulous.
Back in their third year of college, Gu Jing had dated a minor male celebrity, who was barely known. Through Gu Jing’s efforts, he rose to third-tier fame.

Of course, Gu Jing’s standards were high; the young man was handsome, and his talent was decent enough to boost.
But as graduation approached, Gu Jing discovered he was seeing someone else—and had told the other woman he only saw Gu Jing as a stepping stone.
Gu Jing broke up with him immediately, but she was depressed for a long time and eventually returned home to An City.
Ji Xuan’s suspicion wasn’t unfounded; Gu Jing had loved him deeply, and she’d only ever insisted they attend her engagement when she was with him.

Gu Jing waved her hand dismissively. "Of course not. If that little scoundrel hadn’t latched onto a patron—one somewhat connected to my family—I wouldn’t have let him off so easily. This engagement is an arranged marriage."
Qin Miaoyu and Ji Xuan were both startled. "You’re suddenly okay with an arranged marriage?"
"Maybe it’s just age. My thoughts have changed; now I think it’s pretty good. And the match is excellent, so why not?"
Ji Xuan’s eyes sparkled. The three of them shared one trait—they were all obsessed with looks.
If Gu Jing thought the match was excellent, the man’s appearance surely wouldn’t disappoint.
"What does he look like? Show us!"
Gu Jing pulled up a photo, and Qin Miaoyu leaned in.
"This is... the Xia family from Jing City…"
"Yes, that’s him. He’s here on business these days. I’ll bring him to meet you both—it won’t be the last time."
Qin Miaoyu looked at Gu Jing, her tone meaningful. "You seem very satisfied."
Gu Jing replied boldly, "Of course! From appearance to manners, even his skills—top notch!"
Ji Xuan nearly spit out her drink.
"Gu Jing, it’s fine to say that to me, but don’t tarnish Miaoyu’s pure little heart. She’s only kissed someone once!"
Qin Miaoyu, teased, caught the key point. "What do you mean, 'fine to say that to you'? Are you and Gu Xunan moving at jet speed?"

Two days later, Gu Jing brought Qin Miaoyu and Ji Xuan to meet her fiancé, Xia Lingyan.
Xia Lingyan was just as Gu Jing had described: not only was he strikingly handsome, his manners were impeccable.
Qin Miaoyu and Ji Xuan sat opposite them, watching their interaction, whispering, "Gu Jing is falling hard!"
Gu Jing saw them whispering and knew exactly what they were talking about. She silently applauded her own acting skills—and Xia Lingyan’s as well.

"Not bad, the performance is flawless. My two friends don’t suspect a thing, and our families are even more convinced!"
Gu Jing’s smug expression made Xia Lingyan say nothing, just smile indulgently, peeling shrimp for her and placing it on her plate.
Qin Miaoyu looked at Xia Lingyan’s profile, and her mood sank.
She was reminded of Lu Qi’an again.
Seeing her expression, Gu Jing quickly said to Xia Lingyan, "Don’t you know a lot of high-quality single guys? Introduce someone to my friend—she just broke up and needs someone to help her through it!"
Seeing her seriousness, Xia Lingyan didn’t brush it off. He agreed earnestly.

Since he was in town on business, Xia Lingyan had to rush back to Jing City after their meal, preparing for a family dinner that night.

This was no ordinary family dinner; even daughters who had married out returned, for the Xia family patriarch was announcing a major event—the Xia family would be forming a marriage alliance with the Gu family from An City.

Following his parents, Lu Qi’an eyed his uncle with a strange expression. After the meal, he couldn’t wait to pull his uncle aside.
Seeing his nephew—who was barely younger than himself—Xia Lingyan remembered Gu Jing’s request, thinking his nephew was quite suitable.
"Qi’an, shall I introduce you to someone?"
Lu Qi’an stared speechlessly at his uncle. "Uncle, I’ve already registered my marriage!"
Xia Lingyan blinked in rare surprise. "When did that happen?"
Lu Qi’an was helpless dealing with his work-obsessed uncle.
"It was last September. I told the family in October. Uncle, you really don’t care at all!"
Xia Lingyan realized he hadn’t paid enough attention to his nephew’s affairs.
"There’s a set of jewelry at the auction the day after tomorrow. I’ll have my secretary bid for it and give it to your wife as a meeting gift."
Lu Qi’an shook his head bitterly. "No need for now, uncle. It’s not urgent. Because I kept some things from her, Miaoyu misunderstood me, and now I can’t find her."
"Miaoyu? That name sounds familiar. I was on business in Su City recently—Gu Jing brought two friends to meet me, and one of them was named Miaoyu…"