Chapter 16: The Alliance Through Marriage

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Qiao Yanxin drove swiftly toward the bridal chamber. Upon reaching downstairs and seeing the lights glowing warmly from the room, her heart finally settled a little.

“Looks like Qiao Yunzhou still has some conscience; he knows how to come back,” she murmured, a smile she could hardly suppress curling at the corners of her lips.

She hurried upstairs, but as she opened the door, she cleared her throat lightly, feigning composure.

“Qiao Yunzhou, you do know how to come back. Even when you’re sulking, there should be a limit. I can tolerate you this once today, but never again. You better stop being so possessive and jealous in the end...”

Before she could finish, she looked up and found Qiao’s father sitting on the sofa inside.

Surprised, Qiao Yanxin raised her eyebrows slightly, a profound disappointment stirring within.

“Dad, what are you doing here?”

Qiao’s father, seeing her come alone, was equally surprised.

“Yunzhou hasn’t come back yet?”

Qiao Yanxin rubbed her nose, feeling a bit guilty.

“He... he should be on his way. Tomorrow is grandma’s birthday, how could he possibly not come back!”

Hearing this, Qiao’s father’s heart finally eased.

He nodded, “Good that he’s coming back. Don’t make Yunzhou angry anymore. Look at all the trouble these past few days—it’s nothing.”

Qiao Yanxin lowered her head, replying softly, “I know.”

“Dad, why did you come to the bridal chamber today?”

Qiao’s father glanced at her coldly.

“Your little aunt is at the old family home, so I came here to talk to you.”

“When Yunzhou returns, you two better hurry up and have a child. Give your grandfather a grandchild soon to please the old man. With that illegitimate child so close to grandpa, who knows if the old man might get confused.”

At this, a flicker of caution flashed in Qiao Yanxin’s eyes.

“But hasn’t little aunt always hated grandpa?”

Qiao’s father snorted, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Hated? I think she’s quite fond of him. She’s been abroad for some time but had her mother frequently contact grandpa. Grandpa’s health has been deteriorating these past two years, and as soon as she caught wind of it, she returned to the country immediately. If it’s not to fight for the inheritance, then what else?”

“Besides, I’ve heard grandpa is already preparing a marriage alliance for her.”

“Marriage alliance?” Qiao Yanxin asked, puzzled.

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“With which family?”

Qiao’s father took a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and after a long drag, spoke leisurely.

“Either the Jiang family or the Li family.”

Hearing those two names, Qiao Yanxin gasped.

Both the Jiang and Li families were as formidable as the Qiao family.

If Qiao Zhuxin allied with either, her own strength would surely rise to new heights. And in the fight for inheritance, she would have far greater support.

Recalling Qiao Zhuxin’s indifferent expression, Qiao Yanxin ground her teeth and spat out, “She’s just an illegitimate child—how could she possibly deserve to marry into such prestigious families?”

Qiao’s father sighed before continuing.

“In the past, she surely would not have deserved it. Qiao Zhuxin is an illegitimate child and a foreigner to boot. But do you know the market value of the company she controls now?”

“How much?” Qiao Yanxin asked curiously.

“One hundred billion.”

“One hundred billion?!” Qiao Yanxin exclaimed in disbelief.

“One hundred billion. That nearly matches the Qiao family’s company.”

She sank into the sofa, stunned for a long while.

She knew Qiao Zhuxin’s company had done well in recent years, but never imagined it was this successful.

With such a vast company, if she inherited the Qiao enterprise, her personal fortune would place her among the world’s top ten richest.

Unexpectedly, Qiao Zhuxin had built this empire from scratch.

“How could this happen...” Qiao Yanxin muttered dumbfounded.

What she had once thought was a sure thing now very well might slip into someone else’s hands.

How could she not be anxious?

Then, as if struck by a new thought, her expression grew even more fearful.

“Dad, what should I do?”

Qiao’s father cast her a sidelong glance before saying slowly,

“What you’ve done recently has already disappointed the old man. If you don’t want to be completely defeated by Qiao Zhuxin, never act on impulse again.”

“The old man already feels guilty toward her. If he truly hands over the Qiao family business to her...”

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“Impossible!” Qiao Yanxin shouted, disbelief written across her face.

“Even if it’s impossible, when the time comes to divide the inheritance, if the old man gives her more and you less, your name will be overshadowed by an illegitimate child. Do you think your reputation will remain intact? Everyone will trample all over you.”

Hearing this, Qiao Yanxin’s face turned pale, speechless.

Sensing the tension, Qiao’s father shifted his tone.

“But you don’t have to worry too much. Have you forgotten that Qiao Zhuxin is a foreigner? The old man is very traditional, and he has always minded her foreign blood. As long as you don’t go too far, the old man is unlikely to hand the family business to her.”

“Besides, the old man likes Yunzhou very much. When the time comes, if you hurry and have a child with Yunzhou, won’t the inheritance be as good as yours?”

With that, Qiao’s father said no more.

“You know what you should do next, don’t need me to say it again. As for that Gu family boy, a little money will keep him quiet. Can you really expect a good ending with him?”

“Even if you like him, you better pull yourself together. Your little aunt has come back with a vengeance. If you remain stubborn, even if the old man supports you, the rest of the family won’t agree to hand the Qiao family to you.”

After speaking, Qiao’s father rose to leave.

Qiao Yanxin whispered, “Don’t worry, Dad. I won’t have any more contact with him.”

After seeing her father off, she stood on the balcony, watching the snowflakes drifting down outside, lost in thought.

“Why does everyone think I like Gu Tingchu so much?”

She murmured, puzzled.

Hearing this, I couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.

Were the things Qiao Yanxin did not proof enough of her feelings?

I don’t know what she truly feels inside. Maybe she and Gu Tingchu were just playing around, but I no longer cared to investigate.

She is free to love whoever she wants.

Qiao Yanxin picked up her phone and dialed my number.

A mechanical female voice answered, “Sorry, the number you have dialed is turned off...”

Frustrated, Qiao Yanxin put down the phone, rubbing her temples.

“Qiao Yunzhou, how much longer do you plan to keep this up?”