"What wife?" Chen Xiao was bewildered.
"The two of you slept together, and you're still asking me about a wife?"
Liu Zhen rolled her eyes. "I'm telling you, son, you can't be a scoundrel and abandon someone. Li Ziqing is such a good girl!"
Chen Xiao didn't know what to say and was speechless for a moment.
Just then, Liu Zhen said earnestly, "I heard about your situation from Xiao Qing. Isn't it just about some banquet!"
"She wants you to go, so just accompany her!"
Chen Xiao's eyes widened.
Good heavens, what was she listening to! She had gotten the main point completely wrong!
At this moment, Liu Zhen continued on her own, "I understand if you don't want to go, Mom. Li Ziqing is a big star, and the banquets she attends are definitely filled with wealthy businessmen and celebrities. It's normal to feel inferior because of this."
Chen Xiao's eyes widened even further.
Well, his mother's logic had formed a perfect loop.
But the problem was, it wasn't like that at all!
Before Chen Xiao could explain, Liu Zhen began to counsel him again.
"But son, have you ever thought that an ugly bride will eventually meet her in-laws? Moreover, you are a dignified man, and you have to face some things!"
"Besides, Xiao Qing bringing you to meet her friends shows that she cares about you and wants you to integrate into her circle..."
Seeing his mother going further and further off track, Chen Xiao quickly raised his hand in surrender, "Mom, please stop talking. I'll go, I'll go now!"
Liu Zhen immediately showed a smiling face.
"That's right, my son is not inferior to anyone, there's no need to be self-conscious!"
Chen Xiao smiled helplessly, "Mom, it's not what you think at all. Alright, it's almost time, I won't talk to you anymore, I have to leave quickly!"
After speaking, Chen Xiao took a step to leave.
But before he could even step out of the house, Liu Zhen grabbed him.
"Wait, you're going out dressed like this?"
Chen Xiao glanced at his loose t-shirt, beach shorts, and flip-flops.
He said matter-of-factly, "Yes, is there a problem?"
"You have the nerve to ask me? You've even been to college."
Liu Zhen looked disgusted and ordered Chen Xiao, "Don't go yet, wait for me at home!"
After saying that, Liu Zhen ran out of the house.
Chen Xiao didn't know what his mother was going to do, but since his mother had ordered him, he could only wait obediently at home.
About ten minutes later, Liu Zhen ran back, panting, holding several bags in her hands.
"Quick, take them out and try them on!"
Chen Xiao mumbled as he opened the bags, "What are these?"
Upon opening them, he found a suit and a pair of leather shoes.
"Bought from the store downstairs, it's a branded item, cost several hundred yuan!"
Liu Zhen said with a joyous smile, and as she smiled, the wrinkles on her face deepened.
A suit costing several hundred yuan was already considered very high-end clothing in her eyes.
"Why did you buy this? It's not comfortable to wear..."
Chen Xiao grumbled.
At this moment, he suddenly noticed that his mother's pants, clothes, and even her face were covered in a few patches of dust.
"Mom, what happened? Your clothes are so dusty!"
Liu Zhen said indifferently, "It's nothing, I ran too fast just now and fell. Don't worry about me, quickly put on the clothes and let Mom see!"
Chen Xiao was stunned.
In his eyes, he seemed to see the image of his mother clumsily falling.
His nose tingled slightly.
"Okay, I'll put them on. You should be careful in the future too, don't run so fast. You're so old, why are you still so clumsy when you walk."
Liu Zhen laughed and scolded, "You brat, you're making fun of your mom now!"
Soon, Chen Xiao changed into the clothes.
Although they were not high-end garments, Chen Xiao's physique was too good to resist.
Broad shoulders, narrow back, well-proportioned muscles, he was simply a perfect clothes hanger.
These clothes looked even better on him than on the mannequin in the store.
"Really good, my son is so handsome!"
"Clothes make the man, it's absolutely true. With a change of clothes, your temperament has instantly improved!"
His mother looked at her son with admiration.
She patted Chen Xiao's arm and made a gesture of encouragement.
"Alright, son, set off now, good luck!"
Chen Xiao also said solemnly, "Don't worry, your son will not fail the mission!"
"Remember, you must bring my daughter-in-law back!"
...
Chen Xiao agreed wholeheartedly, but as soon as he left, he was in trouble.
He would go to the banquet, but where would he find a daughter-in-law to bring back for his mother!
Helplessly, he had to brace himself and send a message to Li Ziqing.
"Come back."
These four words were already Chen Xiao's greatest concession.
Although he understood that Li Ziqing's experience as 'Zhuyeqing' might be a past she didn't want to recall.
This could be seen from her reaction when she heard his words.
And almost as soon as Chen Xiao sent the message, Li Ziqing replied.
"Not coming back."
Chen Xiao frowned slightly, and then the second message followed immediately.
"We'll see each other at the banquet."
Chen Xiao smiled knowingly and drove towards the ferry.
Jiangxin Pavilion was not actually built on the river's heart; it was built on an island near the sea.
And the name of that island was Jiangxin Island, from which Jiangxin Pavilion derived its name.
Half a century ago, the wealthy families of Jiangcheng leased this small island and invested heavily to build Jiangxin Pavilion.
Since its completion, it had been a place exclusively for the dining and entertainment of the elite and the wealthy.
Although Chen Xiao had grown up in Jiangcheng since childhood, he had never been to Jiangxin Pavilion.
He had only seen it from a distance while taking the ferry.
When Chen Xiao arrived at the ferry terminal, the parking lot was already filled with luxury cars.
Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, BMW...
Chen Xiao was dazzled.
If he didn't know about today's banquet, he might have mistaken it for a luxury car exhibition.
Stepping out of the parking lot, from a distance, Chen Xiao saw a woman looking around in the direction of the ferry.
It was Song Anran.
Today, Song Anran was wearing a black long dress, revealing her slender figure and a large expanse of white on her chest.
It had to be said that she was a vixen who could make men's hearts flutter no matter when she was seen.
Beside Song Anran stood a young man with gold-rimmed glasses and a rather handsome appearance.
The man was tall and well-proportioned, dressed in luxurious clothing, and his hair was meticulously styled, indicating that he had taken great care of his appearance.
Chen Xiao frowned, thinking, since Song Anran had a male companion, why was she looking for him?
At this moment, the man's voice reached him.
Even though they were far away, his words reached Chen Xiao's ears without a single omission.
"Anran, the banquet is about to begin, and your male companion still hasn't shown up. You can't fool me, there's no such person, right?"
The man's voice was full of confidence, with a hint of self-satisfied laughter.
Song Anran shook her head. "Why would I lie to you? I said there is, and he promised me he would come!"
Hearing their conversation, Chen Xiao understood.
He smiled slightly and walked over.