Mai Encui held her husband’s arm and whispered.

"Learning more doesn’t cost anything."

Hmm.

That’s true too.

Mai Encui let go of his arm, suddenly recalling something, "Isn’t Number One Yard developed by Hengsheng Real Estate?"

"What’s up?"

"The boyfriend of Fang Family’s daughter, isn’t he supposed to be a senior executive at Hengsheng?"

Mai Encui had a good memory; Zhang Zhongquan had just mentioned it once, and she remembered.

When Zhang Zhongquan brought it up, he shared it as a joke with his wife, but now, he couldn’t laugh.

There’s a reason why so many people pursue luxury cars for appearances.

That kid is likely not just talking big.

"So what if he is?!"

"What do you mean so what? Even a delivery boy can get a house in Number One Yard. If he’s truly a senior executive at Hengsheng, wouldn’t it be easy for him to get us a place?"

"Don’t you have any shame?!"

Zhang Zhongquan’s face flushed red—he still had a sense of shame. How could he face people if he turned hostile and still begged them?

"Why need pride when you can save a fortune!"

Mai Encui said, "If you don’t go, I will!"

Zhang Zhongquan had idled away all these years; the reason the family hadn’t fallen apart was obvious.

That’s why they say women hold up half the sky.

"Don’t go!"

Mai Encui said nothing but her eyes said it all.

I’ve given you face!

Taking advantage of the wedding not starting yet, she grabbed her bag, stood up, and ignored her husband’s opinion, her gaze wandering around.

She didn’t know Fang Family’s daughter’s boyfriend, but that didn’t matter; she just needed to find Fang Family’s daughter.

Of course.

She hadn’t seen her for so long, she might not recognize her, so she cleverly looked for the joyous father, Old Wen.

Zhang Zhongquan seemed angry, seemed indignant, but witnessing his wife’s departure, he actually felt secretly delighted inside.

After all, he doesn’t have to show face, and if they succeed, who would turn their back on money?

"Qing Qing, do you still recognize me?"

Following Old Wen’s direction, Mai Encui approached the table with the bridesmaids and groomsmen with a smile. Three women were seated at the table, a three-option question, but she picked the right answer at once.

She had worked in the beauty salon for so long, dealing with various women, honing exceptional insight, like recognizing who was wealthy, who was a kept mistress, who just took advantage of group discounts but wouldn’t return, she could easily identify.

Fang Family’s daughter was a lawyer.

Lawyers have their own aura.

Fang Qing also didn’t recognize her, but someone did.

"Aunt..."

Hong Xiaoyu, who was chatting with Tong Dan, stood up.

Hearing the term of address, Fang Qing immediately understood the woman’s identity and also stood up.

"Auntie."

Fu Zili and others inevitably looked over.

Wu Yubin and Ji Ailin might not be clear, but Tong Dan and Fu Zili definitely knew that Hong Xiaoyu’s aunt must be a relative of someone who had left.

"Xiaoyu is here too."

Hong Xiaoyu as a nephew was undoubtedly recognized by Mai Encui, but her target was Fang Family’s daughter; she said hello and immediately refocused.

"Auntie wants to chat with you, is that okay?"

If it were Zhang Zhongquan, the outcome would be obvious; these two are quite in sync.

Fang Qing nodded softly.

"Let’s go over there; it’s quieter."

The two walked away.

"That’s Jiang Chen’s..."

Tong Dan curiously asked.

"Aunt."

Hong Xiaoyu replied, looking slightly awkward. Certainly, he wouldn’t say much more; family conflicts shouldn’t be broadcasted.

"Qing Qing, about your Uncle Zhang and Green Land’s private settlement, I have to apologize to you."

Reaching the edge of the banquet hall, Mai Encui immediately began to employ her professional skills, appearing exceptionally sincere and earnest.

To get customers to recharge their cards, first one must know how to appeal to them.

"I’ve scolded your Uncle Zhang harshly. I didn’t expect he would actually do such things!"

Fang Qing’s face was like a mirror lake, "It’s all in the past."

Mai Encui nodded, then shifted the conversation, "But your Uncle Zhang is stressed because our whole family relies on him. If he can’t resolve the house issues, our whole family will be ruined, so he’s so anxious."

Fang Qing maintained her courtesy as a younger generation, not interrupting, patiently listening until the other finished, and then said, "Auntie, is there something you’re looking for me for?"

Mai Encui’s earnest expression didn’t change, but her mood quietly sank.

Fang Family’s daughter is difficult to deal with,

"Qing Qing, you and Jiang Chen grew up under our eyes..."

This time, Fang Qing didn’t continue listening, "The wedding is about to start; if there’s nothing else, Auntie, I’ll be heading back."

"Wait a moment."

Mai Encui couldn’t beat around the bush any longer, gritting her teeth, "Auntie heard that your boyfriend is with Hengsheng Real Estate? Auntie’s looking to buy a house, and Hengsheng Real Estate has projects in Sha City too, so Auntie was wondering if you could introduce him to me for a chat? Since buying from anyone is buying anyway."

Fang Qing laughed.

Exquisite selfishness, very few can match.

Right in front of her, undoubtedly another one.

Buying from anyone is buying anyway, how nicely said.

"Bro!"

Returning from covering Tie Jun’s shift, Jiang Chen hadn’t reached the table yet when he was pulled aside by Hong Xiaoyu waiting for him.

Without waiting for him to ask, Hong Xiaoyu gestured towards the edge of the hall, "Auntie called Sister Fang Qing over."

Jiang Chen looked over calmly.

"I’ll take care of it."

Hong Xiaoyu wanted to say something, but ultimately said nothing.

Jiang Chen walked over there.

"Qing Qing, Auntie doesn’t mean anything else, just wants you to pass along a message. Even if it doesn’t work out, Auntie, as an elder, just wants to meet your boyfriend."

Mai Encui had a knack for language arts, constantly changing tactics; most girls would indeed find it hard to refuse.

Before Fang Qing could speak, an unexpected warmth spread through her palm, and she instinctively tried to pull away, but the voice she heard made her calm immediately.

"What are you doing here."

"It’s you?"

Mai Encui’s eyes widened slightly, looking at the two young people’s hands clasped together, then looked again at the young man she had met once at the door.

"Do we know each other?"

Jiang Chen asked, his demeanor peaceful.

Mai Encui finally had a chance to study him thoroughly, an inexplicable sense of familiarity clung stubbornly, but she couldn’t quite place it.

No time left to ponder further, she forced a smile, "You must be Qing Qing’s boyfriend, right? I’m Qing Qing’s aunt; I’ve watched Qing Qing grow up."

Jiang Chen held Qing Gege’s hand, "You must be Uncle Zhang’s wife?"

Mai Encui’s look of embarrassment flashed briefly, then she nodded, "Yes."

"The dispute between Uncle Zhang and Green Land has been properly resolved. Uncle Zhang got the outcome he wanted. So please, Auntie, don’t trouble Fang Qing anymore."

Even with her experience, Mai Encui showed some awkwardness now; she looked at Fang Qing.

Fang Qing said nothing, led like a bird in repose, hardly resembling a shrewd, capable lawyer.

"I was...here to apologize to Fang Qing."

"Does Auntie think that’s necessary?"

Jiang Chen smiled gently.

Their eyes met, and even Mai Encui, who could handle any challenging client in the salon, found herself speechless.

"Fang Qing helped because Uncle Zhang is an elder. Her aim was for Uncle Zhang to lead a stable life. So Auntie and Uncle Zhang living well themselves is the best thanks to her."

Mai Encui’s smile stiffened; how could she mention buying the house now?

Their message was clear.

One can be thick-skinned, but not disgrace oneself.

"Qing Qing, Auntie will be leaving then."

Fang Qing remained silent.

Mai Encui turned and left, her face starting to turn pale.

"Will we sever ties?"

"What else? Do you want these relatives of mine pestering you incessantly?"

"Bother? Isn’t that their right?"

Jiang Chen was silent, then said, "Are you getting into character?"

Fang Qing’s lips subtly curled.

"You aren’t?"

It was then that Jiang Chen noticed they were still holding hands, unnoticed in the dim banquet hall, yet the warmth was so vivid, real.

"For Uncle Fang, we must sacrifice."

He muttered to himself.

Beside him, silence, then a voice after.

"Yes, there’s no other choice."