After thinking it over carefully, just as he was about to bluff his way through, a man’s low voice rang in his ears, "I did not meet my wife six years ago; I’ve known her longer than everyone believes..."

Song Qiao was taken aback and turned to look at Lu Jingchen, her lips moved as if to speak instinctively, but in the end, she couldn’t utter a word.

After Lu Jingchen finished speaking, he noticed the little woman looking at him. His gaze instinctively turned to Song Qiao, his tone softened a bit, and he continued, "As for Zuo Yuqing, we broke up eight years ago. My wife and I indeed had a flash marriage, so the claim that she ruined our relationship is simply unfounded."

The reporters, hearing Lu Jingchen’s words, seemed to trust his explanation more than before. For a moment, everyone was at a loss for words.

The male reporter spoke again, "Mr. Lu, may I ask Mrs. Lu a question? After all, this question is something the netizens are very eager to know."

Lu Jingchen glanced at the reporter and, without much comment, nodded.

The reporter then looked at Song Qiao and asked, "Mrs. Lu, regarding the so-called ’informer’ online who claims that your mother was a third party, do you know about this and whether your parents’ relationship is as the internet says, that your stepmother and your father are the true love story?"

Naturally, the stepmother mentioned by the reporter was Song Xi’s mother.

Song Qiao knew she could not avoid this question, but instead of answering, she asked, "May I ask who this ’informer’ is that you mentioned?"

The reporter was momentarily stunned and instinctively replied, "This was revealed online. As for the informer, we have not yet identified them."

"I don’t know whether the insider mentioned in your online story exists, nor do I know who could say such things, but I can confidently assure you here and now, my mother was not a home-wrecker." Song Qiao’s face was composed and dignified, each word was clear, "First, my father married into the Mu family; I think some reporters present should know this, as it was reported back then in An City."

"Second, based on my mother’s family background, her talents, and even her looks, I personally believe that my father was climbing up socially by marrying her back then. My grandfather also told me that there were many outstanding men pursuing my mother at the time; she had many better options than marrying my father. And my mother was a passionate woman, daring to love and hate, and my grandfather would never have permitted her to marry just anyone, so she would never have acted in such a manner."

"Third, if you still don’t believe what I say, you can check the reports about my mother from back then to understand what kind of person she was. I believe many people in An City know the truth." Saying this, she glanced around the room, "Lastly, I suggest you investigate who leaked this information. If someone is deliberately smearing my mother’s name, it wouldn’t be surprising... This is as far as I’ll go explaining about my mother. She’s been gone for over ten years, and I hope everyone stops using her as fodder for speculation."

After she finished speaking, Song Qiao stood up and gave a deep bow to everyone, in honor of her mother.

That gentle and considerate woman, who lived only until she was in her teens, forever residing in Song Qiao’s memory.

When Song Qiao sat back down, Lu Jingchen gripped her hand firmly, offering her a gentle smile and a reassuring look to calm her.

The head of CK Group’s PR department, keen on reading the room, stood up and addressed the media friends, "As for Mrs. Song’s issue, you can investigate as she suggested shortly. Now... you may continue with your questions."

A reporter immediately stood up and asked, "Mrs. Lu, there are online claims that you and Ji Sifan, the eldest son of the Ji Family, have a daughter in Paris. Is this true?"

Song Qiao instinctively glanced at Lu Jingchen, who only raised his eyebrows at her, and she immediately knew how to respond, "We can tell you the truth about this matter later, as it involves other parties whose confirmation you also require, don’t you think?"

"So is Mr. Ji Sifan going to appear today?"

Song Qiao smiled, "I don’t know if Ji Sifan will show up, but we are good friends, not as the rumors suggest. As for the alleged daughter of mine and Ji Sifan, we will reveal the truth you seek later." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The reporter was persistent, "Are you and Mr. Ji Sifan truly just friends?"

"Yes," Song Qiao answered decisively, "Although Ji Sifan and I grew up as neighbors and have been good friends for over twenty years, our relationship is like what you call ’childhood sweethearts,’ but we only have sibling-like feelings for each other, whether you believe it or not."

Song Qiao’s response left everyone somewhat skeptical, but as she mentioned, more answers would come later, so they moved on from this topic.

"Mrs. Lu, online sources claim your father passed away because of you. Is that true?"

Song Qiao remained composed, "My father’s health had been poor for years, as my sister Song Xi can attest. Hadn’t you already asked Xi earlier? What benefit would I gain from harming my father?"

There had indeed been previous interviews with Song Xi, conducted shortly after their father’s passing, during which Song Xi made no secret of their father’s long-standing health issues.

One reporter mumbled quietly without standing up, "It’s said you did it for the Song Group..."

Song Qiao naturally heard this remark and glanced at the reporter, but before she could respond, the man beside her chuckled and calmly stated, "Considering Mrs. Lu’s status, do you think CK Group falls short compared to the small Song Group? If my wife wanted, I could give her ten or even eight companies like the Song Group."