Chapter 498 - Not Leaving Her Side, Helping Block the Peach Blossom

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Tang Jingci was only carrying a small luggage bag. When she walked out of the airport, the hot wind blew against her face, making her entire body moist and hot. But when she saw Qiao Xiyan, her heart couldn’t help skipping a beat.

Because he would be attending the full moon banquet tonight, Qiao Xiyan was wearing a well-fitting black suit. At this moment, he had taken off his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves to his elbows. He had one hand in the pocket of his suit pants and the other holding a cigarette

He had phoenix eyes, thin lips, and messy black hair. When she had interacted with him before, she had always felt that he was an elite. But now, he exuded a wild and uninhibited aura.

His eyes were sharp as he stared at her unhurriedly.

Seeing her walk over, he walked over, extinguished the half-smoked cigarette, and threw it into the trash can.

During the time he had been looking for her just now, he had already been scolded half to death by his father. Almost every five minutes, there was a phone call. If he had really lost her today.

He would have probably been flayed alive by his father.

Seeing her come out, he felt relieved.

Qiao Xiyan walked straight toward her, and Tang Jingci inexplicably wanted to retreat.

She wasnt afraid of Qiao Xiyan. But she thought that he might have waited for her for a long time and would definitely be impatient, so she spoke first.

“When I came out, I didn’t see anyone, so I sat by the side for a while. Sorry for making you wait.” Tang Jingci was wearing a dress with thin straps and a thin knitted sweater. What she was wearing was just right on the plane, but it was already a little hot when she came out.

Actually, sometimes, such things really happened. They had been separated by merely a little distance, but they had missed each other. Tang Jingci had been sitting not far from the exit, but the two of them didn’t see each other.

“It wasn’t long. Give me your luggage.” Qiao Xiyan’s poise was always there.

Tang Jingci followed behind him step by step. Before her heart, which had been frightened by him, completely settled down, she heard him say something.

“It was just more than forty minutes of waiting.”

Tang Jingci bit her lip and braced herself to get into his car.

His suit jacket was on the front passenger seat, and Tang Jingci picked it up. She originally planned to throw it into the backseat, but she found that the backseat was full of things. They seemed to be the full moon gift boxes that would be given to the guests later.

Thus, she could only hold the jacket in her arms, feeling extremely awkward.

After Qiao Xiyan got into the car, he threw his phone to Tang Jingci and asked her to call her father to tell him that she was safe.

“Password…”

“Six sevens.”

The screensaver and wallpaper were both minimalistic. It was obvious that his personality was simple and cold. Tang Jingci called her father. When the call connected

“… [told your Uncle-Master not to let this brat Qiao Xiyan pick you up. He insisted on sending his son, but he lost you again.”

“Dad, actually, my flight arrived ahead of schedule, and I didn’t manage to contact him.”

“So he should have found you sooner.”

“Actually, we were both at the exit. There might have been too many people, so we didn’t see each other.

“Is this brat’s eyesight bad? My daughter is so beautiful, but he actually couldn’t see you!”

Tang Jingci was caught between laughter and tears. In her father’s eyes, she was a goddess.

Her father was the typical encouraging father. He praised her in all kinds of ways, and she was the best.

It was too quiet in the car, and Tang Wangjin’s dissatisfaction reached Qiao Xiyan’s ears intermittently. At this moment, there was a traffic jam ahead, so Qiao Xiyan had the time to reach out to her and signal her to give him the phone.

“.. [knew this brat wasn’t reliable. He can’t even see people in front of him.”

“Uncle-Master,” Qiao Xiyan said.

“Heh… Xiyan.”

“After she arrives in Nanjiang, I won’t leave her side. I promise I won’t lose her, and I’ll send her onto the plane intact. My phone is out of battery. I’m hanging up now.” With that, he hung up.

Not leaving my side? Tang Jingci’s ears turned red

“Erm… Can I call you Senior Brother?” The atmosphere was too stifling, so Tang Jingci wanted to find a topic to talk about.

“Okay.” While there was a traffic jam, Qiao Xiyan tumed his head and sized her up.

Her facial features were cold, almost aloof, and very exquisite. There were jade earrings hanging on her pink earlobes, and there were little tassels dangling from the edges. They were handmade, and the workmanship was very fine.

‘Tang Jingci originally wanted to ask about Little Mr. Yan, but she found that Qiao Xiyan was staring at her. His expression was so focused that it made her feel flustered.

“Senior Brother?”

Hmm?”

“You…” What are you looking at?

“Next time you can’t contact me, stand in a conspicuous place or just stand still. I’ll look for you.” Qiao Xiyan looked away and secretly deepened the impression of her figure in his mind.

“I thought you didn’t remember how I looked.” Tang Jingci had the thoughts of a normal person. Actually, they had only eaten together once, so it was normal that he didn’t remember how she looked.

“Tremember.”

Hmm?”

Traffic was slowly moving, and the honking sounds came from outside from time to time. It was a little noisy, but Tang Jingci clearly heard him say

“remember how you looked.”

She coughed and looked out of the window. The atmosphere in the car instantly died down. Qiao Xiyan turned on the car radio. It was actually playing crosstalk.

‘Tang Jingci tilted her head and looked at Qiao Xiyan. Why does he

have the same hobby as Dad?

It made her feel like she was sitting in her father’s car. Are people in the carving industry all so old-fashioned?

Before arriving at the restaurant, the two of them didn’t interact again at all.

KE

Nanjiang International Hotel

The Yan family booked the entire hotel today. Tang Jingci arrived relatively early, so there were not many guests yet.

Qiao Wangbei personally went to the door to pick them up. He glared angrily at Qiao Xiyan and even criticized and educated him directly.

This bastard caused me to be scolded by Senior Brother.

He can’t even pick up someone. Qiao Wangbei instantly had the feeling that getting a daughter-in-law was hopeless. With his bad temper, who would fall in love with him?

In the past, Qiao Wangbei had been focused on his career and had maintained a casual attitude toward Qiao Xiyan getting married and having children. But recently, he had been looking at Little Mr. Yan and also had the thought of having a grandson.

Qiao Xiyan raised his eyebrows slightly. It’s a technical job to pick someone up, and it sometimes depends on luck. Who could find her hiding in a corner?

“Jingci, you must be tired after your flight. Go to the back and rest first.” Qiao Wangbei was always more patient with girls.

“Thank you, Uncle-Master. I’m not tired.”

Qiao Xiyan shook his jacket. The hotel’s air conditioner was very cold. As soon as he put it on, he smelled the fragrance on the jacket. He frowned slightly and remembered that the jacket had been in Tang Jingci’s arms just now.

How fragrant is her body? She even leaves her fragrance after holding it.

“This must be the daughter of Wangjin.” Old Madam Yan came out to welcome her.

She had seen Old Master Qiao’s disciples before. Tang Jingci looked a little similar to her father.

“Hello, Grandma Yan.”

“It’s been hard on you. I might not be able to take good care of you tonight. Stay in Nanjiang for two more days. You can stay at our house…” Yan Wangchuan’s senior and junior brothers had a good relationship, so Old Madam Yan naturally took more care of her.

Besides, she had come all the way here from overseas. She couldn’t let her go back just like that.

“How about this? I’ll take you to the back to rest for a while…”

‘Tang Jingci let her pull her to the back lounge.

The lounge was specially reserved for the Yan family. There was even a crib inside, but it was empty at the moment.

“You know Wanwan, right? She’ll come over later. I’ll get someone to get some food for you. You must be hungry…”

“Grandma Yan, no thanks. I’m not hungry.”

But no matter how much Tang Jingci declined, she couldn’t resist Old Madam Yan’s enthusiasm.

She was alone in the lounge for the time being. She looked for a place to sit down, but she unexpectedly saw a set of carving knives on the table. They were brand new and had just been opened, and the handles were engraved with complicated patterns.

It was rude to touch someone else’s things, so she sat at the side and sized them up.

They feel a little flashy and without substance.

At this moment, Qiao Xiyan pushed the door open and entered. He was holding a plate of pastries and placed them on the table. “Grandma Yan asked me to bring them over.”

“Thank you.”

‘When Qiao Xiyan entered, he saw her gaze on the carving knives and knew that she was interested in them.

He had heard from his father that Tang Jingci had inherited her father’s work. But in their line of work, it was abnormal for her hands not to have calluses. Moreover, his father always praised her, so Qiao Xiyan naturally had the intention to compete.

1

“Do you know this?” He pointed at the carving knives.

“know alittle.” Tang Jingci knew that Qiao Xiyan was an outstanding talent in the industry and a young talent, so she was naturally humble.

“Do you want to try?”

“They’re new knives.”

“It’s fine.” Qiao Xiyan rummaged through a black bag at the side for a long time and found a couple beads—light green jade and bright red agate. “Pick one?”

“Now?” Tang Jingci looked at the beads in his hand and was a little surprised.

Qiao Xiyan didn’t say anything. Tang Jingci took the red bead and rubbed it between her fingertips. “Do you have a pen?”

She would draw the shape first and then carve with the knife.

Qiao Xiyan took out a special pen for her. Tang Jingci thought for a moment and started drawing

It was just a peony. She held a carving knife and carefully sculpted it.

Qiao Xiyan was originally a little interested. But when he saw that her wrists were trembling slightly and her hesitation with the knife, he frowned

I wasted my bead for nothing. What a waste.

“Tm going out to entertain the guests. Take your time.”

‘When Tang Jingci heard the door close, she heaved a long sigh of relief.

This person was a little too scary. He stared at her coldly without even blinking, and his aura was too strong. How could she not be nervous? She was so nervous that her hands trembled. It was embarrassing enough.

Qiao Xiyan completely treated her as an enemy.

Is he venting his anger on me just because he was reprimanded over picking me up at the airport?

‘Tang Jingci was speechless. How childish.

KE

‘When Song Fengwan and Qiao Aiyun retumed to the lounge, they saw Tang Jingci and naturally chatted enthusiastically with her.

“When I saw you when I was a child, you were only that tall.” Qiao Aiyun gestured with her hands. “You were so small and had two ponytails. You liked to run behind Xiyan like a little tail, but he even lost you.”

“I liked to follow him?”

“Yes, in the summer, you went out to run with him until you were covered in sweat and tanned, but you were still willing to follow him. When you left, you couldn’t stop crying. Your father was so anxious that he went crazy.”

‘Tang Jingci really didn’t remember this.

“Not only did that kid lose you, but you even went to the river with him to catch tadpoles. When you came back, your clothes were all wet, and your face was covered in mud. You almost lost your life when you fell into the water.

“Afterward, your father stopped bringing you to our house. When you went overseas, we didn’t see you anymore.”

Song Fengwan was speechless.

In her impression, her cousin treated her very well. He would bring her out to play, buy her delicious food, ride a bicycle to take her out for a ride, and even stand up for her.

It was completely not like what her mother said.

Tang Jingci coughed twice.

She and Qiao Xiyan most likely didn’t get along well with each other because their fates countered each other. Otherwise, how could she have encountered him causing trouble and almost gotten killed?

“This must be Yan Chi. Can I take a few photos and record a video? My dad really wants to see him.” Tang Jingci changed the topic.

KE

Inside the banquet hall.

Qiao Xiyan was helping to greet the guests. He occasionally took a break and walked to the side to drink to moisten his throat.

“Xiyan…” Old Madam Yan was dressed flashily today and even had her hair permed, making her look exceptionally energetic.

“Grandma Yan.”

“Lwant to ask you something.”

“Go ahead.” After Qiao Xiyan greeted the guests, his throat was dry, and he kept drinking water.

‘s daughter have a boyfriend?”

“I think she has a good personality and speaks gently. Do you think she and Shaochen are a good match?”

Yan Shaochen was at the age for marriage. When Old Madam Yan met someone with good looks and personality, she naturally wanted to matchmake them. If they made a friend first, it might work out.

“Yan Shaochen?” Qiao Xiyan took a sip of water calmly.

“You should be more familiar with her. What do you think?”

“They’re not suitable.”

“You don’t think they’re a good match?” Old Madam Yan was speechless. “Forget it then. I was just asking casually. You don’t think she’s bad. But if you say they’re not suitable, there are probably some things that don’t match.”

1

Qiao Xiyan watched Old Madam Yan leave and took a sip of warm water.

Tang Jing’s hands were clumsy, and she was most likely just like his cousin. She didn’t inherit well and looked ostentatious. It was better not to implicate Yan Shaochen. This kid didn’t seem to be able to handle her.

Besides, he had promised his uncle-master to send her onto the plane intact. This kind of thing should be avoided as much as possible…