Chapter 50: Chapter 48: The Consequences of Provoking Qiao Jing
 

Lou Xinrou felt as if an arrow had shot through her heart.

It’s often said that the players are blind while the spectators see clearly; as a spectator, Lou Xinrou discerned something from Zhan Qipei’s actions that perhaps even Zhan Qipei himself hadn’t grasped.

That was, Qiao Jing had truly caught his attention, and had already secured a place in his heart.

Having come to this conclusion, Lou Xinrou felt a surge of imminent danger.

It seemed she needed to come up with a good plan fast, to win him over before Zhan Qipei fell completely for Qiao Jing!

After returning to the banquet hall, Lin Xiuxiang ran over, worried.

“Qiao Qiao, are you okay? Zhan Qipei didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

“What could he do to me?” While saying this, Qiao Jing thought of the recent events and unconsciously furrowed her brow.

Though it was a subtle expression, it didn’t escape Lin Xiuxiang’s attention.

“I’m sorry, Qiao Qiao, it’s all my fault for telling you that Deng Yunyi was handsome. I don’t think he’s handsome at all now, rejecting a girl in public, not gentlemanly at all.”

Lin Xiuxiang was genuinely angry. Although Deng Yunyi had been her aesthetic choice, compared to her friendship with Qiao Jing, he was worthless. So now, she felt nothing when she looked at Deng Yunyi.

“You don’t want his contact information anymore?” Qiao Jing asked for confirmation.

“I already said I didn’t want it. I’m just an orphanage teacher, and he’s a high-and-mighty heir from a wealthy family—not from the same world at all. Not to mention that he wouldn’t look my way, even if he did, I wouldn’t want to marry into a rich family. My biggest wish in life is to find an ordinary person to live an ordinary life, and then, after I get married, for my husband to agree to let me stay at the orphanage and do the work I love,” said Lin Xiuxiang with a shrug.

After hearing this, Qiao Jing smiled, “Yeah, that’s pretty good. I hope you find your other half soon.”

“Hey, look at me, spending my days in the orphanage, dealing with a bunch of kids. The teachers there are almost all female, so finding another half is as hard as reaching the heavens.”

“Fate is unpredictable; it might come when you least expect it. Maybe, you’ll be free of being single soon.”

“I’ll take your auspicious words!” Lin Xiuxiang brightened up as she spoke, but her eyes sparkled when she caught sight of Lou Xinrou.

“Why has she suddenly dressed up like that? What is she planning to do?”

Following Lin Xiuxiang’s gaze, Qiao Jing’s eyes also brightened slightly.

Lou Xinrou, at some point, had changed into a traditional jacket and skirt with her hair done in an ancient style, holding a sword and gracefully making her way to Zhan Yuanshan’s side.

“Grandpa Zhan, I heard from Nanqing that you enjoyed martial arts when you were young. I may not know martial arts, but I do have some understanding of Sword Dance, which I’d like to perform to celebrate your birthday,” she offered.

With such willing offering by the younger generation, Zhan Yuanshan naturally wouldn’t refuse.

“Good, I would be delighted to watch if you have such a refined taste,” he agreed.

Lou Xinrou, sword in hand, strode towards the stage, and as she passed by Qiao Jing, she shot a provocative glance, signaling a challenge.

Reading the meaning behind it, Qiao Jing thought to herself that this girl was beyond help. She really didn’t understand—could she not live without a man?

Lin Xiuxiang tugged at Qiao Jing’s arm, “Qiao Qiao, her glance just now seemed malicious! You’d better be careful.”

“Yeah,” Qiao Jing nodded.

“I really didn’t expect her to perform a Sword Dance,” Lin Xiuxiang said, eyes full of interest as she watched the stage.

At this, Qiao Jing remembered that Lin Xiuxiang had also learned to perform Sword Dance for a while during college and had even won the campus’s best performance award.

Soon, Lou Xinrou’s performance began.

It must be said, Lou Xinrou’s movements were indeed graceful, and coupled with her good looks, she attracted the admiration of the crowd.

“Wow! She’s dancing so well!” Lin Xiuxiang exclaimed.

“How does it compare to your performance?” asked Qiao Jing curiously.

This question made Lin Xiuxiang blush, “My Sword Dance level was only good enough to perform on a university stage. Lou Xinrou… feels like she’s on par with the teacher who taught me back then. I can generously say, her performance is truly beautiful!”

After Lou Xinrou finished, almost everyone in the room applauded.

Even Zhan Qipei clapped his hands, a gesture of respect for an excellent performer.

Lou Xinrou was thrilled when she saw Zhan Qipei applauding, and then she turned her gaze towards Qiao Jing and Lin Xiuxiang, finally setting her eyes on Lin Xiuxiang.

“Miss Lin, I’ve heard that you also perform Sword Dance and have even won the Best Performance Award on campus. I want to make Grandpa Zhan’s birthday banquet livelier, so how about we have a friendly battle? It’s not about winning or losing; it’s about participating and having fun.”

Qiao Jing’s expression turned cold. As clever as she was, how could she not hear that Lou Xinrou, unable to confront her directly, knew Lin Xiuxiang was her friend, and intentionally used her to pressure Qiao Jing, pushing her away from Zhan Qipei.

“I, I can’t. I’m no match for you, I’d better not go up and make a fool of myself,” Lin Xiuxiang replied with self-awareness. She was just an amateur and couldn’t compare with Lou Xinrou.

Besides, she was just an ordinary person, who was here tonight by virtue of her relationship with Qiao Jing, experiencing the extravagant life of the upper class.

Performing Sword Dance in front of so many prestigious guests, she would be scared stiff, like a wooden stake on the stage…

“Miss Lin, there’s no need to be so modest. Besides, as I said before, it’s just for fun, so don’t worry about the battle’s result.”

Lou Xinrou spoke sweetly, but had already planned to make Lin Xiuxiang embarrass herself thoroughly, to show Qiao Jing the consequences of competing with her for a man.

Not only would she suffer, but so would her friends and family.

“I really can’t do it, I can’t…” Lin Xiuxiang kept retreating as she spoke.

“Miss Lin, you didn’t bring a gift for the celebration, did you? Just do a few moves as a birthday salute to Grandpa Zhan.”

“Alright, that’s enough,” Zhan Yuanshan’s old face showed displeasure, and Lou Pinshu also wore an unhappy expression.

“Xinrou, come down. If she doesn’t want to, are you going to keep pressuring her?”

Lou Xinrou stared, biting her lower lip, as she saw Zhan Yuanshan and Lou Pinshu speaking up for Qiao Jing.

She was not satisfied, not willing to let her plan end in failure.

Just then, Qiao Jing’s voice suddenly rose.

“Since you’re so enthusiastic, I’ll accept your challenge and battle with you.”

What?!

The turn of events was so sudden that nobody expected Qiao Jing to volunteer for a Sword Dance battle with Lou Xinrou.

Not even Lou Xinrou, who had instigated the situation, had anticipated it.

Of course, if Qiao Jing participated, that would be even better.

Because, according to the information she had gathered, Qiao Jing had never learned Sword Dance.

“She knows Sword Dance?” Lu Zijiao asked, looking at Zhan Qipei.

Zhan Qipei’s eyebrows furrowed, and he stared at Qiao Jing with a pair of penetrating eyes.

He had the same question himself.

Zhan Ruiting nudged Xu Moqian, “Has Doctor Qiao studied Sword Dance before?”

“She shouldn’t have, but fighting techniques, Jeet Kune Do, and Tai Chi, certainly, she’s proficient,” Xu Moqian replied.

Hearing this, Zhan Qipei and others all turned their gaze towards Xu Moqian.

“So you can also perform a Sword Dance?” Lou Xinrou said deliberately.

Qiao Jing looked back at Lin Xiuxiang, “My friend taught me, beating you should be a breeze.”

Lou Xinrou was nearly choked by her own frustration. Despite her anger threatening to burst, with so many eyes on her, she had to maintain the poise of an heiress.

“Then I shall look forward to it.”

Lou Xinrou had someone bring a Jacket that matched the one she was wearing. The purpose was clear: without comparison, there would be no harm. Using someone like Lin Xiuxiang, a nobody, would highlight her beauty.

“Conveniently, I have a spare set. Wear this one.”

Ten minutes later, Qiao Jing made a stunning appearance!