Chapter 179: A Fortuitous Encounter

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Li Qixiao wore an impatient expression. “I know, no need to remind me!”

Mrs. Gao smiled, “Are you sure you don’t need a reminder? It seems like you’re so caught up in this charade that you can’t tell north from south!”

Mrs. Gao recalled the information she had painstakingly gathered recently. She had gone to great lengths to fabricate Li Qixiao’s identity, yet he was squandering it on debauchery, neglecting any serious matters!

She hadn’t sent Li Qixiao to Old Master Lu’s side for him to indulge himself!

“You must understand your identity. If you fail to accomplish our goal, everyone will be doomed!”

“I understand. Just tell me, what’s your plan?”

Mrs. Gao explained her plan patiently, but Li Qixiao listened with detachment.

His current identity was a stroke of luck; losing it wouldn’t really affect him—he’d simply return to his old life.

As for Mrs. Gao’s plan,

Li Qixiao thought it was overly optimistic.

Although he had only recently come into contact with Old Master Lu and the old man had tacitly accepted his name, Li Qixiao clearly saw that Old Master Lu had no intention of truly “recognizing” him as a member of the Lu family.

Even if Old Master Lu, in a rare moment of confusion, brought him into the Lu family, Li Qixiao wouldn’t dare act recklessly.

He had learned from events five years ago that Lu Qi’an was not someone to be trifled with.

Now that Lu Qi’an had smoothly taken over the Lu family, he would be even more formidable. Compared to the timid Mrs. Gao, it was Lu Qi’an and his people who were truly not to be offended!

Unaware of Li Qixiao’s thoughts, Mrs. Gao saw him seemingly lost in contemplation and her expression softened.

She continued, “Li Qixiao, you don’t want to keep hiding and dodging like before, fearing Lu Qi’an’s revenge, do you? The only way is for us to find a way to bring him down. Then you can live well, even attain the wealth and status you never dared dream of before!”

Li Qixiao verbally agreed but inwardly scorned.

Back then, he had been so frightened by Mrs. Gao’s warnings that he fled using the Gao family’s resources, spending a long time in hiding.

Later, when he investigated the matter, he realized the Lu family only wanted him to serve as a witness…

If he hadn’t fled and had just gone to testify properly, nothing would have happened. He had originally been asked by Gao Qingqing to stand there and say a few words—he didn’t even understand what use that would be!

After all, with his background, he wouldn’t have come into contact with that social circle if Gao Qingqing hadn’t paid for it.

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Yet Mrs. Gao said that if the Lu family found him, they wouldn’t let him off easily. Out of fear, he had followed her advice.

And all of this had been orchestrated by Gao Qingqing.

After finishing the conversation with Mrs. Gao, Li Qixiao left the Gao family villa.

Gao Qingqing approached Mrs. Gao and asked, “Mom, where did you find someone who looks so much like Lu Qi’an’s shadow?”

Mrs. Gao smiled, “It was a coincidence. I didn’t expect to come across someone so similar. Why aren’t you going out today? Weren’t you supposed to meet that foreign friend of yours?”

Gao Qingqing’s mood instantly soured. “Don’t mention it—she was taken back to her country by her brother. She only just managed to send me a message.”

Seeing Gao Qingqing’s downcast expression, Mrs. Gao felt a pang of sympathy. Her daughter had returned home early but couldn’t appear openly, so she had no way to maintain her old friendships.

Moreover, even if she could appear openly, after being away for five years, many old acquaintances no longer kept in touch because of past events. If her daughter knew that, she would be heartbroken.

All of this was caused by Lu Qi’an!

The studio had recently completed several profitable projects, so Qin Miaoyu and the others discussed taking all the staff out for a dinner.

They deliberately chose Hong’s Private Cuisine for the gathering.

This restaurant was well-known in Jing City. Though the prices weren’t modest, they weren’t outrageously expensive either. Most importantly, the food was excellent.

The studio employees were thrilled to be dining at Hong’s Private Cuisine. As soon as work ended, everyone hurried there.

By coincidence, Chen Xuanyu had also brought Deng Huanhuan to eat at Hong’s that day.

In the past, Deng Huanhuan would have been delighted to dine out with Chen Xuanyu, but today she felt no enthusiasm.

First, because of work.

She had hoped that working elsewhere would bring a warm, harmonious atmosphere like the studio, free from office politics.

But shortly after joining the wedding planning company, she already sensed the undercurrents of scheming among colleagues, which frustrated her.

Second, regarding feelings.

Though she and Chen Xuanyu had only recently confirmed their relationship, she already sensed Chen Xuanyu’s waning interest. She even suspected he might be somewhat involved with another female colleague.

They weren’t in the same department, so it was only a chance encounter. She wasn’t even sure if anything deeper was developing…

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Adding to her frustration was a recent incident at the office. She felt overwhelmed and took a leave to spend some time alone. Unexpectedly, Chen Xuanyu followed her.

Hong’s Private Cuisine indeed served delicious dishes, but they weren’t what she wanted to eat at that moment. She had made that clear, yet Chen Xuanyu insisted on sitting in the main hall and ordering food.

With the order placed, Deng Huanhuan had no choice but to endure her irritation and wait for the dishes.

During this wait, she noticed a large group entering through the door.

They were all people she knew—members of the studio.

Her gaze lingered at the entrance, noting how many had arrived.

Confirming that all the familiar studio staff had come, Deng Huanhuan realized it was a gathering.

She recalled the studio had held a dinner after completing Miss Jin’s big project.

Could it be that the studio had landed another major contract?

Finally, she saw General Manager Qin, General Manager Xu, and General Manager Pei enter together.

She quickly withdrew her gaze, afraid of being noticed and facing an awkward greeting.

Deng Huanhuan looked across at Chen Xuanyu, who was engrossed in replying to messages, oblivious to the commotion at the door.

The wait felt especially unbearable. She told Chen Xuanyu she was going to the restroom.

Just as she was about to leave the stall, she overheard two familiar voices discussing the studio.

“I told you there’d definitely be another gathering this time, right?”

“Exactly, you really have a knack for predicting!”

“Not at all, but there’s one thing I’m sure of—the new colleague we just hired is definitely getting promoted next month!”