Chapter 22: Madam Fu Didn't Think Highly of Qiao Chen at All

"She's penniless, and her biological parents are just bumpkins from some mountain hollow. In the end, if she ends up owing money, won't your family be the ones cleaning up her mess?"

Qiao Chen pursed her lips and glanced at Fu Ge's face.

Zhao Jingwei continued, "Besides, you even called Senior Fu over, and Senior Fu called an acquaintance at the city hospital. Without her, that child might have been saved long ago!"

Indeed. Qiao Chen felt a surge of discomfort as she recalled being pointed at and scolded by that meddling old man just moments ago.

Fu Ge had also lost face. Zhao Jingwei's words helped restore much of his dignity. Watching Qiao Nian from a distance, his gaze gradually turned cold. He turned back to Qiao Chen and said tenderly, "Let's go. My mother, as well as your father and mother, have arrived. They are waiting outside."

Qiao Chen had already spotted Qiao Weimin and the others rushing over. The two distinguished guests from the Tang family were gone; only Qiao Weimin, Shen Qiongzhi, and Fu Ge's mother remained.

Upon seeing Mrs. Fu, Qiao Chen immediately donned her mask of obedience, calling out sweetly, "Auntie Fu."

Only after addressing Mrs. Fu did she turn to Qiao Weimin and the others, saying, "Dad, Mom."

Zhao Jingwei and another female classmate who had followed them were usually Qiao Chen's sycophants. Coming from average backgrounds, seeing a big shot like Qiao Weimin—who frequently appeared in the city's financial news—they lost all the arrogance they had shown while badmouthing Qiao Nian behind her back. Instead, they shrank to the side, their faces filled with fawning smiles.

Qiao Weimin ignored the two of them. He strode forward, first looking at Qiao Chen and then at Fu Ge. Smiling, he reached out to pat Fu Ge's arm. "I heard Chenchen wasn't feeling well. It's a relief you were by her side."

Toward his girlfriend's father, Fu Ge maintained a polite attitude. "Uncle, Chenchen is my girlfriend. It is my responsibility to take care of her."

"What a good boy. I can rest easy leaving Chenchen in your hands!"

"You're too kind, Uncle."

"No, no, no, we're all family. There's no need for such formalities." Qiao Weimin found himself liking his future son-in-law more with every passing moment.

Mrs. Fu, however, maintained a detached expression. She cast a brief glance at her son, her eyes seemingly carrying a hint of reproach, though she did not voice it.

The Fu family was, after all, one of the four great families of the city. In this city, even if they weren't considered top-tier ultra-wealthy, their heritage was fundamentally different from a newly risen elite like the Qiao family.

In her mind, the ideal daughter-in-law had to be a social match, preferably a descendant of a prestigious family.

Qiao Chen's social standing was insufficient, but compared to Fu Ge's previous acquaintance—that fake heiress and true bumpkin, Qiao Nian—Qiao Chen was better in her eyes, even if she wasn't perfectly suitable.

Regardless, Fu Ge wasn't yet at the age for marriage. She didn't oppose him dating a girl he liked; if it ever reached the stage of marriage, she would deal with it with her son then.

After Qiao Weimin exchanged a few more words with Fu Ge, Shen Qiongzhi, seeing that Qiao Chen was tired, said to her husband, "Alright, let's save the talk for when we get home. Chenchen has classes tomorrow!"

Qiao Weimin laughed heartily, patted his head, and said sheepishly, "Look at me, I get all flustered the moment I see Fu Ge. Let's go, let's head back first."

Just as he finished speaking, his peripheral vision caught sight of Qiao Nian in another corner, and his brow suddenly furrowed!

He said to the group, "You all go ahead. I'll catch up in a moment."

Mrs. Fu did not notice Qiao Nian. She had long grown impatient with the smell of disinfectant in the hospital. Ignoring why Qiao Weimin had suddenly stopped, she spoke warmly to Shen Qiongzhi, "Mrs. Qiao, let's go."

Shen Qiongzhi, hoping her daughter would marry into a wealthy family, could not help but return the friendliness. She happily took Mrs. Fu's arm and led the group out.

(End of Chapter)