Just now, she was shocked that Lu Qi had been with Sheng Sinian, and jealousy burned fiercely in her heart.
Back then, Sheng Sinian was the head of the Sheng family—mature, steady, and good-looking—and she had entertained thoughts about him. If she could latch onto such a towering figure, her position in the Qiao family would be rock-solid, and her status would soar. But she failed to win Sheng Sinian over; instead, Sheng Mingyang approached her first. Though Sheng Mingyang bore the title of the Sheng family's crown prince, his looks fell far short of Sheng Sinian's. Still, even he was someone the Qiao family couldn't afford to look down on. She figured that if she couldn't be Sheng Sinian's woman, marrying Sheng Mingyang would do. Better yet, if she could take both father and son, her standing would be even more secure. She had always dreamed of being a wealthy wife while dabbling in forbidden romance. She just hadn't expected the Sheng family to collapse so quickly. Now, hearing that Lu Qi had been with Sheng Sinian, how could she not have thoughts about it? And if Lu Qi had been with him, what did that make her second brother? Didn't he claim to be Lu Qi's first man? So what was the deal with her and Sheng Sinian before? She didn't believe their relationship was innocent—just two people under the covers chatting. The only answer was that Lu Qi had deceived her brother.
Qiao Shiyue's expression shifted constantly, and Lu Qi grew anxious. "Shiyue, don't listen to her slander. Didn't you say she's full of lies and not a single word of truth?"
Qiao Shiyue's eyes flickered, but she said nothing. Even if she was about to fall out with Lu Qi, she wouldn't do it in front of Shen Yunyun. She refused to become a laughingstock in her eyes.
"You believe I'm full of lies and not a single word of truth, so how dare you buy my stuff? I'd say your head's just there to add height, but you wouldn't believe it," Shen Yunyun taunted.
Lu Qi was left speechless.
Shen Yunyun shut the door, ignoring them further. Lu Qi stopped caring about Shen Yunyun and focused on soothing Qiao Shiyue. She was the sister Qiao Pengyu doted on, and though Lu Qi sometimes thought he was too good to her, she had to go along with it. Otherwise, Qiao Pengyu might break up with her for Qiao Shiyue's sake. She had worked hard to latch onto the Qiao family and wasn't about to let go. Even if Qiao Pengyu fell short of Sheng Sinian, at least he was young.
"Shiyue, don't listen to Shen Yunyun. She's sharp-tongued; the two of us together are no match for her," Lu Qi said, hurrying after Qiao Shiyue.
Qiao Shiyue stopped and turned to her. "Are you sure in your heart that what she said isn't true?"
"Shiyue, you..." Lu Qi panicked.
Seeing her flustered, Qiao Shiyue suddenly smiled and leaned in. "Don't worry, I won't tell my brother. I'll stand with you."
Lu Qi's face lit up with surprise. "Shiyue, you're like a real sister to me. If I marry your brother, I'll spoil you like a daughter and never let you suffer."
Qiao Shiyue sneered inwardly but smiled brightly on the surface. "I knew you were good. Unlike Shen Yunyun, who stole twenty years of my life and now acts like she's the victim. Even if she doesn't feel she owes me, what about my parents? They raised her, and instead of repaying them, she changed her name and cut ties with the Qiao family. My parents are sick with anger because of it."