It was obvious that Qi Chenglin wanted them to leave.

Displeased, Zhao Fengchun stood up. She did not expect Qi Chenglin to show such little respect for her. Qi Chenglin normally treated people indifferently with a good sense of proper etiquette, but he had never disregarded a guest like that. Zhao Fengchun figured that it was Ruan Danchen who led Qi Chenglin astray for him to behave this way.

Ruan Danchen ignored them after entering the room and started drinking bird's nest without much consideration. This was the perfect example of one takes the behavior of one's company. Thus, it was very important for a man to marry a woman for her good qualities, as a family's worst fear was the introduction of an unvirtuous wife who could lead a good man astray.

"We'll leave now," Zhao Fengchun replied with a polite smile to show that she was a well-educated woman.

Wu Qiaoyin immediately felt anxious when she noticed that Zhao Fengchun wanted to leave without further attempt to bring up their initial intention. Thus, she asked quickly before Zhao Fengchun could stop her, "Big Brother Qi, the issue that I asked for your help just now… You…"

Wu Qiaoyin appeared like a small white flower—coquettishly cute and timid—as she stood before Qi Chenglin across the coffee table. Both of her hands were clutching the edge of her shirt as she stared at Qi Chenglin with a reddened face.

Ruan Danchen was unbothered by Wu Qiaoyin's behavior. She continued drinking the bird's nest from the insulation pot's cap, enjoying its sweetness and smooth texture while watching the fabulous show Wu Qiaoyin was putting up.

Qi Chenglin frowned when he noticed his wife looked as if she was enjoying a show. He wondered if his wife was coming up with different ways to punish him due to jealousy.

Thus, Qi Chenglin put on a serious and stern expression and answered firmly, "The Wu family has its own company that has a large business scale too. It'll be more convenient for Miss Wu to work at your own company."

"But—" Wu Qiaoyin pouted slightly with her seductive red lips but was interrupted by Qi Chenglin again.

"Miss Wu knows nothing about interior or architectural design, so naturally there's no suitable job position for you in the design department. There's no need for you to accept another job vacancy in Qilin too since there's plenty of them in the Wu family's company. If something goes wrong and we neglect Miss Wu, then our families' friendship may be damaged. It'll be more convenient for Miss Wu to find a suitable job position in your own company based on your own major. Besides, Qilin doesn't necessarily have a job vacancy that'll meet your expectations too," Qi Chenglin answered lightly. He peeked at Wu Qiaoyin but shifted his gaze almost immediately to Ruan Danchen who was still drinking the bird's nest, as if the very sight of Wu Qiaoyin would hurt his eyes.

"It's alright if the job position isn't suitable for me. I can take it as a form of training and gain more experiences that way," Wu Qiaoyin said shyly. All her fingers interlocked with each other as she stared at Qi Chenglin expectedly.

"There are various ways to train yourself. Miss Wu, if you're really ambitious and motivated, you can conceal your own identity once you start working in your company. Getting promotions step by step based on your abilities is really inspirational, frankly speaking. I assume all the staff in your company don't know anything about you since you've just returned home. I bet Mr. and Mrs. Wu will feel proud to have such an ambitious daughter," Qi Chenglin smirked.

"I…" Wu Qiaoyin failed to come up with another reason after Qi Chenglin blocked all her possible paths to convince him.

Zhao Fengchun could not stand by and witness her precious daughter getting embarrassed, so she quickly dragged Wu Qiaoyin out of the room.

They heard Qi Chenglin talking to Ruan Danchen before exiting the office. "I have to entertain clients tonight so I can't return home together with you after work. Leave work earlier today and immediately fetch Youxuan before heading home. Don't wait until after working hours."

Qi Chenglin was worried that she would be exhausted at work, and it was uncomfortable to sit in the office all day long too.

Since Manager Zou was reluctant to assign work to Ruan Danchen, she figured that it was better for her to leave work earlier to fetch Youxuan instead of waiting for time to pass. Thus, she agreed with Qi Chenglin's suggestion.

…

…

It was four o'clock in the evening when Xiao Yang picked up the car at the parking lot and waited for Ruan Danchen at the main entrance.

Ruan Danchen arrived at Jixia Elementary School a quarter of an hour late due to traffic congestion. When the car stopped at the school's main entrance, she saw Wu Qiaoyin standing together with Qi Youxuan.

However, it was obvious that Qi Youxuan was confronting Wu Qiaoyin with his class teacher, Teacher Liu standing beside him.

Ruan Danchen got down from the car quickly and hurried to them. Qi Youxuan relaxed immediately upon seeing Ruan Danchen—as if she was his backup and pillar of strength—and yelled while running toward Ruan Danchen with extended chubby arms, "Mom!"

Qi Youxuan performed an emergency stop all of a sudden when he was about to reach Ruan Danchen for a hug. Then, he moved forward cautiously and hugged Ruan Danchen gently while rubbing his face on her belly.

Grandmother Qi and Guan Liya had instructed Qi Youxuan to refrain from publicizing Ruan Danchen's pregnancy, so he fought the urge to ask for his sister's condition in agony at the crowded school gate.

"Mom, why did you come here together with Uncle Xiao Yang today?" the kid asked excitedly, and the tone he used to yell 'Mom' was especially thunderous.

"Your dad allowed me to leave work earlier just to fetch you." The kid's charm elated Ruan Danchen. She had no idea how he grew into such an adorable boy, like a cute little lucky doll.

"Where's dad?" Qi Youxuan asked.

"He's going for a corporate event tonight so he won't be joining us, that's why I'm here to fetch you." Ruan Danchen stroked his hair and looked at Wu Qiaoyin. "Miss Wu, why are you here? I didn't know the Wu family's children attended this school too."

Awkwardness flashed by Wu Qiaoyin's expression as she spoke timidly, "I overheard Big Brother Qi saying that he couldn't fetch Youxuan because he was busy with work. I'm worried that the kid will be scared so I'm here to help Big Brother Qi fetch Youxuan home."

She even winked at Qi Youxuan and said, "See, I didn't lie to you, right?"

Ruan Danchen's smile faded away as Teacher Liu asked, "Mrs. Qi, do you know this young lady?"

"Not really, since we've only met twice," Ruan Danchen peeked at Wu Qiaoyin coldly and answered.

"Mom, I was waiting for Uncle Xiao Yang to fetch me at the school gate just now. Then, this auntie came over and told me that my dad couldn't come fetch me because he had to attend an event, so she purposely came to bring me home instead, but I don't know her at all. Who knows if she's a human trafficker who came here specifically to abduct me? I'm a cute and clever boy, so I'm easily targeted by human traffickers." The kid pulled Ruan Danchen's hand.

Then, his arms encircled around Ruan Danchen's arm and rubbed the back of her hand with his chubby cheeks, like a little piggy.

"Correct, it's good for you to always stay alert. You can't follow a stranger anywhere," Ruan Danchen praised softly and caressed his head.

The kid immediately stood up proud and tall, with his chest out and his head high. "Mom, don't you worry. I'm smart enough not to follow strangers anywhere."

"I don't even know this lady, and dad won't send an unfamiliar auntie to fetch me home. Besides, Uncle Xiao Yang usually fetches me alone, and then sends me straight to you afterward, so most of the time dad won't have the time to fetch me personally. He won't point out specifically that he can't fetch me and let a strange auntie pick me up instead."

Qi Youxuan frowned impatiently at the sight of Wu Qiaoyin's whitish flower-like appearance.

Wu Qiaoyin explained after being wronged. "Youxuan, how are we not acquainted? Didn't I just visit your grandma's house last time? You were there too. I live just beside your grandma's house so I'm your neighbor too. I even hugged you when you were young."

The kid pouted unhappily after listening to Wu Qiaoyin. "I've met many strangers on the road too. If acquaintances are made after the first glance, does that mean I know everyone? Is it possible for me to know all of them?"

Ruan Danchen squeezed Qi Youxuan's shoulder gently. "You shouldn't act so rudely."

The kid pouted again. "Mom, you have no idea what happened just now. She insisted on bringing me back just now. Luckily, Teacher Liu was there to stop her from taking me away. After that, Teacher Liu stayed here and accompanied me until your arrival. Who knows where she would take me later."

Ruan Danchen quickly expressed her gratitude to Teacher Liu. Qi Youxuan may not encounter any danger if Wu Qiaoyin had fetched him back home, but if Ruan Danchen came to school only to realize that a strange woman had taken Qi Youxuan away, would she not feel worried at all?

"Teacher Liu, thank you so much," Ruan Danchen said earnestly and sincerely.

"It's nothing, that's my duty," replied Teacher Liu.

"Teacher Liu, I'm sorry to trouble you further in the future. If my husband and I can't fetch him and we can't send our driver too, I'll let you know if I send anyone other than my family members to fetch Youxuan back home. You mustn't let anyone take him away if we didn't inform you earlier," Ruan Danchen said.

"Don't worry. I'll inform other teachers and the security guard at the school gate too and let them know about this," Teacher Liu promised.

Ruan Danchen thanked Teacher Liu again before Teacher Liu left after fulfilling her responsibility.

Wu Qiaoyin stared at Ruan Danchen as if she was wronged. "Sister Ruan, you… How can you say that? I meant Youxuan no harm. Big Brother Qi has a corporate event tonight and you have to work too. That's why I came here. I was worried that no one else would come and fetch Youxuan back home, and I planned to leave after sending Youxuan straight to your home. I… I just wanted to help, but why… Why did you think that I'm a bad person?"

Ruan Danchen fought the urge to roll her eyes. Wu Qiaoyin referred to them as Sister Ruan and Big Brother Qi which nauseated Ruan Danchen. She was unsure if it was due to her pregnancy.

"Miss Wu, when you come here to fetch my son, did you get permission from Chenglin or me? Did the elders in my family give you permission in advance for you to fetch him?" Ruan Danchen's tone was firm and stern.

Wu Qiaoyin opened her mouth, struggling to find the appropriate words to protest. "I just wanted to help…"

Wu Qiaoyin put on a poor expression as if she was scolded by Ruan Danchen.

Ruan Danchen pouted, fully aware that Wu Qiaoyin was putting up this show on purpose for those who came to school to fetch their children.

The only problem was, did Wu Qiaoyin really think this could damage her reputation?

These people were smart and experienced individuals. They had discerning eyes and could easily figure out what Wu Qiaoyin was planning based on her attitude alone. Thus, who would defend a mistress for receiving injustice?

Those who came to fetch the kid were not drivers or babysitters; they were wives.

Not every rich family was as clean as the Qi family. Men, especially those from rich families who could send their children to study at Jixia Elementary School, mostly had one or a few mistresses.

Some wives had effective means to control their husbands, but some men were scumbags who cheated on their wives. In that case, even though the wives tolerated their husbands' indecent behaviors to keep mistresses, they would not allow those mistresses to endanger their status in the family and would limit their husbands from giving too much benefit to them. On the other hand, those wives who lacked effective means to control their husbands would end up miserably. They only had reputations as wives but their husbands seldom returned home, and they would only bring their mistresses to attend entertainments or banquets.

Any wife would despise a mistress in any case. Thus, Wu Qiaoyin's acts in front of the school gate had gone to waste since no one would think that Ruan Danchen was in the wrong.

Was a wife expected to treat a mistress kindly instead of attacking her?

No matter what kind of identity or background Ruan Danchen had before this, the Qi family accepted her and she was Qi Chenglin's wife now. It was fine if Wu Qiaoyin tried other methods, but she dared to use Ruan Danchen's son and was caught red-handed by her. Was Wu Qiaoyin trying to get a beating from them?

If this situation happened to any of them, their actions would be more furious than what Ruan Danchen did.

Such a shameless woman did not deserve to be forgiven easily!

Thus, no one disagreed with Ruan Danchen's behavior. They even gathered around while waiting for their children to watch a battle of the legal wife versus mistress and stared at Wu Qiaoyin scornfully.

However, Wu Qiaoyin assumed all these disdainful gazes were meant for Ruan Danchen. Thus, she tried desperately to express her weaker self like a soft white flower in order to gain more support from the crowd.

"Miss Wu, what kind of help do you think you're giving? Miss Wu came to my husband's office today and overheard Chenglin telling me that he had an event tonight, so Miss Wu rushed here to fetch my son, am I right?" Ruan Danchen narrowed her eyes.

Ruan Danchen was unsure if Wu Qiaoyin figured that Ruan Danchen could not retaliate against her if there was no clear declaration that Wu Qiaoyin wanted to be a mistress. Anyhow, Ruan Danchen felt that Wu Qiaoyin's action was merely a joke. Wu Qiaoyin's behavior explained her true intention even though there was no clear announcement, so why did Ruan Danchen even need to treat her nicely?

"I just wanted to help," Wu Qiaoyin's tone sounded pathetic and aggrieved.

Ruan Danchen pouted coldly. "Chenglin was actually talking to me at that time. It's extremely rude to eavesdrop on our conversation, and you had decided all by yourself to come here and 'help'? Did Chenglin send you to fetch Youxuan? Did I make such a request or any elders in my family told you to do so before you came? Miss Wu, this is my family's matter after all. Don't you think it's inappropriate to meddle in our affairs without asking for permission?

"You said you wanted to help, but Chenglin told me to come and fetch Youxuan today. If you fetched my son before I did and I came to school only to realize that my son had gone missing, how do you think I'll feel? Won't I feel frantic with worry? Who gave you the right to fetch my son? It's common knowledge that for families like us, own children's safety is of utmost importance and we only send those we trust to fetch our children home. Who'll take responsibility if something goes wrong? What will happen if the children met an accident? Can you bear the responsibility when something goes wrong after you've fetched my son?"

"I… I didn't realize that. I just wanted to help. I meant no harm. Sister Ruan, don't criticize me like that. I feel uncomfortable." Wu Qiaoyin's face went as white as snow as she pouted with her hands on her chest.

"Don't do it if you failed to realize the potential consequences. Xiao Yang will come and fetch him when we're busy. Besides, Youxuan mentioned just now that Xiao Yang was the one who usually fetches him. Our family has maintained that habit for so long before you returned home, so why did you put it as if we can't take care of our child and needed an outsider like you to trouble yourself for us behind our backs? Do I have to thank you for it?" Ruan Danchen replied coldly without showing any respect.

Wu Qiaoyin was on the verge of collapsing. Her lips quivered and tears were welling up in her eyes.

"Sister Ruan, why… Why are your words so harsh?" Wu Qiaoyin sobbed.

"If my harsh statement makes you learn your place and stop meddling in our affairs, then I'm willing to treat you harsher. This is the first time I met with such a natural socializer like Miss Wu who can refer to my husband as 'Big Brother Qi' freely in my presence, and now you're referring to me as 'Sister Ruan'. It seems like Miss Wu is a courteous and enthusiastic lady too. You planned to fetch my son away behind our backs and insisted to take him away when he rejected you. Such enthusiasm is more than I can digest." Ruan Danchen remained unbothered and appeared at ease.

The kid nodded vigorously while hugging Ruan Danchen's thighs. "That's right. Mom, I've already told Auntie Wu just now that Uncle Xiao Yang will fetch me home later and I won't leave with anyone else other than my family members and Uncle Xiao Yang, but Auntie Wu ignored me. She insisted that she's dad's good friend and told me that dad was busy tonight so she wanted to take me home instead."

Then, Qi Youxuan pushed his face into Ruan Danchen's thigh, using it as a cover and poked his eyes with his chubby hands stealthily. When he lifted his head again, his eyes were reddened and appeared as if he had received unjust treatment.

His chubby arms encircled Ruan Danchen's thigh tightly and complained piteously. "I'm scared to death. The way she dragged me felt like she was about to kidnap me. Luckily Teacher Liu arrived just in time. Otherwise, who knows where she was going to take me afterward, and I probably won't see you ever again!"

Tears streamed down his cheeks, and perhaps he was getting uncomfortable during the complaint, so he started wailing. The piteous cry was unbearable to the crowds who listened.

Someone could not help but said, "So immature."

Everyone knew who was the one acting immaturely here.

"Boohoo, Mom, how could she do that? She didn't inform you before fetching me and insisted on bringing me back when I wanted to wait for Uncle Xiao Yang. Who is she? Why did she act like she's my boss? I don't even know her! I recognize all my dad's friends and he doesn't have any female friends at all, so I knew she was lying immediately after hearing her. How could she lie to an innocent child like me?" The kid rested his forehead on Ruan Danchen's thigh and started rubbing vigorously.

"She's so scary. I'm going to tell dad later that this auntie is a bad lady and ask him not to pay any attention to her anymore. She's a bad lady." The kid lifted his head and his face was a mess after all that crying. Snot streamed from his reddened nose as he inhaled deeply. Then, he lifted his sleeve and showed it to Ruan Danchen.

"Mom, look at how hard she grabbed my wrist, it's all red now. She's a bad auntie!" the kid complained aggrievedly.

Even though Ruan Danchen knew that Qi Youxuan was putting on a show rather than actually feeling pain, her heart still wrenched when she saw a red palm mark on his fair and delicate wrist. She quickly grabbed his small hand, which was so soft that it almost felt boneless, and touched the red palm mark cautiously and softly without using much force. Her hand barely touched his wrist but she withdrew her hand immediately in fear that she would induce further pain in him.

"Painful?" Ruan Danchen asked while feeling her heart twist.

To be honest, the kid did not feel much pain at all but he had decided to embarrass Wu Qiaoyin in front of the crowd first before coaxing Ruan Danchen in the car later.

Thus, he answered with teary eyes, "Quite painful."

Wu Qiaoyin got anxious now as she finally realized that those disdainful gazes the crowd gave were actually meant for her.

"No, I didn't use much strength, I—"

"Don't you know how delicate a child's skin is? I feel reluctant to even hit my son once. Look at the wound you've inflicted. Who do you think you are? The Wu family's education is terrific!" Ruan Danchen scolded out of exasperation.

"You said you wanted to help, but you insisted on dragging my son away. Now you're telling me that you didn't use much strength. Do you think I'll believe you?" Ruan Danchen carried Qi Youxuan in her embosom. "Miss Wu, if you really want to apologize, then stay away from my son from now on."