Chapter 854: Love Starting from a Breakup 43

This result made Jin Tingxiao very worried.

Although Jin Chen was Jin Fu's bloodline, he was the child he raised with his own hands.

Whether Madam Qiao was mistakenly killed by him or Jin Fu plotted her death, to Qiao Xu's child, Jin Chen is considered the son of the enemy who killed his mother.

What should be done about this?

"Family Head, the Shen Family Second Branch wants to see you."

Jin Tingxiao has received many friendly gestures from the Shen Family Second Branch lately, and each time they come they bring along their son named Shen Ling.

What are their intentions? Jin Tingxiao knows full well.

If it were usual, Jin Tingxiao would still refuse, but today his thinking has changed.

He had never interfered in Jin Chen's feelings before, but this matter... he probably can't ignore it.

"Let them come in and wait for me in the side hall."

"Yes."

——

Half a month later, Jin Chen brought Qiao Xu back to the Jin Family.

Tonight is still a banquet.

Although Jin Chen also doesn't know what this banquet is for.

But he is quite optimistic, even thinking that perhaps it's to celebrate Jin Fu's death and then successfully find back his stepmother.

At the banquet venue, Jin Chen and Qiao Xu walked in together, and anyone could see they had reunited; people of similar age also came over to offer congratulations.

Then Jin Chen and Qiao Xu raised their glasses for a toast again, and the procedure felt oddly familiar.

Qiao Xu subtly shifted his steps, almost leaning on Jin Chen's shoulder, and said doubtfully, "I feel like I've been to an engagement banquet before."

Looking at the banquet setup, it also resembled an engagement banquet.

A regular banquet wouldn't need such romantic elements.

"Not clear."

Jin Chen expressed that he was equally doubtful.

Could it be that his stepfather wants to do a good deed and hold the engagement banquet tonight?

The hand not holding a glass wrapped around Qiao Xu's waist, and he said teasingly, "If it really is an engagement banquet, it's good that the young master dressed up elaborately today."

Otherwise, going back would surely cause trouble over this.

"Nonsense, I'm no longer the willful person I used to be."

Qiao Xu gave a soft hum, "Now I'm the obedient me."

The banquet round tables quickly started serving dishes, and Jin Chen brought Qiao Xu to the main table, only then realizing that both main tables and the surrounding tables were filled with familiar faces.

The Shen Family Main House's Shen Qing and the family head, Shen Ling and his father, the Huo Family's elders and Huo Chen, Qiao Yushu and the elders of several important families.

The Didu circle only has those few major clans, and today his stepfather invited them all.

"Father, why didn't you tell me when you came over?"

Qiao Xu saw his own father there as well, feeling both surprised and secretly speculating.

Father's expression is so solemn; he wouldn't really be announcing an engagement, would he?

The two sat down beside Qiao Yushu, and Jin Chen observed Qiao Yushu's expression, who then lightly shifted her gaze, as if she no longer cared at all.

This attitude instead made Jin Chen quite puzzled.

But when facing Qiao Xu, Qiao Yushu rarely showed a hint of... guilt.

Jin Chen turned his head to look at Huo Chen at the neighboring table, leaned over and whispered, "What invitation did you receive?"

"Huh?"

Huo Chen shrugged, "I don't know either; the old man at home won't tell me."

"But looking at this setup, it should be some kind of engagement banquet, and it can only be yours and Qiao Xu's."

He felt his guess was very correct.

"Cough cough cough..."

Mo Lin at the same table almost choked on her drink; she seemed to know something, her eyes occasionally glancing at Shen Ling, then at Jin Chen and Qiao Xu.

Finally she shook her head, mourning silently for her good friend.

What sin.

After going around, it still couldn't resist the arranged marriage set up by the family.

But... if they need help later, she will definitely not shirk her duty.

Mo Lin and Hu Die Lan exchanged glances, having made preparations while hiding it from the elders at home.

"Ah Chen, would you like to sit beside me?"

Shen Qing, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up and patted the empty seat beside him.

As for him and Huo Chen dating, both sides' elders already know, they just haven't officially met yet.

The head of the Shen Family felt that Shen Qing and Huo Chen were dating in order to seize the family property.

He originally disliked this son, and now because of his untimely ambition and appearance, he transferred that dislike onto Huo Chen as well.

But no one paid attention to it.

Huo Chen also didn't know why; today, with elders sitting on both sides of him, he moved to Shen Qing's side a split second before his father at home could stop him.

"Why did you have me come over? Miss me?"

He asked in a carefree manner.

So that later when you stop Jin Chen, it will be more convenient.

Shen Qing answered silently in her heart, but on the surface she didn't show it, "Yes, I just miss you."

While he spoke, he glanced at Shen Ling, who was visibly excited and waiting.

He realized Shen Ling's joy wasn't from liking Jin Chen, but from feeling that with the Jin Family's help and the black market's power, she wouldn't have to worry about her inheritance being taken back by him.

If anything happens later, you need to stay calm.

He whispered in Huo Chen's ear.

Huo Chen nodded, though he didn't understand what was being said, he just went along with it.

Before the banquet began, a servant summoned Jin Chen away.

Cheap old mother wants to see him.

Jin Chen hesitated for just two seconds, then took Qiao Xu's hand and headed over.

Xiao Xu.

Qiao Yushu barred his way, her tone stern, with an undisguised hint of rejection.

Why are you coming along for this?

Qiao Xu gasped, "But that's Jin Chen's mother—can't I go?"

He didn't understand what was wrong with Father today; he just felt something was off.

I'm going, Father.

Qiao Yushu: "..."

Youchang sighed, unsure what to say, and simply let go.

Go on, go on—do everything you want to do today, so you can bear the impact later.

Qiao Yushu had already decided; when she announced that matter later, she would immediately take Qiao Xu away, so he wouldn't see what comes next.

——

The madam is resting inside; you may go right in.

Jin Chen pushed the door open; the room was warm. Qing Kui's body had improved greatly, but the sedative injected into her over the years still caused side effects, often leaving her feeling weak all over.

Hearing movement at the door, Qing Kui sat up from the recliner, wrapped in a thick blanket.

As Jin Tingxiao said, time had left no mark on Qing Kui; she remained breathtakingly beautiful, and even after ten years of captivity, the resolve in her gaze never faded.

Come in.

She took in the child she hadn't seen in ten years.

When she left, Jin Chen was still a teenager; in fact, she had little part in his upbringing—it was Jin Tingxiao who raised him.

They felt like strangers.

Before, it was because of the child's bloodline—she didn't want to bear a child carrying the Jin Fu lineage.

Later, it was because seeing Jin Chen reminded her of the time she was forced to entwine with Jin Fu.

And now...

All the past seems to have shifted with the passage of time.