Chapter 16: The Fiancée

The two arrived at Nightfall Club, a bit early by the club’s standards. Yet the crowd was complete. They weren’t drinking but were eagerly watching the screen before them.

Jing Jiang held Xiangsi Yu closely as they entered. This was the first time since their meeting that Jing Jiang brought Xiangsi Yu out in front of their friends.

As Jing Jiang stepped inside, he casually asked, “What’s on the screen?”

Shen Xinian and Gu Ze glanced over. Shen Xinian first looked at Xiangsi Yu beside him, then said with a tone full of anticipation, “Someone else is trying to break your three records again.”

Jing Jiang paused slightly, then turned his gaze to the screen. A young woman was bending over to take a shot—today’s challenge was billiards.

The girl was quite young, around twenty-three or twenty-four, with delicate features and a graceful demeanor, evidently the poised elegance nurtured by a privileged upbringing.

Breaking the table in three-ball billiards was a remarkable feat. It was her first time attempting it—remember, Xiangsi Yu herself took five shots on her first day. Of course, Xiangsi Yu had deliberately concealed her true skill.

The high-definition camera captured every expression of the girl on screen. She furrowed her brows, let out a soft breath, and finally gave a faint smile—a look of quiet acceptance after an earnest effort fell short.

Another girl like this appeared. Shen Xinian and Gu Ze clearly relished the prospect of a show, both watching Jing Jiang’s reaction intently.

But Jing Jiang remained composed, seemingly unfazed by the girl on the screen. Xiangsi Yu, however, caught sight of the challenger and her eyes flickered with a mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips.

Jing Jiang turned his head to ask Xiangsi Yu, “What would you like to drink? I’ll have them prepare it.”

Xiangsi Yu, seemingly undisturbed by the new challenger, brightened, “That wine I couldn’t identify last time.”

Shen Xinian was speechless.

Jing Jiang chuckled lightly, raising an eyebrow at Shen Xinian. “Did you hear that? Hurry and get it ready.”

That wine was specially reserved, quite rare. Even he had only managed to acquire two bottles.

This time, Jing Jiang was clearly standing up for his woman.

Shen Xinian, though reluctant, sent someone to prepare the drink.

The wine arrived swiftly. Xiangsi Yu’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at it.

She inhaled its rich aroma, a subtle dimple appearing as her lips curved into a slight smile.

Qin Lang’s grandfather owned a small distillery, and Qin Lang grew up surrounded by the scent of fine liquor. His sole passion was to savor the world’s best wines.

Since he could no longer taste them, she would do so on his behalf.

Xiangsi Yu’s attention was wholly on the wine, seemingly unconcerned about the new challenger.

Gu Ze shifted his gaze and said to Jing Jiang, “Speaking of which, this challenger has quite a connection to you.”

Jing Jiang’s focus was on Xiangsi Yu, who looked like a little mouse lost in a grain jar, eyes shining brightly as she cradled the wine glass, utterly captivating.

He casually asked, “Who?”

Gu Ze, noticing his indifference, replied with three words, “Qiao Zhilin.”

The name immediately drew the attention of both Jing Jiang and Xiangsi Yu; they both looked toward Gu Ze.

The girl just now was Qiao Zhilin?

Xiangsi Yu, of course, recognized the girl as Qiao Zhilin. She had been watching Jing Jiang merely to gauge his reaction.

Jing Jiang remained calm upon hearing his fiancée’s name. “The first meeting with the Qiao family is in a few days, yet she still has the leisure to come out seeking amusement. No wonder the Qiao family resorts to underhanded methods.”

Gu Ze, ever the instigator, laughed, “Catching you is like capturing the future of the Qiao family. How could that be underhanded? I think Miss Qiao just can’t sit still, so she’s trying to get your attention this way. After all, there’s precedent for success—she’s making an effort.”

His words were clearly aimed at Xiangsi Yu, openly emphasizing Qiao Zhilin’s status as the official fiancée in front of her, which was a great humiliation for Xiangsi Yu.

Gu Ze’s tone held a hint of hostility toward Xiangsi Yu, prompting Jing Jiang to frown and warn him with a sharp glance.

Jing Jiang pulled his woman closer and said indifferently, “It’s just someone else riding on another’s coattails.”

Gu Ze, with ill intent, asked, “What, you’re not even tempted?”

Jing Jiang smirked, “My girlfriend is right here. Is it appropriate for you to be talking about other women?”

His words surprised both Shen Xinian and Gu Ze. Was Jing Jiang admitting Xiangsi Yu’s identity in front of them?

Though the title “girlfriend” lacked the closeness of “fiancée,” this was a direct confirmation from Jing Jiang. The fiancée, Qiao Zhilin, was arranged by the family, and until today, Jing Jiang had never even paid attention to what she looked like.

In his heart, his girlfriend was naturally closer to him than the so-called fiancée.

Everyone was sharp enough to understand his meaning. This was a rebuke of Gu Ze’s public emphasis on Qiao Zhilin’s status in front of Xiangsi Yu.

He was defending Xiangsi Yu.

It seemed Jing Jiang valued Xiangsi Yu far more than they had imagined; this was not a mere dalliance.