Chapter 180: Chapter 180: Rivals in Love Meet
Regarding the Yao Family’s affairs, Qu Fulan inquired to make sure it wouldn’t affect the Pei Family, and then she turned her attention to discussing business with Heir Pei.
"I met with Xiao Shiqing yesterday," Qu Fulan said.
Pei Ji’an paused in his movements but then continued casually, "Was there something important you needed to discuss with him?"
"Since I am collaborating with Heir Pei, I must consider the relationship between the Pei and Xiao families. Moreover, the Xiao Family does not like me, so keeping my distance from them is inevitable. I explained the facts to Prince Xiao, and from now on, we will part ways peacefully."
This was simply the way Qu Fulan conducted herself.
She would not take advantage of the Pei Family while maintaining relations with the Xiao Family. This would be unfair to everyone, and her conscience wouldn’t allow it.
To set her mind at ease, she chose to clarify things with Xiao Shiqing, and now she was being upfront with Heir Pei, trying to show him that by choosing to collaborate with him, she wouldn’t betray him.
This is the integrity of a businessperson.
"Did he agree?" Pei Ji’an asked.
"I suppose he did, because I’ve made everything clear," Qu Fulan said.
In truth, Qu Fulan didn’t know what Xiao Shiqing would be thinking, since she couldn’t control others, only herself.
Pei Ji’an thought of the gifts outside and suspected that Xiao Shiqing was not so easily swayed.
"It seems you’ve always been averse to the Xiao Family and meeting Xiao Shiqing. Even if it’s partly due to changes in status, you’ve never considered depending on the Xiao Family. Why is that?"
This had always puzzled Pei Ji’an. Initially, her family’s changes in fortune might have made it difficult for her to approach the Xiao Family due to class differences, and with Mrs. Xiao and Miss Xiao’s disfavor, it was understandable. However, having met Xiao Shiqing, she should know he had not changed his mind. This could be seen from his continued gift-giving even after rejection. Yet she persisted in being obstinate, preferring to collaborate with the Pei Family over choosing the Xiao Family, which seemed odd.
Pei Ji’an’s suspicions were also rooted in this.
There always seemed to be something amiss, but upon closer thought, he couldn’t find any flaws.
If Heir Pei knew of such a thing as the original work, he wouldn’t have been puzzled, but he did not, so he was destined to be confused.
Qu Fulan also knew that this was difficult to explain, so she just said, "If my life’s dream was to find a good husband, to spend my days supporting my husband and raising children, following the traditional roles of men as breadwinners and women as homemakers, maybe I would charge ahead. Unfortunately, while this may be the dream of many women, it isn’t mine. In fact, I’m grateful I understand business, for it has allowed me to witness much of the outside world and made me unwilling to be confined to domestic life. That alone doesn’t meet the expectations most mothers-in-law have for a daughter-in-law. Even if Mrs. Xiao accepted me, with her personality, she would likely keep me confined to the home, which conflicts with my life’s pursuits. And between marriage and career, I choose career. It’s that simple."
Life is precious, love is even more so, but for the sake of freedom, both can be forsaken. The hard-won freedom she had gained, why should she enter a marriage and let it become a prison that binds her?
Qu Fulan too had once let herself be swept away by love, though she ended up better than the original protagonist. But it wasn’t something worth bragging about.
That was during modern times. Due to her parents’ preference for sons over daughters, her life severely lacked love. So any slight care from someone easily moved her.
There was a city boy, weak in health, who had gone to the countryside to recuperate at his grandmother’s. Later, under her herbal care, he gradually recovered and treated her with great care.
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say they grew up as childhood sweethearts. Later, he returned to the city for higher education, and she also got into his university.
He treated her very well, remarkably so, which is why she was smitten and misunderstood their relationship as romantic even without explicit statements.
Because he thoughtfully prepared her breakfast, topped up her phone credit, and meal card, it was an all-around support. Her roommates were envious and said her boyfriend was tall, handsome, and came from a well-off family.
He often took her to various banquets and introduced her to his friends, who all assumed they were a couple.
But once, while she was on a call outside a private room, she overheard someone asking him if she was his girlfriend, to which he didn’t respond directly but asked if it wasn’t obvious.
That person said it wasn’t, suggesting she seemed like a little sister or an affectionate sibling.
In the end, he said she was like a sister.
Later, Qu Fulan learned he was good to her, but also good to other women, much like how some describe a central heating system.
Qu Fulan decisively ended all feelings and cut off contact.
Chasing one’s tail gets nowhere; letting go and moving forward lets the tail follow naturally.
The childhood sweetheart grew anxious and, on a beautiful evening, confessed his feelings to her.
Qu Fulan rejected him.
By then, she was already immersed in her career, and love occupied a minimal place in her heart.
The childhood sweetheart didn’t give up, putting on one affectionate display after another, resolving all past ambiguous relationships. Others were deeply moved, but Qu Fulan felt nothing.
There’s a saying that delayed affection is lighter than grass.
Having experienced such a phase in modern times, now in ancient times, having transmigrated into the body of a tragic female protagonist, how could Qu Fulan hold any illusions about love and marriage?
Pei Ji’an looked at Qu Fulan; as she spoke, she seemed to shine with certain radiance.
Independent, discerning, capable, confident, always knowing what she wants.
These characteristics are not something even a man might achieve.
"I understand," he said.
This reassured Qu Fulan. Gaining the trust of a strong backer was the best outcome.
Even if Xiao Shiqing later wrestled with understanding and returned to pester her, it would be his problem. Her stance was clear.
Then she discussed business matters with Heir Pei.
"Flower Garden Ode," "Ten Thousand Books Bookstore," and even the milk tea shop were operating steadily, requiring only the management to handle them.
Qu Fulan had her own business to run, and her collaboration with Heir Pei couldn’t afford to lag.
Regarding the coffee shop, she thought it over and decided it could be opened. Even though she was short of funds, she could contribute her expertise to the partnership. He would earn the larger share, and she the smaller. Once the money accumulated, future projects could progress to a more equal division.
Qu Fulan planned that when the coffee shop opened, she would invite the "Tang Seng and his disciples" to help with the ribbon-cutting.
After their last stage performance, Tang Seng and his disciples had already become quite famous, and she’d be a fool not to use this popularity.
On the grand opening day, giving out signed items by Tang Seng and his disciples would surely make many Journey to the West fans go wild.
The allure of celebrities existed not only in modern times but in ancient times too.
After discussing business, Heir Pei left Qu Fulan’s "Jingsi Residence."
With several guards on punishment duty, Heir Pei walked alone under the moonlit path.
He had barely taken a few steps when he noticed a tall figure standing there.
Pei Ji’an came to a halt.
After a moment of stifled silence, "Ha." Pei Ji’an chuckled lightly and walked over.