Returning to High School to Save My Wife - Chapter 21
The weekend gathering took place at a Chinese restaurant located downtown.
The other party had arrived early and sent a message to Liang Qi’s family while they were en route, informing them of the private room name.
Led by a waiter, Liang Qi found the corresponding room. As she pushed the door open, she heard her father, Liang Jinsong, chatting with their guests.
“Yes, I was away on business for over a month, so I haven’t seen Qiqi in a while.” Liang Jinsong was a refined middle-aged man, dressed in an elegant deep-gray suit with a perfectly tied necktie and a silver tie clip. His well-defined features gave him a naturally authoritative air, yet in daily life, he balanced discipline with grace, deeply doting on his daughter.
“Dad,” Liang Qi called out sweetly as she pulled out a chair. “You guys got here so early.”
Liang Jinsong glanced at his wristwatch and smiled. “Hehe, look at the time. Since you’re so late, aren’t you going to apologize to Uncle Xia and Auntie Susan?”
Liang Qi stuck out her tongue and quickly addressed the two people across from her. “Uncle, Auntie, long time no see. There was some traffic today, so Mom and I arrived a bit late.”
“Has the food been ordered yet?” Tao Huijuan wore a sophisticated black-and-white gown, her natural black curls glossy and full of charm.
“We were waiting for you to order,” replied Xia Tengfei, Xia Ke’s father. He was slightly plump and looked older than Liang Jinsong, with some white hair already showing, yet he clearly remained a shrewd man.
Xia Tengfei was a renowned business tycoon in Shengjiang City and the founder of the Tengfei Group. He was an old friend of Liang Jinsong; they had studied together in the United States. After graduation, he stayed in the US to start his business for many years before achieving his current success, while Liang Jinsong became a famous translator in China.
Though they followed vastly different career paths, they maintained close contact. When his own daughter wasn’t around, Xia Tengfei practically treated Liang Qi as his second daughter.
Despite his immense wealth and successful career, Xia Tengfei’s health was poor; he suffered from severe liver failure. In Liang Qi’s past life, he unfortunately passed away during her senior year of high school. Xia Ke was devastated, and Liang Qi, unable to bear seeing her best friend spiral into despair, gave up her plans to attend high school in China and accompanied Xia Ke to the US for university.
As for Xia Tengfei’s wife, Susan, she was a Chinese-American mixed-race model—young-looking, tall, with beautiful blonde hair and rare green eyes. Since Xia Tengfei returned to China to start his business, she had lived there with him.
“Qiqi, long time no see. You’ve grown even more beautiful,” Susan complimented with a smile.
Despite her delicate and gentle appearance, Susan was a woman of strong character. She was especially strict with her daughter’s education. In Liang Qi’s past life, after Xia Tengfei’s death, she insisted Xia Ke finish university abroad and single-handedly supported the entire Tengfei Group, a true “iron lady.”
“Auntie, you flatter me. How could I ever compare to your beauty?”
“Hehe, Qiqi’s words have certainly become sweeter.”
“That’s because my heart feels sweet whenever I see you, Auntie.”
Susan rested her chin on her hand and laughed softly. “Even though I know it’s flattery, it always sounds especially pleasant coming from Qiqi…”
“If you like it, Auntie, I’ll say it to you more often.”
Liang Qi flipped through the menu, selected several dishes that suited everyone’s tastes, and handed it to the waiter.
“Are you settling in well at school, Qiqi?” Susan asked.
“Quite well. But what about Xia Ke? How is she doing?”
“Her?” Susan sighed. “She still keeps talking about coming back to China.”
“She’s just homesick,” Xia Tengfei said cheerfully.
“Homesick? I think she has something on her mind that she won’t tell us…” Susan’s beautiful face clouded with worry at the mention of her daughter abroad.
“What could be on her mind? She doesn’t even have a boyfriend back home.”
“A girl’s heart isn’t as simple as you think,” Susan remarked dismissively.
“If you’re really worried, why not let our Qiqi ask her? They’re close; they can speak openly,” Tao Huijuan suggested.
“Forget it, I don’t want to trouble Qiqi. She should solve her own problems,” Susan said, changing the subject. “Let’s not talk about that; let’s talk about your Qiqi instead…”
While participating in the conversation, Liang Qi surreptitiously sent a WeChat message to Jiang Yuan.
Cookie Biscuit: How is your mother? Is she doing okay these past few days?
Jiang Yuan was always slow to reply. Twenty minutes passed, and the dishes were all served, yet there was no response.
Tao Huijuan noticed her checking her phone and reminded her in a low voice, “It’s a rare gathering with your Uncle and Auntie. Don’t spend the whole time on your phone.”
Susan glanced at Liang Qi and smiled. “It’s fine. Children this age love their phones. Qiqi must be chatting with a friend.”
Liang Qi put her phone away and winked. “Yes, a very good friend.”
Susan sighed softly. “If only you had gone abroad with Xia Ke, Qiqi. You two were so close as children.”
“Oh, Auntie, Xia Ke and I are still best friends. When she returns, we’ll be just as close as ever.”
“Hehe, I’m glad you think so. Our Xia Ke hasn’t had many friends since she was little; you’re the one she’s closest to.”
Just then, Liang Qi received a reply from Jiang Yuan.
Yuan: She’s much better now. She’s currently in the hospital for observation.
Liang Qi quickly typed back.
Cookie Biscuit: That’s good. Do you have any plans for the weekend?
This time, the reply took quite a while and was much briefer than before.
Yuan: I have some things to attend to.
The answer was vague, clearly indicating she didn’t want to elaborate.
But so what? Liang Qi thought. I can ask Jiang Mu.
She immediately messaged Jiang Mu.
Cookie Biscuit: Jiang Mu, what is your sister up to today?
She paused, then added:
Cookie Biscuit: Your sister and I agreed to meet today. Why hasn’t she arrived yet? Did she forget?
As expected, Jiang Mu fell for it.
Exceedingly Handsome: No way? She agreed to meet you today? She went out early for a part-time job. Let me ask her for you.
Seeing the words “part-time job,” Liang Qi was momentarily stunned.
With the academic pressure of eleventh grade, she was still working part-time? It must be because of Xu Chengyu’s hospital bills.
She recalled the university Jiang Yuan graduated from in her past life. With her excellent grades, she should have easily gotten into a top-tier university. Did working part-time in high school affect her studies, leading to a decline in her grades and resulting in her only attending an average university?
That would be a terrible shame.
Within seconds, she decided to visit the place where Jiang Yuan was working. Given Jiang Yuan’s personality, she wouldn’t tell her about this voluntarily, but if they met “by chance”… that might change things.
One encounter is a coincidence; two is fate. She had to make Jiang Yuan believe they were fated.
Cookie Biscuit: No need, don’t ask her. Just tell me where her job is. I just need to give her something, and I’m already in a car. It’s on my way, so it’s convenient to drop it off.
Exceedingly Handsome: It’s a Meijiale convenience store. Hold on, I’ll send you the address.
A few minutes later, Jiang Mu sent her a location pin.
Cookie Biscuit: OK.
She checked the map. The location was somewhat remote, about a thirty-minute drive from where she was.
Cookie Biscuit: What time does she get off?
Exceedingly Handsome: 5:00 PM.
Liang Qi had a plan. 5:00 PM… it was only noon. There would be plenty of time to go after lunch. However, going alone would seem too intentional. She needed someone to accompany her.
She thought of Qiao Shuxue.
Cookie Biscuit: Axue, are you free this evening?
Qiao Shuxue: Yeah, why?
Cookie Biscuit: Accompany me somewhere.
Qiao Shuxue: Finished your homework?
Cookie Biscuit: I can do it tonight.
Qiao Shuxue: Hmm… where to?
Liang Qi sent her the location.
Qiao Shuxue: Such a remote neighborhood? A convenience store? Qiqi, why are you going there?
Cookie Biscuit: Just consider it a favor. Please, please? I’ll treat you to dinner tonight.
Qiao Shuxue: Alright. Where should we meet?
Cookie Biscuit: Near that convenience store. My family is having lunch with Xia Ke’s parents at a restaurant downtown, so I can’t head there with you.
Qiao Shuxue: Okay, see you then.
Having arranged things with Qiao Shuxue, Liang Qi contentedly put her phone away and finished her meal. The gathering ended around 3:00 PM. After saying goodbye to Xia Ke’s parents, Liang Jinsong went to the parking lot.
He drove a black Land Rover, a low-key model that suited his steady personality.
Once in the car, Liang Qi buckled her seatbelt and said, “Dad, I have plans with Axue this afternoon. Can you drop me off at the station on Jiuli Street?”
“Where are you two going shopping? I’ll just drive you there,” Liang Jinsong said while driving.
“No need, Axue and I agreed to meet at the station. we want to walk around Jiuli Street first.” Liang Qi didn’t give the address Jiang Mu had sent; she couldn’t let her father know she was dragging Qiao Shuxue to a remote location to chase a classmate.
Liang Jinsong didn’t suspect a thing and stopped the car at the Jiuli Street station. He unlocked the doors and reminded her, “Don’t be back too late.”
“I know.” Liang Qi stepped out and waved to her parents.
As soon as the black Land Rover disappeared from sight, Qiao Shuxue’s quiet voice sounded from behind. “Qiqi.”
“Axue, you’re here! Hurry, let’s call a taxi and head over together.”
Forty minutes later, the two arrived at the location Jiang Mu had provided.
Liang Qi scanned the storefronts. “Meijiale convenience store…”
Qiao Shuxue turned around and spotted the inconspicuous shop. “Over there.”
Liang Qi followed her gaze. It was indeed a Meijiale convenience store.
From less than ten meters away, she spotted Jiang Yuan standing by a shelf, taking inventory.
Jiang Yuan’s hair was in a ponytail; she wore a white T-shirt and denim jeans. She held a notebook, jotting things down while speaking to someone in the back.
“Sister Yan, we’re short two packs of tissues. Check the other boxes to see if they’re there.”
She checked a box in her notebook, noticed someone entering the store, and immediately set the notebook down to head toward the cash register.
“Hello, may I help…”
Jiang Yuan’s words cut off. The moment she saw Liang Qi, she froze in disbelief.
“Liang Qi?”
What was she doing here?
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