A delicate beauty takes a place in a marriage, while a cold, rough man seduces her every night.

The next day.

Qiao Qingyan got up and changed into an elegant blue shirt dress with a small collar.

The skirt is made of smooth and breathable fabric, and the waist-cinching cut is just right.

A narrow, pure white belt was tied around her waist, which accentuated her slender figure and made her look tall and graceful.

She wore a pair of strappy sandals, but the shoes were two years old, with the edges slightly peeling and revealing some dark marks.

Qiao Qingyan found a piece of white chalk and skillfully and carefully covered it up, filling in the peeling marks so perfectly that no flaws could be seen unless you looked closely.

Xiao Jingye came out of the house and happened to see this scene.

His gaze paused for a moment, but he didn't say anything.

Qiao Qingyan stood up and noticed he was wearing a dark short-sleeved shirt and jeans. She frowned slightly in displeasure. "Could you please change your clothes?"

"What should I change to?" He scratched his head awkwardly. "Why don't you help me choose?"

Qiao Qingyan entered his room and, from the few neatly folded clothes, managed to pick out a light-colored short-sleeved shirt.

"Wear this; it'll make you look more refined."

Refined?

Xiao Jingye narrowed his eyes, a faint, cold sneer escaping his nostrils.

She secretly thought to herself, "Sure enough, she just prefers the weak and pretentious type like Jiang Runsheng."

Is this a plan to mold him in that direction as well?

He won't be someone else's substitute!

Xiao Jingye stared at her fair face for two seconds, then snatched the shirt from her hand with a gloomy expression.

Then, right in front of her, he deftly pulled off his short-sleeved shirt with one hand.

With broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and a muscular back, the smooth muscle lines of his upper body were fully exposed before Qiao Qingyan's eyes.

She turned away in embarrassment and left his room.

When he came out dressed, she took a few careful looks at him.

The man had excellent body proportions and deep, refined features. Although his skin was a bit dark, it gave him a wild and untamed charm. He looked cool and roguish in that shirt and jeans.

"How is it?" Xiao Jingye asked, "Are you more refined now?"

"That's good." Qingyan nodded in satisfaction.

The two set off shortly after having breakfast.

As Qiao Qingyan rode her bicycle near her parents' house, she told Xiao Jingye that Chen Xiaomeng suspected they were a fake couple, and that he should cooperate well and make the act convincing so as not to give anything away.

"I don't want them to realize that we're just a couple in name only, a marriage of convenience," Qingyan said.

Xiao Jingye reassured her that he would fully cooperate with her.

The car had just stopped in front of Qiao Nianshan's house when Jiang Runsheng and Chen Xiaomeng arrived.

Chen Xiaomeng glared at her sharply. [Xiao Jingye really did accompany her back to her parents' home. Humph, I'll see today whether you two are truly in love or just putting on an act for others.]

Qiao Qingyan's eyes darkened slightly, and she stood closer to Xiao Jingye.

Xiao Jingye paused slightly when he saw that Jiang Runsheng was also wearing a light-colored shirt.

Immediately afterwards, in front of her, he gently put his arm around Qiao Qingyan's shoulder, the smile on his face not reaching his eyes.

Jiang Runsheng's eyes narrowed as if pricked by needles when he saw the two's intimate actions.

Qiao Nianshan and Chen Xiuying were overjoyed to see their two sons-in-law carrying large bags and small packages of gifts for their return visit. They greeted them warmly.

"Come inside quickly, come inside quickly!"

The group of people walked into the main room. As soon as the gifts were placed aside, the youngest son, Qiao Yi, stepped forward and rummaged through them, wanting to see what delicious food was inside.

"Mom, my sister bought so many pastries!"

Qiao Yi was full of excitement. He rummaged through the gift bags until they were in a mess, then grabbed a large bag of pastries and ran into the inner room to eat them.

Seeing her younger brother's undignified appearance, Chen Xiaomeng felt embarrassed and frowned, saying to her mother:

"Mom, you need to discipline Qiao Yi. He's only 12 years old, and his teeth are almost all decayed from eating so much."

Chen Xiuying smiled and said, "What's wrong with a child having a sweet tooth? There's no need to be so strict."

Seeing this, Chen Xiaomeng didn't say anything more. She knew that her mother spoiled her children and favored boys over girls.

As everyone sat down to drink tea and chat, Qiao Nianshan spoke only polite and formal words, and his attitude towards his two sons-in-law clearly favored Jiang Runsheng.

"Runsheng, how's work lately?"

"fine."

"Xiaomeng told me that your radio station has great benefits, and they even give out grain, oil, and mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival?"

"Yes." Jiang Runsheng answered casually, but his eyes kept glancing at Qiao Qingyan out of the corner of his eye.

Chen Xiaomeng immediately took Jiang Runsheng's arm affectionately and interjected with a smile:

"Dad, Mom, Runsheng is an outstanding broadcaster at his workplace. In addition to the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, he also receives a considerable bonus."

She glanced haughtily at the silent Qiao Qingyan and Xiao Jingye, then continued to flatter her parents:

"Runsheng told me that after he receives his bonus for the Mid-Autumn Festival, he will take his parents and younger brother to the city for a good trip."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Runsheng turned his head to look at Chen Xiaomeng, who had taken it upon herself, and his brows furrowed into a small hill.

Qiao Nianshan and Chen Xiuying were overjoyed: "Good, good, Runsheng is so sensible and thoughtful. We old folks are also enjoying your blessings."

Jiang Runsheng couldn't bring himself to contradict him in public, so he forced a couple of forced laughs.

Chen Xiaomeng then brought up her sister-in-law, Jiang Chunhua, telling the elderly couple that if they needed anything in the future, they could just go to the township supply and marketing cooperative to find her.

"My older sister works at the supply and marketing cooperative. Mom and Dad, you can just go there and mention my name. It'll be easy to buy whatever you want."

Chen Xiuying looked at her daughter with a smile in her eyes, secretly planning to visit the supply and marketing cooperative when she had time.

Xiao Jingye, watching his father-in-law's favoritism, realized that his wife had been neglected at home, and a pang of bitterness and heartache rose in his heart.

Qiao Qingyan didn't want to stay here as a mere foil for others, so she said:

"Dad, we have some things to take care of at home, so Jinye and I will head back first. We won't be home for lunch."

Qiao Nianshan's smile faded slightly: "You're in such a hurry to leave as soon as you get back? If others see this, they'll think we mistreated you, not even leaving you a meal."

Chen Xiuying advised, "Knowing that you two are returning to your parents' home today, I specially slaughtered a free-range chicken. It's not too late to go back after lunch."

Chen Xiaomeng added pressure, "That's right, Qingyan. You've finally come home, so why not have a meal with your parents? This is the first time our whole family has gotten together since we got married. It's not easy for us."

Their excessive enthusiasm suddenly gave Qingyan a bad feeling.

I have a feeling that today's homecoming banquet is not as simple as it seems.

However, when soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it.

She wanted to see what kind of trouble this family was up to.

Qiao Nianshan chatted with Jiang Runsheng for a few minutes, inquired about his parents, and then spoke to Xiao Jingye, who gave a brief, indifferent reply.

Qiao Nianshan knew that he made a living by hunting and had two sick and weak children at home, so he must be having a hard time.

Therefore, I deliberately avoided mentioning his financial situation, for fear of hurting his self-esteem.

The atmosphere went cold for a few seconds.

Qiao Nianshan, making conversation for the sake of it, turned around and began to berate Qiao Qingyan again:

"Qingyan, your mother-in-law has difficulty walking. You need to take good care of her and your husband at home. Even if you don't know how to cook, you should learn. A woman should prioritize her family."

Before Qiao Qingyan could speak, Xiao Jingye spoke first:

"My mother is very healthy and a good cook. In her spare time, she can also weave bamboo baskets to supplement the family income. Even if she is too busy with chores at home, I can still cook a few home-cooked meals so that Qingyan will never go hungry."

As he spoke, he naturally took Qiao Qingyan's hand in front of everyone:

"Besides, Qingyan's hands are delicate, and we can't bear to let her do any work. She's educated and knowledgeable; those hands should be used for writing and teaching."

Xiao Jingye's fingertips and palms have thin calluses and are slightly rough.

His palm was thick and warm, as if carrying an electric current, enveloping her extremely soft little hand.

Qiao Qingyan's ears burned, and she subconsciously tried to pull away, but the man held her even tighter.

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he gently kneaded her fingertips with his fingertips.

Qingyan felt her heart beating faster.