Mrs. Fu, please be mindful of the appropriate boundaries.

Zhao Lan was taken aback. "Why do you suddenly want to go over there?"

"I also want to relax a bit." Xu Qingcheng lowered her eyes and didn't say anything more.

Zhao Lan looked at her, but suddenly became uneasy. "Is the Fu family dissatisfied with you? I've already told them that you don't need to worry about what happens to Shengshi."

"Mom," Xu Qingcheng interrupted Zhao Lan with a smile, "You're overthinking it. There are many things we're incompatible about, and we can't work things out. Don't worry, I'm grown up and mature now. Mom, I'll handle things in this relationship well; it won't be like before."

Xu Qingcheng reached out and hugged her. "Mom, don't overthink it. I'm fine, I'm okay. As long as you take care of yourself, I'll be fine too."

Zhao Lan pursed her lips and gently patted her back. "Qingcheng, times have changed. The Liang family might not be a good fit."

"What do you mean by suitable or unsuitable?" Xu Qingcheng laughed. "I'm just going to have some fun."

Zhao Lan looked at her, but didn't say anything more.

At the height of the Xu family's power, they collaborated extensively with the Liang family of Jiangzhou Beijian Group. The Liang couple were very fond of Qingcheng at the time and even expressed their hope for a marriage alliance on several occasions.

But by then, Qingcheng and Ye Tinghong were already lovers, and they were not from the same city as the Liang family, so the children rarely interacted, and the matter was no longer mentioned.

Zhao Lan knew perfectly well that Qingcheng wouldn't visit the Liang family without a reason, especially not on New Year's Day.

However, the Liang family has a complicated background, and Mr. Liang has had many romantic affairs. The current head of the Liang family, the third young master Liang Zongyan, is strictly speaking an illegitimate child.

The eldest grandson and this younger uncle are about the same age.

Xu Qingcheng had her eye on Liang Muqin, the eldest grandson of the Liang family. He was the same age as her, and most importantly, he currently had no marriage prospect.

Previously, his girlfriend had an affair with his uncle, which caused a huge scandal in Jiangzhou.

However, the Liang family clarified that the girl was originally Liang Zongyan's arranged marriage partner, and that she and Liang Muqin were just good classmates, which put the matter to rest.

Xu Qingcheng didn't know the specifics, but the information she gathered gave her a different version of events: Liang Zongyan had forcibly taken her away.

However, things have come to this point, and even if Liang Muqin liked her very much, there was no possibility for them to be together. The Liang family now just wants to find him a suitable person as soon as possible, so that once they are married, there will be less gossip.

Besides, Liang Zongyan would not allow his nephew to covet his lover.

The strength of Beijian Group is undeniable. Even if Liang Muqin doesn't become the successor of the Liang family, the assets he and his father possess are still considerable. Most importantly, with this connection, the Liang family can lend her a hand, and Shengshi can be revived.

Xu Qingcheng was confident, but she lacked resources.

At this time, the Ye family's constant underhanded tactics had given Xu Qingcheng a major headache. She gave everyone only one order: do not reply, delay until after the Spring Festival, until the first quarter, and until it can't be delayed any longer.

Then she carried her own suitcase and flew directly to Jiangzhou City.

The person who came to pick her up was Liang Muqin, dressed in a suit and wearing glasses, and was very refined.

He took Xu Qingcheng's luggage from her. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I was late because of traffic."

"It's nothing." Xu Qingcheng was poised and graceful. The temperature in Jiangzhou was on the warmer side, so she wore a ladylike dress and a long trench coat. Her original wavy curls had been straightened, with only a slight bend at the ends. Her long, black hair fell obediently and smoothly down her back. She wore light makeup and smiled gently, like a white lotus leaf.

Xu Qingcheng's information and photos had been prepared by her family and given to him long ago, but when he met her, he realized that the radiance and charm in the photos paled in comparison to the real person.

My eyes would unconsciously follow her, as if glued to her.

Xu Qingcheng lowered her eyes slightly, her eyelashes trembling with a hint of shyness, but she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhou Chuqiong, Liang Muqin's ex-girlfriend and now Liang Zongyan's fiancée, is a quintessential well-bred lady, gentle and charming.

Xu Qingcheng did not deny that she was deliberately trying to please him, hoping that he would be more interested in her.

Aside from her relationship with Ye Tinghong, other rumors about Ancheng wouldn't reach the Liang family's ears. Xu Shengchang, because of his own limited resources, spared no effort in his children's education. Xu Qingcheng didn't need to be too deliberate; she handled this role with ease.

The two have gotten along quite well these past few days.

A family banquet after New Year's Day. Many members of the Liang family were present.

Xu Qingcheng played the role of an elegant and intellectual girlfriend by Liang Muqin's side. When the two talked, she lowered her eyes and smiled gently, creating a beautiful scene in herself.

Zhou Chuqiong's gaze froze beside him, and Liang Zongyan followed her gaze. He scoffed, his fingers gripping the woman's chin to draw her eyes away. "The woman your family chose for Mu Qin is quite a catch. Jealous?"

Zhou Chuqiong pursed her lips, reached out and slapped his hand away, "If I said I was jealous, would you let go of me?"

"Don't even think about it." The man said, lowering his head to kiss her lips. Zhou Chuqiong was startled and took a step back. She was conservative and couldn't stand being intimate in public, but he seemed to have a particular fondness for it.

Behind her was a constructed courtyard with a water feature. She almost fell in as she stepped back, but the man caught her firmly in his arms and pulled her into his embrace.

The noise attracted everyone's attention, and Zhou Chuqiong instinctively hid in Liang Zongyan's arms as everyone's gaze turned towards her.

The person beside her paused in his work of tidying up the barbecue, and Xu Qingcheng understood. That person was probably the third young master of the Liang family and his fiancée, Zhou Chuqiong.

Looking at it from afar, Xu Qingcheng couldn't help but sigh. It's true that one's temperament isn't something that can be easily learned.

She reached out and helped Liang Muqin flip the barbecue next to him, nudging him lightly with her elbow. "Snap out of it."

Liang Muqin looked away, and Xu Qingcheng smiled sweetly at him, "If it's already in the past, don't dwell on it. Look at me more."

Under the dim yellow light of the night, the woman's face was more than just radiant and captivating.

Just as Liang Zongyan approached, he heard a woman's voice and couldn't help but glance at her.

Her brow furrowed slightly.

Her face was as beautiful as a rose, unforgettable at first glance.

Liang Zongyan withdrew his gaze and sat down in the chair next to Old Master Liang. "Dad, what's this woman's background?"

A while ago, I only heard the old man mention a friend's daughter, but he was too busy to listen carefully. He just thought it was a good thing, so he wouldn't have to worry about Chu Qiong too much.

But when I looked at it today, it looked familiar.

"Xu Qingcheng, daughter of Xu Shengchang of Ancheng Shengshi Group."

"Shengshi Group?!" Liang Zongyan confirmed again.

Grandpa Liang nodded. "Yes, didn't you show interest in acquiring Shengshi's land near the south gate of Ancheng a while ago?"

"That's true." Liang Zongyan nodded. Ye Chengnian of the Ye family in Ancheng had communicated with him about cooperating on the development. He was also optimistic about it, but Fu Jingting reminded him not to take any action.

Later, after weighing the pros and cons, he gave up the idea.

"This girl is well-informed. She knows that Beijian Group wants to expand outwards, and she proposed to marry into the company so that they can cooperate in development. Shengshi only needs to guarantee the principal and does not seek profits. As long as Beijian is willing to invest in Shengshi, the principal and interest will be returned within five years." Old Master Liang smiled and said, "This child has courage and ideas."

His words were full of satisfaction with Xu Qingcheng.

Liang Zongyan glanced at his old man and raised an eyebrow. "It seems this Miss Xu has a very clever plan. She probably thought it through countless times before making her move."

"Well said," Old Master Liang laughed. "Marriage alliances between prominent families are always about weighing the pros and cons to maximize benefits. Don't tell me you have no ulterior motives by keeping Chu Qiong by your side. But have you ever seen a girl come with a plan in hand, scheming to find a husband for herself?!"

The old master of the Liang family sat in his chair, lightly tapping the armrest with his fingers, and looked towards Xu Qingcheng. "I think this girl is very good."

After a long silence, Liang Zongyan said, "I heard that she had a past entanglement with Fu Jingting."

"Young man, having a relationship or two is no big deal."

Liang Zongyan smiled and offered no further comment.

Fu Jingting received Liang Zongyan's message in the afternoon; it was already past midnight in China, and he was fast asleep.

One photo, one sentence.

My nephew's fiancée looks vaguely familiar.