Chapter 698 - 242: I Don’t Have a Boyfriend, I Have a Husband

"Your great-uncle isn’t feeling well," her grandmother said offhandedly.

Xu Jiali knew it was just an excuse, but she didn’t press the matter. The fact that her great-aunt was personally handling the discussion of her marriage to Gao Qiang was already a great honor for the Gao family.

"Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep our guests waiting," her grandmother said. She’d pointedly used the word "guests," not "in-laws." Whether the marriage would even happen was still up in the air; calling them family now was far too premature.

Xu Jiali supported her grandmother, and Jie Jingchen held Qin Mei’s hand as they slowly descended the stairs.

In the living room, a servant served tea and then withdrew. Aside from Grandma Gao, the other three were shifting in their seats, clearly on edge.

"Honey, what do you think the Qiao family is playing at?" Mrs. Gao whispered to Mr. Gao, who sat beside her.

"Be patient. Jiali already went to get them," Mr. Gao placated Mrs. Gao. He glanced at his own mother. Her eyes were closed, her fingers rolling a string of Buddha Beads as she silently chanted, the very picture of someone taking things as they come.

Mrs. Gao glanced resentfully at Grandma Gao. "Do you think we offended the Qiao family by being late?"

"I doubt it," Mr. Gao said, though he wasn’t sure either.

"We are the guests. The guests have arrived, but the hosts are nowhere to be seen. The Qiao family is trying to put the Gao family in our place," Grandma Gao said.

"Ma, keep your voice down. This is the Qiao family’s home, not ours," Mr. Gao reminded her.

"Hmph!" Grandma Gao snorted and said no more. ’They knew the Gao family was coming to discuss the children’s marriage. It was bad enough that the Qiao family didn’t greet them at the gate, but to remain hidden even after they’d come inside, forcing Xu Jiali to go fetch them? It was a blatant show of disrespect.’ Grandma Gao was seething.

If the Gao family were more powerful than the Qiao family, would the Qiaos dare to slight them?

But the reality was that the Gao family was in decline while the Qiao family was at its zenith. To forge a marriage alliance with them, they had to endure any and all humiliation.

"Granny, Dad, Mom, they’re here." Gao Qiang was the first to stand up, waiting awkwardly for them to approach.

Mr. Gao and Mrs. Gao also stood up. Seeing no sign of Old Sir Qiao, the two exchanged a look but showed no negative emotion.

Grandma Gao remained seated, putting on airs as the elder.

"Great-Aunt, this is Gao Qiang. This is his Granny, and this is Uncle Gao and Auntie," Xu Jiali made the introductions.

"Great-Aunt," Gao Qiang said, stepping forward and giving Madam Qiao a deep bow.

"Madam Qiao," Mr. and Mrs. Gao said.

"My apologies for the poor reception. Please, have a seat," Madam Qiao said cordially. Her eyes lingered on Gao Qiang for a few moments. ’Jiali really has terrible taste. One look at this Gao boy and you can tell he’ll never amount to anything.’

As for Old Madam Gao, she continued to put on the airs of a senior, and Madam Qiao simply ignored her.

Old Madam Gao was older than Madam Qiao. Madam Qiao was Xu Jiali’s great-aunt, and Old Madam Gao was Gao Qiang’s grandmother. If the two children were to marry, Old Madam Gao’s generational standing would be one level higher. Disregarding the vast disparity in their family statuses, Old Madam Gao considered herself the most senior elder present, which was why she was putting on such airs.

’In Old Madam Gao’s mind, even if her grandson couldn’t marry the Qiao family’s legitimate young lady, they would at least get Xu Jiali.’

Only after Madam Qiao sat down did the Gao family dare to take their seats. Xu Jiali hurried over to sit next to Gao Qiang and took his hand, finding his palm slick with sweat. Xu Jiali paused for a moment, then gave him a small smile and whispered reassuringly, "Don’t be nervous."

’It was his first time meeting Madam Qiao, and it would be a lie to say he wasn’t nervous. Under her gaze, he didn’t dare let his eyes wander. Her stare was too piercing; it made him feel exposed, with nowhere to hide.’

"I’m not nervous," Gao Qiang said, looking at Xu Jiali and forcing a strained smile.

Jie Jingchen, still holding Qin Mei’s hand, sat down next to Madam Qiao. His gaze on Gao Qiang was appraising and devoid of emotion. When Gao Qiang felt the stare and met his eyes, he flinched away almost instantly. Jie Jingchen’s look sent a chill straight to his core.

’Just asking for Xu Jiali’s hand is terrifying enough; I don’t have the guts to even think about coveting the Qiao family’s true young lady.’

’With a face like the Qiao family’s true young lady has, I’m not even qualified to try a pretty-boy routine on her, let alone sweep her off her feet and make her utterly devoted to me.’

’And the man by her side... now *he* has the looks to match hers. Wait a minute. They’re holding hands. Even sitting next to Madam Qiao, they’re *still* holding hands.’

’Didn’t she say she didn’t have a boyfriend?’

Gao Qiang immediately stopped that train of thought, not daring to think further, afraid that the emotions flickering across his face would give him away.

Gao Qiang repeatedly reminded himself that he was here to ask for Jiali’s hand in marriage. He could not afford to waver, not even for a moment.

Mr. and Mrs. Gao also noticed Jie Jingchen and Qin Mei holding hands, and a trace of surprise flashed in their eyes.