Chapter 31: Fang Lian’s Dominance

Hearing that Fang Lian was returning to her hometown, Yang Qingqing took leave to accompany her.

At one o'clock the following afternoon, the three of them stepped out of the county's high-speed railway station and stood together by the roadside, waiting.

Yang Qingqing was dressed in her usual athletic set, her hair tied into a high ponytail, radiating youthful energy.

Fang Lian was the complete opposite. She wore a slim-fit, high-necked black knit sweater paired with a knee-length pencil skirt; the exquisite tailoring accentuated her slender waist and graceful curves. She stood straight on long, lithe legs, wearing black patent leather heels, with sheer black stockings showcasing her perfect legs. She topped it off with a gray nylon trench coat, looking every bit the urban office professional. If not for her vibrant, bleached pink-and-white streaked hair, one would never mistake her for a college student.

"We're just going back to your hometown, who are you trying to intimidate with that outfit? It's not even close to the New Year yet!" Yang Qingqing couldn't help but remark. Back on the train, an elderly man with poor eyesight had even asked her, "Young lady, how old is your mother? She looks so young!"

Fang Lian couldn't be bothered to explain. She snorted, "You little brat, you don't understand." If she didn't appear formidable upon returning home, she might easily invite a heap of trouble for herself and Yan Xuan. The trouble might not be big, but it would certainly be annoying.

Yang Qingqing whispered, "I'm curious, how do you dare bring a pretty boy back home? Aren't you afraid he’ll find out you’re not some wealthy socialite?"

"I can handle my own affairs; don't you worry about it," Fang Lian retorted. "What about you? Aren't you afraid your father will beat you for suddenly coming home?"

"It’s precisely because I’m afraid of being beaten that I’ve come back to test the waters."

"What excuse are you using?"

"My cousin is getting married the day after tomorrow."

No sooner had Yang Qingqing finished speaking than a brand-new black BMW 3 Series pulled up in front of them. A tall young man in his early twenties stepped out, looking honest and shy.

"Qingqing, get in!"

"Oh wow, cousin, when did you buy a BMW?" Yang Qingqing exclaimed with great enthusiasm, opening the door to climb in first.

"Brother Yang Quan, long time no see," Fang Lian said with a smile, leaning closer to Yan Xuan and gently hooking her arm through his. "Let me introduce you: this is my boyfriend, Yan Xuan. Yan Xuan, this is Brother Yang Quan, Qingqing’s cousin."

Yang Quan politely stepped forward and offered a cigarette, "Brother, do you smoke?"

"No, thank you," Yan Xuan replied politely, adding, "I was wondering why Qingqing was so tall; turns out it's the genetics."

Yang Quan laughed heartily. "You bet! There are over a dozen of us cousins, and even the shortest girl is 179 centimeters."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, everyone piled into the car. Seeing all three squeezed into the back, Yang Quan asked, "Do one of you want to sit in the front?"

Yang Qingqing waved him off. "Forget it. Don't you still have to go pick up your wife? We wouldn't dare steal her seat."

Yang Quan smiled awkwardly and started the car.

There wasn't much to talk about on the road, mostly centering on the girls' college life. Before long, Yang Quan parked in front of an elementary school. He unbuckled his seatbelt and said, "I need to help my wife carry some things. Wait here a moment."

Once he was out of earshot, Yang Qingqing immediately gossiped, "I finally understand why you dressed like this, Xiao Lian. My cousin was completely mesmerized when he met you before, but today he didn't even dare look you in the eye. He must have been intimidated by your aura."

Fang Lian frowned. "He's getting married the day after tomorrow, stop prattling on about him."

Yang Qingqing continued, "Besides, didn't you notice? He only dared to ask about us, and didn't mention Yan Xuan once. He probably assumes Yan Xuan is a rich kid from the big city and is afraid of feeling inferior."

Yan Xuan listened to Yang Qingqing tease her cousin, unsure whether he should chime in. However, he wasn't surprised. If he had a cousin with a female friend like Fang Lian, he’d probably be tempted too.

Twenty minutes later, Yang Quan and his wife walked out of the school gates, each carrying a high stack of workbooks to toss into the trunk.

"My cousin's wife is an elementary school teacher named Song Li, two years his senior. I heard they met at a bar less than six months ago. She got pregnant last month, so they’re having a shotgun wedding. The dowry was a full 360,000!" Yang Qingqing kept chattering until Yang Quan and Song Li returned to the car, at which point she instantly put on a sweet face and chirped, "Hello, sister-in-law!"

Yan Xuan and Fang Lian nodded politely at Song Li, who graciously handed them some candy. "Here, here, have some wedding candy."

Yang Qingqing chimed in, "The packaging is in a foreign language—is this imported?"

Song Li complained, "It's all your cousin's idea. The candy and snacks alone put the budget over by tens of thousands." Though she sounded like she was complaining, anyone could tell Song Li was showing off.

For the rest of the trip, Song Li rattled on about wedding expenses—the hotel, the dress, the catering, the emcee—everything was the highest spec the county could offer. Yang Qingqing played along until Song Li suddenly asked, "Xiao Lian, will you come back to hold your wedding here in the future?"

Fang Lian replied calmly, "Sister-in-law, I'm only a freshman. Isn't it a bit too early to talk about marriage?"

"Oh, look at me, I almost forgot you just started college. A top student at Nanjiang University, I suppose you won't be coming back." Song Li clicked her tongue, sighing, "But it's better not to come back anyway. There are too many backward customs in our small town. My mom told me yesterday that the father has to carry the bride on his back to the wedding car. I'm so worried my dad’s old bones won't be able to handle it the day after tomorrow."

The atmosphere in the car plummeted. Fang Lian’s expression darkened. Song Li knew perfectly well that Fang Lian had no father.

Fang Lian remained restrained and composed until Yang Quan pulled over in front of the hospital, at which point she finally spoke up.

"Brother Quan, since the sister-in-law is pregnant, you really should keep an eye on her!"

"Huh?" Yang Quan turned back, confused.

Fang Lian offered a cold, mirthless smile. "Look at how the sister-in-law rushed out of school. Never mind that her lipstick is the wrong shade, her eyeliner is crooked, and she’s missing a false eyelash. Don't let that happen on the wedding day; the bride should look beautiful."

Fang Lian had noticed the makeup was off the moment Song Li got in. She hadn't wanted to cause trouble, but since Song Li insisted on picking a fight, she wouldn't hold back.

As the words landed, Yang Quan and Song Li were both stunned into silence. They were adults; they understood the implication. *Why did you need to touch up your makeup, Song Li? What were you doing at school?*

"I’ll definitely come for a celebratory drink the day after tomorrow," Fang Lian said as she and Yan Xuan stepped out of the car. They hadn't walked a hundred meters before they heard shouting and roaring.

"Song Li, were you messing around with someone at school? That new intern P.E. teacher?"

"Yang Quan, stop listening to every rumor you hear!"

"Song Li, tell me the truth—is the baby in your belly mine?"

"Yang Quan, are you sick in the head?"

...

As they entered the hospital gates, Yan Xuan smirked. It seemed they wouldn't be having that wedding drink after all.