Chapter 107: Chapter 107 Wedding Dress Photos Chapter 107: Chapter 107 Wedding Dress Photos Qiao En’s clear, cool eyes seriously observed Ding Hao, who appeared quite uncomfortable under her gaze.

He smiled awkwardly, “Of course, I’m a man after all, protecting my woman is only natural and right.”

He wasn’t his usual self, but Qiao En didn’t think much of it, although Ding Hao felt somewhat panicked inside.

“En’en, the hotel for the wedding is booked, let me take you to see it.”

He brought it up on his own initiative.

Normally, the wedding arrangements were left to Ding Hao to handle. After all, this wedding was just a play. Thus, Qiao En wasn’t concerned at all about the play’s setting.

However, since Ding Hao mentioned it, she still responded, “Okay.”

Ding Hao drove directly to the largest hotel in Rong City.

On the way, Qiao En leaned back in her seat, her gaze fixed outside the window, seemingly lost in thought about something particularly engrossing.

Ding Hao turned to look at her several times. Normally talkative, he had suddenly become very silent.

The car journey was quiet, with no words exchanged between them, only the air flowing around.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Ding Hao got out of the car first, with Qiao En following him inside.

The hotel’s lobby manager rushed up as soon as he saw Ding Hao appear.

“Mr. Ding, you’ve arrived?”

Ding Hao, with one hand in his pocket, nodded slightly, “How’s the setup going?”

The lobby manager’s face was full of smiles as he bowed and nodded, his demeanor extremely humble, “Don’t worry, I supervised it myself, everything is ready. I’d like to extend an early congratulations to Mr. Ding and Miss Qiao.”

Ding Hao’s cold eyes swept over him, “Still calling her Miss Qiao?”

The lobby manager immediately caught on, his gaze shifting to Qiao En with a pleasing look, and he quickly corrected himself, “Mrs. Ding.”

Ding Hao walked ahead with a brisk stride, and the lobby manager quickly followed.

“Mr. Ding, the electronic display screen has been switched to the highest resolution as you requested. As for the fresh flowers, we’ve contacted a base in Yunnan, and they will be air-freighted over early on the day. For the dishes and desserts, we’ve also invited a Michelin chef over to take charge of the cooking…”

He continued his solo introduction, but Ding Hao didn’t respond.

The group walked inside, and no one seemed to notice Qiao En’s shock.

The scene was beautifully arranged, showing Ding Hao had put in a lot of effort; even if it was just a show, he had put forth the best effect.

“Are the wedding photos in place?”

As Qiao En was admiring the venue decorations, Ding Hao was negotiating with the lobby manager.

“They’re in place, shall I show you the effect first?”

The lobby manager said, immediately using the walkie-talkie to instruct the relevant staff to get ready.

Qiao En was originally facing away from the stage, lost in thought in front of a cute Cupid figurine.

Suddenly, with a “bang,” large banners with wedding photos began slowly to descend on either side of the electronic screen.

The man in the photos looked handsome and dashing, and the woman looked gentle and beautiful.

Ding Hao squinted his eyes with satisfaction as he scrutinized them.

“En’en, what’s the matter? Are you not satisfied with the ones I chose?”

Qiao En’s face turned pale, her fingers curling slightly.

The woman in the photos was exactly like her, but it wasn’t her.

“Where did these two photos come from?”

Qiao En blurted out in surprise; she had indeed agreed to take wedding photos with Ding Hao, but they had not gone to take them.

She had thought that Ding Hao had chosen to give up, because, after all, the wedding was just a show, and there was no need for wedding photos.

“Aren’t these from the day we went together? What, have you forgotten so soon?”

Ding Hao affectionately reached out and tapped Qiao En’s forehead lightly, “You really are forgetful, but hey, don’t forget me so easily.”

Ding Hao naturally put his arm around Qiao En’s shoulder, and she couldn’t avoid it in time.

Her heart thumped wildly.

It was Su Nian.

She had impersonated herself; it was she who had gone with Ding Hao to take the wedding photos.

But why had she done it?

What was she planning?

The dispersed shadow once again began to spread in Qiao En’s heart.

“What’s wrong? En’en, why do you look so pale?”

Ding Hao also noticed Qiao En’s unusual behavior. As he reached out to touch her forehead, she dodged.

“It’s nothing, I just suddenly feel a bit unwell; I want to go back.”

Qiao En hugged her arms and drooped her eyelids.

Ding Hao breathed a sigh of relief and said, “All right, I’ll take you back.”

He wrapped his arms around Qiao En and walked outside, but she could not help turning back to glance again at those two large wedding photos.

The woman in the pictures beamed with a radiant smile, dazzlingly beautiful. Her eyes seemingly mocked Qiao En.

A tempest surged in Qiao En’s heart, yet she did not utter a word.

On the return journey, she wanted to ask Ding Hao, to inquire about his affairs with Su Nian, but the words reached her lips and then she swallowed them back down.

Their relationship was purely professional. Who he had dated, what did that matter to her? And why would he have any need to explain such things to her?

The truth is important, but some truths are unnecessary.

The relationship between her and Ding Hao was awkward and delicate; Qiao En did not want to cause trouble out of nowhere, breaking the fragile balance of their relationship.

Back at the apartment, Qiao En contacted the moving company; she needed to move some of her things back to the Qiao family home in advance.

Seeing Qiao En come back carrying bags large and small, her mother was shocked.

“En’en, what are you doing?”

Qiao En pursed her lips into a smile, “Dad is sick; I want to move back for a while to take care of him with you.”

“Good, good, it’s good you’re moving back.”

Qiao’s mother did not think too much of it; she helped Qiao En sort out the belongings.

They had only got halfway when the doorbell rang.

Qiao’s mother hurried to the door, while Qiao En continued sorting things.

“My, Miss An, what brings you here? You could have just come; why bring all these gifts?”

Voices came from the living room, startling Qiao En. She poked her head out and saw An Kexin entering their home.

“En’en, what are you standing around for? Hurry and get Miss An a drink of water.”

Qiao’s mother took An Kexin’s hand, asking about her well-being with a smile bubbling over her face.

Qiao En went to the kitchen to pour water, her mind filled with suspicion. What was An Kexin doing coming to her house without reason?

In the living room, Qiao’s mother chatted about household matters with An Kexin.

An Kexin was well-behaved and gentle, very articulate, and very much liked by Qiao’s mother.

“Here.”

Qiao En served the water, handing it coldly to An Kexin.

Receiving it, An Kexin instantly grabbed hold of Qiao En’s arm, “Secretary Qiao, you really don’t consider me a friend. Such an important matter like pregnancy, I learned it from the news. Congratulations, the child you have with Doctor Ding will surely be both intelligent and beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

Qiao En’s tone remained indifferent, but Qiao’s mother wouldn’t have it, “En’en, Miss An is so concerned about you; you should be grateful.”

“Miss An, why don’t you sit here for a while? I’ll go out and buy some groceries, then cook something tasty for you.”

Qiao’s mother said enthusiastically and got up with a beaming smile on her face.

“Mom, there’s no need for that trouble.”

Qiao En just wanted to get An Kexin out of the house.

But An Kexin held on to Qiao’s mother’s hand, cooing,”It’s a bother for you, auntie. I’m so fortunate to be able to eat the food you cook by hand.”

A few words and she had charmed Qiao’s mother, who left the apartment immediately with the grocery bag in hand.

“What are you doing in my house?”

As soon as Qiao’s mother left, Qiao En’s expression darkened.

The smile on An Kexin’s face still lingered; she dropped any pretense and remained seated, “Why, are you scared?”

Qiao En turned and entered her bedroom, but An Kexin quickly followed her in.

“Qiao En, the child is Zhou Jin’an’s, isn’t it? You’re carrying Zhou Jin’an’s child but planning to marry another man, letting Zhou Jin’an’s child call that man dad. Qiao En, how can you be so despicable?”

She demanded aggressively.

When Qiao En chose to publicize the news, she anticipated the troubles it would bring, but she had not expected An Kexin to relentlessly pursue the matter.

“Miss An, I need to make two things clear to you: First, this child has nothing to do with Zhou Jin’an, so please don’t let your imagination run wild; second, we are not friends. You have nothing to do with this whole affair, and you have no right to trample on me from your moral high ground.”

Qiao En spoke these words forcefully; it was the first time she confronted An Kexin so firmly.

However, at that time, Qiao En did not know that this confrontation would bring disaster upon herself.