Substitute Bride to the Crippled Billionaire
Chapter 130: You Bring a Friend, I Bring a Friend

Chapter 130: Chapter 130: You Bring a Friend, I Bring a Friend

"Qingnuan..." Gu Xiaoxiao uneasily tugged at Su Qingnuan’s sleeve and whispered, "Are we really going in?"

At this moment, the two of them were already standing in front of the city’s most luxurious restaurant—Fenghua Restaurant.

It’s said that this establishment has a history spanning over a hundred years, having weathered countless wars and remaining standing to this day, thanks not only to the people behind it but also to the unparalleled skills of its chefs.

Many prominent figures in the city choose this place for their gatherings, no matter the occasion.

And Fenghua Restaurant’s fame stemmed not just from its impeccable quality but from its exclusivity—money alone wasn’t enough for a reservation.

Rumor has it that reservations here were fully booked through the end of the year.

Looking up at the shimmering golden sign of Fenghua Restaurant, Su Qingnuan swallowed nervously and nodded slightly, "The phone call did say so."

"...I can understand why you’d be here, but why am *I* showing up in this?"

Su Qingnuan turned, meeting Gu Xiaoxiao’s puzzled look, and sighed, "Don’t ask me—I have no idea either."

Fu Yihan hadn’t mentioned in his call why Gu Xiaoxiao had to come; Su Qingnuan simply followed his instructions and brought her along.

Looping her arm around Gu Xiaoxiao’s shoulder, Su Qingnuan said with amused reassurance, "Relax. Once we’re inside, we’ll figure it out."

"....."

Despite her reluctance, Gu Xiaoxiao followed Su Qingnuan into the restaurant, the two of them standing awkwardly in the opulent lobby.

It was Gu Xiaoxiao’s first time here and also Su Qingnuan’s.

Their uncertainty was palpable as they wandered the lobby, which, apart from the staff stationed at the entrance, was completely empty.

"Where do we go now?" Gu Xiaoxiao whispered.

Su Qingnuan glanced at the staff subtly watching them from the entrance and lowered her voice, "I don’t know—let me make a call."

Just as she pulled out her phone, footsteps echoed through the quiet lobby.

The two of them turned to look and saw Ah Qi, dressed in a sharp suit and expressionless, walking toward them.

"Madam," Ah Qi stopped in front of Su Qingnuan and said respectfully, "The Eldest Young Master has instructed me to escort you."

"Alright." Grateful as if she’d just found a lifeline, Su Qingnuan quickly walked over. "Let’s go."

Ah Qi led them forward, passing golden-hued walls and into view of the sightseeing elevator.

"They even have sightseeing lifts installed here? Truly living the high life," Gu Xiaoxiao remarked aloud, her voice carrying distinct sarcasm.

Su Qingnuan shot her a glance and whispered, "Once we’re in the private room, try not to talk unless you absolutely have to, alright?"

"Got it," Gu Xiaoxiao nodded earnestly.

The two followed Ah Qi into the private room. While the grand lobby was already impressive, the private room had an even more unique charm.

The door to the private room opened, and laughter spilled out.

Su Qingnuan looked at Ah Qi and quietly asked, "Ah Qi, who’s inside?"

Ah Qi didn’t answer but made a polite gesture inviting her in.

Seeing this, Su Qingnuan said no more and continued walking forward.

"Hey! Sister-in-law is here!"

An excited voice rang out from Fu Yixing, who pointed at Su Qingnuan and smiled, "Sister-in-law, we’ve all been waiting for you!"

The spacious private room wasn’t only occupied by the Fu family but also contained several unfamiliar faces, all staring at her.

Su Qingnuan smiled awkwardly, "Apologies for keeping you waiting."

"Waiting for Sister-in-law hardly counts as truly waiting," Fu Yixing said, pressing her shoulder to gesture for her to sit, "Please, make yourself comfortable. The dishes will be served shortly."

Feeling a little awkward, Su Qingnuan sat down and subtly looked over at Fu Yihan.

He sat naturally, his expression composed, seemingly unaffected by her arrival.

"Mr. Fu," Su Qingnuan leaned closer and whispered, "Isn’t this supposed to be a family gathering? Why did you ask me to bring Xiaoxiao along?"

Fu Yihan glanced at her briefly before casting his gaze forward. "Not everyone here belongs to the Fu family."

Following his sightline, Su Qingnuan found Jiang Keli chatting with others. Among those unfamiliar faces were people Su Qingnuan had never encountered before.

Soon after, everyone in the private room took their seats, guided by Fu Yixing’s arrangements.

Gu Xiaoxiao, as Su Qingnuan’s friend, naturally sat beside her, her smile awkward, her eyes showing traces of unease.

"Tonight is mainly about welcoming Miss Jiang to our family. For the coming months, we’ll be seeing each other frequently, and I hope Miss Jiang will offer us her guidance!" Fu Yixing enthusiastically raised his glass and smiled at Jiang Keli.

Jiang Keli smiled back and stood up.

"You’re too kind, Second Young Master; it’s I who should be thanking you all instead!"

With that, the two exchanged smiles and clinked their glasses across the table.

The conversation flowed smoothly, and the lively noise filled the room.

In stark contrast, Su Qingnuan’s group of three remained quiet and subdued.

Gu Xiaoxiao felt awkward, Su Qingnuan was tense, and Fu Yihan simply couldn’t be bothered.

They were like a mismatched little clique, silently sitting apart from the crowd.

"Eldest Young Master," Jiang Keli suddenly looked at Fu Yihan and smiled softly, "I hope you’ll be patient with me in the coming days."

Fu Yihan glanced at her briefly before turning to Su Qingnuan. "Yue Rou, drink this for me."

Su Qingnuan froze for a moment but quickly stood up under Fu Yihan’s neutral gaze, picking up the glass.

"Miss Jiang, Yihan’s health doesn’t allow him to drink, so I’ll take this one on his behalf."

Jiang Keli chuckled lightly. "The Eldest Young Master and Madam have such a wonderful relationship."

Su Qingnuan responded with an awkward chuckle and downed the drink in one go.

As she placed the glass back down and prepared to sit, Jiang Keli spoke again.

"Madam, this next one is from me to you."

"Huh?" Su Qingnuan blinked in puzzlement, her smile nervous. "Actually, just that first toast to me and Yihan is fine—you really don’t need to—"

"How can that do?" Jiang Keli interrupted, still smiling as she raised her glass. "Madam is Madam, and the Eldest Master is the Eldest Master. This distinction is important."

Saying this, Jiang Keli downed her drink with ease.

Left with no other choice, Su Qingnuan reluctantly drank another glass.

Finally sitting down, Gu Xiaoxiao immediately scooted over.

"Is this the Miss Jiang you were talking about? Why do I feel like there’s something off about her?"

Su Qingnuan blinked and whispered, "See? Didn’t I tell you so earlier? You didn’t believe me then."

"That was because I hadn’t seen her for myself! Now that I have, I believe you," Gu Xiaoxiao argued back earnestly.

Su Qingnuan chuckled softly, "Fine. Since you believe it now, tell me—what exactly feels off to you?"

"...I can’t point to anything specific; she just gives off this odd vibe."

Echoing Su Qingnuan’s own thoughts, Gu Xiaoxiao glanced toward Jiang Keli.

The woman had already consumed quite a bit of alcohol, her cheeks flushed. Her natural beauty, unblemished by makeup, only made her look more radiant.

Oddly enough, Fu Yixing—who typically couldn’t take his eyes off beautiful women—was neither flirting nor placing himself near Jiang Keli. Instead, he politely kept his distance.

"Yixing, look at Keli! She’s had so much to drink; you’re not even helping her out?" The patriarch’s voice suddenly rang across the table, addressing Fu Yixing.