Chapter 2: Determined to Make the Song Family the Laughingstock of the Entire City

She deliberately put on a pitiful face as she explained, “I took a ride-hailing car here, didn’t dare book a premium one, so I used a carpool and it took forever!”

As soon as these words fell, Zhang Xiuqing’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

What an embarrassment, this wretched girl.

The man’s mother stared in shock, blurting out, “Xixi even has to take a carpool here?”

How could the fourth miss of the Song family be living so poorly? Had the Songs really fallen so low, that they were desperate for this marriage alliance?

Sensing things were going awry, Zhang Xiuqing quickly tried to salvage the situation.

“Well…our Xixi has always been sensible and frugal since she was little. She just prefers a low-key lifestyle.”

At this, the corner of Song Xixi’s lips curled up in a mocking smile.

Frugal and low-key? What a joke.

That was nothing but a smokescreen the Song family put up to save face.

Since university, she’d been earning her own living through part-time jobs.

The man quickly stood up, his eyes scanning her up and down like a scanner.

He hadn’t expected that the fourth miss of the Song family was actually quite beautiful.

“Miss Song, hello, I’m Li Zhenkui. Pleased to meet you.”

Song Xixi didn’t even lift her eyelids, just nodded slightly.

No sooner had she sat than an awkward silence filled the air.

Li Zhenkui cleared his throat. “Miss Song, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?”

Song Xixi tilted her head, replying carelessly, “I just like playing games, nothing too cultured.”

At this, Zhang Xiuqing hurriedly leaned forward with a sycophantic smile.

“Xixi’s just modest. In fact, she studied classical literature, so she actually likes painting and calligraphy and such.”

Song Xixi exposed the lie without hesitation. “Mom, stop making things up. I know exactly what I’m like.”

Li’s mother frowned, arrogance gleaming in her eyes.

“Miss Song, our Zhenkui is a pillar of the family business, very driven and ambitious.”

A mocking smile flickered on Song Xixi’s lips as she teased, “Ambition’s good and all, but I have no wish to revolve around a man or his family. I want a world of my own.”

With that, she picked up her water glass and took a sip.

Li Zhenkui’s brows drew together. “Miss Song, what do you mean by that? Are you unwilling to make sacrifices for a family?”

With a clatter, Song Xixi set down her utensils and folded her arms.

“Sacrifice is fine, but let’s be clear upfront. I won’t accept a premarital health exam—I’m not some commodity. As for a prenuptial agreement, that’s even more ridiculous. Wishing for divorce before even getting married? How unlucky. And I absolutely refuse to live with in-laws. Our lifestyles are too different. Am I supposed to put up with daily grievances?”

Li Zhenkui and his mother were both struck dumb.

Zhang Xiuqing’s face flushed dark red in panic; she gritted her teeth and hissed, “Song Xixi, shut your mouth!”

Damn, she’d forgotten what a jinx this ignorant girl was.

But Song Xixi didn’t even bother to listen. She lifted her chin and kept “firing.”

“That’s my bottom line. Oh, and the bride price—it doesn’t have to be extravagant, just a hundred million. It’s a formality, I’ll bring it back as my dowry. I’m not greedy.”

At her words, everyone was petrified.

Li Zhenkui stared, eyes wide as saucers. “A…a hundred million? Miss Song, you must be joking?”

Song Xixi blinked her innocent eyes and spread her hands. “Do I look like I’m joking? It’s just pocket change for your family.”

Zhang Xiuqing was furious, her fists clenching so tightly the bones cracked. She yelled, “Song Xixi, what nonsense are you spouting?”

Song Xixi met her gaze coolly, her mocking smile deepening.

“I’m just telling the truth. What’s wrong with that?”

Li’s mother hurriedly got up, her chair scraping sharply across the floor.

“Miss Song, I’m afraid our Li family and you have no fate together. This matchmaking ends here.”

Song Xixi feigned regret, sighing theatrically and shaking her head. “Ah, what a pity. I really thought Master Li was excellent!”

The Li family fled in disarray.

Zhang Xiuqing spun around and glared at Song Xixi. “You disgraceful thing!”

Song Xixi caught her look, a cold smile curving her lips as she stood there quietly.

Seeing she showed no sign of remorse, Zhang Xiuqing flew into a rage.

She rushed forward, finger nearly jabbing Song Xixi’s nose, and shouted, “You ungrateful wretch! I raised you through bitter hardship, and this is how you repay me? You’ve made me lose face in front of my friends!”

Song Xixi shook off Zhang Xiuqing’s hand and cried out in aggrieved protest, “Mom, don’t get so worked up. How could I forget your kindness? Remember my birthdays as a child? You’d cobble together the leftovers of my sister’s cake to make my ‘custom’ one. When I needed a new dress for school events, you’d patch up rags from the thrift market and send me out looking like a clown! Your motherly love, I’ll never forget!”

Zhang Xiuqing’s face went from pale to livid; she hadn’t expected Song Xixi to bring up old grievances.

She tried to argue, “That was to teach you thrift! And now look at you, talking back, deliberately sabotaging this match. Do you want the Song family to be a citywide laughingstock?”

Song Xixi blinked innocently. “Why would I want to embarrass the Song family? I’m only speaking my mind. I know you’ve always wanted me to marry well and bring honor to the family. Is it wrong for me to fight for myself?”

Zhang Xiuqing was left speechless, her anger only mounting. She raised her hand as if to strike.

Song Xixi’s eyes flashed coldly; she moved in a flash, gripping her mother’s wrist tightly.

She retorted, “Mom, remember when you beat me so badly in middle school I ended up in the hospital? That must have cost you a fortune—my unfilial fault! But your temper really hasn’t changed. The second things don’t go your way, you want to hit me.”

Zhang Xiuqing struggled fiercely but couldn’t break free.

Furious, she shouted, “You little wretch, how dare you fight back! Think you’ve grown wings now?”

Song Xixi gave her a gentle push, sending her staggering several steps back.

In her panic, Zhang Xiuqing stumbled and crashed into a nearby table.

A teacup clattered to the floor and shattered, tea splashing everywhere.

Looking at the chaotic scene, Song Xixi curled her lips in derision.

She didn’t spare another glance at her mother, turning on her heel to leave.

After a few steps, she paused and, without looking back, called, “Don’t forget to pay the bill! Wouldn’t do for people to say the Song family dines and dashes.”

With that, she quickened her pace and strode away.

Zhang Xiuqing stood rooted to the spot, shaking with fury, cursing and muttering under her breath.

The nearby waiters, alarmed by the commotion, hesitated but had no choice but to approach.

Forcing smiles, they ventured, “Ma’am, it’s quite a mess. Would you like us to help tidy up?”

Zhang Xiuqing, burning with anger and nowhere to vent it, snapped as soon as she heard them.

“Are you blind? Can’t you see I’m already annoyed? Get lost!”

Having won her little battle, Song Xixi emerged from the hotel in high spirits.

Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, she noticed a familiar figure nearby.

She looked up instinctively, only to see Qin Ze stepping out.

Beside him stood a well-dressed stranger, fighting to stifle his laughter, shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

Song Xixi felt a slight twinge of nervousness, but her expression remained calm and aloof.

Without even glancing at them, she walked straight ahead, intending to brush past.

Qin Ze’s face darkened at her indifferent disregard, his thin lips tightening.

He couldn’t help but remark, “The soundproofing in these suites is really terrible!”