This slap made the woman furious, and she stood up to retaliate.

"Apologize to Xiangru."

The speaker was the Old Lady.

The woman was incredulous: "Grandma..."

"Didn't you understand? Apologize to Xiangru, don't make me repeat myself!"

The Old Lady's face was grim.

The woman gritted her teeth and said, "I'm sorry, cousin."

"Smack!"

Unexpectedly, Qu Xiangru slapped her again.

This time, even the Old Lady couldn't help but show her real anger.

Qu Xiangru didn't give her a chance to speak, saying, "The Jiang Family has reached where it is today because of Grandma, and even more so because of family unity."

"If I hear any words of incitement from your mouth again, I'll slap your mouth rotten!"

"Do you understand?"

Jiang Yan's face was burning, and she bit her lip almost to the point of breaking it, tears welling in her eyes.

She felt very humiliated.

In front of so many Jiang Family members, being slapped twice by an outsider, her dignity was utterly trampled.

"Answer me, do you understand?"

Qu Xiangru's tone was still calm, but it made everyone present feel a sense of superior authority.

Only then did everyone suddenly remember, this outsider of the Jiang Family is indeed an Executive Deputy Governor!

This commanding presence is not something anyone can emulate.

"Scoundrel!"

Suddenly, a middle-aged noble lady came forward, embraced Jiang Yan's shoulders, and angrily looked at the Old Lady: "Mom, look, her face is swollen!"

"She just asked a question and was slapped twice by an outsider, Mom, aren't you going to intervene?"

"Outsider?" Qu Xiangru said, "Aunt, watch your words."

The noble lady snorted: "An outsider, without the support of the Jiang Family, could you have today's success? I see your wings have hardened, and you no longer regard the Jiang Family?"

"Do you think sitting as the Executive Deputy Governor allows you to domineer at home?"

"Qu Xiangru, I'll tell you, this is the Jiang Family!"

"The Jiang Family can elevate you, and it can pull you down, know your place!"

The living room was very quiet, everyone looked at Qu Xiangru with a frivolous and disdainful smile.

Though she was the biological daughter of the Jiang Family's eldest, aside from very few people, no one actually considered her part of the family.

This fact could be seen from Jiang Yan's attitude.

Jiang Yan was merely a general manager at a Jiang Family company, managing some affairs.

Yet, she had no respect for her cousin who had already become the Executive Deputy Governor.

Usually, Qu Xiangru wouldn't make a move.

Perhaps it's because of the time spent with Song Guanchao that changed her.

Or maybe it was what Song Guanchao's grandma said tonight that made her sober up a bit.

So, she acted.

Acted without any psychological burden.

And she's very clear, even if she acts, given her current status, the Jiang Family wouldn't dare do anything to her.

But on the surface, nothing would be done, secretly, they would definitely try to target her.

However, Qu Xiangru found herself not caring so much.

The Jiang Family wouldn't continue supporting her, because she's too young and a woman, the likelihood of advancing further was very slim.

Moreover, she's an outsider who is fundamentally not trusted by the Jiang Family.

If not, the Old Lady of Jiang wouldn't have tried to introduce a match for her.

The Jiang Family intends to squeeze every drop of value from her.

If that's the case, what else is there to care about?

At worst, staying as an Executive Deputy Governor for a lifetime.

At worst, falling out with the Jiang Family!

If an Executive Deputy Governor truly wanted revenge, the strength of the Jiang Family would surely suffer a significant blow.

"Enough."

The speaker was a middle-aged man with graying hair, Qu Xiangru's third uncle, Jiang Yan's father, the noble lady's husband — Jiang Xiuwen.

Jiang Family has good genes, he was tall, still not showing signs of age in his fifties.

He stepped forward, looking down from above with a cold gaze at Qu Xiangru.

"Xiao Ru, you rarely come back, don't make a fuss."

At this moment, the Old Lady stood up from the sofa and said, "Let's start dinner."

The Old Lady showed no reaction to the noble lady's previous hurtful words.

Qu Xiangru glanced at her third uncle, then at the Old Lady, and finally looked at the other Jiang Family members, a smile of self-ridicule on her face.

She found it laughable.

Although she never held the slightest hope for the Jiang Family from the beginning, facing the humiliation from these relatives who share the same blood flowing through her, she couldn't help but feel somewhat sad.

With everyone seated at the table, looking at the sumptuous dishes, Qu Xiangru suddenly wanted to return to Song Guanchao's home and chat with his grandma.

Though there are only a few people there, she felt warmer than being here.

Qu Xiangru didn't really move her chopsticks, but routinely toasted a few glasses.

After tasting the dishes, her third uncle suddenly said, "Tomorrow, the Lu Family is visiting. Xiao Ru, chat well with the young man of the Lu Family."

The noble lady immediately said yin and yang: "Xiao Ru, what great fortune, to meet the young master of the Lu Family. Hehe, if you marry into the Lu Family, you would bring glory to the Qu family."

Though the words weren't pleasant, no one at the table saw any problem.

A cousin said, "Xiao Ru, you're quite the social climber."

"Haha, good thing Grandma recognized you; otherwise, you wouldn't have such opportunities."

"Marrying into the Lu Family, you'll have crossed into a different social class! Xiao Ru, you'd be half a noble lady then."

"Xiao Ru, hurry and toast Grandma, thank Grandma."

"Social climber?" Qu Xiangru scanned the crowd and said, "I don't need to climb for anyone, I, Qu Xiangru, am a noble myself."

She wiped her lips, stood up and said, "I'm full."

Hearing her words, the Jiang Family members all raised their eyebrows in anger.

"Cousin, you really think highly of yourself. A civil servant daring to call yourself a noble? Looks like you've been corrupt over the years."

"Haha, Executive Deputy Governor, really wants to be corrupt, that's just a few billion at will."

"It's the New Year, cousin, aren't you going to give me some lucky money? Not much, a few million should be expected?"

These peers, except Jiang Yiren, all mocked her.

Female mocking was because Qu Xiangru's appearance was too stunning, outshining others, making them feel overshadowed, jealous, and therefore unbalanced.

Male mocking was because when Qu Xiangru was first recognized by Grandma into the Jiang Family, they had teased her, even tried to force a relationship.

Although they were relatives, having not seen each other for more than twenty years, to them, she was a stranger.

Besides, her beauty was like a rare gem.

Yet Qu Xiangru never gave them a good face, even used an utterly disdainful look and words piercing to the heart, deeply damaged their self-esteem.

Since they couldn't have her, they wanted to ruin Qu Xiangru.

Facing their taunting and ridicule, Qu Xiangru treated them like air, any response would be lowering her own status.

Her disregard made these Jiang Family peers feel impotent as if punching air, with hidden shame and rage.

Qu Xiangru took out her phone, dialed Song Guanchao's number: "Come pick me up."

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