Marry by Relying on Favor: Chapter 105 - Call me Big Brother Xiao Ci

January 16, 2026 Oyen 0 Comments

Happy Reading~

Chapter 105: Call me Big Brother Xiao Ci

 

Three days later.

 

On the day of He Li’s wedding, the sunlight was especially bright.

 

She held the wedding banquet at Jiangcheng Peninsula Hotel—a venue long favored by the wealthy circle. Outside, the flower-filled terrace opened into a garden suitable for cocktail gatherings. The entire setup was warm yet grand.

 

The Shao family invited half the aristocratic circle to attend. The banquet hall was fully packed with guests—everyone who came to congratulate them was wealthy and influential.

 

Because He Qingchi’s flight was delayed, by the time she arrived the banquet was already bustling. Everywhere she looked were men in tailored suits and elegantly dressed heiresses. After walking forward a few steps, she soon saw the bride.

 

He Li wore a white wedding gown and smiled sweetly. Her slender hand rested on the arm of her handsome groom. Their backgrounds and appearances were a perfect match—everyone who saw them would praise how well-suited the couple was.

 

He Qingchi had never seen Shao Qixiu in person, but she had seen his photos from Yao Jing.

 

His looks and demeanor left nothing to be criticized.

 

She didn’t walk over immediately. In the span of three minutes, she watched He Li and her new husband greet several guests. Shao Qixiu occasionally played with the wedding ring on his finger—the symbol that he was a married man. A faint smile lingered in his eyes. Whenever he looked at another woman, his gaze never lasted more than three seconds.

 

He maintained the polite manners of a gentleman. Only when looking at his bride did his gaze linger.

 

No wonder He Li, after only knowing him for a few months, couldn’t resist falling for him.

 

He Qingchi’s initial impression of her cousin-in-law was decent enough. When He Li noticed her arrival, she walked over with a bright smile.

 

Shao Qixiu also took a serious look at He Qingchi, his expression unchanged, his voice low and warm: “I’ve heard of you.”

 

He Qingchi doubted there was anything about her worth his notice. He Li explained with a gentle voice, “Cousin, I told Qixiu about you.”

 

So that was why…

 

When He Qingchi saw He Li standing before her in the wedding gown, she spaced out for a moment. Then she stepped forward to hug her. “Congratulations. Be happy.”

 

He Li smiled sweetly and accepted her blessing.

 

This marriage had been arranged by the He family—and requested by the Shao family’s matriarch.

 

Her groom was gentle, wealthy, and considerate. Her mother-in-law treated her well. The future looked promising. The only flaw was that she would move abroad with Shao Qixiu after the wedding, with no certainty about when she would return.

 

He Li prepared the best banquet seat for He Qingchi, while Yao Jing—though the He family’s secretary—didn’t have the standing to sit with her and was placed at another table.

 

Thus, He Qingchi sat alone. Many of the nearby faces were familiar, though she could not recall names.

 

She sat straight-backed and quiet. Her dark-green gown draped over the floor, the tailored fabric outlining her slender figure. It complemented her fair skin, yet wouldn’t overshadow the bride.

 

The main dishes had been served, and all guests had arrived.

 

He Qingchi looked around the lively venue. She occasionally curled her lips in a faint smile while absentmindedly eating the sauced shrimp. Some who didn’t recognize her tried to approach her to strike up conversation.

 

But after being warned by others—that she was the rarely-seen eldest daughter of the He family—they quickly gave up.

 

First, the He family daughters were the type that wealthy heirs lined up to marry; they’d have to fight tooth and nail for the chance.

 

Second, the head of the He family was notorious for being overly protective of his daughters. Even the husbands of his nieces were carefully scrutinized—never mind his own daughter.

 

Anyone wanting to marry the reclusive Miss He, if lacking credentials, would probably get humiliated by her father first.

 

This extinguished the ambitions of several young men. They could only admire the stunning woman from afar.

 

The seats on either side of He Qingchi were empty, name cards absent. No one expected the seats to be taken partway through the banquet.

 

He Qingchi lifted a glass of champagne and sipped lightly. Beside her came the sound of a chair scraping against the floor. Her long lashes lowered—and she saw a tiny boy climbing onto the chair beside her. Probably because his suit was the small child-sized version, it restricted his movements, and he struggled to climb up.

 

Holding her glass, He Qingchi watched him puff his cheeks, finally pulling himself onto the seat. His blue suit jacket was crooked, and he wore an adorable little bow tie. His fluffy hair had been carefully styled, and his round cheeks and fair skin made him look exquisitely cute.

 

Once he was on the chair, he could finally see the food on the table.

 

His grape-like eyes sparkled as he stared hungrily at the spicy ribs, clearly wanting to eat.

 

He Qingchi thought the formally dressed boy was probably one of the flower boys—either a relative from the He side or from Shao Qixiu’s.

 

She didn’t ask if he needed help—just sipped her wine quietly.

 

After a while, her long skirt was tugged lightly.

 

Qingchi looked down again. A small hand pinched the fabric of her dark-green gown. A milky, childish voice said: “Hello, girl.”

 

It had been years since He Qingchi last heard anyone call her “girl.” Her brow twitched subtly. She pressed her lips together and replied, “Do you need something, boy?”

 

The little one reached into the pocket of his tiny suit and pulled out a few rose petals, offering them to her. “I want to eat food. Can you help me get some? I’ll give you flowers.”

 

So young, yet already understood giving something in return.

 

The petals probably came from his flower basket.

 

After a few seconds, He Qingchi took them and placed them on the table. Calmly she asked, “What do you want to eat?”

 

His eyes sparkled again, and with his tiny pinky pointing, he chose several dishes.

 

They were all spicy. She asked, “Can you eat those?”

 

“The yummy spicy little wings… can you give me three?” He held up four fingers, perhaps unable to tell numbers clearly yet.

 

He Qingchi, who rarely smiled, was amused by his cuteness and her lips curved.

 

She served him only two wings from the plate and said patiently, “Auntie is giving you some of hers too, but you can’t take all of them. You need to leave some for the other uncles and aunties at this table. If you want more, you must ask if they’re willing to give you some…”

 

The little boy looked at the two wings in his bowl and nodded obediently, not throwing a tantrum about wanting three.

 

Seeing how well-behaved he was, He Qingchi didn’t mind helping him. If he had cried and insisted on getting three, she would probably have asked the receptionist to go find this kid’s parents — whoever’s child he is, they can deal with him.

 

Seeing how obedient he was now, He Qingchi was still willing to pick food for him.

 

He could eat spicy food, but he also asked for a glass of warm water. His small mouth was a bit red as he said, “My daddy says… kids should drink warm water to be good babies.”

 

He Qingchi had warmed up to him and asked, “What’s your name?”

 

“Xiao Ci,” he said, cheeks reddening shyly.

 

“Daddy says… little kids shouldn’t tell their name to strangers. Girls too.”

 

So the reason he told her—was because he had decided this prettiest girl he’d ever seen in his three years of life was his friend.

 

Children’s worlds were simple. Their affection even more so.

 

He Qingchi wasn’t sure which character “Ci” he meant. 

 

And he was too young to read.

 

“That’s a coincidence. I’m Xiao Chi,” she said, her voice unconsciously softening.

 

His dark eyes lit up. He beamed. “Then you call me Big Brother Xiao Cci, and I’ll call you Little Sister Xiao Chi!”

 

“…Why am I the little sister?”

 

“Because boys have to be the big brother!”

 

He Qingchi stared at the delicate little boy before her—prettier than many girls—yet full of boyish pride. Fine, she’d be the little sister this once.

 

He finished his plate quickly. 

 

Afraid he’d upset his stomach with too much spice, she gave him clear soup and stopped serving him more.

 

Midway through the ceremony, she asked, “Are you the flower boy?”

 

“Little Sister Xiao Chi, what is a flower boy?” he blinked.

 

Children were naturally drawn to pretty things—and she supposed she counted.

 

She explained, “The child who sprinkles flower petals for the bride.”

 

He shook his head seriously. “Then I’m not. My flowers are from the ground. I picked them up.”

 

Not the flower boy… yet dressed so formally?

 

He Qingchi was speechless.

 

The boy pouted. “I have more flowers in my pocket. I’m picking them for Daddy.”

 

“You’re very filial.”

 

Even at a wedding he remembered to gather petals for his father.

 

The praise made him blush. “Daddy always says I’m a very filial son.”

 

He Qingchi chatted with him casually, passing the time. Soon He Li sent someone to remind her to go on stage.

 

Seeing the ceremony reach its highlight, she asked, “Where’s your father?”

 

“I’m waiting for Daddy. Little Sister Xiao Chi, you’re going to find the bride?”

 

The boy’s mind was quick. His mouth even sweeter. “Tell her for me: she’s soooo beautiful today!” 

 

He didn’t even know the bride…

 

But He Qingchi agreed. Hearing He Li call her again, she lifted her skirt and stood.

 

She walked toward the front. Before stepping onto the stage, she turned back instinctively.

 

Beside her table, a tall man in a fitted black suit had lifted the little boy effortlessly into his arm. He whispered something that made the boy giggle and demand a kiss.

 

He Qingchi froze. A soft, stabbing pain spread through her chest.

 

Under He Li’s confused gaze, she couldn’t move.

 

Her eyes stayed fixed in one direction—until the man turned slightly, light illuminating his sharp features. He Qingchi’s pupils tightened. She recognized Shen Fu.

 

He wore a matching suit to the boy, holding him with strong arms, watching the ceremony indifferently.

 

After a moment, he also noticed her.

 

Their eyes met—only briefly—before both looked away.

 

A delicate, indescribable feeling wrapped around her heart like thin threads.

 

She composed herself at last, stepping onto the stage beside He Li.

 

“Cousin, who were you just looking at?”

 

He Li asked, worried.

 

He Qingchi had nearly forgotten to breathe moments ago. Her shaken emotion had shown.

 

She recovered quickly, shaking her head.

 

Beside them, Shao Qixiu slipped an arm around his bride’s waist and looked at He Qingchi. “That’s a guest from Jiangcheng,” he said mildly. “His name is Shen Fu.”

 

As if she didn’t already know.

 

She just hadn’t expected the little boy’s “Daddy”… to be him.

 

Shen Fu had a son?

 

And with such good manners… certainly not something Qu Bixin could have taught.

 

By the latter half of the ceremony, He Qingchi had already informed He Li that she would leave early.

 

Returning to her table, she found the boy gone. Only the rose petals remained.

 

She stared at them for a few seconds, then shook her head.

 

Leaving the Peninsula Hotel, Yao Jing followed her out. Their car was waiting outside.

 

“Young Miss, it’s already very late. Why not stay in the city tonight?”

 

Yao Jing had been instructed by the He family to keep He Qingchi from returning to Wushan Town—

 

Once she went back, nobody knew when she’d re-emerge.

 

He Qingchi understood and didn’t refuse.

 

Halfway through the drive toward the He residence, Qu Bixin called Yao Jing. Her familiar babyish voice burst through the speaker, full of profanity: “You dead woman! You went back to the He family without telling me? Come stay at my place tonight!!”

 

He Qingchi hadn’t contacted Qu Bixin in nearly half a year. Their conversations only happened when Qu Bixin called Yao Jing’s phone. Otherwise, they barely had contact.

 

Thinking of the boy in Shen Fu’s arms, she wasn’t sure if Qu Bixin even knew.

 

Yao Jing, reading He Qingchi’s expression, realized this call might cause the He family patriarch to wait in vain tonight. But she still asked gently, “Young Miss, are we returning to the He residence?”

 

He Qingchi considered for a moment, then said softly, “Go to Qu Bixin’s apartment.”

----------