Qiao Jing glanced at the caller ID and found it was Su Manhan’s call.
A trace of confusion appeared in her eyes. Su Manhan had just had a quarrel with Zhan Nanqing, what could she want by calling her now?
Could it be about Zhan Nanqing bringing her boyfriend over?
Qiao Jing quickly tapped to answer the call.
"Madam Zhan, what’s up?"
Zhan Nanqing, who had been chattering non-stop around Chi Yuhang, fell silent instantly when she heard how Qiao Jing addressed the caller.
She let go of Chi Yuhang’s hand, lightened her footsteps, and came beside Qiao Jing, leaning in close to listen to Su Manhan’s words.
Qiao Jing saw Zhan Nanqing sticking so close to her, desperately trying to listen to the call, and couldn’t help but pull a wry smile.
She had no choice but to turn on the speakerphone, that made Zhan Nanqing step back a little.
Su Manhan’s excited voice rose, her joy perceptible even through the phone.
"Qiao Jing, Nanqing is bringing her boyfriend home tomorrow. You should also come back to Purple Garden tomorrow, and we can check him out together. This child really, I introduced her to so many people, how could she not be interested in any of them? Turns out she had a boyfriend all along, and she kept it from me."
Hearing Su Manhan’s words, Zhan Nanqing’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help but interject:
"When did I say I would bring him home tomorrow? I just agreed to it, without setting a specific time!"
She hadn’t yet reached an agreement with Chi Yuhang; how could she bring him home so soon?
And she didn’t even know if Chi Yuhang was willing to help her. If he wouldn’t help her, she had no idea who to bring home.
Su Manhan, not expecting Zhan Nanqing to be right there, paused briefly, then continued:
"I already told you, and you agreed, isn’t it just meeting tomorrow? Or is he some company CEO, busier than your brother? Your brother has time to come home, but he doesn’t have the time to come over?"
Zhan Nanqing rolled her eyes in exasperation and muttered under her breath.
"It’s not even about being busy; how can I find him when he doesn’t even exist?"
Su Manhan didn’t catch what Zhan Nanqing said, and asked quizzically:
Zhan Nanqing realized she had almost let the truth slip and quickly covered her mouth, looking at Qiao Jing with pleading eyes.
Qiao Jing shook her head somewhat helplessly but couldn’t just leave Zhan Nanqing hanging and had to help her out.
"She said that the timeframe is too tight, and she’s afraid her boyfriend won’t be prepared well enough."
After hearing this, Su Manhan responded with understanding:
"There’s no need to prepare anything, just come over with Nanqing. I’m not that picky, and also, tell Nanqing’s boyfriend not to bring over any ginseng or deer antler gifts; we have plenty of that at home."
Zhan Nanqing, frustrated, made a face at the phone and quietly complained to Qiao Jing.
"She says she’s not picky, but if she weren’t, pigs would be climbing trees. She’s passed on so many based on that pile of profiles..."
Qiao Jing quickly covered the phone’s mouthpiece and glared at Zhan Nanqing with a warning look in her eyes.
"Don’t talk nonsense, or if Madam Zhan hears you, I won’t be able to help you either."
Zhan Nanqing hung her head and muttered a sullen "Oh," then closed her mouth.
Seeing the two of them silent, Su Manhan kept talking on her own.
"Nanqing must be by your side now, right? She definitely can hear me speak. Tomorrow noon, bring someone to the house for a meal; I’ll help you screen him. If he says he doesn’t have time, I’ll get angry. I’m not asking for any gifts; just his presence is fine. If you can’t even meet this request, tell Nanqing to break up with him early and continue meeting other men. There are plenty of outstanding men out there."
Qiao Jing glanced at Zhan Nanqing, then at Chi Yuhang.
"Okay, I’ll come over with Nanqing after work tomorrow noon."
Right now, she was worried that Chi Yuhang wouldn’t be willing to do this favor, and Su Manhan had given them such short notice that it would be difficult to find another suitable candidate within a day.
Therefore, she still preferred to pin her hopes on Chi Yuhang, trying to persuade him.
Su Manhan seemed satisfied and hung up the call.
After hanging up, there were a few seconds of silence in Wonderful Hall, which Zhan Nanqing soon broke.
"We’re doomed... What do we do now? My mom wants me to bring someone back tomorrow; she’s really going for my life. Where am I going to conjure up a living, breathing person on such short notice──"
After her complaint, she turned her gaze to Chi Yuhang.
"Chi Yuhang, you heard it just now, didn’t you? My mom wants me to bring someone tomorrow, and there’s so little time. I can’t find someone else at the drop of a hat. You’re the only one who can help me now. Could you do me this favor to make up for my sprained ankle?"
Chi Yuhang had already decided to refuse Zhan Nanqing, but he hesitated after hearing the phone call.
Logically, he should help her, as Zhan Nanqing not only spoke up for him in front of a neighbor aunt but also sprained her ankle because of him.
But his concern wasn’t that. If it was any ordinary girl, he would have agreed to help without hesitation.
However, Zhan Nanqing was the daughter of the Zhan Family; their statuses were worlds apart. If he pretended to be her boyfriend, it would seem too much like aiming too high.
Seeing Chi Yuhang’s hesitation, Zhan Nanqing said discontentedly:
"What do you mean ’I’? Why are you, a grown man, so indecisive? Just say yes or no. Pretending to be my boyfriend doesn’t require you to spend money on anything. You just need to meet my mom, and once we get through this, I won’t bother you anymore."
After all, she just wanted her mother to know that she had a boyfriend so that she wouldn’t be pressured to go on blind dates anymore.
Seeing this, Qiao Jing chimed in to persuade:
"Chi Yuhang, you don’t need to prepare anything excessive, just going to meet her once will be enough."
Of course, she knew what Chi Yuhang was hesitant about. If it wasn’t a last resort, she wouldn’t be so adamant in convincing him.
Chi Yuhang pursed his lips and looked down at himself.
"Are you sure I’m okay ? I’m not good with words, and I don’t have formal clothes. Maybe you should find someone else?"
His attire was hardly fitting to visit the Zhan Family.
When Zhan Nanqing heard Chi Yuhang’s words, she sensed hope and her tone softened.
"Of course, you’re fine as you are, you don’t have a crooked nose or eyes. Moreover, you don’t have to say much at my place; my mom won’t ask too many questions. As for your clothes... indeed, they look quite cheap."
Chi Yuhang’s eyes darkened, and he lowered his head.
"You’re right, you should find somebody else."
A person like him indeed had no right to pretend to be of such a high status.
When Zhan Nanqing saw Chi Yuhang turning to leave, she hurried forward a few steps, intending to grab his sleeve but accidentally caught his arm instead.
Not caring about those details, she spoke up unhappily:
"I haven’t finished speaking yet, where are you going?"