The two of them locked gazes for quite a while, Qiao Jing this time didn’t retreat as quickly as before but instead clung tightly to the edge of the bowl, signaling the other with her eyes.
After receiving the slightly threatening look from Qiao Jing, Zhan Qipei reluctantly let go of his hand.
"Then be careful when you drink it."
He had originally intended to use this opportunity to personally feed Qiao Jing, hoping to facilitate a closer connection.
But it seemed he still couldn’t have his way, it looked like he would have to be even better to Qiao Jing.
Only then did Qiao Jing take the bowl and begin to eat the porridge.
After waking up, Qiao Jing furrowed her brows slightly, subconsciously getting out of bed as she usually did.
But a weak pain from her ankle drew her attention, she looked down and found that the sprain was much better than the day before.
Qiao Jing breathed a sigh of relief and slowly made her way to the living room to find that Zhan Qipei was still preparing breakfast at this time.
She watched for a moment and was just about to go in and help when Zhan Qipei already came out with the breakfast.
What captured all her attention was that Zhan Qipei hadn’t prepared the usual breakfast today but had simmered a pot of porridge and a pot of soup.
And it was pig’s feet soup.
Could it be that Zhan Qipei, this bastard, also believed in "you are what you eat" and specially cooked pig’s feet soup for her to drink?
When Zhan Qipei saw that Qiao Jing was awake, he quickened his pace and placed the prepared breakfast on the table.
"Why didn’t you call me? What if you had accidentally fallen?"
Qiao Jing’s gaze still lingered on the bowl of pig’s feet soup and, without a word, she rolled her eyes and then looked towards Zhan Qipei.
"I’m almost fully recovered, why did you cook pig’s feet soup?"
She felt that the reality probably wasn’t far from what she guessed, but what did this pig’s feet soup have to do with her sprained ankle?
Zhan Qipei glanced at the soup on the table and replied truthfully:
"To build up your body."
Qiao Jing pursed her lips in some helplessness and sat down at the dining table.
She knew Zhan Qipei had made this soup believing in "you are what you eat."
But she couldn’t just not drink it, otherwise, that would be wasting food.
Professor Qiao’s Research Institute.
Qiao Jing was changing into a working uniform when she suddenly noticed Zhan Nanqing occasionally glancing toward the door, seemingly waiting for something.
"What’s up? Waiting for someone?"
Zhan Nanqing was startled, quickly withdrawing her gaze from the door.
"Nothing much, just that Chi Yuhang said he would start working at the institute today. I’m worried that the blockhead might not find his way here. But I’ve already told him where our lab is, so if he can’t find it, there’s nothing I can do."
Hearing Zhan Nanqing’s words, Qiao Jing appeared somewhat surprised.
"When he comes later, take him to familiarize with the surroundings, and make sure someone arranges his work pass as soon as possible."
She had thought Chi Yuhang wouldn’t start at the institute so soon, but he was coming today already—it seemed he did learn things quite quickly.
Last time she asked, Chi Yuhang was still worried about not being able to handle the work, which was why he hadn’t come over. Now, in just two or three days, he had already decided to officially start working.
Zhan Nanqing frowned slightly, expressing her disdain:
"Why do I have to be the one to show him around?"
She didn’t want to babysit that blockhead!
Qiao Jing lightly arched her eyebrows, her eyes settling on Zhan Nanqing.
"Aren’t you someone’s teacher now? Then could you, as his teacher, help out one more time and show him around to get familiar with the environment?"
Only then did Zhan Nanqing reluctantly nod her head, unwillingly saying,
"I’ll just show him around once, and if he still doesn’t get it afterwards, I won’t bother with him."
After finishing her statement, she paused and muttered.
"But this guy learns so fast, probably once will be enough."
Qiao Jing nodded slightly in agreement.
"Alright, then I’ll have to trouble Teacher Zhan."
Meanwhile, outside of the research institute.
Chi Yuhang had just stepped out of a taxi and was immediately awestruck by the sight of Professor Qiao’s Research Institute. Standing outside, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect.
He looked down at his clothes, brushed off the nonexistent dust with his hand, and started walking towards the entrance.
What Chi Yuhang didn’t notice was that someone he knew had appeared behind him.
Auntie Wang had just finished her shopping at the vegetable market and as she passed by the research institute, her peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a figure.
She thought she had seen wrong and stopped, squinting for a long time, and after confirming that it was Chi Yuhang, she was startled.
What was Chi Yuhang doing here?
And now he was... heading in the direction of Professor Qiao’s Research Institute?!
Upon realizing this, Auntie Wang hurriedly chased after him, blocking Chi Yuhang’s way.
Chi Yuhang hadn’t expected to encounter Auntie Wang here, but he still greeted her politely.
"Auntie Wang, good morning."
Even though the recent incident where she tried to slander his family wasn’t long gone, Auntie Wang, after all, had returned the other piece of land that belonged to his family and restored the communal land to everyone.
Auntie Wang still harbored grievances from the past two encounters and didn’t show a friendly face to Chi Yuhang.
With her arms crossed, she looked at Chi Yuhang from top to bottom with a mocking gaze.
"Chi Yuhang, do you know what this place behind me is?"
Chi Yuhang was unfazed by Auntie Wang’s attitude and gaze, and answered,
"I know, it’s Professor Qiao’s Research Institute. What about it?"
He had an ominous hunch in his heart, telling him that Auntie Wang was about to start trouble here.
Just as he thought this, Auntie Wang snorted with laughter.
"Ha! So you do know that this is Professor Qiao’s Research Institute? Then are you trying to go there? What for?"
Having not gained an advantage in the past two encounters, today this kid had the cheek to want to enter the institute. She had finally found an opportunity, and wouldn’t she enjoy mocking him?
Chi Yuhang’s premonition proved correct as he frowned, looking at Auntie Wang.
"Auntie Wang, I’m here to work."
He knew that once he encountered Auntie Wang, things wouldn’t stay simple.
But he would try not to argue with her, as he needed to hurry to work and didn’t have time to debate with her.
As soon as Auntie Wang heard Chi Yuhang’s words, she burst into laughter as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world, holding her stomach.
"Hahaha! What did you say? You go to work at Professor Qiao’s Research Institute? Are you joking internationally? But... if you were going there to be a cleaner, that would make sense. You’re not actually there to sweep the floors, are you?"
Chi Yuhang didn’t take Auntie Wang’s mocking to heart and pursed his lips.
"I am an official employee there, responsible for organizing documents. I won’t discuss this any further with you."
Today was his first day on the job, and his work badge wasn’t ready yet, so he couldn’t prove his identity right now.
But as soon as he walked in, Auntie Wang would definitely understand.