Qiao Jing pondered for a while before finally agreeing.
Actually, she didn’t want the news of her pregnancy to be widely known, but she knew that Su Manhan was very happy now and wanted to joy with others.
Even though she realized that if she agreed, Su Manhan would let everyone in the upper echelons of the Imperial Capital know about it, she still didn’t want to hold her back.
With no other choice, she could only agree to let Su Manhan spread the news.
A smile returned to Su Manhan’s face as she happily picked up her phone and made a call to Zhan Yuanshan first.
"Dad! Qiao Jing is pregnant! I’m going to be a grandmother! You’re going to be a great-grandfather!!"
Zhan Yuanshan was traveling in another province and was asleep at the moment when a call woke him up, immediately causing him to become angry.
Upon hearing what Su Manhan said, the anger he was feeling instantly froze in its tracks.
"What? Jing Girl is pregnant? I’m going to be a great-grandfather?"
Su Manhan nodded vigorously, smiling so broadly that her face seemed to blossom.
"Yes! Dad, when are you coming back to have a look?"
After he clearly heard this sentence, Zhan Yuanshan was jolted awake, becoming instantly invigorated.
"I’ll have to stay here a little longer before I can return, but never mind that now, I’m going to be a great-grandfather! Hand over the phone to Jing Girl; let me video call her and see for myself!"
Su Manhan, smiling, hung up the phone and came over to Qiao Jing’s side. While fiddling with the phone, she said:
"I’ve already had someone prepare Bird’s Nest and soup for you, even if you’re not hungry you should have a few sips. The Old Master now knows you’re pregnant and wants to talk to you on the phone!"
Zhan Nanqing couldn’t help but tease upon seeing Su Manhan’s flower-like smile.
"Keep smiling like that, and your mouth corners are going to be shoulder to shoulder with the sun..."
Before she could finish, she felt a sudden pain on her forehead.
Su Manhan, having heard what Zhan Nanqing had just teased, didn’t say a word before raising her hand and giving her a knock on the head.
"Who are you talking about?"
Zhan Nanqing covered her forehead in pain and scooted next to Qiao Jing, grumbling quietly:
"Telling the truth these days gets you hit."
Qiao Jing smiled helplessly, her eyes catching a glimpse of the phone screen which Su Manhan was using to make a call.
"Madam Zhan, Grandpa Zhan is on the phone."
Su Manhan then let go of Zhan Nanqing and handed the phone to Qiao Jing, turning to her own daughter and saying:
"I’ll deal with you later."
Qiao Jing took the phone and saw the radiant face of Zhan Yuanshan on the screen.
She didn’t even need to start a conversation with Zhan Yuanshan, his expression alone showed how happy he was.
Zhan Yuanshan hurriedly responded with a few "ehs" and looked at Qiao Jing with a smiling face.
"Jing Girl, how have you been feeling lately? How many months pregnant are you? How come you didn’t tell this old man?"
He paused for a moment and then continued.
"You know how much I’ve been wanting a great-grandchild, were you trying to keep it a secret from me? Planning to give me a surprise?"
Qiao Jing could tell that although the old man’s words were chiding, there wasn’t a hint of blame in them.
She pressed her lips together in slight exasperation and replied:
"Grandpa Zhan, I’m sorry, there were some things so I didn’t say anything. I’m over four months along."
Zhan Yuanshan knew that Qiao Jing had her reasons for not sharing the news, so he didn’t pursue the matter further and changed the subject.
"You haven’t told me how you are! If I weren’t traveling in another province right now, and if it weren’t for a few Old Zhan comrades keeping me here for a while, I would be back right now to see my great-grandchild."
Qiao Jing looked at Zhan Yuanshan’s excited demeanor, somewhat worried about the other’s health.
"My health is quite good, Grandpa Zhan, try not to get too excited. Isn’t it around this time that you usually rest?"
She was concerned that Zhan Yuanshan’s emotions might be too agitated, which could affect his health, and that would be a loss.
Zhan Yuanshan waved his hand, repeatedly touching his beard.
"Who needs sleep when I can think about my great-grandchild? Manhan, take Jing Girl for a prenatal checkup tomorrow, and send me the report to have a look."
Right now, he could hardly wait to fly back to the capital, but he rarely got to gather with these old comrades-in-arms, so it would be inappropriate to leave abruptly halfway through.
Fortunately, it wouldn’t be long before he could return. Otherwise, he would have flown back to the capital immediately because he couldn’t wait to see Qiao Jing’s belly.
Su Manhan readily agreed.
Qiao Jing sighed helplessly and slowly said:
"Grandpa Zhan, I’m a doctor myself; my health is quite good, there’s no need to go to the hospital."
Upon hearing Qiao Jing’s words, Zhan Yuanshan instantly furrowed his brows, speaking in a serious tone.
"No way! Jing Girl, I know you have excellent medical skills, but you have to consider me, an old man far away in the province. You need to get checked so I can see my great-grandchildren. If you don’t agree to the checkup, I won’t sleep tonight."
Seeing the Old Naughty Boy on the other side of the phone, Qiao Jing had no choice but to agree.
"Alright, I’ll go for the checkup tomorrow."
Zhan Nanqing gave Zhan Yuanshan another surprise just before he was about to hang up the phone.
"Grandpa, Qiao Jing is expecting triplets."
Upon hearing this sentence, Zhan Yuanshan widened his eyes, looking incredulously at Qiao Jing.
"Jing Girl, really? Triplets? I have three great-grandchildren!!"
Before Qiao Jing could reply, she saw Zhan Yuanshan stand up on the screen, causing the camera to shake violently, followed by his voice.
"Hey! Old Zhao, let me tell you, I have three great-grandchildren!"
"Old Liu, I have three great-grandchildren! I remember you only have two, right? I have one more than you!"
"Old Fu! Stop sleeping, stop sleeping, I’m going to be a great-grandfather!"
After showing off to his buddies for a while, Zhan Yuanshan finally hung up the phone with great satisfaction.
Qiao Jing couldn’t help but let out a snicker.
Zhan Yao came down from the second floor at this time, his eyes brightening upon seeing Qiao Jing.
He hurried over to the couch but happened to encounter the nanny carrying soup over, so he took it from her and placed it on the table.
"Qiao Jing, if you feel unwell at any point after this, you must tell us."
Su Manhan looked at Zhan Yao disdainfully, pushed him aside, and said:
"Pah, pah, pah! Qiao Jing won’t feel unwell. You better go back to your room and mind your own business; men shouldn’t butt into women’s conversations!"
Zhan Yao’s mouth twitched speechlessly, but he didn’t want to refute Su Manhan’s remark and instead turned to go upstairs.
Thinking back on all the things that happened today, Qiao Jing felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
It was the first time since Grandpa Zhang’s passing that she had experienced the feeling of home.
Now that the Zhan family was so kind to her, with our joking bickering, she felt like she was part of the Zhan family, having blended in.
Su Manhan served Qiao Jing a bowl of soup, placing it in front of her, ready to discuss something.
Just as Zhan Qipei opened the front door, he overheard Su Manhan saying:
"Why don’t you stay at Purple Garden for this period? Qipei is a man; he might not be so meticulous in taking care of you during your pregnancy. Especially the month before your due date, you have to be even more cautious. It would be better if you moved here, more convenient."