"What’s taking so long to change clothes? You’re about to go to work, and he’s still not out? Is he not planning to take you to work?"
After hearing Su Manhan’s words, Qiao Jing couldn’t help but hook the corners of her lips and sighed in utter helplessness.
"He’ll be out soon, he’ll take me," she said.
Qiao Jing had thought that Su Manhan was finally showing some concern for Zhan Qipei, only to realize it was about whether he would drive her to work. Was Su Manhan spoiling her too much?
Satisfied, Su Manhan finally nodded and handed the thermal bag to Qiao Jing.
"Do you want to drink this soup now, or take it to the institute to drink later?"
Before Qiao Jing could answer, Su Manhan spoke up for herself,
"You might as well drink it in the car later; I worry it might get cold otherwise."
Qiao Jing, not wanting to refuse Su Manhan, nodded and took it over.
"Alright," she replied.
Just then, Zhan Qipei had also finished changing into his suit and came to the entrance hall.
Seeing Su Manhan there, he was no longer surprised; he had long guessed that she would come.
After all, not allowing Qiao Jing to stay at Purple Garden was something he and his mother had arranged as a condition.
Zhan Qipei greeted Su Manhan,
Upon seeing Zhan Qipei emerge, Su Manhan’s expression darkened and she crossed her arms.
"Good morning, my foot. I’m not having a good morning. I’ve been here for so long already, and Qiao Jing has been standing here waiting for you. What took you so long to change? Hurry up and take Qiao Jing to work!"
Zhan Qipei pursed his lips in resignation and responded,
"Alright, we’ll go now."
Afterward, Su Manhan followed closely behind Qiao Jing and Zhan Qipei until they reached his car.
Just as Qiao Jing was about to get into the car and close the door, Su Manhan quickly did it for her.
On the other side, as Zhan Qipei was about to get into the car, Su Manhan suddenly pulled him aside.
She pulled Zhan Qipei aside and earnestly instructed,
"Qipei, make sure you keep a close eye on Qiao Jing; don’t let her eat any junk food or stuff from street vendors, it’s bad for her health, understand?"
She was now coming over every day to bring food for Qiao Jing, not only out of concern for her nutritional intake but also to supervise her, restricting her from eating from street stalls.
After all, Qiao Jing was pregnant and absolutely must not eat carelessly; she and Qipei were fully responsible for Qiao Jing’s daily needs.
Zhan Qipei adjusted his eyebrows and acknowledged,
"I understand, Mom. Don’t worry."
Now, he wasn’t only watching over Qiao Jing at home but had even arranged his own "informant" at the institute, Zhan Nanqing, who monitored Qiao Jing every day.
Because they learned from Zhan Nanqing that Qiao Jing used to like eating at a beef noodle shop near the institute, in order to avoid a recurrence, they had everyone keep an eye out.
Su Manhan then let Zhan Qipei get into the car, while she returned to her own vehicle.
Sitting in the car, Qiao Jing faintly heard the conversation between the two and, after Zhan Qipei got into the car, she asked with a puzzled face,
"What did Auntie Su tell you?"
She had only heard Su Manhan telling Zhan Qipei to keep a close eye on her, something about it being bad for her health.
Since it concerned her, she couldn’t help but be curious.
Zhan Qipei looked at Qiao Jing, his mood pleasant as he smiled and gently stroked her slightly protruding belly, then slowly responded to her question,
"Mom told me to watch over you, not to let you eat street snacks, including your favorite beef noodles."
He and his mother were both very concerned that Qiao Jing wasn’t getting enough nutrients or that eating overly fried foods could not only affect the pregnant woman’s health but also the baby.
Hearing Zhan Qipei’s words, Qiao Jing was momentarily stunned and fell into a brief reflection.
She never expected that, being as grown up as she was, she would still need to be watched by someone else, worried that she might eat something recklessly.
After saying that, she opened the bag Su Manhan had given her and found a thermos inside.
Upon opening the thermos, a rich aroma of soup wafted towards her. Qiao Jing glanced inside and saw it was crucian carp tofu soup.
Qiao Jing tasted a few sips and ended up drinking all the soup.
After getting up in the morning, Qiao Jing, as usual, went to the living room and saw Zhan Qipei still making breakfast in the kitchen.
She slightly raised her eyebrows, determined to do something.
Thinking this, Qiao Jing stepped forward without hesitation towards the door.
She tiptoed to open the door and lightly stepped out.
Qiao Jing suddenly felt she resembled a thief, but to avoid being discovered by Zhan Qipei, she had no other choice.
Soon, Qiao Jing reached a nearby breakfast spot, hearing the cries of vendors around her and feeling a familiar urban buzz.
She glanced around at the breakfast stalls and eventually sat down at a noodle shop.
"Boss, a bowl of beef noodles, please."
After ordering breakfast, Qiao Jing instinctively looked around, worried that Zhan Qipei might suddenly appear.
In recent days, she had drunk various nourishing soups and other supplements, and she was tired of it.
But Zhan Qipei and Su Manhan, for the sake of her health, kept a close watch, never allowing her to eat any street food.
She knew of course that street food wasn’t as clean as what was prepared at home, but having grown up in the countryside, she had enjoyed numerous diverse street snacks since childhood. Those snacks had flavors no restaurant could match.
So she had seized the opportunity today, slipping out of the house to taste the xiaolongbao and soy milk she hadn’t eaten in a long time.
Soon, the boss came over with the soy milk and xiaolongbao.
"Your xiaolongbao are ready."
Qiao Jing nodded and thanked him. Upon smelling the xiaolongbao, she immediately felt hungry.
There she sat, at a street stall, beginning to eat the xiaolongbao.
Meanwhile, a nanny van passed by these small stalls.
Inside the van, Qiao Mengtong was having her assistant touch up her makeup as she rushed to her next appointment, idly observing the surroundings with a look of disdain on her face.
"What kind of place is this? It’s so messy. Can you believe people actually eat breakfast here?"
As she spoke, she suddenly caught a glimpse of a vaguely familiar figure out of the corner of her eye.
Looking closer, Qiao Mengtong realized it was indeed someone she knew—Qiao Jing was sitting in front of a street stall having breakfast.
Realizing the situation, her eyes gleamed with a mix of scorn and smugness.
Had Qiao Jing fallen so low as to eat at street stalls? It definitely looked like she had been kicked out by the Zhan Family!
She had known it wouldn’t be long before the Zhan Family chased Qiao Jing out, and now, look! Indeed!
Thinking about this, Qiao Mengtong slightly chinned up and glanced at her assistant, urging:
"Hurry up and finish my makeup!"
She was eager to get out of the car to have a good look and to show her sister, eating at the street stall, how she had become a somewhat famous star under the patronage of Zhan Nan and Zhan Bei.