Jiang Nan Fang’s childhood home had broken apart due to a third party’s interference, so she particularly detested the scenario of a mistress being legitimized.
Zhan Bei Jue expressed his understanding and did not pressure her to go.
However, he was good friends with Lu Ming Zhe, so no matter what, he had to give face to this matter.
Therefore, the next day, before heading to the restaurant, he called Jiang Nan Fang again.
He asked if her shoulder felt better today, if it still hurt, and if the child had been fussy.
"She's only over 40 days old, and the morning sickness has just begun. If this counts as fussy, then so be it."
"Do you want to get out for some fresh air?"
Zhan Bei Jue, considerate of her boredom from staying home all day, coaxed her with his pleasant voice.
"If you lie down all the time, you'll have trouble sleeping tonight. Just pretend you're not meeting her, come out to keep me company, and have something fresh to eat, how about it?"
Unable to resist Zhan Bei Jue's tenderness, Jiang Nan Fang thought it through.
There was no need to make herself too miserable.
She wasn't going to meet that woman; it was just about going out for fresh air and exercise. What was the point of hiding from people she didn't care about?
"Alright then, but you have to come pick me up."
It was quite a long journey from the city to the Zhan residence. It would be too troublesome to drive back and then go out again.
But Zhan Bei Jue was extremely happy to do so.
He drove back himself, appeased the children, and then took her out.
By the time the two arrived at the restaurant, Lu Ming Zhe had already been waiting impatiently.
"Your girlfriend is damn hard to invite, the busiest person in the world. If I'd known you'd be so unwilling to give face, I wouldn't have asked you to come!"
Lu Ming Zhe met them at the restaurant entrance and immediately started complaining.
Zhan Bei Jue said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Is it that serious? She's already carrying your child, she can't run away, and you're still afraid of offending her? You, my friend, are experiencing worry and uncertainty for once?"
"She's different! She's very sensible, good at reading people, and extremely sensitive!"
Lu Ming Zhe said with a solemn expression.
"I'm warning you, your attitude needs to be proper when you go up. If you can talk, say more; if you can't, just shut up. If you upset her today, I'll disown you."
Zhan Bei Jue stopped, pulling Jiang Nan Fang along.
"Then I'd better not go. She's too difficult to please."
"Hey!"
Lu Ming Zhe was so angry he wanted to kick him.
"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
Zhan Bei Jue smiled.
"Look how scared you are. I wasn't interested originally, but now I'm suddenly curious. Who exactly is this divine being who has you so wrapped around her finger?"
They all went upstairs, chatting and laughing.
Unexpectedly, Xiang Wan had not yet arrived, and only Lu Qing Xu was sitting in the private room.
Upon seeing them, Zhan Bei Jue exchanged a perfunctory greeting, pulled out a chair to help Jiang Nan Fang sit down, and kicked Lu Ming Zhe in the shin.
"You're so nervous, acting like Empress Dowager Cixi has arrived. I thought you were really anxious, but the person isn't even here yet? Am I the one with more clout or is she?"
Lu Ming Zhe turned and sat down, not bothering to argue with him.
"Oh, be understanding. She's still starting her business, she can't get away right now, she's not like us."
"She'll be here soon, please be patient."
Seeing how solicitous he was, Jiang Nan Fang also became curious.
"What does she do?"
In her conventional impression, such women who lived in the shadows were usually parasites.
They relied on their beauty and schemes to make men submit, possessing everything except the ability to earn money.
She hadn't expected this woman to be career-oriented.
When it came to Xiang Wan's profession, Lu Ming Zhe's face lit up with pride.
"She's a streamer, with over a million followers on Douyin. Her career is on the rise. Plus, Double Eleven is coming soon, so she's very busy. Please be understanding."
"Oh, so she's an internet celebrity." Lu Qing Xu concluded.
"No wonder she's got you so smitten. How did you meet?"
Lu Ming Zhe shot him a look.
"This is your future sister-in-law, so watch your words. She's not an ordinary internet celebrity, not like those people."
"Alright, alright, love is blind, she's perfect in every way. So, how did you meet?"
Lu Qing Xu interrupted his praise and joked.
"Don't tell me you went to her live stream and became her top fan with your donations, and that's how..."
Lu Ming Zhe became even prouder at this mention.
"Get lost. I've never spent much money on her. She's not someone who cares about money."
"It was a chance encounter. We've known each other for several years..."
"Known each other for several years? Then why did you keep mentioning Chen Jiao Jiao..."
"I hadn't really gotten involved with her when I met Chen Jiao Jiao. Things developed later... In short, our relationship isn't what you imagine. It's love."
"Love that transcends worldly matters and material possessions. Don't overthink it."
Everyone wore expressions of "we'll just watch you brag."
It felt like the more he explained, the worse it got.
Because once you mentioned internet celebrities, regardless of the specifics, people already had a fixed image in mind.
Lu Ming Zhe decided to stop talking.
"Anyway, you'll know when she gets here."
Meanwhile, Xiang Wan had been nervous since receiving Lu Ming Zhe's call that afternoon, asking her to have dinner with his friends.
To be honest, she didn't know much about Lu Ming Zhe.
She only knew about his personality, his family background, and had seen some of his friends in that group photo.
She knew that he and his friends were of similar status, far beyond what someone like her could aspire to.
Her humble origins and lack of higher education caused her to feel a degree of inferiority in front of traditional aristocratic families.
Lu Ming Zhe first proposed, and then brought her to meet his friends, clearly intending to bring her into his circle.
Today was a crucial step.
Xiang Wan feared she would not perform well, embarrassing him or herself.
Before leaving, she changed her outfit again and sought the opinions of everyone in her studio.
"How's my hairstyle today? Is my makeup okay? Is this outfit appropriate for meeting friends?"
Everyone unanimously praised her, saying she was incredibly beautiful and her outfit was exceptionally fitting.
Even so, her palms couldn't stop sweating as she drove.
As she neared the restaurant, she texted Lu Ming Zhe, who was waiting for her at the entrance.
Upon meeting, Lu Ming Zhe was so captivated by her beauty that he couldn't look away.
"You're so beautiful, how can you look like you're not thirty? You look too young even at eighteen. You make me look like an old man preying on a young girl."
"Why are you wearing high heels? Quickly, quickly, let me help you."
Xiang Wan linked her arm through his and confided her nervousness.
Lu Ming Zhe said.
"Don't be nervous. They're just a bunch of talkers, scatterbrained fools. They're not as exaggerated as you imagine."
"It's just a simple dinner, an introduction. No one is nobler than anyone else, don't be afraid."
They went upstairs, talking and laughing. As Xiang Wan opened the private room door, she surveyed the three people inside and offered a polite smile.
She stepped forward and extended her hand to Jiang Nan Fang.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting. I was slightly delayed by something. My name is Xiang Wan, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Honestly speaking, she was very beautiful.
Judging by her appearance, she was over 1.7 meters tall, with a well-proportioned figure, a full chest and rounded hips. She was a typical beauty who could easily captivate many men at first glance.
However, having seen too many beautiful women and knowing of Chen Jiao Jiao's existence, Jiang Nan Fang's appreciation could only go so far.