Chapter 969: Chapter 957: Lu Zijin Invites Qiao Jing to a Banquet
Could she really be the missing daughter-in-law of the Zhan Family?
Regarding this matter, Qiao Jing had her suspicions before, but it had never been as strong as today.
After pondering for a moment, Qiao Jing shook her head, negating her earlier speculations.
Because the place where Qiao Hong and Qiao Lin found her was far too distant from the sea area where the Zhan Family’s daughter-in-law had an accident.
Even if the sea currents were strong enough to wash someone from one area to another, someone soaked in water for that long would surely have perished, making it impossible for them to survive.
So, her previous guess must have been overthinking…
Seeing her lost in thought, Lu Zijin asked suspiciously, “Are you okay?”
These words snapped Qiao Jing out of her reverie.
She shook her head and casually replied, “I’m fine, just suddenly reminded of something.”
Understanding her vagueness, Lu Zijin realized she didn’t want to elaborate.
Out of politeness, Lu Zijin did not pursue the topic further.
He hesitated for a moment before changing the subject, “Are you free this weekend?”
Qiao Jing instinctively thought Lu Zijin was going to discuss the health issue again, so she nodded and replied, “Yes, I am.”
Having confirmed her availability, Lu Zijin continued, “Actually, I wanted to ask if you could accompany me to a banquet; it’s the kind where guests are supposed to bring a date.”
Qiao Jing found it odd upon hearing this.
She looked at Lu Zijin puzzled, “Someone like you still needs a date?”
With Lu Zijin’s qualifications, she believed that if he wished, countless women would vie just to be his companion.
Not to mention, Sun Mingzhu would surely be eager!
So, why would Lu Zijin ask her for this favor?
Lu Zijin spoke plainly and straightforwardly, “It’s not that I lack, even my mother mentioned she’d arrange something, but those arrangements are ultimately for matchmaking, so…”
Lu Zijin didn’t finish his sentence.
But even without him saying it, Qiao Jing understood.
Lu Zijin wanted her to be his date as a shield to fend off unwanted suitors!
After understanding the reason, Qiao Jing readily agreed, “Alright, I’ll help you with this.”
Her agreement brought visible joy to Lu Zijin’s warm smile, “Thank you so much!”
“Don’t mention it, friends help each other out.”
With that, Qiao Jing picked up her coffee and took a sip.
Just as she put it down, her phone rang unexpectedly.
Checking her phone, she saw it was Grandpa Zhan calling and answered it casually.
The moment the call connected, Zhan Yuanshan’s deep voice came through, “Jing Girl, where are you now? I’m not feeling well; you better come over to Purple Garden quickly and see if my condition has worsened!”
Judging from his strong voice, Qiao Jing could sense his mental state was quite good, immediately realizing the old man was up to his usual tricks.
Feeling amused, she replied tactfully, “Grandpa Zhan, I still have some matters here, it might take me a while to come.”
Zhan Yuanshan could easily sense her excuse, and with a feigned weak voice, he said, “Jing Girl, what could be more important than my life and death?”
“I’m really uncomfortable this time; if you don’t come soon, I might not hold on… cough cough cough cough…”
With that, Zhan Yuanshan began to cough violently, as if hinting that if Qiao Jing didn’t come immediately, he’d cough to death right there.
Knowing the old man’s routine, Qiao Jing felt helpless but eventually compromised, “Alright, I’ll come now.”
After all, the old man was genuinely ill; even though he was pretending, if she defied him, he might genuinely fall sick. So as much as possible, she should comply.
Upon hearing she would come, Zhan Yuanshan stopped coughing at once and cheerily said, “Jing Girl, hurry over, I’m waiting for you.”
“Sure.” Qiao Jing responded before hanging up.
Putting away her phone, she stood up and said to Lu Zijin, “Sorry, seems I have to leave now.”
Lu Zijin stood up immediately, “I’ll see you out.”
“No need, you have work at the hospital, right? Go ahead and take care of it, I’ll just grab a cab myself.”
After saying that, Qiao Jing waved at Lu Zijin and left decisively.
Exiting the café, she hailed a taxi by the roadside headed towards Purple Garden.
A dozen minutes later, the car stopped at the gate of Purple Garden.
Qiao Jing got out and walked towards the house.
In the hall, upon seeing her arrival, Zhan Yuanshan immediately waved, smiling broadly, “Come, Jing Girl, I have something to discuss with you.”
Even though she had anticipated the old man to be pretending, seeing him so different from his phone demeanor, Qiao Jing felt both amused and annoyed.
She walked over, looking at the old man with helpless expression, “Grandpa Zhan, you don’t really look unwell.”
“You see, as soon as you agreed to come, I got so happy I stopped coughing and started feeling much better.”
Zhan Yuanshan said without skipping a beat, “So, Jing Girl, you should visit me often, who knows, maybe my illness will disappear on its own!”
Listening to this, Qiao Jing found herself speechless.
Indeed, the old man’s wit and eloquence were quite unmatched!!
Zhan Yuanshan wasn’t bothered by whether she responded and continued, “Actually, Jing Girl, I have a genuine matter. There’s a banquet this weekend, and Qipei needs a date. I’d like you to accompany him; I’ve prepared the gown and shoes for you, just show up.”
Weekend? Banquet? Date?
Hearing these familiar words, Qiao Jing hesitated for a moment.
If her guesses were right, the banquet Grandpa Zhan mentioned should be the same one Lu Zijin talked about earlier.
At this time, Zhan Nanjing came out of the room just in time to hear Zhan Yuanshan’s words.
She disapproved, “Grandpa, it’s not right for you to decide this privately. If my brother knows, he definitely won’t agree. I think you shouldn’t meddle in this.”
Zhan Yuanshan dismissed her concern, “He’s my own grandson, what’s wrong with me making decisions for him? It’s not like I’m harming him!”
“Grandpa, you know my brother’s temperament. Unless he himself consents, even if you push, it won’t help…”
Zhan Nanjing’s advice was cut off forcefully by Zhan Yuanshan.
“Whether he agrees or not, he has to agree!”
The old man spoke with an undeniable tone, clearly showing his firm stance.