Chapter 38: Zhan Qipei Overturns the Jealousy Jar Again
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The living room fell into an awkward silence as Qiao Jing withdrew her gaze from Zhan Qipei. Zhan Qipei, feeling the pain in his temples, and raised his hand to rub them.
Breaking the tension, Qiao Jing spoke up, "We'll have dumplings tonight. Hand-made dumplings."
The idea of Qiao Jing knowing how to make dumplings surprised Zhan Qipei. But before he could ponder it further, the doorbell rang.
"It should be him," Qiao Jing said, walking toward the door.
Zhan Qipei followed her gaze, wondering who was at the door. When Qiao Jing opened the door, Xu Moqian's lively voice filled the room.
"Sister Jing, I bought celery, shepherd's purse, chives, and black pork."
"Thank you for your hard work. Come in," Qiao Jing replied, handing him a pair of slippers.
"For the sake of eating Sister Jing's dumplings, this bit of hard work is nothing," Xu Moqian cheerfully responded as he carried the vegetables to the kitchen. As he passed by Zhan Qipei, he couldn't resist smirking.
Zhan Qipei's face darkened, and he asked Qiao Jing, "Why did you invite him?"
"Because making dumplings by oneself is difficult. Kneading dough, rolling the skin, and chopping the filling require more hands," Qiao Jing explained nonchalantly.
"Don't you know that I don't like to eat with outsiders?" Zhan Qipei's unhappiness was evident.
"In that case, you can go out to eat tonight. With fewer people, I can make less food," Qiao Jing retorted.
Xu Moqian stifled a laugh and added fuel to the fire, "Yes, President Zhan has a high status. Sister Jing's food may not meet your standards. You should go to a five-star hotel to eat."
Zhan Qipei emphasized, "This is my house!"
Xu Moqian countered firmly, "This is Sister Jing's home."
As the tension escalated, the doorbell rang again. Qiao Jing went to open it, revealing a large bouquet of fiery red roses.
"Doctor Qiao, I'm here to thank you for saving my life!" Zhan Ruiting appeared with a bright smile.
Accepting the roses, Qiao Jing welcomed him inside. Zhan Ruiting asked Zhan Qipei, "Cousin, why are you here?"
Annoyed, Zhan Qipei responded, "This is my house! I should be the one asking why you're here!"
Ignoring Zhan Qipei, Zhan Ruiting smiled at Qiao Jing, "These flowers are very heavy. Let me help you put them away."
But Zhan Qipei, eager to intervene, snatched the flowers from Qiao Jing's hands and tossed them into a corner.
Xu Moqian heard the commotion and came out of the kitchen.
"Sister Jing, did you ask him to help you make dumplings?" Xu Moqian asked curiously.
"Why are you here?" Zhan Ruiting regarded Xu Moqian suspiciously, as if he was a potential rival.
"I've known Sister Jing since university, so why shouldn't I be here?" Xu Moqian retorted. His eyes fell on the bouquet of roses in the corner, triggering memories of his own past.
Recalling the time when he had passionately confessed his love to Qiao Jing with roses and music, Xu Moqian couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. She had turned him down, stating that she preferred someone with better grades than her.
Zhan Ruiting inquired, "Were you two university classmates?"
Xu Moqian quickly corrected, "No, I couldn't possibly be classmates with Sister Jing. She was my university professor back then." He noticed Qiao Jing's warning gaze, hinting not to reveal too much.
Zhan Qipei observed both Xu Moqian and Qiao Jing with a narrowed gaze. He sensed that Xu Moqian was likely telling the truth.
If Xu Moqian's account was accurate, it meant that Qiao Jing had become a university professor before the age of twenty. Zhan Qipei wondered why such a genius would be content with working as a janitor at the research institute.
Furthermore, upon discovering that Qiao Jing was a temporary doctor at Lu Zijin Hospital, Zhan Qipei had already suspected that her role as a janitor was improbable.
Perplexed by the revelation, Zhan Ruiting questioned Xu Moqian, "What are you trying to say? She was your professor? That's impossible. You graduated many years ago. When you were in university, how old was Doctor Qiao? How could she be your university professor?"
Zhan Ruiting couldn't believe the possibility presented by Xu Moqian's words.
Xu Moqian pursed his lips and didn't answer. He turned to Qiao Jing and said, "I've washed the vegetables. Let's start."
"Cooking? I'll help too." Zhan Ruiting took off his suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and walked toward Qiao Jing.
"Go away, go away. What can a young master like you, who doesn't even know his way around a kitchen, do to help? Go to the side and don't cause trouble." Xu Moqian stood in front of Qiao Jing and waved at him.
"Why can't I help? Besides, aren't you the eldest young master of your family as well?"
"We're going to make dumplings. Do you know how to make dumplings?" Xu Moqian raised his eyebrows and asked.
"I-I don't know how to do it, but I can learn!" Because Zhan Ruiting was thick-skinned, believing he wasn't at a disadvantage.
"Nobody here has the time to teach you! Shoo!" Xu Moqian gave the order to leave.
Zhan Ruiting refused to leave. Not only did he refuse to leave, but he also wanted to enter the kitchen.
Qiao Jing looked at the two of them with a headache. "Fourth Brother, don't stop him. If he wants to come in, let him come in."
"Sister Jing, how could you?"
"Doctor Qiao, you're really too hospitable!" Zhan Ruiting happily pushed Xu Moqian away and followed Qiao Jing into the kitchen.
The corners of Xu Moqian's mouth twitched speechlessly. He smoothed out his wrinkled clothes, caused by Zhan Ruiting's push, and walked into the kitchen.
The living room fell into a heavy silence, leaving Zhan Qipei alone. The cold air seemed to emanate from his tense body, creating an aura of frost that felt as if it would never melt for ten thousand years.
In stark contrast to the silence in the living room, the kitchen was filled with voices, and the sound of bickering pierced the air. Zhan Qipei's frustration grew with each passing moment.
"Make way!"
"You're the one who's clearly in my way!"
"Sister Jing, look at him. He's not helping!"
"Doctor Qiao, I'm sorry. I'm clumsy. Please don't despise me!"
"Hey, hey, hey! Why are you so close to me?"
Unable to bear it any longer, Zhan Qipei couldn't sit still. He stood up and strode toward the kitchen with heavy steps, his irritation evident.
-- Gift
received