Sensing Wen Yulan's intention, Qiao Ningzhi spoke first, "Mrs. Zhan and I are hitting it off. Why don't you stay and chat with me for a while?"
Since she had spoken, Wen Yulan couldn't refuse her without losing face, so she went to the kitchen herself.
Wei Yumeng cast a grateful glance at her and quietly asked Zhan Yichen, "What's going on here?"
Zhan Yichen was extremely annoyed. "If I had thought of this earlier, I wouldn't have delayed explaining things to Lin Jing until now."
He didn't want Mu Linjing to go to bed upset, but given the current situation, he might not have another chance to explain before tonight.
Wei Yumeng patted his shoulder reassuringly. "It's not entirely your fault. I'll help you explain to Lin Jing tonight, but I can't guarantee whether she'll listen."
Hearing this, Zhan Yichen couldn't relax. Mu Linjing was stubborn; if she didn't listen, it would be a disaster.
Qiao Ningzhi guessed quite a bit from their conversation and became even more curious about Mu Linjing. "If you need it, I can help you explain too. But I still want to meet this girl. I'm sure she must be very special."
Zhan Yichen, preoccupied with his worries, didn't refuse her suggestion and affirmed her words. "She is indeed very special. She's the most unique girl I've ever met, so I won't give up on her just like that."
Perhaps it was inappropriate to say this in front of Qiao Ningzhi, but he still wanted to make his stance clear. For two people who could never be together, it was best to state it upfront.
Qiao Ningzhi also understood the meaning behind his words but didn't get angry. Instead, she took the opportunity to clarify her own intentions.
"I'm not someone who takes relationships lightly either. I think people like us, who share similar aspirations, are only suited to be friends. Don't worry, I won't say anything out of line in front of the person you like."
With her assurance, both of them gradually relaxed.
Although they had only met Qiao Ningzhi that day, her every move exuded cultivation and refinement, making it hard to dislike her. They couldn't help but let down their guard.
Based on her intuition as a woman, Wei Yumeng felt that Miss Qiao was someone she could be friends with. However, that was a matter for later. For now, they needed to figure out how to ease the tension between Zhan Yichen and Mu Linjing.
By dinnertime, Zhan Mohan also returned from the company. He had already heard that Zhan Yichen had left work early today. Looking at the varied expressions on everyone's faces at the dinner table, it wasn't hard to guess the current situation.
Wen Yulan deliberately waited until he returned before starting to sarcastically serve food to Qiao Ningzhi. "Miss Qiao, eat more. Don't be nervous on your first visit. Come and play more often in the future. Yichen, quickly serve Miss Qiao some food."
She nudged Zhan Yichen with her arm, wanting them to appear more affectionate. This was partly to divert Elder Master Zhan's attention from solely focusing on Zhan Mohan, and partly to matchmake them.
Zhan Yichen wanted to lash out several times, but Wei Yumeng dissuaded him with a look. After all, the more strained his relationship with Wen Yulan became, the more reasons Wen Yulan would have to make things difficult for Mu Linjing in the future.
The dinner proceeded with only Wen Yulan chattering incessantly, and Qiao Ningzhi offering perfunctory replies now and then. The others finished the meal in silence.
"Auntie Zhan, it's getting late, so I'll be leaving now. Please rest early."
Qiao Ningzhi was already weary of the pretense. However, she maintained a smile before leaving, which greatly pleased Wen Yulan. In her opinion, this was the upbringing of a daughter from a prominent family, unlike the "wild girls" from poor families.
Therefore, she also showed her satisfaction quite overtly. "Let Yichen take you back. It's so late, it's not safe for you to be alone."
Saying this, she nudged Zhan Yichen forward, telling him to escort her.
Zhan Yichen's original intention was not to go, but considering how late it was and that Qiao Ningzhi had helped him quite a bit today, it was only right and proper for him to see her off.
He then followed Qiao Ningzhi out. "I'll take you back. Thank you for your help today."
Qiao Ningzhi smiled faintly. She hadn't liked these arranged dates either.
There wasn't much conversation on the way. After asking for the address of the Qiao family, Zhan Yichen focused on driving.
Pengcheng at night was a kaleidoscope of lights and revelry. Office workers shed their suits of the day and reverted to their casual selves at night. At this hour, the streets were dotted with young people preparing to go home. Moreover, there was a large bar on this road that operated all night, drawing crowds.
Zhan Yichen used to be a regular here, but he hadn't been going as often lately. Ever since he found himself smitten with Mu Linjing, he had consciously stayed away from such places of pleasure.
Thinking of Mu Linjing again, he couldn't help but sigh. Why wouldn't she wait for his explanation?
While he was lost in thought, a wobbly figure by the roadside caught his attention. He quickly hit the brakes and stopped the car by the side of the road.
Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Mu Linjing.
Mu Linjing was still holding a bottle of wine. Her leg, which hadn't fully healed, became even weaker under the influence of alcohol, and her body swayed precariously.
After confirming it was her, Zhan Yichen immediately got out of the car, grabbed her arm, and took away the half-empty wine bottle from her hand. "Don't you know your leg injury hasn't healed yet, and you shouldn't be drinking?"
Mu Linjing, already affected by the alcohol, pushed him away disregarding everything, trying to snatch her wine bottle back. "Who are you? What right do you have to control me?"
She reeked of alcohol as she spoke drunkenly, which ignited Zhan Yichen's anger. He gripped her slender waist, tightened his arm, and pulled her close to his body. "Mu Linjing, look clearly, who am I? And you ask what right I have to control you?"
Only then did Mu Linjing clearly see who was in front of her. This made her struggle even more fiercely. Without saying a word, her entire being was in defiance of him.
"If you're unhappy about something, why don't you tell me? I can explain it to you."
Hearing him mention an explanation, Mu Linjing shoved him away fiercely. "Explain? What do you have to explain to me? You went on a blind date, that's all. A man seeking marriage and a woman seeking marriage is nothing unusual. What is there to explain?"
Today, she had been idly scrolling through messages in a group chat at the office when she saw someone post photos of Zhan Yichen on a blind date. Although taken from a discreet angle, it was easy to see his gentle expression. He must have been quite pleased with his date.
Looking at the woman in the photo, whether it was her jewelry, or her clothes and bags, they were all valuable. Any one of them could support her for several months.
With such a background, how could she compare?
She knew it wasn't Zhan Yichen's fault for being excellent, nor was it her fault for having an ordinary family background. The only thing to blame was that two people separated by a vast chasm shouldn't have dared to fantasize about embracing each other.