It was evident that Lu Qingxu could not answer her question either.
He recounted to Jiang Nan Fang the entire scene of how he and Mai Ledi met.
For Mai Ledi, he had even gotten into a physical altercation with Zhan Bei Jue, and Zhan Bei Jue refused to tell him the reason, leaving him utterly perplexed.
Jiang Nan Fang's worldview was nearly shattered by what she heard.
Zhan Bei Jue had, behind her back, helped his sister… What was all this about?!
Lu Qingxu's focus differed from hers. Knowing that Mai Ledi was not Zhan Bei Jue's woman and that he still had a chance, his mind was now entirely consumed with how to rekindle their past relationship.
"How did you find out about this? Tell me where she is now, I need to go find her."
"Didn't you say she was sick? I misunderstood her relationship with Ah Jue and said a lot of hurtful things. She must hate me now. I need to go apologize to her!"
Jiang Nan Fang didn't know where Mai Ledi was, and since Zhan Bei Jue didn't want them to know about this matter, it was better to pretend she didn't.
"Why should I pretend not to know? Now that I know, how can I pretend not to know?"
Lu Qingxu acted like a young man newly in love.
"My feelings for Mai Ledi are genuine. No girl has ever made me feel this way before. I've been suffering so much for her during this time!"
"Now that I've finally learned the truth, I can't just let it go. If you don't tell me, I'll find out myself!"
Jiang Nan Fang looked at him calmly, "Aren't you afraid Zhan Bei Jue will fall out with you again?"
"He already has, so it can't get any worse than it is now."
"Mai Ledi is a living person, not a kitten or a puppy. Why should he hide her from the world forever? I must get to the bottom of this!"
With that, Lu Qingxu ran off.
The turn of events was somewhat beyond Jiang Nan Fang's expectations.
However, Lu Qingxu's actions were not something she could prevent. With no other recourse, Jiang Nan Fang decided to inform Zhan Bei Jue first.
Perhaps she could also invite him out for a chat and discuss things openly.
She also wanted to understand why Mai Ledi's identity was being kept a secret and why the rumors about them being siblings were implicitly accepted.
Jiang Nan Fang calling back was within Zhan Bei Jue's expectations, but he didn't have time to talk with her at the moment.
Jiang Nan Fang got straight to the point, "Are you free? I'll come to you, I have something I want to discuss."
"I'm afraid I can't today. There's a reception this afternoon. It's already arranged, and I'm preparing to head over now."
For some reason, Jiang Nan Fang instantly switched into the role of Mrs. Zhan.
"What reception? Where is it? When will it end?"
Zhan Bei Jue explained truthfully that it was a reception for the Disney project bidding.
Although he hadn't won the bid, he was still an invited party. Not attending would make him seem petty.
He might encounter Ke Jingyu at the reception, as Ke Corporation was the biggest winner of this bidding.
Ke Jingyu had defeated Zhan Bei Jue to secure the Disney project?
While he had the capability, as someone close to Zhan Bei Jue, Jiang Nan Fang still felt a bit uncomfortable.
"Then I'll wait for you to finish. We'll have a good chat."
Zhan Bei Jue wanted to gauge her topic.
"I'll definitely have to drink. If I drink too much, we won't be able to talk about anything. Is there anything that can't wait until tomorrow?"
Jiang Nan Fang again deviated from the main point, "You're going to drink? You just got out of the hospital, you know you shouldn't be drinking..."
But that's how men in business were; once you're in the arena, you have no choice.
Halfway through speaking, Jiang Nan Fang realized it herself.
"Alright then, you go ahead. I'll find you tomorrow."
After hanging up, the thought of Zhan Bei Jue potentially clashing with Ke Jingyu at the reception made her uneasy.
After much thought, she called Ke Jingyu again, asking if she could accompany him to the reception.
Ke Jingyu was somewhat surprised but also found it amusing.
"Why are you thinking of going with me?"
Jiang Nan Fang said, "You must have heard about the current relationship between Zhan Bei Jue and me. I'm currently developing a perfume and need to meet some clients. This is an excellent social occasion."
"Besides you, I don't have anyone else to rely on. Mr. Ke, please do me a favor."
Ke Jingyu replied, "It's not impossible, but I'm afraid Mr. Zhan might be unhappy if he sees you with me."
"We're all adults. He won't be unreasonable in public. I promise not to cause you any trouble, Mr. Ke, you can rest assured."
Ke Jingyu knew that Jiang Nan Fang's intentions were not entirely pure, but he agreed nonetheless.
Regardless, this matter caused him no harm.
Even without any benefit, seeing Zhan Bei Jue unhappy would be a reward in itself.
Jiang Nan Fang tidied herself up and drove to the event venue.
She met Ke Jingyu outside and, linking his arm, they entered the center of the venue together.
It was a grand affair, filled with successful individuals, men and women, with clinking glasses, and the mingling of perfumes and silks.
Jiang Nan Fang accompanied Ke Jingyu, greeting many people, toasting, exchanging business cards, and accumulating quite a few potential clients.
At the same time, she deeply struck a chord in Zhan Bei Jue's heart.
Before coming to the reception, she had called him saying she had things to discuss and reminded him not to drink.
And now, she was standing with Ke Jingyu?
She couldn't figure out if Jiang Nan Fang was genuinely foolish or just pretending. Why did she like to make him unhappy so much?
Interacting with Ke Jingyu was unavoidable, and in such a large venue, as they mingled, their paths crossed.
Director Gao stood beside Ke Jingyu, introducing him to Zhan Bei Jue.
"Ke Corporation is a major client introduced through the South City investment promotion this year. They are wealthy, have a good brand image, and will make significant contributions to the rise of South City in the future."
"Zhan Corporation is an established local enterprise in South City. You should help your colleagues and strive to work together to elevate the economic development of South City to a new level."
Zhan Bei Jue and Ke Jingyu pretended not to know each other well. After hearing the pleasantries, they clinked glasses and said they would cooperate well.
Then, Ke Jingyu offered his arm to Jiang Nan Fang, as if they had never met, and with a faint smile, led her elsewhere.
Zhan Bei Jue watched Jiang Nan Fang, dressed elegantly and competently, but accompanying someone else. He tilted his head and downed the wine in his glass, then turned and left the venue.
Jiang Nan Fang pretended not to care, but her gaze followed his retreating figure.
Seeing him quietly leave, she also wished she could just leave with him.
However, the act had to be seen through. Since she had come, what would leaving now signify?
Ultimately, she endured until the end of the reception.
Although she had drunk quite a bit, her mind was perfectly clear.
After leaving the venue, Jiang Nan Fang first called for a designated driver on her phone and then leaned against her car to call Zhan Bei Jue.
Zhan Bei Jue was sitting alone in his spacious study, sulking.
Seeing the caller's name, he hesitated for a long time before answering.
"Something wrong?"
Jiang Nan Fang knew he was unhappy.
He had never concealed his aversion to the Ke family.