Zhan Bei Jue hadn't expected such a dramatic turn of events.
Seeing Lu Ming Zhe's extreme excitement, he couldn't help but secretly scorn him in his heart, "You dare to laugh at me, you only have this much capability."
After greeting Lu Ming Zhe, Chen Jiao Jiao very politely greeted Zhan Bei Jue as well.
However, Zhan Bei Jue was not impressed. He merely nodded, not extending his hand for a handshake.
Chen Jiao Jiao then turned to Jiang Nan Fang, "Wow, you're so beautiful!"
Jiang Nan Fang extended her hand to shake hers. "You're beautiful too. Nice to meet you, Jiang Nan Fang."
"Wow, your name is so stylish too."
Jiang Nan Fang wanted to say, "Not as stylish as you," but she smiled, "Thank you."
"Are you two boyfriend and girlfriend? You're so well-matched."
She could tell the relationship between Zhan Bei Jue and Jiang Nan Fang at a glance, which surprised Lu Ming Zhe. "How did you figure that out?"
"Your auras are so similar, and you even have the look of a couple."
She was truly a social butterfly, directly touching Jiang Nan Fang's face. "Look, your eyes, nose, mouth, the curve of your profile, you're so alike."
After being touched by her, Jiang Nan Fang thought, "This girl is so talkative and beautiful. She can liven up the atmosphere herself, so there's no need for me to stay." She had initially worried about her being bullied, but now her worries were unfounded, and she could leave.
"Excuse me, I have something else to attend to, so I must be going. You two chat slowly, and I hope you have a good time." With that, she pushed her chair back to leave.
Chen Jiao Jiao quickly grabbed her. "Ah, you're leaving just as I've arrived, so suddenly?"
"I like you a lot, I feel like we really hit it off, and I was hoping to make a friend."
Zhan Bei Jue hadn't expected her to leave so abruptly. He looked at her intently, feeling a moment of loss. He hadn't come just to help Lu Ming Zhe; he had only wanted an excuse to spend more time with her. Seeing her about to leave, his face remained expressionless, but his feet impatiently kicked Lu Ming Zhe underneath the table.
Lu Ming Zhe was at a loss and could only stand up. "Won't you stay for dinner? What important matter requires you to leave before you've even eaten dinner?"
"It's rare for everyone to get together. Jiao Jiao likes you so much, so stay and keep her company for a while."
Jiao Jiao? Jiang Nan Fang thought, "Didn't you despise your fiancée? You were just complaining that arranged marriages are a product of feudalism. And now, after only a few minutes, you've changed your tune?"
"Men are indeed visual creatures; they change their minds when they see someone beautiful. Trash."
"Fine. If you want me to stay, I'll stay."
"But I won't speak up for you if I do."
Jiang Nan Fang sat back down and started chatting with Chen Jiao Jiao. She asked her what brought her to Nan Cheng and if she had been there before.
Chen Jiao Jiao shook her head, "No. This is my first time here."
"What made you suddenly decide to come here?" The implied meaning was, "You never contacted Lu Ming Zhe before, so why did you suddenly think of coming to him?"
Chen Jiao Jiao was dressed provocatively, exuding a mature, dominant aura, but in reality, she was a very young girl of her age with no worldly experience. Her makeup was merely to intimidate. She sighed, "I ran away from home."
"?"
"My dad and mom got divorced. My dad is not a good person; he's always fooling around with other women."
"..."
"They used to argue constantly. Last month, they finally finalized the divorce."
"As soon as my mom took my brother and went abroad, my dad brought his mistress into the house."
"That woman is only two years older than me, and she actually wants me to call her 'stepmother.' Isn't that ridiculous?"
"My dad always doted on me since I was little. Even when he and my mom were fighting like that, I never resented him. But a few days ago, he actually hit me because of that woman."
"I will never forgive him in this lifetime, nor will I ever go back. I'm cutting ties with him!"
So that was what happened. Jiang Nan Fang glanced at Lu Ming Zhe, who was watching the drama unfold, and then asked, "So you ran away from home, and you're not going to school anymore?"
"I'm not going anymore; school is meaningless. My dad always told me since I was little that families like ours don't need to study; he would support me my whole life."
"But he changed his mind just like that! Thinking about it makes me angry!"
What did she mean by "school is meaningless"? What kind of parents teach their children like that? Jiang Nan Fang couldn't help but advise her. "Now that you've run away from home, your dad can't support you anymore. If you don't study, you won't find a job. What are your plans for the future?"
"Who says you can't find a job without studying? If you're pretty, you can!"
"I did my research before coming here. I can be a model, an anchor, a nightclub DJ. There are so many jobs I can do. Who says you must study to find a good job?"
"Don't, don't. You're such a young girl, running off to do jobs that drain your youth. Lu Ming Zhe can't accept that." He and Jiang Nan Fang tried to persuade her together. "You don't need to rush to earn quick money right now. You're still young and need to develop yourself. It's better to study for a couple more years."
Jiang Nan Fang also said, "Yes. Perhaps being an anchor, a model, or a nightclub DJ might seem glamorous and happy for three to five years, or even ten years."
"But have you thought about what you'll do when you reach middle age? You must have heard the old saying that studying simply gives you more choices in the future."
"Really, don't rush to earn quick money; think long-term."
Chen Jiao Jiao asked, "I'm only in my first year of university. If I don't work, I won't have money. What will I eat in the coming years, and how will I pay tuition?"
Lu Ming Zhe quickly interjected, "I can pay for you. Our relationship is special. Since you thought of me first in your time of need, I will definitely help."
"But I don't want to go back there. Can you find me a school here?"
She was truly a pampered young lady, detached from the realities of the world. She spoke as if transferring schools was as easy as moving between elementary and middle school. And it turned out to be that easy. Lu Ming Zhe readily agreed. "Of course. I'll find someone to contact them for you tomorrow. What kind of school do you like?"
Jiang Nan Fang: "..."
"Communication University. I'm majoring in performance."
"There's a rather famous Communication University in Nan Cheng. Let's go with that. I'll take you there tomorrow."
"That would be wonderful, thank you, Brother Ming Zhe!"
The address "Brother Ming Zhe" made Lu Ming Zhe's heart bloom. "As expected, Grandpa and Mom still care about me. They saved such a good marriage for me."
"It's fortunate that I was patient and didn't fall out with them when this matter was brought up before. Otherwise, wouldn't I have missed out on a good marriage?"
"Lu Qing Xu, that biological brother of mine, is too much. How dare he have designs on my sister-in-law? I'll settle the score with him when I get home!"
As they ate and chatted, it was getting late. Jiang Nan Fang stood up to leave again. Chen Jiao Jiao stood up with her. She wasn't quite ready to meet Aunt Lu and was hesitant to go to the Lu family's house. Jiang Nan Fang looked at Lu Ming Zhe. She asked him with her eyes, "Are you, your esteemed self, agreeing to let her go with me?"
Lu Ming Zhe was very reluctant. But he couldn't resist Zhan Bei Jue's willingness, and he was kicked under the table again.
"Then I'll trouble you."