It took a long time to answer the phone on the other side, and the sound was very noisy. Qi Zhen took a deep breath and called “Dad” in a soft voice.
“A Zhen,” Qi Hong was drinking some wine, his voice casual, “What’s the matter? Calling out of the blue. By the way, are you going to city S in two days?”
Qi Zhen paused briefly before saying: “Dad, I’ve been here for over a week.”
“Oh, you’re already there. How is it? How are you getting used to living there? Anan, that kid didn’t bully you, did she?”
Qi Zhen was silent for a bit longer this time. After the silence, she deliberately changed to a relaxed tone: “Of course not. Anan is very good to me. She had all the food and clothes ready for me and cared for me in every way. She’s very kind and gentle. How could she possibly bully me? Dad, you’re overthinking.”
She had been with her mother for many years and knew which behavior Qi Hong would fall for, so she heard him sneer: “A Zhen, you don’t have to speak for her. She was born from that woman, I know what she’s like, and she’s been bullying you for two days, right? Don’t worry, Dad will support you. Since you were young, A Zhen had never been wronged. Why should you be wronged now?”
Qi Zhen immediately made up a panicked voice: “No, Dad, Anan really didn’t bully me. I didn’t lie to you.”
“You don’t have to be so sensible for her sake. That girl should also be packed up properly. She isn’t taking me seriously if she dares to give you a look. It’s a good thing I’m free these days. I’ll go over there myself one day.”
Qi Zhen smiled faintly, her tone soft, “Dad, you don’t have to do this, I’ve never wanted you to do this for me, but I would be happy if you could come and see me. I haven’t seen you for a long time.”
She lowered her voice: “If you’re not busy, could you come over the weekend? The weekend happens to be my birthday…”
The girl’s voice was soft and fragile, with careful anticipation. Qi Hong hurriedly agreed: “Don’t worry, Dad will be there. Not only to celebrate your birthday but also to do justice to you.”
After hanging up the phone, Qi Zhen lay on the bed, feeling that the grievances in her chest had gradually dissipated. She didn’t do anything wrong in the first place. Could it be that she wanted to be an illegitimate daughter? Could it be that she wanted to come to live here shamelessly? Why were Qi Yan and Qi Anan such bullies?
She didn’t have to do anything, just wait for Qi Hong to come and see how the two Qi siblings were driving her out. Maybe he’d be soft-hearted and would bring her to his side.
…
Qi Anan hadn’t been idle for the past two days. The weekend was Qi Zhen’s birthday. As a hard-core fan, she remembered very well and started preparing a few days in advance.
Previously when it was Jiang Lu’s birthday, she didn’t have a practical reason to make it big, so this time it was her other cub’s birthday. She happened to live at home, and it was a holiday. Qi Anan was confident she could give her a warm and happy birthday.
Since Jiang Lu’s last visit, Qi Anan hadn’t asked him out again. Although Jiang Lu promised he wouldn’t refuse if she called him when something came up. She couldn’t always invite him without reason. Not to say whether it’s right or wrong. He was so smart that he might see through it after one or two times.
However, this time there was finally an excuse. Qi Anan thought happily that she was going to throw a birthday party for Qi Zhen, which would let her get to know a few more good friends, and then calling Jiang Lu wouldn’t seem abrupt. She believed the powerful plot would naturally have some sweet moments when they meet.
Qi Anan made an appointment with a few good friends and then called Jiang Lu, who answered quickly.
It was quiet on his side, and his voice was like a low mellow cello: “What do you want from me?”
Just listening to the voice, Qi Anan was about to make up a small theater: “Jiang Lu, tomorrow is Qi Zhen’s birthday, and we will have a party at home. It’s also good for her to have a few good friends, so you can come and play together.”
Jiang Lu frowned and repeated in a low voice: “You’re celebrating her birthday?”
Qi Anan didn’t hear which word Jiang Lu emphasized: “Yes, isn’t it a coincidence that we’re just in time for such an important day. She didn’t know anyone when she came here just now. I must introduce my good friends to her. The more people, the more lively.”
Jiang Lu didn’t say anything.
He was silent for a long time, and Qi Anan couldn’t help but ask: “Jiang Lu, why aren’t you speaking? Do you have no time?”
There was another two-second pause before Jiang Lu’s voice came back: “I’ll be there.”
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Lu’s eyebrows twisted unconsciously. Qi Anan had a soft and warm personality, but with Qi Zhen’s identity, why would she go this far?
The girl he couldn’t part with so much in his heart. What kind of grievances was she suffering from?
…
Qi Zhen received a call from Qi Hong on Saturday morning. He had just gotten off the plane and seemed in a good mood. There was a distance from the airport to the city, but he should be there an hour later.
It was almost time to get ready for the good show. Qi Zhen casually packed a few pitiful pieces of luggage. These two days were Qi Yan’s final deadline. If not, he wouldn’t care about her face and would find someone to throw her out.
Huh, she wanted to see who would be the one to suffer in the end.
After an hour, Qi Zhen felt the time was almost up. She pulled up the suitcase and turned the bedroom door handle. It wasn’t until this moment that she suddenly realized that it seemed exceptionally quiet outside today.
Every day at this time, although the outside of the house would definitely not be noisy, there would be the occasional sound of walking and talking. Moreover, Qi Anan would talk and laugh after getting up, so why was it so out of the ordinary today?
Strange thoughts only floated in Qi Zhen’s heart for a while. She shook her head and pressed the doorknob to push the door out, but she froze in place the next moment.
Before she could see pink balloons and lilies, the “bang” of two flower tinsel sounds brought Qi Zhen’s thoughts back.
Countless small colored strips fell from the air one after another, and Qi Anan nodded her head: “This actually works.”
“Is that Qi Zhen?” A girl in the living room asked.
The living room was filled with Butler Chen, a group of servants, several teenage girls she didn’t know, and… Jiang Lu.
Among all these people, Qi Zhen only stared at Jiang Lu for a second.
His gaze was calm but sharp. Because of the angle, he should be able to see her suitcase; at that moment, she almost thought he had seen her through.
After Qi Anan finished speaking, everyone also greeted Qi Zhen in a friendly manner, saying happy birthday in bits and pieces.
Qi Anan smiled and introduced Qi Zhen: “These are all my good friends. You just came here and will play with us from now on. The cake I ordered for you will be delivered shortly, and we will start serving the meal. Don’t stand on the stairs. Come down quickly.”
Qi Zhen looked in a daze at the villa. The roof was hung with pink balloons, and some unused ones were piled up in the living room, making the scene even more dreamy. There were several gift boxes piled up on the coffee table. You didn’t have to think about it to know that these were all hers.
How could this happen? Why would Qi Anan give her such a grand birthday? Didn’t she, who hid a knife in her smile like this, tacitly approve of Qi Yan’s idea of driving her out?
So, how could she…
Qi Zhen hesitated to move for a long time, so Qi Anan came up: “What’s wrong… Huh? Why did you take your suitcase out?”
Qi Zhen’s hand tightly gripped the handle of the suitcase: “I…”
Everyone looked over strangely; only Jiang Lu didn’t look. He lowered his eyes, his eyes cold.
When Qi Zhen got a head start, suddenly the doorbell rang. Butler Chen walked over to take a look with a puzzled expression and looked back in surprise: “Miss, Mr. Qi is back.”