No one knew whether her biological father was really dead as rumored, or if there was more to the story.
It was like a massive black whirlpool.
They had just touched the edge, whether to let the secret rot in the dark or risk laying it out in the sunlight, depended on Dan Hanjieâs decision.
âJust wait, Iâm calling my daughter to come out!â Su Manhan said, making a phone call to Zhan Nanqing right in front of the security guard, âNanqing, Iâm outside the research institute now. The security guard is stopping me from entering; hurry up and come out.â
âMom, why did you come? Iâm working right now, really.â Zhan Nanqing answered the call; everyone around her was busy working, and she couldnât just abandon her work.
âIâve told you before, Iâm very curious about what kind of person Professor Qiao really is, so I came today.â
Zhan Nanqing was shocked, could it be that her mom wanted to force her way in and thatâs why the security guard stopped her?
Thinking of this, Zhan Qipei, fearing Su Manhan might cause trouble, quickly excused herself with a word to Qiao Jing and hurried out from the research institute.
Upon exiting, she saw Su Manhan confronting the security guard. Seeing her mother in this state gave Zhan Nanqing a headache, âMom, why did you come?â
âSee! My daughter came out. Can I go in now?â Su Manhan raised her chin and said to the security guard as soon as she saw Zhan Nanqing come out.
The security guard glanced at Zhan Nanqing but still didnât speak.
âOh come on, why wonât you let me in! My daughter is here now!â Su Manhan frowned.
âMom, other than the staff, no one is allowed to enter the research institute casually.â Zhan Nanqing pulled Su Manhan aside and gave an apologetic look to the security guard.@@novelbin@@
Really, her mom was such an embarrassment!
âHow about you sneak me in? I just want to have a look,â Su Manhan whispered.
Zhan Nanqingâs suspicion was confirmed. She had signed a confidentiality agreement at the institute; she absolutely could not reveal any information about Professor Qiao, âThe security guard is right here, how am I supposed to sneak you in?â
âWait until Professor Qiao comes out, then you can just secretly tell me, it wonât be a problem. Besides, Iâm your mom, I wonât tell anyone else and make it difficult for you,â Su Manhan whispered, glancing secretly at the people around.
Zhan Nanqing didnât even have to think before she refused, âIâve already told you that I signed a confidentiality agreement; no matter what you say itâs useless, I wonât tell.â
Su Manhanâs face turned hues of anger; her daughter had been raised in vain.
âIf you wonât tell, then Iâll just guess. Iâll stay here all day today; I donât believe I canât wait until Professor Qiao comes out.â
After Su Manhan said this, it just happened to be the time for the research institute to close. Su Manhan stared with wide eyes, scrutinizing every person coming out from the institute.
In her mind, Su Manhan ruled out the few old professors who had just come out; she had seen them before.
Not too much later, Su Manhan spotted an unfamiliar face walking out of the research institute.
Su Manhan immediately grabbed Zhan Nanqing and asked excitedly in a low voice, âIs it this man? I havenât seen him before; is he Professor Qiao?â
As she spoke, Su Manhan scrutinized Zhan Nanqingâs expression in the dim light, trying to catch any trace of a clue on Zhan Nanqingâs face.
But Zhan Nanqing didnât cooperate in the slightest, âI need to get back to work.â
âNo way! You stay right here with me.â Su Manhan grasped Zhan Nanqingâs arm tightly, preventing her from leaving, âCould it be this woman?â
Su Manhan inquired about the female professor who came out.
Zhan Nanqing ignored her.
After the random guessing, Su Manhan saw Qiao Jingâs figure and her face showed utter contempt.
She directly passed by Qiao Jing, looking at the person behind her; anyway, Professor Qiao couldnât possibly be Qiao Jing.
Zhan Nanqing chuckled inwardly, Mom, the person you think is least likely is actually Professor Qiao.
Su Manhanâs eyes lit up at the sight of Xu Hongzu, and she excitedly grabbed Zhan Nanqing, pointing to a certain man, âIs it the man beside Elder Xu? He must be Professor Qiao, right?â
No sooner had she finished speaking than Qiao Jing and Xu Hongzu walked past the two of them.
Qiao Jing glanced indifferently at Zhan Nanqing, then looked toward Su Manhan and asked, âWas it this matter that had you rushing out just now?â
âYesâ¦â Zhan Nanqingâs attempt to apologize to Qiao Jing wasnât completed before she was forcefully interrupted by Su Manhan.
âWhat does it matter to you what Nanqing does? She is Professor Qiaoâs personal assistant; do you have any say over her?â Su Manhanâs face was filled with disdain for Qiao Jing.
Zhan Nanqingâs expression became extremely weird and complex, tugging at Su Manhanâs clothes with an unsightly face, âMom, please stop talking.â
âWhat am I saying thatâs wrong? Nanqing, Iâm speaking up for you, ah. Qiao Jing isnât Professor Qiao, what are you afraid of? With her kind of country girl who came from the countryside, being able to step into the institute was something she must have begged and prayed for!â
Su Manhan proclaimed haughtily.
Upon hearing Su Manhanâs sarcasm, a change appeared on the normally indifferent and aloof face of Qiao Jing. She slightly raised her delicate brows, âYet you canât even manage to get through the door of the institute, can you?â
The cold expression on Qiao Jingâs face deeply agitated Su Manhan, making her words even more unpleasant.
âHah! Thatâs because Professor Qiao hasnât met me yet; she would definitely let me in. Besides, I am Mrs. Zhan; youâre just a bumpkin! What high ground are you pretending to have?â Su Manhan blustered, puffing up her cheeks despite the swell.
Xu Hongzu, having heard Su Manhan insulting Qiao Jing, was already stewing with discontent. Had it not been for the fact that they were at the entrance of the institute, he would have already erupted.
Nowâ
He completely ran out of patience!
âSu Manhan, let me tell you, if you continue to talk to Xiao Jing like that, Iâll have someone throw you onto the street, believe it or not?â
âDonât bother with her; letâs go have lunch.â Qiao Jing had no intention of wasting more words on Su Manhan and turned to leave.
âXiao Jing, wait a moment.â Xu Hongzu called out.
It was then that Qiao Jing stopped in her tracks, crossing her arms and waiting for Xu Hongzu, âDonât be too long; I still need to go grocery shopping.â
âSu Manhan, is this the way people from the Zhan Family speak? Every single action you take affects the face of the Zhan Family.â Xu Hongzuâs face turned quite stern with authority when he spoke, âIf what you just said to Xiao Jing were to be known by the other noble houses, what do you think would happen?â
âNever mind the other noble houses, my Xu Family would think the quality of the Zhan Family members is generally low.â
He regarded Qiao Jing as his own granddaughter and would absolutely not tolerate anyone randomly insulting her.
Moreover, Qiao Jingâs capabilities were even a level below his, Xu Hongzu!
Su Manhan was choked by Xu Hongzuâs words, opening her mouth but not daring to retort.
She knew very well that her status was not as high as Elder Xuâs. If she caused a conflict with Elder Xu, it would mean causing a conflict with the Xu Family, and the repercussions would be significant!
Zhan Nanqing saw the situation deteriorating and nearly wanted to find a hole to crawl into. If her mother ever found out that Professor Qiao was Qiao Jing, the look on her face would be worth seeing.
And now, she was still Qiao Jingâs assistant. If this commotion continued, she was sure not to benefit from it, âMom, just stop, letâs go.â
Whereas if things didnât go as anticipated and any part of it was tampered with, it could potentially be a deadly trap.
âJie, what if she herself doesnât know sheâs a mole, what do you plan to do?â
âI trust her.â
Dan Hanjie responded, each word enunciated clearly.
ââ¦â
Diwu Zexuan stared at him for a long time without finding an iota of jest on his face and was left dumbfounded.
âYouâre simply insane.â
The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!
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