35 Zhan Qipei Recognizes Qiao Jing

"No, it's not there."

Qiao Jing was taken aback, his eyes fixed on Zhan Qipei with surprise. How could it not be there?

"Are you sure?!" Chen Qianqian's face was filled with disbelief. She had clearly thrown the bracelet into Qiao Jing's bag just moments ago. How could it have disappeared?

"I don't believe it!" Chen Qianqian reached out to snatch the bag from Zhan Qipei's hands.

Zhan Qipei returned the bag to Qiao Jing first and looked at Chen Qianqian coldly. "Are you implying that I'm protecting her?"

His icy tone sent shivers down her spine, and Chen Qianqian broke out in a cold sweat.

"No, no. It seems like I misunderstood." Chen Qianqian gritted her teeth and glanced around, wondering if she had accidentally dropped it when she tried to sneak it into Qiao Jing's bag earlier.

After Chen Qianqian scanned the ground, she silently prepared to leave.

"Stop right there." Zhan Qipei called out to Chen Qianqian. "You forgot something."

"Ah?" Chen Qianqian turned around and looked at Zhan Qipei, her confused expression showing she didn't understand.

"Apologize to her." Zhan Qipei glanced at Qiao Jing and spoke sternly to Chen Qianqian.

Hearing this, Chen Qianqian's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth agape.

Qiao Jing felt touched by Zhan Qipei's protectiveness.

"What's wrong? Going back on your word? Regardless, she's still a member of the Zhan family. She's my wife in name. Outsiders aren't allowed to slander her at will. Apologize to her immediately! Otherwise, from today onwards, my Zhan Family will sever all business ties with your Chen Family!"

Zhan Qipei's deep voice was neither warm nor angry, his expression calm. Yet, his words carried an air of arrogance and authority.

Chen Qianqian was petrified. She never expected her actions to lead to such dire consequences.

The Chen Family couldn't compare to the mighty Zhan Family. Her family could only be considered upper-class aristocracy in the Imperial City, but the Zhan Family stood at the pinnacle of society.

If the Zhan Family really cut ties with them, other wealthy families would likely follow suit, and the Chen Family would be left isolated.

The more she thought about it, the more frightened Chen Qianqian became. Her legs trembled uncontrollably.

Suddenly, a stern voice sounded beside them.

"What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and apologize!" Chen Qianqian's father roared in exasperation.

Chen Qianqian was so frightened that she shivered. She didn't dare to delay and immediately went to Qiao Jing. She lowered her head and bent her waist 90 degrees. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. I shouldn't have wronged you."

Qiao Jing raised his eyebrows slightly and didn't respond. She turned around and walked towards the dining area, considering the matter resolved.

Taking a piece of mousse, Qiao Jing went to a corner to savor it alone. But midway through, she stopped and opened her bag to rummage through it.

There, she found a jade bracelet.

Qiao Jing stared at the bracelet, her beautiful brows gradually furrowing in thought. After a few seconds, she looked in the direction of Zhan Qipei and noticed him putting down his wine glass before leaving alone.

"Did he drink too much?" Qiao Jing guessed that Zhan Qipei might have had a bit too much to drink, as his face was red and his neck stiff.

Just as Qiao Jing was about to retract her gaze, she spotted a girl in a big red strapless evening gown sneakily following Zhan Qipei.

The girl seemed to have ulterior motives.

Qiao Jing's gaze fell back to the bracelet. After contemplating for a moment, she placed it back in her bag and quickly followed.

From behind, Qiao Jing saw Zhan Qipei entering a room with an ugly expression. The girl in the pink evening gown followed closely behind.

"Get lost!" Zhan Qipei's low roar filled the room with unspeakable oppression.

With her hand on the door handle, Qiao Jing pushed it open slightly to peek inside.

The first person she saw was Zhan Qipei, sitting on the bed. His face was even redder than before, and beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. He was panting, and his eyes seemed blurry.

From these symptoms, Qiao Jing immediately understood the situation.

Her gaze then shifted to the girl in the pink evening gown. If she wasn't mistaken, this was the one who had done something discreetly.

"I told you to get out, don't you understand?" Zhan Qipei gritted his teeth, trying to maintain the last bit of rationality.

Although the girl in the pink dress was afraid, she had already committed the act and could only bite the bullet and see it through.

"Young Master Zhan, I can't leave you in this situation. I volunteer for this; you don't have to take responsibility!" The girl in the pink evening gown mustered up her courage and approached Zhan Qipei.

"Get lost!" Zhan Qipei mustered the last of his strength and kicked the girl to the ground.

"Ah!" The girl clutched her stomach and fell, terrified by Zhan Qipei's terrifying face. She quickly fled the room.

Now, Zhan Qipei was left alone in the room. He let out a heavy breath. He struggled to the bathroom, his vision blurred by the heat wave. His current situation was dire.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open from the outside.

Zhan Qipei was alert and immediately looked at the door.

"Still not leaving? Do you want to die?" He assumed it was the same girl from before.

But it was Qiao Jing who stood at the door. Seeing Zhan Qipei's condition, she realized he needed urgent treatment; otherwise, he might become infertile in the future.

"Lie down quickly. I'll help you."

With no proper medical supplies at hand, Qiao Jing had to rely on pressure on acupoints and massage to expel the drug from Zhan Qipei's body.

Zhan Qipei hated the situation, but he was helpless. He had exerted all his strength in that last kick and was now at Qiao Jing's mercy.

Qiao Jing approached and helped Zhan Qipei onto the bed, unbuckling his belt to perform the treatment.

"You... you dare!"

Zhan Qipei was cut off as Qiao Jing continued with the procedure.

As she worked, Zhan Qipei's anger subsided, and a sense of familiarity overwhelmed him. It felt like he had been in this situation before, but he couldn't quite remember.

Suddenly, it clicked in Zhan Qipei's mind. He recognized her.

"It's you!"

Qiao Jing paused, sensing Zhan Qipei's reaction.

"It's really you!" Zhan Qipei's heart filled with joy and excitement. He regained his strength, grabbed Qiao Jing's arm, and flipped her under him.

Qiao Jing widened her eyes, trying to make him stop. "Don't move. I'm treating you."

But Zhan Qipei's mouth curved up. "There's no need for all this trouble for treatment. Since you're here, don't leave tonight."

With that, he pressed down on her.