Chapter 326 - 121: The Surname Qiao Is Pretty Good
Qin Mei was in an excellent mood and quickly changed out of her pajamas. Few people bother changing for a nap, but whenever Qin Mei slept, she would put on pajamas. And how could one not sleep soundly in comfortable pajamas?
Qin Mei came out of the room to find Jie Jingchen and Qin Xiang sitting under a tree, chatting while they waited for her. When he saw her emerge, Jie Jingchen stood up and offered the rattan chair to Qin Mei, taking a seat on a nearby stone stool himself.
Seeing his good friend being so considerate, Qin Xiang couldn’t suppress the smile on his face. "Sis."
"Bro," Qin Mei replied, sitting down in the rattan chair.
Qin Xiang looked Qin Mei over. She wore a white shirt with black pants. The shirt wasn’t tucked in; instead, she had left the last button undone and tied the ends in a knot at her waist. The look was simple yet refreshingly elegant. On her feet, she had a pair of delicate black leather shoes and had thrown on a light jacket. The crisp outfit gave her a somewhat ethereal air.
His little sister used to be obsessed with her looks, always dressing so flamboyantly. Her favorite things to wear were dresses. The sister before him now was a world of difference. She had the same face, but a completely different personality. This sister was sly and clever, witty yet exuding a calm and composed aura.
The sister of the past was uniquely charming and gentle; the sister of today was like a bewitching siren.
When Jie Jingchen saw Qin Xiang staring intently at Qin Mei, his sharp brows furrowed, and his gaze deepened. "Qin Xiang."
Qin Xiang snapped back to reality and shot Jie Jingchen an irritated glare. "She’s my sister. My biological sister."
"What are we having for dinner?" Qin Mei asked.
"I don’t know. Granny’s treating," Jie Jingchen replied.
"Your Granny is treating?" Qin Mei was surprised. She looked at Jie Jingchen and asked, "Is it someone in your family’s birthday?"
"I don’t think so," Jie Jingchen said uncertainly, then explained, "There are too many people in the Jie Family. Everyone only gathers for Granny’s and Grandpa’s birthdays."
’Considering the current situation, who would dare to throw a big birthday celebration?’
"Granny has really gone to great lengths just to ask your mom for money," Qin Mei lamented. ’She’ll probably make his mother pay for this meal, too.’
"It’s not just that. Asking Mom for money is only part of it. Besides, that alone isn’t enough to make Granny treat everyone to a meal," Jie Jingchen said.
"Then why?" Qin Mei was very curious.
"Jing Qi said the reason Granny is treating is to throw a welcome dinner for your brother," Jie Jingchen said, looking at Qin Xiang.
"Huh?!" Qin Mei clearly hadn’t expected that reason. Her sharp gaze sized up Qin Xiang.
"For real?" Qin Xiang was a bit taken aback by the unexpected honor.
"Knowing my Granny, the welcome dinner is just an excuse. She definitely has another motive," Jie Jingchen said. He would sooner believe Granny was treating them to thank Qin Mei for being able to cure Jie Anlin’s hidden ailment than believe it was a welcome dinner for Qin Xiang.
Jie Anlin’s hidden ailment wasn’t cured yet, so Granny wouldn’t treat them in advance to thank Qin Mei. Granny’s target must be Qin Xiang.
"So you’re saying your Granny’s intentions aren’t as simple as they seem. Then what’s her goal?" Qin Xiang was now curious too.
"Not sure yet." Jie Jingchen shook his head. After a moment of thought, he added, "In any case, it can’t be anything good."
"It sounds like a trap. Are we going?" Qin Mei asked.
’A trap?’ Jie Jingchen’s eye twitched. He looked at Qin Mei helplessly. "It’s not that dramatic."
"So, are we going?" Qin Mei asked again.
"Of course we’re going. Why wouldn’t we?" Jie Jingchen’s original plan had been to treat the family to a state-owned restaurant tonight to welcome Qin Xiang on his first visit to Shijiu City. Since Granny wanted to do the honors, he wouldn’t fight her for it. Whatever her motive, he would play along and counter whatever she threw at him.
Qin Mei gazed at Qin Xiang and asked, "What about you?"
"I don’t mind either way." Qin Xiang shrugged.
"Jie Jingchen said you’re her target," Qin Mei reminded him.
"What’s there to be afraid of? That she’ll eat me alive?" Qin Xiang said nonchalantly.
Qin Mei fell silent. Since Qin Xiang had put it that way, what else could she say?
"Don’t worry, my Granny won’t be able to eat your brother alive," Jie Jingchen said, smiling at Qin Mei.
Qin Mei shot Jie Jingchen a sidelong glance and asked, "What is your Granny treating us to?"
’I really hope it’s not some kind of noodle dish. If it is, I’d rather not go.’
"Jing Qi just said that before Granny and Grandpa left, she was told to let us know not to make dinner. Granny is taking us to a state-owned restaurant. As for what we’ll be eating, I have no idea," Jie Jingchen said with a smile. He knew what Qin Mei was worried about.
Qin Mei stopped dwelling on it. ’What we eat isn’t important; what matters is being there. Besides, I’m also curious what tricks Granny has up her sleeve.’
The three of them sat in the courtyard, chatting idly. After some time, the sharp HONK of a car horn sounded, immediately followed by the voice of Jie Jingjue.