Pregnant After Healing the Alpha
Chapter 629 - 618: Birthday Banquet

Chapter 629: Chapter 618: Birthday Banquet

Giving her the impression that what started as playacting was turning real?

No, no!

Zhan Nanqing suddenly shook her head vigorously, casting aside all those thoughts.

"I don’t want to—I’m busy with my work. Have someone else teach him."

She really didn’t want to be teaching Chi Yuhang, that blockhead!

Qiao Jing slightly furrowed her brows, a hint of confusion emerging in her eyes.

"Why don’t you want to teach him? You’re the best at organizing information in the research institute, that’s why I asked you to teach him."

Moreover, she thought these two knew each other, and otherwise, given Chi Yuhang’s honest nature, he might feel awkward around other staff.

When Zhan Nanqing heard Qiao Jing’s praise, her mood improved significantly, and her tail almost wagged up to the sky.

Since Qiao Jing had said that, she might as well agree begrudgingly—who else but her was the best at organizing data in the institute?

Just as she was about to act reluctantly agreeable, Chi Yuhang suddenly spoke up.

"Doctor Qiao, I can learn it on my own; I’ll pick it up as quickly as possible without bothering anyone else."

He saw that Zhan Nanqing was unwilling to teach him and didn’t want to cause her any trouble, so he spoke up to help clear the air.

Qiao Jing hesitated but ultimately decided to respect Zhan Nanqing’s wishes with a faint "Hmm."

"Then I’ll arrange for someone else to teach you, and you can start work tomorrow."

Zhan Nanqing became frustrated by the decisiveness of the two and immediately spoke up to stop them:

"Who said I’m not teaching him? Didn’t you just say that I’m the best at organizing data? I’ll teach him reluctantly!"

Qiao Jing, with a full face of confusion, looked at her.

"Are you sure? If you agree, you’ll be responsible for teaching Chi Yuhang starting tomorrow."

Zhan Nanqing nodded and looked disdainfully at Chi Yuhang.

"I know; I’ll teach him. After all, I’m the best at organizing data."

Qiao Jing understood why Zhan Nanqing had suddenly agreed to teach; it was because of that last sentence.

She couldn’t help but laugh out loud at Zhan Nanqing’s demeanor and shook her head helplessly.

"Alright."

——

In the evening, just as Qiao Jing got home and sat down on the sofa, preparing to find a chance to help Zhan Qipei who was busy in the kitchen, she suddenly received a phone call.

She glanced at the caller, Ni Yue.

In Qiao Jing’s mind, an approaching date surfaced, and she guessed the purpose of Ni Yue’s call, then pressed to answer.

"Hello?"

Ni Yue chuckled mysteriously twice before slowly beginning.

"Xiao Jingjing~ guess why I’m calling? Think about it, are there any special occasions coming up soon? Like—"

Having heard Ni Yue’s words, Qiao Jing raised her delicate, picturesque eyebrows and cut her off.

"Your birthday is the day after tomorrow."

She had already noted the date last week and had been paying attention to whether Ni Yue wanted anything in particular.

Finally, she saw a complaint in Ni Yue’s social media feed about being so busy drawing design drafts that she had no time to go out, even struggling to find time to post on social media, and having to deal with a bunch of things when calling the boutique, which would certainly take a lot of time, so she had no opportunity to buy a new handbag that would be released tomorrow.

So she was prepared to go buy that handbag for Ni Yue the next day.

Ni Yue uttered an "aiya" and smacked her lips.

"You know," she lamented, "if I’d known earlier, I wouldn’t have played charades with you. Let’s get one thing straight, I’m not calling to ask for a present. I definitely don’t want you to give me one, unless..."

Qiao Jing, somewhat intrigued, continued to inquire:

"Unless what?"

Ever since she met Ni Yue, she had prepared a gift for her every year, so hearing that Ni Yue suddenly didn’t want one this year took her by surprise.

Ni Yue coughed twice, cleared her throat, then spoke with utmost sincerity,

"Unless that present is called Qiao Jing. How about you give yourself to me as a gift? Ah—too bad we’re not on a video call, or I’d be sending you seductive glances!"

Qiao Jing, speechless, tugged at the corner of her mouth but couldn’t help smiling at Ni Yue’s levity.

"Even without a video call, I can still receive your seductive glances. Come on, let’s get to the point."

She knew that Ni Yue’s call wasn’t just about asking for a gift; there had to be something else.

One second, Ni Yue was joking around, and the next, she sighed, allowing Qiao Jing to imagine her frowning face through the phone.

She asked, puzzled,

"What’s wrong? Is it about the design draft?"

Ni Yue shook her head and sighed.

"I need you to help me think about how to do the birthday party. I’ve been so busy with the design draft, I just can’t find the time to deal with it. I trust you the most; I’m leaving it all to you."

Qiao Jing pondered for a moment, a rough idea forming in her mind.

"You always rent a hotel for your parties; how about a change of scenery this time? Like a barbecue in the park at night?"

She had seen Ni Yue always hosting at hotels and wanted to help her find a different spot, where the outdoor air would be nicer.

Ni Yue immediately replied,

"Good, anything else? I’ll listen to whatever my Xiao Jingjing says. Whatever you say goes."

Qiao Jing, feeling helpless, massaged her temples and stressed her tone,

"Ni Yue, be serious. This is your birthday."

Since Ni Yue had entrusted her with full responsibility for her birthday, she intended to make it as special as possible.

Ni Yue let out a downhearted "oh," but a second later, she perked up again.

"Forget it, I’ll leave it all to you. Think about what to do, send me the details, and I’ll have someone set it up. We can’t let Xiao Jingjing get tired! I’ve got to go—suddenly got a burst of inspiration for a design. Love you, mwah〜!!!"

With that, the call ended, and Qiao Jing shook her head in resignation as she stared at the now darkened phone screen.

Always so impetuous.

She had just put away her phone when she caught sight of Zhan Qipei sitting next to her, the man fixating on her with his deep dark eyes.

Qiao Jing pursed her red lips and cast her gaze down on the dining table.

"Is dinner ready?"

Zhan Qipei responded with a "hmm," his gaze still unwaveringly on Qiao Jing, following her every move as she stood up, and he immediately got up and followed behind her.

Even without looking back, she could feel the intense stare from behind her.

Eventually, she couldn’t bear it any longer and stopped by the dining table, turning to look at Zhan Qipei.

"What do you want to say?"

Zhan Qipei’s brows, as dense as mountain mist, drew together, and his thin lips parted slightly,

"I’m coming too."

He actually didn’t want to celebrate Ni Yue’s birthday, since no one would want to celebrate a love rival’s birthday.

But since his wife was going, he had to follow too, since he couldn’t stand the thought of not being there.