54. No, does this person really want to hit on her?
The phone screen lit up continuously, with Xu You’s messages popping up one after another.
You: Lele has been mentioning Qian Qian every day lately.
You: So I thought about letting the two kids meet up.
You: Are you free for lunch? Let’s grab a meal together?
After reading three messages, Jiang Zhi’s fingertip hovered above the screen.
She wanted to refuse.
Although she hadn’t interacted much with this man named Xu You, her impression wasn’t good—
Rude, pretentious, nonsensical.
Maybe a bit of a player?
No one understands men better than men, especially in the past month when she often found herself being approached while walking. Jiang Zhi could easily tell that this guy wanted to hit on her.
He wanted to hit on her.
So she wasn’t very keen on accepting Xu You’s invitation.
But as a mother, a mother who considered herself a qualified one, she didn’t want to dampen her daughter’s spirits.
She thought… if she met Lele, the little girl would probably be very happy, right?
Oh my gosh, I’m such a great mom!
And this certain someone still says I don’t do anything!
“Ha!”
Jiang Zhi amused herself. She lightly bit her lip and slowly typed two words in the chat box.
Zhi: Sure.
You: That’s great!
Then, Xu You sent several more messages with details about the time and place for lunch.
Jiang Zhi didn’t read them closely and put away her phone.
The restaurant wasn’t going anywhere; she could pick up Qian Qian first and check later.
It was almost time for lunch break.
Jiang Zhi glanced over at the pair of childhood friends still bickering not far away, thought for a few seconds, and walked up to them.
“Sister Jiang…”
“What do you mean my temper’s bad? I only have a bad temper toward you, you know? I $&*%…”
“Brother Gu…”
“Don’t rush, I know you’re anxious, but just don’t rush…”
Jiang Zhi had nothing more to say.
Forget it, might as well not disturb these two lovebirds.
Can you hurry up and get together already!
Not being able to interject, Jiang Zhi gave up on informing Sister Jiang and left the coffee shop directly.
Outside, the heat was still intense.
After getting on her repaired electric scooter, she quickly returned home.
As soon as she entered the house, she saw a pile of toys scattered on the floor, along with some art supplies and paper thrown everywhere, and even a few marks from colored markers on the originally spotless tiles.
Jiang Zhi’s expression immediately darkened: “Su Ziqian!”
“Ah!”
Qian Qian, who was in the middle of holding a divorce ceremony for Milk Dragon and Princess Lele, was startled; her fair little face trembled slightly. Clearly, she hadn’t expected her mother to return so early today.
“Mom…” The little girl looked at Jiang Zhi with a pitiful expression.
“Cute looks won’t work.”
Jiang Zhi was already immune to this tactic, saying mercilessly, “Clean this up yourself, quickly.”
Seriously, all she did was create trouble every day.
She should call Su Yan to take a look at this scene! Let him see if he still dares to say she doesn’t do anything!
Do you think taking care of kids is easy?!
Even though Qian Qian was usually very good and obedient, when this child got into trouble, she turned out to be more of a handful than an average mischievous kid.
The marks from the markers are hard to wash off, you know!
Qian Qian wanted to plead for herself: “But…”
“Stop with that,” Jiang Zhi softened her tone a little: “Hurry up and clean up. Once you’re done, I’ll take you to meet Lele.”
“Huh?”
The little girl suddenly showed a delighted expression: “Really?!”
“Really.”
“Yay! Mom is the best!”
He’ll get to meet her best friend soon, and the little girl didn’t mind the labor anymore, quickly zipping around the room picking up toys like a little cannonball.
Jiang Zhi crossed her arms, satisfied: “Right… wait a minute!”
Who taught you to rub off marker stains with toilet paper?!
——
It was clear that Qian Qian was genuinely very happy.
As soon as she got on the electric scooter, the little one couldn’t contain her excitement, twisting up on the back seat, her little hands making a scissor sign back and forth: “Oh yeah✌️~ Qian Qian is going to see Lele now!”
“Don’t move around!”
Jiang Zhi reached back to hold her daughter’s squirming little legs with a glare: “If you keep this up, I’m not taking you.”
“Got it!”
As soon as the words were out, Qian Qian immediately froze as if someone had pressed the pause button, leaning tightly against her mother’s back, wrapping her little hands around Jiang Zhi’s waist: “Qian Qian is super obedient, Mom!”
Jiang Zhi:…
Is it necessary to go to such lengths?
I mean, can you have a little dignity? Getting this excited over meeting a boy makes it hard for me to relax!
Speaking of which, you seem happy!
Jiang Zhi sighed, feeling a bit troubled. The little girl was going to meet a friend, but the person she was meeting clearly wanted to hit on her.
Just thinking about facing Xu You gave Jiang Zhi a headache.
She had previously refused others who approached her and had basically cut ties afterward, but Xu You was different.
He was her daughter’s friend’s uncle.
In other words, it would be hard to completely sever ties with him.
If Xu You were more skilled, and didn’t immediately reveal his intentions, then she’d really have no way to deal with him.
Forget it, why think so much?
No matter how much she thought about it, it would only add to her worries; it was just lunch time, and after eating, it would be over.
Jiang Zhi quickened her speed.
When she arrived at the location Xu You had sent, she found it was a high-end western restaurant located in the city center.
The mother and daughter paused outside the restaurant, looking up at the establishment.
It seemed to be a newly opened western restaurant.
The restaurant’s decor was modern with a combination of transparent glass and white walls, filled with well-dressed patrons, and the place was buzzing with activity.
Jiang Zhi rarely visited such places.
Even when she went out with Lin Shuwan, they never came to such places—usually, they’d just grab some spicy hotpot and call it a day.
She looked down at her clothes.
An ordinary t-shirt and equally ordinary light blue jeans; ever since she became a girl, this outfit had already become Jiang Zhi’s default look.
No way, is Xu You out of his mind?
He invited her for a meal without telling her it was this upscale restaurant, and she came without preparing at all.
Does he really want to hit on her?
If Jiang Zhi were in charge, she would’ve informed the other party about the type of restaurant beforehand! If the person disagreed, they could choose another venue. If they agreed, the other party could also dress up nicely, relieving any psychological burden or pressure (Got it?).
In the past, she had put in considerable effort to learn these details just to please Lin Shuwan.
She felt her judgment of Xu You could be off.
Jiang Zhi shook her head; either way, there was no turning back now, and it was definitely too late to change clothes…
Even though she didn’t have any appropriate clothes for such an occasion.
She took Qian Qian’s hand and, bracing herself, stepped into the restaurant, ignoring the curious glances, and found the private room Xu You had reserved at the back of the restaurant.
She pushed the door open.
“Qian Qian.”
“Wow! Long time no see, Lele!”
The two little ones finally met again; compared to the excited Qian Qian, Lele’s response was much calmer.
He politely greeted Jiang Zhi: “Hello, sister.”
“Hello, hello…” Jiang Zhi smiled back.
Truth be told, polite children are just so likable.
Jiang Zhi released her hand and watched the two kids happily gathering together, letting out a slight sigh of relief. But before she could fully relax, a tall figure blocked her path.
“Hello, nice to see you again.”
Xu You leaned slightly, his voice deep and pleasant, extending a long, clean hand.
Jiang Zhi perfunctorily shook it: “Hello…”
If possible, she would’ve liked this guy to realize she had no interest in him.
“Our Qian Qian has been mentioning your Lele all the time.”
While exchanging pleasantries, Jiang Zhi discreetly assessed Xu You and confirmed… this guy was definitely off.
No, why are you dressed so well?!
His attire today clearly showed effort—tailored black suit highlighting broad shoulders and slim waist, hair meticulously styled back, even his cufflinks were glimmering with a low-key shine.
Most importantly, this time he wasn’t wearing a mask or sunglasses.
Looking at his handsome face, even Jiang Zhi had to admit he was indeed quite charming.
But still not as good as her.
Compared to Su Yan, he lacked a bit of masculinity; for a man, Xu You’s face was a bit too pale.
But why did she keep feeling like she had seen this face somewhere before?
Could it be that handsome men have a resemblance? Then Jiang Zhi thought she had certainly surpassed the level of handsome guys, as the male version of her must be extraordinarily outstanding😎.
Ahem… sidetracked.
So why are you dressed so sharp?
What do you really want from me, tell me!
Compared to Xu You, Jiang Zhi felt like one of those cheap store mannequins, and not even in good condition, with faded paint on the eyes, nose, and feet!
Does this guy really want to hit on her?
“Are you hungry? Let’s eat first,” Xu You suggested gently.
Jiang Zhi hurriedly called her daughter, using the opportunity to create some distance: “Come over and eat, Su Ziqian.”
Xu You gentlemanly pulled out a chair.
Jiang Zhi quietly let Qian Qian sit in the inner seat, with Lele sitting to Xu You’s left, creating a firewall between her and Xu You.
This guy was really not normal!
She thought.
Activate level one alert status!
