Chapter 293: Chapter 283: The First Time Zhan Qipei Doesn’t Go Home


    Upon seeing her name, he couldn’t control his thoughts from drifting back to the moment when she signed her name on the divorce agreement.


    He felt his heart ache faintly, the bitterness gradually spreading to his whole body, as if paralyzing his limbs.


    A full minute passed before Zhan Qipei finally picked up his phone, his movements still somewhat stiff, his hand trembling slightly. She couldn’t possibly be calling to urge him to sign the divorce papers, could she?


    Thinking of this possibility, his hand gripped the phone tightly, reluctant to press the answer button.


    Until the call automatically disconnected, Zhan Qipei had not answered the phone.


    The phone screen immediately went dark, reflecting his tense face.


    ...


    Qiao Jing found it strange, why didn’t he answer the call?


    She redialed the number.


    As Zhan Qipei saw the phone screen light up again, the nickname he had for Qiao Jing was “wife,” which he used to find very pleasing to the eye, as it dered she was his.


    But now, those two characters gradually started to sting his eyes, he stared at the nickname, lost in thought. Soon, she would no longer be his.


    The phone continued to ring, and Zhan Qipei’s expression became more rigid, his face solemn, his temple throbbing suddenly.


    The phone was about to disconnect automatically again when he pressed the answer button at thest second.


    Qiao Jing let out a sigh of relief when the call connected.


    “Are you home yet?”


    After hearing this, Zhan Qipei looked towards the trash can. Was she asking if he had seen the divorce papers? Was she trying to pressure him to sign them?


    He pursed his lips tightly, unwilling to speak.


    Qiao Jing, getting no reply for a long time, asked with some confusion.


    “Are you still there?”


    Zhan Qipei forced his mouth open before finally answering her question.


    “Hmm, I haven’t gone back yet.”


    Qiao Jing responded with an “oh,” then continued to ask.


    “Then when are youing home tonight? Do you want me to help cook dinner?”


    She recalled Zhan Qipei saying he would cook tonight, so she hadn’t hurried back home.


    Zhan Qipei’s deep voice rose, a touch of huskiness in his tone.


    “I have a very important meeting tonight, I’m busy, it will go veryte.”


    Talking to Qiao Jing seemed to require all his effort, as this was the first time he lied to her.


    Qiao Jing nced at the work in her hands, roughly estimating the time.


    “Until when?”


    She still had to prepare the dinner, needing to know when the meeting would end to decide whether to make Zhan Qipei’s portion or not, to avoid waste.


    A bitter smile appeared on Zhan Qipei’s handsome face. Did she really hope that much for him to sign the divorce papers?


    “Don’t wait for me, I won’te home tonight.”


    In Qiao Jing’s mind, she couldn’t help recalling a time when Zhan Qipei’s Company had a billion-dor cooperation, which he worked on all night and then rushed home.


    That night she just happened to get up to use the bathroom and saw Zhan Qipei, his weary expression not yet hidden away, his eyes also red with bloodshot, clearly showing he had worked overtime for a long time.


    Despite being so tired, he still hurried back home that night.


    Could this meeting be more important than a billion-dor deal?


    Or had thepany encountered a major problem?


    Just as Qiao Jing was about to say something, she suddenly heard Zhan Qipei say a sentence.


    “I have something here, gotta hang up first.”


    With a tone, the call was disconnected, leaving no chance for Qiao Jing to react.


    As she listened to the busy signaling from her phone, she paused for a moment and looked at the phone screen.


    Usually, when they talked on the phone, Zhan Qipei would wait for her to hang up first. Once, she was too busy with work and, after their call, she forgot to disconnect and casually ced the phone aside.


    When she finished her work and picked up her phone, she was still on the call!


    Zhan Qipei said he couldn’t bear to hang up and insisted on waiting for her to do so first. He yearned to spend hours on the phone with Qiao Jing.


    Was this meeting really that urgent?


    However, judging by Zhan Qipei’s unusual reaction, it probably was very urgent, so she didn’t dwell on it.


    After hanging up the phone, Zhan Qipei, lips tight, went to the kitchen and put all the groceries he had bought into the fridge.


    Then he left.


    As long as he didn’t go home, Qiao Jing wouldn’t urge him to sign the divorce papers, and he could pretend as if nothing had happened.


    After finishing her busy work, Qiao Jing didn’t need to bother with aplex meal since Zhan Qipei wasn’ting home; a simple bowl of noodles would suffice.


    When Qiao Jing got home and was about to cook noodles, her phone rang. It was a call from Ni Yue.


    The moment the call connected, Ni Yue spoke first, her voice filled with joy.


    “Baby Qiao Qiao! I’ve missed you so much~ Did you miss me?”


    Qiao Jing yed along and said one word.


    “Missed.”


    Ni Yue blew a kiss across the phone and continued cheerfully.


    “You know what? I just finished that design draft that was giving me a headache. I’m so happy now!”


    Qiao Jing also remembered that project that had left Ni Yue uninspired and troubled, to the point of going out for drinks with her.


    “Hmm, it took quite a while, right?”


    Ni Yueughed heartily, opened the door of her house, and continued to chat with Qiao Jing.


    “Yeah, it was such a headache. I’m on my way to your ce now, heading to the bar. Charge! I’ming to pick you up.”


    Qiao Jing nced at her not-yet-noticeable belly. Going to a bar while pregnant would be somewhat inconvenient; she declined Ni Yue’s invitation.


    “I’ve got some things to take care of; I’d better not go.”


    Ni Yue,fortably seated in her car, started to coo.


    “Qiao Qiao~ Baby Qiao Qiao~ I remember you’re off work now, why note with me? I’ve finally finished my draft and I’m feeling thrilled; just apany me, please~”


    She even honked the horn a couple of times.


    “Look, I’m in the car already. Do you really have the heart to not apany me?”


    Qiao Jing, somewhat helpless, rubbed her forehead and set down the noodles she hadn’t started cooking yet.


    “When will you arrive?”


    As soon as Ni Yue heard Qiao Jing’s response, she knew the other party had agreed. She promptly started her sports car and sped off.


    “I’ll be there in no time! Wait for me, Baby Qiao Qiao, love you~”


    Qiao Jing heard the sound of wind through the phone and cautioned.


    “Drive carefully, I’ll wait for you.”


    Ni Yue giggled, and then she ended the call.


    Qiao Jing looked at her attire: a regr T-shirt and jeans. Considering the weather outside, she put on a coat before leaving the house.


    She waited downstairs for a while, and soon she could hear the roar of a sports car.


    The sports car quickly pulled up in front of Qiao Jing, and after lowering the window, she saw Ni Yue in the driver’s seat.


    Wearing a ck pair of sunsses, Ni Yue hooked her finger on the bridge of the sses as she saw the person outside, revealing her beautiful eyes.


    “Baby Qiao Qiao, I’m here~ Hurry, get in the car, I’ve missed you so much.”