Chapter 86 Another Rival in Love?
Zhang Qian was a little displeased, but still said, "He's not a charlatan, he's my boyfriend now!"
"Hey, tonight I'll see what this guy's got up his sleeve to win over that proud policewoman, hehe."
"Don't tease him, he's very shy."
After Zhang Qian finished speaking, she looked at the man glaring at her and couldn't help but laugh.
After agreeing on the time and place with Bai Lingzhu, he hung up the phone.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Zhang Qian asked with a grin.
"Look how cute my little woman is."
"Pah, you're so glib."
"You used to call me a charlatan, but now you're unhappy when others call me that?"
"Hmph, I'm just protecting my own. Only I can call someone a charlatan; I feel uncomfortable if others do."
"By the way, Cheng-ge, what do you think we're going to do in Beijing?"
Zhang Qian had gotten used to Chen Cheng's requests and would call him "Brother Cheng" from time to time.
"Go find Master Jingyang and ask him to help us with our good deed."
"Well, let's go downstairs and buy some gifts. We can't ask people for favors empty-handed."
"No need, he only likes the national liquor. We can just have a good drink with him then."
For such Taoist masters, money and gifts are worldly things in their eyes!
The two strolled around in the afternoon, and then, under Zhang Qian's coercion, went to the mall to buy Chen Cheng two sets of clothes and shoes. Since meeting her, Zhang Qian has spent several thousand yuan on clothes for herself alone. Having a girlfriend like that is not bad, but she spends too much money. Fortunately, her family is rich and her salary is high. He usually buys clothes from street stalls, while Zhang Qian buys him designer brands.
The two strolled around until evening, then drove to the Xijing Hotel that Bai Lingzhu had mentioned. It was a five-star hotel, and Zhang Qian was puzzled as to why Bai Lingzhu would arrange the dinner in such a high-end and formal hotel. Just as they got out of the car, Yu Wei and Lin Zihan also arrived in their car.
After exchanging greetings, Yu Wei completely gave up on Zhang Qian. Chen Cheng was also someone who knew people well, and the two greeted each other warmly before heading to the private room that Bai Lingzhu had booked. Zhang Qian walked in front, pushed open the door, and was taken aback at first before greeting the people inside.
Chen Cheng went inside and saw a young man and a young woman. The woman was quite pretty, but she was wearing heavy makeup. The man was also good-looking, not handsome, but very masculine.
"Hey, Jin Lei, you're back from your training trip?"
Then Lin Zihan came in and said.
"Yeah, I just got home last night."
The man named Jin Lei smiled.
Yu Wei didn't seem to be very familiar with Jin Lei. He just nodded in acknowledgment and then gave Chen Cheng a strange look.
Before Zhang Qian could introduce herself, Jin Lei took out a bouquet of roses and walked up to her: "Qianqian, I went to the police station to see you this morning. Your colleague said you had something to do and asked for leave. We sent you a message but you didn't reply. I was afraid the flowers I ordered this morning wouldn't be fresh, so I threw them away. These are the ones I just bought."
"I'm so envious of Sisi, hurry up and catch it."
Bai Lingzhu spoke up.
"Thank you, but Jin Lei, you should give the flowers to someone else. This is my boyfriend, Chen Cheng."
Zhang Qian glared angrily at Bai Lingzhu. She knew Chen Cheng was coming, yet she didn't stop Jin Lei.
Jin Lei was also one of Zhang Qian's suitors. His social standing was second only to Qiao Hui. His father was the director of the Xi'an Municipal Land Bureau, his mother a mid-level official in the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection, his uncle Jin Ziming had just been promoted to police chief, and his maternal uncle was the secretary-general of the provincial party committee. He himself was a civil servant, already a deputy section-level mid-level cadre at a young age. His family could be considered high-ranking officials. He had recently gone to Beijing for training and was expected to be promoted to section-level cadre by the end of the year. He had called or texted Zhang Qian quite often while he was away, and out of politeness, Zhang Qian would occasionally reply with a couple of messages. This morning, she excitedly... Rushing to the police station with flowers, he was told that Zhang Qian had taken leave. Afraid she wouldn't answer his calls, he asked Zhang Qian's best friend, Bai Lingzhu, to organize a dinner party. Bai Lingzhu had a crush on Jin Lei, but knew she was inferior to Zhang Qian in both looks and family background. She could only suppress her intense jealousy and envy to help him. Upon learning that Chen Cheng was there, she was overjoyed and exaggeratedly told Jin Lei about Zhang Qian and Chen Cheng's affair. Sure enough, Jin Lei was consumed by jealousy. He thought Qiao Hui was slightly inferior, but this charlatan dared to steal his woman—he was asking for trouble!
Ignoring Zhang Qian's words, Jin Lei still held the flowers and said, "Qianqian, as long as you are not married, I have the right to pursue you. I can compete fairly with this guy, uh, what's his name again? Believe me, I can bring you happiness both materially and in life."
"Yes, Qianqian, Jin Lei is right. As your best friend, I think Jin Lei is better. You and this god, uh, Chen Cheng, your family backgrounds are not equal. You won't be happy in the future."
"Lingzhu, don't say that..."
"Zihan, did Chen Cheng bribe you? Hehe."
Bai Lingzhu interrupted Lin Zihan.
"Sissi, please accept my heartfelt words!"
"Sisi, please accept this. These roses are so beautiful, they must have cost a lot of money. They can be used as decorations on our bedside table. When we wake up, we can smell their fragrance. Isn't that wonderful?"
Chen Cheng said with a grin.
"Stop fooling around, if you want to smell the flowers, we'll go buy them ourselves."
Zhang Qian smiled gently at Chen Cheng, a smile that ignited Jin Lei's fury.
"Lingzhu, we're best friends. If you continue to treat my boyfriend like this, I don't think we can stay friends anymore!"
Zhang Qian is very individualistic. She can see through Bai Lingzhu's thoughts. She had originally intended to match her up with Jin Lei, but Jin Lei didn't like her, so she couldn't do anything about it. Tonight, Bai Lingzhu's actions were to use Jin Lei to humiliate Chen Cheng and make her dislike Jin Lei even more. Perhaps this way, she would have a chance.
Bai Lingzhu was taken aback, not expecting Zhang Qian to be so sharp. She gave an awkward laugh and didn't say anything more. She didn't want to lose this well-connected best friend.
"Sisi, Lingzhu is only doing this for your own good. What's so great about this charlatan? What can he give you? Have you been bewitched by some kind of sorcery?"
"Shut up! Let me tell you, Jin Lei, what he gave me, none of you can give. We were friends before, but from now on, we can't even be friends anymore!"
"Brother Cheng, let's go!"
Zhang Qian was about to leave with Chen Cheng's hand when the door opened again, and a man in his fifties walked in.
"Director Kim!"
Zhang Qian was taken aback; she didn't know why Jin Ziming had come here.
"Zhang Qian, Xiao Lei just returned from studying away from home. He asked me to have dinner with you tonight. I didn't want to get involved in your young people's affairs, but this little guy kept pestering me, so I had no choice but to agree."
Jin Lei was overjoyed to see Jin Ziming and pointed at Chen Cheng, saying, "Uncle, you've come at the right time. I suspect that this charlatan has used some kind of sorcery to bewitch Qianqian. Send someone to investigate him!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Zhang Qian said angrily again.
Chen Cheng squeezed the woman's small hand to indicate that everything was alright.
Jin Ziming then noticed Chen Cheng next to Zhang Qian. However, when he saw the man's face, his pupils contracted and he hurriedly said, "Comrade Chen Cheng, you're here too."
"Yes, Director Jin, you've come here to listen to your nephew's teachings!"
Jin Ziming's heart pounded, and he quickly said, "Jin Lei has always been outspoken since he was a child, don't take it to heart."
Chen Cheng didn't say anything, just looked at him with a smile.
"Uncle, what's wrong?"
"Shut up. If you're going to invite someone to dinner, you should be sincere. What are you doing?"