Chen's father spoke earnestly.
"Think about it. If you offend him, marry someone else, and then flaunt it right under his nose, do you think he'd be happy?"
"If he's unhappy, and with his father's influence, will you have a good life? I can't just stand by and watch you jump into a fire pit!"
Chen Jiaojiao snorted dismissively.
"Lu Mingzhe's father is just a minor leader in the Urban Construction Bureau. He can't control everything. What can he do to make my life difficult?"
"Daughter, Dad always thought you were smart, why are you so foolish today?"
"Mutual protection among officials, understand? He can't do anything to you directly, but he can find indirect ways!"
"If you provoke him, do you still want to have a career? If he wants to deal with you, you're as good as dead. Don't be so naive, alright?"
Chen Jiaojiao's expression immediately turned grim.
Having followed her father around since she was little, she understood the implications.
If she had known meeting Lu Mingzhe would be so troublesome, she wouldn't have gone to Nancheng to find him earlier!
"But, I really don't like Lu Mingzhe. He has significant personality flaws, and I won't be happy marrying him."
"Is he really that bad?"
"Of course, he is! Dad, would I dare lie to you about something like this?"
Seeing her conviction, and having never met Lu Mingzhe, Chen's father believed her.
He thought for a moment.
"How about this. We'll agree to the matter for now, to avoid offending both families. When they arrive tomorrow, I'll observe."
"If it's as you say, Dad will find a way to dissuade them. But if young Lu is decent, then you listen to me!"
"I knew Daddy loved me the most."
Chen Jiaojiao happily jumped over, hugged his neck, and kissed him.
"Don't worry, you definitely won't take a liking to someone like Lu Mingzhe!"
In fact, she had already made a mental calculation.
She would deliberately do things that Lu family members would look down upon.
Did she think Lu Mingzhe could have his way?
The next day, Chen Jiaojiao went to the company as usual.
Lu Mingzhe and his parents arrived at the airport, and Chen's father personally picked them up.
He first took them to the hotel, then arranged for them to go to a restaurant.
Along the way, he kept observing Lu Mingzhe.
Seeing that he was young, handsome, tall, with long legs, an extraordinary presence, and elegant speech, and that he was a psychologist, Chen's father was furious.
That wretched girl. She almost fooled him!
Upon arriving at the restaurant, as the Lu family of three sat down, he went out to call his daughter.
"Chen Jiaojiao, I'm warning you, don't play any more tricks. Hurry up and come over!"
"Young Lu is handsome, refined, and incredibly decent. You said you looked down on him? Who do you think you are?"
"Hurry up, if you're not here in half an hour, I'll break your legs!"
Returning to the private room, he chuckled and explained to everyone,
"I'm truly sorry. Because I haven't been feeling well lately, I've handed over all the company's major and minor affairs to Jiaojiao to handle."
"She's so busy she doesn't have time to come and pick you up herself, and now she's making you wait. I'm really sorry."
"Not at all. It's admirable for young people to have ambition, especially girls."
"We have nothing to do anyway, waiting is fine. Let her take her time, no rush, we fully support her."
Seeing how pleasing Lu father's words were, and the Lu family appearing so gentle and refined, Chen's father was even more pleased.
His father's judgment was indeed good. He had said Jiaojiao wouldn't be able to endure hardship, and she wouldn't.
Marrying into such a family, wouldn't that be like falling into a nest of happiness?
Meanwhile, after receiving her father's call, Chen Jiaojiao immediately drove out.
First, she went to her usual hair salon and asked someone to give her an exaggerated, temporary "instant noodle" perm.
Then, she applied heavier makeup, making her look as if she had just woken up from a heavy drinking session.
She pulled her skirt up to just cover her thighs and changed into a pair of bright red high heels.
She arrived at the restaurant looking utterly out of place.
Upon entering and seeing her appearance, her father nearly dropped his jaw.
"You... were you struck by lightning? Chen Jiaojiao, what is this?"
"I'm not doing anything special. The weather is nice today, and I felt like dressing up beautifully to reflect my good mood."
"What's wrong? Don't I look good?"
Chen Jiaojiao shook her curly hair, walked in her gaudy high heels, and went to everyone.
After shaking hands and greeting everyone, she sat down next to her father and casually picked up the cigarette pack in front of him.
"How long have you been here? Did you have a smooth journey? Jin City people are very warm and passionate, not as reserved as Nancheng. Are you accustomed to it?"
"Do you smoke? Want one?"
Lu father and mother: "??"
"It seems you don't smoke. I understand. After all, you're older, and smoking less is good for your health."
She took out a cigarette and put it in her mouth.
"You don't mind if I have one, do you?"
Chen's father was surprised that she was willing to go to such lengths to ruin the marriage.
She was utterly disregarding his reputation.
He slapped Chen Jiaojiao's hand.
"You wretched girl, what madness has gotten into you today? When did you learn to smoke? And you dare smoke in front of me? You're asking for death!"
He snatched the cigarette from her hand.
"You speak properly! If you spout any more nonsense, I'll beat you!"
Chen Jiaojiao pouted, looking nonchalant.
"It's just smoking, what's the big deal?"
"To be frank, I've been smoking for several years. I'm young, not like you with dirt up to your neck. I won't die, so don't interfere so much."
"You!"
"Mr. Lu, Mrs. Lu, this girl has been spoiled by me since childhood. Her biggest dream is to be an actress, she's very quirky and eccentric."
"She'll suddenly put on a play for me, and I can't keep up with her acting. This isn't her true self, so please don't take it to heart. She's usually very normal."
Lu Mingzhe's parents turned to look at Lu Mingzhe, showing a meaningful expression.
Lu Mingzhe's expression was calm.
"Indeed. I think she's just got the acting bug today and is deliberately teasing you. Don't take it seriously. She's not like this usually."
Lu mother, a woman with high emotional intelligence, quickly chimed in.
"I didn't expect Jiaojiao to be so capable, good at her career and good at entertaining people. That's quite good."
"She's not pretentious, she's bold and uninhibited. No wonder Ah Zhe likes her."
"..."
Chen Jiaojiao was surprised that even after acting so outrageously, she was praised. It felt meaningless.
After that, she stopped acting wild. She just drank and ate whatever they talked about.
Before the pleasantries were over, she had already finished a bottle of foreign liquor by herself.
Chen's father and Lu father were engrossed in conversation, and it took them a while to notice what was happening on her side.
Seeing his daughter's flushed cheeks and signs of intoxication, he couldn't help but scold her again.
"What's wrong with you today? Can't you behave normally?"
"You started acting as soon as you came in, and now you're not even talking. Chen Jiaojiao, are you deliberately trying to embarrass me?"
Lu Mingzhe smiled and finally stepped in to speak.
"Uncle Chen, don't worry. I know what's going on with her."
Oh?
Everyone turned their gaze towards him.