It was clear that Lu Qingxu couldn't answer her question either.
He recounted the entire story of how he met Mailedi to Jiang Nanfang.
He had even gotten into a physical altercation with Zhan Beijue over Mailedi, and Zhan Beijue still refused to tell him the reason. It was utterly baffling.
Jiang Nanfang found her worldview crumbling.
Zhan Beijue had helped his sister behind her back… what was going on?
Lu Qingxu's focus was different. Knowing that Mailedi wasn't affiliated with Zhan Beijue and that he still had a chance, his mind was entirely consumed with how to rekindle their relationship.
"How did you find out about this? Tell me where she is now, I need to go see her."
"Didn't you say she was sick? I misunderstood her relationship with Ah Jue, and I said a lot of hurtful things. She must hate me. I need to go apologize to her!"
Jiang Nanfang didn't know where Mailedi was. Furthermore, since Zhan Beijue didn't want them to know about it, it was best to pretend she didn't know.
"Why should I pretend I don't know? Now that I know, how can I just pretend ignorance?"
Lu Qingxu acted like a boy experiencing his first love.
"My feelings for Mailedi are genuine. No girl has ever made me feel this way. I've been miserable for her during this time!"
"Now that I've finally learned the truth, I can't just let it go. If you don't tell me, I'll find out myself!"
Jiang Nanfang looked at him calmly, "Aren't you afraid Zhan Beijue will fall out with you again?"
"We've already fallen out, it can't get any worse than this."
"Mailedi is a living person, not a cat or a dog. Why should he hide her from the world forever? I have to get to the bottom of this!"
With that, Lu Qingxu ran off.
The turn of events was a bit beyond Jiang Nanfang's expectations.
However, Lu Qingxu's actions were not something she could prevent. So, Jiang Nanfang could only inform Zhan Beijue first.
Perhaps she could also ask him out for a talk, to clear the air and discuss everything openly.
She also wanted to understand clearly why he had hidden Mailedi's identity and why he had tacitly allowed the rumors about him and his sister.
Jiang Nanfang's call was something Zhan Beijue had anticipated, but he didn't have time to talk to her at the moment.
Jiang Nanfang got straight to the point, "Are you free? I'll come find you. There's something I want to discuss."
"I'm afraid I can't today. I have a reception this afternoon. It's already arranged, and I'm preparing to leave now."
For some reason, Jiang Nanfang switched to the persona of Mrs. Zhan in a second.
"What reception? Where is it? When does it end?"
Zhan Beijue explained truthfully that it was a reception for the Disney project bidding. Although he hadn't won the bid, he was still an invited party. Not attending would make him seem petty. He was likely to encounter Ke Jingyu at the reception, as Ke Corporation was the biggest winner of this bid.
Ke Jingyu had defeated Zhan Beijue to secure the Disney project? Although he had the capability, as someone close to Zhan Beijue, Jiang Nanfang still felt a bit uncomfortable.
"Then I'll wait for you to finish. We'll have a good talk."
Zhan Beijue wanted to probe her intentions.
"I'll definitely have to drink. If I drink too much, we won't be able to talk about anything. Can't whatever we need to discuss wait until tomorrow?"
Jiang Nanfang deviated from the topic again, "You're going to drink? You just got out of the hospital, and you know you shouldn't be drinking…"
But that's how men in the business world were; they were in the thick of it and couldn't help themselves.
Mid-sentence, Jiang Nanfang realized her own slip.
"Alright then, you go. I'll find you tomorrow."
After hanging up, the thought of Zhan Beijue potentially clashing with Ke Jingyu at the reception unsettled her.
After much thought, she called Ke Jingyu again, asking if she could accompany him to the reception.
Ke Jingyu was somewhat surprised, but also amused.
"Why would you think of going with me?"
Jiang Nanfang said, "You must have heard about the current relationship between Zhan Beijue and me. I'm developing a perfume line and need to meet some clients. This is an excellent networking opportunity."
"Besides you, I have no other connections. Mr. Ke, please do me a favor."
Ke Jingyu replied, "It's not impossible, but I'm afraid Mr. Zhan might not be happy seeing you with me."
"We're all adults. He won't be unreasonable and make a scene regardless of the occasion. I promise I won't cause you any trouble, Mr. Ke, rest assured."
Ke Jingyu knew Jiang Nanfang's intentions weren't entirely pure, but he agreed anyway. Regardless, this matter caused him no harm. Even without any benefit, seeing Zhan Beijue unhappy would be a gain.
Jiang Nanfang tidied herself up and drove to the venue. She met Ke Jingyu outside and entered the center of the venue with him linking arms. It was a spectacular scene with successful men and women, clinking glasses, and elegant attire.
Jiang Nanfang accompanied Ke Jingyu, greeting many people, toasting, exchanging business cards, and accumulating many potential clients. At the same time, she deeply unsettled Zhan Beijue. Before coming to the reception, she had called him saying she wanted to talk and reminded him not to drink. Now, she was standing with Ke Jingyu? He couldn't figure out if Jiang Nanfang was genuinely foolish or pretending to be; why did she like making him unhappy so much?
Interacting with Ke Jingyu was unavoidable, and in such a large venue, as they mingled, they inevitably ran into each other. Director Gao stood beside Ke Jingyu, introducing him to Zhan Beijue.
"Ke Corporation is a major client that Nan City attracted for investment this year. They are wealthy, have a strong brand image, and will make significant contributions to Nan City's rise in the future."
"Zhan Corporation is a well-established local enterprise in Nan City. You should help your colleagues and strive to work together, bringing Nan City's economic development to a new level."
Zhan and Ke pretended to be strangers. After the pleasantries, they clinked glasses and pledged to cooperate well. Then, Ke Jingyu offered his arm to Jiang Nanfang, as if they had never met, and with a slight smile, led her elsewhere.
Zhan Beijue watched Jiang Nanfang, who was dressed impeccably and professionally, but was by someone else's side. He downed the drink in his glass and turned to leave the venue.
Jiang Nanfang pretended not to care, but her eyes followed his retreating figure. Seeing him quietly depart, she also longed to leave with him. However, she had to see the act through. Since she had come, what would leaving now mean? Ultimately, she endured until the end of the reception. Although she had drunk quite a bit, her mind was clear.
After leaving the venue, Jiang Nanfang first used her phone to call for a designated driver, then leaned against her car and called Zhan Beijue.
Zhan Beijue was sitting alone in his spacious study, sulking. Seeing the caller ID, he hesitated for a long time before answering.
"What is it?"
Jiang Nanfang knew he was unhappy. He had never hidden his dislike for the Ke family.