Chapter 242: Chapter 242 Jiang Zhe: Didn’t Hit Hard Enough Chapter 242: Chapter 242 Jiang Zhe: Didn’t Hit Hard Enough Under her almost bewitchingly divine gaze, Qin Jingchen wouldn’t just accede to such a trivial matter, he’d agree to anything she desired, no matter how significant.

Yet, he softly murmured, “Then beg me.”

The elderly Madame Qin rose and, taking Tiao Chun with her, quietly left the room.

Jiang Zhe was always aloof, and Qin Jingchen rarely had the opportunity to tease her like this. He was taking advantage of the fact that they hadn’t seen each other for a long time and it was the festive New Year period. He reasoned Jiang Zhe wouldn’t get angry, which emboldened him a bit more than usual.

“Come a little closer.” Jiang Zhe’s voice was naturally pleasing. Even when she spoke without much emotion, it was like casting tiny alluring hooks, let alone now that she deliberately softened her tone.

Qin Jingchen moved closer to her, his deep, intense gaze rippling. Jiang Zhe threw a punch straight to his chest.

He winced in pain, bending over slightly, but then quickly regained his composure.

Jiang Zhe knew he could have dodged, yet she didn’t expect that he would choose not to and took the punch head-on.

She had thought he would dodge, which is why her punch was exceptionally forceful.

Seeing him stagger from the impact of her powerful punch, Jiang Zhe retracted her fist, her eyes slightly lowered, and then stood up to leave. “I’m going to see how grandmother is doing.”

Behind her, Qin Jingchen’s carefree laughter echoed.

Jiang Zhe clenched her fist tighter, still feeling it was too light.

…

After spending a while in the courtyard, the elderly Madame Qin, worried that Jiang Zhe might be cold, summoned Tiao Chun to carry the flowers inside to arrange them.

Soon, it was time for lunch.

Upon hearing that Jiang Zhe’s birthday was the next day, Madame Qin showed great interest. “Why don’t you celebrate it here with us?”

After saying this, she remembered that both Jiang Yaowang and Jiang Xiruo were there and immediately recognized her faux pas. She swiftly changed the subject. “Where will it be held tomorrow?”

Jiang Zhe gave the location.

It turned out to be Ding Yuehua who took the initiative to help make the reservation.

“That’s good; the place is nice,” Madame Qin smiled.

“You are busy, so it’s fine if you can’t come.” Jiang Zhe knew that on the second day of the new year, countless people would visit Madame Qin to pay New Year’s greetings.

Logically, today’s guests were those who should come over themselves. They had deferred their visits, knowing that she preferred quietness over bustle.

Madame Qin nodded, “It’s not that busy.”

Qin Jingchen served Jiang Zhe some dishes but didn’t say anything.

When Jiang Zhe was almost done eating, multiple messages flooded her phone.

It turned out that many people had learned about her birthday and wanted to join in the celebration.

Yang Feiliu was the most eager, saying, “I simply must be the first to come! Your birthdays are always so quiet. I felt awkward coming over to the Jiang Family before, but this time it’s different. You have to let me come.”

“Alright,” Jiang Zhe agreed.

She wondered where Yang Feiliu had gotten the information so promptly.

But remembering that Yang Feiliu specifically asked for Xia Enci and Xiao Meng’s WeChat details last time, Jiang Zhe realized how he knew.

Once Yang Feiliu was informed, it was as if the whole world knew.

Chi Feng, Wan Si, the Song Family, Liang Hani, and various others.

Jiang Zhe had no choice but to agree to them all.

A short while later, she responded with no less than thirty “alright”s.

She really hadn’t wanted to celebrate her birthday…

Jiang Zhe massaged her temples.

…

On this first day of the new year, Ding Yuehua was so angry that she lost her appetite.

Jiang Cheng reminded her about the hotel reservation for Jiang Zhe’s birthday.

But by now, she had completely lost interest in that matter.

Jiang Cheng saw that she was unhappy and said in a low voice, “Then I’ll make the reservation, you rest well.”

“Husband, do we really have to hold the birthday banquet tomorrow?” Ding Yuehua really didn’t want to go anymore.

“How can we refuse something we’ve already promised? Besides, the matter with dad might be a small thing financially, but as you know, its subsequent influence on us is very positive. Yuehua, don’t be emotional.”

How could Ding Yuehua possibly not understand the reasoning?

Jiang Yaowang’s big actions were not without benefits for Jiang Cheng’s career.

But understanding the reasoning couldn’t suppress the disappointment she felt at the moment.

She had always been very diplomatic, but now she suddenly couldn’t bear to maintain this facade; the old man was cold and unfeeling, Jiang Zhe did not show any gratitude, not even half a word of thanks, and the incident with Chen Bo’an was also coincidentally alarming.

In short, she couldn’t muster any interest in this birthday at all.

Jiang Cheng said, “I’ll go take care of it. Just come out after you’ve rested well.”

Ding Yuehua really didn’t want to go and put on a birthday banquet for Jiang Zhe.

It was tiring to brush up the Jiang Family’s image using her husband’s face and the Ding Family’s connections, especially when it was all for Jiang Zhe and didn’t garner a shred of gratitude in return; she was thoroughly sick of it.

Suddenly, she remembered that the day after the Lunar New Year was Fen Ye’s mother’s birthday.

It was an ordinary birthday, not a significant occasion.

But previously, she had attended the birthday banquet twice because of her relationship with Qin He.

If she went to Madam Fen’s place tomorrow, wouldn’t that mean she could avoid gilding Jiang Zhe?

She immediately got up and asked Ding Xuexue.

Because of her acquaintance with Qin He, Ding Xuexue was also quite familiar with Fen Ye.

She immediately asked in the group chat, “Qin He, is it Madam Fen’s birthday tomorrow?”

There were many people in the group, all from the same circle, and the most prestigious among them was Fen Ye.

Apart from the absence of Qin Jingchen, the group was the most prestigious that Ding Xuexue had access to in Beijing.

Qin He was busy preparing a birthday gift for Jiang Zhe and didn’t see the message.

Ding Xuexue didn’t dare to tag Fen Ye directly, so she only tagged Qin He again.

When Qin He found the time to check the message, he replied, “Yes.”

Liang Tian was also in the group and added, “Xuexue, you’ve got a good memory.”

He Zizhou and Han Dongliang were in the group as well.

A few of them were familiar with Jiang Zhe; the last time they had all gone motorcycling together.

With this information, Ding Xuexue felt assured. She didn’t say whether she would go or not, nor did she ask if they were going.

She knew that if she mentioned wanting to go, Fen Ye wouldn’t care much, and he always had a casual attitude.

So it was better to get ready and head straight there tomorrow.

The others didn’t know what they were busy with, and since Ding Xuexue didn’t speak up, neither did they.

And Fen Ye hadn’t shown his face at all.

Ding Xuexue didn’t know, but Qin He did, that everyone was preparing birthday gifts for Jiang Zhe.

It was rare for Jiang Zhe to visit Beijing, and it happened to be during his birthday. Once Qin Jingchen began to take it seriously, the others naturally started to pay attention as well.

Moreover, although their interactions with Jiang Zhe were few, they held a certain degree of admiration for him.

Ding Xuexue conveyed the information to Ding Yuehua.

Ding Yuehua nodded, “Let’s go to the Fen Family’s place tomorrow then. They’ve always celebrated Madam Fen’s birthday at home, and we’ve been there twice before; we know the way.”

“What about Jiang Zhe’s side?”

Originally, if Ding Yuehua hadn’t made those boastful remarks that day, none of this would be happening.

But the words had been spoken, and backing out at the last minute would seem rather improper.

In the end, Ding Yuehua decided they wouldn’t invite any relatives or friends over; they would just show up tomorrow evening, make an appearance, and then leave directly.