Movies and TV: Neighbor Qiao Yingzi, Crazy Pursuit of Song Qian and Wen Jie

Chapter 9: The Uninvited Guest, Qiao Weidong?!

On the way home, Tong Wenjie walked alongside Su Bai.

“Xiao Bai, I heard from Fang Yifan that you’re having trouble keeping up with your studies. Is it because what you learned abroad is different from the curriculum here?”

“It’s definitely different, but I wouldn’t say I’m struggling. I’m managing just fine,” Su Bai replied.

“Yeah, sure. We’ll see when exams come around,” Fang Yifan chimed in with a smirk.

“Hmph, cut it out,” Tong Wenjie retorted, giving Fang Yifan a swift kick.

By then, they had arrived at Shuxiang Yayuan.

As soon as they reached the building, Qiao Yingzi spotted her mother waiting downstairs next to Su Bai’s Ducati.

“Mum, you’re here?”

“Wenjing, you’ve arrived. You guys head up first. Su Bai and I need to park his motorbike in the garage—it’s not safe to leave a bike worth over 2 million yuan out here,” Song Qian said.

Song Qian had recently purchased a garage in the complex specifically for Su Bai’s bike.

“Alright, we’ll go ahead then,” Tong Wenjie said.

“By the way, Song Qian, you’re looking quite glamorous today—very feminine,” she added with a grin.

Song Qian, who was usually too focused on Qiao Yingzi’s studies to pay attention to her appearance, had indeed dressed up a bit today.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just tidied up a little—not much effort, really,” Song Qian replied, brushing off the comment as she quickly changed the subject.

“Xiao Bai, let’s go park the bike,” she said, eager to move on.

Su Bai didn’t hesitate. He mounted his Ducati and started it up.

“Follow me, I’ll lead the way,” Song Qian instructed, walking ahead instead of riding pillion—especially with her daughter and friends nearby.

Once Su Bai and Song Qian left, Qiao Yingzi led Tong Wenjie and Fang Yifan upstairs. Huang Zhitao had already parted ways with them at the entrance to the complex.

“Xiao Bai, this garage will be the bike’s home from now on,” Song Qian explained when they reached the garage. “But remember our agreement—you can only ride it on weekends, and even then, don’t go too fast.”

“Got it, Aunt Song Qian. I’ll stick to the rules,” Su Bai agreed readily, though he thought to himself, I’ll see how it goes later.

Satisfied with his response, Song Qian handed him the garage key.

Su Bai accepted it and said with a smile, “Aunt Song Qian, you look just like a young woman today—absolutely stunning.”

Though Song Qian maintained a calm exterior, she couldn’t help but feel delighted. She knew exactly why she had taken extra care with her appearance.

“Alright, enough with the flattery. I’m not that young anymore.”

“Last night, I didn’t think you seemed old at all,” Su Bai said teasingly.

“Hey, we agreed not to bring that up again. Don’t mention it in front of others,” Song Qian warned, her expression slightly flustered.

“Understood,” Su Bai replied.

“Alright, let’s head back. By the way, how’s school? Are you keeping up with your classes?” Song Qian asked as they walked home.

“It’s fine—I’m adapting well,” Su Bai said with a casual smile.

“That’s good to hear. I was worried about you adjusting to the new school. Take it one step at a time. Academic progress doesn’t happen overnight. I’ll help you along the way,” Song Qian said earnestly.

As Su Bai’s guardian, Song Qian felt a strong sense of responsibility to support him academically.

Reflecting on the events of the previous night, she felt a twinge of guilty pleasure.

She saw her efforts to help Su Bai as a way to make amends for her actions, which she considered a lapse in judgment.

Back at the apartment, they were greeted by the smell of herbal soup wafting through the air.

“Song Qian, you’re back! I smelled your soup as soon as I walked in. Is it for Yingzi?” Tong Wenjie asked.

“No, it’s for me this time. I thought I should take better care of myself,” Song Qian replied, though she kept the thought to look younger to herself.

“I had Fang Yuan bring roasted duck. Let’s have that for dinner,” Tong Wenjie said.

“Sounds good,” Song Qian replied as she poured a bowl of soup for Su Bai.

“Xiao Bai, I made this soup for you. Try it.”

Su Bai accepted the bowl and noticed its slightly reddish tint, recognising it as one of Song Qian’s signature medicinal broths. In the original story, Qiao Yingzi had been practically forced to drink these until she couldn’t stand them anymore.

Having spent some time in this world, Su Bai already had a sense of Song Qian’s habits and didn’t hesitate to drink it. However, the strong taste of goji berries made him feel it was unnecessary for someone like him.

“Aunt Song Qian, maybe next time you could skip the extra supplements. I’m already in great health,” Su Bai remarked with a hint of humour.

Though others might not catch his meaning, Song Qian understood immediately.

“Fine, no more soup for you. Go read your books—I need to chat with Wenjie for a bit.”

“Alright,” Su Bai replied, planning to look for some of Qiao Yingzi’s textbooks.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Ding dong.

Since Su Bai was closest to the door, he checked the monitor.

“Yingzi, open up. It’s your dad,” came a familiar voice.

Seeing Qiao Weidong on the screen, Su Bai was momentarily surprised, though he recalled that this visit aligned with the original storyline.

Hearing the voice, Song Qian hurried over.

She was reluctant for Qiao Weidong to see Su Bai, especially considering the events of the previous night.

After all, it was Qiao Weidong’s visit with his new girlfriend that had driven her to drink—and ultimately led her to seek out Su Bai.

To Song Qian, everything that had transpired was Qiao Weidong’s fault.