Feng Qing asked her other friends in the United States to verify this matter, hoping to find out who was behind it.
Everything seemed to be back on track, except that Jane Jiao Jiao often said she missed Cathy and complained why Feng Qing didn't let Cathy stay in the country.
"How could Cathy stay in the country with me when all her relatives are in the United States?"
Although Feng Qing was also reluctant to part with Cathy, she rationally knew that she wasn't Cathy's biological mother. She couldn't impose her own wishes over Cathy's other family bonds.
"Maybe it's the best for her to live with Lawrence. Laura would probably be happy if she knew."
Laura was the first friend Feng Qing made after she went to the United States. At that time, she could only stay in the Chinese community and was often bullied by other Americans on the pretext of different ethnicities.
It was Laura who helped her. After graduation, with Laura's help, she was able to settle down in the United States.
If Laura hadn't died from massive bleeding due to premature birth, they could still be watching Cathy grow up together.
Cathy wouldn't have called someone else mom since birth.
"By the way, haven't they found Laura's boyfriend yet?" Jane Jiao Jiao wasn't very familiar with Laura. She had only heard Feng Qing mention her a few times before and roughly knew that the man disappeared after Laura got pregnant.
From the time Cathy was born until now, that man had never shown up.
What a despicable scumbag.
Feng Qing shook her head. In the past few years, she and Lawrence had seriously looked for him, but they ended up in failure. In the past two years, seeing that there was no result, they gave up.
"Maybe Cathy just isn't fated to meet her biological father. But Lawrence is also a good father. At least they're blood - related and are real family. It'll be more reassuring for Cathy to live with them in the future."
Jane Jiao Jiao could only nod. Then she thought of Feng Qing's divorce from Lawrence. "When are you going to divorce Lawrence? I'm really convinced of you. You got married on a whim and even kept it from me for so long."
If she hadn't seen Cathy's 'father' was Lawrence after meeting Cathy, she would have almost really believed that Feng Qing had married a foreigner.
"Soon. When I'm not so busy and he's also free, I'll stay there until his wedding is over and then come back."
"Doesn't that mean I won't be able to see you for several months?" Jane Jiao Jiao was reluctant to part, but Feng Qing saw through her act immediately and interrupted her sentimentality.
Feng Qing pushed her. "Do you really miss me? I bet you'll go after men as soon as I get on the plane. I, Feng Qing, can't compare to those men."
"Anyway, it's time for you to settle down, isn't it? You're not young anymore. Don't you want to have a serious relationship?"
They used to love having fun together when they were studying in the country. Later, she went to the United States and Jane Jiao Jiao went to the UK. She seemed to have been in a stable relationship for more than a year, but somehow she picked up her old ways after coming back to China.
Jane Jiao Jiao completely disagreed with Feng Qing's opinion. She waved her index finger from side to side. "A woman like me will never get married. No man can have me. They can only be my playthings and will always be under my feet."
Feng Qing was completely defeated by her and really didn't know how to refute her, so she simply let her be.
Although Jane Jiao Jiao's parents were no longer alive, in the eyes of the outside world, Jane Chengzhang was still her uncle. She wasn't short of money, and no matter what happened, she would be guaranteed. So it was okay for her to have fun.
But as Jane Jiao Jiao's good friend, she naturally hoped that she could find her own happiness soon.
"You know, one day you'll surely suffer a big setback."
***
Feng Qing was really startled when she received Ji Yangui's call. She had given Ji Yangui her contact information at the alumni reunion before. Since she hadn't received his call for a while, she thought he had already forgotten about it.
Who would have thought that she would still receive his call after a few months.
"Senior?"
"You seem quite surprised by my call."
Feng Qing smiled. "I really didn't expect you to call me before. Did you call me for something, Senior?"
Please don't say it's just for a chat. If it was just a casual conversation, she might make a note of Ji Yangui in her little notebook.
Ji Yangui's voice was as gentle and calm as ever. Even through the receiver, Feng Qing still thought his voice was very magnetic, making people feel as if they were bathing in the spring breeze. It was quite pleasant to listen to.
"I was wondering if you're free next Friday. I'd like to invite you to my father's birthday banquet. It's the weekend the next day, and I can show you around Wusu."
Afraid that she would decline, Ji Yangui added, "Of course, if you want to bring your friends, that's okay too. I'll surely play the host well."
Wusu was really beautiful. It would be a good way to relax if she could go there for a stroll. But she wasn't sure about Jiao Jiao. "Let me ask my friend first. Can I give you a reply later?"
"Sure. I'll wait for your answer."
Feng Qing quickly called Jane Jiao Jiao and asked if she wanted to go to Wusu with her.
"I'm okay with it. I've been feeling so bored recently. It'll be like a relaxation trip." Jane Jiao Jiao pondered for a while and then quickly reminded Feng Qing. "Since we're going to attend Ji Yangui's father's birthday banquet, could you please help me buy a gift?"
Jane Jiao Jiao rarely interacted with elders. She was more sociable among her peers, so she didn't know how to choose gifts for elders. She could only ask Feng Qing to do it for her.
Feng Qing didn't refuse and quickly agreed.
"I'll help you choose a gift for his father. You choose the gifts for him and his sister. We'll do it together."
Jane Jiao Jiao pursed her lips. Fine, she still couldn't get out of it.
The two of them quickly picked a time and went to the mall. Jane Jiao Jiao had a strong shopping desire. She first bought a bunch of things for herself.
Seeing that they were about to be unable to carry everything, Feng Qing quickly stopped her. "That's enough. We haven't bought the gifts yet. If you buy more, we won't be able to carry them."
"Okay, okay. I'll hold back for now and choose gifts for them first." Jane Jiao Jiao quickly became serious and carefully selected the gifts. "I heard that his sister is a student in the art department. How about we give her a set of painting tools?"
"It's not a bad idea, but if we want to order high - quality customized painting tools, it may be too late."
Customization took time, and so did shipping. It would be too urgent to get them to Wusu before Friday.
"Ah—"
As they were walking forward, Jane Jiao Jiao suddenly let out a cry. She covered her stomach with a pained expression. "Um... Feng Qing, I don't feel well in my stomach. I'll go to the restroom first!"
Without waiting for Feng Qing to say anything, Jane Jiao Jiao ran away at full speed. Looking at her brisk pace, Feng Qing felt something was strange. She didn't seem to be feeling unwell in the stomach at all.
"Miss Feng Qing."
Feng Qing was still thinking about what was strange about Jane Jiao Jiao when a voice suddenly came from behind.
Her back stiffened slightly. She turned around slowly and saw a face that wasn't very familiar.