Chapter 57: Please Take Care of My Girlfriend

Jian Qing’s voice was calm and gentle, like the ripple of water in a fountain undisturbed by darting fish.

Li Jingche, unfazed, nodded and continued explaining, “I was raised by many families.”

Jian Qing paused, thinking Li Jingche was joking, but in the next moment, he looked toward Li Shuang and said, “This is the second daughter of the Li family. She knows me well. Back when I was in middle school, I often came to the Li house to tutor her as a way to earn some money. She paid me quite generously.”

Jian Qing looked at Li Shuang, surprised to realize that the “Miss Shuang,” who had always admired her jewelry, was actually a member of the Li family. Perhaps this connection could someday help Yan Jin.

She nodded to Li Shuang and reached out her hand, only to be enveloped in a warm embrace.

Li Jingche frowned, uncertain what trick his sister was up to, but Li Shuang winked at him mischievously. “I never expected my favorite jewelry designer would turn out to be Miss Jian herself! What an honor!”

She pointed at Li Jingche and, against her own feelings, added, “He was my tutor in both middle and high school. He had great potential, and my parents adored him, treating him like their own son. I used to call him ‘brother.’ After he entered university, my parents told him to make his own way in the world, and I worried he wouldn’t manage. Who would have thought he’d meet such wonderful people in the Jian family?”

Jian Qing could doubt Number 33’s words, but she had no reason not to trust Li Shuang. Smiling, Jian Qing nodded, “It seems fate has played its hand. He’s also one of the students my mother sponsors.”

Li Shuang took Jian Qing’s hand and led her toward the grand hall, leaving Li Jingche behind. Only when their figures disappeared did he finally exhale.

For Li Shuang’s sake, Li Jingche had no interest in pursuing Qin Jin’s failure to handle things properly. Some honored guests at the birthday banquet required his personal attention, and once those duties were done, he wanted nothing more than to hurry to Jiao Bay and meet Jian Qing.

A birthday, after all, is only meaningful when spent with someone you love.

But Jian Qing had barely arrived when Li Jingche saw Du Yu descending the stairs, with Qin Jin following closely behind.

Li Jingche’s brow furrowed, and he moved to intercept them. The three met at the turn of the spiral staircase on the second floor, and Li Jingche spoke first:

“What’s the matter? Why are you in such a rush?”

He blocked Qin Jin, preventing him from revealing his identity to Jian Qing. Li Jingche’s long limbs sealed off the staircase exit, his gaze sharp.

“My girlfriend said she was going to the restroom, but I think she’s lost in the manor. I’m going to look for her, Jingche.”

“You…” Li Jingche’s question was cut short. His mind slowed, entirely focused on keeping his identity secret from Jian Qing.

“Yes, my girlfriend—Jian Qing. Have you seen her, Jingche?”

Those words were enough to nearly shatter Li Jingche’s composure.

His hand, resting casually on the railing, suddenly clenched tight, his breath held for a moment. He blinked twice, then lowered his head and exhaled slowly.

“Your girlfriend…” he murmured, the words tasting bitter no matter how he uttered them.

Even though he knew well—and Jian Qing herself had told him—that her relationship with Du Yu was nothing but a convenient charade, Li Jingche couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

His fingers paused, and he leaned in. Downstairs, Ren Yishan was calling Jian Qing’s name, tugging Du Yu up the stairs.

“I haven’t met Jian Qing yet. I’ve heard she’s an accomplished jewelry designer. Do you two have a photo together? Let me see.”

His tone was calm, but jealousy was brewing beneath the surface.

If Du Yu and Jian Qing really had a photo together, Li Jingche wouldn’t know how to handle it—

Because he truly had none.

Du Yu glanced at Li Jingche and, after pulling out his phone, found that there was not a single photo of Jian Qing, let alone one of them together.

He then opened WeChat, scrolling through Jian Qing’s Moments. “What a pity. We’re so in love, yet not a single photo together. She must have selfies in her Moments. She’s not only beautiful but exceptionally talented.”

Li Jingche unconsciously tightened his jaw, the tension so intense that his gums ached. He hadn’t realized how taut his body had become.

Seeing Du Yu’s WeChat note for Jian Qing, “Benefactor❤,” Li Jingche let out a heavy sigh and silently took out his own phone.

“I just remembered there’s an issue at a construction site with earthworks. You need to go check it out. That site was contracted to the Du family, so Du Yu, you should go now.”

“Now?” Du Yu was taken aback. “I’ll have the director handle it, Jingche.”

“The issue has reached me personally. Better you go yourself, bring some gifts for the workers, show both the Li and Du families care for them.”

Du Yu glanced at Qin Jin in confusion. After all, it was Li Jingche’s birthday, and unless it was an emergency, all construction sites under his command had been closed for the day, with each worker receiving five thousand yuan as a bonus to celebrate.

Which site could still be working?

But Qin Jin quickly made a gesture, showing Du Yu to the back door. “Mr. Du, so as not to disturb the birthday banquet, please exit through the rear.”

He winked at Du Yu, who finally noticed the storm brewing on Li Jingche’s face.

His pale features were drawn tight, veins standing out on his hands, his voice harsh and tinged with suppressed anger.

Du Yu nodded awkwardly, but when he remembered Jian Qing, he paused before leaving, feeling compelled to remind Li Jingche:

“Jingche, this is my girlfriend’s first time at such a grand gathering. If she inadvertently offends anyone, I hope you’ll be forgiving. And… if anyone bullies her, please stand up for her. We’ll be grateful.”

Li Jingche, head bowed, eyes closed to quell his fury, slowly looked up at Du Yu and forced a cold smile.

“Don’t worry. I’ll care for her as I would my own wife.”

Especially tonight!

Jian Qing, you’d better not let me catch you turning this sham into reality!

As Li Jingche spoke, his hand unconsciously tightened, breaking off a piece of the mahogany railing.