After the divorce, my ex-husband's cousin tricked me into getting a marriage certificate.

Qi Muci was greatly surprised, and smiled, "This is truly unexpected."

Qiao Ran: "However, they just had a meal together, and there may not be any progress, after all, their statuses are very different."

Qi Muci: "That's not necessarily true. If you really like someone, you won't care about those things."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Ran looked at Qi Muci and asked him with a smile, "When you married me, did you consider my background? Also, we're not on the same level in the industry."

"You are an international movie star."

"So what if he's an international movie star? It's just an empty title," Qi Muci glanced at her with a smile. "I haven't thought about those things. I just want to be with you. What about you? Do you have a lot of concerns?"

Qiao Ran pursed her lips. "A little."

Qi Muci: "Is it still available now?"

Qiao Ran: "No, now being with you feels like being with family. I think more about cherishing the days we spend together. Nothing else matters. There's no need to think so much and waste my energy."

Qi Muci smiled and said, "That's right, keep this idea in mind and don't change it."

Qiao Ran: "What? Are you afraid I'll change something?"

Qi Muci: "I'm not afraid, because I'm confident I can keep you thinking this way."

Qiao Ran's lips curved into a smile, and after a while, she sighed softly.

Qi Muci turned to look at her and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you sighing?"

Qiao Ran pouted and said in a coquettish voice, "I envy Mengmeng. How come she got pregnant so quickly? Why isn't my belly showing any signs? Could there be something wrong with my body?"

Qi Muci was taken aback for a moment, then comforted her, "No, we both had physical exams, and the doctors said there were no problems."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Am I not working hard enough? Of course I am. Starting tonight, I will work even harder."

Qiao Ran thought for a moment, "Well, let's try harder then. I'll talk to Aunt Lin again when we get back tonight and ask her to start making soup for you from tomorrow. We can't fall behind Mengmeng and Big Brother."

Qi Muci laughed, "Are you sure you want to make soup for me? Actually, it's okay if you don't make soup, I'm just afraid of tiring you out."

Qiao Ran: "I'm not the one doing the physical labor, so why should I be tired?"

Qi Muci smiled meaningfully, "Alright, you said it, but don't beg for mercy later."

Meanwhile, when Ding Ding arrived at the restaurant, she discovered that Lin Mengchuan was also there.

When Xu Qing saw Ding Ding dressed up, a hint of amazement flashed in her eyes. It really is true that clothes make the man.

As he pulled out a chair for Dingding, he complimented her, "You look beautiful in this outfit tonight. Did Miss Zhao give it to you?"

Ding Ding glanced at Lin Mengchuan and sat down.

He deliberately retorted to Xu Qing, "Are you saying that the clothes are nice, but the person is ugly?"

Xu Qing quickly said, "They all look good. The clothes are beautiful, but you are even more beautiful."

Lin Mengchuan glanced at Xu Qing and cursed inwardly, "What a spineless coward."

He took a cigarette from the pack and prepared to light it.

"Smoking is not allowed here," Ding Ding stopped them.

Lin Mengchuan beckoned the manager over, "Can I smoke?"

The manager glanced at Xu Qing and replied to Lin Mengchuan with a smile, "You may smoke, Young Master Lin, please feel free to do as you please."

Ding Ding was furious and asked the manager, "Are you serious? Didn't you know that smoking is prohibited in the restaurant?"

The manager's expression was worse than if he were crying; he didn't know how to answer.

Xu Qing waved for the manager to leave, then explained to Ding Ding, "Actually, this restaurant is owned by my dad, so..."

Ding Ding was a little surprised, but she still insisted, "Even if it's your family's business, you can't do whatever you want. Other customers follow the rules of your restaurant, but you, as family members, don't?"

"Didn't your teachers teach you this when you were in school? We should always start with ourselves."

"Well said!" came a voice of praise from behind. Ding Ding turned around and saw a man in his fifties walking over.

The man was followed by a group of men of similar age.

Xu Qing quickly stood up, "Dad."

Ding Ding paused for a moment, then stood up, bowed, and greeted him, "Hello, Uncle, I'm sorry to bother you."

Xu Lang scrutinized Ding Ding for a moment, then smiled and said, "Hello, welcome to our restaurant. Are you Xu Qing's girlfriend?"

Ding Ding smiled and shook her head, "No, Uncle, we're just ordinary friends, like brothers."

Xu Lang looked somewhat disappointed. "What a pity. I thought my son had a girlfriend, because you are the first girl he brought here to eat. He used to say that if he had someone he liked, he would bring her here to eat."

Ding Ding looked at Xu Qing in surprise.

Xu Qing blushed deeply. "Dad, I was just kidding. Don't scare my friend. Didn't you see Meng Chuan is here too? If I were on a date with my girlfriend, why would I invite him along, right? Haha..."

Xu Lang looked at Lin Mengchuan, who was sitting in a chair playing with a cigarette, and said, "Mengchuan, I've heard about your father's situation. Please accept my condolences."

"Thank you," Lin Mengchuan replied in a muffled voice.

Xu Lang didn't mind Lin Mengchuan's rude attitude. He turned to Ding Ding and said with a smile, "Then you guys eat more. I'll go with my clients now. Come again when you have time. Our restaurant's hot pot is pretty good."

Dingding smiled brightly, "Thank you, Uncle. I'll eat more later, and I'll bring my friends next time."

Xu Lang smiled and nodded, then called to his son, "Come with me for a moment."

Xu Qing waved to the manager, "Serve the food."

Then he followed his father for a few steps.

Xu Lang leaned close to Xu Qing's ear and asked, "What do this girl's parents do? Does she have a job?"

Xu Qing: "Dad, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. Ding Ding's family is just an ordinary family. She's not some rich heiress. She's a celebrity agent, you know? She's the agent of celebrities. She works at Nebula International."

"By the way, you and my mom definitely know the artist she manages, it's that child star Qiao Ran."

Xu Lang was overjoyed. "She's Qiao Ran's manager? Could you ask her to help us get some autographed photos or something to put in our store as a perk for our customers, or invite Qiao Ran here for a meal?"

Xu Qing: "Then I'll find a chance to ask about it later?"

Xu Lang: "Ask him, you should also generate some revenue for our restaurant, instead of just coming here to eat and drink for free."

Xu Qing: "I didn't eat and drink for free, didn't I put it on your tab?"

Xu Lang glared at her, "You deserve a beating... Seriously, this girl looks cheerful to me, and your grandma likes girls who look cheerful. She's much better than your internet celebrity girlfriends. Think about it."

Xu Qing: "Dad, he's a respectable person."

Xu Lang: "Isn't that even better? You should find a wife who is respectable like this. We'll wait for your good news."

While Xu Qing was talking to her father, Ding Ding kicked Lin Mengchuan from under the table.

Lin Mengchuan stared at her in astonishment: "What are you doing?"

Ding Ding crossed her arms over her chest, glared at her, and said, "Didn't your family teach you to greet your elders? Not greeting them is one thing, but what kind of attitude is that when elders talk to you?"

Lin Mengchuan squinted at Ding Ding, "Are you lecturing me?"

Ding Ding: "What's wrong with teaching you a lesson? I'd like to hit you too. If you were my son, I'd slap you across the face."

When Xu Qing returned and heard Ding Ding's words, she broke out in a cold sweat.

He held his breath and looked at Lin Mengchuan.