Ji Lanruo was not angry at all.
She had not expected this man to say such things to save her.
In her heart, Song Xingjia was dignified and upright, like a gentleman.
She had paid attention to Song Xingjia for so many years and understood his character the best.
There was once a minor celebrity in the industry who publicly exposed that she had been treated unfairly by the female lead during a collaboration on set.
At that time, Song Xingjia was the male lead of this drama.
He could have stayed out of it and had no need to get involved.
But he stepped forward to speak for the female lead.
Needless to say, this incident greatly affected his reputation.
At that time, all netizens, driven by public opinion, cursed him for not caring about the minor celebrity’s fate in order to protect the female lead.
It wasn't until later that the female lead released a sensational video that the truth of the matter was revealed.
It turned out that the so-called minor celebrity had an affair with the female lead’s husband, and they intended to ruin her reputation, hence the slander.
Song Xingjia's decisive action at that time brought immense help to the female lead.
Such an upright person could actually be a good liar one day.
Ji Lanruo had an indescribable feeling.
She knew that Song Xingjia had done this for her.
She felt a sweetness in her heart: "I'm not angry."
Song Yan breathed a sigh of relief, "It's good that you're not angry. Miss Ji, would you like something to eat? I'll get it for you."
...
Ji Lanruo was not seriously injured, but under Song Xingjia's insistence, she stayed in the hospital for two days.
The next day, she saw the news that the third son of the gambling king had caused trouble in a bar and injured his vital organ during a fight, making it likely he would not appear in public for a long time.
When Song Xingjia came to see her, Ji Lanruo looked up at him intently: "Did you do it?"
Song Xingjia raised an eyebrow, "What are you talking about?"
Initially, she was only three-tenths sure, but now Ji Lanruo was a hundred percent certain that Song Xingjia must have done it.
She smiled, a knowing smile, "It's nothing. I think I can be discharged."
"Tomorrow," Song Xingjia said.
He specifically kept her for two more days to observe if there were any residual effects of the drug in Ji Lanruo's body.
Seeing her lively and well now, he was relieved.
Ji Lanruo nodded, "As you say."
"I brought you some dishes made by our housekeeper. You can try them."
Song Xingjia opened the lunchbox.
Ji Lanruo took it with both hands, "Then thank you."
The next day.
Song Yan came to pick up Ji Lanruo from the hospital.
Before Ji Lanruo could ask, Song Yan said, "President Song is a bit busy today, so only I came to pick up Miss Ji."
Ji Lanruo hid the disappointment in her eyes, "I understand."
Her bones were aching from lying down for two days, so Ji Lanruo stretched.
She chatted with Song Yan as they talked, "Are you also very busy following him?"
Song Yan, carrying the packed belongings, said, "No, President Song is a very good person. I actually have days off. I have weekends off every week. The reason I'm still here today is that I'm used to following President Song. If I were suddenly given leave, I wouldn't know what to do."
Ji Lanruo teased him, "What, you still don't have a girlfriend?"
Song Yan blushed, "I'm still young. As long as I can stay by President Song's side, that's enough. Our President Song doesn't have a girlfriend yet, so I'm not in a hurry."
Finally, they had reached a topic that Ji Lanruo was interested in.
She asked casually, "He's so old and still doesn't have a partner... is there something wrong?"
Song Yan repeatedly shook his head, "Please don't misunderstand, Miss Ji. I dare say, there are many people in Hong Kong who like our President Song. Those young ladies from prominent families, upon seeing our President Song, would all wish to cling to him."
He mumbled softly, "It's just that our President Song isn't interested in them."
At the same time, he secretly thought, how could President Song be old!
He was clearly a mature man! He was a role model for Song Yan to learn from.
Ji Lanruo hesitated. Although she knew Song Xingjia had always maintained his integrity in the industry,
But a man in his thirties who had never dated, could there be some problem in that area?
Carrying this question, Ji Lanruo couldn't help but look at Song Xingjia with more scrutiny that evening.
Song Xingjia handed her some snacks he had bought on the way, raising an eyebrow, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Ji Lanruo met his gaze boldly, "Song Xingjia, do you have some hidden illness?"
Song Xingjia paused for a second, raised his hand to rub his forehead, and said in a gentle voice, "Did Song Yan say something to you again?"
Ji Lanruo shook her head, absolutely unwilling to betray her accomplice, "Not at all. I was just curious and wanted to ask. I heard you've never dated before."
"I have dated," Song Xingjia corrected her.
He was a man in his thirties and a normal man. How could he not have dated?
Ji Lanruo's eyes widened, and she suddenly felt a pang of discomfort, "When was that?"
If he had dated, she had no reason not to know.
Seeing her probing demeanor, Song Xingjia said helplessly, "It was a long time ago, in high school."
Adolescent infatuation, not understanding what love was, led to a natural parting of ways in the end.
Later, he simply lost interest in that aspect.
Especially after spending so long in the industry, he had seen too much and understood the true nature of the industry, which further diminished his desire to date.
Fans, however, were ecstatic. If he didn't date, he wouldn't have scandals, and the star would focus on his career.
Ji Lanruo understood, "So it's not that you're incapable."
Song Xingjia: ...
He wasn't angry at all, just said calmly, "It seems Song Yan has corrupted you."
Ji Lanruo, fearing he would scold Song Yan, quickly took the blame, "It's not his fault. I wanted to know myself."
"Okay, let's not talk about this. I'll take you out to eat."
Ji Lanruo nodded, "Then wait for me."
She did not hide her little schemes at all.
Song Xingjia waited for her outside, while she calmly applied light makeup and then changed into a dress.
Finally, she walked out, lifted the hem of her skirt, and twirled in front of Song Xingjia, "Do I look good?"
Song Xingjia looked up. She was wearing a yellow dress with a very artistic design.
The neckline and hem were intricately patterned, and the drawstring waist made her already slender waist appear even more captivating. She exuded a youthful and sweet aura.
Like the colors of spring outside the window.
Therefore, he praised her without reservation, "Beautiful."
Ji Lanruo was very satisfied, and slinging her small purse over her shoulder, she said, "Let's go."
Song Xingjia had booked a table at an authentic Hong Kong cuisine restaurant.
The restaurant had an open design.
From the balcony on the second floor, one could see the vast sea and the lighthouse.
Song Xingjia had already reserved a table. As soon as they sat down,
a voice rang out: "Isn't this President Song and his fiancée?"
Song Xingjia looked up, and the surprise on his face flashed away instantly, "I didn't expect to see you here."
Pei Qianshan chuckled, and his sharp eyes swept over Ji Lanruo, "It's quite a coincidence. If President Song doesn't mind, shall I treat you two to a meal?"
Ji Lanruo stood up, took Song Xingjia's arm, and said playfully, "We already agreed it was just the two of us."
Song Xingjia turned his head and smiled dotingly, "Whatever you say."
With an apologetic look, he faced Pei Qianshan directly, "As Elder Pei sees, my fiancée is shy and not good at socializing. I'm afraid it would be a waste of Elder Pei's kind offer."
Pei Qianshan's gaze flickered between the two of them.
The atmosphere suddenly became tense.
Pei Qianshan said calmly, "Young President Song is not giving me face, is he?"
He called him "Young President Song" which was clearly a reminder to Song Xingjia that there was a "President Song" above him, implying he should be mindful of his status.
A hint of displeasure flickered in Ji Lanruo's eyes, and she tightened her grip on Song Xingjia's arm.
Her voice was arrogant, "Who are you? Why should I give you face? You're old enough to be a third wheel to a young couple, aren't you ashamed?"
Her demeanor was that of a girlfriend thoroughly spoiled by Song Xingjia.
Indeed, a hint of disdain flashed across Pei Qianshan's face.
"Ah, I forgot. The two of you are still in love."
With that, he snorted coldly and said to his subordinate, "Let's go."
As Pei Qianshan walked away, Song Xingjia gave Ji Lanruo an approving look, "You did very well just now."
Ji Lanruo tilted her head up, "Really? I wouldn't be polite to him."
She had recognized the man as the gambling king earlier, and thinking of his son's despicable actions, Ji Lanruo naturally had no good feelings towards him.
Song Xingjia hummed, "He was testing me."
To see if it was true that Ji Lanruo was indeed his fiancée, as he had claimed.
If so, Pei Qianshan would not dare to lay a hand on Ji Lanruo, even for his son's sake.
He hadn't expected Ji Lanruo to react so quickly and cleverly.
"Let's eat," Song Xingjia said, subtly changing the subject.
The young woman was holding onto him a bit too enthusiastically.
Ji Lanruo naturally let go of his arm and sat down.
Other than that small interlude at the beginning, the meal was very pleasant.
Ji Lanruo realized that even after only a few encounters, this man had completely grasped her preferences.
This showed how perceptive he was.
After the meal, Song Xingjia went to the restroom.
Ji Lanruo received a call. On the other end, Ji Lanyu said, "Little sister, when are you coming back?"
Ji Lanruo rested her chin on her hand, waiting for Song Xingjia, and replied perfunctorily, "Soon, what's the rush?"
Ji Lanyu was amused and exasperated, "I told you, don't get too carried away playing outside. Big brother is getting married, are you really not coming back?"
Ji Lanruo was startled, "What did you say? When did that happen? How come I don't know?"
"You've been away for so long, of course you wouldn't know. Mom arranged this partner, and big brother likes her very much."
Ji Lanyu didn't mean to blame his younger sister. The reason they brothers worked so hard was so that their little sister could live a happy and carefree life.
A couple of months ago, their mother had been unwell and had to go to the hospital. They hadn't told their little sister the news.
What was the point of telling her? It would only make her worry unnecessarily.
But this time, their little sister had been away for too long, and everyone at home missed her dearly.
Coincidentally, their big brother was about to get married, so Ji Lanyu made this call.
Ji Lanruo bit her lip upon hearing this. Her big brother had always been so good to her; of course, she had to go back for such an event.
She made a decision within a few breaths, "I understand. I'll be back in a couple of days."
Hearing her say that, Ji Lanyu nodded and instructed her, "Okay, call me when you arrive. I'll pick you up."
After hanging up the phone, Ji Lanruo looked at Song Xingjia, who had returned, and said, "Let's go for a walk. We don't need Song Yan to drive us."
Song Xingjia naturally respected her decision, "Okay."
The summer in Hong Kong was natural and peaceful.
As they walked along the street corner, Ji Lanruo walked slowly. She noticed that Song Xingjia also matched her pace and walked slowly.
The warm breeze blew on their faces, not only failing to alleviate the heat but rather igniting a bit of fire in their hearts.
Ji Lanruo called out to him, "Song Xingjia."
"Tell me," his voice was light and gentle, bringing a sense of peace to her heart.
Song Yan drove the car, following them at a not-too-close distance.
She suddenly stopped.
Song Yan, who was behind them, widened his eyes in shock.
Ji Lanruo looked at Song Xingjia, their gazes meeting in the air.
Ji Lanruo had seen his face many times and remembered it by heart.
She had followed every drama, every event of Song Xingjia, and even paid people to boost his fan numbers.
There were posters of Song Xingjia at home, though she had torn them down later.
But in the days when she wasn't his fan, she hadn't been a fan of anyone else either.
She didn't know when the feelings between a fan and an idol had transformed.
How to put it? It seemed to have started from the moment she first saw him.
Those feelings that she had suppressed for so long had already taken root and blossomed in her heart.
Ji Lanruo had never done anything like this in her life; she had always been the one confessed to.
The evening breeze lifted the hem of her skirt, creating ripples that stirred the calm waters in her heart. Heaven knew how nervous she was right now!
She thought, Song Xingjia must like her, even a little bit. She was willing to give it a try.
"Song Xingjia, I like you."