"You dare take me, and I'll go," Night Wing said stubbornly.
Ji Zhixiu, of course, wouldn't take him. He knew Night Wing was just bluffing.
He glanced at Night Wing, saying nothing, yet Night Wing clearly perceived a dismissive look.
Jiang Mian offered each of them a slice of grilled pineapple, breaking their standoff. "Want some?"
They exchanged a look and quickly averted their gazes.
"Yes."
"Why not?"
Jiang Mian suppressed a smile, finding the two of them endearingly awkward.
After the meal, Jiang Mian and Ji Zhixiu returned to the old mansion.
Xiang Long was driving.
Jiang Mian hadn't seen Xiang Long in a while. Seeing him reminded her of Li Zhuyi.
She wondered how Li Zhuyi was doing in her absence.
With this thought, Jiang Mian asked, "Xiang Long, how has Zhuyi been lately?"
Xiang Long's grip on the steering wheel faltered almost imperceptibly.
In reality, Li Zhuyi had been in low spirits since being fired. Although the president had explained the reason and reinstated her, he had also instructed Xiang Long not to inform the young madam.
He paused for two seconds. "Zhuyi is doing well."
He wanted to add something, fearing his brevity might sound abrupt.
But Jiang Mian's expression had already relaxed. It was good that she was well.
Xiang Long glanced at the president in the rearview mirror. Their eyes met, a silent understanding passing between them.
Returning to the old mansion, Jiang Mian felt a sense of unreality, as if a lifetime had passed.
The servants, upon seeing her, remained polite and taciturn.
Jiang Mian, arm in arm with Ji Zhixiu, entered the living room. Mother Ji and others were seated on the sofa.
Upon seeing Jiang Mian, Old Master Ji chuckled and beckoned, "Mianmian, come here."
Jiang Mian obediently sat down next to the Old Master and sweetly said, "Grandpa."
"Ah, Zhixiu said you've been busy lately, filming outside. Have you lost weight? Are you too tired?"
She knew this was Ji Zhixiu's excuse and followed along.
Ji Zhixiu surveyed the living room and then asked, "Where is Ji Zhilan?"
Mother Ji looked up. "What are you looking for her for? She's in her room upstairs."
Ji Zhixiu didn't reply. He called a servant. "Tell the eldest young lady to come down. If she doesn't, tell her I'll go up."
The servant nodded. "Yes, young master."
Mother Ji had a premonition. Had this girl caused trouble again?
Ji Zhixiu looked at Jiang Mian. "Didn't you buy Grandpa some Xuan paper? Why don't you show it to him?"
Jiang Mian blinked, then understood his intention. "Then I'll help Grandpa to the study to see it."
Old Master Ji nodded repeatedly, as if unaware Ji Zhixiu was deliberately sending him away. "Good! Let's go!"
The living room soon became quiet.
Ji Zhilan, unwillingly, descended from upstairs.
Father Ji looked surprised. "What's wrong with Zhilan? Why does she look so upset?"
Ji Zhilan felt uneasy. Now that Jiang Mian was back, she should have expected this outcome.
But... for the sake of her siblings, her brother wouldn't do anything to her, would he?
She lowered her head and said softly, "Brother."
The living room was silent, and her heart was restless.
She dared not look up to see Ji Zhixiu's expression.
After a long moment, Ji Zhixiu scoffed. "I don't wish to have a sister like you."
Ji Zhilan's heart panicked. She suddenly looked up. "I was wrong, brother!"
Meeting his sharp, cold gaze, Ji Zhilan's heart suddenly felt hollow.
She had made a mistake! A huge mistake!
Fear made her instinctively seek help from Mother Ji. She burst into tears. "Mom, I was wrong! I was wrong! I truly know I was wrong! Save me! I shouldn't have helped Shen Tingyu harm Jiang Mian!"
Mother Ji was bewildered. "What's going on? What happened?"
"Wuwuwuwu... Shen Tingyu wanted to be my sister-in-law! She asked me to get some of Jiang Mian's personal items, so I gave her the teacup Jiang Mian left here last time she slept over! She cast a spell on Jiang Mian, wanting to replace her! Jiang Mian hasn't been seen for so long because she was taken away by her, wuwuwuwu... Wuwuwuwu! Mom, I truly know I was wrong! I'll never dare again!"
She spilled everything like pouring beans from a can, not daring to look at Ji Zhixiu's expression.
Mother Ji was stunned. The person who had abducted Jiang Mian was Shen Tingyu, and her daughter had been an accomplice!
Father Ji was even more shocked and speechless.
For a moment, the only sound in the living room was Ji Zhilan's sobbing.
No one spoke. Ji Zhilan was terrified.
Mother Ji's face darkened. "Ji Zhilan! Didn't I tell you long ago to stay away from Shen Tingyu? Why didn't you listen!"
Ji Zhilan trembled slightly. "Mom..."
"Don't call me Mom!"
Mother Ji was furious and her head hurt. Between her two children, she had always doted on Zhilan more.
Her daughter was more affectionate and clung to her more than her son. Mother Ji had to admit she poured more affection into her daughter than her son.
But now, perhaps she had spoiled her, leading to this.
A throbbing pain in her temples, Mother Ji waved her hand wearily. "You don't need to consider me. Do as you please, Zhixiu."
She didn't want to get involved and wouldn't plead for her daughter.
Ji Zhilan was utterly panicked. "Mom... Dad..."
Ji Zhixiu's eyes were cold. "I will arrange for Ji Zhilan to go abroad."
He had said that if Ji Zhilan did not repent, he would send her abroad.
"No! Don't, brother!" Ji Zhilan didn't want to go abroad. Life would be unfamiliar and difficult elsewhere. Who would coddle her? It wouldn't be as comfortable as home.
"It's my fault for betraying sister-in-law, but hasn't she returned? Can I apologize to her?" Ji Zhilan pleaded.
Seeing Ji Zhixiu unmoved, Ji Zhilan felt despair. "I'll tell Grandpa! Grandpa surely won't bear to see me go abroad!"
Ji Zhixiu offered a mocking smile. "If you anger Grandpa to the point of illness, Ji Zhilan, then you can get out of the Ji family."
This statement completely cut off her last retreat.
Ji Zhilan had no memory of how she returned to her room.
A servant stood at the door, reminding her, "Eldest young lady, the young master said you should prepare some things to take with you. There's nothing abroad."
Ji Zhilan suddenly came to her senses and snarled, "Get out!"
The servant was startled and quickly retreated from the room.
Downstairs.
Ji Zhixiu said, "There's one more thing I need to tell you."
Mother Ji waved her hand, her expression dazed. "Go on."
She felt she could accept any news now.
She felt her psychological resilience had been tested.
Ji Zhixiu's eyes held a faint smile. "Mianmian is pregnant."
Mother Ji was overjoyed and sat up straight from the sofa. "What did you say?"
Ji Zhixiu rubbed his nose. "I said, you're going to be a grandmother."
Mother Ji's smile couldn't be contained. "Good! Wonderful! This is indeed good news! Do you want to move back? I can take care of her? Do you have enough people at the villa? Should we hire more servants? I'll have the servants make more good food for her to supplement her diet."
Her rapid-fire questions showed her elation.
Ji Zhixiu: "We're not coming back. There are people at the villa. Mom doesn't need to worry."
Mother Ji wasn't disappointed that they weren't returning. Young people naturally preferred to live on their own.
She nodded. "Okay, I understand."
She found her phone. "I need to make a call."
Father Ji was also clearly pleased, though he said little. Seeing her reach for the phone, he snorted, "What are you calling for at this hour?"
Mother Ji was in a good mood and didn't bother arguing with him.
She dialed. Mother Ji said with a smile, "Hello, yes, it's me. Lu Cong ran off again? Don't worry for now."
"I have some big happy news to tell you! I'm also going to be a grandmother soon!"
"Thank you, thank you, you're too kind. Yes, yes, hahaha! What do you think we should name it?"
They talked with increasing enthusiasm, but Mother Ji eventually ended the call.
She still had to call Mother Chang.
Ji Zhixiu sat to the side, somewhat resigned, but as long as Mother Ji was happy, that was all that mattered.
This happy news instantly enlivened the atmosphere.
During lunch, Mother Ji kept piling food onto Jiang Mian's plate, fearing she wouldn't eat enough.
Ji Zhixiu glanced at the mountain of food in her bowl and frowned. "Mom, you've put too much. She can't finish it."
Mother Ji glanced at him sideways. "Then you eat it. It's not shameful to eat your wife's leftovers. Cherish food."
Ji Zhixiu: "..."
He transferred the uneaten food from Jiang Mian's bowl to his own and then said, "Eat."
Old Master Ji watched this scene with deep satisfaction. His greatest wish was for his family to be together and well.
After the meal, Mother Ji pointed to items on the sofa. "Take it all with you. It's for my grandson."
Jiang Mian looked over. The sofa was covered in baby items...
Ji Zhixiu was speechless. He hadn't expected his mother to be so efficient, sending so much within the span of a meal.
However, it was the elders' kind gesture.
Jiang Mian smiled. "Thank you, Mom."
"You're welcome. Take care of yourself and try not to worry too much. You shouldn't be filming for a while." Mother Ji said.
Jiang Mian inwardly grumbled. She had her own plans for her work.
She hadn't appeared in public for a long time, and it would be difficult to stay away any longer.
Since she was still in the early stages of pregnancy, she could still move around. Jiang Mian thought that if there were suitable jobs, she might consider them.
However, she didn't say anything, not wanting to upset Mother Ji. She nodded obediently.
Seeing her so sensible, Mother Ji was very pleased.
They loaded the bags and packages into the car and said goodbye to Mother Ji and the others.
On the way back, Jiang Mian leaned into Ji Zhixiu's embrace.
She felt a little sleepy, her voice languid. "Since I'm pregnant, I feel like your mom's eyes light up when she looks at me."
Although Mother Ji had never treated her badly, she hadn't been this warm before.
Now that Jiang Mian had experienced it, she felt quite flattered.
Ji Zhixiu chuckled, lowered his head to kiss her brow, and said in a deep, seductive voice, "It's okay. She loves the baby. Your husband loves you."
Jiang Mian's heart felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey.
She hugged his waist tightly and smiled faintly. "I love you too."
As they got out of the car, they saw Shen Muyuan standing at the entrance.
After a long absence, Shen Muyuan's gaze fell on Jiang Mian.
He had rushed over as soon as he received the news. Seeing Jiang Mian standing there safe and sound, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Ji Zhixiu looked at him impassively. "Come in and sit."
Jiang Mian, however, offered him a slight smile.