The next morning, Jiang Mian headed to the company.
She tapped on the office door with her fingers and heard a "Come in" almost immediately.
Jiang Mian pushed the door open. Ye Yi sat in his office chair, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Long time no see."
Jiang Mian smiled and sat down. "Long time no see."
Across the desk, Ye Yi greedily traced her features in his mind.
He then sat up straight. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have left you alone back then."
Jiang Mian shook her head. "It's fine, what does it have to do with you. If anyone's to blame, it's the one who schemed to take me away."
Mentioning this, Ye Yi frowned, his face turning serious. "Do you know who it was?"
Jiang Mian replied, "No, my eyes were covered the whole time, I knew nothing."
Ye Yi asked, "How did you get back?"
Jiang Mian said, "I ran back on my own. While those people weren't paying attention."
Ye Yi nodded thoughtfully. "Let's not talk about this. Congratulations on winning the award. I haven't congratulated you yet."
Jiang Mian licked her lips. "I was actually planning to talk to you about work. I intend to take a break for a while."
"You can. Take care of yourself. Come back to see Sister Ning when you're feeling better."
"Okay, I'll head back then."
Despite his reluctance, Ye Yi nodded. "Go ahead."
"Oh, right, I've canceled the face cream endorsement for you."
Jiang Mian paused with her hand on the doorknob and turned around. "It's good that it's canceled, so as not to delay the brand."
Ye Yi gave a noncommittal hum. "Go back and get some good rest."
Jiang Mian returned home to find Ji Zhixiu absent.
She called out, "Aunt Song."
Aunt Song ran out from the kitchen, wiping her hands. "What is it, young madam?"
"Do you know which pet store the dried fish snacks were sent to?"
Aunt Song shook her head. "I'm not sure about that, young madam. The young master took them himself."
"Okay, that's all. You can get back to your work."
After dismissing Aunt Song, Jiang Mian went upstairs.
Ji Zhixiu didn't return until ten in the evening.
Jiang Mian was lying in bed waiting for him, with a warm yellow light on by the bedside.
Hearing movement, Jiang Mian put down her phone. "You're back?"
Ji Zhixiu took off his coat. "Still awake? There's a new project at the company. Sorry, it took some time. You don't have to wait for me next time, just go to sleep."
Jiang Mian curved her lips into a smile. "I know you're busy, I wasn't deliberately waiting for you."
Ji Zhixiu chuckled. "Alright, I'll go take a shower first."
After showering, Ji Zhixiu lifted the quilt and lay down.
Jiang Mian reached out and hugged his waist.
Ji Zhixiu closed his eyes. "Goodnight."
Jiang Mian bit her lip. "Goodnight."
...
Jing Yiyi chose one of the most expensive French restaurants in Kyoto.
It was located in the tallest building in the city center, offering a panoramic view of the cityscape below.
Ye Yi unfolded his napkin.
Jing Yiyi turned to the waiter. "A glass of aperitif, please."
The waiter presented the menu. "Certainly, madam. Is there anything else you would like?"
Jing Yiyi looked down at the menu. "This, this, and two portions of this..."
After ordering, she returned the menu to the waiter.
Her actions were smooth and efficient. Ye Yi raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to ask me?"
Jing Yiyi puffed out her chest. "Aren't you treating me to dinner? Naturally, I get to choose the dishes. You'll eat whatever I pick."
"Fine," Ye Yi said, rendered speechless.
Jing Yiyi raised her glass. "A toast to you."
Ye Yi raised his glass as well. "A toast to you too, thank you for the clues you provided."
Jing Yiyi smiled. "But Jiang Mian didn't find her way back because of my clues."
Ye Yi replied, "That doesn't matter. What matters is that she's back."
"Yes, what matters is that she's back," Jing Yiyi murmured to herself.
She then drained her glass and refilled it. "Let's keep drinking! Anyway, congratulations."
Ye Yi frowned, looking at her suspiciously. "Can you hold your liquor?"
"Who do you think you are looking down on? Last time it was because they ganged up on me, that's why I got drunk..." she blurted out.
Hearing her mention last time, both of them froze.
The scene at the club last time was still vivid in their minds.
She remembered her awkward feelings then, and it was from that moment on.
Jing Yiyi gradually realized that she felt differently about Ye Yi, always having subtle expectations of him.
Ye Yi curved his lips. "Alright, you're amazing. Come, let's drink."
Their glasses clinked.
Jing Yiyi smiled particularly happily.
By the latter half of the meal, Jing Yiyi was quite drunk. Her eyes were hazy, and she held up two fingers in front of his eyes. "Why are there so many of you?"
Ye Yi said, "You're drunk. I'll take you home."
Jing Yiyi shook her head frantically. "No, I'm not drunk. I have a question for you."
"Ask away."
Jing Yiyi gazed at him with a tipsy smile. "Ye Yi, are we friends?"
"Yes," he answered without hesitation.
"Yes, it's good we are. It's fine to be friends." Having gotten the answer she wanted, Jing Yiyi wobbled to her feet.
"Alright, let's go back."
Ye Yi stood up. "Can you walk?"
"Yes, I can," Jing Yiyi said, fearing he wouldn't believe her. She twirled, lifting her skirt.
The next second, she lost her balance and was about to fall. Ye Yi quickly caught her.
It was hard to believe her words in her current state.
Ye Yi frowned. "I'll help you."
"Okay," Jing Yiyi said, putting her arm around his shoulder.
As they walked out, she stopped again.
Ye Yi asked, "What's wrong?"
Jing Yiyi let out a hiccup, tilted her head up, and looked somewhat innocent. "I... I forgot my bag..."
Ye Yi instructed, "Wait here. I'll go get it for you."
Jing Yiyi nodded obediently. "Okay."
Ye Yi returned to their table and found her handbag. He soon came back and helped her again. "Got it. Let's go."
"Oh, oh, oh, okay."
After sending Jing Yiyi home, Ye Yi returned to his own place alone.
Upon arriving home, he saw a message from Jing Yiyi on his phone.
Jing Yiyi: [Thank you for the treat today. I'm already in bed.]
Ye Yi: [Remember to drink some hangover soup. Don't push yourself next time if you can't handle it.]
After sending the message, he received no reply.
Ye Yi looked up at the ceiling and waited for a while. When he was sure there would be no response, he picked up his clothes and went into the bathroom.
Meanwhile, at the Jing residence.
Jing Yiyi held her phone, repeatedly looking at Ye Yi's message.
After a long pause, she murmured to herself, "I can handle my liquor just fine."
She knew her own drinking capacity best.
She had merely pretended to be drunk to test Ye Yi's attitude. Since he said they were friends,
Did that mean he wasn't so resistant to her as a person? Was there still potential for their relationship to develop further?
Thinking of this, Jing Yiyi felt revitalized.
She happily called out to the outside, "Auntie, please make me a glass of honey water!"