Ji Zhi Xiu's car had been parked downstairs from Jiang Mian's dormitory for half an hour.
He gazed up at the brightly lit room, a rare hesitation creeping into his expression.
Dormitory.
Ji Lan Ruo sprayed some perfume on herself and checked in the mirror. "Sisters, I won't be back tonight. My brother is picking me up to go to a concert. See you tomorrow."
Jiang Mian smiled. "You're always restless. Don't forget to come back and revise your thesis."
Ji Lan Ruo's smile faltered slightly before she pouted. "Tomorrow's problems can wait until tomorrow. If only I were like you, getting it right on the first try."
Wen Su came out with a basin of water to water the flowers on the balcony. She paused and then exclaimed, "Look quickly, there's a man downstairs! So handsome! And the license plate is four eights!"
"Where, where? Let me see!" Zhang Duo Duo immediately jumped off the bed and poked her head out. "Holy cow! Who is he waiting for downstairs! You guys, come look!"
When Wen Su mentioned how handsome he was, Jiang Mian already had a bad feeling. Upon hearing the license plate number, she was completely certain.
Without a doubt, she knew Ji Zhi Xiu was here for her.
She feigned composure and glanced at Ji Lan Ruo. "Aren't you going out for a concert? I'll give you a ride, no need to go."
With that, she pushed Ji Lan Ruo towards the door.
"Hey..." Ji Lan Ruo's half-formed "Why give a ride when it's so close?" got stuck in her throat.
Her brother was waiting for her downstairs.
The one picking up Ji Lan Ruo was Ji Lan Yu. It should have been Ji Lan Ruo's eldest brother, but Ji Lan Yu was afraid that if the eldest brother didn't come, Jiang Mian would overthink it and feel uncomfortable.
It was better for him to be forthright and pick her up himself.
Jiang Mian walked Ji Lan Ruo downstairs and exchanged a glance with Ji Lan Yu.
There was still a slight chill in the evening air. Jiang Mian had come downstairs on impulse, still wearing a thin long-sleeved shirt. Ji Lan Yu's eyes flickered. He offered a polite, perfunctory smile, opened the car door for Ji Lan Ruo, and said to Jiang Mian, "Let's go. You should head back upstairs."
"Okay, have fun."
"Bye-bye!"
After they left.
Jiang Mian walked a few steps unhurriedly, the car behind her following at a moderate distance.
When they were far enough from the women's dormitory, Jiang Mian abruptly yanked open the car door and slid into the passenger seat. "What do you want, Mr. Ji?"
Ji Zhi Xiu felt that Jiang Mian, like this, was no different from a puffed-up little dried fish at home – she needed to be coaxed.
"You haven't seen your son in so long, don't you miss him?" Ji Zhi Xiu said slowly.
Son was Jiang Mian's nickname for the dried fish. Ji Zhi Xiu had always scoffed at it. He certainly didn't want a cat to be his son.
Now, he even used "son" to refer to the dried fish.
Jiang Mian's heart softened, and she turned her head. "I can go pick him up."
"You gave him to me, so the dried fish belongs to me now," she emphasized heavily.
Ji Zhi Xiu nodded. "Okay, come here, I'll show you him."
He made a move as if to take out his phone.
Jiang Mian immediately turned her face back, her head leaning forward. She hadn't tied her hair today, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes sparkled like stars as she waited for Ji Zhi Xiu to find photos of him on his phone.
Ji Zhi Xiu's long arm suddenly wrapped around her head and pulled her into his chest. He lowered his head, his voice seductive. "He belongs to you, and you belong to me, hmm?"
Jiang Mian could clearly hear his powerful heartbeat.
"Thump—thump—"
"I saw him just now, that person was your roommate's brother."
Ji Lan Yu and Ji Lan Ruo looked very much alike; it was obvious they were siblings.
"So?"
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lost my temper with you." Ji Zhi Xiu cupped Jiang Mian's face in his palm.
The girl's cheeks were fair and tender, her skin as smooth as silk, and felt wonderful to the touch. Ji Zhi Xiu's fingertips brushed against the soft flesh of her cheeks. His warm breath sprayed onto her neck, sending a tingly sensation through Jiang Mian.
She didn't say anything.
"Regarding the bracelet, I spoke to Shen Ting Yu. Although she didn't admit it, I know she must have seen my design sketches."
"So, please don't be angry anymore, okay? I said it was unique, and it will never be made for anyone else." He asked in a low voice, genuinely coaxing her with humility.
Jiang Mian clutched the hem of his clothes, tilting her head up slightly. "Ji Zhi Xiu, do you understand the issues between us?"
She wanted to achieve a new breakthrough with Ji Zhi Xiu.
Even though they were legally married now, Jiang Mian knew that perhaps one day, they might go their separate ways.
Jiang Mian knew this, and she didn't want it to happen, so she was willing to put in the effort in this relationship.
Ji Zhi Xiu's heart melted completely. He pulled Jiang Mian into his embrace. "I know."
It was precisely because he wanted to keep Jiang Mian by his side forever that he didn't want to announce it to the world.
Becoming his wife was easy; he just had to like her.
Becoming a member of the Ji family was not so simple; it required too much.
He just wanted Jiang Mian to live a simple and happy life.
"Not being able to give you a sense of security means I don't love you enough." This was the first time Ji Zhi Xiu had said the word "love."
Jiang Mian's eyes welled up. She hugged him back tightly. "It's okay, having you say that is enough."
Ji Zhi Xiu couldn't stand seeing Jiang Mian like this. He lifted her chin. "Don't cry. Shall I take you back to see your son?"
Jiang Mian's tears turned into a smile. "No, I can't leave. I have an appointment with my professor tomorrow."
Ji Zhi Xiu took off his suit jacket and draped it over her. "Then shall I take you back? Get some rest early."
She nodded. "Okay."
"Shall I pick you up tomorrow?"
"Okay."
Ji Zhi Xiu watched Jiang Mian walk inside.
Zhang Duo Duo, wearing a face mask on her bed, saw Jiang Mian finally return and lifted the bed curtain. "I almost thought you'd gotten lost sending Lan Ruo off. Why are you back so late?"
Wen Su was working on her wool felt craft. She looked up at Jiang Mian and exclaimed in surprise, "Mian Mian! You're wearing a suit jacket! A man's suit jacket. Did you go on a date with your husband?"
"Shh, keep your voice down." Jiang Mian closed the door, her watery eyes brimming with smiles. "We just met."
"Tsk, a woman nourished by love is different. So sweet."
"Kicking over the dog food."
Jiang Mian raised her eyebrows and didn't respond. "You two aren't going out, right? If you're not going out, I'll lock the door from the inside."
"Lock it, lock it."
Wen Su put down her wool felt. "I'm not going to work on it anymore, I'm afraid I'll poke my eyes out."
"Then you go upstairs. I'll turn off the lights."
After Wen Su climbed up, Jiang Mian turned on her phone's flashlight, then turned off the lights and climbed into bed.
Before sleeping, she habitually checked her phone and found that Ji Zhi Xiu had sent her a photo.
The man's large hand was supporting the chubby body of the dried fish, and the dried fish's tail swiped across his face. Seeing the cat hair on Ji Zhi Xiu's clothes, Jiang Mian couldn't help but laugh.
She tapped to open the full image and long-pressed to save it.
...
Time flew by.
After Jiang Mian's thesis defense, Song Xing Jia's scenes in the drama also concluded smoothly.
The matter Jiang Mian had asked Song Xing Jia to investigate also yielded results.
When Song Xing Jia called to explain, his tone was filled with apology and self-reproach. "This wasn't the first time he'd done something like this, but fortunately, it didn't lead to a major disaster. He previously used my account to ask out a fan and had even booked a hotel. However, he received a work call on the way, and the young lady behind him sensed something was wrong, so it was dropped."
"In any case, I have already fired this person. I also found the previous fan and appeased her again. At the same time, I've put out feelers in the industry. This person will no longer harm others." httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Jiang Mian was satisfied with Song Xing Jia's handling of the matter.
After all, there were no serious consequences. It was impossible to send the person to jail, and at most, they'd receive a light reprimand.
Song Xing Jia's method was indeed ruthless. Severing someone's financial lifeline was like killing their parents, but it was also what the person deserved.
She nodded. "It's good that you found out."
Song Xing Jia hesitated for a moment. "As for your roommate, I sent her an apology on WeChat. But she never replied. I wonder if she's doing alright?"
Jiang Mian was taken aback. She had been with Ji Lan Ruo just last night, lively and energetic, and had long forgotten the shadow of that day.
"She might have been busy and missed it. I'll tell her for you." After thinking about it, Jiang Mian decided not to expose Ji Lan Ruo in front of Song Xing Jia.
"Okay," Song Xing Jia smiled, his expression as gentle as a spring breeze. "I'm returning to Hong Kong this afternoon. I hope we have the chance to collaborate again."
"I would be delighted. I wish you a safe journey."
At the airport, Song Xing Jia hung up the phone.
The assistant bowed slightly. "Young Master Song, it's time to board."
Song Xing Jia glanced at him indifferently. He was completely different from the gentle and refined Actor Song in front of Jiang Mian. The assistant suddenly felt an oppressive aura emanating from him.
"Let's go."
He immediately straightened up and followed a step behind.
Jiang Mian returned to the dormitory and grabbed Ji Lan Ruo. "Song Xing Jia said he sent you a message, didn't you see it?"
Ji Lan Ruo, who was applying makeup, paused. "I saw it, but I didn't want to reply."
What Song Xing Jia said was simply unacceptable.
Who would want to reply after seeing that?
She opened her phone and threw it to Jiang Mian. "Take a look yourself. See what he said."
"'Miss Ji, I deeply apologize for the harm caused to you. I will compensate you for your emotional distress. You can state any requests you may have.'" Jiang Mian read aloud. "What's wrong? This sounds quite good."
"Look at his next sentence."
"'How much money do you need? You can state it.'"
If Song Xing Jia were standing in front of Ji Lan Ruo right now, she might have punched him.
She snorted. "Does Miss Ben look like someone who's short of money? His apology lacks sincerity."
If he had treated her to dinner, seeing his handsome face, she might have been in a good mood and forgotten about the whole thing.
Jiang Mian chuckled. "Even if you're not satisfied, you should at least reply. He even asked me about you, and he's still worried about you."
Fortunately, she had put on blush, so others couldn't see her blushing. Ji Lan Ruo magnanimously nodded. "Alright, since you say so, I'll text him back later."
"Okay."
Song Xing Jia received Ji Lan Ruo's message only after he landed and turned on his phone.
[I'm not short of money. Actor Song's apology lacks sincerity.]
For some reason, Song Xing Jia pictured a young girl pouting with dissatisfaction.
As his fingertip hovered over the screen to reply, he heard the butler, who had come to pick him up, say, "Young Master, you're finally back! The master has been waiting for you for a long time. Let's hurry."
Song Xing Jia's thin lips pressed together. He put away his phone and slid into the back seat first. "Let's go. We can talk about it when we get back."