With the man's possessiveness, Jiang Mian genuinely feared he might utter more controlling words.
Ji Zhixiu found it amusing; the young girl was still playing games with him even now, as if he couldn't see through it.
His thin lips parted, and he said with an ambiguous tone, "Song Xingjia seems quite concerned about you."
Jiang Mian blinked. "It's likely guilt. He probably thinks I'm in this state because of him."
"What did the doctor say?"
"No bones were injured, just need plenty of rest. Don't worry, I'll stop with the publicity events and head back to Xiushui Villa to recuperate. How about it?" Jiang Mian flashed a flattering smile, clambering onto his shoulder, and said sweetly, "Is that okay?"
Ji Zhixiu looked down at her. "If I recall correctly, this was the final event."
"Oh, honey," Jiang Mian called out pitifully.
She hadn't seen Ji Zhixiu smile once, and his stern face was quite intimidating.
Ji Zhixiu wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. "From now on, I'll have Xiang Long follow you everywhere." His magnetic voice resonated from above Jiang Mian's head.
Originally, Ji Zhixiu had wanted Jiang Mian to bring Xiang Long along for this trip. Jiang Mian felt it wasn't necessary to have so many people for a mere publicity event. Ji Zhixiu hadn't insisted.
Hearing this, Jiang Mian didn't argue. She nodded obediently, soothing Ji Zhixiu.
That evening, Sun Shu personally flew a private jet to the rooftop of the City People's Hospital.
Director Wang and the others had already left Lan City that afternoon.
Jiang Mian used the cover of night to quietly board the plane. Song Xingjia watched her departing figure, a sense of worry lingering in his heart. He wasn't sure when he would see Jiang Mian again.
He needed to return and dedicate himself to helping his elder brother seize power.
...
Kyoto.
As soon as Jiang Mian returned, Xiao Yugan leaped towards her, only to be unceremoniously scooped up by Ji Zhixiu and about to be tossed aside.
"Meow~"
"Hey, let me hug him." Jiang Mian, ignoring Ji Zhixiu's stern expression, smilingly took Xiao Yugan from his arms.
"Does it still hurt?"
"It hurts," Jiang Mian tilted her head up. "A kiss from you would make it stop hurting." She said it with perfect justification.
Ji Zhixiu indeed cupped her face, as if holding a priceless treasure, and slowly lowered his head, drawing near her full lips.
Initially, he intended only a light peck. Gradually, however, he found himself unsatisfied with just a shallow kiss. Jiang Mian's lips parted slightly, enticing Ji Zhixiu to explore her mouth with abandon. Their lips and tongues intertwined, intimate beyond measure.
Ji Zhixiu's large hand also slowly reached inside her clothing. It wasn't until he encountered the buttons that Jiang Mian seemed to awaken from her daze, a soft moan escaping her lips.
Xiao Yugan also let out an unhappy meow. Stupid humans! You're squishing me while you're kissing!
Ji Zhixiu's rationality instantly returned, realizing Jiang Mian was still injured. He withdrew his fingertips, pressing half his body against Jiang Mian, his breathing unsteady.
He didn't know if it was Jiang Mian's intoxicating sweetness or his own lack of self-control.
Their eyes met, the desire evident in their gazes. Jiang Mian was no better off. Ji Zhixiu grabbed Jiang Mian's palm, his voice husky, "Mianmian."
Jiang Mian desperately tried not to respond, but it was too obvious. The man's Adam's apple bobbed, his lips, after the kiss, appeared even more alluring, accompanied by his gentle breaths. Jiang Mian, despite herself, felt her cheeks burn.
"Help me," his voice was seductive.
Jiang Mian's chest rose and fell as well. She said softly, "But... my hands are also injured."
"...!"
Then Jiang Mian heard the man utter a short curse. Jiang Mian swore she had never seen such an expression on Ji Zhixiu's face since she'd known him.
Ji Zhixiu released her and abruptly stood up.
Jiang Mian watched his retreating back as he headed to the bathroom, and after a long moment, couldn't help but laugh.
When Ji Zhixiu returned, Jiang Mian was already in bed. The man, smelling of moisture, looked at Jiang Mian and said, "You sleep first. I'll go to the study."
Jiang Mian rolled over and lay on her side, propping herself up halfway. Her black hair cascaded down as she opened her peach-blossom eyes and asked innocently, "Will you come back later?"
Ji Zhixiu pinched the bridge of his nose and said calmly, "No."
"But I'll miss you."
Ji Zhixiu suddenly smiled. "You're using your injury as an excuse, thinking I can't do anything, and still trying to tease me? Hmm?"
Jiang Mian sensed danger and quickly shook her head, lying down properly and feigning surprise. "Ah, my hand hurts. I'm going to sleep."
Ji Zhixiu watched her performance. Once she was settled, he walked out of the room and turned off the light.
Hearing no sound, Jiang Mian climbed out from under the covers.
She opened the dorm group chat.
【Come out and chat, keep me company, a patient here.】
Ji Lanruo was the first to respond, 【Do you want me to visit you?】
Wen Su: 【Take me with you, sweetie, you've really had a misfortune.】
Zhang Duoduo: 【Me too, me too!】
Jiang Mian considered it. Ji Zhixiu might not be home tomorrow, so if Ji Lanruo came over, it might be okay.
【If my husband isn't home tomorrow, you guys can come!】
Ji Lanruo: 【Alright, tell me what you want to eat, and I'll bring it for you.】
Jiang Mian: 【From the snack stalls on the back street of the school...】
It had only been a few months since graduation, and what she missed most was the school's food.
Ji Lanruo: 【No problem.】
As they were chatting, Jiang Mian saw an incoming call on her phone and answered it.
"Wuwuwu... Master, are you okay? I just finished work and saw the news. Wuwuwu, how are you? Does it hurt?" Zhao Xinxin's voice, tinged with tears, came from the other end.
Jiang Mian felt a mix of amusement and warmth. She was truly a cute and sincere young girl.
"I'm fine. I've already returned to Kyoto. Thank you."
"It's great that you're fine, wuwuwu. Master! You don't know, I was so worried when I saw the video. But, Actor Song is really handsome." Zhao Xinxin sniffled.
"You silly girl, I told you I'd be fine. Why are you still crying so sadly? Wipe your tears," Ling He's impatient voice chimed in.
"It's my prerogative to be sad! Do you think everyone is like you? You annoying Ling He."
Hearing the bickering of the quarreling couple on the other end, Jiang Mian couldn't help but smile.
These two were a perfect match.
"I'm relieved to know you're okay. I'm hanging up now, Master. Wuwuwu, Ling He says I need to sleep early and not stay up late." Zhao Xinxin bid Jiang Mian farewell reluctantly.
Jiang Mian nodded. "Okay, when you're back in Kyoto, we'll hang out together again."
"Mhmm! Goodnight."
After hanging up, Zhao Xinxin stood up. She had been squatting during the call.
As she suddenly stood, her leg went numb, and Zhao Xinxin couldn't help but fall backward.
Ling He, with quick reflexes, caught her by the waist and pulled her into his embrace. Both of them froze.
Time seemed to stop. Ling He's earlobes flushed red, but he calmly raised his hand to wipe away her tears, his voice gentle. "You really are a silly girl."
This sudden close contact made Zhao Xinxin's heart pound uncontrollably.
What to do, Ling He is really handsome, even more handsome than Actor Song, is it an illusion? I really want to pounce on him.
Zhao Xinxin felt ashamed of such improper thoughts, feeling as if she were on fire, her entire body burning. She quickly jumped away. "I'm going back to sleep."
Ling He watched her hurried departure and said coolly, "You're running in the wrong direction."
Someone paused mid-stride, then turned back and walked forward.
Ling He stood calmly in place. "There are no lights ahead, it's very dark."
Zhao Xinxin, pouting, returned to him and burst into tears. "I'm scared."
"Aren't I here?"
"I should have returned to the hotel to call. Now there are only the two of us left to go back, qaq"
"Zhao Xinxin."
"What?"
"Come here, hold my hand."
"..."
"Aren't you scared?"
...
Jiang Mian woke up very late the next day. Ji Zhixiu didn't wake her.
When she woke up, it was already past ten. By this time, he should have gone to the company, right?
Jiang Mian hummed a little tune as she went downstairs, feeling happy at the thought of her roommates visiting in the afternoon.
"So happy?" Ji Zhixiu rustled the newspaper.
Jiang Mian slowly turned her head, looking at the man sitting upright on the sofa, and asked in disbelief, "You're not going to work today?"
Uh oh, a miscalculation.
"Isn't it good to be with you?" Ji Zhixiu raised an eyebrow.
"Good... Of course, it's good." Jiang Mian nodded, then took out her phone to send them a message.
【Maybe another day, my husband is home.】
Ji Lanruo: 【The way you sent that makes it sound like we're having an affair.】
Zhang Duoduo: 【I'm dying of laughter.】
Wen Su: 【Since that's the case, we won't be third wheels. A two-person world is conducive to your relationship development.】
Jiang Mian thought, that's true.
Once she recovered, she would have to join the cast, and she wouldn't see this man for at least ten days to half a month.
Thinking this, Jiang Mian didn't feel as disappointed.
"Come and eat."
Jiang Mian slowly moved over and sat at the table. "Do you have any plans for today?"
"No, I can accompany you in whatever you want to do," Ji Zhixiu said.
Jiang Mian thought for a moment. "With my condition, I can't do many things. Can we watch a movie together after eating?"
"Yes, you decide."
Jiang Mian smiled. "Okay."
After eating, Jiang Mian walked slowly for more than ten minutes to aid digestion. Then she instructed Ji Zhixiu to carry her upstairs.
On the second floor was a large room dedicated to watching shows, with a plush carpet on the floor and furnishings that Jiang Mian loved. Ji Zhixiu had specially decorated it for her.
Jiang Mian verbally requested to play The Shape of Water. The screen immediately began playing automatically.
She rested her head on Ji Zhixiu's lap, holding her breath. This was her second time watching the movie, and she still didn't want to miss a single shot.
"I feel like something is still missing," Jiang Mian looked up at him, hinting.
Ji Zhixiu understood. "What do you want to eat?"
"I want seaweed rolls."
Ji Zhixiu pressed the remote, and a robot brought out snacks. He opened the packaging, his eyes on the screen, and accurately fed the snacks to Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian was delighted, then reciprocated by picking one up and holding it to his lips. "You eat too."
Ji Zhixiu opened his mouth and took a bite.
After feeding him one, Jiang Mian contentedly waited for Ji Zhixiu to feed her.
Ji Zhixiu frowned almost imperceptibly. Why wasn't he continuing?
Jiang Mian waited and waited, but after a long time, Ji Zhixiu hadn't moved. Had he finished so quickly?
She withdrew her gaze and looked at Ji Zhixiu's hand; there was still more than half a bag left. She said unhappily, "Why aren't you feeding me anymore!"