"Little fish jerky!" Jiang Mian rushed down from upstairs, disregarding Shen Tingyu's presence, she called out, "Xiang Long, prepare the car!"
"Yes, Young Madam."
Shen Tingyu hadn't quite registered what was happening. She didn't understand why a mere cat would make Ji Zhixiu so angry, and why Jiang Mian was here. Were they already living together?
With various questions unanswered, a nameless dread filled her heart, as if she couldn't grasp hold of the man before her.
Ji Zhixiu picked up Little Fish Jerky and walked out, Jiang Mian followed behind him, neither of them glancing at Shen Tingyu.
She looked pleadingly at Aunt Song, "Aunt Song, I didn't mean for this to happen. It was truly an accident..."
Aunt Song sighed, "I know, Miss Shen. Perhaps you should leave for now."
Xiao Hei grumbled inwardly, this Miss Shen really was easily scared. What could happen over a cat...
Jiang Mian's brows were tightly furrowed. Ji Zhixiu had asked her to go upstairs, so she watched from the second floor. Who knew Little Fish Jerky would be so mischievous, going to Shen Tingyu's feet, and even less that Shen Tingyu would cruelly kick Little Fish Jerky.
Ji Zhixiu took her hand, comforting her, "It'll be fine."
Jiang Mian didn't speak. She stroked Little Fish Jerky's head and told Xiang Long to drive to the nearest pet hospital.
The doctor performed a full examination on Little Fish Jerky. "After reviewing the X-rays, there's nothing serious. The kick did hit its internal organs, so it needs a couple of days of rest. My recommendation is to hospitalize it for two days for observation."
Jiang Mian nodded, "Thank you, Doctor. We'll do as you suggest."
As the two walked out, Jiang Mian realized her palms were sweating. If anything had happened to Little Fish Jerky, Jiang Mian couldn't imagine how sad she would be.
Ji Zhixiu cupped her face, which was red from the wind. Their skin touched, and he unreservedly transferred his warmth to her. Jiang Mian lowered her eyes, silently removed his hand, and then got into the car.
Ji Zhixiu followed.
"Mianmian," he called out softly.
Jiang Mian glanced at him, "What good things do you have to say for her?"
Jiang Mian was annoyed. She knew it wasn't Ji Zhixiu's fault, but an inexplicable frustration still welled up in her heart.
Perhaps it was displacement of anger, but she found Ji Zhixiu irritating at the moment.
Ji Zhixiu looked innocent, "I haven't said anything."
The two returned home. Shen Tingyu was still waiting in the living room. Seeing them return, she nervously stood up and asked, "That cat, how is it? Is it okay?"
Ji Zhixiu didn't answer, instead asking, "You haven't left?"
Jiang Mian didn't want to see Shen Tingyu for another second and went straight upstairs.
Shen Tingyu watched her retreating back, biting her lip. "I'm sorry. Should I apologize to her?"
"No need. The cat is fine. You should go home," Ji Zhixiu said, looking at her.
"Okay."
She turned and left, thinking resentfully, If I had known this cat belonged to Jiang Mian, I would have kicked it to death just now.
And, they were actually living together? Did Mother Ji know?
She gritted her teeth. She would never let Jiang Mian have an easy time.
Jiang Mian kicked off her shoes and lay on the large bed, burying her head in the soft quilt. She didn't want to move at all.
Immediately after, she heard the sound of a door opening.
A hot and intense presence enveloped her from behind. Ji Zhixiu touched her cheek, "She's gone."
Jiang Mian hummed and sat up. "Let's separate for a while. I want to go back to Sheng Shi Hua Ting to live."
This was the result of her careful consideration. School was starting soon, and she had many things to do. Director Wang might also call her to join the crew at any time.
"Jiang Mian," he called her name, unhurriedly. But Jiang Mian knew Ji Zhixiu was angry.
When he was furious, he was always like this. The name that usually lingered intimately on his tongue now seemed to carry thorns when spoken by him.
"Don't be willful," his tone was sharp.
Jiang Mian lowered her head, "I'm not being willful. I'm serious."
It wasn't bad here, nor was she unhappy. But she felt she needed to take some time to think carefully about how to proceed in the future.
"I do not permit it."
Jiang Mian knew he wouldn't agree. She looked up, "Then I'll pack my things myself."
Ji Zhixiu's lips curved into a cruel smile, the smile not reaching his eyes. An oppressive aura washed over her. "Jiang Mian, without my permission, you can't go anywhere."
Jiang Mian had intended to discuss it with him properly, but Ji Zhixiu's tone angered her. She stopped speaking, packed her things, and walked downstairs. Ji Zhixiu didn't stop her.
At the door, she called out to Xiao Hei, who was watching the door, to open it for her.
Xiao Hei looked troubled. "Young Madam, the President just gave orders not to let you leave."
Jiang Mian's head throbbed with anger. "Bossy! Tyrannical! What right do you have!"
Xiao Hei: "Why don't you go back and talk to President Ji again?"
Jiang Mian sneered and turned back.
Xiao Hei breathed a sigh of relief. "That's more like it. Couples shouldn't run away from home when they argue."
Xiao Bai's voice emerged faintly from behind him. "Look how upset our Young Madam is."
"I bet the President will be the first to concede."
"I bet on the Young Madam winning."
"A thousand yuan?"
"Deal!"
...
Jiang Mian didn't go back. Ji Zhixiu didn't see her until evening.
He tried to control his emotions and ordered the security team to search the villa thoroughly. They all reported not seeing her.
"Check the surveillance," he said in a deep voice.
The surveillance showed Jiang Mian heading towards the flower room.
He finally relaxed, waved his hand, and told everyone to leave.
The flower room was air-conditioned and had a small bed for the staff to rest.
Jiang Mian wandered around for a while and suddenly remembered the rose garden. She walked to the adjacent area.
The fragrance of flowers filled the air, and warmth surrounded her. Unconsciously, Jiang Mian slowed her steps.
The roses were blooming vibrantly, no different from her last visit. However, this time she was alone.
She sat on the swing, thinking about the variety of roses. With a thought, she took out her phone and searched: What is the meaning of the Louis XIV rose?
[Your search query is: Meaning of the Louis XIV rose.]
[The answer is: "Devoted only to you."]
Jiang Mian's hand trembled. She almost doubted if she had read it correctly.
"Why are they purple roses? What variety is this?"
"Louis XIV. Figure it out yourself."
Jiang Mian stared at the answer, unsure of the possibility.
Her heart suddenly trembled. Could it be a coincidence? Perhaps he himself didn't even know the meaning of the Louis XIV rose.
Her fingertips trembled slightly as she scrolled down, the answers remaining the same.
She called Sister Ning. "Sister Ning, do you think Ji Zhixiu likes me?"
She desperately needed affirmation.
Sister Ning was off today and still sleeping. She thought Jiang Mian had something urgent to discuss, only to find out this was it.
She was speechless. "Isn't that obvious? If he didn't like you, would he marry you?"
Jiang Mian was anxious. "Sister Ning, that's not what I mean. That wine party was our first meeting."
Jiang Mian couldn't quite explain it. Besides herself, no one knew she was Shen Tingyu's stand-in.
Sister Ning was unfazed. "Then it means he fell in love at first sight with you."
"No, it's not like that..." She felt a bit dejected and afraid she was overthinking.
"Sister Ning, you should continue sleeping. I won't disturb you."
Sister Ning was woken up and her sleepiness had long dissipated. Leaning on her pillow, she rolled her eyes ungracefully. "What's wrong between you two? Did you have a fight with President Ji?"
"No," Jiang Mian stammered. "Sister Ning, actually, Ji Zhixiu doesn't like me at all."
Sister Ning was glad she wasn't drinking water at the moment, or she would have spat it out. "He doesn't like you, who does he like, me?"
Jiang Mian hugged her knees. "Do you remember Shen Tingyu, whom we met last time? She's Ji Zhixiu's ex-girlfriend. Don't you think we look very alike?"
Sister Ning recalled. "Where do you look alike? You have peach blossom eyes, she has small round eyes. Only your face shapes are somewhat similar. Also, you both have a small mole at the corner of your eyes, but you're still easily distinguishable."
"She's Ji Zhixiu's ex-girlfriend," Jiang Mian emphasized.
"So what? You're still the legitimate Mrs. Ji."
"I think Ji Zhixiu married me because of her."
Sister Ning genuinely wanted to scold Jiang Mian but restrained herself. "Did President Ji tell you that himself?"
Jiang Mian shook her head. "No, does he need to say it? Isn't it obvious?"
"..."
"You should write screenplays from now on. I'll have the company invest. President Ji hasn't said a word, and you've conjured up quite a story," Sister Ning said sarcastically.
"You should ask him yourself," Sister Ning continued to instigate.
"I dare not..." she said weakly.
She didn't dare to ask, didn't know how to ask, and couldn't accept the answer.
Sister Ning thought for a moment. "How about I teach you a trick so you can find out if President Ji still has that ex-girlfriend in his heart."
"What?"
"Just say you want to divorce him. If he doesn't want to divorce you, and he has you in his heart, he'll naturally coax you. If he agrees... then leave, and honestly focus on your career."
Sister Ning figured that President Ji didn't seem too keen on promoting Jiang Mian anyway. With Jiang Mian's talent, she was bound to become popular sooner or later. Why waste time on him, especially since they weren't publicly acknowledged.
Jiang Mian hesitated. "Do we really have to do this?"
"Men," Sister Ning said confidently, "need to be pushed."
"Okay, I'll listen to you, Sister Ning. You have experience."
Sister Ning was a non-believer in marriage, having dated at least ten people. In matters of the heart, Jiang Mian felt Sister Ning knew much more than her.
Ji Zhixiu sat in the living room, reviewing quarterly reports. When Jiang Mian returned, she let out a heavy snort and received a look from the man.
He put down his laptop, his expression gentle, and calmly called out, "Mianmian, come here."
Jiang Mian moved closer and was pulled into his embrace. Ji Zhixiu buried his face in her neck and took a deep breath, sighing, "Mianmian, don't always think about leaving me."
"Be good," his voice was pleasant and melodious.
"I have something to tell you."
"Okay," he released Jiang Mian. "As long as you're not saying you want to leave, I'll listen."
Jiang Mian looked into his eyes, hesitating to speak.
Help, Sister Ning's advice is so unreliable.
Looking at his face, she couldn't bring herself to say it.
"I..."
Ji Zhixiu curved his lips. "Mm?"
"Do you still like Shen Tingyu?" Jiang Mian pouted and asked directly.
Asking this way should also achieve the goal.
Ji Zhixiu raised an eyebrow. "Still?"