When Wen Su woke up the next day, she felt quite embarrassed and specially went to the cafeteria to buy breakfast for her roommates.
Although Ji Lanruo was a young lady, she rarely acted arrogantly or threw tantrums. Accepting the breakfast Wen Su brought her, she said with a smile, "Su Su, congratulations on being single again. I'll introduce my three brothers to you another day. See which one you like, and pick yourself."
Wen Su's cheeks flushed, "No, no, no... wouldn't that make me your sister-in-law? No need, Ruo Ruo. I've made up my mind, I plan to pursue postgraduate studies."
Jiang Mian opened the crab roe soup dumplings, inserted a straw, and took a sip. "You're graduating soon, do you guys have any plans?"
Ji Lanruo said, "Nothing much, whatever works."
She was quite content with a simple life and had no great ambitions. She chose to major in acting on a whim.
Zhang Duoduo had just finished showering, wiping her hair with one hand as she said, "I'll probably go back to my hometown and become a teacher."
She sighed, "It's too hard to survive in Kyoto!" Her parents also hoped she would develop her career back home.
After a few of them finished speaking, they all looked at Jiang Mian with eager eyes, "What about you?"
Jiang Mian was choked by their gaze and quickly took a sip of soy milk before thinking and saying, "I'll probably continue acting."
Doing what she loved.
With separation approaching, the atmosphere was inevitably a little sad.
Ji Lanruo smiled, "What are you afraid of? It's not like we won't see each other again. Come find me to play in Kyoto in the future."
Zhang Duoduo smiled, "We will. Let's cherish this last bit of time."
Wen Su also smiled, "Let's all cheer each other on."
There were quite a few miscellaneous matters at the beginning of the semester. Jiang Mian was in her final year, so she was neither extremely busy nor idle. However, she still remembered what she had promised.
At five in the afternoon, Xiang Long appeared at the school gate punctually.
Upon seeing Jiang Mian, he called out, "Young Madam, good evening."
Jiang Mian responded and got into the car.
When they arrived at the villa, Ji Zhixiu had not yet returned. Jiang Mian had a sudden idea, "Then I'll go find him."
Aunt Song smiled, "If Young Master sees Young Madam, he will surely be very happy."
Jiang Mian brought a jar of soup that Aunt Song had simmered and headed straight for Ji Corporation.
The receptionist saw Jiang Mian and smiled sweetly, "Excuse me, miss, do you have an appointment?"
Jiang Mian frowned, "I actually don't."
She curved her lips into a smile, "I'm sorry, I'll make a call."
The receptionist politely nodded, "Okay."
Just as she pulled out her phone, Fan Cheng walked past the lobby and saw her, exclaiming in surprise, "Young Mad..."
Then, under Jiang Mian's gaze, he stopped himself.
He cleared his throat and said to the receptionist, "This lady is a distinguished guest of our President Ji. From now on, just bring her up when you see her."
The receptionist nodded. After Fan Cheng led Jiang Mian away, she immediately sent a message to the company's internal gossip group: [A woman just arrived! Assistant Director Fan personally escorted her! Said she's President's distinguished guest!!]
[Any pictures? Is she pretty? So anxious.]
[Anyone from the secretary department? Remember to take a look when she comes up later!]
[Is our President finally going to have a sprout of love?]
In the elevator, Fan Cheng whispered, "Young Madam, why did you decide to come to the company today?"
Jiang Mian smiled, "I thought I'd bring him some soup to drink."
Fan Cheng immediately understood, "Young Madam is worried about President working day and night."
He led her to the door of the President's office and stopped, "Young Madam, please go in."
Inside the office, Ji Zhixiu rested his forehead on one hand, his brows furrowed, and his long, jade-like fingers tapped lightly on the desk. He seemed to be in a bad mood. The documents on the desk had already been marked with his corrections.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, he did not look up. His voice was cold, like the depths of winter, "Who let you in?"
Jiang Mian's steps faltered, then she moved forward lightly.
Ji Zhixiu's brows furrowed tightly, and he sternly shouted, "Get out!"
"I refuse to get out." Jiang Mian said with a smile, "President Ji is so fierce."
Hearing her voice, he looked up, and the anger in his eyes instantly turned into surprise, "Mian Mian."
Jiang Mian walked around the desk, nudged her chin, signaling Ji Zhixiu to move over, and began to open the soup she brought. "Aunt Song simmered this soup for three hours. It won't taste good if it gets cold, so I brought it for you specially."
After she opened it, Ji Zhixiu clasped her soft waist, using a bit more force, making Jiang Mian sit on his lap.
This earned her a playful glare from Jiang Mian. Ji Zhixiu's eyes twinkled with amusement, "Did you drink it?"
"No."
"Together?"
Ji Zhixiu picked up a spoon and held it to Jiang Mian's lips. Jiang Mian swallowed it without changing her expression. Then, she grabbed his wrist, "My turn to feed you now."
After they fed each other soup, Jiang Mian offered to wash the lunchbox. Ji Zhixiu pointed behind him, "Go through this door, the lounge. You can wash it inside."
Jiang Mian nodded. This was her first time at Ji Zhixiu's company. It was also her first time entering Ji Zhixiu's lounge.
Ji Zhixiu's entire office was in cool tones, and the lounge was no exception. Inside, there was only a coffee table, a bed, and a coat rack; the furnishings were simple.
Jiang Mian rinsed it casually and put away the lunchbox. She came out and asked, "When are we going back?"
Ji Zhixiu pondered for a second, "Wait for me another ten minutes. I'll finish modifying this plan. You can go play in the lounge."
"Okay."
Jiang Mian went inside and lay down on the bed. The scent of Ji Zhixiu's cologne lingered in the air. Jiang Mian closed her eyes and sniffed gently. As she tilted her head, she felt a wave of sleepiness wash over her.
She was a light sleeper and was still groggy when she was woken by voices.
Fragmented voices could be heard from outside.
"Xiu'er, come back to the old house and stay for a while."
"Grandpa misses you."
Jiang Mian couldn't quite hear Ji Zhixiu's response, but she jolted awake completely because she recognized the voice of Ji's mother.
Ji's mother had specifically come to find Ji Zhixiu today. Ji Zhixiu just wanted to get rid of her, so he agreed, "I'll come back for dinner tomorrow. You see I'm busy now, we can talk more tomorrow."
Receiving his assurance, Ji's mother did not linger. She nodded, "Alright, you'll come back for dinner tomorrow. I'll be waiting for you at home."
When the voices outside faded, Jiang Mian came out. She covered her mouth and yawned, as if she hadn't heard anything. Her eyes welled up with tears, "Can we go home now?"
Ji Zhixiu was touched by her words and got up, "Let's go, we're going home."
As they walked out hand in hand, Jiang Mian wore a mask. Seeing her like this, Ji Zhixiu unhesitatingly held her hand.
Alice peeked out, then retracted her head and typed on her computer: [Can't see her face, but she feels like a beauty. The President is holding her hand.]
After all, she had received free milk tea for a month, so she had to share some intel with the group.
[The President isn't in love, is he...]
[OMG, I really want to know how the President's work is.]
[What kind of suggestive words are those?]
[Am I the only one who wants to know who this woman is?]
A user with the ID [Gossip Eater] replied: [The President's wife, of course.]
[How do you know?]
[Elaborate?]
The receptionist, unwilling to give up, replied, [Maybe she's President Ji's sister?]
Someone smiled smugly. How could he not know?
He did not reply further, letting the gossipers chase him for information.
...
Aunt Song brought dinner to the table when she saw them return.
Jiang Mian had a poor appetite, and coupled with not sleeping well last night, she put down her chopsticks after a few bites. Jiang Mian had never eaten so little. Aunt Song asked worriedly, "Is Young Madam not feeling well?"
Jiang Mian shook her head, "No, Aunt Song, don't worry. I just don't want to eat that much tonight."
Aunt Song, having been through it all, couldn't help but think of another possibility. She lowered her voice, "Has Young Madam gotten her period this month?"
She spoke delicately, but Jiang Mian was taken aback. Her period was ten days late this month... but it was never very punctual, so she hadn't paid much attention.
Now, with Aunt Song's mention, another possibility suddenly arose. Jiang Mian felt her heart pounding rapidly.
Seeing her like this, Aunt Song suggested, "Would you like to test it?"
"Wait... wait a moment..." She glanced at the man returning from the kitchen, and Jiang Mian licked her lips, "I'll do it myself, Aunt Song."
Aunt Song understood, "Okay."
She had never considered that possibility, and Ji Zhixiu and she had always used protection. But at this moment, Jiang Mian couldn't help but wonder, what if?
Her absentmindedness was quickly noticed by Ji Zhixiu. He grabbed the young girl's arm and asked, "What's wrong?"
Jiang Mian pursed her lips, "My period is ten days late this month."
Ji Zhixiu knew better than her, "I know, don't worry, it's not the other possibility."
His confident tone made Jiang Mian frown, "What do you mean?"
Ji Zhixiu confessed, "Have you forgotten? You took the painkillers prescribed by the doctor. The side effects can indeed affect this."
Reminded by him, Jiang Mian finally remembered. She couldn't quite tell if she was relieved or not. She pressed, "What if there really is?"
She saw a flicker of a daze on Ji Zhixiu's face, a hint of hesitation, but he still said, "No."
He wouldn't let a child be born unexpectedly. He preferred the child's arrival to be under the anticipation of him and Mian Mian. But now the young girl was still young, and her future was vast, so he hadn't even considered it.
Jiang Mian hummed and brought up another matter, "I'll be joining a crew next month."
Director Wang had informed her that she would join the crew next month. The male lead was unknown and quite mysterious. The filming location was set in a high school in Kyoto, very close by.
Ji Zhixiu nodded, "I'll come to visit the set then."
Jiang Mian shook her head, "No, no, no, I don't want people to see that I have a close relationship with President Ji. It's close anyway, so I can just come back then."
Ji Zhixiu did not object and said, "I'll have Xiang Long follow you to ensure your safety."
"That works too then." Jiang Mian nodded her head.
As night fell and stars twinkled, Aunt Song had already retired at some point. The entire living room was silent.
Ji Zhixiu's eyes darkened, and his gaze shifted to her chest, "Are you full?"
"I'm full."
"I'm not."
Jiang Mian instantly understood his suggestive words. Thinking of how she had stood him up last night, she curled her lips and let the man pick her up and carry her upstairs.
A pair of slender arms wrapped around his shoulders in cooperation.
Soon, the room was filled with amorous warmth.