"She's still young."
There was a four-year age difference between them.
Li Laidi smiled, "Sister, I'm just young in age. I started helping with chores at home when I was just a few years old. I've known how to do everything since I was little."
Jiang Mian smiled gently, "If you do well working for me, I'll give you a raise."
Li Laidi's spirits soared, "Okay, Sister."
An Italian niche brand that invited Jiang Mian to do a shampoo advertisement had always done very little marketing. They happened to see Jiang Mian's picture on Instagram.
The head of their planning department immediately contacted Jiang Mian's work email. To them, Jiang Mian was beautiful and distinctive, yet not a top-tier celebrity, and the advertising fee wouldn't be too high. This deal was incredibly cost-effective.
To show their sincerity, they arranged for someone to pick her up at the airport. However, Jiang Mian politely declined, wanting to take Li Laidi shopping for some clothes first.
When Li Laidi accompanied Jiang Mian to the mall, she still asked in a daze, "Sister, are you buying clothes?"
"No, I'm buying for you."
"Ah? For me?"
"As my assistant, you should look good. Your current style doesn't suit you."
Li Laidi hadn't bought new clothes for herself in a long time, and she couldn't save any money. As soon as she had some, her deadbeat father would snatch it away. For her, clothes were secondary; filling her stomach was more important.
She looked down at the clothes she was wearing. Although they weren't torn, they did make her look like she came from a village.
As they spoke, Jiang Mian had already picked out clothes for her and encouraged her, "Go try them on."
Li Laidi didn't speak English, so Jiang Mian translated for her, dealing with the sales assistant's questions.
After trying on several outfits, Jiang Mian realized that Li Laidi was quite attractive and would be a delicate beauty with some styling.
She waved her hand, "Swipe the card."
The sales assistant beamed with joy. Although Li Laidi couldn't understand the language, she guessed that Jiang Mian was buying all of them.
Reluctantly, she changed out of the clothes she was wearing and said softly, "Sister Mian, so many clothes must cost a lot. I can't spend your money."
Jiang Mian smiled, "I didn't say I was spending my money. I'll deduct it from your salary later."
Although this amount of money was insignificant to her, something more important than money was a person's dignity.
Li Laidi nodded gratefully, "Okay, thank you, Sister."
Shopping always lifted their spirits. After a spree, the two returned to the hotel, both collapsing on the large bed, exhausted.
...
"Mr. Ji, are you working overtime tonight?" Fan Cheng asked timidly. Alice had just sent him an invitation for a Western dinner tonight.
How romantic.
He looked at Ji Zhixiu with anticipation.
Ji Zhixiu rested his forehead on his hand and thought for a second, "No more overtime."
He was going back to see his wife.
Fan Cheng's excitement was palpable, "Thank you, Mr. Ji, you're so kind. The young madam might be waiting for you at home."
Ji Zhixiu's mood improved with his words, "You're right."
Actually, he had regretted leaving that morning. The thought of Jiang Mian waiting for him all night made him feel unbearable heartache.
Thinking of the flight information he saw last night, Ji Zhixiu pursed his lips. He wouldn't give Jiang Mian a chance to leave him.
The villa.
"Aunt Song, where is the young madam?"
Aunt Song smiled, "She's left. Didn't she tell you?"
"Left?" Ji Zhixiu's heart tightened. His eyes shot angry glares at Aunt Song, a hint of panic appearing on his usually calm and composed face. "Why didn't you stop her?"
Aunt Song was taken aback, "Why should I have stopped her?"
"Why didn't you stop her?"
"Why should I stop the young madam from going on a business trip?"
"Business trip?"
"Yes, the young madam accepted an advertisement and is going to Italy for a shoot."
Ji Zhixiu's brow twitched. He regained his composure, "I forgot. Sorry, Aunt Song."
Aunt Song's expression was odd. Did he really forget? She suspected the young madam hadn't even told him.
So, she wasn't leaving for good. He had overthought it. Ji Zhixiu rubbed his forehead, "Did she say when she'd be back?"
"She did. She'll be back in three days."
Ji Zhixiu nodded, "Understood."
He took out his phone and messaged Jiang Mian: "Arrived?"
Jiang Mian: "Arrived."
Jiang Mian watched the "typing" indicator on the screen, but no message came for a long time.
She let out a soft hum and posted on Moments.
As expected, less than a minute later, the man couldn't resist and made a video call.
Ji Zhixiu narrowed his long, almond-shaped eyes and went straight to the point: "Who is the man next to you?"
Jiang Mian had posted a photo with Li Laidi, visible only to him. Li Laidi had wanted to cut her hair short, and Jiang Mian had accompanied her.
After cutting her hair short, she looked like a tomboy. Wearing all black, from behind, if you didn't know better, you'd think she was a man.
Jiang Mian asked innocently, "Which man?"
Ji Zhixiu emphasized, "The one next to you."
Jiang Mian's eyes flickered, "Why should I tell you?"
"Jiang Mian."
"Yes, I'm here," she responded slowly, drawing out the word.
"Mianmian," Ji Zhixiu suddenly lowered his voice, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you wait so long."
"So you meant to?"
"No..." Ji Zhixiu couldn't explain, nor did he know how to.
"In any case, it won't happen again."
Seeing she had gotten what she wanted, Jiang Mian said, "Then I forgive you. I have a flight at 3 PM the day after tomorrow. Remember to pick me up."
Ji Zhixiu's voice was deep, his gaze fervent, "Okay, darling, I miss you very much."
Jiang Mian's cheeks flushed, and she sounded a little wronged, "Don't ignore me next time."
"I'm sorry," Ji Zhixiu desperately wanted to kiss the young girl now, to kiss her hot lips, her delicate features, and tell her again and again: Jiang Mian, don't leave me.
"Now, can you tell me who the man next to you is?"
Jiang Mian, having achieved her goal, chuckled, "She's not a man, she's a girl. My new assistant."
Ji Zhixiu frowned, thinking of her returning to the entertainment industry. "How about I have Xiang Long follow you from now on? To protect you."
Jiang Mian yawned, "Axiu, I'm just a newcomer now. I don't need so many people. Xiang Long has always followed you, so let him stay by your side."
When she refused, Ji Zhixiu didn't insist further. "Okay, if you need anything, you must tell me."
"Got it."
Jiang Mian glanced at her phone, seeing an incoming call. She said, "I have to hang up, Sister Ning is calling me. She probably needs something."
Ji Zhixiu hummed, "Goodnight, darling. Sleep well."
"Goodnight."
After hanging up, Jiang Mian called Sister Ning back. "Sister Ning."
Before Jiang Mian could ask, Sister Ning directly said, "Director Wang's audition results are out."
Jiang Mian's heart pounded. She opened her mouth, "Sister Ning, please tell me. I can accept any outcome."
Sister Ning's tone was heavy, "I just received a call from Director Wang's studio. They were very polite and told me the competition for this audition was fierce. Especially Liang Qiao, a popular actress with her own fan base. Although your performance was good, and you have acting experience in this area..."
Jiang Mian's voice was strained, "But?"
Sister Ning's tone shifted, "But they are also very optimistic about you. Director Wang particularly praised you. He's always wanted to find an actress with distinctive looks in the entertainment industry, and you fit his requirements perfectly."
Jiang Mian: "So..."
Sister Ning couldn't pretend anymore, "So! Congratulations, you passed the audition and will be Director Wang's leading lady ahhhhhhhh! You're finally the lead actress, Jiang Mian!"
"Mianmian, you're amazing!!"
There was silence from the other end. Sister Ning leaned closer to the receiver suspiciously, "Did you get so happy you became brainless?"
Jiang Mian's heart was aflutter from Sister Ning's words. She pinched her soft cheek and repeated blankly, "Sister Ning, I got the role."
"Yes, you got the role."
"!!!"
"I'm so happy, Sister Ning!" Jiang Mian covered her mouth with one hand. She had been waiting for news from Director Wang's audition for so long, she was almost disappointed.
It would be a lie to say she wasn't sad, as she had prepared a lot for this drama.
But she never expected such a surprise to fall into her lap now.
Jiang Mian happily hung up and then called Ji Zhixiu.
Ji Zhixiu had just finished showering. Hearing his phone ring, he walked out of the bathroom wrapped in a bathrobe, "What's wrong, Mianmian?"
He thought Jiang Mian had an urgent matter.
Jiang Mian smiled, her eyes crinkling and her lips blooming, "Axiu, I passed the audition! For Director Wang's new drama! You know Director Wang, right? The one who won Best Director last year."
Ji Zhixiu chuckled, a sense of pride welling up in his heart as he looked at her, "My Mianmian is amazing."
Jiang Mian's earlobes felt hot as she finally noticed Ji Zhixiu had just showered.
The bathrobe covered his lower body, revealing his smooth, bare abdomen above. Wet strands of hair dripped down, tracing his chiseled face before disappearing into the mysterious region below. At this moment, he wore a slight smile, his eyes only for her.
Jiang Mian openly stared at him, "Did you just finish showering?"
"As you can see."
Jiang Mian pouted, seeing but unable to taste. "Hurry up and get dressed. I'm not home, and you're dressing like this, who knows who you're trying to seduce."
Ji Zhixiu: "..."
Ji Zhixiu truly didn't know what she was thinking, but he still said, "Then I'll hang up and go change."
"Don't," Jiang Mian stopped him, then leaned closer to the camera, puckered her lips, "Mwah, goodnight husband~"
Then she hung up decisively.
Ji Zhixiu was left with a bitter smile. He looked down at himself. If that's the case, it was normal to be seduced by his wife, right?
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Mian noticed Sister Ning had sent her several messages.
Sister Ning: "Why did you suddenly hang up?"
Sister Ning: "Why was the phone still busy?"
Sister Ning: "Angry face.jpg, Jiang Mian!"
Sister Ning: "You didn't call your Mr. Ji, did you?"
Sister Ning: "Can you have some ambition!"
Sister Ning: "Oh right, Director Wang wants us to keep it confidential for now and have his studio announce the lead actor."
Jiang Mian felt guilty. So she had hung up Sister Ning's call in her excitement just now... This was truly an unconscious act.
She sent a hugging emoji back, replying: "Thanks, Sister Ning~ This brand sent me two boxes of shampoo. I'll bring them to your house later."