Jin Ye glanced at her calmly, then lowered his head and continued working.
Su Ding breathed a sigh of relief, but she wasn't in the mood to watch anymore. She casually switched channels, hoping to find a good movie.
Finding none, she noticed Jin Ye's teacup was empty out of the corner of her eye and got up to pour him more.
When she returned, an entertainment news program was playing on the television.
Jin Ye was staring intently at the screen with a serious expression, his sharp gaze seeming to pierce through the people on the screen.
Su Ding looked over and saw Xue Zhiqiang being interviewed.
"Yes, I think Su Ding is a very outstanding actress."
"Mm, we are very good friends, and I admire her."
"Those are all baseless rumors. I believe in her character, and with her abilities, there's no need for her to do anything that lowers her standing."
"I do have good feelings for her, more than friends, but not yet lovers..."
Jin Ye abruptly turned off the TV, his face dark and cloudy.
"Uh," Su Ding stood beside him, breaking out in a cold sweat.
What was Xue Zhiqiang doing, saying such things in front of the media? She already had a bad reputation, and now she'd probably be attacked even more.
She put down the teacup and explained, "I, I don't know why he said that."
Jin Ye walked toward her step by step.
Su Ding felt a sense of unease and retreated repeatedly. The next second, she was swept up into his arms.
"What are you doing, in broad daylight..."
"Let me go..."
"It wasn't me who said it..."
...
Jin Ye directly covered Su Ding's chattering mouth.
Su Ding lay on the bed, exhausted and weak, staring at the satisfied man by her side. She gritted her teeth, "You..."
Jin Ye turned around, "Hmm?"
That faint, lazy syllable made Su Ding hesitate to finish her sentence.
She lowered her voice, a hint of grievance in it, "It wasn't me who said it."
Jin Ye turned back, walked to the bedside, cupped her face, and said, "I want you to deepen your understanding."
"Understanding of what?" Su Ding asked.
"That you are my woman." Jin Ye gently stroked her face.
"..."
Su Ding was too weak to retort and collapsed on the bed to rest.
As evening approached, Jin Ye received a call from his father. Jin Ye's uncle had organized a family dinner at Haitian Hotel and asked him to bring Su Ding.
"If you don't want to, you can rest at home," Jin Ye said softly.
"It's fine, it won't hurt to go and see."
Su Ding used to prefer to avoid trouble, but now she understood that even if she didn't look for trouble, trouble would find her, and she couldn't escape it.
Since it was a family dinner, Jin Ye's uncle had booked a luxurious private room.
The Jin family line had, in fact, become a branch. The so-called Jin Ye's uncles were not his direct blood relatives but rather his paternal cousins.
Only Jin Ye's father was a descendant of Old Master Jin. The Huangqi Group was the empire built by Jin Ye's grandfather.
The other branches of the Jin family were the descendants of Old Master Jin's own brothers.
When Jin Ye entered the private room, the elders began to praise him incessantly. His cousins also came to flatter him. After greetings, everyone took their seats.
The private room had two tables, with men and women seated separately.
Jin Mu, though displeased upon seeing Su Ding, still went over and gestured for Su Ding to join her.
Su Ding saw a familiar face and her eyes widened in surprise.
Why was Jiang Jiayi here?
Jiang Jiayi smiled at her but said nothing.
Jin Ye's aunt, who appeared to have a good relationship with Jin Mu, initiated the conversation, "This is Miss Jiang Jiayi. She just returned from studying abroad and is the daughter of the Jiang family's corporation in Jiangcheng."
Jin Mu smiled elegantly and sized up Jiang Jiayi.
"Hello, Auntie. I heard about your graceful and elegant demeanor as soon as I returned to the country, and you truly live up to your reputation. My father asked me to send his regards to you and Uncle. I will pay a visit another day."
Jiang Jiayi smiled faintly and, producing a brocade box from somewhere, handed it over. "Knowing I would have the opportunity to meet you today, I specially selected this small token for you. I hope you like it."
Upon hearing this, Jin Mu, despite her usual composure, couldn't help but look at Jiang Jiayi with more favor.
Her words were sincere and polite, and she even brought a gift. Whether it was genuine or not, the gesture was appreciated.
Jin Mu smiled gently, "Miss Jiang is too kind."
The daughter of the Jiang family corporation, with her demeanor and speech, was indeed to her liking. Shao Lin seemed rather petty compared to Jiang Jiayi, and Su Ding, that cold and impolite woman, couldn't even be compared to her.
This was the kind of woman who could be worthy of her son, Jin Mu thought.
It was a pity that Su Ding had gotten there first, which was truly regrettable.
"Jiayi is indeed thoughtful and kind. When my husband and I were traveling abroad years ago, our car broke down, and it was this young lady, Jiayi, who helped us resolve the issue. Later, we found out we were both from Jiangcheng."
Jin Ye's aunt said with a chuckle, "Don't let her wealthy background fool you; she's not spoiled at all. If my two sons were not married, I would have loved to have her as my daughter-in-law."
Jiang Jiayi blushed, "Auntie~"
Su Ding looked at Jiang Jiayi's shy face, slightly surprised. It felt a bit strange.
Perhaps she wasn't good at interacting with elders.
Su Ding silently took a sip of tea. So far, Jin Mu hadn't introduced her to anyone, so she didn't interject, content to eat her fill.
She wanted to see her son tonight, so it was best not to have any conflict with Jin Mu right now.
"Ah, I think Jiayi and Xiao Ye are quite well-matched," Jin Ye's aunt said enthusiastically to Jin Mu. Jin Mu was momentarily stunned, her face full of regret.
Jiang Jiayi, seeing Jin Mu's approval, nodded secretly.
"Auntie, please don't joke. I've met Big Brother Jin, and he doesn't like someone like me," Jiang Jiayi said, giving Su Ding a meaningful glance.
Su Ding found this glance somewhat inexplicable. It wasn't hostility, but rather seemed a bit like seeking favor?
Yet, something felt off, uncomfortable.
Jiang Jiayi then turned to Jin Mu, "But I truly admire Mrs. Jin and want to get to know you. I know you like growing flowers very much, and I also took courses in horticulture abroad. I would like to ask for your guidance someday."
Jin Mu's satisfaction and joy became even more evident.
Few people knew about her hobby of growing flowers. It seemed that Miss Jiang's desire to get to know her was genuine. This thoughtfulness was far better than Su Ding's.
"Miss Jiang is too kind. I don't have much to do usually. I would be delighted if young people like you could come and keep me company," Jin Mu said with a smile.
"Mrs. Jin, please just call me Jiayi," Jiang Jiayi said with a smile.
Jin Mu nodded repeatedly. Seeing Su Ding, who was eating nearby, she inexplicably kicked her lightly with her foot, with a look of disappointment and a hint of impatience.
"Ahem," Su Ding lightly wiped her mouth with a napkin, looking at Jin Mu in confusion.
Jin Mu glared at her.
Su Ding didn't want to go against her and instead smiled at her.
Jin Mu turned away directly, refusing to look at her.
Su Ding looked up at Jiang Jiayi. Jiang Jiayi's gaze exuded friendliness and harmlessness.
But Su Ding was not foolish.
She could see Jiang Jiayi's obvious attempts to curry favor, but she found it strange. Why was Jiang Jiayi trying so hard to please Jin Mu?
Was it for Jin Ye?
Su Ding frowned, but recalled their brief interactions before.
She hadn't noticed any inappropriate feelings from Jiang Jiayi towards Jin Ye. Moreover, Jiang Jiayi knew about her relationship with Jin Ye and had even met their baby.
Jiang Jiayi had always been at ease and had even risked her life to save her.
Could it be for business dealings?
As for this savior, Su Ding was reluctant to think of her in a negative light.