She changed her clothes and walked out. The man was still in the kitchen, making noodles, with his back to her.
From Jiang Mian's perspective, the man had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs. His suit pants hugged his round buttocks, giving him a great figure. Jiang Mian stared at him, mesmerized.
She embraced him from behind, resting her head on Ji Zhixiu's back.
Ji Zhixiu thought she was hungry and soothed, "Go sit and wait. It'll be ready soon."
"No, I just want to hug you," she said, clinging to him like a kitten.
Ji Zhixiu found it hard to resist this version of Jiang Mian.
Seeing that it was almost ready, he scooped up the noodles. His long fingers gripped the edge of the bowl, and he walked out with her in one arm.
At the slate dining table, Ji Zhixiu handed her chopsticks.
Jiang Mian was indeed hungry, but she ate slowly and elegantly.
Ji Zhixiu's cooking was as good as ever. He knew her so well that he hadn't even added any chopped scallions.
She ate every last bite, then took a tissue to wipe her mouth. Leaning back in her chair, she looked like a contented kitten.
Ji Zhixiu put the bowls in the dishwasher and said to her, "Chang Qin and the others have set up a situation at Prince Yan's mansion and want me to go over."
Chang Qin was Ji Zhixiu's childhood friend, and Jiang Mian knew him.
He was also one of the few people who knew about their secret marriage.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mian rubbed her little face and whimpered, "I want to go too."
Normally, Jiang Mian wouldn't willingly participate in their male-dominated gatherings. She found them boring and preferred to spend her time getting her nails done.
However, now that Shen Tingyu was back, Jiang Mian felt it was necessary to understand Chang Qin and the others' attitudes.
It was quite important to secure allies.
Ji Zhixiu's expression was unreadable. Hearing her want to go, he glanced at the sweater she was wearing. "Go put on some clothes."
Jiang Mian slowly sat up and reappeared a moment later.
She was bundled up like a ball.
She wore a goose-yellow down jacket on top and fleece-lined straight-leg pants on the bottom. Even so, she still appeared slender.
She slung her small handbag over her shoulder. "Let's go."
Prince Yan's Mansion.
The owner behind Prince Yan's Mansion was Chang Qin, and Ji Zhixiu was also an investor. Their group often chose this place for gatherings.
They walked in as if they owned the place and found their usual private room.
Ji Zhixiu pushed the door open.
The people in the room looked up at the sound, and an instant silence fell.
Wow, Ji, the CEO who was always aloof from women, was actually with a woman on his arm?!
Soon, the atmosphere returned to its usual liveliness.
"Brother Xiu, why did you bring a beauty today?"
"None of us brought our significant others today."
Chang Qin, like an energetic monkey, enthusiastically greeted them, "Sister-in-law Xiu, come and sit!" He then glared at the others, "This is our sister-in-law. Be polite to her."
Ji Zhixiu said nothing, but he put his arm around Jiang Mian and sat down.
Jiang Mian gave a faint smile, her delicate face looking gentle and lovely. "Hello everyone."
"Hello, sister-in-law."
"Hello, sister-in-law."
"Sister-in-law, how did you and Brother Xiu get together? Is Brother Xiu usually fierce to you?"
These people were all friends of Ji Zhixiu. Their families had intertwined interests and dealings, so they weren't afraid of Ji Zhixiu and dared to ask such bold questions.
Jiang Mian maintained a smile on her lips, not replying, but looking at Ji Zhixiu with a demure, dependent air.
Ji Zhixiu looked up at everyone, his brow furrowed slightly, a protective tone in his voice. "She's shy."
The implication was, stop asking questions. If you have something to say, say it to me.
Who would dare question him?
Chang Qin was unfazed. He knew how much Ji Zhixiu cared about this "sister-in-law."
Lu Cong returned after a trip to the restroom.
Upon seeing Jiang Mian in the private room, Lu Cong plopped down next to Chang Qin and whispered, "Who is this?"
Chang Qin replied, "Remember this, Lu Cong. This is our sister-in-law. She belongs to Brother Xiu."
A sense of unease suddenly surged in Lu Cong's heart.
Hearing this, he became even more flustered. He said with a mournful face, "It's over, Chang Qin. You have to save me."
Chang Qin picked up a peanut and popped it into his mouth. "What's wrong?"
"I called Shen Tingyu..."
As soon as he said it, Chang Qin almost swore. He cursed, "You idiot, Lu Cong! Shen Tingyu and Brother Xiu are history. Why did you call her?"
"She's back in the country, right? She called me asking if I'd seen Brother Xiu. I figured Brother Xiu was coming for dinner today... so I told her you'd be here too. I sent her the address. She should be here any minute."
As he spoke, Lu Cong felt like crying. "I didn't know Brother Xiu would bring a sister-in-law. He's been alone for years. I thought he still had feelings for Shen Tingyu..."
Chang Qin knew about Jiang Mian's existence by Ji Zhixiu's side, but Ji Zhixiu seemed unwilling to publicize their relationship.
So, except for a few people, no one knew. Lu Cong was not among them. He had meant well but caused trouble.
He quickly urged Lu Cong to get his phone. "Send her a message now and say Brother Xiu isn't coming today, and she should go back."
"It's too late..." Lu Cong stared blankly at the private room door.
Shen Tingyu knocked twice, but the noise in the room was too loud for anyone to hear.
So, she pushed the door open herself.
As soon as she opened the door, she saw the man opposite her.
The man leaned back in his chair, looking languid and indifferent. Ji Zhixiu was looking down, fiddling with Jiang Mian's fair, jade-like fingers, as if he couldn't get enough of them.
He didn't even look up.
Lu Cong's heart pounded. This wasn't going to be a case of two women fighting over one man, was it? If it was, he'd rather just hit his head against a wall and die, saving himself from being screwed over by Brother Xiu later.
Chang Qin stood up. "Shen Tingyu, why are you here?"
He never had a good impression of Shen Tingyu, and he felt she didn't hold much sway in Brother Xiu's heart. There was no need to be polite.
Shen Tingyu wore elaborate makeup, her curly hair falling over her shoulders. Despite the cold weather, she was wearing a knit dress.
She gazed at Ji Zhixiu for a moment, then gracefully said, "I came to see Zhixiu."
No one in the room dared to make a scene.
Jiang Mian hadn't expected Shen Tingyu to come, let alone find this place.
Who invited her?
She furrowed her little nose and looked Shen Tingyu up and down.
She didn't seem as tall as her, nor did she have as big a bust. Did Ji Zhixiu like her personality?
Ji Zhixiu remained silent, lost in his own world, paying no attention to his surroundings. The room seemed to have its own frigid atmosphere.
Silence.
Lu Cong looked pleadingly at Chang Qin, silently asking, "What do we do now?" This was like a scene from hell.
Chang Qin just grunted, offering no further comment.
Seeing Shen Tingyu standing at the door for so long without anyone offering her a seat, someone tried to ease the tension. "Since you're here, why don't you sit down and we can all have dinner together?"
Shen Tingyu took the opportunity. "Thank you. It's been a while since I've seen everyone."
She found a seat directly opposite Ji Zhixiu.
Her eyes immediately fell on the woman beside Ji Zhixiu.
But she didn't dare to question her. She wasn't in a position to do so now.
Everyone resumed eating and drinking.
Jiang Mian glanced at her a few times and then looked away.
Ji Zhixiu served her a bowl of sweet soup. She needed to use the restroom. She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I'm going to the restroom."
Ji Zhixiu gave a barely perceptible nod. "Go ahead."
The heating in the private room was too strong. Jiang Mian took off her down jacket and placed it in Ji Zhixiu's arms. "Hold this for me."
After taking it off, she felt much lighter.
She walked towards the restroom.
When she came out, she saw Shen Tingyu standing by the restroom door.
She paused for a second, then walked over and turned on the faucet to wash her hands.
Then, she prepared to walk past her, but Shen Tingyu called out to her, "Let's talk."
Jiang Mian's large, watery eyes looked at her, then she nodded. "Okay."
"Let's go to the corridor outside."
They walked to the far end of the corridor, where few people usually went.
They stopped, maintaining a comfortable distance.
Shen Tingyu scrutinized Jiang Mian.
She was indeed beautiful, with eyes that bore a slight resemblance to her own. If people didn't know, they might even think they were sisters.
A pang of pain shot through her heart. Zhixiu must be seeking revenge for her leaving him all those years ago, otherwise, he wouldn't be with a woman who looked so much like her.
Shen Tingyu took a deep breath and mustered her courage. "Are you Zhixiu's girlfriend?"
After asking, she stared intently at Jiang Mian, afraid of hearing the answer she didn't want to hear.
Jiang Mian shook her head.
Relief washed over Shen Tingyu. When she looked at Jiang Mian again, there was a hint of disdain in her eyes. "You're not even his girlfriend?"
He didn't even give you a title. Zhixiu, I knew you still had me in your heart.
Jiang Mian nodded.
She wasn't his girlfriend; she was his wife.
Shen Tingyu suddenly felt a surge of confidence. "I'm sure you've noticed, we look somewhat alike. I suspect Zhixiu is looking for my reflection in you."
Jiang Mian was a little unhappy. "Zhixiu," she called him so intimately. She didn't like it.
Seeing her expression change, Shen Tingyu assumed she had struck a nerve. With a mix of pity and triumph, she said, "Now that I'm back, he doesn't need you anymore. You can leave. Get away from him."
Jiang Mian shook her head.
A faint sense of regret surfaced in her heart. Shen Tingyu's eyeshadow was so sparkly. She had left in such a hurry today that she hadn't even put on any makeup.
Alas, she was at a disadvantage against her love rival.
Shen Tingyu hadn't expected her to dare to refuse.
She frowned. "Don't you understand what I'm saying?"
Jiang Mian's fair face, devoid of makeup, and her flat snow boots made her stand a little shorter than Shen Tingyu, and she seemed to lack some presence.
She took a slight step back, as if intimidated.
Shen Tingyu looked at her. "Forget it. I'll give you some money, five million. Leave him, is that enough? You're only with Ji Zhixiu for the money, aren't you?"
Jiang Mian shook her head.
Five million? Was that even worth mentioning? If she divorced Ji Zhixiu now, they would split the assets equally, and that amount wouldn't even be a fraction of her share.
Shen Tingyu was a little exasperated. If you said she was obedient, she answered every question. If you said she wasn't obedient, she didn't listen to what you said.
In a fit of anger, she grabbed Jiang Mian's wrist and pleaded, "I'm begging you, please leave him, okay? I can't live without him."
Her voice was urgent, her emotions heightened, and the force of her grip unconsciously increased.
Ji Zhixiu was silently counting how long the young lady had been gone.
Five minutes. Why wasn't she back yet?