"I'll learn from you later!"
She had more important things to do now.
The same-day delivery was fast, and Jiang Mian soon received her purchases.
She carried them back to her room and sat cross-legged on the carpet, opening the large box. She carefully checked everything and, once she was sure nothing was missing, she opened WeChat.
Jiang Mian: [Lu San'er, do you know what fruit Ah Xiu likes to eat?]
Lu Cong: [He seems to eat everything except apples.]
Jiang Mian: [Why doesn't he eat apples?]
Lu Cong: [He just finds them unpleasant to eat.]
Jiang Mian: [Are you free in three days? I'd like to invite you to the villa to play.]
Lu Cong: [No problem, if the little sister-in-law invites me, I must come!]
After confirming he could come, Jiang Mian messaged Chang Qin and Chang Qing.
They both agreed.
Finally, Jiang Mian messaged Shen Muxuan.
With her tasks complete, Jiang Mian found a birthday card.
She lay on the carpet, pen in hand, unsure where to start. Once she'd decided what she wanted to say, she began to write.
After finishing, she put it aside and was about to continue when she heard footsteps.
Jiang Mian quickly got up and shoved the cardboard box under the bed.
She turned her head. "Is it time to eat?"
Ji Zhixiu raised an eyebrow, noticing her actions. "No, I just came to get some documents."
"Oh!" Kuaishu Pavilion
"Eat by yourself tonight. I have a cross-continental conference call, and I don't know when it will end. Don't wait for me."
Ji Zhixiu found the documents and instructed her.
Jiang Mian nodded vigorously. "No problem, you go ahead."
After he left, Jiang Mian dashed downstairs like the wind. "Aunt Song! Here I am!"
"Then today I'll teach you how to whip cream first," Aunt Song said with a smile.
"Okay," Jiang Mian found some eggs, cracked two, and plugged in the electric mixer. "I'm ready."
She was leaving tomorrow, so she had to learn well today.
With the man in a meeting, it gave her plenty of time.
Jiang Mian studied diligently, feeding any unsuccessful attempts to Xiaobai.
After a few failures, she gradually gained experience.
Time ticked by.
Jiang Mian shook her sore wrist. "Continue."
She had already memorized the steps and only needed to do the piping.
A few minutes later, it was done.
Jiang Mian stroked her chin. "It looks... not bad?"
She looked at Aunt Song questioningly.
Aunt Song chuckled. "It's not bad. For your first attempt, young madam, this is already very good. You'll get even better with more practice."
Jiang Mian was delighted. She had wanted to make a more complex design, but her limited skills only allowed for the simplest.
She cut a slice and tasted it. "It's bland; I didn't put enough sugar in the cream. The cake base is also a bit hard."
She knew exactly how much to put in next time.
"Don't rush, take your time."
Jiang Mian: "Aunt Song, please help me send this cake to Xiaobai and the others later."
"Certainly."
Estimating the time, Jiang Mian went upstairs to take a bath and change.
Even with the electric mixer, her hands were still sore.
When she came out, Ji Zhixiu was already lying on the outer edge of the bed in a sky-blue pajama set.
Jiang Mian looked surprised. "You finished so early?"
The desire in Ji Zhixiu's eyes was undisguised, and his voice was deep. "You're leaving tomorrow."
Jiang Mian's cheeks flushed. She wiped her hair dry, kicked off her slippers, and got into bed, intending to step over him.
As soon as she moved, her wrist was caught. Jiang Mian let out a small gasp and her knees buckled, causing her to kneel on the duvet.
Ji Zhixiu's brows furrowed, and he loosened his grip. "What's wrong with your hand?"
Jiang Mian rolled her eyes and said with a feigned pout, "Nothing, nothing. You just pressed an acupuncture point! It went numb all of a sudden."
"It was unintentional," he said, gently massaging it for a moment before pulling her into his arms. His voice was languid and seductive. "Sleep?"
Jiang Mian knew that his definition of "sleep" was not the literal one.
However, she was thinking the same thing. She found the remote and turned off the light.
In the darkness, Jiang Mian kissed Ji Zhixiu's cheek. "My flight is at nine tomorrow."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Ji Zhixiu rolled over and pinned her beneath him, his hot breath close.
So close that only their breathing could be heard.
Ji Zhixiu opened a drawer but couldn't find what he was looking for, frowning slightly.
Jiang Mian could tell he was struggling to restrain himself, yet he made no move. She licked her lips, her voice soft as water. "What's wrong?"
Ji Zhixiu's voice was husky and seductive. "I want to turn on the light."
"Then turn it on."
Ji Zhixiu turned on the bedside lamp and discovered that the drawer was indeed empty.
"We're out of condoms."
The arrow had been loosed, and there was no turning back. He threw off the covers and was about to get out of bed.
Jiang Mian grabbed his arm. "Where are you going?"
"To buy some," he replied succinctly.
Jiang Mian was both amused and exasperated. She nudged his arm with her chest, her voice very soft.
But in the quiet room, it was clearly audible.
She said, "It's not... absolutely necessary..."
As soon as she finished speaking, she felt her head being covered.
Then, a shower of kisses descended from her forehead, winding downwards...
...
The next morning.
Ji Zhixiu felt refreshed. He checked the time and woke Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian was incredibly sleepy. This was the result of her begging Ji Zhixiu for a long time last night to let her off the hook.
She fluttered her eyelids and rolled over in bed. "I don't want to get up."
Ji Zhixiu knew she was a difficult person to wake up. He tentatively asked, "Shall I dress you?"
"Third item in the left wardrobe," she mumbled sleepily, eyes closed.
She was being completely taken care of.
Ji Zhixiu touched his nose and opened the wardrobe to find the clothes.
Then, he scooped her out from under the covers and dressed her as if she were a doll.
Jiang Mian yawned and opened her eyes. "I'm still so sleepy."
"There's an hour left," Ji Zhixiu said, glancing at the clock.
"???"
Jiang Mian immediately perked up as if she'd had a shot of adrenaline. "I'm ready!"
Her luggage had already been packed. She went downstairs, where breakfast was laid out on the table.
Jiang Mian picked up her breakfast and changed her shoes in the entryway. Ji Zhixiu followed her. "You really don't want me to take you?"
"No need, just wait for me to come back, okay?" Jiang Mian stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek. "It'll be soon."
Ji Zhixiu hummed and hugged her. "Message me when you arrive."
"I know, I know. I'm leaving now. Remember to eat breakfast before going to the company."
Jiang Mian paused as she walked out, as if she'd remembered something. Her small face lit up like the sun, and she let go of her luggage.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, their eyes meeting, only each other in sight.
Jiang Mian smiled brightly, maintaining an air of mystery. "Wait for me! I have a surprise for you!"
"Okay, I'll be waiting for your surprise."
As soon as Jiang Mian boarded the plane, she habitually put on her eye mask.
Just as she was about to rest, her right shoulder was tapped.
She turned her head to look to her right and rear, but there was no one in the seat. Her gaze shifted to the woman sitting on the outer edge.
Their eyes met, and the woman looked exceptionally innocent.
Jiang Mian frowned and turned back.
Immediately after, her left shoulder was tapped.
Jiang Mian narrowed her eyes, decisively looked to her right rear again, and then spotted a familiar figure.
She let out a soft scoff. "Immature."
Nightwing was leaning over the back of her seat, revealing a row of pearly white teeth as he smiled brilliantly. "I thought you'd be surprised to see me."
He was wearing a blue hoodie with English lettering and a matching baseball cap.
A row of diamond earrings on his ear sparkled, and the tips of his chestnut hair had a hint of rebelliousness.
He looked just like a delinquent school king.
"No surprise, but a fright," Jiang Mian pouted. "Why are you here too?"
"Going on a trip to relax," he said casually.
In truth, it was because Jing Yiyi had come looking for him again.
He had tried everything, good words and bad, but it was no use.
He had no idea how to face that girl anymore.
If he couldn't deal with her, he could at least avoid her.
The moment he turned off his phone after boarding the plane, the whole world became peaceful.
Jiang Mian chuckled and closed her eyes. "I'm sleepy. I'm going to sleep. Don't disturb me."
"As you command."
He nodded solemnly.
Jiang Mian slept soundly until she opened her eyes to find Nightwing's face looming over hers.
Both of them were startled.
Jiang Mian clutched her chest and turned to look for someone.
Li Zhuyi was sitting behind her, grinning sheepishly and explaining cautiously, "Mr. Ye asked me to switch seats with him."
Jiang Mian waved her hand, not blaming her.
"Nightwing, are you crazy? Why are you so close to me?"
Nightwing hadn't expected her to wake up so suddenly.
He had been feeling guilty, but hearing her words suddenly energized him. "Of course, I'm here to sleep with you."
"I don't need that," she said irritably.
"Alright then. Let's stay in Paris for a few more days. I'll show you around," Nightwing said, stroking his chin and asking for her opinion.
"No, I need to get back quickly." She refused.
"What are you afraid of? I can arrange for the company to postpone those schedules for you."
"I have personal matters."
Nightwing frowned, displeased. "It's not related to Ji Zhixiu, is it?"
Jiang Mian nodded. "You guessed right. It's his birthday. I need to get back early."
Nightwing tutted, his voice tinged with jealousy. "He's already so old, why celebrate his birthday?"
"Who says adults can't celebrate? I celebrate too."
"You and him are not the same." He sounded displeased.
"What's different?"
"Everything is different."
Jiang Mian didn't want to argue with him. "If you want to have fun for a few days, you can just stay in Paris longer."
She was clearly in a good mood, and her spirits weren't affected.
Nightwing chuckled. "Fine."
After they landed, he followed Jiang Mian. "Where are you going? Take me with you."
The magazine had arranged for someone to pick Jiang Mian up at the airport.
They exchanged greetings. As it was Nightwing's turn, Jiang Mian was about to speak.
When he said, "I'm Miss Jiang's assistant."
The other person paused, then praised, "Very distinctive."
Jiang Mian paused for a moment, not exposing him.
This collaboration was with the international fashion magazine "Chic Woman," which had a century of development history. They had invited Jiang Mian for the October cover shoot.
For her, it was a significant recognition and encouragement.
The group checked into the hotel arranged by the collaborating party. The official shoot would be tomorrow.
As soon as Jiang Mian finished unpacking, food was delivered to the hotel.
It was Jiang Mian's favorite flavor. She placed it on the table, intending to take a bath before enjoying it.
Just then, she heard a knock on the door.