She reached for the doorknob and turned it gently.
The large office was brightly lit, with sunlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The sun was shining outside, and Jiang Mian could even see the tiny dust motes dancing in the air.
She curved her lips upwards slightly, her gaze falling on the man in the center of the room.
Ji Zhi Xiu was wearing a distressed gold-striped silkworm silk shirt today, with a black single-breasted suit jacket over it.
The tie was one that Jiang Mian had struggled to get up that morning to tie for him.
Jiang Mian saw that the suit jacket was draped on a nearby hanger.
The man’s hands, like jade bones, rested on the tabletop, the sunlight acting as the perfect filter.
His sleeves were slightly rolled up, revealing a section of his arm that gleamed with a fair, alluring…desire.
Jiang Mian couldn't help but recall that these hands had once served her food and had also held her waist with an undeniable force.
Currently, his fingers held a document. It was like the most meticulously crafted work of art. Quite pleasing to the eye.
Hearing the movement, the man looked up slightly, his eyes showing no surprise.
He straightened his upper body, the coldness in his eyes and brows fading, his voice cool yet with a hint of warmth, “Work finished?”
Jiang Mian responded cheerfully, then walked around to his side, “Sorry, I didn’t have time to get you… Ah!”
Before she could finish, she was pulled into his embrace with a soft cry and landed on his lap.
Jiang Mian tilted her head, her voice soft, “Have you eaten? I just finished filming, didn’t have time to message you.”
Ji Zhi Xiu naturally held her palm, his gaze lingering on her lips for a moment, his eyes dark, “I know, haven’t eaten yet.”
“Why didn’t you eat?”
“Waiting for you.”
Jiang Mian felt a little embarrassed, yet a small thrill of joy bloomed in her heart.
She cleared her throat, “Shall we go out to eat now then?”
Thinking of him looking at documents when she first entered, she added thoughtfully, “If you’re busy, I can go out to eat alone, and I can bring you back something afterwards!”
Ji Zhi Xiu’s gaze was fixed on her lips, “Your lipstick today is very vibrant.”
“Is it? It’s probably because I reapplied it a few times.” She thought the makeup looked good and hadn’t removed it after filming.
Ji Zhi Xiu looked serious, “Yes, it is. What shade is it?”
Jiang Mian pouted slightly and leaned closer to him, letting him see clearly, “I don’t know, the stylist prepared it, I forgot to ask. It’s a bit like… Mmm…”
The next second, a kiss, charged with fervent heat, descended without warning.
Much like the man himself, it was a forceful embrace, impossible to evade, his arms wrapping around her waist.
Jiang Mian could feel the man’s lips linger on hers for only a moment before he delved into her warm mouth.
Like two fish chasing and playing with each other, intimately and without restraint…
Jiang Mian’s eyelashes fluttered, her body suddenly relaxing, her entire weight pressing down on his lap, her small hands instinctively encircling his waist.
It was a long while before they finally parted.
Ji Zhi Xiu’s gaze remained on her lips, which were now flushed a deeper hue after the kiss.
The young girl had a beautiful lip shape.
Her upper lip was heart-shaped, and when she spoke, pulling at the corners of her lips, it was already incredibly alluring.
Not to mention how her lips were now plump and glossy, a perfect shade of red, making them look incredibly kissable.
He had intended to take her to eat first, but the young girl, oblivious, leaned forward.
To remain unmoved would seem impolite.
Jiang Mian was still catching her breath, even after being together for so long.
But Jiang Mian would still be captivated by his every intimate gesture.
Ji Zhi Xiu held her in his arms, his voice filled with joy, “Shall we go eat?”
Jiang Mian mumbled, “What time is it? Will the Japanese restaurant still be open after the usual dining hours?”
Ji Zhi Xiu glanced at the time, “One thirty. I guarantee you’ll get to eat. Hm?”
He pinched her soft cheek with his fingertip, “Good girl, get up now.”
Jiang Mian braced herself on the table and got up from his lap. She took out a mirror from her bag and tidied her hair.
Her lipstick had been completely kissed away, and she couldn't help but blush, saying softly, “I’m going straight home after dinner, I’m not coming to your company.”
Ji Zhi Xiu nodded, “Okay, I’ll take you back.”
He picked up his jacket and slung it over his arm, taking her small hand in his.
“Wait!” Jiang Mian stopped.
“What is it?”
She looked up, blinking a few times, “Is it not good for us to go out like this?”
She weakly tried to pull her hand away, but couldn't. She then looked up at Ji Zhi Xiu again, emphasizing, “Mind your propriety.”
“What propriety? I’m holding my wife’s hand…” Ji Zhi Xiu frowned, sounding displeased.
“Someone might see.” She stood on tiptoe and kissed Ji Zhi Xiu on the cheek, her voice sweet and soft, “Please!”
Ji Zhi Xiu rubbed his temples, looking down at her with a hint of helplessness, “When will Mrs. Ji give me a proper status?”
Jiang Mian smiled ingratiatingly, “Don’t you think it’s good like this? It has the thrill of a secret relationship.”
Ji Zhi Xiu narrowed his long, slender eyes. Heaven knew how much he regretted their secret marriage.
At the time, he wanted to make things easier for the young girl, not to pressure her. After all, she was still studying, and he didn't want his family involved.
Now, it felt clandestine, and he was uncomfortable doing anything.
“Isn’t it good?” Jiang Mian continued to plead softly.
“No,” he refused, not loosening his grip on her hand.
“No one will see,” he explained, fearing she might have a meltdown, “Everyone on this floor is on their lunch break at this hour. No one will see.”
Jiang Mian squeezed his palm hard, pouting, “You’re only saying that now!”
“Alright, my fault. Let’s go out first.”
They walked out of the office openly. As the man had said, the secretary’s department was indeed empty.
Jiang Mian breathed a sigh of relief.
They went to a chain Japanese restaurant.
The waiter led them to their seats. After they ordered, Jiang Mian asked him, “Did you book this in advance?”
Ji Zhi Xiu grunted, “I booked this place as soon as you mentioned eating Japanese food at noon.”
While waiting for the food, Jiang Mian rested her chin on her hand, “I plan to take Xiao Yu Gan to get his fur trimmed and take a bath this afternoon.”
“Let Xiang Long take you.”
Jiang Mian shook her head, “I’ll drive myself, it’s too much trouble to bring him along.”
Since she didn’t want him to, Ji Zhi Xiu didn’t insist, “Okay, do as you think best.”
…
In the afternoon, Jiang Mian arrived at the pet store within the scheduled time with Xiao Yu Gan.
Xiao Yu Gan was always well-behaved and sensible during bath time, rarely making a fuss.
Jiang Mian used the waiting time to look around the store.
This pet store was quite large, and the waiting area was also very well-designed.
It allowed people and pets to interact up close. Jiang Mian often brought Xiao Yu Gan here when she wasn't filming.
She saw a new Maine Coon cat in a cage. Its fur was beautiful, its eyes were slanted upwards, giving it a fierce look.
Upon seeing Jiang Mian, it merely glanced at her indifferently before lying down.
Jiang Mian couldn't help but turn to the store assistant and ask, “Is this one new?”
“Yes, very fierce!”
Jiang Mian bent down and stared at it, unable to help but exclaim, “It’s very beautiful.”
“Take it home if you like it,” a gentle male voice chimed in.
Jiang Mian turned to look at the person who had spoken, quite surprised, “It’s you.”
“Yes, what a coincidence. I didn’t expect to see you here,” Shen Mu Yuan smiled slightly.
He had just been passing by and caught sight of Jiang Mian through the glass window.
The woman was wearing a denim overalls dress, her hair smooth and flowing. She was slightly bent over, her profile captivating.
Especially the joy radiating from her heart.
He couldn't help but step inside.
“I already have a cat,” Jiang Mian straightened up, withdrawing her gaze, and replied to his suggestion.
“You can still have another cat. For Zhi Xiu, the number of cats you have is not a problem, is it?” Shen Mu Yuan said with a smile.
Jiang Mian frowned and replied seriously, “Cats are like people. If you have too many, they’ll vie for attention. One is enough, and it’s all I have.”
She found the cat beautiful, but that didn't mean she wanted to own it.
Nor did it mean Xiao Yu Gan wasn't beautiful.
It was merely her exclamation upon seeing something beautiful.
Shen Mu Yuan paused, “You’re right.”
He paused again, his gaze falling on the Maine Coon cat, “Do you like this cat very much?”
Jiang Mian nodded, “I think he’s… quite extraordinary.”
“Coincidentally, I also want to get a cat. Can you help me pick one?” For some reason, Shen Mu Yuan suddenly felt the urge to get a cat.
A kitten, docile and clingy, and cute, that would be nice too.
Jiang Mian pursed her lips. It wasn’t that she was deliberately refusing, but she didn’t know much about this area.
Xiao Yu Gan was a gift from Ji Zhi Xiu.
“I don’t know what kind you like, but when it comes to getting a cat, it’s best to choose one that appeals to your eye,” she said tactfully.
“Then I’ll take this one. I think it’s very beautiful too.”
Before Jiang Mian could say anything, the store assistant brought Xiao Yu Gan over with his carrier, “He’s all washed and groomed, his fur and nails have been trimmed.”
Jiang Mian took the carrier and thanked them, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Xiao Yu Gan is very well-behaved.”
Jiang Mian turned to bid farewell to Shen Mu Yuan, “I’m done with my business, I’ll be going now. See you next time.”
Shen Mu Yuan gazed at her and nodded slightly, “See you next time.”
He watched her with a faint smile on her lips as she walked out of the door, carrying the carrier, her back slender.
“Sir, is there anything I can help you with?” the store assistant asked.
Shen Mu Yuan withdrew his gaze, “I’ll buy this Maine Coon cat.”
“Certainly, sir. We are a registered cattery. This Maine Coon cat has been vaccinated and dewormed. Please follow me, and I’ll provide you with the vaccination records…”
Shen Mu Yuan glanced at the Maine Coon cat and interrupted her, “Does he have a name?”
Logically, cats brought to the store would be named, but this one had just arrived and hadn’t been named yet.
The store assistant smiled, “Not yet, the new owner can name him.”
“I see.”
Shen Residence.
Shen Ting Yu sat on the sofa, looking a bit bewildered, “Where did the cat come from? And its name?”
Shen Mu Yuan: “I went out and bought it.”
Shen Ting Yu frowned, not understanding why her brother had bought a cat on his outing.
“It’s a very beautiful cat.” As soon as he said it, he realized it was inappropriate, especially since his younger sister couldn’t see anything now.
He quickly changed the subject, “Have you packed everything? We’re leaving tomorrow.”
Doctors in the capital were helpless with blindness, saying only time could offer some relief, and they could observe the subsequent results.
Shen Ting Yu, naturally, couldn’t stand it. If she just waited like this, what if her eyes never recovered?
Wouldn’t that be a waste?
The insecurity that came with blindness for so many days was still unbearable.
She tried to soften her voice, “It’s all packed, brother.”
Shen Mu Yuan saw through her forced composure, sat down, and patted her shoulder, “Believe me, everything will be alright. I’ve already made arrangements over there.”