The seven solemn yet simple words were carried by the evening breeze into Song Xingjia's ears.
His brows unfurled, showing no surprise, and his voice was gentle, "I know."
His reaction was so bland that Ji Lanruo felt as if a basin of cold water had been doused over her burning passion, leaving her utterly disappointed.
But upon realizing something, her eyes quickly lit up again, "What I mean by 'like' isn't a fan's admiration for an idol, but the kind of like that makes me want to be your girlfriend."
Passersby came and went, and no one would have known that just moments ago, this young girl had made an important decision in her life.
She had been so brave in expressing her feelings.
In Song Xingjia's eyes, Ji Lanruo was merely an insignificant one among his many fans.
If it weren't for Jiang Mian, he might not have even noticed Ji Lanruo.
Initially, he treated her like a junior, just like Jiang Mian.
So, upon learning she had come to Port City, Song Xingjia felt he should take care of her a little more.
To him, these were all things he should do.
But her confession was something Song Xingjia had never expected.
The two stood under the lamppost, his figure tall and broad, so close to Ji Lanruo yet so impossibly far away.
Sometimes, not answering was also a form of rejection.
Finally, Song Xingjia spoke.
He stared at Ji Lanruo's head, his voice descending from above, "You are very good."
Ji Lanruo's nose stung, she knew what he was going to say the moment he opened his mouth.
She suppressed the prickle of tears and still had the presence of mind to reply, "I know."
A smile spread across Song Xingjia's lips, "So you deserve better."
This sentence was more infuriating than a direct rejection.
What did he mean she deserved better?
What did it matter to her if others were better? Didn't she like Song Xingjia with all her heart precisely because she liked him? What did he mean by saying such a thing now?
Ji Lanruo looked up, tears shimmering in her eyes, "I'll just ask you one question, Song Xingjia, do you like me?"
Dragging things out was not Song Xingjia's style.
Therefore, despite his reluctance, he did not hesitate in the slightest, "No, I don't. My feelings for you are purely those of an elder looking out for a junior. I apologize if I gave you the wrong impression. It won't happen again."
"Okay," Ji Lanruo nodded, "I understand."
She was firm and decisive, "You don't need to send me back, I'll go for a walk by myself."
The moment she turned around, the tears she had been holding back finally streamed down her cheeks.
Didn't like her?
Didn't like that she had lied and claimed to be his fiancée to save him?
Didn't like that he had taken such good care of her?
So, it was all just her wishful thinking.
Behind her, Song Xingjia helplessly dialed a number, "Song Yan, follow her until you see her return home safely."
Song Yan, who had witnessed the entire drama from behind, nodded, "Got it. Then how will you get back, Mr. Song?"
"I'll manage on my own."
"Yes."
Ji Lanruo didn't cry for long before drying her tears. If he didn't like her, then he didn't like her. She wouldn't like him anymore either. What was the big deal?
She wandered outside for a while, buying whatever looked delicious or fun. In the end, she even went to a bar to let loose.
After reprimanding a few men who tried to chat her up, Ji Lanruo found it all rather pointless.
She got up and paid the bill, returning to the hotel late at night under Song Yan's watchful eye.
In the early morning, Song Yan returned to the Song family residence.
The study was brightly lit. Hearing the movement, Song Xingjia looked up, "She's back?"
Song Yan nodded, cautiously saying, "She's back."
Song Xingjia glanced at him, "If you have something to say, just say it."
With his permission, Song Yan immediately opened up, "Miss Ji looked very sad."
Song Xingjia paused. A sharp pain was better than prolonged suffering. He couldn't give her what she wanted, so it was better to be clear once and for all.
Song Yan couldn't help but gossip, "Mr. Song, do you really not like Miss Ji?"
He just couldn't believe it.
"Why would you think I like her?"
"If you didn't like her, why would you put aside a pile of work to take Miss Ji out to dinner?"
"Because... she's my fan and Mianmian's classmate. It's only right that I take care of her."
"Then why did you say she was your fiancée? I don't believe you had no other way to save her at the time." Song Yan boldly continued.
Song Xingjia rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
So, was Ji Lanruo also mistaken because of this?
There were other ways to save the situation, but this excuse was the simplest, most direct, and most effective.
He tapped his long, slender fingers on the desk, "I truly have no intentions towards her."
There was an eight-year age gap between them. She was like a junior; how could he harbor improper thoughts?
Song Yan mumbled softly, "You rejected Miss Ji so decisively today, how will you interact with her tomorrow?"
Song Xingjia pondered for a moment and said, "Tomorrow, you go with her. Stay with her until she's had her fill of food and fun."
Song Yan nodded, "Understood."
The next morning, however, Song Yan rushed back to the company, looking disheveled. "President..."
"What is it?"
"I went to the hotel where Miss Ji was staying, and the front desk said she checked out early this morning."
Upon hearing this, Song Xingjia opened his phone. Sure enough, there was a new message on WeChat.
【Thank you for your hospitality. I have returned to Kyoto. I wish you all the best.】
At that very moment, Ji Lanruo was going through security with her suitcase.
She had initially thought that since she was returning to Kyoto anyway, she might as well clarify things with Song Xingjia before she left.
Well, she had indeed clarified things now. Since it was her one-sided affection, there was no need to stay in Port City.
After sending the message, she blocked Song Xingjia, turned off her phone, and boarded the plane.
Thus, she missed a call from Song Xingjia.
In the office.
Song Yan looked at Song Xingjia, "What now, Mr. Song?"
Song Xingjia came back to his senses, "Check which flight she's on and tell me after she lands safely."
Song Yan said softly, "President, you still care so much about someone you don't like."
"This has nothing to do with liking her or not. I would care about anyone's safety in the same way," Song Xingjia said indifferently.
Song Yan wisely fell silent, "Then I'll go check now."
After he left, Song Xingjia rubbed his phone screen a few times.
Forget it, it was better for her to go back.
He suppressed the faint unusual emotion in his heart and focused on his work.
...
As soon as Ji Lanruo stepped off the plane, she saw Ji Lanyü.
Ji Lanyü took her suitcase from her hand, "What? Long time no see, are you stunned to see your brother?"
After more than a year apart, even her second brother had become somewhat mature.
Ji Lanruo sighed lightly and nestled into his embrace, wrapping her arms around her brother's waist and saying softly in a spoiled tone, "Second Brother, I missed you so much..."
Ji Lanyü was taken aback. It seemed they really hadn't seen each other for a long time, and his little sister had become quite clingy.
He patted Ji Lanruo's back, "Alright, alright, it's good that you're back. Are you going to cry?"
She hadn't intended to cry, but hearing him say that made her eyes well up.
Ji Lanruo huffed softly and let go of him, striding forward, "I'm not crying, stop talking nonsense and let's go home."
Ji Lanyü followed her with a doting look, "Yes, my little princess."
The Ji family had already prepared a welcome banquet for Ji Lanruo.
Seeing her return, the household servants were all beaming with joy, "Madam, Young Master, Miss is back!"
Mother Ji walked out from the living room, "Ruoruo!"
Ji Lanruo quickly walked over and hugged her mother.
The familiar feeling relaxed Ji Lanruo's body and mind. Although she had enjoyed freedom while traveling abroad, at this moment she realized that home was indeed the best.
Mother Ji affectionately stroked her hair, "Alright, it's good that you're back."
Ji Lanruo choked up and nodded, "Yes, Mommy, I won't leave Kyoto anymore."
"Good, being together as a family is the best."
Ji Lanyü handed the suitcase to a servant, "Let's eat first."
Ji Lanruo greeted everyone one by one, "Dad, Eldest Brother, Third Brother."
Father Ji said, "Sit down first."
Ji Lanzhou said, "It's good that you're back."
Ji Lanling said, "Little sister, you're finally back. When you were gone, I became so haggard."
Ji Lanruo chuckled and sat down, "Then it seems you haven't lost weight at all, Third Brother. You've only gotten sturdier."
Ji Lanling rubbed his nose, "That's because I work more, so I eat more. In any case, you're not allowed to leave again this time!"
Ji Lanruo looked at the table full of her favorite dishes and felt her mood lift. She nodded, "I know."
Ji Lanzhou was the first to pick up his chopsticks, saying, "Do you have any plans for what's next? I can arrange a position for you, do you want to come to the company?"
Before she could reply, Ji Lanling chattered, "Little sister, you absolutely must not come! It's exhausting."
Ji Lanruo thought for a moment, "I won't go to the company."
Ji Lanzhou didn't force her. He felt that his little sister had changed a lot after this trip.
"Then what do you want to do?"
It wasn't that the entire Ji family couldn't afford to support Ji Lanruo, nor was it that Ji Lanruo couldn't be idle at home.
It was just that as a brother, he hoped his little sister could find her own aspirations and goals in life.
Instead of living a muddled existence every day.
Ji Lanyü picked a large chicken drumstick for Ji Lanruo, "I'll support whatever my little sister wants to do!"
"I want to be an actress," Ji Lanruo blinked her eyes and announced her decision to them.
Father Ji frowned, "Have you thought it through?"
"I have. My major is also related to performing arts. I want to do something related to it, otherwise, have I been studying for nothing these past few years?" Ji Lanruo said seriously.
Ji Lanyü also put down his chopsticks, "Have you really thought it through?"
It wasn't that he didn't trust his little sister, but he knew that his little sister was different from Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian had been admitted to the Peking University Department of Performance with the top score in the professional courses.
As for his little sister, while her grades weren't bad, she had chosen the performance department casually. She was at the bottom of the entire major in terms of grades.
Now that she suddenly wanted to enter this industry, Ji Lanyü was somewhat doubtful, "Are you just going to be enthusiastic for three minutes this time?"
Ji Lanruo smiled sweetly, then unceremoniously twisted her brother's arm, "You're the one with three-minute enthusiasm! I'm serious."
She had some interest in this field, and for certain reasons, she felt she understood the industry quite well.
If she had to choose a future goal, then becoming an actress was what she wanted to do most at the moment.
Ji Lanzhou smiled, "Alright, since our little sister likes it, let her do it."
Ji Lanyü bared his teeth, "Then I'll invest in your first drama, little sister?"
Ji Lanruo smiled even brighter, "Sure, I want to film with Jiang Mian."
Ji Lanyü twitched his lips, "I thought you would humbly hide your identity, go to Hengdian as an extra, and then become famous overnight, revealing your identity as the Ji family's daughter."
Ji Lanruo rolled her eyes, "I have resources at home, why shouldn't I use them?"
She wasn't stupid.
Ji Lanzhou smiled helplessly, "You're right, if you have them, you should use them."
After dinner, Ji Lanruo went upstairs.
Her room was still clean and tidy, just as it was when she left, with no changes.
Ji Lanruo's heart ached, feeling guilty for neglecting her family while she had been traveling abroad for so long.
Downstairs, Ji Lanyü frowned as he heard the clanging sounds from upstairs, "What is little sister doing upstairs?"
Ji Lanling was unpacking the gifts Ji Lanruo brought him, and without looking up, said, "I don't know. She just called two maids up."
As they were talking, the maids carried a large pile of books, magazines, and small cards from upstairs.
Ji Lanyü stopped them, "What are you carrying?"
The maids stopped, "Replying to Second Young Master, these are things that the Eldest Young Lady said she didn't want. She told us to take them away and throw them out."
Ji Lanyü casually flipped one open, "Song Xingjia?"
Ji Lanling scrambled up from the sofa, his eyes gleaming, "Little sister has finally stopped being a fan?! Little sister finally doesn't like him anymore. I told you, you should have thrown them away earlier!!"
He knew it, there was no one more handsome than him in this world!
Yet his little sister seemed enchanted, liking this Song movie emperor for so many years.
Ji Lanling grinned, "I'll hang my photo album in little sister's room later!"