Ji Zhixiu shot up, disbelief flashing in his eyes, "What did you say?"
He took a breath and blurted out, "The young madam is back! She's at the entrance of the manor right now!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, a gust of wind swept past him, so fast that Ji Zhixiu could only see his own shadow.
Ji Zhixiu ran outside, a smile blooming on his face, his heart overflowing with joy.
At the entrance.
Everyone was shocked.
They hadn't seen the young madam for a month, and they never expected her to return on her own.
Xiao Bai was the first to rush forward, "Young madam! You're finally back!"
"Young madam!"
Everyone could clearly see that the president's mood had been exceptionally low recently. With the young madam's return, things would be much better!
Jiang Mian's eyes curved into crescents as she stood before them, "Yes, I'm back."
As her voice faded, she was suddenly pulled into an embrace.
The intense warmth passed between them, and Jiang Mian's chest felt tight, making it difficult to breathe.
But she didn't break free. Instead, she hugged him back tightly, nestling her head against his chest, her voice soft, "Axiu..."
Ji Zhixiu held her, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.
If one listened closely, they could hear a tremor in his voice, "You're finally back..."
Jiang Mian couldn't help but blink away tears, "I'm sorry... for making you wait so long."
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back..."
In the living room.
After his initial excitement, Ji Zhixiu finally regained some of his usual composure.
"Do you want to eat something?" he asked.
Jiang Mian nodded, "Okay, I'm hungry too."
She didn't say how she returned, and he didn't ask.
Ji Zhixiu served the dishes made by Aunt Song and sat opposite her, "Eat slowly."
A blush crept onto Jiang Mian's cheeks, and she looked a little embarrassed, "Are you going to keep looking at me like this?"
Ji Zhixiu propped his chin on his hand, his gaze fixed on her, "I haven't seen you in so long."
These words made them both feel a pang of sadness.
Jiang Mian lowered her head and picked up a piece of vegetable, not noticing Ji Zhixiu's gaze.
After dinner, Jiang Mian went upstairs, "I want to take a bath."
Ji Zhixiu nodded, "Okay. I'll wait for you. Call me if you need anything."
Jiang Mian tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek, "I'll be quick."
Ji Zhixiu lowered his head, gazing at her, his voice gentle, "Go ahead."
After her bath, Jiang Mian opened the bathroom door and immediately saw Ji Zhixiu standing by the window.
She walked over, hugged his broad shoulders, and said tenderly, "Axiu..."
Ji Zhixiu turned around, his brow slightly furrowed.
Jiang Mian was only wrapped in a bathrobe, revealing her delicate collarbone. Her dark hair was buried in a pink dry hair cap.
Her small face was flushed from the steam, and a few droplets of water occasionally trickled down her exquisite collarbone, disappearing into the robe.
He shifted, at a loss for words at the sight, "Blow dry your hair first."
Jiang Mian tilted her head and pouted, "I want you to help me."
"Alright."
Jiang Mian sat at the dressing table, with Ji Zhixiu standing behind her.
He expertly blew dry her hair.
When her hair was about seventy to eighty percent dry, Jiang Mian stood up and hugged him tightly, "I almost thought I'd never see you again..."
Ji Zhixiu lowered his gaze, his tone calm, "Mianmian, how did you get back?"
Jiang Mian bit her lip, "I escaped by myself. I ran out when they weren't paying attention to their guard."
"Do you know who took you?"
Jiang Mian shook her head, "No, they were very careful. I never saw their faces." She explained in a small voice, clutching Ji Zhixiu's wrist.
Ji Zhixiu nodded and patted her back to comfort her, "Okay, it's alright. Leave the rest to me. I'll investigate."
Jiang Mian buried herself in his arms, "Axiu, I missed you so much..."
"Me too."
She wrapped her arms around Ji Zhixiu's neck and kissed his lips, "Axiu..."
Her desire was evident.
Ji Zhixiu tilted his head slightly, "Mianmian."
Her eyes held both tears and a plea, "Axiu, we haven't seen each other for so long..."
Ji Zhixiu's voice was filled with concern, "But you just got back, you should rest well first."
Their eyes met, and Jiang Mian took a step back, acting very obediently, "Then I'll sleep first. I'll wait for you tonight."
Ji Zhixiu ruffled her hair, "Good, you sleep first. Since you're back, I'll have those people outside withdrawn."
Jiang Mian replied, "Okay. You go ahead and be busy."
Leaving the room, Ji Zhixiu walked downstairs.
He opened the intercom, "Call Xiao Bai and the others over."
Soon, the room was crowded.
Xiao Bai dared to speak, "President, do you have any instructions?"
Ji Zhixiu raised an eyebrow, "When did you see the young madam?"
He thought for a moment, "About an hour ago? Captain and I saw her at the entrance together."
Sun Shu nodded in agreement, "Yes."
"Bring me the surveillance footage from the entrance."
Sun Shu: "Okay."
"You can go now."
After everyone left, Ji Zhixiu dialed Lu Cong's number, "Tell them, Jiang Mian is back."
"Really? See! I told you little sister-in-law would definitely come back!" Lu Cong said happily. "But, do you want to tell Ye Yi? I heard Ye Yi has been looking for her privately too."
Ji Zhixiu said with a half-smile, "If you want to tell him, you can go ahead."
Lu Cong mumbled, "Alright, then I'll go tell him. I won't bother you guys anymore."
After hanging up.
Ji Zhixiu went upstairs, back to the room.
...
The Ye family.
Ye Yi had just finished his call with Lu Cong.
Ye San bent over and poured him a glass of water, "Are you finally relieved now? She's back."
Ye Yi smiled faintly, "Yes, she's finally back."
"Our people can be withdrawn."
"No, I still need to investigate who took her." he said calmly.
Anyone who dared to take Jiang Mian from under his nose would not be forgiven.
Ye San sat down, "You've done so much for her, is it worth it? Does she know?"
"Sometimes, doing something isn't about whether it's worth it or not. It's about thinking of it and then doing it."
He leaned back on the sofa, his demeanor casual.
Ye San shook his head, "She came back without even calling you."
As they were speaking, the phone rang.
Ye Yi glanced at the screen, it was an unknown number. He answered, "Who is this?"
"It's Jiang Mian."
A clear smile spread across his face, "How are you now? Are you alright?"
"Are you free tomorrow? We can talk at the company."
Ye Yi readily agreed, "Okay, see you at the company tomorrow morning."
After hanging up, he said smugly, "Jiang Mian's call."
Ye San said noncommittally, "As long as you're happy."
He stood up, "I'm going back to the company. By the way, has Jing Yiyi been looking for you recently?"
Ye Yi shook his head, "No, why?"
"She did provide some clues. Aren't you going to thank her?"
Ye Yi pondered for a moment, "Then help me make an appointment. Invite her for a meal."
Ye San walked towards the door, "Do your own things yourself."
Ye Yi was speechless, and found Jing Yiyi's number on his phone. He dialed, "Are you free tomorrow evening? I'd like to treat you to a meal."
"No time," the voice on the other end said crisply.
Ye Yi chuckled, "Who offended Miss Jing to make her speak like she's swallowed gunpowder?"
"No one!"
"I didn't offend you, why are you taking it out on me?" Even a fool could tell Jing Yiyi was in a bad mood.
There was a two-second silence, and Jing Yiyi gritted her teeth, "I want to eat French cuisine."
"Sure."
"The most expensive one in Kyoto!"
"Sure," Ye Yi agreed readily.
Jing Yiyi seemed puzzled, "Why are you in such a good mood today?"
"Jiang Mian is back."
Jing Yiyi froze, a wave of sadness and confusion rising from the depths of her heart.
So it was her return that made him so happy, that made him think of her...
"Then congratulations. Is she alright?" After a long while, she managed to regain her voice.
"She should be fine. Take a look at your schedule and let me know when you're free."
Jing Yiyi nodded reluctantly, "Okay, see you tomorrow."
...
Xiushui Manor.
When Jiang Mian woke up, it was already dark. She changed her clothes and went downstairs.
Ji Zhixiu was sitting on the sofa, with his laptop on the coffee table.
Jiang Mian hugged him from behind, "Guess who I am?"
Ji Zhixiu chuckled helplessly, "Mischievous."
Jiang Mian pouted, circled to the front of him, "That's no fun. Are you busy?"
"I've finished."
She looked around, "Where's Xiaoyugan?"
"Sent to the pet shop for grooming," Ji Zhixiu said casually.
She sat on Ji Zhixiu's lap and hugged him. "What are we having for dinner?"
"What do you want to eat? I'll tell Aunt Song to make it."
"Anything is fine, whatever Aunt Song makes. I don't have much appetite since I just woke up," she said sweetly.
Ji Zhixiu pinched her cheek, "You've been through so much shock. Why don't you rest at home for a few days?"
"That's good too. I'll spend more time with you at home."
"Oh, right, did you see the news? You won Best Supporting Actress. We'll have Aunt Song make a big meal tonight to celebrate."
Jiang Mian looked shy, "It's a shame I couldn't attend the ceremony in person."
"It's okay, there will be other chances," Ji Zhixiu comforted her.
Jiang Mian nodded vigorously, "You're right."
As they were talking, Aunt Song brought the dishes to the table, her face beaming, "Young master, young madam, the food is ready. Tonight I made braised pig brain, which the young madam likes."
Seeing the dish on the table, Jiang Mian felt a wave of nausea.
She sat down, tilted her face up, and smiled brightly, "Thank you, Aunt Song. You've worked hard."
"It's no trouble at all. It's to help the young madam regain her strength."
At the dinner table, Ji Zhixiu constantly served Jiang Mian, "These are all your favorites."
Jiang Mian met his gaze and, under his watch, picked up her chopsticks and tasted a piece of the pig brain, "Aunt Song's is very tender."
"Eat more if you like it."
"Okay."
After dinner, Ji Zhixiu stood up, "I'm going to take a shower."
Jiang Mian looked up, "Then I'll wait for you in the room."
"Okay."
After Ji Zhixiu went upstairs, Jiang Mian got up and went into the bathroom on the first floor.
Not long after, she returned to the room upstairs.
When Ji Zhixiu came out after his shower, she was already lying in bed.
Seeing his well-defined abs, her eyes flashed with a hint of obsession, and she immediately said, "Husband."
Ji Zhixiu grunted, "Mianmian, Fan Cheng just called me. He said there's something at the company that needs my attention, and I'm not sure when it will be finished. I'll go to the study first. Don't wait for me if you're tired."
Jiang Mian, though disappointed, nodded in understanding, "Don't worry about me. Go and be busy. I'll sleep if I'm tired."
Suddenly, the man leaned over, and Jiang Mian's heart began to pound violently.
The man's deep, magnetic voice whispered in her ear, trapping her within its embrace. "Rest early, don't make me worry."
Her cheeks flushed uncontrollably, "Got it, husband. You come back early too."
Ji Zhixiu stood up, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."