Ji Zhixiu pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "I reviewed the surveillance footage at the entrance of the villa and discovered that when she returned, it was as if she materialized out of thin air."
"Xiao Bai and Sun Shu said the same thing. Furthermore, I've noticed changes in her eating habits."
That day, Aunt Song served a dish of pig brain, but he found her eating it with great reluctance. This used to be Mianmian's favorite.
Lu Cong never understood, "People's tastes change, don't they? What they liked before, they might not like now."
Chang Qin nodded in agreement, "Lu San is right. Besides, if this isn't Jiang Mian, then where is the real Jiang Mian?"
Ji Zhixiu's eyes sharpened. "I don't know. I'm still looking."
Chang Qin suggested, "Since you suspect this isn't Jiang Mian, why not test her?"
Ji Zhixiu's gaze shifted to him. "How do we test her?"
Chang Qin swirled his wine glass. "Don't go back tonight. Wait until she calls you, worried. Then we'll talk."
Ji Zhixiu nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to you."
Lu Cong finally realized something was amiss. "Wait, Xiu Ge, you didn't call Mu Yuan this time?"
Chang Qin retorted, "Are you suspecting Mu Yuan?..."
Ji Zhixiu gave him a look of appreciation. "I'm not sure. I don't suspect him."
Lu Cong finally caught up. "You suspect Shen Tingyu?"
"Yes," he confirmed.
"Fine. In that case, let's wait."
Xiushui Villa.
Jiang Mian instructed Aunt Song to prepare a table full of dishes. After she finished,
She looked at Aunt Song, who was still standing there, and frowned slightly. "Aunt Song, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and cook. These dishes are what Zhixiu wants to eat when he gets back tonight."
Aunt Song looked troubled. "Young Madam, this butterfly shrimp..."
Jiang Mian interrupted her displeased. "What? What's wrong with the butterfly shrimp? Is there none?"
"No, no, no, it's not that," she quickly shook her head. "It's that you're allergic to it. Young Master doesn't allow it in the villa."
She was a bit perplexed. How could the young madam forget her own allergen?
Jiang Mian froze, then met her gaze and smiled slightly. "It was my sudden craving that made me forget. I didn't expect Aunt Song to notice. In that case, just pretend I never mentioned this dish. Aunt Song, you understand, right?"
Aunt Song bowed. "I understand, Young Madam."
"Alright, since that's settled, you can go down now. You can start cooking."
"Yes."
After seeing Aunt Song off,
Jiang Mian checked her phone. It was only six in the evening.
She suppressed the urge to call Ji Zhixiu and ask him to come back for dinner.
It was still early. She couldn't rush.
In the private room.
Chang Qin glanced at Ji Zhixiu's somber expression. "Look at your face. It's not even over yet, and you're already looking so dejected."
Ji Zhixiu placed his hand on his chest, his face grim. "I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling."
"You're just too worried. Don't worry, the little sister-in-law will be fine. The good will prevail," Lu Cong said as he popped a dried longan into his mouth.
"The best thing you can do is pull yourself together and welcome the little sister-in-law back."
"Oh, right," Lu Cong leaned in. "Have you shared your thoughts with Ye Yi yet?"
Chang Qin rubbed his chin. "Good idea. After all, Ye Yi understands Jiang Mian very well at work."
Ji Zhixiu shook his head, his lips parting slightly. "No."
"Then what are you waiting for? Call him now and ask him to come over," Lu Cong urged.