She immediately made a promise.
This was Ji Zixiu, after all. If she could get close to President Ji, wouldn't she have the rest of her life secured? She was secretly delighted.
Ji Zixiu stood up and walked out, his face like frost.
Manager Wang immediately pushed her, "What are you standing around for, Yuanyuan? Go after him!"
"Yes... okay!"
Cheng Siyuan smiled without a word. As soon as Manager Wang turned, he saw the smile on his face. "President Cheng, what are you smiling about?"
"Nothing."
"No, you definitely have something on your mind."
Cheng Siyuan shook his head. "I was just going to say, your little trick won't work on President Ji."
"What makes you say that? Didn't you see the lipstick stain on his collar just now? Let me tell you, no matter what kind of man, they can't resist a beauty."
Cheng Siyuan said nothing.
He said this trick wouldn't work, and it wouldn't.
Who was Ji Zixiu? Did he really think he was like those clueless young lads?
Yuanyuan followed Ji Zixiu. The man was in a suit, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His physique was smooth and his bearing noble, truly a dragon among men.
That one glance had already made her completely smitten.
Initially, she wasn't happy when Manager Wang called her. But it turned out to be Ji Zixiu, so young and accomplished.
Being with him was so much better than being with those old geezers, no, it wasn't even comparable.
She thought to herself.
Seeing the man walking further away, Yuanyuan gathered her courage and stepped forward to link his arm. "Ji..."
"Get lost." Her unfinished words were interrupted by the man's stern voice.
The man's cold gaze swept over her, devoid of any warmth, sharp and intimidating.
Yuanyuan's mind went blank, and she involuntarily let go.
She watched as the man took off his suit jacket, casually tossed it into a nearby trash can, and said with chilling coldness, "Go back."
She came back to her senses, bit her lip, and tried to struggle. "But... Manager Wang told me to follow you..."
"Don't make me say it a second time." Ji Zixiu slightly raised his chin, his expression icy.
With that, he resumed walking.
It wasn't until a waiter came to wake Yuanyuan that she finally came to her senses.
This man was terrifying... In that instant, she had forgotten all the seductive techniques she had learned for so long...
Being stared at like that felt like thorns on her back...
She shook her head, finally understanding that not everyone was someone she could aspire to...
...
In the private room, everyone had almost finished eating. Director Wang smiled and took a piece of watermelon. "I'm going to pay the bill. I said I'd treat you all. Don't any of you try to fight me for it."
He pressed the call button for the room service. A waiter soon entered, smiling. "Hello, your room has won our restaurant's complimentary meal. This table is free of charge, and everyone will receive a small gift when they leave. We hope you are satisfied."
Manager Wang was so shocked he forgot to eat his melon, holding it frozen mid-air. The meal at Fuyun Ju was not cheap, and he had prepared to spend a fortune today.
Was he still drunk?
The waiter maintained her smile. "May I help you with anything else?"
"No, thank you," Song Xingjia said.
The waiter glanced at him, then quickly lowered her head and withdrew.
Manager Wang was still dazed. "Is it really free?"
Jiang Mian: "The waiter said it was free, so it should be true. But how come I didn't know about the lucky draw? Did anyone participate?"
"It was me," Song Xingjia looked at her.
Jiang Mian pondered, recalling that Song Xingjia had indeed left the room twice.
Director Wang was even more delighted. "Xingjia is truly our lucky star."
After dinner, they saw them off. Jiang Mian stayed until the end, dawdling. "Are you going back to Hong Kong?"
Song Xingjia glanced at his watch. "I can stay a little longer. What's wrong?"
Jiang Mian shook her head. "Nothing, I just... hope you'll be well."
Her eyes sparkled like stars, and her tone was sincere.
She had learned a lot from Song Xingjia, and he had helped her a great deal.
Song Xingjia was taken aback. He felt a warmth in his heart. Although he couldn't bring her back to the Song family as his rightful wife, he felt a sense of debt.
But perhaps, it was good that the young lady didn't go back.
He gently stroked her head with his large hand and said solemnly, "Mianmian, come visit Hong Kong when you have time. I'll be waiting for you."
Jiang Mian thought about how she didn't know when she would see him again after he left.
She felt a pang of sadness but still managed a smile. "Okay, I promise. I'll definitely come when I have time!"
"Also, about you and Ji Zixiu..." He hesitated.
Based on their limited encounters, he didn't know much about this man. He was hard to fathom.
Jiang Mian tilted her head up. "We're very good!"
"Do you plan to stay secretly married and hide it from everyone forever?"
Jiang Mian looked down at the ground. She hadn't decided on this yet.
She muttered, "No, not really. I'm waiting for the right moment."
"Okay, as long as you have it figured out," he said, stopping there. "It's getting late. Shall I take you home?"
"No, no need. If you're in a hurry, you should go. I'm not in a rush."
She didn't want him to, and Song Xingjia didn't insist. "Then I'll be going. You can text me if you need anything. Don't worry about bothering me."
He instructed her.
Jiang Mian knew he was referring to the fact that she hadn't contacted him since the New Year.
It wasn't that she didn't care; rather, it was precisely because she cared too much that she didn't want to disturb him.
He understood her meaning, and Jiang Mian understood him.
They looked at each other and smiled, their identical peach blossom eyes exceptionally charming.
Jiang Mian saw Song Xingjia off and took out her phone to send a message to Ji Zixiu.
Jiang Mian: [I'm done eating! I'm at Fuyun Ju.]
Xiu: [Wait.]
Ten minutes later, they were both in the car together.
Jiang Mian was surprised. "How did you get here so fast?"
Ji Zixiu wrapped an arm around her, held her small hand, and played with it. He whispered, "I was eating dinner here tonight."
"What a coincidence."
His pleasant voice came from above her. Jiang Mian's ear tingled. She nestled in his embrace.
"It's alright," his mind was clearly elsewhere.
Jiang Mian couldn't help but look up. "What's wrong?"
"Don't move," his voice was low and hoarse. "Be good."
She smelled sweet. Ji Zixiu sniffed her. "Do you have a perfume endorsement?"
Jiang Mian shook her head. "No, why? Are you going to arrange one for me?"
She blinked, her voice unconsciously sounding a little spoiled. "Husband."
Her words struck him to the core. Ji Zixiu sighed helplessly. "Okay, for you, I'd give you my life too."
That easy?
Jiang Mian hugged his waist and mumbled softly, "Why didn't you say you'd arrange one for me before?"
"Were you afraid I'd become too popular and you'd lose confidence?"
"Yes," he readily agreed, pulling her closer. "I want you to belong only to me."
Jiang Mian couldn't help but laugh. "I've always belonged only to you."
"But I didn't win an award today." In front of him, Jiang Mian didn't hide her feelings.
While she wasn't exactly disappointed, she wasn't without any negative emotions.
"Believe me, next time for sure." He kissed the top of her head.
"Mhm! Keep working hard. Where's your jacket?"
Ji Zixiu casually said, "It was dirty, so I threw it away."
Jiang Mian nodded, noticing the imprint on his collar. Her face flushed. "I was just asking. You really didn't change your clothes? And there were so many people there for dinner, didn't they all see it?!"
"My wife's command, I dare not disobey." He said with a hint of amusement, lingering on the word "wife," adding to the intimacy.
Jiang Mian covered her face. "Stop saying it!"
Ji Zixiu adored her shy expression, his heart melting.
Upon returning to Xiushui Mountain Villa, Jiang Mian remembered the small gift bag Fuyun Ju had given them as they left.
She untied the bag, guessing it would be some snacks or something similar.
To her surprise, when she opened it, she found a small gift box tied with a ribbon.
Jiang Mian unwrapped it and was stunned.
It was a VIP card... with the Fuyun Ju logo on it. It was all black, exuding an air of grandeur and mystery.
With a VIP card from Fuyun Ju, one always had access to a private room, could cut the line, and even dine for free, anytime.
She understood. No wonder, no wonder their table was free.
No wonder Song Xingjia had mentioned a "crispy duck."
So, he was the owner.
This gift was truly precious.
Ji Zixiu walked over. "What's wrong?"
Jiang Mian looked up. "Axu, Song Xingjia gave me a great gift."
The man frowned. "Are you close?"
Jiang Mian thought for a moment and found a phrase. "A gentleman's friendship!"
Ji Zixiu narrowed his eyes, recalling his first meeting with Song Xingjia.
That man...
"How do you think he feels about you?"
"He takes care of me."
"Takes care of you?" He savored the word, his eyes holding an unreadable emotion. "I see."
...
The Shen Family.
Shen Tingyu returned home looking dejected.
Her mother was watching TV in the living room. Seeing her return, she quickly turned off the TV. "Why are you back alone? Where's your brother?"
Her mother's actions caught Shen Tingyu's attention. She suddenly looked up and asked instead, "Mom, why did you turn off the TV?"
Her mother shifted uncomfortably. "You're back, so I turned it off."
Shen Tingyu strode forward, took the remote, and turned the TV back on.
The drama immediately appeared on the screen.
On screen, Jiang Mian was smiling, dressed in ethereal robes, looking beautifully elegant and refined.
Shen Tingyu let out a loud cry, "Mom!!! Why are you watching Jiang Mian?!"
How could this be! How could her mother support Jiang Mian! She wouldn't allow it!
Her mother became flustered and quickly explained, "Tingyu, I wasn't watching her. I was watching 'Nine Heavens Immortal.' I thought the drama was quite good. Don't worry, she's not the main character..."
"Even so, I won't allow it!" She interrupted fiercely.
"I won't allow it, I won't allow it!"
Even if she had the slightest bit of screen time, she wouldn't allow it!
Jiang Mian didn't deserve it!
She didn't deserve Ji Zixiu's favor!
She didn't deserve the audience's affection!
In a fit of anger, Shen Tingyu even flung the remote away.
Seeing her agitated state, her mother repeatedly agreed, "Okay, okay, you don't like it, Mom won't watch it. Don't be angry. It doesn't look good anyway, it's terrible!! Xiao Ai, turn off the TV!"
The TV was turned off in response.
The living room returned to peace.
Shen Tingyu's tears turned into a smile. "Mom, I knew it. You love me the most. You're not allowed to like that bad woman Jiang Mian!"
"How could I? You're my daughter. Mom only loves you, of course. Okay, okay, don't be angry anymore. Mom feels bad for you."