Ji Zhi Xiu shot her a cold glance, his eyes holding a warning. He narrowed his long, narrow eyes and said each word with immense weight, "How are you speaking?"
Ji Zhi Lan's breath hitched. She stomped down the stairs, "Brother! How could you bring her home?"
Mother Ji frowned, unsure why this girl was causing trouble. She found an excuse, "Aren't you hungry? Wash up, it's time for dinner."
Jiang Mian's eyebrows curved downwards, and she offered a smile. Her expression held a hint of bewilderment and just the right amount of hurt. Silence was the safest bet at a time like this.
This smile immediately made Ji Zhi Lan's brow furrow. She was convinced Jiang Mian was gloating.
"What are you smiling about? What are you so proud of? You scheming woman, you've latched onto my brother and won't let go, right?!"
"To marry into wealth, you've truly gone to great lengths! An eighteenth-tier celebrity has the audacity to step into our Ji family's doors, what pipe dream are you having! My sister-in-law can only be Shen Ting Yu!"
Jiang Mian's peach blossom eyes trembled. She tightened her grip on Ji Zhi Xiu's arm and said timidly, "Sister, what are you talking about?"
Mother Ji's voice was sharp, "Ji Zhi Lan!"
Ji Zhi Lan stomped her feet in distress, "Mom! You must not be fooled by this woman, she's just after brother's status and position!"
Old Master Ji stood up and interrupted heavily, "Silence!"
He then looked at Jiang Mian, "Please take a seat. Your mother started preparing early this morning."
Jiang Mian released Ji Zhi Xiu's hand and walked over to support Old Master Ji, "Okay, Grandpa, I'll help you."
Father Ji, a step behind, looked at Ji Zhi Xiu, "Without a word, you've found a wife?"
Ji Zhi Xiu replied indifferently, "Dad, if you have time, you should worry more about Mom."
"What do you mean by that? Can't your father ask you a few questions?"
Ji Zhi Lan stood in front of Mother Ji, "Mom! Why are you letting Jiang Mian into our house? Hurry up and kick her out!"
Mother Ji glared at her and lowered her voice, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. For your brother to get married, even if it wasn't Jiang Mian, it wouldn't be Shen Ting Yu's turn. Stop speaking up for her."
Ji Zhi Lan felt incredibly wronged. She had only been away for one day.
My goodness, in the blink of an eye, everyone in the family had accepted Jiang Mian?? How could she possibly accept this.
"I won't agree!" She had been counting on her mother to give Jiang Mian a proper warning.
Several people took their seats.
Old Master Ji sat at the head of the table, his eyes filled with relief. Such a beautiful woman, they were a perfect match.
"Let's eat," he said.
Jiang Mian sat next to Ji Zhi Xiu.
As soon as Ji Zhi Lan sat down, she shrieked, "Mom! Where's my favorite dish? Why didn't you have the maids make it today?"
Mother Ji had just picked up her chopsticks when she heard this and said displeasedly, "With so many dishes, there isn't one you like? If you don't want to eat, you can leave."
Ji Zhi Xiu ignored them, picked up a sticky rice ball, a favorite of Jiang Mian's, and placed it in her bowl. His voice was clear and bright, "Eat."
Jiang Mian nodded slightly and, in return, picked up a piece for him, "You eat too."
Ji Zhi Lan, sitting opposite them, looked like she wanted to spit fire from her eyes. She blurted out, "With her here, I can't eat!"
Ji Zhi Xiu put down his chopsticks and looked up at her. Just one glance, and Ji Zhi Lan felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
It was too terrifying... How could she forget what kind of person her brother was just because he showed Jiang Mian a little tenderness?
"Eat if you want to eat, leave if you don't," Ji Zhi Xiu's thin lips parted, his voice cold, showing no regard for anyone present.
Jiang Mian quickly lowered her head and took a mouthful of rice, afraid that the smile on her lips would be hard to hide. This man was so unkind to his own sister. What could she do, she liked him even more.
Ji Zhi Lan dared not speak out of anger. She picked up her bowl, "I'll eat!" Of course, she had to eat, otherwise wouldn't all this food go to that woman!
After the meal, Ji Zhi Lan almost immediately ran upstairs.
Mother Ji said, "I've arranged your rooms. It's still Xiu'er's old one. Take her upstairs and see if there's anything else you need."
Jiang Mian nodded obediently, her voice sweet and soft, "Thank you, Mom."
As the saying goes, a smile disarms a blow. Although Mother Ji was angry, seeing the young girl's pleasing appearance softened her heart.
"Mm," she replied faintly.
In the room.
Ji Zhi Lan immediately dialed Shen Ting Yu's number, "Ting Yu! My brother has brought Jiang Mian home! She just had dinner at my place!"
"What?" Shen Ting Yu was shocked. This completely disrupted all her plans. "Didn't your brother tell the family before? Why did he suddenly bring her home?" As she spoke, Shen Ting Yu tightened her grip on the phone, a guess forming in her mind.
Could Jiang Mian be pregnant?
"I don't know either, but Mom's reaction seemed calm enough." Ji Zhi Lan was also anxious, "We can't wait any longer. Hurry and release the news you have."
Shen Ting Yu took a deep breath, "Thank you, Zhi Lan, for telling me this. I understand."
Ji Zhi Lan pouted, "You don't know how doting my brother is towards her. I suspect she's put some kind of spell on my brother, and he even spoke to me on her behalf."
Shen Ting Yu's brow furrowed and then relaxed, "Zhi Lan, causing a scene with her now won't do you any good, especially with your brother present."
"I can't stand it! I get angry just thinking about her little assistant. Xiang Long actually rejected me because of her, it's a complete humiliation!"
"Okay, okay, calm down. She's had her lesson. They've broken up now, haven't they? For now, help me observe Jiang Mian. I'm worried your brother suddenly brought her back because Jiang Mian is pregnant and he had to tell Auntie." Shen Ting Yu persuaded.
"Alright, I understand. I'll be careful. But if she's really pregnant, do you still want to marry my brother?" Ji Zhi Lan hesitated.
Having a child or not is a completely different matter.
A shadow fell over Shen Ting Yu's eyes, "Of course. I love your brother the most. That will never change."
Ji Zhi Xiu's room was very large, facing south, with a minimalist design and an overall cool color scheme.
Jiang Mian looked at the newly placed dressing table and her eyes curved, "Mom is very good to me."
Ji Zhi Xiu lifted her chin, "You're easily satisfied?"
Jiang Mian wrapped her arms around his waist and said softly, "People who are easily satisfied are the ones who live happily."
Ji Zhi Xiu chuckled, "We'll stay here for a few days and then go back. Don't worry."
"I'm not worried. It's a good chance to build some affection with Mom."
She had little impression of her mother since childhood. Now, it was like making up for that regret.
As they were speaking, Jiang Mian's phone rang.
She took out her phone and looked at the text message. Her pupils instantly constricted. She grabbed Ji Zhi Xiu's hand and trembled, "My assistant is in trouble!"
By the time Jiang Mian arrived at Li Zhu Yi's doorstep, there was no response when she knocked.
Ji Zhi Xiu frowned, looking at Jiang Mian, and soothed her, "Don't panic. We'll make it in time. I'll make a call."
Ten minutes later, they broke down the door.
Jiang Mian opened the bedroom door and saw the young girl on the bed, motionless. Her heart ached.
"Why isn't the ambulance here yet?" Jiang Mian asked, holding back tears.
"I'll carry her, we'll take her," wrote in the book pavilion.
"Okay."
Ji Zhi Xiu lifted her, and by the time they reached the hospital, the paramedics were already prepared.
"Leave her to us. You wait outside," the doctor said.
Jiang Mian nodded.
Ji Zhi Xiu looked at her red, rabbit-like eyes and said helplessly, "Don't worry, she'll be fine."
"I've always treated her like a sister. She's younger than me and already working." Jiang Mian's nose stung. "How could a perfectly healthy person suddenly give up on life? Where is Xiang Long? Call him over."
Ji Zhi Xiu put his arm around her and sat down, "Xiang Long volunteered to go on a business trip out of town. Don't worry, I'll call him back now."
The man took out his phone and gave a few instructions.
Then he kissed Jiang Mian's hair, "Trust me, okay? If I say it will be fine, it will be fine."
"Okay."
...
When Li Zhu Yi woke up again, she still felt a sense of disbelief.
She had eaten so many sleeping pills, yet she had been saved?
Her pupils were dilated as she stared at the ceiling.
"You're finally awake," Jiang Mian sighed with relief.
Li Zhu Yi slowly turned her head and looked at her. Suddenly, her voice was hoarse and weak, "Sis..."
"You still consider me your sister? Leaving a text message and attempting suicide without a word, why? I always thought this kind of thing would never happen to the optimistic and positive you. Everything was getting better, how could you give up?" Jiang Mian was displeased and spoke without politeness.
Li Zhu Yi, however, smiled, "It's good to still hear you speak, Sis. Don't worry, I won't give up anymore."
People who have died once will cherish life more.
Tears slowly streamed down her face, and Li Zhu Yi said hoarsely, "Xiang Long and I broke up because... half a month ago, on my way back from buying something at night, a man covered my mouth and took me away. I didn't even see his face clearly, I only heard his lewd laughter."
"When I woke up, I was in an abandoned factory. My legs felt weak. I felt dirty. How could I have the nerve to talk about marriage with Xiang Long?"
"So, I just broke up with him." Recalling that day, it was still a shadow that lingered over Li Zhu Yi.
Her eyes became even more hollow, "I washed myself so many times, but I still felt dirty. I couldn't even accept myself like this, how could I expect anyone else to accept me?"
"I sent my mom on a tour, sent you a text message, and planned to go. But now I don't think that way anymore. The moment I saw you so angry and worried for me, I felt it was truly wrong. I won't do anything foolish again."
Jiang Mian was both anxious and angry, and heartbroken, "No surveillance?"
Li Zhu Yi shook her head, "I've already checked. The surveillance on that small road was broken, and it didn't capture anything."
Jiang Mian no longer wanted to say any harsh words to this young girl. She must have been carrying so much alone during this time, and her heart must have been suffering.
She held Li Zhu Yi's hand, "Don't overthink things, get well soon. I will definitely investigate what happened."
"Oh, right, Xiang Long is outside. Do you want to see him?" she asked.
Li Zhu Yi's body trembled, her eyes were red, and after a while, she nodded slightly, "Let him come in."
Xiang Long walked into the room and looked at the woman on the hospital bed.
"I'm sorry," his voice was strained.
Li Zhu Yi's eyes welled up with tears, "What are you sorry for? I'm the one who should be sorry. If I had died in your home, it would have been terrible luck."
"Don't say that," Xiang Long said nervously, "Let's talk things through properly. Please don't do anything foolish. I'm very sorry that I didn't protect you. I didn't know that being with me caused you so much pain that you would have such thoughts."
Li Zhu Yi was stunned, realizing he had misunderstood.
"It's not," she denied, "It's not because of you. I gave up because..." Her lips trembled with difficulty, all her courage disappearing at this moment.
"It's okay, if you don't want to say it, don't," Xiang Long reached out and poured her a glass of water.