Gou San stumbled and steadied himself, stammering, "I didn't mean to do anything... In the beginning, I just wanted to have some fun, but she resisted so fiercely that I slapped her a couple of times. Who knew she was so fragile, she fainted with just one touch. After she passed out, I looked at her and thought, forget it... I didn't do anything..."
"Brother! I'm telling the truth! If I'm lying, may I die a terrible death!"
Seeing his brother's state, the man had a feeling for what was going on.
Into the microphone, he said, "Miss Ji, did you hear that clearly? My brother is quite trustworthy. He has lust but no courage. I believe he didn't do anything."
Ji Zhilan breathed a sigh of relief. If anything had happened, she wouldn't have been able to bear the blame, and where would she find justice?
"How can I believe you?" Thinking that Li Zhuyi had committed suicide, something must have gone wrong.
Hearing the question, Gou San quickly tried to prove his innocence, his face turning crimson. "I... I haven't been well down there recently... I just got the hospital report..."
"Damn it, you can't even perform, and you still want to harass a young girl!" The elder brother's merciless scolding made Gou San feel utterly ashamed and humiliated.
Wasn't he just trying to see if he could still react to women?!
With the situation as it was, the man said calmly, "Miss Ji, have you understood everything?"
"I understand."
After hanging up the phone, Ji Zhilan timidly said, "Brother, he's probably telling the truth."
Seeing that the man's expression remained grim and silent, Ji Zhilan had a flash of inspiration. "Can't we check with the hospital to see if anything happened? We'll know after a check-up."
Ji Zhixiu's eyebrows twitched, and he noted this down. He hummed and said, "Xiang Long has already reported these two to the police. It's considered a public service."
"Then... what about me? What if they reveal me?"
Ji Zhixiu pinched his brow, and a cold smile escaped his lips. His gaze was like a sharp blade, chilling to the bone. "You should be glad she didn't call the police."
Who "she" referred to was self-evident.
This meant she was in the clear.
Ji Zhilan visibly relaxed, shrinking her neck. "I promise there won't be any more incidents like this!"
She was truly terrified. What was the point of resorting to such despicable means when she could have a good life as a young lady?
Mother Ji, who had listened from beginning to end, was silent for a moment. "You can deal with your sister as you see fit. I won't interfere."
"Mom!" Ji Zhilan shrieked. She didn't know what fate awaited her at her brother's hands, but she knew it would be unbearable.
Ji Zhixiu looked down at her flustered movements, his thin lips parting to utter words that made Ji Zhilan regret everything.
"From now on, all your cards are frozen. Stay at home. If you cause any more trouble, I'll send you abroad to prevent you from disgracing our Ji family."
Ji Zhilan sat on the sofa in a daze. "No! I don't want to! Brother! How can you be so cruel!"
Tears streamed down her face, but they couldn't stir any pity from those present.
"Also, don't even think about begging Grandpa for mercy. I don't want Grandpa to get upset over your petty affairs," he said indifferently, cutting off Ji Zhilan's last sliver of hope.
...
Jiang Mian saw Ye Yi precisely at seven o'clock at the entrance of the restaurant.
The man was wearing a suit, with a handsome face and a straight posture. His long shadow stretched across the ground, and the clear moonlight on him lent him a touch of gentleness.
Seeing Jiang Mian, his eyes lit up. "You're finally here. I was afraid you wouldn't find it, so I came out to meet you." He emphasized the word "specifically."
Jiang Mian walked up the steps. "I'm your subordinate, after all. Can you not come to pick me up next time? What if we get photographed..."
"What if we get photographed? It's their good fortune to capture my peerless face. What, are you feeling wronged by being in the same frame as me?" Ye Yi grumbled.
"Alright, alright, I misspoke." Jiang Mian quickly stopped herself and changed the subject. "Who else is here?"
Ye Yi's lips curled into a sly smile, his expression quite playful. "Guess."
"It's not Shen Tingyu, is it?" Jiang Mian asked hesitantly based on instinct.
Ye Yi snapped his fingers. "Bingo, very smart."
He noticed a slight solidification in Jiang Mian's expression. "You two aren't going to be pulling each other's hair, are you?"
"Heh," Jiang Mian chuckled coldly. If she defeated Shen Tingyu, why would she resort to pulling hair? Just whispering in her ear that night, "Ji Zhixiu doesn't want you anymore, you're just a substitute," would guarantee her breaking down in minutes.
As they approached the private room door, their conversation stopped.
Ye Yi pushed the door open and gestured for her to go in first with a gentlemanly air.
Eight people were seated in the private room. Jiang Mian scanned them quickly; she recognized some and had never seen others.
Shen Tingyu heard the movement and stood up, seemingly quite familiar with them. "You're finally here."
"Sit down, sit down first."
"Mr. Ye, please sit down."
Ye Yi lazily found a seat, and Jiang Mian sat down beside him.
He said languidly, "Sorry, we kept you waiting."
This was clearly just a perfunctory or even dismissive remark. To his surprise, Shen Tingyu stood up, a smile appearing on her small face, and raised her wine glass. "Mr. Ye is too polite. Since you're late, it's not unreasonable to penalize yourself with three drinks, right?"
A flicker of hostility flashed in Ye Yi's eyes, but he maintained his lazy demeanor, as if this remark couldn't stir any interest in him.
"No, I can't hold my liquor well." This was, of course, an excuse.
Unfazed by the refusal, Shen Tingyu was not discouraged. She had found an excuse anyway. With a smile in her eyes and a gentle demeanor, she looked at Jiang Mian. "It's okay, Mr. Ye brought someone, didn't he?"
If it were anyone else, she wouldn't have minded drinking three glasses. But if Shen Tingyu asked, Jiang Mian didn't want to fulfill her wish.
Everyone looked at Jiang Mian, waiting to see how she would respond.
Hearing this, Jiang Mian stood up, her face full of sincerity. "I haven't been feeling well recently and am taking antibiotics. It's common knowledge that I can't drink alcohol. Miss Shen won't force me, will she?"
Shen Tingyu stiffened, biting her lip. It was only three drinks, and she was being so evasive. Jiang Mian! You're just relying on Ji Zhixiu's favor!
A smile spread across Ye Yi's face.
Someone mediated, "We're all friends here, no need to be so formal. Sit down and talk."
"Miss Shen, you're being too polite. People outside say you two look alike."
Shen Tingyu sat down gracefully and chuckled, "How could I be as good-looking as Jiang Mian?"
Ye Yi nodded. "That's true."
Shen Tingyu was momentarily choked by his blunt words, her face turning pale and then green. Jiang Mian almost burst out laughing.
She raised her tea cup to cover her smiling lips.
The dinner was mostly about discussing industry trends, and everyone had the intention of cooperation.
In the latter half of the evening, Shen Tingyu was relatively well-behaved, as she was there to seek opportunities.
While everyone was chatting, Jiang Mian got up to go to the restroom.
As soon as she came out, she saw Shen Tingyu blocking the doorway like a guardian spirit. Jiang Mian raised an eyebrow, showing no attempt to hide her mockery. "You really are a persistent ghost."
Shen Tingyu sneered, a look of surprise and understanding crossing her face. "Why aren't you pretending anymore? I knew you weren't as pure and innocent as you appeared, otherwise, you wouldn't have managed to latch onto Ji Zhixiu."
Jiang Mian lowered her eyelids and took out a tissue to dry her hands, her gaze not on Shen Tingyu. "Are you done?"
Jiang Mian's unhurried demeanor enraged Shen Tingyu. "You really are... utterly shameless!"
Jiang Mian frowned and tilted her head, revealing a smile. "Thank you for your concern. You should worry more about yourself. I heard your Douban score has dropped to 5.0, and it might even fall further."
Shen Tingyu's new drama had just been released and was already being ridiculed by every movie critic. Jiang Mian couldn't understand why she had the energy to ramble on here.
Seizing the moment when Shen Tingyu was stunned, Jiang Mian walked around her.
When she returned to the private room, most people had already left. Ye Yi saw her return, greeted her, and stood up. "Shall I give you a ride?"
They walked out together. Jiang Mian adjusted her coat. "No need, I'll go back myself."
"Alright, send me a message when you get home," the man reminded her.
Jiang Mian didn't see Ji Zhixiu's message until after she got home and showered. She called Li Zhuyi and recounted the events.
The next day, when Li Zhuyi was discharged from the hospital, she still found it hard to believe.
She grabbed Xiang Long's hand, holding the report in her other hand. "The doctor said I... I'm fine..."
At this point, her face flushed. "It turns out that the discomfort I felt that day wasn't what I thought. I just misunderstood..."
Xiang Long looked down at her. "It's good that you're fine. Do you blame me for not avenging you? Miss Ji... it's all because of me..."
Li Zhuyi reached out and covered his mouth, looking at him affectionately. "Don't say that. This incident has made me cherish myself even more, and cherish you even more... Xiang Long, I still want to thank you for accepting me."
This man had stayed by her side, never leaving. Li Zhuyi was overwhelmed with emotion.
She tiptoed and kissed Xiang Long's cheek, boldly saying what she wanted to say. "Actually, I don't mind giving myself to you at all. I've decided on you."
Xiang Long's face turned red, and he felt his blood rush backward. Several times they had almost crossed the line, but at the critical moment, they had always backed down.
Xiang Long didn't want to force her, wanting to wait until their wedding day.
So, she was willing too.
He embraced the person in front of him. "Tell me when you want to get the marriage certificate, and we'll get it."
...
Jiang Mian stayed at the old house for a few days before she came to her senses.
Mother Ji wanted her to stay for a few days, not to make things difficult for her, but simply to see her son more.
Jiang Mian was accustomed to living there, especially since Ji Zhilan had been as quiet as a quail lately, no longer daring to bother her.
However, Ji Zhixiu did not want to stay at the old house. Jiang Mian could tell he preferred living alone.
So, after dinner that day, Jiang Mian proposed they return home.
Mother Ji had expected this and didn't say anything.
However, before they left, she called Jiang Mian upstairs.
Jiang Mian glanced at Ji Zhixiu first. He gently patted her palm, and Jiang Mian felt reassured.
She walked into the study, and Mother Ji motioned for her to sit. "Sit."
Jiang Mian sat down as instructed and obediently said, "Mom."
"You really like Xiu'er," she said directly.
Jiang Mian was startled, then nodded. "Yes."
"Xiu'er likes you very much too. I can see it. He never asked me for anything, though he didn't need to. But the day he brought you here, he asked me not to hold it against you." Mother Ji then smiled. "Actually, I have a good impression of you. You're very beautiful, and I've watched your dramas."
Jiang Mian was a little flattered. She hadn't expected her mother-in-law to watch her dramas.
But she knew that such talk usually meant a turning point was coming.
As expected, Mother Ji continued, "However, your family background can't offer him any help. Don't say I'm prejudiced, but that's how wealthy families are. In the face of profit, all emotions are a burden."
Jiang Mian's lips curved, and her expression was calm. "But I believe this man doesn't need alliances to advance. He himself is powerful."
Mother Ji paused, then smiled. "No wonder he likes you."
She seemed delicate but had sharp edges. Her heart was just as strong as Xiu'er's.
"However, I won't say anything to Miss Jing's family. This is the consequence of him deceiving me," Mother Ji grunted heavily. "You should also be careful. That girl really likes Xiu'er."