As a subordinate, Fan Cheng had no right to comment on his boss's private affairs.
As a friend, he said, "Does the President plan to hide the Madam's existence forever?"
"Of course not. I'll make it public at the appropriate time." He would make up for everything Jiang Mian hadn't received.
Fan Cheng nodded, "Then the President should hurry. Perhaps the Madam also wishes to go public?"
Ji Zhixiu raised an eyebrow, "You understand a lot?"
"Not really," Fan Cheng nodded hesitantly. "Alice taught me. She said girls like overt favoritism."
"Overt favoritism." Ji Zhixiu repeated, thoughtful. "Understood."
...
The palace drama Jiang Mian was filming was called "The Locked Heart Chronicle," with a shooting schedule of five months. It was preliminarily estimated to finish by the end of the year.
Chang Min was a talented actor and often offered private guidance to Jiang Mian. The atmosphere on set was harmonious.
In late December, Jiang Mian finished all her scenes and the filming was completed.
Ji Zhixiu came to the airport to pick her up personally. Jiang Mian wore a red cotton coat paired with a little black dress. A scarf was wrapped around her neck, making her look both cute and energetic.
Taking advantage of the fact that her face was hidden by a mask, she pounced into his arms, her eyes full of smiles. "Finally made it back."
This drama had been hard work, but also very rewarding.
Ji Zhixiu squeezed her palm, his large hand enclosing her small one, and slipped them both into his coat pocket to warm her hands. "Happy wrap-up, you've worked hard."
They got into the car, the heater warming them up. Jiang Mian took off her cotton coat and set it aside. Ji Zhixiu called her, "Come here."
Jiang Mian turned, "Hmm?"
The next second, Jiang Mian was enveloped by a bouquet of flowers.
Jiang Mian's eyes curved, sparkling with stars, her smile radiant. "I like it very much."
Ji Zhixiu looked down at her, his voice gentle, "I'm glad you like it. Aunt Song has made dinner for you."
Jiang Mian lowered her head to sniff the fragrance of the flowers. "It's good to be home."
She hadn't been back to Xiushui Mountain Villa for a long time and missed every blade of grass and tree.
Aunt Song beamed upon seeing her return, "I've made dishes the young madam loves. Come and try them."
Jiang Mian sat at the dining table. "Thank you, Aunt Song."
Although there was food on set, it couldn't compare to home-cooked meals.
"You're too kind. Just eat a little more, young madam."
Jiang Mian naturally ate until she was full and then lay on the sofa. "Why didn't I see Yu Gan when I came back? Where is Yu Gan?"
"Sent for a bath."
Ji Zhixiu rolled up his sleeve, spread out a paperweight on the table, and asked, "Do you have any more arrangements after returning?"
"Sister Ning said I can have a holiday until after the New Year."
Jiang Mian tilted her head, lounging on the sofa, watching his movements. "What are you doing?"
"There's a charity gala tomorrow. I'm painting something to be auctioned." Ji Zhixiu said calmly.
Jiang Mian immediately sat up. "You paint?"
"Untalented. I'm just a national first-class artist." He said it lightly.
???
Are great figures always this low-key?
Jiang Mian sat beside him, intending to watch him paint. "What are you going to draw?"
"Yu Gan."
The man's brows were cool, revealing only the superior line of his jaw. As he picked up the brush, his strokes were powerful and fluid, quickly sketching Yu Gan's likeness onto the paper.
Jiang Mian was amazed. "Husband, you're amazing."
Ji Zhixiu cleared his throat. "It's been a while since I've painted. My skills have declined."
Half an hour later, he looked up at Jiang Mian. "You do the calligraphy."
Ji Zhixiu knew Jiang Mian had elegant small regular script.
Jiang Mian's interest piqued. "A Painting of a Cat Playing with a Ball?"
Ji Zhixiu pondered. "That's a good name. Go ahead."
She took the brush and readily inscribed five large characters next to it. She couldn't help but smile. "It doesn't match the painting style."
"It adds a different kind of charm." He called Sun Shu and had him take it away.
"No need to frame it?" Jiang Mian asked.
"My paintings don't need it." Ji Zhixiu drew her into his embrace, exuding confidence and a touch of arrogance.
"Would you like to come tomorrow? We can also see if there's anything you like and I'll buy it for you."
"Is it convenient?" Jiang Mian was worried about being seen.
Ji Zhixiu was prepared. "I've prepared a Butterfly Blue mask for you. You can wear it if you don't want to show your face."
"Let me see."
Sun Shu presented it.
Jiang Mian slowly opened the box. The ice-blue mask, made of an unknown material, shimmered with iridescence. It was as light as a cicada's wing when picked up. Jiang Mian placed it on her face; it fit perfectly.
Ji Zhixiu was very pleased. "It suits you very well."
She was captivated. "It's so beautiful."
"I'm glad you like it. It was specially designed for you, a one-of-a-kind piece."
Jiang Mian touched the tassels. "I love it, I love it so much."
These flashy decorations perfectly hit her fancy, and she began to look forward to the charity gala tomorrow.
"I've also prepared an evening gown for you. Would you like to see it?"
"Okay."
Ji Zhixiu lightly clapped his hands, and a servant respectfully presented it.
Jiang Mian eagerly opened the box. It was a halterneck long dress in the same color as the mask.
The fabric felt exquisite, the dress glittered like a starry sky, captivating the eye.
Even without trying it on, Jiang Mian could imagine how stunning it would look.
"I love it so much!"
Ji Zhixiu nodded slightly. As long as she liked it, all the effort was worth it.
...
A five-star hotel in Kyoto.
The ballroom on the eighteenth floor had been booked for the charity gala.
The banquet was scheduled to start at 7:30 PM, and by 7 PM, quite a few guests had already arrived.
Shen Tingyu was among them, representing the Shen family. She handed her invitation to the attendant and smoothed her skirt before walking in.
When she saw that Ji Zhixiu's seat in the front row was empty, her heart skipped a beat. Would he come?
"What a coincidence, seeing you here too." A voice sounded beside her ear.
Shen Tingyu looked up. "I'm representing the Shen family. President Luo, are you representing the Luo family?"
Luo Fei's status as an illegitimate son was no secret in their circle. The old President Luo's ruthless disowning of him and his mother years ago was also a topic of gossip among wealthy families.
Even though Luo Fei had returned to the Luo family, he was not the favored one. Shen Tingyu's words now seemed to carry a subtle taunt.
Ever since she learned that Luo Fei was only patronizing her because of Jiang Mian, Shen Tingyu's words always carried a deliberate barb.
Luo Fei wasn't angry. Shen Tingyu was right. He had indeed gotten this opportunity from his grandfather today, and more importantly, he had stepped on his useless elder brother. How could he not be happy?
He smiled good-naturedly, not stingy with his praise. "You look beautiful today."
Shen Tingyu had changed her usual style today, wearing a V-neck, waist-cinching red dress and fiery red lips, giving her a competent air.
Shen Tingyu curved her lips. "Thank you for the compliment."
Luo Fei tilted his head, his thin lips brushing her ear. "Actually, I quite like you."
"How many people have you said that to, President Luo?" Shen Tingyu scoffed. "Is Jiang Mian the one you love the most among the ones you fall for at first sight?"
Luo Fei sighed. "Why bring her up out of the blue?"
To onlookers, their posture was incredibly intimate.
"Is that Young President Luo?"
"Isn't that the Shen family's daughter?"
"What's going on? Are these two together?"
"They look quite compatible, an adopted daughter and an illegitimate son."
The murmurs reached Shen Tingyu's ears. Before she could deny anything, she saw Luo Fei look up towards the direction of the voices, his gaze icy and sharp. "Dare you say it to my face?"
Several people immediately fell silent.
He sneered. "A bunch of old folks who only know how to gossip behind people's backs."
Luo Fei turned slowly. "So, in some ways, I think we're quite alike. We both have a spirit of not admitting defeat. Isn't it easy being an adopted daughter?"
Shen Tingyu froze, reflexively retorting, "I'm doing very well."
The Shen family had always treated her well; she reassured herself.
"Aren't you tired of pretending?" Luo Fei pierced through her facade.
"I'm not!" she protested.
"Heh, if you say you're not, then you're not." Luo Fei didn't argue with her. He reclined lazily, propping his head with one hand, and closed his eyes as if dozing.
Shen Tingyu looked at him for a moment, suppressing the turmoil in her heart. She was not tired at all. Her parents were loving, her brother doted on her, how could she be tired?
More and more people arrived, but the figure Shen Tingyu wished to see was still absent. Her fists slowly clenched. Could it be that Ji Zhixiu wouldn't come?
Soon, the banquet doors opened again.
Ji Zhixiu appeared in a silver-grey suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, with a woman on his arm. They looked harmonious and eye-catching together.
Shen Tingyu's gaze was filled with undisguised jealousy as she stared intently at the woman beside him.
"What, can't keep up the pretense anymore?" Luo Fei opened his eyes at some point, taking in her expression.
He said playfully, "So, you like Ji Zhixiu."
"That's right, I like him." She admitted frankly.
"Do you want me to help you?" he offered kindly.
"No need, I can handle it myself." Shen Tingyu refused. What could Luo Fei help her with? He was just an illegitimate son with an unclear status, likely to be kicked out of the Luo family any day.
"Alright then, forget I said anything." Luo Fei stretched lazily.
Shen Tingyu's attention was still on the woman in the blue dress. What was her relationship with Ji Zhixiu?
Why didn't she dare to show her face and wore a mask?
Jiang Mian and Ji Zhixiu walked to their seats gracefully. She leaned into Ji Zhixiu's ear and whispered, "Shen Tingyu is sitting behind you."
"Is she? Didn't see her."
Behind the mask, Jiang Mian couldn't help but smile. Of course, this man had always been like this. He never noticed people he didn't care about.
She leaned on his shoulder. "When does it start?"
Ji Zhixiu tilted his head and checked his watch. "Ten minutes to go."
Shen Tingyu stared at the back of his head, mentally eliminating everyone.
If looks could kill, Jiang Mian would have died thousands of times over.
Why were they sitting so close? Why were they talking to each other like that!
Shen Tingyu looked at the man, she was finding it harder and harder to control herself. Her love for him grew day by day. No one in this world loved Ji Zhixiu more than she did!
Luo Fei turned her shoulders and whispered, "Don't look so pathetic like you can't get what you want, with so many people here."
Luo Fei was practically saying the word "ugly."
Shen Tingyu pursed her lips and came back to her senses. "Thank you."
She adjusted her expression and soon put on a perfect smile.
In the last row of seats, Ye Yi lounged with his legs crossed. "Get me some melon seeds."
Someone behind him handed him some. "Eat less, you'll get a sore throat."
Ye Yi ignored him, spitting out a melon seed shell. "Find a way to move me to the front."
Sitting in the back obstructed his view.