When Jiang Mian rushed over, Ji Zhi Xiu's eyes were full of helplessness. "I told you not to believe Lu Cong, why weren't you obedient?"
Jiang Mian was extremely wronged, her eyes were moist, and her voice trembled as she climbed onto his shoulder. "A Xiu, hug me, I'm uncomfortable."
That night, Jiang Mian was like a female general who had gone to battle, mighty and imposing.
That night, Chang Qing hated Lu Cong to death. What kind of birthday gift was that!
It wasn't until two in the morning that Jiang Mian fell asleep.
Ji Zhi Xiu called Lu Cong.
In the hotel, Lu Cong saw the caller ID and didn't answer.
A call at this hour was definitely not simple.
His female companion came out of the bathroom after showering, looking confused, and handed him her phone. "Third Young Master, why aren't you answering the phone?"
Lu Cong gritted his teeth, took the phone, and said, "Brother Xiu..."
"Lu Cong, what did you put in this wine?"
Lu Cong stammered, "Angelica, ginseng, deer antler, goji berries, tiger penis... Is the little sister-in-law okay?"
These were all great tonics for replenishing qi and blood. It was a miracle Jiang Mian didn't get a nosebleed.
The man's thin lips spat out, "Scram!"
After hanging up, Lu Cong quickly transferred money to his female companion and kissed her cheek. "Baby, I have an urgent matter, I have to go. The money has been transferred to you. Have fun, sleep here tonight."
He had to pack his things quickly. Judging by the tone, the little sister-in-law had been through quite an ordeal.
Lu Cong boarded a plane to Bali that night.
The next day, when Jiang Mian woke up, her body was weak. She had wanted to drink some wine the previous night to boost her courage and have a good talk with Ji Zhi Xiu.
She never expected Lu Cong to send her an aphrodisiac wine. Jiang Mian covered her face, truly a case of "no pain, no gain."
She got up and went downstairs. Aunt Song smiled and asked, "What would Madam like to eat today?"
"An egg, two slices of toast, and a bowl of congee. Also, two steamed meat buns."
Her energy had been greatly depleted last night, so she needed to eat more.
Aunt Song served her at the table. "Young Master asked me to tell Madam to rest more today and not to get too tired. He's on a business trip and won't be back for two more days. He'll take Madam abroad when he returns."
Jiang Mian stuffed her mouth with toast. "Heh, what does it mean to be on a business trip at this time? Is he hiding from me?"
She opened her phone and found that Sister Ning had sent her a message that morning. The audition for the historical drama had been moved to today, and the location remained the same. For a moment, she didn't have time to think about anything else.
After quickly finishing breakfast, Jiang Mian changed her clothes and rushed to the hotel.
The audition was held at a hotel. When Jiang Mian arrived, there was already a long line of people in front of her.
When she got there, she found out that only the role of Princess Jiale was being auditioned today.
Jiang Mian was number twenty-eight, and there were still people ahead of her. Jiang Mian simply took out her script and read it.
By the time it was her turn, the people in the room were clearly tired. After watching so many people all morning, anyone would be exhausted.
As soon as Jiang Mian entered, she added a touch of color to the room. The director's spirits visibly lifted, and his eyes brightened. "Your name is Jiang Mian, right?"
"Yes, hello Director, hello everyone."
"Just play a scene where Princess Jiale's beloved vase is broken by a maid. Let me see."
Princess Jiale was willful and capricious, but she would not disregard human life. Punishment was certain, but she would never take the maid's life.
Jiang Mian thought for a moment, then looked up with an expression of urgency, anger, and heartache.
When she finished, Jiang Mian could clearly see satisfaction in the eyes of the directors. She breathed a sigh of relief. If nothing unexpected happened, this role was hers.
"Alright, you can go back and wait for the notification."
Jiang Mian returned to her villa and happily petted her little dried fish.
She thought that if she really divorced Ji Zhi Xiu, she could give up anything else, but she definitely had to take the dried fish with her.
Two days later, Sister Ning called Jiang Mian.
"The casting for Princess Jiale has been decided... It's not you."
Jiang Mian was stunned. In this industry, let alone those who had signed contracts, there were many who were replaced halfway through filming. She had been careless this time.
She didn't ask who was cast as Princess Jiale, but quickly perked up. "Are there any new dramas coming up that I can manage? Show me."
Sister Ning was also speechless. The two scripts she had chosen for Jiang Mian were not random. The historical drama was introduced by a friend with some connections to the director.
After Jiang Mian's audition that day, she had told Sister Ning to have a rough idea. She then went to ask the director. Although the director didn't say it explicitly, the implication was almost certain.
Sister Ning had planned to surprise Jiang Mian and hadn't told her the news too soon. Who knew that today, the official Weibo account of this drama had announced the casting news, and the person was not Jiang Mian.
Sister Ning remembered this person. Fortunately, Jiang Mian wasn't too sad. She hesitated and said, "Director Wang, the Director Wang who had last year's box office hit, is preparing a youth romance film. Do you want to try?"
Jiang Mian knew Director Wang. He was a famous director in China who had won many awards and was adept at filming emotional movies with delicate and flowing narratives.
Last year's "Deep Love" told the story of a family of three: a disabled father, a mute mother, and their daughter.
This film was a box office success as a New Year's film, moving countless viewers and becoming the highest-grossing film of the year. Jiang Mian had also watched it. Even someone like her, who had never experienced paternal or maternal love, could deeply empathize and cry buckets, which showed how excellent the film was. It was rumored to be sent abroad for awards this year.
Moreover, Director Wang's plays had an advantage: Director Wang was upright and detested scheming people. If you didn't perform well in his plays, no matter who you were, you would be scolded by him.
There was also a small drawback: this was an art film, and art films were difficult to sell and had a smaller audience.
"For the female lead of this film, Director Wang is personally auditioning. I heard that Director Wang has his heart set on Song Xing Jia for the male lead, and they are reportedly in negotiations," Sister Ning whispered.
Jiang Mian's heart suddenly skipped a beat. If she could act in this drama, she could partner with the acclaimed actor Song.
By acting with him, wouldn't her acting skills improve by leaps and bounds in minutes?
Jiang Mian nodded decisively. "I want to try."
"I knew you'd say that. I've already sent your information to his assistant's email. Now we just have to wait for news. Not many people know about this yet, so prepare yourself. I estimate that after the New Year, news will come from Director Wang's side," Sister Ning instructed her earnestly.
Jiang Mian nodded repeatedly, even though Sister Ning couldn't see her. "Got it, got it."
So Jiang Mian went online to find information and completely forgot about why Ji Zhi Xiu hadn't returned yet.
When Aunt Song called her for dinner in the evening, Jiang Mian realized she had been looking at the computer all afternoon.
Rubbing her sore neck, Jiang Mian went downstairs to eat.
She was not a picky eater. More importantly, Aunt Song was a good cook and knew Jiang Mian's preferences perfectly. There was nothing on the table that she didn't like.
As she ate, she glanced at her phone. Ji Zhi Xiu hadn't sent her any messages.
Jiang Mian felt a little discouraged, and a certain unspoken frustration welled up inside her. She would rather Ji Zhi Xiu and she go their separate ways than be left hanging like this.
She didn't understand Ji Zhi Xiu at all, Jiang Mian thought.
...
Ji Zhi Xiu returned late at night, travel-worn.
There was a problem with a year-end closing project at the branch company. The newly appointed manager, though capable, was too young and inexperienced. By the time the problem was reported, two days had passed since the optimal solution time.
Ji Zhi Xiu had no choice but to rush over with Fan Cheng.
He didn't have time to hold Lu Cong accountable. Lu Cong had happily played in Bali for two days, indulging in women and entertainment. Fearing that Chang Qin and Ji Zhi Xiu would both come after him, he hadn't even turned on his phone.
When he returned, Jiang Mian was already fast asleep.
Ji Zhi Xiu crouched by her bedside, his eyes full of restraint. Not wanting to disturb her, he leaned down and kissed her forehead.
The next day, Jiang Mian woke up in Ji Zhi Xiu's arms. She was stunned for a moment, then pushed his arm away.
Ji Zhi Xiu hadn't slept well last night. With her movement, he naturally opened his eyes.
Jiang Mian met his eyes, which had dark circles beneath them, and felt a pang of guilt.
"Good girl, it's still early. Sleep a bit more," Ji Zhi Xiu's voice was hoarse.
He looked very tired, and Jiang Mian didn't have the heart to talk to him at this moment. She obediently closed her eyes in his arms.
When she opened her eyes again, Jiang Mian was awakened by hunger.
Ji Zhi Xiu personally brought her food and drinks. Jiang Mian got up and washed up.
Sitting at the table, she asked, "Do you have anything to tell me?"
"Yes," Ji Zhi Xiu looked at her with deep eyes.
"I didn't come back that night because Shen Ting Yu had a car accident. Mu Yuan called me to check on the situation. Before he went abroad, he had asked us to look after his sister. I didn't tell you because I thought it wasn't necessary, and... I was afraid you would be angry."
Jiang Mian pouted. If he hadn't told her, she wouldn't have been angry?
She would have been even angrier if she had learned about it from Shen Ting Yu.
She snorted and lowered her head to eat.
"I won't hide things from you next time," Ji Zhi Xiu leaned closer, his large hand resting on her soft, boneless waist.
Honestly, with Ji Zhi Xiu's face, it was hard for Jiang Mian to stay angry at him.
Jiang Mian tilted her head and thought, "Mr. Ji, if you still have feelings for Shen Ting Yu, just say the word, and I'll leave immediately."
"Hiss..."
As soon as she spoke, her waist, a soft spot, was squeezed.
Ji Zhi Xiu's eyes turned as cold as ice, and his voice was like it was quenched with frost. "Jiang Mian, I told you, don't even think about leaving me."
Jiang Mian didn't even bat an eyelid and said lightly, "What? Mr. Ji, do you like to play at house arrest?"
Jiang Mian was not afraid of Ji Zhi Xiu at all. In fact, since she was a child, she hadn't been afraid of anyone.
Ji Zhi Xiu suddenly smiled, as if he had discovered something. "Mian Mian, are you jealous? Hmm?"
Most of the time, Ji Zhi Xiu had a cold expression. When he smiled, it was like ice and snow melting, and Jiang Mian's heart couldn't help but stir.
She then smiled back. "Mr. Ji, I don't like to eat vinegar. I like to eat meat."
"Coincidentally, I do too."
Ji Zhi Xiu gently lifted Jiang Mian with both hands and placed her on the table. The sudden movement caught Jiang Mian off guard. The cutlery in her hands loosened, causing the plates on the table to clatter. Ji Zhi Xiu buried his head in Jiang Mian's neck and bit her fiercely.
The realization that the little girl was jealous for him made him very happy.
Jiang Mian felt pain, and her brows furrowed slightly. She really didn't want to yield to this man at this moment. "Ji Zhi Xiu, are you sick?"
"Do you have medicine?"
No one understood Jiang Mian's body better than Ji Zhi Xiu. Her mouth was stubborn, but her body quickly softened under his ministrations. She was entirely supported by Ji Zhi Xiu behind her.
She remained silent, her lips sealed, not uttering a sound.
Ji Zhi Xiu looked down and saw that Jiang Mian's nose was red, and tears were about to fall from the corners of her eyes. She was like a flower battered by a storm, pure and alluring, making Ji Zhi Xiu look like a heinous criminal.
His thumb gently wiped away the tears from the corner of her eye. The intimate touch made Jiang Mian tremble slightly, and Ji Zhi Xiu's heart swelled.
"Jiang Mian, you can only stay by my side." His voice was clear and suppressed.