Her mind was made up, and Father Shen said no more. "Mm, if you don't want to do it anymore, come home. Dad can still support you."
He spoke naturally, and Mother Shen was deeply moved. "Honey, it's so good to have you. Let's eat first. I asked the housekeeper to teach me how to make this."
Having been a wealthy wife for so long, she had forgotten how to cook. Fortunately, her past skills were still there.
Father Shen patted her hand. "You, why do you need to do so much? What if you get too tired?"
"I just wanted to give you a surprise. It's all your fault for spoiling me."
Shen Tingyu said nothing more, lowering her head to pick up food.
...
The dumplings were cooked, and Jiang Mian personally served two bowls. There were also various dishes made by the servants on the table.
Ji Zhixiu was on the phone. Jiang Mian glanced at him and then set out the bowls and chopsticks.
He spoke softly for a couple of sentences and, seeing Jiang Mian had finished arranging everything, hung up the phone, strode over, and said, "We can eat now."
Jiang Mian propped her head on her hand, her eyes sparkling. "Try it, is it good?"
The dumplings she made were very small. Ji Zhixiu ate one after another, chewing carefully. "It's very delicious."
Jiang Mian hummed and suggested, "Would you like some red wine to liven things up?" As soon as she spoke, she remembered the wine they drank last time, and her earlobes involuntarily flushed.
Ji Zhixiu's eyes deepened, and he didn't object. "We can have a little."
Jiang Mian excitedly opened a bottle of wine, poured a glass for each of them, and said in a soft voice, "To you, A Xiu, Happy New Year."
It was clear she was very happy. Ji Zhixiu raised his glass. "Happy New Year."
In his heart, he silently wished: May every year bring today, and every year bring this moment.
Jiang Mian drank sparingly as instructed, having only a few sips and no more. The chef's cooking was also excellent. Jiang Mian liked it very much and ate quite a few dishes.
After dinner, it was still early. Ji Zhixiu gave all the servants time off.
Jiang Mian took the opportunity to check her phone and received many blessing messages. She replied to them one by one, and also sent New Year's greetings to her teacher. She also posted on Moments.
She suddenly remembered something and opened Ji Zhixiu's Moments. As expected, it was completely blank.
In the group chat, Jiang Mian's roommates were already watching the Spring Festival Gala, and their phones vibrated with messages from time to time.
[Ji Meinv]: How much lucky money have you received, everyone?
[Susu Wants to Lose Weight]: My mom said I'm grown up and won't give me any this year. Crying.jpg
[Duoduo Flowers Bloom Freely]: We're still visiting relatives tomorrow, don't rush.
Jiang Mian smiled when she saw the message. Ji Lanruo was different from them. On New Year's Eve, her brothers would definitely give her red envelopes.
She put away her phone and turned to hug Ji Zhixiu, who was on the phone, silently making a gesture and mouthing, "Mr. Ji, do I get lucky money—"
On the other end was Fan Cheng, reporting on the company's recent situation. It was rare for him, an assistant, not to be with Ji Zhixiu 24/7. He had stayed in his hometown for two more days.
Ji Zhixiu looked at Jiang Mian and gestured for her not to cause trouble. Jiang Mian uninterestingly withdrew her hand and slumped onto the sofa, feeling a bit too full.
"Okay, that's all for now. I'll be back around the tenth," Ji Zhixiu said.
Fan Cheng nodded. "Okay, Mr. Ji, Happy New Year."
Ji Zhixiu was in a very good mood. "Happy New Year. I've sent you some lucky money, remember to check."
Fan Cheng was surprised. He was already this old, and he still got a red envelope? He happily touched his head, hung up the phone, and opened WeChat. Wow, an 8,888 yuan red envelope. He hit the jackpot this year!
Putting away his phone, Ji Zhixiu sat on the sofa and pinched her cheek. "I'll send it to you tomorrow."
By saying this, he understood Jiang Mian's lip-reading just now.
Jiang Mian got up and placed her palm on his knee. She tilted her head up and gave his thin lips a light peck. "Then thank you, Mr. Ji, in advance. What are the next arrangements?"
They had eaten early, and it was only a little past four o'clock.
Ji Zhixiu looked out the window and said to her, "Wait a moment longer."
Jiang Mian simply took out her tablet to watch a drama. She hadn't watched the two new episodes yet and couldn't keep up with the Weibo hot searches. Seeing that Jiang Mian's attention wasn't on him, Ji Zhixiu felt a pang of sourness and said calmly, "Is it good?"
Jiang Mian didn't look at him, her eyes glued to the tablet. "It's good, Song Xingjia's new drama."
"Who is Song Xingjia?"
"The Best Actor. All his dramas are good, no duds. He's handsome, has no scandals since his debut, sings well, and is very capable."
Jiang Mian casually hung on him, her tablet sliding to the side. She enthusiastically recommended him to Ji Zhixiu, her eyes full of joy. Ji Zhixiu narrowed his eyes, his voice carrying a hint of coldness. "Do you like him?"
"Yes," Jiang Mian nodded without hesitation.
Ji Zhixiu's heart was instantly filled with jealousy. He let out a cold snort, his thin lips pressed into a straight line.
Jiang Mian realized that this man was exhibiting his possessiveness. She tilted her head up and explained, "I admire him, I appreciate him. It's not that kind of liking, do you understand?"
How to put it? A person like Song Xingjia, in her opinion, was a truly capable actor with both talent and virtue. He was also the goal she had always aspired to achieve.
"I don't understand. Explain it to me again properly." Ji Zhixiu scooped up Jiang Mian and walked towards the second floor. She was petite, and nestled in his arms, she looked particularly endearing.
Jiang Mian understood immediately. Although she didn't mind engaging in physical activities with Ji Zhixiu, and even enjoyed them, she also got tired! Jiang Mian let out a soft moan and buried herself in his arms in resignation.
Ji Zhixiu ultimately considered Jiang Mian's feelings. Apart from not truly consuming anything, he did everything else he could. Afterward, Jiang Mian was too tired to move a finger. Ji Zhixiu personally bathed her and changed her clothes.
Seeing that it was getting dark outside, Ji Zhixiu coaxed her, "Let's go out for a walk."
Jiang Mian was still upset, thinking about how this man had teased her earlier and then stopped. She turned her face away. "I don't want to."
Ji Zhixiu kissed her cheek and said softly, "There's a swing on the balcony, shall we go take a look?"
Jiang Mian pulled the quilt over her face. "I already said I don't want to."
Ji Zhixiu said no more. He lifted the thin quilt with his large hand, revealing Jiang Mian's delicate body, and then lifted her up with both arms, carrying her steadily towards the balcony.
Indeed, a large swing had been specially set up on the balcony, large enough for two people. Jiang Mian was initially angry, but seeing the swing, she immediately forgot about it.
The large swing was decorated beautifully, with feathers and flowers entwined around it. Two cushions were placed, and it had a solid wood texture. Jiang Mian's eyes lit up, and she got down from him to sit on it. Ji Zhixiu leaned against the balcony, his posture relaxed.
From here, they could see the river view. The moon was high in the sky, and a gentle breeze brushed against them. Ji Zhixiu called to her, "Mianmian."
Jiang Mian looked up. "Mm?"
"Look up."
Following his command to look up, colorful fireworks suddenly erupted along the riverbank, bursting in the sky and then slowly dissipating into nothingness. Jiang Mian was stunned and instinctively got up and leaned on the balcony railing, wanting a closer look.
Fireworks bloomed all over the sky, like a grand carnival. Jiang Mian tilted her snow-white neck, her eyes filled with undisguised astonishment.
At the same time, some residents living nearby heard the commotion and couldn't help but peek out their heads to watch. People strolling stopped, people working put down their tasks, and people lying in bed opened their windows...
Pink fireworks illuminated the night sky, sparkling like a beautiful painting. Jiang Mian smiled sweetly and turned to look at Ji Zhixiu. "So beautiful."
Her voice was drowned out by the fireworks, but Ji Zhixiu still caught the shape of her lips.
The corners of his lips curved into an arc.
It was a dream he had wanted to fulfill for her long ago, and today, it was finally realized.
When Ji Zhixiu was fifteen, his mother took him to the Jiangnan water towns. That period was a time of great suppression and pain for his mother and Ji Zhixiu himself.
Until Ji Zhixiu met a ten-year-old Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian didn't understand why the new tenants next door always had the sound of hitting children at night. She quietly asked her grandmother, who hugged little Jiang Mian and whispered, "That's their family business, we can't interfere. If Mianmian feels sorry for that child, you can find him to play with often in the future. That way, he won't be lonely."
Jiang Mian nodded. But the yard next door was locked all day, and she couldn't see the child. Later, Jiang Mian went around to the back of the alley. She gently pushed open the kitchen window of the house next door. It wasn't locked. Through the window, she saw a little boy standing in the yard.
His eyes were devoid of emotion or joy. At such a young age, he already had a face that could captivate the world. However, two bloody marks on his face marred his beauty.
As if sensing something, his gaze shifted to the window, and he unexpectedly met those watery eyes. Both of them trembled. Jiang Mian hesitated for a moment, then lowered her voice and said softly and sweetly, "Brother, does it hurt?"
Did it hurt? Of course, it hurt. But he knew he could only let his mother vent her unfairness and pain this way. Who would have thought that his father would cheat on his mother and even have an illegitimate child?
He let out a scoff and looked at the girl with her princess hairstyle. "Get lost."
As he wished, he scared Jiang Mian away.
Jiang Mian returned home and cried bitterly. Such a handsome little brother, and he was so fierce. Her grandmother hugged her and called her her little darling for a long time before coaxing Jiang Mian into smiling through her tears.
Jiang Mian healed and forgot her pain. She had promised not to care about this person anymore. At night, when she heard the sounds of whipping and scolding, she would shrink into her grandmother's arms. The next day, she stood at the window again.
She mustered her courage. "Brother, I brought you some medicine. Would you like to put some on?"
Ji Zhixiu, who had to stand in the yard every day waiting for his father to pick him up, did not wait for his father, but for an angel sent from heaven.
Jiang Mian would secretly look at Ji Zhixiu from behind the window every day. Even if she got no response, she could talk to herself for a long time.
She never asked Ji Zhixiu's name, nor did she tell him her name. Until one day, her grandmother couldn't find Jiang Mian for dinner and called out everywhere.
Jiang Mian immediately stood up straight. "Brother, I'm leaving. I'll come back to find you later."
That was the only time Ji Zhixiu remembered her name from her grandmother: "Mianmian."
The little girl had once told him that she wanted to see a magnificent fireworks display. The young Ji Zhixiu, with a blank expression, silently remembered it.
Later, Ji Zhixiu returned to the Ji family.
No one knew how long Ji Zhixiu searched for Jiang Mian afterward.
No one knew the elation in his heart when he saw Jiang Mian at the banquet, and the familiarity that was confirmed after an investigation.
This time, he would never be wrong.
Ji Zhixiu hugged Jiang Mian from behind. Even if this memory was only for him to remember, he would never let Jiang Mian go.