Perhaps because her recent plans had gone far too smoothly, Jiang Jiang had almost forgotten that Ji Xu'an was not someone so easily fooled; with the slightest carelessness, she would seize upon a flaw.
It seemed that one truly could not become complacent.
Without leaving a trace, Jiang Jiang pinched her palm, forcing herself to calm down through the sting of pain. She did not avoid Ji Xu'an's gaze. Instead, she looked at her for several seconds with a hesitant expression before softly replying to Ji Heyuan's question.
"When I went, you had a friend with you, so I didn't disturb you."
Ji Heyuan had originally been waiting to enjoy the spectacle. Who would have expected such an answer? The faintly smug expression on her face froze instantly, and she furtively glanced at her sister's expression, inwardly cursing herself for speaking out of turn.
For a moment she was at a loss, yet she did not want to be laughed at by Jiang Jiang. Stubbornly, she retorted, "It's not like there was anything to hide. You could've just come in. Do you think I would've driven you out?"
That really was possible.
Realizing the situation was unfavorable to her, Ji Heyuan simply shut her mouth and stopped speaking.
She had always known that Ji Xu'an disliked her associating with Zheng Zhouzhou.
It was not that Ji Xu'an was targeting Zheng Zhouzhou specifically. Rather, Ji Xu'an believed that anyone who could gain a foothold in the entertainment industry was far from simple—especially a small celebrity like Zheng Zhouzhou who was desperate to rise to fame. Moreover, Ji Heyuan was foolish; she would fall for deception every single time.
Ji Xu'an feared she would be tricked until not even her undergarments were left, so she was extremely strict about Ji Heyuan's friendships.
Jiang Jiang had actually seen related plot points in her dream. Perhaps precisely because Ji Xu'an controlled her too tightly, it had instead provoked Ji Heyuan's rebellious streak, causing her to step easily into the trap Zheng Zhouzhou had set.
After speaking just now, Jiang Jiang had been carefully observing Ji Xu'an's reaction.
Logically, she did not know Zheng Zhouzhou, so she had only referred to her as Ji Heyuan's friend.
But she believed Ji Xu'an would certainly know whom she meant.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Ji Xu'an's brows furrowed ever so slightly. That subtle reaction did not escape Jiang Jiang's silent scrutiny.
Ji Xu'an indeed knew who Zheng Zhouzhou was, and judging by her expression, her attitude toward Zheng Zhouzhou did not seem particularly friendly.
If Zheng Zhouzhou truly harbored thoughts of marrying Ji Xu'an, she was likely to be disappointed.
Jiang Jiang was not afraid of Zheng Zhouzhou setting her sights on Ji Xu'an. On the contrary, she feared that Zheng Zhouzhou might have the heart of a thief but not the courage.
If necessary, perhaps she could even lend her a hand.
Jiang Jiang lifted the white porcelain teacup before her and took a light sip. Using the motion of drinking tea, she concealed the faint upward curve of her lips.
Because of Ji Heyuan's guilty conscience, the matter of Jiang Jiang going to the hospital was glossed over, and no one brought it up again.
Old Madam Ji was genuinely in high spirits. During the meal, Jiang Jiang had intended to sit beside her and serve her dishes, but sharp-eyed Ji Heyuan squeezed her aside at once. The old madam saw it yet said nothing, tacitly acquiescing.
Jiang Jiang could compete with Ji Heyuan, but she did not dare take Ji Xu'an's seat. As a result, she could only sit beside Ji Xu'an.
It was obvious that this was Old Madam Ji's intention. Jiang Jiang seemed somewhat hesitant. Her pearly teeth bit lightly into her lip as she glanced at Ji Xu'an several times. Seeing no displeasure from the other woman, she finally sat down next to her.
Throughout the meal, Old Madam Ji kept prompting Jiang Jiang and even feigned coughing, secretly winking at her.
Jiang Jiang was certain that Ji Xu'an had absolutely noticed the old madam's small gestures and clearly understood her intentions. Yet Ji Xu'an displayed no sign of resistance. She continued picking up dishes at an unhurried pace, as though she had not noticed the silent exchange of glances between Jiang Jiang and the old madam.
Left with no choice, Jiang Jiang obeyed the old madam and used the communal chopsticks to place a piece of sweet-and-sour spare rib into Ji Xu'an's bowl.
Ji Xu'an turned her eyes toward her. Jiang Jiang was so nervous her hand trembled, her breathing uneven. In a voice so soft it seemed to drip with tenderness, she said, "Sister Xu'an, today's spare ribs are very delicious. You should try some too."
Everyone at the table looked at Jiang Jiang, their gazes varied.
Ji Xu'an, seated closest to her, could clearly sense her tension and discomfort. The hand holding the chopsticks was exerting such force that her fingertips were nearly bloodless, and Xie Xiao's gaze kept darting away, not daring to meet her eyes.
It seemed she truly was only being forced to curry favor with her.
Was it merely to make Grandmother happy?
Come to think of it, was Xie Xiao's attitude toward Grandmother a bit too intimate?
Ji Xu'an neither said yes nor no. She remained silent, the emotions in her eyes unreadable.
The dining table fell into complete silence. Just as Ji Heyuan thought her sister was about to throw the spare rib into the trash, Ji Xu'an suddenly curved her lips into a faint smile. "Alright. Thank you… Jiang Jiang."
Jiang Jiang's heart gave a heavy thump, and she nearly lost control of her expression.
She had never expected Ji Xu'an to call her Jiang Jiang. Previously, this woman had only ever addressed her as Xie Xiao in a cold tone.
Was she deliberately testing her?
Jiang Jiang could not decipher Ji Xu'an's thoughts. This woman always wore a cold mask, all emotions hidden beneath it. Whenever Jiang Jiang felt she had grasped something, Ji Xu'an would shatter her illusions with her actions.
After pondering it over, Jiang Jiang concluded that it must have been her attitude that aroused suspicion. Could Ji Xu'an have thought that Grandmother's efforts to matchmake them were all instigated by her behind the scenes?
After all, the last time, Old Madam Ji had not been this anxious.
Though Jiang Jiang's mind churned, her expression relaxed in apparent relief. Under Ji Xu'an's probing gaze, she placed another spare rib into Ji Heyuan's bowl. "Little Yuan, you eat too."
Ji Heyuan was stunned. She stared down at the spare rib in her bowl, unsure whether to eat it or not.
If she said it was not good, would that not be slapping her sister in the face?
But she truly did not want to eat something Xie Xiao had picked for her.
Ji Heyuan had the strange feeling that she had been dragged into some bizarre Shura field.
Fortunately, the invisible undercurrents did not last long. After Ji Xu'an ate that piece of spare rib, the atmosphere at the table gradually returned to its initial harmony.
After the meal, Ji Xu'an led Jiang Jiang and Ji Heyuan out. The two of them walked one on each side behind her, as obedient as little quails.
Of course, the exchange of glances was unavoidable.
As they walked, Ji Xu'an suddenly stopped. Jiang Jiang, not paying attention, nearly collided with her back.
A soft body brushed against her for the briefest instant before separating. A light breath, carrying the faint fragrance of the young woman, swept over Ji Xu'an's back, sending a tingling ripple across her skin.
Her breath stalled abruptly, and her body tensed unconsciously.
Before Ji Xu'an could react, Jiang Jiang quickly stepped back two paces and apologized repeatedly. "I'm sorry, President Ji. I was distracted just now."
Ji Xu'an could not blame her for anything, because on the other side, her own younger sister Ji Heyuan had nearly crashed into her as well. In the end, it was her own fault for stopping so suddenly.
The accident had come without warning, beyond Ji Xu'an's expectations. Though she believed she did not like Xie Xiao, when the other woman's body pressed briefly against her back, Ji Xu'an still felt a subtle discomfort.
This was probably the first time she and Xie Xiao had been this close.
Ji Xu'an's lapse lasted only a moment. She quickly regained her composure and said quietly, "It's fine."
Jiang Jiang responded with a soft hum. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes moist, clearly embarrassed as well.
Ji Xu'an pressed her lips together, about to say something more, when she suddenly noticed Xie Xiao move her shoulder. Probably thinking Ji Xu'an was not looking at her, she secretly lifted her arm, her wrist brushing lightly across the front of her body as if by accident.
At first Ji Xu'an did not understand. Then her expression abruptly stiffened.
As though having done something wrong, Jiang Jiang lifted her eyes guiltily. For the first time, Ji Xu'an did not meet her gaze but avoided it.
Although her expression remained cold and distant, as if she had noticed nothing, Jiang Jiang still caught that fleeting trace of unnaturalness when Ji Xu'an pressed her lips together.
It seemed she had already guessed.
Jiang Jiang lowered her eyes, feigning shyness, yet inwardly she could not help but think: Ji Xu'an had warned and tested her repeatedly before—she had thought the woman so composed and in control. Yet such a small, fleeting touch was enough to make Ji Xu'an uncomfortable.
At that moment, the image of Ji Xu'an in Jiang Jiang's heart suddenly transformed into a paper tiger that would burst at a single poke.
A sense of vengeful satisfaction rose within her. Who told Ji Xu'an to pin baseless accusations on her? If she did not actually do something, would that not be too much of a loss?
The undercurrent between the two did not affect Ji Heyuan at all. She was rubbing her shoulder in confusion.
Why did it feel as though someone had tripped her just now?
But Xie Xiao had been at least a meter away and had not touched her at all.
Ji Heyuan suddenly shuddered, her face turning pale.
She could not have run into a ghost, could she?!
—
Author's Note:
Jiang Jiang : (side-eye of disdain) Hmph~
Some people
On the surface: noble and aloof, hard to approach
In reality: because she brushed against her wife for a second, her brain immediately crashed.
—
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