Neither of them brought up what had just happened, yet the atmosphere in the car was not oppressive. Instead, an indescribable emotion flowed quietly between them.
Occasionally, Ji Xu'an glanced at Jiang Jiang from the corner of her eye. What she saw was always Jiang Jiang's serene and soft profile. When Jiang Jiang rode in a car, she sat very properly, her legs pressed together, her hands resting on her thighs, even her back kept perfectly straight.
Was she nervous because she was with her?
Ji Xu'an pondered thoughtfully.
In truth, Jiang Jiang was simply used to sitting this way. Although she was already a little sleepy at the moment, Ji Xu'an was still driving, so it would not be appropriate for her to just fall asleep like that.
She endured it all the way to the entrance of the sanatorium. In the end, she still could not hold back. She covered her mouth with her hand and secretly yawned.
Ji Xu'an straightened the steering wheel and turned to look back, just in time to see two crystal-clear tears still clinging to Jiang Jiang's eyelashes. She paused slightly. She had wanted to ask something, but in the end, she did not.
When getting out of the car, the two had a small dispute over whether Jiang Jiang should use crutches or a wheelchair.
Ji Xu'an believed that from the parking lot to the room where Old Madam Ji lived was quite a long distance. If Jiang Jiang walked with crutches, it would be too tiring.
But Jiang Jiang felt that if the old lady saw her arriving in a wheelchair, she might be terribly startled. Besides, her ankle did not hurt as much anymore.
It was originally just a small matter, yet neither of them was willing to yield. Jiang Jiang, who was usually very obedient to Ji Xu'an, was stubbornly unwilling to back down at this moment.
In the end, Ji Xu'an compromised.
Although it was Jiang Jiang who was being disobedient this time, Ji Xu'an did not feel any displeasure. What she felt was only helplessness and softness.
She wanted Jiang Jiang to take the wheelchair because she felt sorry for her. Jiang Jiang refused because she was worried about Old Madam Ji.
What else could Ji Xu'an say?
At this moment, the shrewd President Ji had forgotten that she could have pushed Jiang Jiang in a wheelchair to the door of the room and then let her walk in.
But at the time, Ji Xu'an had not thought of that at all, because Jiang Jiang had tugged at her sleeve and pitifully said, "Sister can support me like yesterday. That way I won't be afraid of falling."
Ji Xu'an agreed without hesitation. It was only after they had walked some distance that Ji Xu'an remembered there had been a better solution.
She looked at Jiang Jiang's small face, tense with concentration, and was momentarily speechless.
Could it be that she had been too tired recently?
Why had she been doing things these past two days that she could not even understand herself?
Ji Xu'an suddenly realized that ever since Jiang Jiang got injured, she had become somewhat strange.
She seemed too impulsive. She always lost her rationality in front of Jiang Jiang. It had been like that in the morning, and it was the same now.
Ji Xu'an silently reflected. She withdrew the gaze that had been resting on Jiang Jiang's face.
Only after she stopped looking at her did Jiang Jiang discreetly glance at Ji Xu'an from the corner of her eye.
From that little test just now, Jiang Jiang had more or less confirmed that Ji Xu'an's attitude toward her was truly different now.
When she showed a pitiful expression, Ji Xu'an found it harder to refuse her requests.
This should count as a sign that Ji Xu'an was gradually softening.
If it were someone she did not care about, no matter how miserable that person appeared, what would it have to do with her?
Jiang Jiang did not know whether this was the result of what had happened in the morning, but it certainly could not be separated from that matter.
Ji Xu'an was too proud. She had an instinctive trust in herself. So when she realized that she had actually been wrong, the disbelief and guilt in her heart would urge her to compensate the person she had hurt, and to do so doubly.
What Jiang Jiang needed to do was prolong this process.
She did not deliberately pretend to be strong in front of Ji Xu'an. When she grew tired from walking, she stopped to rest. Because her whole body was exerting effort, fine beads of sweat even appeared on the tip of her nose.
Ji Xu'an wrapped an arm around her and felt the shoulder under her hand trembling slightly. After thinking for a moment, she simply said softly, "How about I carry you on my back?"
Jiang Jiang froze. A brilliant flush suddenly bloomed across her cheeks. "N-no need, Sister."
Her face turned red. Even the tips of her ears were crimson. "I'm sorry. I'm walking too slowly. I'm making Sister stop and start with me."
"It's not a burden." Ji Xu'an found a reason for her earlier words. "Grandma might already be getting anxious waiting. We should go up earlier."
Jiang Jiang still refused. "I'm too heavy. I'll tire Sister."
Now she did not even dare to meet Ji Xu'an's eyes. Her face was like a ripe peach on a branch, glowing with a tender blush.
After saying that, Jiang Jiang leaned on her crutches and tried to continue forward. She was too anxious. Her injured left foot accidentally knocked against the ground. She cried out and almost dropped to her knees.
In the urgency of the moment, fortunately Ji Xu'an reacted quickly enough. She wrapped an arm around Jiang Jiang's waist and held her steady, preventing her from falling to the ground.
Jiang Jiang was in so much pain that tears welled up immediately. In an instant, two pools of hot tears gathered in her apricot eyes, swirling heavily in her eye sockets.
Ji Xu'an was also startled. "Did you hit your foot?"
She did not even care about Old Madam Ji anymore. Holding Jiang Jiang, she was about to head back out.
Jiang Jiang quickly grabbed her. "It's okay, Sister. I just didn't stand steadily just now. It should be nothing serious."
"Should be?" Ji Xu'an felt as though she were facing a disobedient child. "Let's go to the hospital and get it checked."
"There's really no need. I can feel that there's no problem. It doesn't hurt anymore." Jiang Jiang tried hard to hold back her tears.
She lowered her head guiltily and said in a small voice, "Grandma is still waiting upstairs. We can't make her anxious."
Ji Xu'an was almost angered into laughter. "Now you remember Grandma is waiting?"
Using her own words against her. Xie Jiang Jiang was really something.
Yet Ji Xu'an could do nothing about her.
"Can you let me carry you upstairs now?" she asked.
Jiang Jiang did not dare refuse again. "Thank you for your trouble, Sister."
She lay on Ji Xu'an's back and felt Ji Xu'an's hands hook under her thighs. Her body tensed for a moment before slowly relaxing. She wrapped her arms around Ji Xu'an's neck and leaned softly against her.
Ji Xu'an felt that Jiang Jiang was foolishly naive. A thought could not help but arise in her mind: without her care, who knew how Jiang Jiang might torment herself?
It seemed she would have to put more thought into Jiang Jiang.
Right now, Jiang Jiang was like a powerless dodder vine, so fragile that a gust of wind could break her. She could only lean on Ji Xu'an and let Ji Xu'an shield her from wind and rain.
And Ji Xu'an did not dislike the feeling of taking care of her.
So Jiang Jiang enjoyed Ji Xu'an's gentleness with a clear conscience. Of course, she did not remain idle. While lying on Ji Xu'an's back, she kept showing concern for her.
"Sister, am I very heavy?"
With her thin arms and legs, she did not weigh much at all. Ji Xu'an worked out year-round. Carrying Jiang Jiang was effortless. She did not even breathe heavily.
"You're not heavy."
After answering her question, Ji Xu'an continued, "You're still too thin. You should eat more and exercise more to strengthen your immunity."
Jiang Jiang responded with an "oh." She tilted her head to look at Ji Xu'an's profile, her voice soft. "Does Sister work out often?"
Even without seeing her expression, Ji Xu'an could hear the longing and admiration in her tone.
"Mm." Ji Xu'an's response was calm, without much pride. "I've prepared some fitness equipment in the apartment. When you have time, you can use it."
Jiang Jiang readily agreed. "Okay. I'll listen to Sister."
"I think Sister is amazing." Jiang Jiang's praise came one sentence after another. "Sister's work is already very tiring, yet you still strictly demand things from yourself. If I were as busy as Sister, I definitely wouldn't be able to spend time on these small matters."
"No matter how busy, there will always be moments to stop. As long as you truly want to do something, even if it's difficult, you should try your best to accomplish it," Ji Xu'an said.
"I'm just an ordinary person. There are times when I'm powerless too. I'm only a few years older than you and have experienced a bit more."
Hearing her refute her, Jiang Jiang lightly huffed. She tightened her arms around Ji Xu'an's neck. Her voice sounded muffled. "But in my heart, Sister is the most amazing."
"Things that are very difficult for me, Sister can always solve easily."
Jiang Jiang listed Ji Xu'an's merits one by one. "And Sister treats me very well."
She paused and affectionately pressed her cheek against Ji Xu'an's shoulder, saying very softly, "It's been a long time since someone carried me like this."
Ji Xu'an suddenly fell into a daze.
She did not respond for a long time. Jiang Jiang could not help waving her hand in front of her eyes. "Sister, why aren't you speaking?"
Ji Xu'an came back to herself. "It's nothing."
Her tone was slightly off, but Jiang Jiang did not ask further. As if she had not noticed Ji Xu'an's abnormality, she curiously asked, "Sister, have you ever carried little Yuan like this?"
"Mm."
Jiang Jiang laughed softly. "Little Yuan must have had the same thought I have now."
Ji Xu'an's mood was complicated. "What thought?"
Jiang Jiang swung her little legs. "Just… having Sister is so good!"
Such simple and ordinary words, yet they were like a gentle spring breeze brushing slowly across Ji Xu'an's heart.
The feeling was subtle and difficult to describe.
Ji Xu'an only knew that her mood at this moment was not bad.
A faint smile curved at the corner of her lips. "Is that so?"
Jiang Jiang deliberately lowered her voice, as if whispering, "If Sister doesn't believe it, next time I'll secretly ask little Yuan."
Ji Xu'an did not call her childish. Instead, she followed her words and said, "Okay."
By the time they reached the door of the room, there was still a barely perceptible smile on Ji Xu'an's face. She set Jiang Jiang down and supported her inside.
Old Madam Ji had been waiting anxiously. Having lived so many years, she was perceptive. When Ji Xu'an had previously found excuses to placate her, she had already guessed that something might have happened.
It was just that Ji Xu'an had concealed it too well. The others around her also refused to reveal anything. The old lady could only speculate. Even now, she still did not know that Jiang Jiang had fallen down the stairs.
Seeing Jiang Jiang being supported inside by Ji Xu'an, the old lady immediately grew anxious. "What on earth happened? You think I'm old, so you're all hiding things from me?"
She moved to support Jiang Jiang, but how could Jiang Jiang let her take care of her? She quickly waved her hand. "Grandma, please don't worry. I'm fine. Sister didn't mean to hide it from you. It was my idea. I'll explain to you in a moment."
Ji Xu'an stood silently to the side. The old lady shot her a glare. After Jiang Jiang sat down, she immediately grabbed Jiang Jiang's hand and scrutinized her up and down.
Ji Xu'an stood there like an outsider. The old lady did not even spare her a glance.
She did not get annoyed. She gestured to Xiao Chen to step out first, then silently poured two cups of warm water for them.
Before they had spoken more than a couple of sentences, Ji Xu'an's phone suddenly rang. She nodded to the old lady and Jiang Jiang, then took her phone and walked out.
At first, Jiang Jiang could faintly hear her voice. It seemed to be Secretary Zhao calling.
Later, Ji Xu'an walked farther away, and Jiang Jiang could no longer hear clearly.
Old Madam Ji tightened her grip on Jiang Jiang's hand. It was not that she had not noticed the subtle tension between Jiang Jiang and Ji Xu'an, but she had no time to care about that now. She only wanted to know what had happened to Jiang Jiang.
Jiang Jiang carefully considered her words.
"It's like this…"
—
Ji Xu'an's call did not last long. Some matters required her to return to the company to handle personally, so Secretary Zhao only briefly mentioned a few points. The main purpose of his call was to remind his boss that it was time to return to work.
Your dear secretary works overtime every day until exhausted. As the boss, how can you only focus on romance?
"A few days ago, you asked me to have someone follow Miss Zheng. These past two days, our people have indeed found something new. President Ji, I've already placed the detailed information on your desk."
So please come back to the company quickly.
Even through the phone, Ji Xu'an could sense Secretary Zhao's urgency.
She remained as steady as a mountain. "Okay. I understand."
"Also, the hospital called. They said Liang Junsheng's mental state is very bad. He seems to be showing signs of self-harm."
There was a trace of disdain in Secretary Zhao's tone. He had thought that since Liang Junsheng could do so many insane things, his psychological endurance should be strong. Who knew that after only a few days, he could not endure it anymore?
"Is he still alive?" Ji Xu'an asked indifferently.
"Uh, still alive." Zhao Zitang immediately understood her meaning.
As long as he was not dead, do not bother her with these trivial matters.
Ji Xu'an did not say more. She only added, "At the latest, I'll go to the company tomorrow."
Secretary Zhao dared to be angry but not to speak. "Understood, President Ji."
After hanging up, Ji Xu'an guessed that Jiang Jiang and the old lady were not finished talking yet. She did not hurry back. Instead, she made a few more calls. After estimating that enough time had passed, she turned and walked back.
At that moment, Jiang Jiang had basically finished explaining everything that had happened recently.
Old Madam Ji listened in fear and trepidation. She wanted to scold Jiang Jiang for hiding such a big matter from her, but the young girl's eyes were red, and she had suffered great grievance. The old lady could not bear to speak harshly to her.
Just then, Ji Xu'an returned. Naturally, she became Old Madam Ji's outlet for anger. The moment she stepped in, she was pointed at and scolded.
"I'm just old, not dead yet. You didn't tell me about something this big. Do you even still treat me as your grandmother?"
Ji Xu'an's brows furrowed slightly. "Grandma, don't say such inauspicious things."
"You know what's inauspicious? Why don't you just be my grandmother instead? I think you're quite capable." Old Madam Ji was truly skilled at speaking sarcastically.
She had a natural bloodline suppression over Ji Xu'an. The imposing President Ji outside could only lower her head obediently and accept the scolding in front of her own grandmother.
Jiang Jiang found it rather amusing. For some reason, she suddenly thought of the past. She had heard that Princess Huaining was also very obedient to the Empress Dowager. Even the Crown Prince behaved like a quail in front of the Empress Dowager.
So back then, although Jiang Jiang's father did not love her and her mother did not care for her, she still had confidence. As long as her identity had sufficient value and she had the Empress Dowager as backing, even the Crown Prince would not dare easily torment her.
Even in the story Xie Xiao had dreamed of, the Crown Prince had only dared to openly favor concubines and neglect his wife after the Empress Dowager passed away and he ascended the throne.
With Grandma's support, even Ji Xu'an could not easily decide her stay or departure.
Thinking of this, Jiang Jiang hugged Old Madam Ji's arm and acted coquettishly. "Grandma, please don't scold Sister. If you must scold someone, scold me."
Hearing Jiang Jiang defend her, Ji Xu'an thought that being scolded by Grandma did not hurt her at all. But if Jiang Jiang were scolded, she would probably feel sad for quite a while.
"Jiang Jiang, don't protect her." Old Madam Ji deliberately snorted coldly. "You feel sorry for her, but some people might not appreciate it."
Jiang Jiang pressed her lips together. "That's not it. Sister cares about me a lot too. Just now… just now when we got out of the car, Sister carried me on her back."
It was clearly not a big deal, yet when spoken from Jiang Jiang's mouth, it sounded as though Ji Xu'an had done something extraordinarily great.
Ji Xu'an thought that besides fear, Jiang Jiang seemed to hold a kind of blind admiration for her.
She did not speak, allowing Old Madam Ji to continue her veiled criticism. Yet her gaze fell on Jiang Jiang from time to time. In her dark eyes surged a light that was impossible to read.
—
Jiang Jiang accompanied Old Madam Ji and chatted with her for more than an hour. Ji Xu'an received another phone call. This time she had no choice but to leave. There was a document that required her signature.
"You stay here and keep Grandma company. I'll come back a bit later to pick you up, alright?" Ji Xu'an's tone was not forceful. It sounded more like she was discussing it with her.
Of course Jiang Jiang would not refuse.
However, although she agreed, her gaze kept following Ji Xu'an's figure. The reluctance that flashed through her eyes was caught clearly by Old Madam Ji.
Old Madam Ji's eyes turned. "What's there to keep me company for? Besides, I'm a bit tired. I want to take a nap later. Take Jiang Jiang with you."
Ji Xu'an hesitated. "I'm going to the company. It might be rather boring."
"What's so bad about that? Let Jiang Jiang go get used to it first." Old Madam Ji waved her hand indifferently.
From the meaning in her words, it seemed she was planning to let Jiang Jiang go work at Linghai Group in the future as well.
Jiang Jiang did not speak. She sat obediently on the sofa, as though no matter what Ji Xu'an said, she would accept it completely.
Ji Xu'an was defeated. She asked Jiang Jiang, "Are you willing to go to the company with me?"
Jiang Jiang blinked. "I'll listen to Sister."
Ji Xu'an could only bring her along.
It was not that she was unwilling to let Jiang Jiang follow her. Ji Xu'an was only worried that Jiang Jiang would feel bored. After all, Ji Xu'an knew her own personality very clearly. Once she became busy with work, she would not be able to take care of Jiang Jiang.
She had not informed Secretary Zhao in advance. So when everyone saw their boss pushing a girl in a wheelchair out of the elevator, their expressions froze for a moment in shock and disbelief.
Ji Xu'an had gone directly from the underground parking lot to the floor where her office was located. She did not encounter many people along the way. But the news still spread through the company group chat in an extremely short time.
At first it was normal. Later, as it was passed along, it turned into "President Ji came to the company in a wheelchair." Someone even thoughtfully added details.
"I heard President Ji used a self-inflicted injury scheme to chase her wife. She pretended she was in a car accident, so that's why she came in a wheelchair!"
"As expected of President Ji!"
Among all the employees, probably only Zhao Zitang knew Jiang Jiang's identity.
"Miss Xie." Zhao Zitang smiled at her. "Would you like something to eat?"
Before Jiang Jiang could speak, Ji Xu'an answered from the side, "Buy her a milk tea with less sugar, and some fruit. Grapes and oranges are fine."
Seeing that Jiang Jiang did not object, Zhao Zitang nodded. "Alright, please wait a moment."
Tsk tsk. The boss's desire for control was really too strong. She even managed what the other person ate. But Miss Xie was truly obedient. The two of them were indeed a perfect match.
As soon as Zhao Zitang stepped out of the office, he was surrounded by a group of people.
"Secretary Zhao, who is that girl? Is she the boss's younger sister?"
"That can't be right. I've seen the boss's younger sister. She doesn't look like that."
"Is she the boss's girlfriend?"
"But I just heard that girl call President Ji 'Sister.'"
"It could also be some kind of role-play, hehe~."
Zhao Zitang had not even said a word yet, and the others had already finished imagining everything. He smiled and lightly tapped the head of the person in front of him. "Alright, stop gossiping. Have you finished your work?"
"Working without slacking off has no soul!" someone shouted.
"Just tell us, is she the boss's girlfriend?"
Zhao Zitang thought to himself that Ji Xu'an had not told him to keep it secret. That meant he could say it, right?
"Mm." He confirmed everyone's guess.
But this did not quiet the crowd who had gotten the scoop. Instead, it made them even more excited.
"Damn, really? When did President Ji start dating?"
"That girl looks so young. How did they meet?"
"Secretary Zhao, you definitely know. Stop pretending!"
Zhao Zitang spread his hands. "I can only say it was arranged by President Ji's family."
"Oh~" Everyone understood.
An arranged marriage.
Some of those who got the gossip were satisfied. Of course, not everyone could accept the fact that Ji Xu'an was in a relationship.
Ji Xu'an's status and ability destined her to have countless suitors. Even though she rejected them decisively every time, it was impossible for her to completely avoid contact with outsiders. There would always be someone trying to slowly approach her like boiling a frog in warm water. (A gradual manipulation strategy that involves a person moving slowly to create a sense of security and confidence.)
Wen Xueyun was like this. Fu Xiaoyin was the same.
She was the youngest daughter of the Fu family, with two older sisters above her.
The Fu family and the Ji family were both long-established wealthy merchant families in S City, the kind that had truly been rich for five generations. After graduating from a university abroad, Fu Xiaoyin returned to S City.
Logically, she should have gone to help at her own family's company. But in order to pursue Ji Xu'an, Fu Xiaoyin chose to work at Linghai Group instead. She had stayed at Linghai for nearly five years and had now worked her way up to the position of product manager.
Ji Xu'an admired Fu Xiaoyin's abilities, but there were no further feelings beyond that. In private, she rarely interacted with Fu Xiaoyin.
Perhaps Ji Xu'an's attitude of keeping everyone at arm's length gave Fu Xiaoyin a kind of illusion. Although she had not moved Ji Xu'an, had anyone else succeeded either?
Fu Xiaoyin believed that one day Ji Xu'an would notice her.
Moreover, if Ji Xu'an had to choose a marriage alliance, she should be the most suitable candidate, right?
With such thoughts, Fu Xiaoyin never gave up. Until today, she suddenly learned from others that Ji Xu'an seemed to have a girlfriend.
It was like being struck on the head with a club. She stood there stunned for a long time before coming back to her senses.
She would not go so far as to resent Jiang Jiang or Ji Xu'an. After all, Ji Xu'an had never given her a chance. Fu Xiaoyin just suddenly felt very lost.
Several years of persistence had turned into nothing. This unwillingness pushed her to want to meet Ji Xu'an's girlfriend.
But Jiang Jiang had been staying in Ji Xu'an's office. Fu Xiaoyin had not found an opportunity to approach her.
She only learned from others that Ji Xu'an's girlfriend was quite young, very obedient-looking and bright in appearance, and that it seemed to be arranged by the family—an arranged marriage.
Arranged marriage?
Tch.
Fu Xiaoyin felt disdain. Would Ji Xu'an compromise because of family pressure?
She did not believe it.
Ji Xu'an's girlfriend's identity might very well have a significant background.
Fu Xiaoyin became even more eager to meet Jiang Jiang.
What was Jiang Jiang doing?
At this moment, she was still in Ji Xu'an's office, drinking milk tea and playing games.
Ji Xu'an had gone out for a meeting. She would not be back for at least an hour. There was only Jiang Jiang alone in the office, so she had no scruples. She lay on the sofa like a salted fish, so happy she almost forgot where she was.
The less-sugar milk tea was really delicious. Jiang Jiang accidentally drank a bit too much and felt her lower belly slightly bloated.
She put down the tablet and planned to look for the restroom.
Ji Xu'an had said she could go out, and if anything happened she could call her.
At that time Jiang Jiang had asked her, "Will it cause trouble for Sister? It seems like everyone doesn't know me."
"There will always be a day they know you." Ji Xu'an's tone had been firm.
Jiang Jiang had asked again, "Then if others ask me what my relationship with Sister is, how should I answer?"
Ji Xu'an had looked at her. "Up to you."
Then Jiang Jiang would of course tell the truth.
After knowing that Jiang Jiang's relationship with Ji Xu'an was not ordinary, others did not dare to stop her. But there was one exception—Fu Xiaoyin.
Jiang Jiang went out in a wheelchair. Not having to walk was truly comfortable. It was not that she had not noticed someone following her, but that person did not seem to have malicious intent, so Jiang Jiang ignored her.
It was only after she finished using the restroom and was washing her hands at the sink that Fu Xiaoyin stepped forward as if by chance and started a conversation.
"Which department are you from? I don't think I've seen you in the company before."
As she spoke, Fu Xiaoyin stared straight at Jiang Jiang. A flash of amazement passed through her eyes.
So everyone had not been lying. Ji Xu'an's girlfriend was really very well-behaved and pretty!
Jiang Jiang shook her head. "I'm not an employee here."
Her voice sounded very pleasant too, soft and gentle. Fu Xiaoyin felt like a creep.
She cleared her throat and reminded herself not to be bewitched by her love rival. "Oh, then are you someone's family member?"
Jiang Jiang turned and smiled at her, almost making Fu Xiaoyin blush.
"I'm Ji Xu'an's younger sister."
Fu Xiaoyin thought Ji Xu'an was really pathetic. Her girlfriend did not even acknowledge her identity outside. Could it be that she had not won her over yet?
"I've seen President Ji's younger sister—Ji Heyuan. You shouldn't be her, right?"
From this person's tone, Jiang Jiang could hear her familiarity with Ji Xu'an. It felt somewhat similar to when she faced Wen Xueyun. Was she also one of Ji Xu'an's suitors?
"I'm not President Ji's biological sister." Jiang Jiang left it at that.
Fu Xiaoyin said, "I see."
A younger-sister lover.
Fu Xiaoyin decided to be direct. "I just saw in the company group that someone said President Ji brought a young girl today. They all say you're President Ji's girlfriend."
Jiang Jiang did not admit it. But the abnormal blush on her face explained everything. That half-spoken, half-hesitant gaze almost had "we do have something going on" written across her face.
Fu Xiaoyin touched the tip of her nose awkwardly. For a brief moment just now, she had actually thought the way this person blushed was very beautiful. It made her heart skip a beat.
That should not be right. The one she liked should be a mature and strong woman like Ji Xu'an!
This must be a conspiracy from her love rival!
"I knew it. President Ji looks like someone who would stay single for life. How could she suddenly start dating? So you're her sister." In order to attack her love rival, Fu Xiaoyin even "cursed" the person she liked.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Jiang was not angry at all. Instead, she really nodded. "My grandmother also said that Sister might very well stay single for her whole life."
So ruthless!
Fu Xiaoyin was shocked.
If your grandmother says that, won't she be blacklisted by the Ji family?
Fu Xiaoyin could not help joking, "So your grandmother sent you to save Ji Xu'an, right?"
Unexpectedly, Jiang Jiang actually nodded along.
Fu Xiaoyin: …
Fine, fine. She was starting to believe arranged marriage really existed.
But the victim was not Ji Xu'an. It was the girl in front of her.
"Is there a possibility…" Fu Xiaoyin said tactfully, "that your grandmother is lying to you?"
Jiang Jiang said, "Impossible."
Fu Xiaoyin choked. Before she could promote the idea that feudal thinking was unreliable, Jiang Jiang asked in return, "How should I address this Sister?"
Fu Xiaoyin instantly understood Ji Xu'an.
I don't want to say it, but she called me Sister.
She covered her mouth with her hand and coughed lightly, saying reservedly, "My name is Fu Xiaoyin."
Jiang Jiang blinked. "Then can I call you Sister Fu?"
Fu Xiaoyin ultimately could not resist. A blush crept onto her cheeks. "S-suit yourself."
Could she really argue with a girl who was clearly younger than herself?
And if Ji Xu'an knew her girlfriend also called her Sister, wouldn't she go crazy with anger?
Fu Xiaoyin even felt a little anticipation.
At this moment, Fu Xiaoyin had absolutely no idea that Jiang Jiang's good Sisters were not just her and Ji Xu'an.
The two of them began chatting. Fu Xiaoyin simply brought Jiang Jiang to the lounge. She was completely defenseless against Jiang Jiang and quickly "betrayed" Ji Xu'an.
"Ji Xu'an treats everyone coldly. I don't think I've ever seen her treat anyone especially differently."
Jiang Jiang asked curiously, "Did Sister never have someone she liked before?"
Fu Xiaoyin thought for a moment. "Probably not. Actually I'm not too sure. After all, Ji Xu'an has many suitors. It's hard to say that one or two might not have moved her."
Jiang Jiang let out a meaningful "Oh."
Fu Xiaoyin did not seem to realize that her words sounded like she was sowing discord. "But don't worry. After all, right now the only one by her side is you."
Wen Xueyun had said similar things before. Jiang Jiang could clearly feel Wen Xueyun's hostility toward her. But Fu Xiaoyin was different. Jiang Jiang even felt that her targeting was directed more at Ji Xu'an.
"I know I'm not worthy of Sister. Sister is so outstanding. Her suitors must be amazing too. But I don't know how to do anything. I even have to rely on Sister to support me." As she spoke, Jiang Jiang lowered her head in inferiority.
Fu Xiaoyin clicked her tongue. "Don't talk about being worthy or not. We are humans with thoughts, not animals ruled by instinct."
It's not like you're breeding. What's with worthy or not?
The rest was too crude. Fu Xiaoyin was afraid of scaring Jiang Jiang, so she swallowed the words back down.
"But Ji Xu'an really has never had a girl like you around her before."
It was not that Jiang Jiang was useless as she thought. It was that she truly looked very obedient and pure, completely different from the calculating and deep-minded Ji Xu'an.
Fu Xiaoyin subtly tried to plant doubts about Ji Xu'an. "The last woman who often appeared by Ji Xu'an's side was Zhou Zihe."
Jiang Jiang secretly pricked up her ears.
Fu Xiaoyin said, "You know Zhou Zihe, right? That household-name female celebrity."
Jiang Jiang raised a question. "But Sister seems to dislike celebrities very much."
"Who knows? It might also be love turning into hate." Fu Xiaoyin replied casually. Then she realized she probably should not have said that in front of Jiang Jiang.
Sure enough, Jiang Jiang showed a disappointed expression. Fu Xiaoyin quickly comforted her. "It's okay. No matter what happened between them before, at least they must have fallen out now."
It turned out Zhou Zihe had once been the spokesperson for a product under a subsidiary of Linghai Group. She had endorsed it for three consecutive years. Later, the two sides abruptly ended their cooperation without warning.
There had been endless speculation from the outside world. Zhou Zihe had once slightly revealed some truth in an interview. It seemed that a certain senior executive at Linghai Group disliked her.
Fu Xiaoyin knew that this executive was Ji Xu'an because she had once personally witnessed Zhou Zihe and Ji Xu'an pulling and tugging at each other.
Jiang Jiang listened very attentively. In the story, there had not been much description of Ji Xu'an's experiences. It only said she treated people coldly. She had not expected there to be so many hidden details behind it.
"Ji Xu'an definitely did not dislike female celebrities before. Ji Heyuan chased idols in middle and high school, and Ji Xu'an never stopped her."
"But ever since terminating the contract with Zhou Zihe, Ji Xu'an has held a rejecting attitude toward celebrities." Fu Xiaoyin gave her a look that implied understanding.
Jiang Jiang could not help sighing inwardly. This Miss Fu's methods were far superior to Wen Xueyun's. If she truly liked Ji Xu'an, she would definitely feel sickened to heart pain by this speech.
No matter what Fu Xiaoyin's purpose was, Jiang Jiang remembered the name Zhou Zihe. If Fu Xiaoyin regarded her as Ji Xu'an's ex-girlfriend, she must also be a formidable person.
Seeing her fall into thought, Fu Xiaoyin guiltily shifted her gaze away.
Although what she had done was quite immoral, Ji Xu'an, that big ice block, did not look like someone who would fall in love anyway. This Miss Xie clearly deserved someone better.
She felt restless. "Can we exchange contact information?"
"I feel like we're quite destined to meet."
—
Author's Note:
President Ji tragically had her home stolen.
I heard you all want to see President Ji get jealous. Fine, fine, it's coming right up.
—
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