Ji Heyuan did not notice the ugly expression that flashed across Zheng Zhouzhou's face for that brief moment.
Although she did not believe that Ji Xu'an would truly make a move against Zheng Zhouzhou, she still agreed to help her ask Ji Xu'an.
Zheng Zhouzhou did not receive the answer she wanted. Her expression was inevitably somewhat displeased. Ji Heyuan did not notice and even turned the camera toward Little Bread.
"Look at the kitten, isn't she cute?"
Zheng Zhouzhou forced herself to perk up and replied perfunctorily, "When did you start raising a cat?"
Ji Heyuan answered casually, "I didn't raise her. My sister-in-law did."
Hearing this answer, Zheng Zhouzhou's expression seemed to turn even uglier. "Your sister-in-law?"
Ji Heyuan knew that Zheng Zhouzhou did not really like Jiang Jiang. She had also consciously avoided mentioning anything related to Jiang Jiang in front of Zheng Zhouzhou, so Zheng Zhouzhou's impression was still stuck on Ji Heyuan being unwilling to accept this sister-in-law.
Suddenly hearing the words "sister-in-law" from Ji Heyuan's mouth, Zheng Zhouzhou did not even react immediately.
"Yeah. My sister-in-law likes cats a lot. My sister agreed too, so they adopted this cat." Ji Heyuan liked her too, but Little Bread simply was not close to her. "Her name is Little Bread. I gave her that name. Isn't it vivid and fitting?"
Zheng Zhouzhou did not like cats. Especially thinking that this cat was raised by Xie Xiao, she felt even more disgusted.
"Isn't this the cat Xie Xiao was going to see when she was kidnapped?"
She really knew how to bring up exactly the wrong thing. The smile on Ji Heyuan's face faded a little. "Mm."
Zheng Zhouzhou smiled. "Then her luck is really good, to have the fortune of being adopted by President Ji and live a life without worries about food and clothing."
"But I've heard that cats can't be truly tamed. As soon as someone treats her better, she'll abandon her owner without hesitation. Little Yuan, you'd better remind President Ji to be careful. Don't let a stray cat scheme against her in the end."
Ji Heyuan frowned. "What are you talking about? Little Bread is just a cat. What bad intentions could she possibly have?"
"And Little Bread likes my sister very much." Her tone even carried a hint of sourness, obviously recalling how Little Bread had acted spoiled toward Ji Xu'an last night.
Zheng Zhouzhou was almost angered to the point of vomiting blood by her unconscious defensiveness. Was she talking about the cat?
"Let's hope so." She forced a smile.
No matter how foolish Ji Heyuan might be, she could hear the implication in Zheng Zhouzhou's words now. Her face turned cold. The eyes that usually looked not very clever were at this moment unusually sharp. "What do you mean?"
Zheng Zhouzhou froze. She had not expected Ji Heyuan to turn cold toward her. Ji Heyuan's expression at this moment was somewhat similar to Ji Xu'an's usual look.
Zheng Zhouzhou had already felt indignant. Now she was even more enraged. "What meaning could I possibly have? I haven't even done anything and your sister is already targeting me. If I really did something, wouldn't I be completely blacklisted?"
The resentment and dissatisfaction in Zheng Zhouzhou's words were so obvious that even if Ji Heyuan wanted to ignore it, she could not. She did not know how things had turned out like this. In the past she had felt that Zheng Zhouzhou was considerate and understanding. At this moment, Ji Heyuan actually felt that she saw a trace of distortion on Zheng Zhouzhou's beautiful face.
Was the person in front of her still the Zheng Zhouzhou she knew?
Ji Heyuan no longer wanted to serve her. Her temper had never been very good. If it were not because she liked Zheng Zhouzhou, who would bother to indulge her?
"Do you have persecution delusion? I already said my sister doesn't mean that." Ji Heyuan rolled her eyes. "Besides, if you're dissatisfied with my sister, go find her. Why are you venting your anger at me?"
In the past, even if Ji Heyuan had not been cautiously pleasing Zheng Zhouzhou, she had at least coaxed her gently. This was the first time she had spoken so harshly. Not only Zheng Zhouzhou, even Jiang Jiang, who was secretly listening not far away, was stunned for a moment.
Ji Heyuan was indeed the type who, when she loved someone, wanted her to live, and when she hated someone, wanted her dead. Jiang Jiang had deeply experienced this herself.
When Ji Heyuan had disliked her before, she had targeted her everywhere. Later, after Ji Heyuan changed her view of her, she called her "sister-in-law" intimately and would not allow anyone else to speak ill of Jiang Jiang.
Zheng Zhouzhou had only ever experienced Ji Heyuan's fondness. She probably had not expected that Ji Heyuan would one day grow impatient with her.
Jiang Jiang listened to the conversation expressionlessly.
Zheng Zhouzhou was indeed frightened.
At the beginning, after being reborn, she had been quite cautious in her attitude toward Ji Heyuan. But perhaps because Ji Heyuan was simply too easy to fool, Zheng Zhouzhou gradually lost her wariness.
In her heart, Ji Heyuan was just a big fool. A little coaxing and she would eagerly come running over.
She had not expected that this big fool would also get angry at her.
Only then did Zheng Zhouzhou begin to panic. But she had grown used to being flattered by Ji Heyuan and could not lower her face to apologize for the moment. She could only redden her eyes and silently shed tears.
If it were before, seeing this scene, Ji Heyuan would definitely have felt heartache and already begun apologizing and coaxing her.
But this time, for some reason, looking at the accusing expression on Zheng Zhouzhou's face through the screen, Ji Heyuan instead felt somewhat irritated.
It was not her fault. Why should she apologize humbly?
Which of Zheng Zhouzhou's requests had she not satisfied?
She wanted to be the female lead. Ji Heyuan helped her. She wanted money. Ji Heyuan gave it to her. If Zheng Zhouzhou had any other requests, as long as Ji Heyuan could do it, she fulfilled them all.
And even so, Zheng Zhouzhou still felt wronged by her.
Ji Heyuan rubbed her brow. "Then tell me, what do you want?"
"You want me to tell my sister to replace the female second lead, right?"
Zheng Zhouzhou did not speak, but she was clearly acquiescing to Ji Heyuan's statement.
Ji Heyuan let out a cold laugh. "Then tell me, after replacing her, who should play the female second lead?"
"We need to find someone who is inferior to you in every way, right?"
Ji Heyuan stared fixedly at Zheng Zhouzhou. Disappointment was impossible to hide on her face. "Didn't you just say that you believe your acting skills are enough to take on the female lead? That you're not afraid of comparison?"
"Or is it actually that you also know you're not as good as her, so you're worried the female second lead will steal your spotlight?"
Those words struck straight at the heart. Zheng Zhouzhou could hardly believe they had come from Ji Heyuan's mouth. She screamed and urgently interrupted her.
"Ji Heyuan! How can you… how can you say that about me?"
Ji Heyuan pressed her lips together. Of course she knew those words had been excessive. She liked Zheng Zhouzhou and had taken the effort to understand her thoughts, so she clearly knew how to speak in a way that would hurt Zheng Zhouzhou the most.
Ji Heyuan irritably raked a hand through her hair. "Forget it. Let's both calm down. Don't overthink it. I guarantee you the female lead role will only be yours. No one can take it away. Just focus on acting."
What else could Zheng Zhouzhou say?
This phone call had changed nothing. It had even worsened her relationship with Ji Heyuan. Zheng Zhouzhou regretted it deeply.
She should not have come to Ji Heyuan.
Ji Heyuan also did not want to talk anymore. She knew her emotions were unstable right now. To avoid saying even more hurtful words, she simply hung up decisively.
"What the hell is this." Ji Heyuan was extremely annoyed. She forcibly picked up Little Bread and vigorously rubbed her head, venting her irritability.
Little Bread did not indulge her. She fiercely swiped at her twice. It did not break the skin, but two scratch marks were left.
Ji Heyuan yelped and covered the back of her hand with teary eyes, glaring at the kitten. "Little Bread, I'm your aunt! How can you be violent toward your elder!"
Little Bread turned her butt toward her, expressing rejection to the fullest.
Jiang Jiang had listened to quite an entertaining show. Only now did she slowly walk over.
Ji Heyuan's hand, which had been about to poke Little Bread's butt, immediately froze midair. She awkwardly withdrew it. "Xie Xiao, you're awake."
Jiang Jiang leaned on her crutch and walked over. Little Bread could not wait any longer. She rushed over in a few steps and climbed up along her leg. The clingy appearance made Ji Heyuan's jealousy bubble over.
"Little Yuan, I think I just heard you talking on the phone." Jiang Jiang scooped up Little Bread's fluffy body as she asked casually.
At the mention of this, Ji Heyuan's mood sank again. "Mm. Zhouzhou called."
Jiang Jiang looked full of curiosity, completely unable to tell that she had been eavesdropping the whole time. "Was it about that movie you mentioned?"
"Mm." Ji Heyuan did not really want to talk about it. She changed the subject. "Did you finish reading that script? Wasn't it exciting?"
Jiang Jiang hummed. "I finished it. It's indeed very interesting."
Although she did not like Zheng Zhouzhou, she had to admit that the script was truly well written. The plot was tightly paced, the logic clear. After reading it all, it left a lingering impression, worthy of repeated appreciation.
"Right? So do you think my sister also felt this movie would definitely become popular, that's why she invested in it?"
Jiang Jiang smiled. "Probably. That means little Yuan, your taste is quite good. Your sister investing in this movie is a form of affirmation toward you."
Ji Heyuan's originally depressed mood immediately improved a lot.
See? Saying the same thing, Xie Xiao always had the ability to make her feel physically and mentally delighted.
Zheng Zhouzhou only knew how to anger her.
Ji Heyuan unconsciously told Jiang Jiang everything about the conflict that had just happened. She always felt that if it were Jiang Jiang, she would definitely look at the matter rationally.
After listening, Jiang Jiang pondered for a moment before saying in a certain tone, "Sister definitely wouldn't do that. This script is already perfect enough. If the female second lead's scenes were increased, the whole script would lose its original flavor."
"Sister isn't foolish. She can surely see what course of action benefits her most. Besides, little Yuan, you certainly wouldn't allow such a thing to happen either, so Miss Zheng truly need not worry excessively."
"Exactly!" Ji Heyuan slapped her thigh. "I told you she has persecution delusion. My sister doesn't even have that intention to deal with her."
The corners of Jiang Jiang's lips curved slightly. She toyed with Little Bread's ear with her fingertips. Her voice remained gentle and melodious. "Perhaps it's because Miss Zheng holds prejudice toward me and Sister, that's why she feels Sister harbors ill intentions."
At this point, Jiang Jiang paused. Seeing Ji Heyuan frowning in thought, she added as if unintentionally, "And judging from Miss Zheng's meaning, she doesn't seem to like cats very much."
Ji Heyuan's brows immediately furrowed even tighter. Her gaze fell on Little Bread. The two small orange ears moved back and forth. It made her heart almost melt.
Ji Heyuan really liked cats. Otherwise she would not have so actively given the cat a name, nor would she have tried again and again to curry favor with Little Bread.
She had even thought about raising a few cats of her own in the future. But Zheng Zhouzhou did not like cats. If they were to be together, then wouldn't she be unable to keep cats in the future?
For the first time, Ji Heyuan so clearly realized that there would be differences between her and Zheng Zhouzhou in their living habits and in their views toward things. Before, she had felt that Zheng Zhouzhou matched her very well, only because she had never seen Zheng Zhouzhou's other sides.
These were still small matters and could still be resolved. But if they encountered bigger disagreements in the future, what would she do?
Moreover, Zheng Zhouzhou clearly did not like her family. Ji Heyuan could not possibly abandon her own elder sister for the sake of a girlfriend, could she?
Seeing Ji Heyuan's face filled with hesitation, as if she were thinking about something very important, Jiang Jiang thoughtfully did not disturb her.
She knew it would not be so easy to make Ji Heyuan give up on Zheng Zhouzhou. But Jiang Jiang's efforts had not been in vain. Ji Heyuan was obviously no longer like in the story, unhesitatingly siding with Zheng Zhouzhou whenever problems arose.
After finishing the breakfast made by Sister Zhou, Jiang Jiang sat on the balcony to bask in the sun. She took out the notes she had made yesterday and read through them again. Only after confirming that she fully understood every knowledge point did she take out the script Ji Heyuan had sent her.
Ji Heyuan sat beside her scrolling through her phone. She was somewhat absent-minded. Jiang Jiang called her several times before Ji Heyuan finally came back to her senses.
"What's wrong?"
Jiang Jiang put down the tablet. "Little Yuan, what do you think about me writing a novel as well?"
Ji Heyuan immediately forgot about Zheng Zhouzhou. She became very interested in what Jiang Jiang said. "You want to write a novel? Sure. Maybe our family will produce a great writer in the future."
Before Jiang Jiang could explain, Ji Heyuan continued asking, "What genre do you want to write? Tell me and I'll help you think it over."
Jiang Jiang slowly organized her wording. "Probably about a person who has lived under rigid doctrines and rules all year round, who suddenly in a dream arrives in a brand-new and unfamiliar world. There she sees towering skyscrapers, sees cars speeding along the roads, sees all kinds of bright and spotless shops, and sees young girls walking freely along both sides of the street, brushing past her in haste."
"At first this person only treats the dream as her own fantasy. She records this magical experience and even calls the world in her dream a fairyland. But every night afterward, she continues to dream, and each time the place she dreams of is different."
"The world in the dream is too beautiful. Yet after waking, she is still bound by harsh rules. So she gradually develops the desire to resist."
"She wants to use what she has learned in her dreams to try to change the world she lives in."
After listening, Ji Heyuan summed up, "I get it. It's about a protagonist who has lived in ancient times since childhood and accidentally travels to the modern era in a dream, then uses modern knowledge to build things in ancient times, right?"
Jiang Jiang nodded. "That's roughly the idea."
"That works. It's meaningful. If written well, it'll be a really satisfying novel. Readers nowadays quite like this kind of story."
Ji Heyuan asked her, "Do you usually read novels?"
Jiang Jiang first shook her head, then nodded. "Before, I read some storybooks about talented scholars and beautiful ladies, and some novels with mountain spirits and wild creatures as protagonists. Recently, under a friend's recommendation, I also read some very popular ones."
Ji Heyuan raised an eyebrow. "For example?"
Jiang Jiang took out her phone and opened the videos she had saved, holding it up to Ji Heyuan like presenting a treasure.
Ji Heyuan curiously leaned over. Immediately she heard music that was extremely familiar to her.
"The coffin lies buried deep at the bottom of the valley…"
Ji Heyuan's mouth twitched. "Alright, I understand. Anything else?"
Jiang Jiang silently switched to the next one.
"Yo! Yo! Yo! The campus belle is my roommate~ She comes to seduce me every day~ At night wearing white stockings she sits—on—my—bed—side—"
Ji Heyuan hurriedly pressed pause. "Stop playing it! Stop! The next part can't be broadcast!"
Her expression was indescribable. "What are you watching every day?"
Jiang Jiang blinked. "My friend said these are very popular."
"They are, but…" Ji Heyuan's brows were almost knotted together. She wanted to say something, but in the end gave up. "Forget it. I'll download a novel app for you."
"Didn't you want to write a novel? You can write on this website."
Ji Heyuan was especially enthusiastic. Not only did she help Jiang Jiang download the app, she also helped her register an account.
"You apply to become an author, and then you can start typing."
Jiang Jiang roughly understood. She only had a concept for now and had not truly started writing, so she was not in a hurry to apply to become an author.
"You can also first read other people's works and learn from their writing techniques."
Ji Heyuan opened her own account. "I'll recommend you my treasure author. A famous typing machine on Green River Literature, 'Sweet Orange in the Human World.'"
"She's really hardworking. She starts typing as soon as the sun rises every day and only rests late at night. She rises earlier than a chicken and sleeps later than a dog. She was even once selected as a representative outstanding author who moved readers for a hundred years."
Jiang Jiang showed admiration. "Then how many words does she update in a day?"
Ji Heyuan coughed lightly. "That's not important."
"Anyway, you can take a look. She has many completed works."
So Jiang Jiang bookmarked Sweet Orange in the Human World's column. Not only that, she also specially bookmarked several of the author's upcoming works.
Ji Heyuan praised her as an angel reader.
Jiang Jiang was now quite excited and kept outlining her novel.
After lunch, Jiang Jiang and Ji Heyuan went to the sanatorium to chat with Old Madam Ji for a while. In the afternoon, she returned and continued writing her novel.
Until Ji Xu'an got off work in the evening, Jiang Jiang was still holding her laptop typing. Even Ji Heyuan admired this serious drive.
Ji Xu'an learned from Ji Heyuan that Jiang Jiang was planning to write a novel. She did not disturb Jiang Jiang. Only after Jiang Jiang finally stopped did she give her an encouraging look.
"If you need help, just tell me."
Jiang Jiang looked a little tired, but her eyes were bright, as if two clusters of blazing flames were flickering within them. "Thank you, Sister. But I still want to try by myself first."
Ji Xu'an did not ask further.
Ji Heyuan still did not leave that night. Tomorrow she and Jiang Jiang had to return to school for classes. Ji Heyuan did not want to go back and forth, so she planned to leave together with Jiang Jiang the next day.
How to arrange sleeping at night became a problem again. Ji Xu'an initially still walked toward her own room, but she was a step slower than Ji Heyuan. Ji Heyuan firmly guarded the doorway, smiling in a particularly lewd way.
"Aiya, anyway you two will end up sleeping together. No need to fuss around. It's fine. I don't mind. No need to specially come coax me."
Ji Xu'an frowned. "Last night…"
Last night the situation had been special. She and Jiang Jiang had not necessarily had to sleep together.
But Ji Heyuan did not give her a chance to explain. "Just take it as me being unwilling, alright? Go on!"
She reached out and pushed Ji Xu'an's shoulder, but Ji Xu'an did not move.
She reminded Ji Heyuan, "This is my room."
Ji Heyuan was almost amused by her sister's pretend seriousness. "This is still your house. Strictly speaking, Xie Jiang Jiang's room is also your room."
Ji Xu'an was momentarily unable to find words to refute her.
Jiang Jiang stood at the doorway of her own room, not participating in the sparring between the two sisters. But when Ji Heyuan looked over, her cheeks flushed red, and the corners of her eyes and brows carried a moving rosy hue.
"I'm fine with anything." Jiang Jiang secretly glanced at Ji Xu'an, then curved her lips slightly.
Ji Heyuan felt she had completely seen through the little thoughts of these two people. Perhaps this was also the kind of interest her sister liked, having to do it secretly.
Without another word she slipped inside, shut the door, and then Jiang Jiang and Ji Xu'an heard the sound of the door being locked from the inside.
Ji Xu'an fell silent. The thoughts in her heart were so complicated that even she herself could not sort them out clearly.
She should blame Ji Heyuan for messing around. But in truth there was not much unwillingness in Ji Xu'an's heart.
Seeing this, Jiang Jiang reached out and tugged at the corner of Ji Xu'an's clothes.
"Sister, why don't you come in first. It's cold outside."
Ji Xu'an followed her force and took two steps. After Jiang Jiang let go, Ji Xu'an did not turn around to leave. In the end, she still followed her into the bedroom.
It was still early. Neither of them felt sleepy. Ji Xu'an found a book from Jiang Jiang's bookshelf to read. Jiang Jiang held her laptop and typed.
She had already learned to use pinyin, but she still typed very slowly.
Ji Xu'an had not turned a page of the book in a long time. Her gaze remained on Jiang Jiang.
Jiang Jiang's expression while typing was very serious, even carrying a trace of solemnity. When she lowered her eyes to think, her head would unconsciously tilt. A mischievous strand of loose hair swayed lightly with her movement, hooking Ji Xu'an's gaze.
Ji Xu'an unconsciously drifted into a daze.
After writing for a while, the phone placed beside Jiang Jiang suddenly vibrated twice. She picked it up and saw that it was a message from Ji Heyuan.
[Ji Heyuan: What are you doing?]
Jiang Jiang: ?
[Jiang Jiang Doesn't Eat Ginger: I'm writing the novel. Sister Xu'an is reading.]
[Ji Heyuan: …]
[Ji Heyuan: You two are really boring.]
Although she had long guessed that Jiang Jiang and Ji Xu'an probably would not do anything, she had not expected that these two lone women sharing a room would really just honestly stay under their own blankets doing their own things. Wasn't it a bit too much of a waste of the opportunity she had created for them?
[Ji Heyuan: Don't you two even kiss?]
Jiang Jiang's typing hand trembled. Ji Heyuan's words were too bold. Jiang Jiang quietly tilted her phone screen slightly, as if not letting Ji Xu'an see the content of the chat clearly.
But Ji Xu'an's gaze had been on her the whole time. Naturally she did not miss this small movement.
If Jiang Jiang had not dodged, Ji Xu'an would not have thought much of it. But precisely because of this guilty movement, suspicion instead arose in Ji Xu'an's heart.
What was there that she could not see?
A trace of suspicion appeared in Ji Xu'an's eyes.
Jiang Jiang lowered her eyelashes and stared at the outrageous message in the chat interface from Ji Heyuan. Her cheeks flushed red.
Her shy and timid appearance made a faint bad premonition rise in Ji Xu'an's heart.
Ji Heyuan kept sending new messages.
[Ji Heyuan: My sister just pretends to be proper. Be more proactive.]
[Ji Heyuan: Touch her thigh, hook your finger into her palm, then pull open your collar a bit. I guarantee you'll fascinate her out of her mind.]
Jiang Jiang took a deep breath. From the corner of her eye she saw Ji Xu'an staring straight at her. So she tapped into Ji Heyuan's profile picture and changed her contact name to a new note.
Ji Xu'an saw that Jiang Jiang was so focused that she did not even notice she was being watched. Her mood suddenly turned very bad. Her expression darkened. She abruptly leaned down close to Jiang Jiang.
"Who are you chatting with?"
Peeking at someone else's phone screen without permission was not Ji Xu'an's usual style. But at this moment she could not care about that.
Jiang Jiang was too slow to avoid her. She only had time to exit the chat interface.
So Ji Xu'an saw that at the top of the pinned chat list in WeChat, someone named "Little Bird" had sent Jiang Jiang a new message.
[Sister, can I look at your legs?]
—
Author's note:
Little Bird: It's not me. I didn't do it!
—
T/N: Hi everyone! I just wanted to let you all know—I'm not sure if any of you have noticed—but lately I've been updating later than usual. I've been focusing on my studies since I have a ton of exams this coming week. I have tests every day except Tuesday, so I wanted to warn you guys that updates might be irregular. I wanted to apologize in advance for that!
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