While Ji Xu'an was thinking about how to make Jiang Jiang calm down, Jiang Jiang was also pondering what to do next.
After finally returning to the room last night, Jiang Jiang saw that after they had left, Fu Xiaoyin had sent her several voice messages.
Although Fu Xiaoyin's speech was incoherent and her pronunciation somewhat unclear, Jiang Jiang still roughly understood her meaning.
There had indeed been something wrong with that glass of wine last night. However, Fu Xiaoyin repeatedly emphasized that it was not harmful to the body. It would only make Ji Xu'an temporarily unclear in consciousness. After sleeping, she would be fine.
Fu Xiaoyin also comforted Jiang Jiang not to worry. Although Ji Xu'an's mind would be temporarily unclear, when she woke up the next day, she would still remember everything that had happened the previous night.
It was precisely because of that sentence that Jiang Jiang lay awake for half the night.
She thought about many things. In the end, her head even began to ache in waves. Jiang Jiang simply climbed up, turned on her computer, and relied on writing to calm herself.
As expected, the second chapter also received praise. However, readers who seriously discussed the plot were still few. After all, her story had only just begun and was still at the stage of explaining the world background.
Instead, some readers noticed that Jiang Jiang had liked every single comment one by one. They praised the author for being very cute in the comment section.
Looking at these little angels' messages, Jiang Jiang's originally restless and anxious mood gradually calmed down.
Strictly speaking, the current situation should be more beneficial than harmful to her.
If Ji Xu'an truly remembered everything that happened last night, she definitely would not pretend that nothing had occurred.
There were now two possibilities before Jiang Jiang.
First, Ji Xu'an might be unwilling to get engaged to her. In that case, the relationship that Jiang Jiang had painstakingly worked to ease would likely collapse overnight. The two of them might once again return to the unfamiliarity and stalemate of before.
With Ji Xu'an's personality, she would probably silently distance herself from Jiang Jiang again.
Would that count as an adult's dignified rejection?
There was another possibility—that Ji Xu'an was willing to be a pair of wives in name only, without feelings. Just like yesterday at noon, they would pretend to be affectionate in front of outsiders. With Ji Xu'an's acting skills, as long as she wished, she could deceive anyone.
After all, yesterday even Jiang Jiang had almost been fooled by her. If she had not known that their engagement had long been canceled, Jiang Jiang would also have thought, like the others at the dining table, that their good news was approaching.
From that time on, Jiang Jiang understood that she could never fully believe what Ji Xu'an said.
But she herself was no better. After all, she had not told Ji Xu'an the truth either. In that regard, they were even.
Jiang Jiang tried to persuade herself, but she still could not forget last night's kiss.
As long as she had a moment of idleness, she would think of the feeling of their lips and tongues entangling. The sting at the corner of her mouth clearly reminded her what Ji Xu'an had done to her last night.
Jiang Jiang wiped her lips forcefully. Although she knew that in this world, kissing was not considered very excessive, Ji Xu'an was no longer her fiancée…
How could she kiss her so casually, and even disregard her refusal?
Jiang Jiang closed her eyes, feeling her head begin to ache again.
Actually, she had been quite angry last night. But now she was much better. However, in front of Ji Xu'an, Jiang Jiang would not choose to reveal her true feelings.
She had to appear angrier. Only then would this matter not pass so easily.
She had to let Ji Xu'an see her attitude clearly. It could also be considered forcing Ji Xu'an a little. At the same time, she could distance herself from suspicion as much as possible, lest Ji Xu'an think she had deliberately colluded with Fu Xiaoyin to scheme against her.
As long as Grandma was there, Ji Xu'an should not be angry with her…
Jiang Jiang's fingers unconsciously typed a string of meaningless gibberish on the keyboard. After realizing it, she quickly deleted the irrelevant symbols.
She rubbed her wrist and was about to save the new chapter when a sound suddenly came from the door—it was someone knocking.
Jiang Jiang's expression stiffened briefly before quickly returning to calm.
She adjusted her clothes. After confirming there was nothing wrong, she went to open the door.
The person standing outside was indeed Ji Xu'an.
Ji Xu'an had never felt so cowardly before. She did not even dare to raise her head to look at Jiang Jiang, instead cautiously calling her name first.
After waiting more than ten seconds without hearing Jiang Jiang's reply, Ji Xu'an's heart tightened. She tentatively lifted her eyes toward Jiang Jiang.
What she saw first were the faint dark circles under Jiang Jiang's eyes and the undisguised fatigue on her face.
Ji Xu'an subconsciously asked with concern, "Did you not sleep well last night?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Ji Xu'an nearly bit her own tongue.
They both knew why Jiang Jiang had not slept well. Was it not because of what she had done?
Her concern was as ridiculous as a hunter caring about prey she had caught.
Ji Xu'an hurriedly apologized. "I'm sorry, that's not what I meant!"
"It's all my fault, you…"
You can hit me or scold me as you wish.
Before Ji Xu'an could finish, she abruptly stopped because Jiang Jiang lowered her gaze.
Jiang Jiang lowered her head to avoid Ji Xu'an's sight. Her rejection was obvious, as though she had no patience to listen to Ji Xu'an's explanation at all.
Ji Xu'an's fingers hanging at her side slowly curled into fists. In the end, she could only helplessly repeat, "I'm sorry."
Jiang Jiang's hand still rested on the doorknob. Her fingers tightly gripped the metal handle. Her voice was light and calm. "Mm… I understand. Does sister Xu'an have anything else to say?"
Before knocking, Ji Xu'an had imagined many possibilities. Jiang Jiang's reaction now was within her expectations.
Yet even with psychological preparation, Ji Xu'an was still at a loss. Her usually agile mind seemed frozen.
Standing before Jiang Jiang, she did not know what to say.
Jiang Jiang did not scold her, nor question her. Her attitude was only slightly colder than usual. Ji Xu'an should have felt fortunate. But for some reason, her heart ached in an indescribable way.
She would rather Jiang Jiang scold her. At least that would show Jiang Jiang cared. Not like now, so calm as if she did not care at all.
Ji Xu'an knew that in their relationship, Jiang Jiang had always been the weaker party. Jiang Jiang's willingness to let this pass gracefully was actually enduring grievance and accommodating her.
But Ji Xu'an did not want Jiang Jiang's accommodation. She would rather see Jiang Jiang lose her temper with her freely.
Because dignity and compromise were for ordinary people. When facing someone truly trusted and close, how could one have no temper at all?
Yet Ji Xu'an neither dared nor had the right to ask such a question.
She thought that Jiang Jiang had not eaten breakfast. Whatever needed to be said should wait until after eating.
"The hotel staff sent breakfast. Come out and eat something first."
Ji Xu'an paused. There seemed to be an almost imperceptible trace of pleading in her tone. "After you're full, I… I want to talk to you about what happened last night. Is that okay?"
Her attitude was sufficiently low and patient. Jiang Jiang did not answer, and she simply stood there silently, her black eyes fixed on Jiang Jiang, looking pitiful.
The room was not cold. Ji Xu'an wore only a thin nightgown. Her arms and legs were exposed to the air.
Jiang Jiang noticed bruises on her forearms and legs. They were likely from Ji Xu'an stumbling to the bathroom to shower last night. Perhaps there were injuries on her lower back as well.
That final push from Jiang Jiang had made Ji Xu'an's lower back hit the shoe cabinet with a loud sound. It must have hurt.
On the surface, it seemed as though Ji Xu'an was the pitiful one who had been wronged.
After a long while, Jiang Jiang silently nodded.
Ji Xu'an secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She had truly been afraid that Jiang Jiang would completely reject her and never speak to her again.
Fortunately, Jiang Jiang was still soft-hearted.
Under Ji Xu'an's gaze, Jiang Jiang walked out of the room. Ji Xu'an followed closely behind and quickly pulled out the chair for her.
They sat facing each other.
Ji Xu'an barely touched her own food. She only paid attention to Jiang Jiang. Whenever Jiang Jiang wanted to pick up a dish, Ji Xu'an would place it into her bowl first.
Her attentive appearance was just short of feeding Jiang Jiang directly with a spoon.
But Jiang Jiang had things on her mind. After only a few bites, she put down her chopsticks. She barely touched the food Ji Xu'an had placed for her.
"Sister, you don't need to do this," Jiang Jiang said lightly.
From Ji Xu'an's reaction, she had already confirmed the other's choice.
Ji Xu'an also set down her chopsticks. Her gaze withdrew from the leftovers on Jiang Jiang's plate and met Jiang Jiang's calm eyes.
They sat facing each other at the dining table, both with equally serious expressions. Compared to Jiang Jiang's calmness, Ji Xu'an felt only unease and tension. This conversation made her more flustered than any meeting she had ever attended.
Sitting upright, Ji Xu'an stared directly at Jiang Jiang's face. "Jiang Jiang, what happened last night was my fault. I apologize."
She remembered how Jiang Jiang had tried several times to push her away, each time failing due to lack of strength.
"You kindly helped me back, and I went crazy and offended you. No matter how angry you are at me, it's justified."
Her hands under the table were clenched into fists. She silently reminded herself not to panic and to speak slowly.
"I know you're angry. You can vent however you want. I have no objections. But can you… not ignore me forever? Give me another chance to make up for my mistake?"
Ji Xu'an spoke with difficulty. She had only said similar words two days ago. She had not expected to make another mistake so soon.
If she were Jiang Jiang, she would not even give the other party a chance to explain.
So Jiang Jiang was still too soft-hearted.
But Ji Xu'an was the beneficiary of Jiang Jiang's personality. She could not tell Jiang Jiang to be more ruthless toward others at such a time.
"It's fine. I know sister Xu'an was just drunk." Jiang Jiang did not meet her gaze, only lowered her eyes to the breakfast before her. She pressed her lips together. "If sister Xu'an only wants to apologize, then there's no need. I'm not angry."
Hearing this, a dull pain mixed with heartache surged in Ji Xu'an's chest.
Jiang Jiang truly did not like her at all. Even after something like that had happened, Jiang Jiang's first reaction was still to distance herself.
She said she was not angry, yet her expression and actions clearly revealed unhappiness. Ji Xu'an had thought she would feel relieved, but her complexion did not improve.
She did not want to see Jiang Jiang enduring grievances like this.
After Jiang Jiang finished speaking, Ji Xu'an stood up, walked around the table, and knelt before Jiang Jiang, looking up at her from below.
"I drank last night, but I wasn't drunk. My consciousness was not completely blurred. I knew what I was doing."
In other words, she kissed Jiang Jiang because she wanted to. It had nothing to do with external factors. Even without alcohol, she would still have wanted to kiss her.
Ji Xu'an's tone was solemn. "This matter is my fault. I should apologize. But I'm not only apologizing."
She stared straight into Jiang Jiang's eyes, her voice growing humbler. "Jiang Jiang, after what happened last night, I don't think I can continue as if nothing happened between us."
Hearing this, Jiang Jiang finally raised her eyes to meet Ji Xu'an's. Her eyes were slightly red. Her usually smiling face showed stubbornness and grievance. "Then what does sister Xu'an want to do?"
"All of our relationship depends on sister Xu'an. I've never had the right to decide."
"If sister Xu'an thinks I deliberately didn't push you away last night, I'll accept that too." Jiang Jiang sniffed. Moisture gathered more and more in her eyes. "Or if sister Xu'an wants to distance herself again and leave me alone in the apartment like before, that's fine too. I'll listen to sister Xu'an."
The more she spoke, the more wronged she sounded. Tears nearly overflowed. Not wanting to appear embarrassed before Ji Xu'an, she turned her head away.
"Anyway, sister never gave me a chance to say no."
Jiang Jiang did not want to hear meaningless words. She wanted Ji Xu'an to clearly tell her what kind of relationship they would have from now on.
Seeing her tears, Ji Xu'an panicked. She clumsily reached out, wanting to wipe them away, yet afraid it would anger Jiang Jiang more.
Her hand hovered in the air, fingers extending and retracting repeatedly. She was so anxious she nearly forgot how to breathe, and forgot to defend herself.
In the end, Ji Xu'an pulled two tissues from the table and handed them over. Jiang Jiang took them and wiped her eyes hard, the corners instantly reddening.
Ji Xu'an's lips moved unconsciously, wanting to tell her to be gentler. Jiang Jiang feared pain so much. Later she would surely feel discomfort.
But she did not say it.
After a long silence, Jiang Jiang's emotions gradually calmed. The tears slowly stopped.
Ji Xu'an then coaxed softly, "Don't cry, okay?"
She cautiously reached out and held Jiang Jiang's wrist. Jiang Jiang did not immediately struggle.
Ji Xu'an placed her hand against her own face. "Just slap me twice."
Jiang Jiang froze. "You…"
She did not know what to say.
Ji Xu'an, however, grew calmer. Her tone carried faint persuasion. "If you're angry and keep it inside, you'll only feel worse. It's better to vent. Even if it doesn't eliminate all your anger, at least you'll feel better."
"This is the fastest and most effective way."
"Since all your grievances were caused by me, it's reasonable to return them to me."
Ji Xu'an spoke so firmly and naturally, as though it were an ordinary matter.
Jiang Jiang was almost persuaded, but looking at Ji Xu'an's familiar face, she could not bring herself to strike. She forcefully withdrew her hand. "I won't hit you."
Her voice was thick with tears.
Ji Xu'an did not seem surprised. She quickly replied, "Then… then I'll hit myself, okay?"
Her reaction was swift. Before Jiang Jiang could respond, a crisp sound echoed.
Ji Xu'an's face immediately reddened. She had not held back at all. The slap was solid.
Jiang Jiang had never seen such a scene. Seeing Ji Xu'an raise her hand again, she hurriedly stopped her. "Enough, Ji Xu'an, don't do this!"
She did not even call her sister.
Hearing that, Ji Xu'an instead let out a heavy sigh of relief.
With half her face red, she said seriously, "It's my fault for always making you unhappy. A fool like me deserves to be hit."
"If you can't do it, I'll do it myself. As long as you feel better, I'll accept anything."
Jiang Jiang turned her tearful eyes away, giving her only half a profile. "Do you think our problem can be solved with two slaps?"
"No." Ji Xu'an followed her words. "This is only to let you vent. It doesn't mean the matter ends here."
She knew what Jiang Jiang cared about, so she softened her tone. "I've never regarded you as someone I can bully or violate at will. Your place in my heart is unique."
"I've always hoped you could live happily." She paused, her voice low. "But it seems I'm always the one who makes you cry."
"At the beginning, I truly was terrible. My attitude toward you was bad."
"Every day after that, I regretted it."
Observing Jiang Jiang's expression and seeing no rebuttal, she continued firmly, "I never thought of distancing myself from you. I won't treat you as before ever again."
She had intended to confess her feelings, but remembering Jiang Jiang's repeated avoidance, she swallowed the words "I like you."
Jiang Jiang clearly did not like her. A confession would only burden her. It might be easier if Jiang Jiang thought she only wanted to take responsibility for last night.
Taking a deep breath, Ji Xu'an said, "Jiang Jiang, what I want to say is only one sentence."
She had repeated this countless times in her heart, yet saying it properly before Jiang Jiang was a first.
"Are you willing to truly marry me, and let our engagement no longer be just an act?"
After speaking, Ji Xu'an produced a black velvet box from somewhere and opened it before Jiang Jiang.
Inside was a diamond ring.
Jiang Jiang was slightly stunned. She knew that in this world, people gave rings when proposing. What surprised her was that Ji Xu'an had actually prepared one as well. She had thought Ji Xu'an would not care about such things.
Had this ring been delivered after Ji Xu'an woke up this morning?
In fact, Ji Xu'an had prepared the ring long ago. From the day she realized her feelings, she had already begun preparing these things. She had simply never told Jiang Jiang.
Before this trip, as if guided by some inexplicable impulse, Ji Xu'an had brought the ring with her. But she had never expected that she would truly have the chance to use it, much less that she would use it after something like that had happened.
Jiang Jiang remained silent the entire time.
Ji Xu'an waited nervously for Jiang Jiang's reply, but she had already guessed the answer in her heart. Jiang Jiang was very likely to reject her.
There might be some disappointment, but not much.
After all, Ji Xu'an was not trying to force Jiang Jiang to give her a definite answer. She only wanted Jiang Jiang to know that what she said was serious and not a joke.
That was why she had taken out the ring she bought, but she had not specially arranged for anyone to decorate the venue.
A grand proposal ceremony was only a beautiful thing when both sides were willing. Otherwise, it was merely one-sided self-moved sentiment.
Moreover, Ji Xu'an thought that Jiang Jiang probably did not want others to know what had happened between them.
So today Ji Xu'an only wanted Jiang Jiang to know her feelings. After Jiang Jiang was willing to accept her, she would prepare a more formal proposal ceremony.
If Jiang Jiang refused, that was also fine. Ji Xu'an thought she had enough patience to wait. At worst, she could ask Grandma to help.
In fact, Jiang Jiang was right. She truly was not a good person and had never given Jiang Jiang the opportunity to choose. Perhaps her nature was self-serving. The businessperson's style of seizing opportunities had long been carved into her bones.
Meeting her was probably Jiang Jiang's bad luck.
Jiang Jiang was still silent. Ji Xu'an guessed she might not know how to reject her. She did not let Jiang Jiang struggle for long and quickly spoke again, "Jiang Jiang, I very much want to be with you as your partner, but this is only my personal wish."
"You can refuse me."
Ji Xu'an promised her, "Our relationship will not change because of your refusal, and you do not need to bear any psychological burden."
To prevent Jiang Jiang from distancing herself because of this, Ji Xu'an deliberately emphasized, "Even if we ultimately do not marry, I will forever be your sister."
"I will still care for you and protect you like I do little Yuan."
Only after hearing this did Jiang Jiang finally move. She placed her hand over the ring box and pressed down firmly, returning the diamond ring into darkness.
"Can you give me some time to think about it?" Jiang Jiang withdrew her hand and answered in a low voice.
Her expression seemed conflicted, but in her heart she was thinking that, judging from Ji Xu'an's meaning, she only wanted to take responsibility for what happened last night.
That was why Ji Xu'an said that whether she agreed or not would not affect their relationship.
Between them there was only responsibility, no feelings.
Jiang Jiang finally understood why her probing two nights ago had yielded no result. Because Ji Xu'an truly did not like her.
If not for last night's accident forcing Ji Xu'an to take responsibility, how could Ji Xu'an have agreed so easily?
Then again, Ji Xu'an's willingness to take responsibility was probably because she feared that Jiang Jiang would bring the matter up before Grandma.
If Grandma learned what had happened between them, she would surely raise the matter of the engagement again.
Jiang Jiang should have agreed in that moment. After all, this was the outcome she had always wanted. But she had not forgotten that the issue of that glass of wine had not been resolved.
The reason Ji Xu'an had not erupted yet was first because she had only just woken up and had not had time to investigate the full sequence of events; second, because Jiang Jiang had also been an innocent victim, so Ji Xu'an could not easily shift her anger onto her.
But once Ji Xu'an calmed down, she would certainly notice the suspicious points.
If she agreed too quickly now, her later change in attitude would surely become another point of suspicion for Ji Xu'an.
Jiang Jiang never underestimated Ji Xu'an's suspicion, so she had to remain angry a while longer.
She steadied herself. "After we go back, I'll give you an answer, okay?"
Ji Xu'an nodded gently. "Okay."
This result was already very good. Jiang Jiang had not immediately rejected her and had even said she was willing to consider it. Thinking of this, Ji Xu'an's lips curved slightly.
The feeling of being declared not guilty and released by the person she liked made Ji Xu'an happier than at any other time.
Jiang Jiang also let out a breath. She no longer looked at Ji Xu'an's face, which still bore faint finger marks, and said awkwardly, "You should stand up first."
Watching Ji Xu'an half-kneel before her as if pledging allegiance, obediently allowing her to do as she pleased, gave Jiang Jiang an indescribable sense of discomfort.
It was too strange.
Ji Xu'an did not know what Jiang Jiang was thinking. She obediently stood up and clasped the hand holding the ring box behind her back.
The hard edges of the box pressed deep red marks into her palm, yet she did not feel it. Her gaze remained on Jiang Jiang, and the more she looked, the softer her heart became.
Jiang Jiang was truly so well-behaved.
Ji Xu'an could not help but advise, "If I make you angry again in the future, you don't have to be so soft-hearted. You can hit me or scold me."
Jiang Jiang froze again. Did Ji Xu'an have some strange hobby?
Who actively asked to be hit?
Ji Xu'an's gaze flickered. "Don't bottle up your anger, and don't endure grievances. Whether we marry or not, you are my family."
The last two words were spoken with some difficulty.
"So you can be more willful. Don't be afraid."
Jiang Jiang was silent.
To make her words more convincing, Ji Xu'an added, "Actually, you can call me by my full name."
"I like that too."
So there was no need to politely keep calling her sister. Her attitude toward her could also be more casual.
After a long pause, Jiang Jiang said, "I understand."
She did not understand, but she respected it.
—
When Secretary Zhao called, Jiang Jiang and Ji Xu'an were sitting on opposite ends of the sofa. Jiang Jiang was writing her novel, while Ji Xu'an was applying ice to her face.
Originally, Ji Xu'an had not intended to deal with it. But Jiang Jiang truly could not bear Ji Xu'an speaking to her with a slap mark on her face. If she could ignore it, that would be fine, but Ji Xu'an kept hovering before her, and Jiang Jiang could not pretend she did not exist.
She endured and endured, but finally told Ji Xu'an to hurry and deal with the mark on her face.
Perhaps Ji Xu'an truly had some problem. Jiang Jiang swore her tone had not been good at all, yet Ji Xu'an actually smiled.
Once so shrewd and aloof, she now carried an obvious foolishness.
Jiang Jiang truly suspected whether last night's wine had left some aftereffect.
For example, affecting her intelligence?
Ji Xu'an was indeed very happy.
She could feel that the atmosphere between her and Jiang Jiang was changing. If before, no matter how intimate they were, there had still been some invisible restriction between them, now that restriction was gradually fading.
The most obvious manifestation was that Jiang Jiang no longer respected and feared her as before.
Although this was likely because Jiang Jiang was still angry, Ji Xu'an would work hard to make this state the norm.
She kept looking at Jiang Jiang, making it impossible for Jiang Jiang to focus. Finally, Jiang Jiang shifted and turned her back toward Ji Xu'an.
Ji Xu'an thought: So cute, I like her even more.
She cleared her throat and finally withdrew her gaze.
Last night's kiss seemed to have unlocked some kind of seal. Ji Xu'an herself felt it. If before she had restrained herself because of her status, deliberately suppressing her temperament, now she no longer seemed to have so many concerns.
She hoped she had not frightened Jiang Jiang.
It was at this moment that Secretary Zhao initiated a video call.
Ji Xu'an angled the screen toward herself. Secretary Zhao immediately saw the faint red marks still lingering on her face.
He was dumbfounded. "President Ji, what happened to you?"
He could even vaguely see finger marks. This did not look like an accidental bump.
Ji Xu'an's expression was normal. "What about it?"
Secretary Zhao was afraid of touching a sore spot but could not help being curious. "Your face…"
Ji Xu'an said, "I hit myself."
Secretary Zhao: …
He did not believe it.
But who else would dare hit President Ji? Could it be Miss Xie?
He tried to find Jiang Jiang in the screen but saw only Ji Xu'an's face. He swallowed. "I see, haha."
The laughter was awkward.
Ji Xu'an noticed his sideways glance.
Before Secretary Zhao could think further, Ji Xu'an interrupted, "It wasn't Jiang Jiang. I made her unhappy, so I hit myself."
She seemed about to say more when Jiang Jiang, who had been eavesdropping, could no longer endure it and shouted, "Ji Xu'an!"
Was she determined to let everyone know?!
Ji Xu'an immediately shut her mouth and even frowned at Secretary Zhao. It was all his fault for asking too much.
Secretary Zhao: …
Fine, all his fault.
So Miss Xie was there too!
Secretary Zhao maintained an awkward but polite smile, while his internal shock nearly broke through the sky.
What exactly had happened in just two days to turn his imposing boss into someone strictly managed by her wife?
And Miss Xie—his impression had always been that she was gentle and obedient. Yet now she even dared to call Ji Xu'an by her full name.
Secretary Zhao truly wanted to know.
But Ji Xu'an revealed nothing more. He suppressed his curiosity and began reporting work seriously.
At the end, he lowered his voice hesitantly. "There's one more matter…"
Ji Xu'an did not hesitate. "Speak."
Secretary Zhao blinked, reminding her that Jiang Jiang was still present.
Ji Xu'an responded, "I know."
Seeing this, he stopped hesitating. "He Xinyao has already been dealt with. The evidence is conclusive. She did not hold out long and has confessed everything."
"As you guessed, she indeed has some connection with Zheng Zhouzhou."
"How would you like to handle this matter? And regarding Second Miss…"
Hearing the names He Xinyao and Zheng Zhouzhou, Jiang Jiang stopped worrying about her conflict with Ji Xu'an and secretly pricked up her ears.
Ji Xu'an silently turned the volume to maximum.
After Secretary Zhao finished, she said, "Tell Zheng Zhouzhou everything He Xinyao confessed."
"As for little Yuan, keep it from her for now."
After the call ended, Jiang Jiang bit her lip and looked at Ji Xu'an with a conflicted expression. "You won't let little Yuan know, but you deliberately let me hear it. What does that mean?"
Ji Xu'an put down her phone. "It means nothing."
"You're not the same as little Yuan."
Jiang Jiang moved her lips. She wanted to ask what she meant by that.
The words turned on her tongue, but she swallowed them.
—
They still took a plane back.
Jiang Jiang had mentally prepared and bought anti-motion sickness medicine in advance. This time she did not feel dizzy.
But Ji Xu'an seemed very nervous, constantly observing her. Any small movement from Jiang Jiang made her worry. "Do you feel uncomfortable?"
She was truly so nagging.
Jiang Jiang suspected the person before her was a fake Ji Xu'an. She had never been this talkative before.
Thinking that Ji Xu'an seemed to like this tone, Jiang Jiang could not help pushing her face away. "I'm not uncomfortable. Stay farther away from me."
Ji Xu'an swallowed the rest of her words. "Okay."
She remembered that on the way here, Jiang Jiang had even asked her to hold her.
She had brought this upon herself.
When they returned to S City, Secretary Zhao picked them up again.
From afar, he saw Ji Xu'an pushing two small suitcases, lowering her head to speak to the girl beside her.
He hurried forward to take the luggage, but Ji Xu'an avoided his hand.
"It's fine. I'll do it."
Secretary Zhao paused. "Alright."
Jiang Jiang nodded to him, and he returned the smile.
After getting into the car, Jiang Jiang said little. Wrapped in a blanket, she closed her eyes in the back seat.
Secretary Zhao could not help slightly turning his head, his gaze drifting toward her.
The atmosphere between President Ji and Miss Xie was truly strange.
If they had argued, it did not seem so. President Ji had just fastened Miss Xie's seatbelt, and she had not refused.
But if they were sweet, that did not quite fit either.
Secretary Zhao was dying of curiosity. But seeing Ji Xu'an's indifferent expression, he dared not gossip further and could only guess in his heart.
Right, Manager Fu had gone along too. She must know something!
Secretary Zhao decided to ask Fu Xiaoyin later.
What was Fu Xiaoyin doing at this moment?
Those glasses of wine had made her sleep until noon. She had just woken up when she was informed of unfortunate news.
"President Ji hopes you can honestly admit your mistake. Otherwise, you'll have to explain yourself to the police."
Fu Xiaoyin felt the world spin. Ji Xu'an's "admit your mistake" surely meant more than apologizing to her personally.
Just thinking about facing collective criticism from her family, strict discipline from her parents, and losing her carefree life made her wail.
She swallowed. "Did Ji Xu'an say the latest deadline?"
The messenger smiled. "President Ji said to tell you, 'What do you think?'"
Fu Xiaoyin: …
Fine. If she went to beg Jiang Jiang to help plead for her, was it still in time?
—
After returning to S City, Ji Xu'an went to the company, and Jiang Jiang returned to Xingyue Bay.
After two days apart, Little Bread clung to her, following her everywhere. Jiang Jiang hugged it tightly and inhaled deeply before sitting on the balcony replying to messages.
Most were unimportant. Only Grandma's messages made her hesitate.
Should she tell Grandma about this matter?
At the same time, Ji Xu'an was thinking about the same question.
She did not hesitate long. After brief consideration, she called Grandma.
She succinctly mentioned what happened last night. When Grandma asked what she planned to do, she replied without hesitation:
"I want to marry Jiang Jiang."
Grandma snorted. "You wish. Xu'an, you are not someone without sense. How could you force Jiang Jiang?"
Ji Xu'an rubbed her brow. "This was my fault. I've already apologized to Jiang Jiang."
She did not tell Grandma about the problematic wine.
In the end, alcohol had only played a supporting role. If she had not harbored such thoughts, she would not have acted.
But that did not mean she would easily let Fu Xiaoyin off.
"Can an apology make up for Jiang Jiang's grievance?"
Grandma harshly scolded Ji Xu'an.
Ji Xu'an listened silently. After Grandma finished, she said softly, "I know it's all my fault. But it has happened. Grandma, I can only do my best to make up for it."
She could not reverse time. She could only minimize the impact.
Grandma fell silent briefly. "Then what do you want me to do? Help you persuade Jiang Jiang to accept your proposal?"
"No," Ji Xu'an said. "I want you to scold me again in front of Jiang Jiang."
"Jiang Jiang lacks a sense of security. Your support is very important to her."
Grandma's expression finally softened. "At least you have some conscience."
She did not spare her granddaughter in her scolding.
Ji Xu'an was not angry. She knew Grandma had agreed and sincerely said, "Grandma, thank you."
"Alright, I'll help you." Grandma sighed. "But Xu'an, matters of the heart depend on you. You should change your temper."
"You must learn to respect Jiang Jiang. Don't treat her as something you can manipulate at will. She is a living person."
"And being cold before outsiders is fine. But Jiang Jiang is the one you like. Lowering your posture before the one you like is not shameful."
"If you don't put aside your pride, how will you chase your wife?"
Ji Xu'an looked out at the receding street scene and leaned back. "I know."
She would work hard to let Jiang Jiang see her change.
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