Jiang Jiang received a call from Grandma Ji a little after five in the afternoon. At this time, it had only been half an hour since she arrived home.
As soon as the call connected, Jiang Jiang heard Grandma Ji say, "Jiang Jiang, I've already heard from Xu'an about what happened yesterday."
Jiang Jiang's heart immediately tightened. "Grandma…"
Before Jiang Jiang could finish her sentence, she heard Grandma Ji on the other end of the phone scold Ji Xu'an so fiercely that it left her drenched in reproach. The sharpness of her words left even Jiang Jiang a little stunned.
Grandma Ji had always been kind and gentle in front of her. This was the first time Jiang Jiang had seen her so angry.
"Grandma, actually I…" Jiang Jiang wanted to say that she was not that angry.
She had always presented herself in front of Grandma Ji as someone deeply devoted to Ji Xu'an. If she truly liked Ji Xu'an, then facing Ji Xu'an's intimacy, she should have felt more happiness than shock.
Grandma Ji knew her "feelings." Logically speaking, she should not have been this angry.
Jiang Jiang instinctively felt that something was not quite right.
Grandma Ji, having grown tired from speaking, paused to rest for a while and even took a sip of hot tea to moisten her throat before continuing, "Jiang Jiang, this matter is entirely Xu'an's fault. You don't need to save face for her."
"Even between married people, one cannot force the other when one party is unwilling, let alone when your matter hasn't even been settled yet."
From these words, it was clear that Grandma Ji was taking her side.
Jiang Jiang felt warmth in her heart. Although she knew Grandma was probably speaking in reverse to put in a good word for Ji Xu'an, she was still very moved. At least Grandma Ji was willing to spend effort to coax her into feeling better.
"Grandma, please don't worry. I'm not angry at sister Xu'an. I know sister Xu'an didn't do it on purpose."
Grandma Ji let out a long sigh. "You child, your heart is too soft, too honest. And Xu'an is full of schemes."
"If you two truly end up together in the future, won't you be completely wrapped around her finger?"
Jiang Jiang thought that probably would not be the case, but in front of Grandma Ji she still said a word in Ji Xu'an's defense.
"Grandma, don't worry. Sister Xu'an treats me very well. She has never bullied me."
Grandma Ji also knew clearly that Jiang Jiang was probably saying this deliberately just to reassure her. After all, no one understood Ji Xu'an's temperament better than she did.
Ji Xu'an would not go so far as to behave viciously toward Jiang Jiang, but she must have said harsh words before. How could Jiang Jiang's heart possibly have felt nothing?
It was just that certain matters were not suitable to be placed openly on the table. Even though both of them understood it in their hearts, neither chose to expose it.
"Xu'an has already told me her thoughts as well. Jiang Jiang, what do you think?" When Grandma Ji asked this, she still felt a little nervous.
Although she guessed that Jiang Jiang most likely would not refuse, what if she did?
Before receiving Jiang Jiang's clear answer, Grandma Ji could not completely put her mind at ease.
At this moment, Jiang Jiang was alone at home. There were no cameras in the living room, and she did not have to worry about a second person overhearing her words.
Half of her body was bathed in sunlight. Her fingers absentmindedly kneaded Little Bread's paw. Her voice when she replied was light and soft, as if carrying endless shyness, yet the expression on her face was calm.
"Grandma knows, I have always liked sister Xu'an very much. As long as sister Xu'an is willing, I have no objections at all."
Grandma Ji let out a heavy sigh of relief. "Good, good, good."
She said "good" several times in succession. Her joy was obvious. Jiang Jiang could even imagine what Grandma Ji's expression looked like on the other end of the phone.
The corner of her own lips unconsciously curved upward in a small arc.
If she truly married Ji Xu'an, Grandma would probably be the happiest person of all.
In addition to her joy, Grandma Ji did not forget to reveal something further. "Actually, before you two set off for B City a couple of days ago, Xu'an told me she liked you very much and wanted to be with you."
At this point, Grandma Ji recalled her earlier confusion and could not help asking curiously, "But Xu'an told me that you don't like her."
Ji Xu'an was not someone especially slow-witted. If she felt that Jiang Jiang did not like her, it was most likely because she had never sensed Jiang Jiang's affection.
But this completely contradicted Grandma Ji's previous understanding. She thought, how could Jiang Jiang not like Xu'an?
Jiang Jiang was also somewhat startled upon hearing this. It was not that she had never had such a guess before, but because her last attempt at probing had failed to elicit a response from Ji Xu'an, she had assumed she had guessed wrong.
So her speculation had not been wrong. Ji Xu'an had truly revealed similar thoughts to Grandma. Then why had she not responded to her at the time and instead appeared extremely troubled?
Jiang Jiang recalled the way Ji Xu'an had slightly furrowed her brows back then. No matter how she thought about it, it did not look like someone who was happy.
Grandma Ji was still waiting for her answer. Jiang Jiang did not have time to think further and explained, "Because sister Xu'an had always told me before that our relationship would only ever be that of sisters."
"I was worried that once she discovered I liked her, sister might treat me like her other pursuers, rejecting me without mercy and distancing herself from me, so I…"
Her voice gradually lowered. Grandma Ji understood. This was indeed the bitter fruit Ji Xu'an had sown herself.
She comforted Jiang Jiang, "Good child, you've been wronged. If Xu'an dares treat you like that again in the future, tell Grandma. Grandma will stand up for you!"
Jiang Jiang nodded in agreement.
Grandma Ji continued, "Jiang Jiang, I've been thinking. This is ultimately a matter between the two of you. Outsiders can only help for a time; they cannot interfere in everything."
"Furthermore, whether to speak your feelings or not, the decision rests solely with you."
"So I did not clarify this matter to Xu'an. Even now, Xu'an still believes that you do not like her."
"You…" Grandma Ji paused. She had intended to ask what Jiang Jiang was thinking, but considering Jiang Jiang's shy temperament, she could not possibly make her take the initiative in everything.
Moreover, Jiang Jiang had always listened to her. If she said it herself, it might carry the meaning of guiding Jiang Jiang. After careful consideration, Grandma Ji ultimately decided to let Jiang Jiang decide for herself. She would not interfere.
When Grandma Ji made this decision, she had no idea that Jiang Jiang, like Ji Xu'an, was someone who kept everything in her heart and rarely spoke easily.
She assumed that since the two liked each other, even if some things were not spoken openly, they could still sense each other's feelings in their interactions.
She completely forgot that both of them were taciturn people with superb acting skills.
In the end, Grandma Ji had been deceived by the personality Jiang Jiang displayed in front of her.
Jiang Jiang was only especially obedient and sensible in front of her, speaking whatever was on her mind. But in front of Ji Xu'an, she was not entirely like that.
At this moment, however, Grandma Ji did not know this. She was already thinking about how to arrange Jiang Jiang and Ji Xu'an's engagement banquet.
This was a rare joyous event for the family. It must be celebrated grandly so that everyone would know their family had gained a new member.
As for how to arrange the engagement banquet, it would mainly depend on Ji Xu'an. Of course, Jiang Jiang's opinion was also important. Grandma Ji decided to discuss this matter carefully with Ji Xu'an later.
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Jiang finally had the time to think about what Grandma Ji had just said.
What exactly was Ji Xu'an thinking?
Jiang Jiang realized she still could not fully see through Ji Xu'an. Every time she thought she understood her well enough, Ji Xu'an would bring her new confusion and unease.
After thinking it through to the end, Jiang Jiang still could not be completely certain. She thought perhaps Grandma had tested Ji Xu'an on her behalf, and Ji Xu'an, to reassure Grandma, had simply gone along and "admitted" it?
Jiang Jiang could not help letting out a heavy sigh. In fact, what the truth was did not matter. As long as their marriage could be successfully settled, that was enough.
Thinking of this, Jiang Jiang reopened her phone. What met her eyes was He Xinyao's Weibo account. The last post had been yesterday evening. After that, He Xinyao had not updated anything.
This did not match her previous habit of posting several updates related to Zheng Zhouzhou every day.
Jiang Jiang saw that fans in the comments were also asking about this. Looking at those concerned words and recalling what Ji Xu'an had said to Secretary Zhao on the phone, she faintly had a premonition in her heart.
Perhaps very soon, the things she had long hoped for would all come true.
Jiang Jiang put down her phone and looked up at the sunlight outside. A faint sense of confusion and melancholy suddenly rose in her heart.
When she had first come to this world, she had regarded Zheng Zhouzhou as her greatest enemy and had been extremely wary of her, even going so far as to spare no effort in currying favor with Ji Xu'an as her backing.
Later, during several confrontations with Zheng Zhouzhou, Jiang Jiang had vaguely realized that perhaps Zheng Zhouzhou was not as difficult to deal with as she had imagined.
But some things could not simply be ended just because one wished to stop. Moreover, Jiang Jiang still did not know whether Zheng Zhouzhou held any trump cards. Perhaps it was because she herself was not strong enough, which was why she always hesitated and looked both ways before acting.
Jiang Jiang lowered her head and looked at her palm. She could not help clenching her hand, but all she grasped in her palm was air.
Jiang Jiang closed her eyes. Perhaps only on the day when she could stand firmly in this world without relying on anyone, all by herself, would she truly be at ease.
So she still had to keep working hard.
Jiang Jiang lifted her spirits, opened her computer again, and began seriously outlining the plot of the next chapter.
The data for this novel far exceeded her expectations. Jiang Jiang had a premonition that perhaps she really could achieve something in this field.
But she still had to continue working hard.
Jiang Jiang suppressed her extraneous thoughts and began typing slowly.
What this chapter should write was Jiang Xiao and Princess Zhaoning meeting again.
Mm… Princess Zhaoning's attitude was extremely bad.
Jiang Xiao was very angry, but she endured it.
—
Ji Xu'an did not manage to get off work on time that evening. A little after seven, she made a video call to Jiang Jiang.
Jiang Jiang answered.
At a glance, Ji Xu'an saw Ji Heyuan on the other end of the call. Her expression immediately cooled, and her brows imperceptibly furrowed.
"When did you go over?"
Ji Heyuan did not notice anything wrong with her sister. She smiled brightly and waved vigorously at Ji Xu'an. "I just got here! We haven't seen each other for two days. Did you miss me?"
Ji Xu'an rubbed her brow. She had made this call not only to tell Jiang Jiang she would be working overtime, but also to test whether Jiang Jiang had calmed down.
Unfortunately, with Ji Heyuan there, that was clearly impossible.
Ji Heyuan did not detect Ji Xu'an's helplessness. She even felt especially considerate. "Since you'll be home late tonight, Xie Xiao will definitely be scared being alone at home. With me keeping her company, she won't be afraid."
As she spoke, she deliberately bumped Jiang Jiang's shoulder. "Xie Xiao, tell me, am I right?"
Jiang Jiang could feel Ji Xu'an's gaze resting on her the entire time. The atmosphere between them was especially subtle.
Jiang Jiang lowered her eyes and did not look at Ji Xu'an. She nodded very lightly. "Mm, you're right."
Ji Heyuan laughed proudly.
Ji Xu'an looked at Jiang Jiang's downcast brows and eyes, wanting to say something to her, but the moment her gaze touched the silly-looking Ji Heyuan beside her, she silently swallowed those words.
Forget it. She would speak to Jiang Jiang after she returned.
Ji Heyuan's earlier sentence happened to be overheard by Secretary Zhao as he walked into the office. After Ji Xu'an hung up the phone, Secretary Zhao observed that his boss seemed in a poor mood and comforted her, "I remember Second Miss used to dislike Miss Xie very much. I didn't expect them to get along like real sisters now."
"President Ji, if you marry Miss Xie, the family relationship will definitely be especially harmonious."
Ji Xu'an was also thinking about this. Little Yuan truly likes Jiang Jiang now. Ji Xu'an could even feel that compared to herself, Ji Heyuan preferred clinging to Jiang Jiang.
A vague thought flashed through her mind, but she did not dwell on it.
This busy stretch lasted until after nine at night. Ji Xu'an finally finished handling her work. Just as she was about to pack up and leave, Secretary Zhao suddenly knocked and entered.
As soon as he stepped into the office, he went straight to the point. "President Ji, Zheng Zhouzhou has requested to meet you at noon tomorrow. Will you agree?"
Ji Xu'an still held her car keys in her hand. She was eager to go home. Without thinking for long, she agreed.
"Tell her, yes."
"But the location will be decided by me."
Zheng Zhouzhou was even more unable to hold back than Ji Xu'an had expected. Only a few hours had passed since the matter concerning He Xinyao.
And she had already taken the initiative to seek out Ji Xu'an.
As Ji Xu'an walked, she thought about this matter. Zheng Zhouzhou was the type who would not shed tears until seeing the coffin. She was also somewhat peculiar. Her unusual eagerness this time—was it because she held some bargaining chip and was certain she could escape unscathed?
Was her bargaining chip related to the unusual aspects about her?
—
T/N: If you're enjoying this translation, feel free to check out my Patreon. If you're unable to support financially, you can still subscribe for free and receive chapters two hours earlier, along with updates and announcements. Paid tiers offer early access and daily chapters.
Thank you so much for reading!
patreon.com/Baenz