Qu Jingran sighed. "I understand what you mean, but if Miss Zheng confesses anything further afterward, it's very likely that your fiancée will also be included on the list of key observation targets."
She shrugged. "That's not something I can decide. There's nothing I can do about it."
Ji Xu'an gave a soft "Mm." "By your logic, little Yuan and I are also very suspicious."
At the mention of Ji Heyuan, Qu Jingran's expression turned unnatural for a brief moment. She coughed softly. "Rest assured, I will do my best to fight for it."
Hearing this, Ji Xu'an said nothing more. She lowered her head and glanced at her watch. "It's getting late. I'll head back first."
"I hope to hear news that satisfies me tomorrow."
Qu Jingran could not give her an exact reply and could only promise once again to handle the matter as quickly as possible.
Ji Xu'an waved her hand. She bent down and got into the car, while Secretary Zhao took the driver's seat.
The vehicle slowly merged into traffic. Secretary Zhao glanced at Ji Xu'an through the rearview mirror and saw her supporting her forehead with her hand, as though deep in thought. The words that had reached his lips were swallowed back down.
What they had heard tonight truly exceeded his expectations.
From what President Ji and Officer Qu implied, Zheng Zhouzhou did not seem to be lying, but could something like rebirth—something that existed only in novels and films—really exist in this world?
Secretary Zhao could not help recalling that not long ago, Ji Xu'an had asked him what kind of person could possess the ability of precognition. He had casually said "rebirth" at the time, assuming Ji Xu'an was joking with him. Who could have imagined…
Secretary Zhao shuddered involuntarily, feeling that the scientific worldview he had always upheld was being severely challenged.
His thoughts were in chaos. After letting his mind run wild for quite a while, he could not help but begin worrying about Jiang Jiang and Ji Heyuan.
If Zheng Zhouzhou truly had an unusual identity, given the degree of resentment she held toward Jiang Jiang and Ji Heyuan, she would certainly slander the two of them recklessly in front of state authorities.
If that happened, would Miss Xie and Second Miss be in danger?
And President Ji's marriage with Miss Xie…
Secretary Zhao sighed inwardly. Even as an outsider, he felt immense pressure. The worries in President Ji's heart must surely be far greater than his own.
Secretary Zhao could not help but feel anxious on behalf of the few of them.
At this moment, Ji Xu'an was indeed thinking about this matter.
She had not completely believed what Zheng Zhouzhou said. At the very least, Ji Xu'an was certain that Jiang Jiang was absolutely not the scheming and vicious person Zheng Zhouzhou described.
At the time, she had appeared extremely calm in front of everyone. No matter what, this was her family matter, and in front of outsiders, Ji Xu'an would unconditionally protect Jiang Jiang and Ji Heyuan.
But just as Zheng Zhouzhou had anticipated, something had ultimately been planted in Ji Xu'an's heart.
She had long felt that Jiang Jiang and Ji Heyuan were too close. This closeness did not refer to physical contact, but rather to an intangible atmosphere.
Especially when the two of them gathered together laughing and chatting, and Ji Xu'an could only stand to the side watching, that inexplicable sense of loss became even stronger.
Ji Xu'an knew that such thoughts were very abnormal, yet she found it difficult not to feel irritated by them. Zheng Zhouzhou's words had only intensified that restlessness in her heart.
She repeatedly reminded herself that if Jiang Jiang truly liked Ji Heyuan, she would not have agreed to marry her.
Moreover, little Yuan was not someone who would commit such an unfilial act as developing feelings for her sister-in-law.
The two of them could not possibly be together.
Even if what Zheng Zhouzhou said were true, was the current course of events not already different from what she had originally seen?
That meant the "plot" could be changed.
Ji Xu'an restrained herself and slowly closed her eyes, parting her lips to exhale softly, attempting to calm her chaotic thoughts.
She should not begin doubting things because of this, nor should she throw herself into disarray.
If certain destinies truly could not be changed…
Ji Xu'an suddenly clenched her fingers tightly, her nails digging deeply into her palm.
—
Ji Heyuan stayed overnight at Xingyue Bay tonight.
Because Ji Xu'an returned rather late, Ji Heyuan was worried that Jiang Jiang might be afraid staying home alone, so she deliberately stayed to accompany her.
In any case, this was not the first time she had used this reason. At the time, Ji Xu'an and Jiang Jiang had not said anything, and Ji Heyuan had happily followed Jiang Jiang back to the apartment.
In truth, aside from keeping Jiang Jiang company, Ji Heyuan had another objective.
She planned to gather some information on her sister's behalf.
It all began with Jiang Jiang adding Jiang Zhenyun on WeChat.
After that, Jiang Jiang had become somewhat absent-minded, her expression serious. When Ji Heyuan spoke to her, she responded half-heartedly.
To be honest, this was the first time Ji Heyuan had seen Jiang Jiang so out of sorts.
When Chu Yueqi had pursued her before, Jiang Jiang had remained completely unfazed. Yet now, because of a girl she had met only once, she appeared distracted and lost in thought.
Ji Heyuan truly could not understand it. She wanted to ask Jiang Jiang what she was thinking, but she felt she did not have the right to ask such a question.
Her sister was the same. They had clearly agreed that the whole family would have dinner together tonight, yet she changed it to tomorrow at noon due to a last-minute engagement.
Ji Heyuan had originally thought Jiang Jiang would be unhappy, but to her surprise, Jiang Jiang said nothing, her expression calm as though she had expected it.
At that moment, a thought surfaced in Ji Heyuan's mind—could it be that Jiang Jiang knew whom her sister was going to meet?
She always felt that something had happened between those two that she did not know about. This feeling of being excluded left Ji Heyuan faintly disappointed.
Jiang Jiang's mood was not particularly high either.
She did not eat much dinner. Afterward, she sat on the sofa in a daze, her fingers absentmindedly rubbing Little Bread's head.
What would Zheng Zhouzhou say to Ji Xu'an?
Jiang Jiang could roughly guess—it would certainly be words unfavorable to her.
She had crossed hands with the bodyguards Arkle sent. That matter could not be concealed from Arkle. If he knew, he would most likely tell Ji Xu'an.
Would Ji Xu'an choose to believe her, or believe Arkle and Zheng Zhouzhou?
Jiang Jiang did not know.
She was accustomed to preparing for the worst. If Ji Xu'an believed Zheng Zhouzhou's words, then all of her previous behavior might turn into ulterior motives in Ji Xu'an's eyes.
If that were the case, she might have to confess her origins to Ji Xu'an.
At that time, even if Ji Xu'an hated her, for the sake of Grandma and little Yuan, she would first deal with Zheng Zhouzhou.
Jiang Jiang thought again of the agreement they had signed during the day. If events truly developed as she feared, that agreement would probably become useless.
Thinking of this made Jiang Jiang's head ache even more. She raised her hand and rubbed her brow, her eyelashes lowering slightly.
Perhaps because she was thinking too much, Jiang Jiang's complexion was paler than usual, and she appeared rather dispirited.
Seeing this, Ji Heyuan did not dare disturb her further.
The two returned to their respective rooms. It was not until Ji Xu'an came back that Ji Heyuan finally seemed to find someone to confide in.
"Sis, I have something to tell you!"
In her excitement, Ji Heyuan did not notice that Ji Xu'an's expression was heavier than usual, and that in the dark eyes she used to look at her lay emotions difficult to discern.
Ji Heyuan told Ji Xu'an about Jiang Jiang adding someone else on WeChat. Her intention was not to sow discord between them, but to make Ji Xu'an feel a sense of urgency.
"I already told you before, there are so many social butterflies outside. If you don't make more effort, what if Xie Jiang Jiang gets sweet-talked by someone else? You won't even have a place to cry."
Seeing Ji Xu'an remain silent, Ji Heyuan assumed she had not taken her words to heart.
"A relationship also needs constant maintenance. You and Xie Jiang Jiang have only signed an agreement, but you haven't gotten your marriage certificate yet. In the year or so ahead, can you guarantee that Xie Jiang Jiang won't fall for someone else?"
So hurry up and cultivate your feelings with Xie Jiang Jiang!
She could sleep alone at night, but Xie Jiang Jiang absolutely could not!
Ji Heyuan's words seemed to echo Zheng Zhouzhou's. She had not thought much while saying them, unaware that they struck precisely at Ji Xu'an's deepest fear.
What Ji Xu'an least wanted to hear right now was that Jiang Jiang might fall in love with someone else.
Although Ji Heyuan was referring to other girls, in Ji Xu'an's heart another thought uncontrollably surfaced—Ji Heyuan was always bringing up the possibility that Jiang Jiang might change her affections. Was she truly just trying to provoke her?
Or was she, in fact, secretly hoping for such a thing to happen?
If Jiang Jiang truly fell in love with someone else, would that person be Ji Heyuan?
After all, the time they spent together every day was far longer than the time Jiang Jiang spent with her.
These thoughts that surfaced in her mind were like layer upon layer of nets, tightly trapping Ji Xu'an within a nightmare.
The way she looked at Ji Heyuan became even more severe, even carrying a sense of scrutiny.
Ji Heyuan finally belatedly sensed something wrong with Ji Xu'an. She shivered. "Sis, what's wrong with you?"
Why did her gaze look so strange?
Ji Xu'an took in Ji Heyuan's unease and confusion entirely. She took a deep breath. As she withdrew her gaze, she raised her hand to undo her cufflinks, restraining her tone so it would not sound overly aggressive.
"What you said will not happen."
Ji Heyuan instinctively wanted to refute her, but before she could speak, she heard Ji Xu'an ask again, "Little Yuan, why do you think Jiang Jiang would fall in love with someone else?"
"Is it because my attitude toward Jiang Jiang is very poor, making you think she will sooner or later grow disheartened with me?"
"Or is it because Jiang Jiang has mentioned dissatisfaction with me in front of you?"
Ji Heyuan was rendered speechless.
In fact, Ji Xu'an did not treat Jiang Jiang poorly. She merely spoke less. Everything that should be given was given. Ji Heyuan even felt that Ji Xu'an treated Jiang Jiang better than she treated her.
As for Jiang Jiang's attitude, she only ever praised Ji Xu'an. Every time she mentioned Ji Xu'an, she would blush. There was not the slightest sign of dissatisfaction.
Ji Heyuan thought for a long time. "I don't know either, but I just have this feeling."
After all, Ji Xu'an herself had once said she did not care whom Jiang Jiang might fall in love with, so Ji Heyuan had always felt her sister did not know how to love.
Ji Heyuan thought that with her sister's silent and reserved personality, sooner or later Xie Jiang Jiang would not be able to endure it.
Feeling.
This word successfully worsened Ji Xu'an's mood.
She stared fixedly at Ji Heyuan, her voice even colder. "Why would you develop such a feeling?"
Could it truly be as Zheng Zhouzhou said—that this was the unique attraction between protagonists?
So even though Jiang Jiang was already her fiancée, Ji Heyuan still felt they would break up.
Ji Heyuan could not explain it either, and Ji Xu'an's attitude tonight made her somewhat afraid.
She simply gave up. "I don't know how to explain it to you. Forget it. Just pretend I never said any of this, okay?"
"Fine, then I'll change the question." Ji Xu'an lowered her eyes slightly. "You and Jiang Jiang spend time together often. Based on your understanding of her, after she breaks up with me, who do you think she is most likely to be with?"
Ji Heyuan was stumped again. She hesitated before answering, "Xie Jiang Jiang doesn't seem to be particularly close to anyone at school."
The person she was closest to at school seemed to be herself.
Ji Heyuan did not dare say that. She felt Ji Xu'an might have been too provoked by her, and regret began to form in her heart.
If she had known, she would not have tried to assist like this!
Ji Heyuan fell silent.
"Little Yuan." Ji Xu'an's dark eyes fixed on Ji Heyuan's.
Ji Heyuan nervously lifted her gaze to meet Ji Xu'an's. She was stunned by the coldness in Ji Xu'an's eyes. Before she could react, she heard Ji Xu'an speak in a slightly hoarse voice:
"Jiang Jiang's grandmother said that Jiang Jiang and I share a heaven-ordained fate, and that is why Jiang Jiang came to the Ji family."
"But today someone else told me that the person truly fated with Jiang Jiang is not me, but you." Ji Xu'an paused.
"Little Yuan, have you ever thought about being with Jiang Jiang?"
—
Author's Note:
President Ji: Continuing to spiral.
Little Bird: If you have the ability, go ask your wife! You don't dare! You only know how to bully me!
—
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