The moment those words were spoken, everyone's gaze fell upon Ji Xu'an.
Jiang Jiang's eyes held both confusion and surprise—this was not an act. She truly had not expected that Ji Xu'an would acknowledge her identity in front of others, especially when the two of them had not yet cleared things up between themselves.
Didn't Ji Xu'an dislike her? Didn't she have no desire to acknowledge her as this fiancée?
Tsk.
Jiang Jiang seemed to understand something. A woman who could make Ji Xu'an endure her dissatisfaction and still use her as a shield to deal with the situation—could it be that this Miss Wen harbored feelings for Ji Xu'an?
To be honest, upon hearing those words, Ji Xu'an herself was momentarily stunned.
She had said them with her own mouth; she would not deny them. It was only that at the time, Ji Xu'an had not expected that she would dissolve the engagement with Jiang Jiang so soon.
To deny it in person while acknowledging it behind the scenes would make the rejection and anger she had displayed that morning seem utterly ridiculous.
A trace of unnaturalness flickered across Ji Xu'an's expression. Fortunately, only she and Jiang Jiang knew about the matter, and Jiang Jiang had shown only a brief flash of surprise at first. She quickly reacted, replacing it with a shy and bashful smile, giving Ji Xu'an ample face in front of others.
It was rare for Ji Xu'an to lose face in front of Jiang Jiang. Fortunately, Jiang Jiang was considerate and had no intention of exposing her.
According to their private agreement, the matter of dissolving the engagement was not suitable to be announced publicly for the time being. When asked, they only needed to tacitly acknowledge it.
Thus Ji Xu'an said nothing. Jiang Jiang merely glanced at her with a timid, tender look. Her apricot eyes shimmered with moisture, as if rosy clouds had bloomed across her cheeks.
Ji Xu'an's tacit acknowledgment, coupled with Jiang Jiang's maidenly lovestruck demeanor, was the best possible answer.
Wen Xueyun bit fiercely into the tender flesh inside her mouth. The metallic taste of blood instantly spread across her tongue. The pain barely kept the last trace of clarity in her mind, preventing her from losing composure in front of Ji Xu'an.
"After the last gathering, I was thinking about when I might have the honor of meeting your girlfriend. I didn't expect to see her so soon." Wen Xueyun forced a strained smile. Though she tried her best to conceal it, the way she looked at Jiang Jiang still carried a condescending scrutiny.
A girl like this…
Wen Xueyun admitted that Jiang Jiang's appearance and figure were exceptionally outstanding. That palm-sized face was tender and youthful, her round eyes bright and expressive, her limbs slender and perfectly proportioned. Even viewing her through the lens of a rival in love, Wen Xueyun could not find a single flaw.
But she was truly too young. There was still an unmistakable trace of childishness on her face.
She ought to be with boys or girls her own age, experiencing a youthful, innocent romance full of vitality.
Not standing beside the mature, coldly elegant, imposing Ji Xu'an, where she was made to look like a newly sprouted sapling at the foot of a towering tree that pierced the clouds.
Even seeing it with her own eyes, Wen Xueyun still could not believe it. How could Ji Xu'an like such a young girl?
Jiang Jiang stood there and allowed herself to be examined, her expression somewhat nervous. That small-family timidity only made Wen Xueyun look down on her more.
"Last time Xu'an told me that your personality is rather introverted," Wen Xueyun said.
She stood beside Ji Xu'an, smiling at her as she spoke. Her attitude was familiar and intimate, which instead made Jiang Jiang seem like an outsider.
Ji Xu'an did not respond, yet her gaze remained fixed on Jiang Jiang, taking in every reaction.
With outsiders, she shrinks. In front of me, she's quite fierce—daring even to point at me and call me a coward.
When neither of them replied, Ji Heyuan could not resist mocking from the side. "Who's introverted? Jiang Jiang?"
She rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest as she looked at Jiang Jiang. "She only acts meek in front of outsiders. At home, when she argues with me, she's quite sharp-tongued."
At home.
That word stabbed viciously into Wen Xueyun's heart once more.
Although Ji Heyuan acted as if she looked down on Jiang Jiang, the faint sense in her words of treating her as family was impossible to ignore.
Perhaps Ji Heyuan did not actually dislike this girl very much.
Hearing this, Ji Xu'an's brows shifted subtly, a thoughtful look appearing in her eyes.
Only fierce with family?
Wen Xueyun did not notice the change in Ji Xu'an's expression. She suppressed the nausea churning inside her chest and maintained an outward calm, even smiling as she praised, "You're called Jiang Jiang? It's a very cute name—just as cute as you are."
Jiang Jiang lifted her hand to brush away the loose strands of hair blown into her eyes by the wind. As she raised her fingers, her smile was pure and harmless. "My name is Xie Xiao—Xiao as in the 'xiao' from 'Clear and slender eyebrows like a plum branch, falling onto colorful silk' (This phrase in Chinese contained the word xiao) Jiang Jiang is my nickname."
Ji Heyuan rubbed her arms. "If you're going to talk, just talk. Don't show off."
Although Jiang Jiang did not understand what "show off" meant, she could guess it was not praise.
Very well. Ji Heyuan's legs must not hurt anymore—she was courting death again.
Wen Xueyun ignored Ji Heyuan's interruption. Her mind was fixed on Jiang Jiang's earlier sentence.
The next line of that verse was "Autumn waters for her spirit, jade for her countenance," praising a woman's cold elegance and beautiful features.
Why had Xie Xie used that line as an example?
Was she implying that she herself was radiant and stunning, exactly the type Ji Xu'an liked?
Wen Xueyun sensed provocation. Looking at Jiang Jiang's soft smile, she no longer felt the girl was as simple and harmless as she appeared.
Yet as a teacher and several years their senior, Wen Xueyun could not say anything openly. She could not even treat Jiang Jiang too coldly, lest she invite gossip.
Taking a deep breath, she said, "You haven't properly toured S University yet, have you? How about I show you around the campus?"
Ji Heyuan had been thinking the same. Her sister had come many times, but she herself had hardly explored S University. With Wen Xueyun here—having worked at S University for nearly two years—she surely knew it better than Ji Xu'an.
"Sister Xueyun, let's go!"
Ji Heyuan walked ahead first. Wen Xueyun had originally intended to walk beside Ji Xu'an, but seeing this, she could only follow.
As they walked, it naturally turned into Ji Heyuan and Wen Xueyun in front, with Jiang Jiang and Ji Xu'an behind.
Wen Xueyun occasionally turned her head toward Ji Xu'an, seeming to want to say something. Yet every time before she could speak, Ji Heyuan would ask a new question. After several times, Wen Xueyun began to suspect Ji Heyuan was doing it deliberately.
The four women walked along the cement road through campus in this peculiar atmosphere. Although Jiang Jiang walked side by side with Ji Xu'an, neither spoke. Jiang Jiang even kept her ears perked, secretly listening to Wen Xueyun.
They had not walked far when someone suddenly shouted, "Jiang Jiang!" The voice sounded familiar.
She turned around and nearly collided with the approaching person. At the critical moment, it was Ji Xu'an who pulled her aside, gripping her arm to move her out of the way.
"I'm sorry, Jiang Jiang! I was too excited! I twisted my ankle and almost couldn't stop," the woman hurriedly explained, lifting a bright smile. Jiang Jiang looked closely—it was Chu Yueqi, the one who had helped her at the station.
"It's alright, Sister Chu. Is your ankle okay?" Jiang Jiang held a favorable impression of Chu Yueqi and naturally expressed concern.
Chu Yueqi's smile grew even brighter. "It's fine, it's fine. Nothing serious."
Her shout had been loud. Ji Heyuan and Wen Xueyun in front had heard it. Wen Xueyun immediately stopped and turned back.
Though her mouth expressed concern for Jiang Jiang, her eyes were fixed on Ji Xu'an. "What happened?"
Ji Heyuan also walked over, folding her arms with a strange expression as she looked at Jiang Jiang. "Jiang Jiang, do you have a hobby of randomly recognizing sisters?"
Calling everyone "sister."
Before Jiang Jiang could respond, Chu Yueqi spoke up quickly. "It has nothing to do with Jiang Jiang. I felt I was a few years older, so I asked her to call me Sister. That's not too much, is it?"
The moment she spoke, everyone present sensed her hostility. It was not directed only at Ji Heyuan—she seemed to equally dislike every person surnamed Ji. After snapping at Ji Heyuan, Chu Yueqi did not spare Ji Xu'an either.
"President Ji, long time no see." Chu Yueqi extended her hand toward Ji Xu'an, dissatisfaction hidden in her alluring eyes. "You've hidden things quite deeply. Such a beautiful fiancée, and you don't even plan to bring her out for everyone to see? Keeping a beauty locked away isn't a good habit."
Chu Yueqi was not speaking without basis. After parting with Jiang Jiang at the station, she had inquired thoroughly. Yet no one seemed to know when Ji Xu'an had gained a fiancée. Everyone knew nothing.
At first she thought the timing had been too rushed for Ji Xu'an to introduce Jiang Jiang. But after waiting several days with no movement from the Ji family, not even the slightest rumor, Chu Yueqi understood—Ji Xu'an had no intention of letting others know.
As for the reason, there was no need to guess. Ji Xu'an must think Jiang Jiang was unworthy of her, that this fiancée embarrassed her.
Chu Yueqi had looked into Jiang Jiang's background. Her family circumstances were ordinary—cloud and mud compared to the Ji family.
Perhaps this had once been only speculation. But after hearing Ji Heyuan mock Jiang Jiang openly, Chu Yueqi's certainty became absolute.
If Ji Heyuan could casually ridicule her prospective sister-in-law in front of outsiders, one could imagine how Jiang Jiang lived in the Ji household.
Without Ji Xu'an's indulgence and tacit approval, how would Ji Heyuan dare be so unrestrained?
Chu Yueqi was both furious and heartbroken. The woman she had fallen in love with at first sight—she had hesitated to approach for fear of tarnishing her reputation—yet someone else, who already possessed such a well-behaved, wonderful wife, did not cherish her!
How infuriating!!
Chu Yueqi's malice was barely concealed, so direct that Ji Xu'an could not ignore it.
Ji Xu'an met her gaze coolly, unmoved by her words. "Miss Chu, thank you for your concern for Jiang Jiang. As for when we will hold our engagement banquet, that is a private matter of the Ji family. I'm afraid I cannot disclose it."
Chu Yueqi inwardly spat. Was she asking when they would hold the engagement banquet?
Was Ji Xu'an implying that only at the engagement banquet would she formally introduce Jiang Jiang's identity?
Who knew when that would be!
If she kept postponing it, wouldn't Jiang Jiang's identity become awkward?
Neither legitimate nor publicly acknowledged, yet living in the Ji household—Chu Yueqi felt wronged on Jiang Jiang's behalf.
Though she had experienced love at first sight only to lose it, and had always regretted being a step too late, she had never intended to interfere between Jiang Jiang and Ji Xu'an.
But this meeting made her realize that Ji Xu'an did not seem to value Jiang Jiang much. The small flame of love in her heart reignited from cold ashes.
If Ji Xu'an would not cherish her, she would!
Jiang Jiang sensed the undercurrent between them. Her instincts warned her not to speak lightly now, or she might entangle herself in an inextricable situation.
That said, Sister Chu seemed overly concerned about her. This was only their second meeting, yet Chu Yueqi was defending her publicly.
Before Jiang Jiang could think further, Ji Heyuan, who had endured long enough, finally exploded. "Hey, Chu, what do you mean? So concerned about my sister and my sister-in-law's love life—could it be because your own blind date fell through recently, so you're jealous that others have someone to date?"
Chu Yueqi stiffened. Her sharp gaze shot toward Ji Heyuan, her smile not reaching her eyes. "Little friend, you can eat recklessly, but you cannot speak recklessly. When did I ever go on a blind date?"
Ji Heyuan curled her lip. "Everyone knows about it. What's the point of denying it?"
"Did you see it with your own eyes?" Chu Yueqi sneered.
She appeared utterly unflustered, though only she knew how panicked she truly was.
Her family had arranged a blind date—but she had never gone to meet the person!
Would Jiang Jiang misunderstand and think she was a two-timing scumbag?
"Who knows." Ji Heyuan leaned toward Jiang Jiang and whispered "softly" in her ear, "Jiang Jiang, when you judge people, you have to keep your eyes open. The more someone rushes to deny something, the more it proves she's guilty. Don't easily believe her."
She was practically about to recite Chu Yueqi's ID number.
Chu Yueqi was nearly furious to death, yet she truly had no standing to interfere in Jiang Jiang's affairs.
Not to mention Jiang Jiang was still Ji Xu'an's fiancée—even if she were not, Jiang Jiang might not like her.
Chu Yueqi deflated. Abandoning her aggressive stance, she looked pitifully at Jiang Jiang. "Jiang Jiang, why didn't you add me?"
She kept her phone on her twenty-four hours a day, even afraid to silence it while sleeping, fearing she would miss Jiang Jiang's friend request. Yet Jiang Jiang had never intended to add her.
Chu Yueqi truly felt wronged. When she gave her contact information, she had genuinely only wanted to be friends—not to pry someone away!
It must be that Ji Xu'an controlled her too strictly. She looked like the type with strong possessiveness—perhaps she did not even allow Jiang Jiang her own social circle.
In her heart, Chu Yueqi spared no effort blackening Ji Xu'an. No matter what, it had to be Ji Xu'an's fault!
Jiang Jiang frowned awkwardly. "Because…"
Everyone's gaze fell on her again.
Ji Heyuan seemed displeased. Wen Xueyun looked as though enjoying a show. As for Ji Xu'an, she appeared unchanged—her expression had remained indifferent from beginning to end. Yet Jiang Jiang felt that within those dark eyes lay a complex, unfathomable emotion.
Chu Yueqi also awaited her answer eagerly. "Is it because Ji—"
She had not finished saying Xu'an when Jiang Jiang interrupted.
"Because you didn't approve it," Jiang Jiang said earnestly. "I sent the request, but you didn't accept."
Chu Yueqi reflexively denied it. "Impossible!!"
She had received no request!
Jiang Jiang opened WeChat and showed her. "I didn't lie."
Chu Yueqi's heart pounded. Could it really be her mistake?
After examining the verification message, she let out a heavy sigh of relief. "This isn't me."
She tapped the avatar. The WeChat ID differed from hers by only one Arabic numeral. She then remembered she had written it in haste that day—perhaps her "1" had looked like a "7," causing Jiang Jiang to misread it.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault." Chu Yueqi apologized quickly. Before Jiang Jiang could react, she had already brought up her QR code. "Let's add each other now?"
Jiang Jiang nodded. "Alright."
As the two added each other, Ji Heyuan felt increasingly uncomfortable—especially when she noticed her sister watching the scene with what could only be described as a cool, detached gaze.
She nudged Ji Xu'an's shoulder and whispered, "Sis, aren't you going to do something?"
"Do what?" Ji Xu'an asked.
Ji Heyuan looked exasperated. "Xie Xie is flirting with someone right in front of you and you're not angry?"
Ji Xu'an replied evenly, "She is an independent person with the right to choose her own friends. Why should I be angry?"
Ji Heyuan thought, Is this making friends? This is putting a green hat on you! (Putting a green hat means that someone is cheating on you right in front of your face)
Whether Xie Xie had that intention or she did not know—but Chu Yueqi certainly harbored ill intentions!
Not that she underestimated her own sister, but she truly felt Ji Xu'an was not as sweet-talking as Chu Yueqi, nor as willing to lower herself to please someone she liked.
If Xie Xiao fell for that and was coaxed away by Chu Yueqi's honeyed words, her sister would have nowhere to cry.
At this moment Ji Heyuan had completely forgotten that if Jiang Jiang chose Chu Yueqi, she ought to applaud.
After all, she had never wanted to accept Jiang Jiang as her little sister-in-law.
Since even Ji Xu'an, the fiancée, was not intervening, Ji Heyuan would not meddle either. Wen Xueyun certainly would not say anything. She even remarked blandly from the side, "Xu'an, now you don't need to worry that Jiang Jiang's introverted personality will make it hard for her to make friends."
Ji Xu'an remained silent.
After adding each other, Chu Yueqi did not linger. She had matters to attend to today. Seeing Jiang Jiang had simply stirred her emotions, prompting her to rush over.
"Jiang Jiang, I won't disturb you any longer. We'll talk on WeChat." She waved her phone and gave Jiang Jiang a meaningful look before turning away without hesitation.
Jiang Jiang watched her figure recede into the distance. Just as she was about to withdraw her gaze, Ji Heyuan leaned over again. "She's already far away, and you're still watching."
When Jiang Jiang looked back at her, Ji Heyuan drawled mockingly, "Sis~ter~Chu~"
The scene felt strangely familiar.
Jiang Jiang pressed her lips together and ignored her. Instead, she lowered her voice and explained to Ji Xu'an, "Last time I got lost at the station, it was Sister Chu who brought me out. Secretary Zhao was there too."
Ji Xu'an definitely already knew about this matter. Secretary Zhao would not have kept it from her. But Jiang Jiang still had to explain; she could not truly let Ji Xu'an lose face in front of outsiders.
Ji Xu'an did not seem to care about the reason at all. "Just make your own decision."
After she finished speaking, the corner of her eye seemed to catch something. She suddenly raised her arm and extended her hand toward Jiang Jiang. Her soft, slender fingertips paused above the top of Jiang Jiang's head.
A faint touch brushed past. Jiang Jiang knew it was the pad of Ji Xu'an's finger. She tilted her neck upward and let Ji Xu'an move as she pleased. Only after Ji Xu'an lowered her hand did Jiang Jiang see that a tiny leaf was caught between her fingers.
"Let's go," Ji Xu'an said.
She loosened her fingers, letting the leaf drift slowly to the ground, her fingertips seemingly rubbing together lightly and unintentionally.
The movement was so subtle that no one noticed—except Jiang Jiang, who seemed to sense something. The corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a faint smile.
Ji Xu'an was too composed, completely unconcerned with how startling her actions might appear. Jiang Jiang knew she had done it on purpose.
During the latter half of the outing, everyone was quiet. Even Ji Heyuan, who had asked the most questions earlier, now looked lost in thought. They had not walked long before they all tacitly stopped.
Ji Xu'an looked first at Wen Xueyun. "Are you free tonight?"
Wen Xueyun's breathing hitched, but she quickly recovered her smile. "Are you going to treat me to dinner?"
Ji Xu'an: "Mm."
Of course Wen Xueyun could not refuse. Although she knew Ji Xu'an would not invite only her, when she heard Ji Xu'an tell Ji Heyuan and Jiang Jiang to come along as well, Wen Xueyun still felt disappointed.
The four of them could fit perfectly into one car. Secretary Zhao had already left earlier, leaving only the car keys with Ji Xu'an, so naturally Ji Xu'an would drive.
Ji Heyuan got into the back seat first. Jiang Jiang and Wen Xueyun stood by the car door, hesitating over who would sit in the passenger seat. They exchanged a glance, neither stepping forward first.
Jiang Jiang had seen in television dramas that this seat carried special meaning—only the lawful wife was qualified to sit there.
Although she and Ji Xu'an were not yet married, she should have more right to it than Wen Xueyun, shouldn't she?
Wen Xueyun did not want to give up the seat either. She knew she had no standing to compete with Jiang Jiang, yet she still harbored a sliver of hope. What if?
Ji Xu'an did not seem to care much about this girlfriend…
Perhaps she had only been forced to accept Xie Jiang Jiang. But just as Chu Yueqi had said, if Ji Xu'an truly liked her, why would she not take her out to meet people?
Wen Xueyun bit her lip. She had thought she could calmly face Ji Xu'an's girlfriend, but when the day actually came, she realized she could not. She was truly unwilling to accept it!
Jiang Jiang would not yield, but neither did she wish to argue with Wen Xueyun. She said nothing, merely lifting her eyes to glance at Ji Xu'an, who stood nearby as if detached from the situation. Then she turned and walked toward the back seat, her expression and movements carrying an indescribable grievance.
One, two, three…
Jiang Jiang counted silently in her heart. She had only just reached three when someone grabbed her wrist. Ji Xu'an's fingertips pressed against the inside of her wrist, tightening firmly for a brief moment before slowly relaxing.
She looked at Jiang Jiang, her thin lips parting slightly. "Get in the car."
Like a rabbit caught by the ears, Jiang Jiang obediently walked back. "Oh."
Ji Xu'an released her. The warmth of Jiang Jiang's wrist seemed to linger on her fingertips. So slender—she could encircle it easily, fragile as if it would snap with the slightest force.
Lowering her lashes, she reached out and opened the car door for Jiang Jiang.
Jiang Jiang noticed that Ji Xu'an used her other hand. The hand that had just held her was subtly hidden at her side.
After Jiang Jiang sat in the passenger seat, she cast Wen Xueyun a sideways glance, not missing the flash of unwillingness and disappointment in the other woman's eyes.
She did not take it to heart. Nor did she feel any triumphant joy or pride. Beneath her lowered lashes, the emotion in Jiang Jiang's eyes was even cold.
Wealth, power, influence—an ordinary person need only possess one of these to draw admirers like moths to a flame. Let alone a woman like Ji Xu'an, who excelled in every aspect. Those who set their sights on her were many.
Jiang Jiang did not actually care that much. If this world permitted concubines, and if Ji Xu'an were not so obviously uninterested in Wen Xueyun, Jiang Jiang might even have taken the initiative to accept the beauty delivered to her door on Ji Xu'an's behalf.
Of course, the premise was that she would have to be Ji Xu'an's lawful wife.
Ji Xu'an had no idea that Jiang Jiang was entertaining thoughts of taking concubines for her. After getting into the car, she noticed Jiang Jiang seemed distracted and gently reminded her, "Seatbelt."
Jiang Jiang snapped back to attention, her face flushing. "Sorry, Sister, I forgot."
Holding the steering wheel, Ji Xu'an did not turn her head. "It's fine. As long as I remember."
The ambiguous undertone in that sentence added an indescribable heat to the car. Jiang Jiang's face reddened even more thoroughly, yet her gaze remained open and sincere, even filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Sister."
Her tone was soft, carrying twelve parts sincerity.
Ji Xu'an finally spared her a glance. "No need to thank me."
Jiang Jiang knew full well that everything Ji Xu'an had done today was for Wen Xueyun to see. She cooperated perfectly; every reaction was exactly what Ji Xu'an wanted her to display.
Wen Xueyun must feel terrible.
Jiang Jiang found her somewhat pitiful. To fall in love with someone who did not love you back was destined to end in disappointment. Yet she did not sympathize with Wen Xueyun. This was a path Wen Xueyun had chosen herself. Moreover, she had repeatedly made insinuating remarks about Jiang Jiang. If Jiang Jiang truly liked Ji Xu'an, she might have been so angered by those comments that she could hardly breathe.
So Wen Xueyun was not innocent, nor did she deserve Jiang Jiang's sympathy.
—
Ji Heyuan wanted hotpot, and no one objected. At first Jiang Jiang did not know what hotpot was, but once they entered the restaurant she understood—it was similar to the pot meals in her own world.
But this hotpot was far more fragrant than any pot she had eaten before. The rich aroma rushed straight into her nose, making her mouth nearly water.
Ji Heyuan had been watching Jiang Jiang's expression. Seeing it, she could not help asking softly, "You don't mean to tell me you've never had hotpot either?"
Jiang Jiang shook her head. "I have."
After a pause, she added, "But I've never had one this fragrant."
A look of pity appeared on Ji Heyuan's face. "What kind of miserable life were you living before?"
Jiang Jiang thought for a moment. "On the mountain there weren't many chances to eat meat. The food was always very light. When I was little, my favorite thing to eat was braised pork knuckle, but I could only have it during the holidays."
Because her master had said her body was weak, her diet should not be too greasy or spicy; it should focus on light, nourishing foods. But Jiang Jiang had been a growing child—how could she endure such austerity?
She had dreamed of eating meat.
Ji Heyuan was stunned. She had been born with a golden spoon in her mouth. Although Ji Xu'an managed her strictly, as long as she did not violate principles, Ji Xu'an was almost always responsive to her requests.
Ji Heyuan was a princess living in an ivory tower. While she would not utter naïve and foolish words like "Why not eat meat?", she also did not understand how children from poor families lived.
So she truly had not imagined that someone could have lived so bitterly.
"You're too pitiful." Ji Heyuan even felt a trace of guilt. Looking again at Jiang Jiang's slender back and limbs, she could not help thinking they were the result of hunger.
She coughed softly, her gaze drifting. "Well… I shouldn't have called you a bumpkin before. Sorry."
So Jiang Jiang had lived so harshly in the mountains. She could not even eat pork knuckle whenever she wanted, no wonder she had never had KFC.
"It's alright, little Yuan. You didn't know me before. I don't blame you." Jiang Jiang smiled generously. Of course, she did not mention that after the age of ten, she had lived a life of endless delicacies until she grew tired of them.
The extravagance of the Duke's residence was such that a single meal required twenty or thirty dishes. Some were removed untouched.
What Jiang Jiang had once dreamed of was merely ordinary to the people of the Duke's residence.
Her lack of complaint made Ji Heyuan feel even more embarrassed.
She thought that perhaps Jiang Jiang was not as bad as she had imagined. Even after being bullied so much, she had never truly lashed out at her.
Jiang Jiang continued, "Besides, compared to those who can't even get enough to eat and, just to survive, can only sell their own biological daughters, I'm already very fortunate."
Her tone was calm, that indifferent composure like she was stating the most ordinary fact.
Ji Heyuan was dumbfounded. "Sell—sell their daughters?!"
Her voice was a little loud, drawing Ji Xu'an and Wen Xueyun's attention from their quiet discussion of work matters. Wen Xueyun even raised an eyebrow. "Little Yuan, what are you talking about? I heard 'sell daughters'?"
"Nothing, we're just talking about a TV drama," Ji Heyuan brushed it off.
She grabbed Jiang Jiang's arm, her mind in chaos, lowering her voice. "Jiang Jiang, do you know what you're saying?! Human trafficking is illegal!"
Ji Heyuan bit her tongue, forcing herself to calm down. "Do you know someone who sold their daughter? Who is it? We can report them to the police and have them arrested!"
Her tone was urgent, filled with obvious panic and anger. "Tell my sister—have her investigate. My sister definitely won't stand by and do nothing!"
Jiang Jiang smiled and patted the back of her hand soothingly. "No one. I was just giving an example."
Ji Heyuan finally let out a long breath and glared at her. "You scared me to death!"
Relaxing, she then felt something was off.
The expression Jiang Jiang had worn earlier did not look like a joke. It felt as though she had truly witnessed such things happen—more than once. That was why she had been so calm. Rather than indifference, it seemed more like numbness to the extreme, as if she no longer knew how to react.
Ji Heyuan pinched her palm, a chill spreading in her heart. She could not help wondering what kind of life Jiang Jiang had lived before.
Had her grandmother been left with no choice and forced to send Xie Jiang Jiang to the Ji family?
Perhaps if she had not done so, Jiang Jiang would have been sold into some isolated mountain forest, never to escape…
Ji Heyuan shuddered.
She decided that from now on she would stop bullying Jiang Jiang. For the sake of how pitiful she was, at least.
—
During the meal, Jiang Jiang and Ji Heyuan sat on either side of Ji Xu'an, directly facing each other.
After hesitating for a long while, Ji Heyuan finally gathered her courage and used the communal chopsticks to place a piece of spicy beef into Jiang Jiang's bowl.
"Eat more. You're as skinny as a yardlong bean."
Jiang Jiang was biting into half a slice of lotus root when her chewing paused for a second. She swallowed the food in her mouth. "Thank you, little Yuan."
Ji Heyuan spoke gruffly, "No talking while eating. Just eat!"
Her attitude was not particularly good, yet she could not hide the flush climbing from her neck to her ears—so obvious it dazzled the eye.
Clearly she had been the one to speak first. Jiang Jiang did not expose her, merely slowly eating the beef. It was so spicy her lips turned red, and she had to drink several mouthfuls of orange juice to barely ease the heat.
Jiang Jiang understood very well why Ji Heyuan was acting this way. Perhaps because of their different upbringings, Ji Heyuan was far more simple-minded than the Crown Prince. Jiang Jiang had only employed a slight tactic, and Ji Heyuan had already changed her view of her. Because of sympathy and guilt, Ji Heyuan was even trying to make amends.
So simple it made one want to laugh.
Jiang Jiang licked her burning lips, her gaze seemingly drifting unintentionally to the plate of potato slices in front of Ji Heyuan for two extra seconds.
Two seconds later, Ji Heyuan tipped that plate of potato slices into the clear broth pot. "If you can't handle spicy food, then eat from the clear broth pot. Do you need someone to teach you how to eat too? Honestly."
She selectively forgot that she had been the one to give Jiang Jiang the spicy beef.
Jiang Jiang remained silent.
Wen Xueyun's expression was strange, and even Ji Xu'an could not help glancing at Ji Heyuan.
Only then did Ji Heyuan realize her sister was still present. Since when was it her place to curry favor with Jiang Jiang?
Ji Heyuan felt somewhat guilty. She set down her chopsticks and took out her phone to send Ji Xu'an a WeChat message.
"Ding—"
The phone by Ji Xu'an's hand vibrated. She paused for two seconds before picking it up to glance at it.
[Ji Heyuan: Sis! I'm not trying to make a move on my Sister-in-law, don't misunderstand!]
[Ji Heyuan: I just think she's pitiful, so I wanted to put some food in her bowl. Of course, I won't steal your job. From here on, it's up to you to perform!]
What nonsense was this?
Pitiful?
Ji Xu'an thoughtfully shifted her gaze toward Jiang Jiang.
A moment later, Jiang Jiang's phone vibrated as well.
[Sister: What did you tell little Yuan?]
Jiang Jiang lowered her head to type.
[Jiang Jiang Doesn't Eat Ginger: Little Yuan asked if I'd eaten hotpot before. I told her that on the mountain we rarely got to eat meat, and it took a long time before we could taste anything rich.]
When Ji Xu'an read this, a trace of surprise appeared in her eyes. No wonder little Yuan said she was pitiful…
Ji Xu'an pressed her lips together and said nothing more.
But Jiang Jiang wanted to chat a bit longer.
So Ji Xu'an's phone began vibrating repeatedly.
[Jiang Jiang Doesn't Eat Ginger: Sister is Teacher Wen…]
Ji Xu'an's expression did not change upon seeing the message.
[Sister: Is she what?]
[Jiang Jiang Doesn't Eat Ginger: Does she like you?]
When this message popped up, Ji Heyuan happened to see it. She had no idea what they had been talking about earlier and assumed Jiang Jiang was confessing to Ji Xu'an.
Ugh!
Ji Heyuan's gaze toward Jiang Jiang changed instantly. Who would have thought? Jiang Jiang looked so shy, yet she was actually such a direct player!
Ji Xu'an did not deny it.
[Sister: Mm.]
Jiang Jiang tilted her head as if pondering something. After quite a while, she continued typing.
[Jiang Jiang Doesn't Eat Ginger: I know you did those things today on purpose for Teacher Wen to see.]
Ji Xu'an was not surprised. She had long realized that Jiang Jiang was very clever, not as innocent and naïve as she appeared.
[Sister: So?]
Jiang Jiang tilted her head to look at her, meeting Ji Xu'an's dark eyes directly. At last, she made up her mind.
[Jiang Jiang Doesn't Eat Ginger: I'll help you, Sister!]
In the end, Ji Xu'an did not say whether she agreed or not. She put her phone away and did not look at it again.
Actually, Ji Xu'an was rather curious—how exactly did Jiang Jiang intend to help her?
—
Author's Note:
Current President Ji: Whatever. Let her add her. She's free.
Future President Ji: I can't delete them all. I really can't delete them all. (Tears of regret stream down her face.)
—
T/N: Apologies for not posting yesterday; I was very tired, fell asleep unintentionally, and forgot to post the chapter.
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