Ji Xu'an organized her wording in her mind.
For a moment, no one spoke. In the air, there was only the rustling sound of wind brushing through the leaves.
Ji Xu'an did not remain silent for long. Between concealment and confession, she chose to lay everything out.
"Jiang Zhenyun told me a lot. Besides your identity, she also talked about the Crown Prince and Princess Huaining."
The speculation in Jiang Jiang's heart was finally confirmed. But before she could sort through her thoughts, she heard Ji Xu'an continue:
"Jiang Zhenyun also knows where Xie Xiao is."
"She said Xie Xiao went to Great Zhao, took your place, became the legitimate daughter of the Duke's residence, and even crossed paths with Princess Huaining."
Jiang Jiang was greatly alarmed. Fortunately, Ji Xu'an did not lift her head to look at her. Otherwise, the flash of shock and gravity that crossed Jiang Jiang's face would definitely not have escaped Ji Xu'an's eyes.
Jiang Zhenyun knew many things related to her. Jiang Jiang could still explain that away as Jiang Zhenyun perhaps being some old acquaintance of hers. But Jiang Zhenyun even knew Xie Xiao's whereabouts. Jiang Jiang could no longer deceive herself.
Even if Jiang Zhenyun had nothing to do with her transmigration, she definitely understood certain inside details.
Just like Fang Xunchun back then.
If Fang Xunchun could foresee in advance that she and Xie Xiao would exchange identities, Jiang Zhenyun was most likely far more formidable than Fang Xunchun.
At this thought, Jiang Jiang bit her lip, forcing herself to calm down.
Her tone carried the right amount of surprise. "Then doesn't that mean Xie Xiao and I swapped identities?"
"Mm." Ji Xu'an had even been worried Jiang Jiang would feel sad. Yet there was not much disappointment in Jiang Jiang's eyes.
She tilted her head. Instead of continuing about herself, she asked another question.
"Did Jiang Zhenyun tell you that Xie Xiao might have a chance to come back?"
So that was why Ji Xu'an was so afraid of her leaving?
Ji Xu'an's chest tightened. She looked at Jiang Jiang steadily. "Jiang Zhenyun did not give me a definite answer."
"She only told me that whatever relationship you and I have, that is the same kind of relationship Xie Xiao and Princess Huaining have."
Jiang Jiang took a deep breath. Jiang Zhenyun knew even more than she had imagined. In that case, perhaps Jiang Zhenyun would also know why Xie Wanwan had appeared.
Given Jiang Jiang's cautious and suspicious nature, she should have doubted Jiang Zhenyun.
But strangely, Jiang Jiang felt that Jiang Zhenyun harbored no ill will toward her, because she could not sense any negative emotion from her at all.
This trust came without reason. Yet Jiang Jiang was certain that Jiang Zhenyun would be willing to help her.
Ji Xu'an did not notice Jiang Jiang's distraction. She tightened her hold on Jiang Jiang's hand and continued, "Jiang Jiang, do you believe that the world we're in might just be a novel…"
"And that we are only characters written by someone?"
This time Jiang Jiang controlled herself well. She revealed no flaw. Her brows knit slightly as she repeated, "A novel?"
"Mm." Ji Xu'an nodded.
Originally, she had not planned to tell Jiang Jiang about this. After all, it was not a pleasant memory. If Jiang Jiang learned that all the suffering she had endured in the past had merely been written to fulfill the love between the protagonists, she did not know how heartbroken Jiang Jiang would feel.
But after struggling with it again and again, Ji Xu'an decided to tell her.
This was Jiang Jiang's life. She had the right to know.
Ji Xu'an observed Jiang Jiang's expression. Seeing that she still looked fairly calm, she lowered her voice and said, "Perhaps everything we experienced was arranged by someone."
Jiang Jiang followed her words. "From what you're implying, my ending probably wasn't very good?"
She had actually known for a long time. But in front of Ji Xu'an, she still had to act.
This was Jiang Jiang's final and greatest secret. For now, she did not want Ji Xu'an to know.
Jiang Jiang spoke casually. But Ji Xu'an's reaction was strong.
Her fingers tightened abruptly. "It won't happen."
Ji Xu'an paused, then repeated, "I won't let that kind of thing happen."
Her tone was extremely firm, as if she were comforting Jiang Jiang, and also persuading herself.
Jiang Jiang was silent for a few seconds. Then the corners of her lips slowly curved into a faint smile. She did not pursue what her ending had originally been. Instead, she answered gently, "I know."
She looked at Ji Xu'an seriously. "Even if my previous life was truly arranged by someone else, isn't it already different from what was written in the book?"
"Even if someone truly wants to put me to death, I still have you, don't I?"
Jiang Jiang paused. Her voice softened. "You'll protect me forever, right?"
Ji Xu'an nodded without hesitation. "I will."
She closed her eyes briefly. "You don't need to worry about Xie Wanwan. I'll have someone handle it."
"As for Jiang Zhenyun, I'll have Secretary Zhao arrange another meeting. Once the time is confirmed, I'll tell you."
Jiang Jiang had no objections.
She did not seem curious at all about the novel's ending Ji Xu'an mentioned. While that relieved Ji Xu'an, a trace of doubt also flashed quickly through her heart.
But she did not think too much of it. Instead, she lowered her head to glance at her wristwatch. "It's getting late. Do you want to go to the car and take a nap first?"
Jiang Jiang had no intention of sleeping. Jiang Zhenyun's identity was shrouded in mystery. Xie Wanwan's sudden appearance had caught her off guard. Her mind was full of these matters. She could not sleep at all.
Still, Jiang Jiang nodded. "Okay."
Ji Xu'an began packing up the leftovers from their meal. Jiang Jiang had wanted to help, but Ji Xu'an stopped her.
With nothing to do, Jiang Jiang stood to the side. At first her attention remained on Ji Xu'an. Gradually, her gaze drifted elsewhere.
Besides the two of them, there were a few other couples by the lakeside. Each pair kept some distance from the others, not disturbing one another.
Jiang Jiang had no intention of observing anyone. But when her gaze casually swept over a couple slightly to the right, her eyes suddenly froze.
Under a willow tree stood a man and a woman. Both wore masks, so their faces were unclear. The girl had a thin figure. One of her arms was tightly gripped by the boy. They seemed to be arguing.
From dozens of meters away, Jiang Jiang stared quietly at the girl. Her build looked very much like that of someone Jiang Jiang once knew.
Jiang Jiang recalled that during the morning assembly, she had also seemed to see a familiar figure in the crowd. Had it been this person?
She could not be certain.
Perhaps because Jiang Jiang stared in that direction for too long, Ji Xu'an noticed. She followed Jiang Jiang's gaze.
She narrowed her eyes, lifted the lunchbox, and walked toward Jiang Jiang. As if asking casually, she said, "What's wrong, wife?"
"Nothing." Jiang Jiang withdrew her gaze. "That seems to be my classmate."
Ji Xu'an glanced over there again at her words. She pressed her lips together and said nothing.
Those two did not appear to be in the same major as Jiang Jiang, nor in any of the clubs Jiang Jiang had joined.
Why would Jiang Jiang say that was her classmate?
Had she remembered wrongly, or had Jiang Jiang mistaken the person?
Ji Xu'an looked at Jiang Jiang again. Jiang Jiang had already restrained her expression. Her reaction was very calm, as if she had truly spoken casually.
Ji Xu'an comforted herself. Perhaps she was overthinking it. Mistaking someone was common enough.
But before leaving the artificial lake, she cast one final glance in that direction. A trace of unease rose in her heart.
Was Jiang Jiang still hiding something from her?
—
Author's Note:
There's no big conspiracy. It's all just to help these two little lovebirds fall in love!
—
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