Jiang Jiang was also curious about what Ji Xu'an wanted to say.
But after Ji Xu'an raised the partition, she did not speak for quite a while. Jiang Jiang almost thought she had misunderstood. Could it be that Ji Xu'an actually had nothing she wanted to say to her?
Just as she was feeling puzzled, Ji Xu'an suddenly took a deep breath, as if she had only just awakened from deep thought. "Jiang Jiang, I'm going on a business trip to B City this weekend for two days. I want to take you with me. Are you willing?"
She did not ask whether Jiang Jiang wanted to go, but whether she was willing, invisibly placing herself in a lower position than Jiang Jiang.
Jiang Jiang was surprised that after being silent for so long, she had been thinking about this matter.
"Elder Sister is going to work. If I follow along, will I disturb you?"
But in fact, Jiang Jiang very much wanted to go with her. Since coming to this world, apart from staying ten days in the small town where Xie Xiao lived, she had otherwise remained in S City the entire time.
Even if it was only two days, Jiang Jiang wanted to go and take a look.
"It won't." Hearing Jiang Jiang's tone, which did not truly sound like refusal, Ji Xu'an imperceptibly let out a breath of relief. "It's just to go over for an inspection. It won't be very busy. When I'm not around, I'll arrange for someone to take you out to look around."
Seeing Jiang Jiang's bright, sparkling eyes, as if filled with anticipation, Ji Xu'an's lips curved slightly as well. "Leaving you alone at home, I'm not at ease."
Last time, that kind of incident had already occurred. Ji Xu'an was afraid something unexpected would happen again. If possible, she would rather Jiang Jiang remain under her watch at all times, so that she could feel more at ease.
However, Ji Xu'an did not clearly explain these thoughts to Jiang Jiang. She also knew that to ordinary people, these thoughts of hers were somewhat frightening. Probably no one would like living under another person's watch at all times.
Even someone as obedient as Jiang Jiang, after learning of her excessive possessiveness far beyond that of ordinary people, would probably be afraid, right?
Ji Xu'an lowered her eyes to look at the steering wheel. She truly disliked other people appearing around Jiang Jiang, especially when she discovered that those people harbored certain intentions toward Jiang Jiang. The anxiety and restlessness in her heart could almost completely devour her.
Ji Xu'an knew this was abnormal. She had already been doing her best to suppress those negative emotions inside her.
She only hoped Jiang Jiang had not noticed.
Jiang Jiang noticed that Ji Xu'an seemed somewhat absent-minded at the moment. She became even more curious about what Ji Xu'an and Grandma had talked about earlier at the sanatorium.
Unfortunately, she had not found the opportunity to ask Grandma just now. When she came next time, Grandma would probably tell her, right?
Jiang Jiang rotated her ankle. It no longer hurt very much. When she walked today, she had not limped. She should be able to participate in next week's military training on time.
She suddenly thought of something and asked Ji Xu'an, "Elder Sister, on this business trip, will Sister Fu also go with you?"
Jiang Jiang had not mentioned Fu Xiaoyin these past few days. Ji Xu'an had thought she had already forgotten about her. Hearing Fu Xiaoyin's name suddenly from Jiang Jiang's mouth, the emotion in Ji Xu'an's eyes faded slightly.
"No." Ji Xu'an glanced at Jiang Jiang in the front passenger seat. "This project isn't handled by Manager Fu. She has other work to be busy with."
Ji Xu'an tightened her grip on the steering wheel, preparing herself in case Jiang Jiang asked other questions. Unexpectedly, Jiang Jiang asked only that one sentence. After that, she seemed completely uninterested in Fu Xiaoyin's matters, lowering her head to look at her phone, not noticing at all Ji Xu'an's posture as if facing a great enemy.
Was this concern or indifference?
Ji Xu'an could not help glancing at Jiang Jiang's phone. Could it be that she was messaging Fu Xiaoyin at this moment?
But in fact, she was overthinking. Jiang Jiang was looking at the comment section of her new book.
Last night, she had finally posted the first chapter. Ji Heyuan had told her that new authors might not receive many bookmarks and comments at first. So despite her inner nervousness and anticipation, Jiang Jiang had waited until now to check the response.
The moment she opened it, Jiang Jiang was startled.
She had thought it very likely that her book would have not a single bookmark and not a single comment. Even if that were the case, Jiang Jiang would not feel sad.
She was someone from another world, writing for the first time in this one. If no one liked reading it, that would be normal. Jiang Jiang would not be discouraged. Who does not start from nothing?
But Jiang Jiang had not expected the situation to be completely different from what she imagined. Yesterday, her new book had not a single bookmark. Today, it already had more than two hundred bookmarks, and more than fifty comments.
Among a stream of congratulations and support, Jiang Jiang even saw someone praising her writing.
[Reader 1: The author's writing foundation is quite solid. It feels like you understand daily life in ancient times very well.]
Scrolling to the end, Jiang Jiang saw that a reader named Eucalyptus had given her a Deep Water Torpedo.
She went to check her backend, and indeed there was an income entry for a premium vote.
But strangely, the amount was not the fifty she had expected, but one thousand.
According to what Ji Heyuan had told her about the fifty-fifty split between author and website, that meant this person had not sent one, but twenty?!
Jiang Jiang froze for a moment. She had not expected someone to reward her with so much money. Her first reaction was not joy, but panic.
She was an author who had not even signed a contract yet. She did not deserve someone spending so much money on her.
Jiang Jiang wanted to return the money to the other party, but the website did not seem to have a private messaging function. She searched for a while but could not find it. In the end, she could only reply to the person's comment, and at the same time sent a message to Ji Heyuan asking what she should do.
Ji Heyuan did not know what she was doing and did not reply immediately.
Jiang Jiang temporarily suppressed the worry in her heart and continued reading everyone's comments. She read very seriously. Even the most ordinary "checking in" felt precious to her.
She liked every single comment, reading them over and over again. That focused and earnest expression made Ji Xu'an glance sideways at her several times.
This time Jiang Jiang truly had no time to care about Ji Xu'an's reaction. The happiness and excitement in her heart were hard to pour out, so in the end she simply replied to each reader one by one with a thank you.
Ji Xu'an glanced at her again. There were very few times when she was completely ignored by Jiang Jiang. Seeing that Jiang Jiang still had not noticed her, Ji Xu'an had no choice but to speak and interrupt her.
"I had Secretary Zhao book Friday afternoon's flight. You may need to pack a bit earlier."
Jiang Jiang lifted her head from the phone screen, the smile on her face not yet faded. Her eyes were like two crescent moons, brilliant starlight shimmering within.
"Okay." Jiang Jiang answered obediently.
The atmosphere was no longer silent. Taking the opportunity, Ji Xu'an asked, "What are you looking at that makes you so happy?"
Jiang Jiang held her phone screen up in front of Ji Xu'an, like a child who had found treasure and could not wait to show it off. "Elder Sister, so many people are following my novel. They even left me comments and praised me for writing well!"
So it was because of this.
Ji Xu'an's tense body relaxed. She lifted the corners of her lips. "You already write very well. What they said is the truth. In the future, more and more people will read your book and become your most loyal readers."
Jiang Jiang heard another meaning hidden in those words. "Elder Sister, have you also read the novel I wrote?"
Ji Xu'an's expression did not change. "Mm."
Jiang Jiang lowered her head to glance at her phone, then looked back at Ji Xu'an and asked hesitantly, "The reader who rewarded me… could it be you?"
Ji Xu'an: "Mm."
She did not turn her head. Jiang Jiang could only see her cool and distant profile. Everything seemed no different from before, yet Jiang Jiang still felt that she sensed Ji Xu'an's embarrassment.
She had actually followed her novel, left a comment the moment it was published, and even rewarded her with so much money.
Jiang Jiang did not know what to say.
Should she tell Ji Xu'an not to spend money on her?
But this amount of money was nothing to Ji Xu'an. And Ji Xu'an was kindly supporting her. If she kept refusing, it would instead make their relationship seem distant.
In the end, Jiang Jiang could only say firmly, "Elder Sister, thank you for supporting me. I will definitely work hard to continue writing!"
Ji Xu'an laughed softly. "Alright, I believe in you."
She looked deeply at Jiang Jiang. "I look forward to the day you become a great writer, pursued and loved by countless people."
Hearing this, Jiang Jiang's mood grew joyful as well. She beamed, tilting her head and gazing at Ji Xu'an without blinking. Even her toes swayed unconsciously, her delight overflowing in her expression.
Perhaps even Jiang Jiang herself had not noticed. When she did not know that Eucalyptus was Ji Xu'an, her heart had felt heavy. But once she learned it was Ji Xu'an, she instantly had no psychological burden.
Although she had always believed she could distinguish between sincerity and falsehood, when one plays a role too often, perhaps at certain times even the actor herself cannot tell whether her feelings are real or fake.
—
Ji Heyuan only saw the message Jiang Jiang had sent her after getting out of the car.
Because of Ji Xu'an raising the partition, the moment she got out, Ji Heyuan snorted coldly at the two of them.
Ji Xu'an ignored her, first reminding Jiang Jiang of a few things, then saying to Ji Heyuan, "I'm going on a business trip this weekend. Jiang Jiang will come with me. If you don't want to stay at school, go back to the old residence yourself."
Ji Heyuan: ???
When was this decided? How did she not know?
But she quickly reacted. The two of them must have been talking about this just now.
Fine. Fine. Afraid she would follow and act as a third wheel, so they deliberately did not let her hear, right?
Ji Heyuan rolled her eyes. "Relax. I definitely won't follow you two. I already have plans."
Ji Xu'an's brows furrowed slightly. "With Zheng Zhouzhou?"
Ji Heyuan choked. Her tone changed from sarcastic to guilty. "It's not like Zhouzhou is my only friend."
When she said this, she glanced at Jiang Jiang intentionally or unintentionally.
Jiang Jiang thought to herself, could she be meeting Qu Jingran?
She did not ask this question in front of Ji Xu'an. Ji Xu'an also did not pursue it. Whatever she wanted to know, she would send someone to investigate.
As long as Ji Heyuan did not make friends with ill-intentioned people, Ji Xu'an would not interfere.
After parting with Ji Xu'an, Ji Heyuan remembered the novel comments only when Jiang Jiang mentioned them.
"You already published it?" Ji Heyuan touched the tip of her nose. "Sorry, I've been a bit busy these past two days and didn't open the novel app."
As she spoke, she quickly opened the app and found Jiang Jiang's novel. After seeing the bookmarks and comments, she was somewhat surprised.
"Not bad, Jiang Jiang. The results are pretty good."
Ji Heyuan skillfully left a rainbow praise comment under the first chapter, then sent Jiang Jiang ten Deep Water Torpedoes.
She happily went to check the premium vote leaderboard, only to find she was merely second place. "Wait, who is this person? She actually sent you twenty torpedoes."
Ji Heyuan was shocked. Jiang Jiang was just a newcomer and did not understand the site's rules. She definitely would not ask someone to boost her ranking.
So this person was serious?
Ji Heyuan's strange competitive spirit was stirred. "Wait for me. I'll immediately brush myself to first place!"
Jiang Jiang quickly pressed down her hand. "No need!"
She pursed her lips in a smile, a hint of shyness between her brows. "That person is Elder Sister."
Ji Heyuan: …
Ji Heyuan instantly felt like a clown.
So this was just another bit of flirtation between a young couple.
She silently exited the comment page, then secretly opened her WeChat balance to look at it. In the end, she resentfully put her phone away.
A poor person like her should not have participated in this game!
Ji Heyuan pondered whether she could ask her sister to reimburse that one thousand yuan. After all, she was supporting Ji Xu'an's girlfriend.
The two chatted as they walked inside. Whether Ji Heyuan ultimately went to find Ji Xu'an, Jiang Jiang did not know. Ji Xu'an did not show any abnormality in front of her.
That night, Ji Heyuan did not stay overnight at Xingyue Bay. Not long after Jiang Jiang returned home, Ji Xu'an also got off work.
Sister Zhou was cooking in the kitchen. Jiang Jiang and Ji Xu'an stayed in the study, one handling work, the other holding her laptop and typing at the coffee table.
After writing about a thousand words, Jiang Jiang suddenly heard Ji Xu'an's phone ring. She put away her laptop and nodded toward Ji Xu'an, and as she walked out of the study, she vaguely heard Ji Xu'an say, "No need to mind her."
As she walked, Jiang Jiang guessed in her heart who that "her" referred to.
She was a bit tired from typing. She sat in the living room and played with Little Bread for a while. Recently, Little Bread had been eating and sleeping well, growing strong. Her fur felt especially soft.
When Ji Xu'an came out of the study, Jiang Jiang was sitting on the sofa watching television. She casually lifted her head to glance and paused slightly.
In that variety show, amid cheerful laughter, Ji Xu'an saw a familiar face.
It was Zhou Zixi.
Ji Xu'an turned to look at Jiang Jiang. The other woman was focused on the television screen. When something amusing happened, she would smile and reach out to rub Little Bread.
She probably did not know who Zhou Zixi was.
Ji Xu'an had not planned to explain anything. Between her and Zhou Zixi, everything was clear and innocent. There were some speculations online about their relationship, but no one had directly named her as that executive. Ji Xu'an treated it all as unrelated to herself.
If she rashly explained, it might instead make people think she was trying to cover something up.
Jiang Jiang casually glanced up and noticed Ji Xu'an standing not far away quietly watching her. She waved. "Elder Sister, come sit with me and watch TV for a while."
Ji Xu'an sat beside her. Their calves were almost touching.
Jiang Jiang was completely unaware. The program amused her so much that she could not stop laughing. When her shoulders trembled, her body naturally leaned against Ji Xu'an.
Little Bread stretched on Jiang Jiang's lap, then walked forward two steps. Her small head rested on Ji Xu'an's leg, while her hind paws rested on Jiang Jiang's lower abdomen.
Ji Xu'an did not move at all, allowing this person and this cat to lean against her. Jiang Jiang's peripheral vision swept across her face, catching the upward curve of Ji Xu'an's lips.
Zhou Zixi had many shots. Each time she appeared, Jiang Jiang would discreetly observe Ji Xu'an's reaction. Unfortunately, Ji Xu'an's expression remained calm throughout—neither deliberately avoiding nor appearing enthusiastic—just like an ordinary person unrelated to her.
Jiang Jiang could not read anything from her face. Gradually, her own interest waned.
Ji Xu'an immediately noticed Jiang Jiang's change in mood. "What's wrong? Are you tired?"
"Mm." Jiang Jiang rubbed her stomach. "A little hungry."
Ji Xu'an was too good at pretending. With methods like this, it was hard to probe anything. Even Sister Zhou had shown more reaction than her.
At least when Sister Zhou saw Zhou Zixi on the television, her eyes had subconsciously revealed a trace of shock and panic.
Sister Zhou, Zhou Zixi…
Jiang Jiang could not be completely certain yet. She needed to test a few more times.
No matter how clever Ji Xu'an was, she could not read Jiang Jiang's mind. At first, she truly thought Jiang Jiang was simply tired. It was not until bedtime that Ji Xu'an vaguely realized Jiang Jiang might be unhappy.
Because Jiang Jiang did not sleep with her.
The person who had said just last night that sleeping beside her would make her sleep more soundly, tonight shut her outside the door without hesitation. Ji Xu'an looked at the tightly closed bedroom door in front of her. Her nails slowly dug into her palm.
Had she done something wrong?
Ji Xu'an could not understand no matter how much she thought.
At this moment, inside the bedroom, Jiang Jiang had already taken out the White Jade Linglong Mirror and was hiding in the bathroom secretly contacting Xie Xiao.
As usual, she reported the recent situation.
When hearing Jiang Jiang mention Zhou Zixi, Xie Xiao's expression became somewhat strange.
"You seem… you seem to care a lot about this person's existence?" Xie Xiao said uncertainly.
Jiang Jiang lowered her eyes and gave a soft mm. "If Ji Xu'an truly liked her before, and if Zhou Zixi comes back seeking reconciliation, I'm not sure whether Ji Xu'an would change her heart."
Was it really only because of that?
Xie Xiao felt something was off. But thinking that Jiang Jiang was essentially a person from ancient times, who had grown up in Great Zhao where women were held to very strict standards—there were very few women who remarried—she would indeed care very much about the existence of a former lover.
Xie Xiao said firmly, "I think it's unlikely. According to what you've said, if Sister Zhou really is Zhou Zixi's person, that means Zhou Zixi has always been unable to forget Ji Xu'an. If Ji Xu'an truly had the same intention, she would have already been together with Zhou Zixi."
There would not have been any chance for Jiang Jiang to act.
Jiang Jiang showed a thoughtful expression. "Is that so?"
What Xie Xiao cared about was not this, but another matter.
"Are you really not going to sleep with Ji Xu'an tonight?"
To be honest, Xie Xiao truly admired Jiang Jiang.
She had actually managed to make Ji Xu'an change for her. Clearly Jiang Jiang was the one doing the pursuing, yet many things seemed as if Ji Xu'an had taken the initiative.
Jiang Jiang did not give a definite answer. "We'll see."
Xie Xiao suddenly grew very curious.
"Do you think Ji Xu'an won't be able to sleep, and will come to find you in the middle of the night?"
—
Author's Note:
President Ji: Why won't my wife let me into the room (sullen and unhappy)
—
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