Jiang Jiang only felt that she was being ridiculous.
She was indeed somewhat curious about Ji Xu'an and Zhou Zisuo's past. But Jiang Jiang only wanted to hear the truth from Ji Xu'an's own mouth. As for what Zhou Zisuo said, honestly she did not believe it.
Jiang Jiang did not plan to reply to Zhou Zisuo again. She only took screenshots of those few messages from Zhou Zisuo. Saved them. Casually send them to Ji Xu'an.
This rotten peach blossom (toxic, fleeting, or inappropriate romantic entanglements) was brought by Ji Xu'an. Let Ji Xu'an handle it herself.
Jiang Jiang did not speak. Zhou Zisuo did not send anything further either. Instead, Ji Xu'an did not reply in text. She directly initiated a video call.
Jiang Jiang tapped accept. On the other side of the screen, Ji Xu'an seemed to be standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window. Jiang Jiang could see a takeout box on the desk behind her. Only a few bites had been eaten.
"You're still working overtime?" Jiang Jiang lowered her head and glanced at her watch. Eight thirty-five.
Usually at this hour, Ji Xu'an had already gotten off work.
Ji Xu'an hummed. "There are still some things to handle."
Actually the serious matters had already been finished. It was just that when Ji Xu'an thought about Jiang Jiang still talking with Jiang Zhenyun, her mood inevitably became restless.
Reason told her she should not interfere too much in Jiang Jiang's matters. But Ji Xu'an could never calm down.
She picked up her phone many times and put it down again. Never sent the sentence "When will you finish? I'll come pick you up."
Would Jiang Jiang think her possessiveness was too strong?
Ji Xu'an lowered her eyelashes. Half of her face hidden in the darkness. Only the tightly pressed lips faintly visible under the soft light.
Jiang Jiang walked outward while on the video call. Seeing Ji Xu'an silent on the screen, she softly asked, "Miss Zhou said I'm quite capable. Do you think so too?"
Ji Xu'an subconsciously shook her head. "If anyone used methods, it should be me who coaxed and deceived you."
Jiang Jiang seemed to laugh. Ji Xu'an did not hear it clearly. But she could sense Jiang Jiang's mood was fairly good at this moment. Which meant the conversation with Jiang Zhenyun had satisfied her.
Ji Xu'an found it hard not to wonder what exactly Jiang Zhenyun had told Jiang Jiang.
She took a deep breath. "Jiang Jiang, about that sentence Zhou Zisuo said…"
"I know." Jiang Jiang interrupted her. "You already explained it to me."
Ji Xu'an moved her lips. But she wanted to explain more clearly. She did not want an irrelevant outsider to create a barrier between her and Jiang Jiang.
"But I feel you don't trust me." Ji Xu'an's voice was very soft. She stared at Jiang Jiang without blinking. "Jiang Jiang, I truly have no extra feelings for her at all."
Originally Jiang Jiang did not plan to ask. But perhaps Jiang Zhenyun's words had given her reassurance. The "it's fine" at the tip of her tongue was swallowed back.
Jiang Jiang stopped walking. "Ji Xu'an, I also want to trust you more."
"But I don't know how to distinguish the truth of what you say."
Zhou Zisuo could still come to disgust her even knowing she was Ji Xu'an's fiancée. Besides Zhou Zisuo's vile personality, it was also related to Ji Xu'an not taking it seriously enough.
Jiang Jiang thought perhaps she should not demand Ji Xu'an so strictly. Ultimately it was because she had expectations of Ji Xu'an. So she especially could not tolerate Zhou Zisuo's existence.
"You said you have no feelings for Zhou Zisuo. I believe that. Because judging by Zhou Zisuo's persistence toward you, if you had that kind of intention, you two would probably already be together."
Receiving Jiang Jiang's affirmation, Ji Xu'an did not feel happy. Because she realized this paragraph likely had a turning point. And what Jiang Jiang would say next was what she should care about.
Sure enough, the next second Jiang Jiang said, "But I don't understand. If you don't like Zhou Zisuo, why did you allow Sister Zhou to stay in the Ji family for several years? For what reason?"
Ji Xu'an froze. "Sister Zhou?"
Jiang Jiang did not speak. Only looked at her silently.
Ji Xu'an subconsciously straightened her back. A slight nervousness rising in her heart. Because Jiang Jiang mentioned someone she had not expected.
"The household staff were all recruited by Uncle Chen. He's an old member of the household. He took care of Grandmother for many years. I never asked him carefully." Ji Xu'an's tone was somewhat anxious.
Precisely because Uncle Chen was someone barely trustworthy, Ji Xu'an never questioned these matters. She believed he had a sense of proportion.
But in comparison, Ji Xu'an trusted Jiang Jiang more. If Jiang Jiang said Sister Zhou had a problem, then Jiang Jiang must have discovered something. Otherwise she would not draw such a conclusion.
"I will have Secretary Zhao investigate the whole matter clearly. Then dismiss Sister Zhou."
Whether Sister Zhou was innocent or not. She made Jiang Jiang unhappy. Ji Xu'an would not keep her.
There were many people who could replace Sister Zhou. But there was only one Jiang Jiang.
And from Jiang Jiang's meaning, Sister Zhou and Zhou Zisuo were intricately connected. Ji Xu'an was even less likely to keep such a person by her side.
This matter was indeed her negligence. Perhaps because Sister Zhou had never done anything out of line before. And because Ji Xu'an did not stay long at the old residence. So she had never noticed anything wrong.
"I'm sorry, baby." Ji Xu'an softened her voice. A hint of pleading in her tone. "I wasn't careful enough. I made you unhappy."
Jiang Jiang did not respond. Tacitly acknowledging the word unhappy.
Ji Xu'an paused. Then added, "But I'm actually a little happy right now."
Jiang Jiang slowed her steps. Her brows furrowed slightly. She looked at Ji Xu'an in confusion. "Hm?"
A smile gradually spread between Ji Xu'an's brows. Her lips curved. Her dark eyes like a calm sea. Completely enveloping Jiang Jiang's figure.
"I'm very glad you're willing to say the dissatisfaction in your heart." Ji Xu'an's voice lowered.
The breeze lifted the stray hair by her cheek. Adding a bit of gentleness to her cold and beautiful face.
"All my scheming and calculations are for outsiders." Ji Xu'an stared deeply into Jiang Jiang's eyes. She was probably still not used to being frank about her feelings. A faint awkwardness on her face. But her tone firm.
"With you, I always have a lot of caution and uncertainty."
"If there's anything that makes you dissatisfied."
"Jiang Jiang, I hope you can say it directly. Just like just now."
Jiang Jiang was silent for quite a while. Then lightly nodded.
Actually Ji Xu'an was not wrong.
If nothing unexpected happened, perhaps she would spend her whole life with Ji Xu'an. Some things could be hidden for a time. But not for a lifetime. Ji Xu'an would know sooner or later.
"I understand."
Seeing Jiang Jiang nod in agreement, Ji Xu'an finally let out an almost imperceptible breath. Then carefully asked, "You finished talking with Jiang Zhenyun?"
"Mm." Jiang Jiang licked her lips. Before Ji Xu'an could speak, she took the initiative to ask, "Can you come pick me up?"
Ji Xu'an was stunned at first. Then her face suddenly blossomed into a smile. The hand hanging by her side unconsciously tightened and relaxed. Her expression even somewhat flustered. "Mm… yes."
Jiang Jiang watched Ji Xu'an's face slowly turn red. As if discovering something novel. She leaned her cheek closer to the phone screen. As though unwilling to miss any subtle reaction from Ji Xu'an.
How rare. Ji Xu'an also had such a pure and adorable side.
Jiang Jiang could not help thinking. Could it be that her former self had been too cold? So that just such a small request made Ji Xu'an so happy she could barely speak?
Not entirely. She had once been gentler and more compliant. Yet Ji Xu'an had not been this excited then.
The moment this thought surfaced, Jiang Jiang simultaneously had the answer.
Perhaps it was because of liking.
Not because of responsibility. Just simple heart-fluttering and care.
She was finally willing to believe that Ji Xu'an truly liked her.
Jiang Jiang did not speak again. Ji Xu'an also fell silent. She saw Jiang Jiang tilting her head up, looking at the splendid evening glow in the sky. In those beautiful almond eyes seemed to burn orange flames. More stunning than any scenery Ji Xu'an had seen in her life.
Ji Xu'an almost held her breath. Afraid to disturb her. She only quietly captured this moment. Saved it in a separate album.
Jiang Jiang was truly good. So good that Ji Xu'an did not dare let Jiang Jiang know what dark thoughts she harbored toward her. Perhaps those thoughts would be a kind of desecration to Jiang Jiang.
She should hide them better. So as not to frighten Jiang Jiang.
Just as Ji Xu'an was thinking this, another person's voice suddenly sounded from the other side of the phone. She focused her eyes. Saw Jiang Jiang's gaze go past the phone. Looking toward the opposite direction.
From Ji Xu'an's angle, she could not see what Jiang Jiang was looking at.
She restrained her smile. Called softly, "Baby, what are you looking at?"
Jiang Jiang seemed a little absent-minded. Her gaze did not return to Ji Xu'an. "Someone fell."
Ji Xu'an frowned. "Did she hit you?"
That was not the case.
Jiang Jiang lowered her eyes. Looked at the girl who had fallen at her feet. The other party had round eyes. A delicate and harmless face. The kind of appearance that made it impossible to feel guarded.
Perhaps she had fallen hard. The girl's eyes were red. Wiping tears while gathering the books and pens scattered all over the ground.
Jiang Jiang stared for quite a while. After the other party put everything back into her handbag. Only then slowly extended her hand.
"Hello. Do you need help?"
—
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