Jiang Jiang was not surprised at all when she heard this.
She was thinking about how to answer.
Ji Xu'an did not receive her reply, and inevitably felt a little nervous. She lowered her head slightly and rubbed her forehead against the hollow of Jiang Jiang's neck, her voice very soft. "Baby, I'm very afraid."
Jiang Jiang opened the car window a little bit. The cold wind rushed in impatiently, sweeping away the stuffiness and heat inside the car.
She asked Ji Xu'an, "What are you afraid of?"
Ji Xu'an pressed her lips together. "You have a past that I can never participate in. Perhaps for you, the existence of certain people is more important than me."
"You can not care about Xie Wanwan, because in your mind, the memories about her are not very pleasant."
At this point, Ji Xu'an paused, her tone seeming to grow heavier. "But what if it's someone else?"
Ji Xu'an was very afraid that perhaps that tiny bit of affection Jiang Jiang had for her only came from her own loneliness and dependence. After all, in this world Jiang Jiang could be said to have no one to rely on.
But if more and more "old acquaintances" appeared, would Jiang Jiang still choose her as firmly as she did now?
Not necessarily.
That was why, just now in the camera, when Ji Xu'an saw the momentary distraction on Jiang Jiang's face, she appeared so tense and panicked.
Jiang Jiang had remained silent the whole time. Ji Xu'an's arm around her was no longer as tight as at the beginning. Perhaps with just a gentle push, Jiang Jiang could push Ji Xu'an away.
But she never made any move. Instead, she let Ji Xu'an hold her, letting her lower her voice and speak her inner unease and panic into her ear.
Her mood was unexpectedly calm. There were even two faint traces of ease and pleasure.
Ji Xu'an had always not wanted Jiang Jiang to discover her possessiveness that far exceeded ordinary people. She worried that Jiang Jiang would be frightened because of it. But Jiang Jiang did not actually find it frightening.
She liked freedom. But from another perspective, crazy, unreserved love could also move her.
She needed to feel the "love" Ji Xu'an spoke of through certain actions.
After Ji Xu'an finished speaking, Jiang Jiang curved her lips very lightly. Before Ji Xu'an noticed, her expression returned to its usual calm and composure.
"Liu Xiaobao does indeed look very much like an old acquaintance of mine."
Jiang Jiang did not lie to Ji Xu'an. "I do have a bit of transferred affection toward her, but I can tell the difference. She is not my old acquaintance."
Just as she could distinguish that Ji Xu'an was not Princess Huaining.
"In the past I only ever regarded her as a friend. How could I develop feelings for someone who merely resembles her a little?"
Hearing this, Ji Xu'an felt much more at ease. But she still did not let go. Instead, she continued softly, "Then can you tell me what your old acquaintance was like?"
Ji Xu'an had never heard Jiang Zhenyun mention someone called "Xiaobao." She thought that if Jiang Jiang regarded her as a true friend, then that girl called "Xiaobao" must have been someone Jiang Jiang knew before returning to the Duke's residence.
Jiang Jiang selected some things she could say. When speaking of Xiaobao, her expression was gentle and peaceful.
But she did not tell Ji Xu'an what Xiaobao's final ending had been.
Yet Ji Xu'an had already guessed a few things from Jiang Jiang's words. She gently patted Jiang Jiang's shoulder, as a silent comfort.
Jiang Jiang shook her head. "It's fine."
"Perhaps I do have a bit of sympathy for her." At this point, Jiang Jiang's voice paused. She lowered her eyes to observe Ji Xu'an's reaction.
Unexpectedly, Ji Xu'an happened to look up at her at the same time. Their gazes met in the air, as if faintly reaching some kind of mutual understanding.
Ji Xu'an nodded. "I understand."
She released her arms from around Jiang Jiang and sat back properly. As she started the car, she said lightly, "It's okay. You don't need to consider me. I can understand."
Jiang Jiang tilted her head. "Really? You truly can understand?"
Ji Xu'an coughed softly. "It's nothing. After all, she counts as your friend. As long as she doesn't develop thoughts she shouldn't have, I won't mind."
Jiang Jiang slowly let out an "Oh," thinking that she did not know who had just been so jealous that the vinegar scent had nearly made her unable to breathe.
Ji Xu'an did not bring up this matter again, as if nothing had happened. As for what she truly thought in her heart, Jiang Jiang did not know.
Jiang Jiang did not eat much at dinner. Although she said she was not hungry, Ji Xu'an still took her to eat a little.
After finishing, they did not return immediately. Instead, they planned to take a walk along the lake.
Perhaps because it was a weekday, there were not many people by the lake. The two walked hand in hand for a while. The atmosphere was quiet and harmonious.
Just as they were about to reach the exit, Jiang Jiang, sharp-eyed, suddenly noticed two people not far away clinging to each other, seemingly whispering something.
They were also two girls. They were clearly a couple. While Jiang Jiang was observing carefully, one of them suddenly tilted her head and pressed her lips against the other's.
Jiang Jiang's eyes widened abruptly.
Her face flushed in an instant, even more brilliant than the sunset in the sky. Heat climbed up along her neck, dyeing her fair little face an intense crimson.
Jiang Jiang awkwardly shifted her gaze away, only to find Ji Xu'an staring at her with burning eyes.
Jiang Jiang's lips moved. Just as she was about to say something, Ji Xu'an suddenly released her hand and instead gently wrapped an arm around her waist.
"Baby." Ji Xu'an leaned her head over, her lips brushing against Jiang Jiang's ear as she called her lightly.
"Mm." Jiang Jiang's heartbeat grew more and more intense with each beat.
Previously she had not quite understood why Ji Xu'an called her baby. Now she suddenly seemed to understand the meaning behind that form of address.
At certain moments, that word could indeed make one feel endless attachment and love.
Perhaps the night had fostered some kind of courage. Ji Xu'an was clearly more unrestrained than before. "Can I kiss you?"
Jiang Jiang raised her hand to press against Ji Xu'an's shoulder, but did not use force. "We're outside."
"It's okay. No one will see." When Ji Xu'an said this, her lips brushed intentionally or unintentionally against Jiang Jiang's earlobe.
Jiang Jiang shivered. "Don't..."
One of Ji Xu'an's palms pressed against Jiang Jiang's lower back. The other supported the back of her neck. Her voice was as sweet as if mixed with honey. "Please, baby."
Jiang Jiang's eyelashes trembled sharply.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She did not refuse again. Instead, she suddenly grabbed Ji Xu'an's collar, pulled her body toward herself, tilted her head, and pressed her lips against Ji Xu'an's.
This series of actions caught Ji Xu'an off guard. She was clearly still a little unresponsive, astonishment in her eyes, yet her lips had already opened instinctively.
Jiang Jiang's movements were very unskilled, yet there was a forcefulness that allowed no rejection. Even though her face was already completely red, her body never retreated a single step.
On the surface, Ji Xu'an was still tightly holding Jiang Jiang, as if everything was initiated by her. But in reality, her body was entirely under Jiang Jiang's control, unable to escape even a fraction.
Jiang Jiang recalled Ji Xu'an's previous actions in her mind. She bit Ji Xu'an's lower lip, slowly grinding it with her teeth.
Ji Xu'an showed extreme compliance. No matter what Jiang Jiang did to her, she did not show the slightest intention of refusing.
Both of their heartbeats were very fast.
Unknowingly, Ji Xu'an closed her eyes. In her confusion and passion, she suddenly felt Jiang Jiang pull slightly away, and the warmth at her lips was withdrawn.
Ji Xu'an opened her eyes.
As their eyes met, she heard Jiang Jiang whisper in her ear:
"I think I understand your feelings now."
"Ji Xu'an."
"Can you... call me 'older sister' once?"
—
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