Chapter 10

Chapter 10 Rose x Kiss

Mother Jiang hadn’t seen him earlier, and now Jiang Ji appeared uninvited, even right at such a crucial moment. Of course she wouldn’t let it go.

What else could it be?

He prepared such a thing—what else could it be!

But such a private topic wouldn’t be appropriate to confront face to face.

After all, Ji Mingzhu was a girl; seeing or hearing it, her skin would naturally be thinner.

Besides, to some extent, she wouldn’t be unsupportive of such measures.

Her personally chosen future daughter-in-law—there was no way she wouldn’t like it.

Still, no matter what, she needed to privately knock some sense into Jiang Ji.

As her thoughts turned, Mother Jiang snorted softly, then, thinking no one noticed, raised her hand and stuffed the black stockings back into the carton.

“I’ve been here quite a while and didn’t see you come downstairs. Now you suddenly appear—you’re trying to scare me into a heart attack. I knocked for so long just now; Mingzhu was the one who opened the door.”

“You said you were coming, but didn’t say the time.” Jiang Ji straightened, his gaze light, only briefly sweeping over the carton clenched in Mother Jiang’s hand.

Mother Jiang didn’t notice his gaze. She turned, put the carton in the corner of the shelf, then held the plates she had somehow found and nudged Jiang Ji. “Move, I’m going to cook.”

Jiang Ji tilted his shoulder slightly and made space.

When Mother Jiang’s figure disappeared into the hallway, Ji Mingzhu pretended nothing had happened. Just as she tried to pass Jiang Ji to slip by, he blocked her path.

“What were you saying to my mom just now?”

Ji Mingzhu laughed it off. “Nothing.”

“But I heard ‘acting tough at home.’” Jiang Ji lowered his gaze, looking straight into Ji Mingzhu’s eyes.

If he could hear the first half, then he could certainly hear the second half.

The phrase “flirtatious at home,” which Ji Mingzhu saw as a verb phrase—he probably automatically ignored it.

Ji Mingzhu looked at the scapegoat in front of her and blinked. “That’s Auntie’s evaluation of you.”

The girl’s peach-blossom eyes tilted upward, her pupils moist as if covered with mist, bright, like a lively little fox.

She walked to Jiang Ji’s side; her head only reached his neck. Her tone even carried a trace of pride. “Looks like Auntie has many complaints about you. If she asks you anything later—you should behave, follow the elder’s wishes, and remember to agree to everything, got it?”

Jiang Ji looked at her, his brow slightly raised. “Agree to everything, are you sure?”

His ending tone lifted, carrying an indescribable meaning.

Ji Mingzhu stared at him for a while, feeling her momentum inexplicably drop again.

But certain thoughts stirred; she wouldn’t allow herself to shrink for no reason.

Her tone was firm—

“Of course I’m sure!”

…

Before eating, Jiang Ji was unsurprisingly pulled aside by Mother Jiang to a corner for what she considered a rather serious talk.

“Tell me honestly, why did you buy that… thing?” Mother Jiang thought for a long time before landing on the last word.

At this point, Jiang Ji understood what she wanted to ask.

Probably still about that piece of clothing.

Recalling Ji Mingzhu’s reaction earlier, Jiang Ji lowered his eyes and pondered.

When the girl had leaned close, she carried a faint rose fragrance, subtle yet alluring, lingering and spreading—something only caught when close, a small hint of boldness.

Before Jiang Ji responded, Mother Jiang continued, “It’s one thing you bought it, but you even put it in the storage room. Good thing I found it. If Mingzhu accidentally found it, what would you do?”

Jiang Ji only lazily lifted his eyes and casually responded.

“Blockhead! Can’t you say one more word!”

The always glamorous and elegant Mother Jiang couldn’t hold back anymore and almost reached to twist Jiang Ji’s ear.

Jiang Ji remained unmoved as before. “Mom, it’s time to eat.”

Mother Jiang’s breath stuck in her chest. Just as she was about to flare up, she heard him add, “I know what I’m doing.”

Hearing this, Mother Jiang finally felt a bit better.

She stepped toward the living room, speaking as she walked.

“Remember to seize the opportunity. Whether I can hold a grandson next year depends on you.”

Mother Jiang’s voice was initially lowered, but then it rose uncontrollably. Before she even entered the living room, her voice had already carried over.

Ji Mingzhu caught the tail end and naturally heard the “hold a grandson” remark.

She hurriedly raised her head and looked straight at Jiang Ji.

He accurately caught the question in her gaze, yet still looked cold and composed.

Neither admitting nor denying.

She had told him to agree to everything!

But not every topic could be agreed to!

Even while eating, Ji Mingzhu didn’t look at Jiang Ji again.

Because of Mother Jiang’s deliberate arrangement, the two sat very close together.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t hold back at all. Seizing the chance, she viciously stepped on the spot where Jiang Ji’s foot was.

Jiang Ji beside her seemed to pause for a moment, but still didn’t make a sound, and soon returned to calm.

Mother Jiang, seated opposite, didn’t notice their small movements. While picking food for Ji Mingzhu, she asked, “Mingzhu, have you gotten used to living here these past few days?”

“Mm, it’s pretty good. I’m quite used to it.”

Ji Mingzhu was telling the truth. The facilities here were similar to her home.

Jiang Ji was usually quiet and wouldn’t disturb her. In some ways, it was even more comfortable than the Ji residence.

“That’s good. People still need to spend more time together. When you’re free, the two of you can go out, stroll around, have some fun.”

At this point, Mother Jiang seemed to think of something and suggested, “I came in a hurry this time. If you two are free tonight, come back to the old house with me.”

“Tonight?” Ji Mingzhu was puzzled. “But I don’t really have anything lately.”

“Even better. You can stay a night at the old house.” Mother Jiang smiled.

Ji Mingzhu indeed didn’t have much going on recently.

Her new video had already been uploaded, and she hadn’t started work at the Ji family yet.

This period was the most relaxed time before she became busy.

And staying a night at the Jiang residence wasn’t really different from staying at Park Hyatt.

“Auntie, I’m fine with it.”

“And you?” After getting Ji Mingzhu’s answer, Mother Jiang asked Jiang Ji.

Actually, the suggestion was sudden. Even the taciturn Jiang Ji raised his head when she asked.

“Why suddenly go back?”

“The family also wants to meet Mingzhu. Since she returned to the country, she hasn’t visited the old house.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ji lowered his brows, seeming to think about something.

…

The Jiang residence and the Ji residence were very close, but the two houses had completely different decoration styles.

The Ji residence was old, so it had been renovated once when Ji Mingzhu was young. It followed Ji Shaoyan’s personal preferences, with a unique style—more of a Gothic manor. It still preserved traces left by Ji Mother before her death, and the original appearance had never been changed afterward.

Although the Jiang family had passed down commerce for generations, the maternal side from collateral branches came from a scholarly family. The Jiang residence had undergone several restorations in the last century; what remained today was a true old courtyard mansion, unchanged.

Dark red rosewood structures, a hollowed roof inlaid with a glass skylight. Natural light poured down to the center, where an artificial rockery and flowing water gurgled.

Quiet and serene, full of ancient charm. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say four generations lived together—only that in this generation, only Jiang Father and Mother Jiang resided there.

After packing up at Park Hyatt and coming here, it was another round of fuss.

By the time they settled at the Jiang residence, the sky was already getting late.

Ji Mingzhu and Jiang Ji sat again at the dinner table.

Jiang Father was still upstairs; Mother Jiang went to call him and hadn’t come down yet.

Actually, Ji Mingzhu had visited the Jiang residence a few times long ago. Aside from their parents knowing each other and frequently interacting, the two were also classmates.

Visiting the Jiang residence during the hottest season was quite comfortable.

Because it was an old house, in summer the rooms were often cool, while in winter it was warm—pleasant all year round.

But although the room now was fairly warm, Ji Mingzhu felt an inexplicable chill.

Her hands and feet were cold.

She didn’t know why.

Ji Mingzhu waited idly and opened Weibo to browse.

There happened to be a video with high reposts and views, so she clicked in.

The content was simple—about playful interactions between men and women.

The top three interactions mentioned in the video were: inside a car, inside a changing room, and under a table.

Among them, under the table ranked first.

Because the car and changing room were hidden spaces, compared to more open environments, the ambiguity was relatively weaker.

Since there was no one around.

But interaction under the table happened right under other people’s noses.

Tension, excitement, and boldness clashed in the human mind.

When adrenaline surged to its peak, the pounding heart from nervous excitement was put on par with a racing heartbeat.

She played it softly on speaker, but given the content, even she felt it wasn’t suitable to keep listening.

She pressed close; the video stopped right at the summary—

“These playful back-and-forth interactions—have you mastered the techniques?”

Ji Mingzhu put down her phone. As her gaze fell to the side corner of the main hall, she suddenly felt her calf brushed.

Not too light, not too heavy.

Ji Mingzhu turned back. The only person sitting beside her was Jiang Ji.

Who else could it be? He was the instigator!

Still, she asked as usual—

“You kicked me?”

“Why, can’t I?”

Contrary to his usual silence, Jiang Ji admitted it directly.

His long fingertips paused on the dining table, then he turned his face slightly to look at her.

“That playful back-and-forth—returning it to you.”