Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Rose x Kiss

Ji Mingzhu’s sentence was phrased as a question, but her tone wasn’t—it was a completely declarative certainty.

As she blurted out those words, she deliberately rubbed the base of the lipstick against the side of Jiang Ji’s collar, slowing down gradually, like a movie scene with reduced frame rate, dragging on for a long time.

Jiang Ji let her make trouble, still maintaining his previous posture, not speaking for a long time.

His pitch-black eyes at this moment seemed to reflect a bit of starlight. When he looked at her, they were very bright.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t care much. She took his silence as consent. Of course—if he didn’t agree, he still had to agree, because no matter what, he couldn’t stop her.

She straightened slightly, reached up with both hands, slowly removed the lipstick cap, then used the bright red tube end to draw two strokes on the right side of Jiang Ji’s shirt collar, leaving bold, sweeping marks.

The handwriting was smooth and slender. The charming red remained boldly on the collar side, like a blooming flower, extremely eye-catching.

Jiang Ji’s neck was cold-white and long. With that color spreading across his collar, at first glance he looked somewhat like a noble young master from ancient times stepping out of pleasure alleys.

The English line connected together, forming two lines, and at the end she drew a big heart—

【my dearest darling, mua~[red heart]】

Ji Mingzhu looked at her “masterpiece” and felt satisfied from every angle.

When she put the lipstick away, she again seemed unintentional. Her strength softened, and as the force in her hand lessened, it uncontrollably tilted toward Jiang Ji’s Adam’s apple.

Tap, tap.

Two faint marks appeared immediately.

She smiled brightly. As she straightened up, she also smoothed the slight wrinkles at Jiang Ji’s collar caused by her earlier movements.

“What are you doing?” Jiang Ji raised his brow and asked lightly.

He had remained indifferent before, yet at this moment the cold aura around him dissipated, like willow branches in spring stretching when they meet warm wind.

What could she be doing?

Ji Mingzhu thought of the situation outside the office, leaned close to him, and said word by word, “Making—you—dirty.”

Ji Mingzhu’s slender hand moved downward, hooking the end of his tie with her fingertips. After grabbing it, she pulled hard toward herself, almost stretching it taut.

“President Jiang, you don’t mind me doing this, right?”

The girl left him and, with the motion, sat back on his wide desk. Because of the different posture, when she looked at him, it was from above, looking down.

Jiang Ji still had a cold expression, only his gaze locked on her without moving.

Seeing him like this, as if he had no reaction, Ji Mingzhu felt a bit bored and simply thought of leaving first.

“I won’t disturb whatever you have next. I’ll head off first.”

Just as her voice fell and she turned to leave, she heard Jiang Ji ask evenly, “Not disturbing?”

He stood up directly. With a long reach, he pulled Ji Mingzhu into his reachable range and looked down at her. “If you leave just like this, wouldn’t I be at a loss?”

Jiang Ji was, after all, an adult man—and a tall, long-legged one at that.

Usually he looked sharp-boned, lean and tall, but he kept his strength hidden. The power concealed beneath his crisp shirt was clearly gathering.

At this moment, the clean, pleasant scent on Jiang Ji almost came crashing over her. Her nose was filled entirely with his presence.

Ji Mingzhu pressed against his shoulder as he leaned closer. Her whole body tilted backward, almost about to lie against the desk, the curved angle obvious.

“…Hey… Jiang Ji!” Ji Mingzhu couldn’t help it; her voice rose slightly as she called him.

Earlier Jiang Ji had looked ready to continue full force if she didn’t speak. Now hearing her protest, he slowly stopped, one leg braced casually against the desk leg.

“Now it should be my turn.” Jiang Ji lowered his head to look at her, his distinct fingertips tapping the side of the desk unhurriedly.

“…Your turn for what?” Ji Mingzhu, pressed like this, vaguely realized the consequence of not stopping herself earlier.

Had she… played too far? But Ji Mingzhu didn’t think so. She didn’t feel she had gone overboard, otherwise she wouldn’t have been so unrestrained just now.

“Return it.” Jiang Ji parted his lips and spoke neatly.

Ji Mingzhu froze.

…Return it.

He was going to copy everything she had done… and return it the same way?

This person not only looked cold-blooded—sometimes a bit dog-like—most of the time he might even be a little stingy.

She had only been playing around, and he had to return it?

Under the fine strands of hair on Jiang Ji’s forehead were ink-black eyes.

At the moment Ji Mingzhu hesitated, he simply looked at her calmly.

“Otherwise, did you think I’d be so easily made… dirty?” He imitated her earlier pause, pronouncing the key word one syllable at a time.

As soon as Jiang Ji finished speaking, before Ji Mingzhu could react, his fingertip directly pressed forward. He brushed his finger pad across her lips, then pressed down and slowly rubbed a few times.

The force wasn’t light, but it wasn’t heavy either.

Far from what one might have imagined.

Ji Mingzhu hadn’t expected things to develop like this and froze on the spot.

She had already prepared herself for Jiang Ji to snatch her lipstick. The grip in her hand was particularly tight, afraid he would take it away and then carry out what he had called “returning it.”

…And yet.

Ji Mingzhu, confused and without finding an answer, saw the tall figure in front of her slowly move away.

When she looked up again, Jiang Ji had already sat down and resumed handling his documents.

As if the person who had pressed close to her just now hadn’t been him at all.

“…Then I’ll really go first.”

“Uncle Ji said you should stay here with me.” Jiang Ji didn’t even raise his head as he reminded her.

“My dad says things and you really listen? I want to go out and wander.” Ji Mingzhu cleared her throat and added, “Later tonight I won’t leave with you either. We’ll go our separate ways.”

Ji Mingzhu had her reasons for saying this. Jiang Ji was busy—was she supposed to just sit there watching? Aside from playing on her phone, there seemed to be nothing else to do. She might as well return to the attic at Park Hyatt to edit videos, or go stroll along nearby Lise Avenue.

These past few days the warm sunlight, absent for so long, had appeared again. It was time to go out and relax.

Besides, judging from how persistent the Zhao family was, they would definitely talk in Jiang Ji’s office for quite a while.

She didn’t want to join that commotion.

The sound of page-turning at the desk stopped for a few seconds. Then Ji Mingzhu heard Jiang Ji respond, “Mm.”

After getting his reply, Ji Mingzhu quickened her steps as if afraid he would change his mind. In two or three strides she returned to the sofa, bent down to pick up her coat and bag, and walked straight to the door.

When she reached the door, she paused, then looked at him deeply, and a thought suddenly popped into her mind.

Ji Mingzhu slowly opened the door. As she stepped halfway out, she turned back toward Jiang Ji’s direction and called, “Darling~, I’m leaving first~~”

She wore a shy expression, her voice deliberately softened and slowed—doing everything to sound as charming as possible.

After doing this, Ji Mingzhu didn’t look at Jiang Ji’s expression or reaction. That had nothing to do with her.

Sure enough, the moment she gently closed the door and was about to walk out—

Ji Mingzhu lifted her head and saw a group of people standing outside the office.

Among them were Jiang Ji’s three assistants, Old Master Zhao,

and Zhao Lan, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

Although Zhao Lan’s current appearance no longer matched the face in Ji Mingzhu’s memory, through the television and widespread Weibo promotions earlier, Ji Mingzhu could roughly recognize her.

An appropriate smile, a delicate expression, pure and lofty—she looked quiet and composed.

Hearing Ji Mingzhu’s earlier words and now seeing her walk out, everyone looked at her, their expressions varied.

Assistant Ying and the other two assistants immediately turned toward her, slightly nodding, very respectful.

Old Master Zhao wore a smile. “Mingzhu, long time no see. You’ve become even prettier.”

Ji Mingzhu responded and greeted Old Master Zhao.

Zhao Lan, holding onto Old Master Zhao’s arm, had been staring steadily at Ji Mingzhu from the very beginning.

Then her gaze fell on Ji Mingzhu’s red lips and never moved away.

After she and Old Master Zhao arrived, they had been stopped outside by the assistant. Not only that, later they heard Jiang Ji giving instructions over the line, and the special assistant came over apologetically, saying—“Old Master Zhao, Miss Zhao, sorry, you may need to wait a bit longer.”

They indeed waited.

But what they hadn’t expected was that the one who slowly walked out from inside was actually Ji Mingzhu.

Then what had just happened inside really couldn’t withstand speculation or careful deduction.

And the female protagonist at the center of the office incident—Ji Mingzhu—was now lazily lifting her eyes and meeting Zhao Lan’s gaze.

Immediately after, she calmly shifted her eyes away and walked straight toward Jiang Ji’s exclusive elevator.

Assistant Ying beside Jiang Ji, no longer as cold as before, hurried over. “Miss Ji, where are you going?”

“Huh? I’m leaving now, going out for a stroll.”

Ji Mingzhu, called to a stop, turned her head to glance at Assistant Ying.

“Do you need someone to send you?”

“No need.” Ji Mingzhu waved her hand in refusal.

Assistant Ying responded, “Alright, Miss Ji, take care.”

After Assistant Ying personally pressed the elevator floor for Ji Mingzhu, the doors slowly closed.

Ji Mingzhu crossed her arms and looked at her slightly blurred reflection in the silver mirror. What suddenly appeared in her mind was the scene of Jiang Ji raising his hand to her lips just now.

Then bit by bit, slowly, it crowded in—occupying everything—until it filled her chest completely, leaving no space at all.

The temperature of Jiang Ji’s fingertips had been slightly cool, but the pads of his fingers had carried a bit of warmth.

Perhaps because the winter air was dry, when he pressed lightly, Ji Mingzhu only felt crackling static spreading all around her.

And because the distance was only a few centimeters from her nose, within her reachable field of vision, the two had been so close that Ji Mingzhu could clearly see the lean curve of his finger joints.

Slender like jade, distinctly pale.

But thinking of this—

Ji Mingzhu suddenly remembered again the scene of him messing with her lips.

What was there about her lips to rub?

Could it be that he saw her lipstick wasn’t applied well… and helped smooth it out?

Thinking of this, Ji Mingzhu took out a small mirror from her handbag. Just as she was about to check how her lipstick looked, the moment her gaze touched the mirror, she felt the world freeze completely.

It wasn’t the evenly smoothed result she had imagined. In the mirror, the bright red lipstick was darker in some spots and lighter in others. Although it still stayed properly within the intended area and hadn’t crossed the boundaries—

This kind of smeared, rumpled appearance inevitably made people’s imaginations run wild. And when it came specifically to what Jiang Ji and Ji Mingzhu had done in the office… it was hard not to overthink.

Ji Mingzhu recalled the scene of herself walking out earlier. It turned out not only that sentence had played a role—the biggest “culprit” might have been this.

For a moment, Ji Mingzhu didn’t know whether to praise Jiang Ji for being in tacit understanding with her, or to discuss the topic of how this person could sometimes really be such a jerk.

…

Not long after Ji Mingzhu left, Zhao Lan slightly tugged at Old Master Zhao’s sleeve, gesturing to him.

Although Zhao Lan didn’t speak, the implication was obvious.

She was still persistent about this.

Old Master Zhao looked at his granddaughter. After a moment, he patted her shoulder to reassure her.

Just as he was about to speak and urge Jiang Ji’s assistants again, the office door slowly opened.

Jiang Ji walked out directly from inside.

His face was icy as frost, the curve of his profile smooth, his expression cold, his bearing naturally upright.

Jiang Ji already spoke little. After taking control of Jiang Corporation, this temperament, combined with his position, added another layer of authority to him.

Such a person possessed the capital to make others fall for him.

But all of those evaluations stopped at—

the white shirt he was wearing.

On the side of Jiang Ji’s collar were two lines of English written in lipstick. Although the words weren’t clearly visible, the heart above them wasn’t subtle at all—crooked yet unrestrained, extremely bold.

Not to mention the marks on his tie where it had been pulled, and a few faint red traces on his neck, like scratches, or perhaps accidental grazes.

This appearance was vastly different from Jiang Ji’s usual attire.

Coupled with Ji Mingzhu having just walked out of his office—

In short, everything spoke for itself.

Jiang Ji’s three assistants stood there for a moment, looked at their boss, then politely withdrew their gaze from his collar.

Of course, they neither wanted nor dared to remind Jiang Ji that there were some unarranged traces on his shirt.

Such matters were Jiang Ji’s own business, not something others could comment on casually.

Old Master Zhao, however, after seeing this scene, couldn’t react for quite a while.

He opened his mouth repeatedly, but couldn’t say anything for a long time, and finally just called out softly, “Jiang Ji.”

Jiang Ji responded and walked over, slowly saying, “Old Master Zhao, regarding the regular investment we discussed earlier, we’ve already settled it in the meeting room. There shouldn’t be any major issues.”

After a pause, he added, “If there’s anything else, we can talk about it here.”

Old Master Zhao immediately said, “Ah, yes, yes, there’s really no problem. I didn’t leave today and came over from the meeting room because I wanted to ask you for a favor.”

Zhao Lan, who had been standing to the side from the beginning, finally relaxed her expression slightly upon hearing this.

Earlier, when Jiang Ji came out and she saw the marks on his collar, she didn’t show it on her face, but secretly tightened her grip on Old Master Zhao’s arm.

Jiang Ji remained calm, waiting quietly for Old Master Zhao to speak.

Old Master Zhao felt Jiang Ji would still give him some face. Thinking of this, he relaxed and spoke slowly.

“Our Lanlan has recently been doing a financial interview program. She said she requested through your side last time but was turned down. But I heard her mention that you two attended the same high school. So, for the sake of being classmates—and also for my sake—help me out and give my granddaughter a boost in her performance?”

As Old Master Zhao spoke, Zhao Lan kept staring at Jiang Ji.

Since he returned to the country, took charge of Jiang Corporation, and secured his position, she had only received news about him from all directions but had never seen him.

Their only previous intersection had been in high school, when he rejected her confession. But in the years afterward, she couldn’t forget him.

She once thought that someone as cold and indifferent as Jiang Ji wouldn’t let his family arrange his marriage.

But when news of his engagement to Ji Mingzhu came, everything blurred by time seemed to return to the starting point.

Scenes from high school resurfaced again, overlapping.

Zhao Lan felt that if possible, she could do it too.

Compared to Ji Mingzhu, she would definitely be a virtuous helper and the best choice.

Jiang Ji glanced at the two of them indifferently. “Jiang Corporation has just completed its transition. At present, we’re focusing on internal management and future development. For the rest, the company doesn’t want to disclose too much information for now.”

With those words, it was effectively a refusal.

In the business world, people came and went, and it was always the same tactics. A glance, an expression, or even just a gesture—others should understand how to respond next.

The Zhao family only occupied the northern part of Yin City. Compared to the wealthy families entrenched in the south, their company had long declined.

And from Old Master Zhao’s descendants onward, the downward trend had become even more obvious.

In other words, in certain decisions, the Zhao family didn’t have much say. Even though Old Master Zhao had dominated the business world for nearly half his life, at this moment he still had to lower his head.

Favors were favors, but one shouldn’t rely on seniority. Once was acceptable; a second time would be hard to justify.

After hearing Jiang Ji’s words, Old Master Zhao froze for a few seconds and didn’t continue pleading. He simply stroked his beard and laughed. “Alright, alright, that works too.”

After a pause, his laughter stopped, and his tone became somewhat ambiguous. “You young people really do have your own ideas.”

Zhao Lan clearly understood. She had been standing quietly to the side, but now she grew anxious.

She let out a small cry, then tugged at Old Master Zhao’s sleeve and called him a few times, her voice carrying a hint of urgency, “...Grandpa! You said you’d help me.”

This time Old Master Zhao didn’t follow her. He pulled his arm out of her hold and gently patted her back.

The comforting meaning was obvious, but he had no intention of speaking for her again.

Jiang Ji slightly nodded to Old Master Zhao, then turned to the executive assistant office. “Assistant Ying, come over and see the guests out.”

…

Ji Mingzhu touched up her lipstick again in the elevator before gracefully stepping out.

She wondered what others had thought when she walked out of the office just now.

But when she thought about her last sentence, which had cut off Jiang Ji’s chance to respond, her mood brightened again.

She walked through the ground-floor lobby of Jiang Corporation. After passing the front desk, the girls there gathered together again.

—“After thinking it over, it should be the Miss from the Ji family, right?”

—“I think so too. Even though we still didn’t see her face, just that figure, that back view, that perfect back of the head—she’s absolutely stunning.”

—“Have to say, she stayed up there for a long time before coming down, hehe.”

In a few short exchanges, the focus shifted again. The unspeakable things between the cold President Jiang and his alluring fiancée in the top-floor office instantly became a new topic.

Of course, Ji Mingzhu would never know any of this.

After leaving Jiang Corporation, she walked directly to nearby Lise Avenue. Since it was close, she didn’t feel tired.

Having not seen sunlight for so long, basking in warmth now made her feel relaxed.

Ji Mingzhu suddenly remembered what Ji Shaoyan had told her at lunch. She decided to take this opportunity to pick up the necklace matching the cufflinks.

She walked into the store. The manager greeted her warmly. Although Ji Mingzhu hadn’t come for a long time, she left a deep impression.

While the sales assistant went to fetch the necklace, her WeChat vibrated.

Ji Mingzhu opened it and saw it was the agent who had previously helped her find a yoga instructor.

Agent: Miss Ji, regarding your request for a one-on-one yoga instructor, we’ve matched one for you. Her detailed resume and personal information have been sent to your email as a document. Please check it.

Agent: If everything is fine, you can add her now. This is her WeChat contact card.

Agent: The agent has recommended someone to you — [Music Box].

Ji Mingzhu opened her email and skimmed quickly, feeling very satisfied.

She wanted a one-on-one arrangement for a better experience and to exercise. Sometimes when inspiration struck, or when she had too much free time, Ji Mingzhu would edit videos late into the night.

This yoga instructor’s resume was very clean. Born in Jiangnan, apparently a returnee, around her parents’ generation in age.

From the photos sent, her figure was indeed as graceful and gentle as a Jiangnan woman.

Seeing this, she opened WeChat and directly tapped the agent’s chat box—

Ji Mingzhu: Okay, thank you.

…

Ji Mingzhu didn’t stay long on Lise Avenue. After taking the necklace, she walked back to Park Hyatt Residence.

Actually, when she was in Australia, she had already obtained an international driver’s license during her studies and had bought a car there.

But in Yin City, perhaps because she had just returned not long ago, she hadn’t arranged anything yet.

Some time ago Ji Shaoyan had asked her about this, but Ji Mingzhu had been busy packing to move to Park Hyatt Residence and forgot about it in the blink of an eye.

But it didn’t matter. She could go look another day when she had time.

After all, sometimes having her own vehicle would be much more convenient.

Probably because it was winter, evening fell especially quickly.

By the time she returned to Park Hyatt, night had descended. Dense ink-black darkness carried a chill as it pressed down, and the city center was already brightly lit.

Ji Mingzhu came directly from the entry elevator. Looking around, the house was pitch dark and dim—there should be no one inside.

Which meant Jiang Ji probably hadn’t returned yet.

At the circular foyer, motion-sensing lights were installed. When she stepped down to change shoes, the lights inside lit up one by one with the owner’s return, warm and homely.

Ji Mingzhu had answered a call from Lian Tang when she came out of the elevator and hadn’t hung up yet.

Lian Tang’s voice came through amid noise—she had probably gone bar-hopping again—

“Little Eight, I saw your WeChat. Have you arrived yet?”

“Mm, I just got here.” Ji Mingzhu tilted her head to hold the phone and responded.

“Why didn’t you let Jiang Ji pick you up?”

Ji Mingzhu slipped on her slippers and snorted. “No thanks. He’s busy with everything. If I let him pick me up, I’d probably get back in the middle of the night.”

The background on Lian Tang’s side was extremely noisy, but the teasing tone remained—

“Oh wow~ sounds like a bit of a resentful wife~~”

“Stop right there.” Ji Mingzhu protested. “I thought about it carefully—he was probably doing it on purpose, messing my mouth up like that. Jiang Ji, that jerk.”

As Ji Mingzhu spoke, she walked into the living room. After a few sentences, she hung up.

Then she lifted her eyes, and her steps stopped immediately.

By the bar counter near the kitchen island stood a tall figure.

Jiang Ji had been silently watching her ever since she came out of the foyer, his gaze following her.

“A jerk?” He crossed his arms, raised his brow slightly, and spoke lightly. “If I remember correctly, this morning you were calling me darling.”

Author’s note:

[Mini Theater:]

Ji Ji: The kind of dirty I want isn’t just lipstick.

Zhu Zhu: ?

Ji Ji: Another way. Come.

Zhu Zhu: …

There are red packets for twenty-five words! You all love me, right! [—from a bald author who wants not only comments but also a certain liquid] Thanks to the little angels who cast overlord tickets or irrigated nutrient solution between 2020-01-28 03:30:56 and 2020-01-29 00:48:21~

Thanks to those who threw mines: 39370390, Lord Juan’s Little Whale, Kurihara Yukiき, Di Shengsheng’s Big Fan 1;

Thanks to those who poured nutrient solution: Ni Ni-chan 60 bottles; You Little Fairy 15 bottles; Zhong Wu 8 bottles; Kurihara Yukiき, Ah~Nigu!, Qiao Qiao Qiao Qiao Qiao Qiao 5 bottles; Red Bean Strawberry, Luo Xi Ah- 4 bottles; Don’t Eat Mango, Wutong Qiao Tree, Drunk, BTS’s Little Kid, Yu Yu Yu Yu 3 bottles; Di Shengsheng’s Big Fan, Rui’er Who Loves Peaches, Lantern Lighting the Rivers and Mountains, 24093133, Li Yangyang mio 2 bottles; Little Sun?, Vanilla Cream Oreo, Lifetime, Mountain P’s Wife, Ye Qi, Muddleheaded, aili, Feng He Ji Ji, Wu Yueyue 1 bottle;

Thank you very much for everyone’s support, I will continue to work hard!