Chapter 30

Chapter 30 Rose x Kiss

Ji Mingzhu: 【Nothing in particular I want to eat, just stir-fried little orchid.】

Jiang Ji’s message came in again at this time.

Jiang Ji: 【Mm】

After replying, Ji Mingzhu steadied herself, switched the phone interface, and didn’t continue looking at the comments on Weibo.

In short, everything had settled.

Someone at Zhao Lan’s level no longer needed to deliberately appear in Ji Mingzhu’s field of vision.

If they ran into each other at some banquet later, the one who would feel uncomfortable would ultimately be Zhao Lan herself, not Ji Mingzhu.

Because…

To a certain extent, Jiang Ji’s move without exception showed his attitude toward Zhao Lan—simple and clear.

Anyone perceptive could see it.

People in the circle didn’t even need mentioning.

But Jiang Ji’s words were never false. Judging only from how familiar he seemed with the name “Zhao Lan” before, within his own cognition, he and Zhao Lan might indeed be strangers.

And as for familiarity, among the friends around him, there were only a few.

Thinking of this, Ji Mingzhu focused.

She wondered… in his heart… what level of relationship she was?

A partner to live together with?

A woman under the same roof?

But no matter what the specific answer was, she could not possibly know.

Ji Mingzhu only knew that right now, a feeling like new shoots sprouting suddenly surged in her heart.

New life, shooting up, falling away, over and over.

Like a beach near the equator, blazing under the scorching sun.

Fierce, burning, yet at the same time receiving the rise and fall of the tide, the sea constantly surging up and quietly receding, leaving a floating sensation.

At that instant in the center of the spark, Ji Mingzhu thought she would just drift across the peak of the heat wave. Yet the next second, that coolness came again, little by little soothing the heart.

After a long time, her heart still couldn’t completely calm down.

It kept beating in a kind of tightened, swollen sensation.

After completely losing the desire to do anything else, Ji Mingzhu checked the time and sent another message.

Ji Mingzhu: 【In that case, what time will you come back tonight?】

Jiang Ji: 【There’s quite a lot to do, but it shouldn’t be too late.】

Ji Mingzhu: 【Oh~~~】

But although Jiang Ji answered like that, later in the evening he came again to tell Ji Mingzhu he was a bit busy and probably wouldn’t come back.

He told her to order takeout herself to settle dinner, no need to wait for him.

Ji Mingzhu actually wasn’t so useless that she couldn’t do anything. She cooked herself a bowl of frozen Japanese ramen, which counted as solving her hunger.

Afterward she grabbed some ready-to-eat seaweed, eating while curling up by the sofa.

After idling, her yoga class should finally be attended.

To avoid future stiffness or slackness of the body, Ji Mingzhu felt that not only for health, but even for maintaining her figure, such classes were very necessary.

Ji Mingzhu: 【Teacher, for tomorrow or the day after, might you have time?】

Ji Mingzhu: 【I’m relatively free these days, not busy anymore.】

The yoga classes all start in a fixed period, and afterward follow a cyclical schedule. If you stop midway or halfway through, the effect might not be that good.

Various factors needed to be considered and taken care of, and Ji Mingzhu also chose a day when she herself wasn’t so busy.

After sending it, Ji Mingzhu didn’t look at it again and picked up the tablet to watch videos.

After who knew how long, Ji Mingzhu finished watching all the mukbangs she had saved, and only then did a reply come from the other side.

Music Box: Mm, okay.

Music Box: Sorry for replying a bit late, actually I still don’t really know how to use the phone.

Music Box: Miss Ji, then let’s do tomorrow afternoon from two to four. You can come a bit earlier, and we can discuss the arrangements for future classes?

Miss Ji: It’s fine.

Miss Ji: Okay, then it’s settled.

Music Box: Mm, see you tomorrow.

After receiving the confirmed reply, Ji Mingzhu unconsciously glanced again toward the entrance.

Jiang Ji wouldn’t come back tonight.

She stood up, stretched, and looked around the interior of Park Hyatt Residence.

It had to be said, it was quite spacious.

…

The next day Ji Mingzhu got up early, did some stretching for herself, carefully dressed up, and only then went out around the time close to lunch.

Jiang Ji still hadn’t returned, probably still busy.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t want to trouble him over this kind of matter. So she asked Uncle Lin to pick her up. Uncle Lin had been idle lately; hearing she was going out, he was very happy.

“Miss Mingzhu, it’s been quite lively online recently. I also saw that response.” While driving, Uncle Lin suddenly said this.

“Ah…” Ji Mingzhu almost choked on her breath, “Uncle Lin… you also go online?”

It had only been one night, and it had already spread to Uncle Lin.

“I don’t go online often. Madam told me. She said the young master flew into a rage for a beauty and clarified his relationship and misunderstanding with someone online, haha.”

That sentence carried quite a lot of information.

At the very least, Ji Mingzhu felt that Lin Manxi’s side should already know.

One spreads to ten, ten to a hundred, plus today’s internet technology is so developed.

Ji Mingzhu could guess with her toes that in their circle, various small groups were probably already discussing it to the point of uproar.

“I’m not saying this casually, Miss Mingzhu, you should also know, the young master is really beyond reproach in this aspect. I’ve never seen him get close to any girl before. Previously Madam had always been worried, thinking the young master… maybe in that regard…”

“……….”

The art of speaking was quite particular.

The two pauses Uncle Lin deliberately made were hard to put into words, yet still understandable.

Uncle Lin seemed to have the posture of going on endlessly. On the way he even turned on music as accompaniment.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t chat much with him before they arrived at the yoga class.

But it was indeed close to Lishe Avenue; it didn’t take long by car.

“Miss Mingzhu, if you need me to pick you up, just call me directly.” Uncle Lin slowly stopped the car and looked toward her in the back.

“Okay, Uncle Lin, but it’ll probably be quite a while. You don’t need to wait for me on purpose.”

Ji Mingzhu said this for a reason.

Uncle Lin sometimes was really stubborn, extremely straightforward.

Ji Mingzhu still remembered back in middle school, she was taken by Ji Shaoyan to the Jiang family. Because there really wasn’t anything fun at the Jiang residence, while the adults were chatting, she reported to Ji Shaoyan midway and asked Lian Tang to go together to stroll around the newly opened dessert shop, then return to the Jiang residence in the evening to have dinner together.

As long as she wandered outside, Uncle Lin waited just as long.

She already felt quite embarrassed back then, let alone now when she thought about it again.

But Ji Mingzhu also knew Uncle Lin was truly kind. This old grandpa, like Jiang family’s parents, genuinely liked her.

At that time she was willful and had a big temper, yet it attracted some elders’ particular favoritism.

Hearing Ji Mingzhu’s words, Uncle Lin smiled warmly, the two tufts of white beard lifting with his smile.

“No need to worry. I’ve been quite free lately. The young master doesn’t let me help with anything either. At my age there isn’t much to do anyway, I can only run errands. You don’t need to mind me.”

“Got it.” Ji Mingzhu couldn’t argue with Uncle Lin and ran off carrying her bag.

…

The yoga classroom was located in another building on Lishe Avenue, separate from the clothing and accessories.

This side mostly provided services like high-end clubs and boutique postpartum care centers.

After Ji Mingzhu went in, she was led by the person in charge to an exclusive private room.

One wall was embedded with a full-length floor mirror. Opposite the mirror were windows covered with gauze curtains. The light filtered in hazily—not dim, but bright enough.

The room gave a fresh and warm feeling, making it easy to relax.

Because it was one-on-one instruction, Ji Mingzhu changed clothes and sat on a wooden bench to wait.

Before long, the door creaked.

Someone slowly walked in, footsteps light.

“…Is it Miss Ji?”

The call was soft, the voice especially gentle.

Like drifting mist in Jiangnan, between grey bricks and dark tiles by the water.

When Ji Mingzhu suddenly heard it, she felt it somewhat familiar.

This kind of speaking tone, when she first heard it, almost made her think it was Shu Yuhua.

But Shu Yuhua’s voice was pinched, deliberately affected gentleness. That soft Wu-accent tone—if it were to sound good, it really required being raised by that region, yet Shu Yuhua herself was not from Jiangnan.

So it only sounded strange.

In fact, earlier Ji Mingzhu had heard rumors that Shu Yuhua being able to move into the Ji family had something to do with Ji Mingzhu’s deceased mother.

Ji Mingzhu’s mother came from Jiangnan. The manner Shu Yuhua imitated resembled that previous lady by seventy to eighty percent.

But Ji Mingzhu couldn’t ask.

Ji Shaoyan had long forbidden the family from mentioning anything related to it. Even a photograph was not allowed to be displayed.

In an instant, many thoughts flashed through her mind.

Ji Mingzhu froze for a moment, then quickly came back to her senses. She turned around and replied, “Mm… it’s me.”

“Then I’ll introduce myself? I’m your yoga teacher from now on. My name is Liu Xi.”

Liu Xi’s tone was still gentle.

“Teacher Liu, I’m Ji Mingzhu.”

After Ji Mingzhu said her name and stood straight, her gaze fell directly forward, and then she froze on the spot.

The person in front of her…

A feeling similar to familiarity surged overwhelmingly.

It was as if, in the vast world, ropes guided by fate swayed and eventually tangled together.

This sense of familiarity was very strong, yet carried a hint of approaching unfamiliarity.

Ji Mingzhu froze in place, just looking at her.

Previously she had seen an ID photo; there had been deliberate formal attire and retouching distortion, so Ji Mingzhu only glanced at it briefly and didn’t see clearly.

Now the two faced each other, everything became clear again.

This Teacher Liu, though already past forty, looked very young. Because her features were gentle and beautiful, the whole person was like a pool of spring water, appearing only in her early thirties.

“What’s wrong?” Seeing Ji Mingzhu’s slight abnormality, she leaned closer and asked softly.

“Perhaps… do you know the Ji family in the south of the city?”

Liu Xi smiled and shook her head. “Ji? I only know Miss Ji—you.”

Ji Mingzhu’s heart suddenly tightened, as if something urged her to grasp at it.

“Forgive my abruptness… I want to ask… do you have any relatives with the surname Qi in the country?”

Ji Mingzhu’s mother came from the long-declined, little-known Qi family in Jiangnan. After Qi Yan’s plane accident, the Qi parents also passed away not long afterward.

From then on, the Ji family and the Qi family cut off contact.

The previous information showed Liu Xi was an overseas Chinese who had returned. She had been living in Switzerland and only recently came back with her aging parents to visit relatives, probably intending to stay in the country long-term.

Logically there was no connection, but this inexplicable sense of closeness made her eyes ache.

Ji Mingzhu couldn’t control herself and finally asked.

Liu Xi thought for a long time, and then answered seriously.

“Sorry, I not only don’t really know how to use a phone, my memory isn’t very good either. I can’t remember too many things, probably because I’m getting older.”

After a pause, she slowly added, “I thought about what you said. I indeed don’t have any relatives surnamed Qi. I had always been living in Switzerland.”

After Liu Xi finished speaking, she looked at the little girl in front of her, not understanding why her expression seemed so melancholy at this moment, like a delicate yet fragile glass doll.

For some reason, she couldn’t bear to see Ji Mingzhu like this either. Her chest tightened. Out of concern, she gently said, “Miss Ji, what’s wrong with you? If you’re not feeling well, we don’t have to start today.”

“It’s nothing…” Ji Mingzhu smiled. “Sorry, I just feel you look a bit like someone I knew. That person… has been gone for a very, very long time.”

Liu Xi smiled faintly. “Probably because I’m so much older than you, I look more gentle. It’s normal for you to think I resemble someone.”

After speaking, Liu Xi looked at Ji Mingzhu.

The first time she saw the little girl in front of her, she felt she was extremely beautiful, stunning.

She used to love painting and in recent years had searched for beautiful eyes.

Ji Mingzhu’s pair of peach-blossom eyes looked extremely beautiful.

Hearing Liu Xi’s explanation, Ji Mingzhu nodded.

Actually she had never seen her mother’s appearance, but looking at Liu Xi in front of her, that feeling at first meeting was just like the long-awaited reunion described in TV dramas.

Only, the crashed plane Qi Yan had taken was bound for Australia, while Liu Xi had long lived in Switzerland.

There was no connection between the two.

Moreover, Liu Xi had her own parents. Other circumstances weren’t shown in the information, but perhaps she also had a child about her age.

It wasn’t appropriate for Ji Mingzhu to ask further about others’ family matters, but she had a good impression of Liu Xi in her heart.

The two discussed the upcoming courses together, roughly setting it at three times a week, two hours each time.

Afterward, during the remaining time, Ji Mingzhu followed Liu Xi to do some basic movements before heading back.

…

After leaving Lishe Avenue, Uncle Lin was indeed still waiting.

On the way, Uncle Lin said Jiang Ji was still at the company and hadn’t returned.

“He still hasn’t come back?” Ji Mingzhu said in surprise. Jiang Ji… really had an indestructible iron body.

Many times, his excellence wasn’t without reason.

Compared to those young masters in the circle who were skilled at eating, drinking, and playing, and only held a name in the company, there were also people like Jiang Ji, but not many.

But reaching Jiang Ji’s level was even rarer, practically a scarce species.

Uncle Lin responded, “Yes, originally looking at the timing, I was planning to send you two back together.”

Hearing Uncle Lin’s words, Ji Mingzhu looked out the window. A corner of the Jiang Group’s tall buildings flashed past the car window.

Seeing such a scene, a thought suddenly flashed through Ji Mingzhu’s mind.

…

That evening, when Jiang Ji finally returned from the Jiang Group, he unexpectedly saw Ji Mingzhu waiting in the entryway.

For him previously, this was quite a rare occurrence.

She was curled in the corner of the entryway, leaning sideways against the shoe cabinet, holding her phone, eyes lowered. A bit of light hung on her dense eyelashes, scattering down, laying small shadows across her delicate nose.

Who knew what she was looking at, completely focused.

Probably hearing the sound of the entry elevator door slowly closing, she looked over. Her eyes first widened, then she closed her phone, smiling brightly.

“President Jiang is back?” Not only was her voice sweet, after saying that she hurried forward a few steps, wanting to help take the bag in his hand.

Jiang Ji stood still, only raising his eyebrow, just looking at her for a long time.

At first he didn’t move. Then seeing her expression and actions, he raised his hand slightly to block her and neatly pushed her back.

“Ji Mingzhu,” he said.

“Mm-hm?” Ji Mingzhu only responded. Her motion of reaching forward to help was blocked by Jiang Ji, so all her attention focused on it.

What kind of person was she—at critical moments she feared nothing, only concerned with achieving her goal first.

After being refused like this, Ji Mingzhu stuck close again.

“Jiang Ji, what’s wrong with you? Give it to me!” Ji Mingzhu placed her hand on his briefcase, trying to pull it over, but Jiang Ji used a bit of strength.

It didn’t move at all.

Amid the pushing and pulling, Jiang Ji spoke lightly, “Do you have something to ask me for?”

“……….”

Hearing Jiang Ji’s words, Ji Mingzhu looked up at him.

Hah. She saw he had been busy working for so long, and previously handling the scandal with Zhao Lan must have taken effort too. She had thought to be kind for once and help him relieve some pressure.

And the result… not only was he unromantic… he even thought she had something to ask him?

Many times, Ji Mingzhu couldn’t hide her expressions.

When she should be happy, she was happy; when she should be angry, she was angry.

She didn’t understand hiding, or rather, never thought to hide.

First, her environment didn’t require her to tread on thin ice. Second, she had been spoiled by Ji Shaoyan since childhood, and often disdained creating a false self.

Just like now, her delicate brows knitted slightly. When she looked at him, there was a bit of disbelief and a hint of petty anger from being misunderstood.

Her peach-blossom eyes seemed soaked in spring water. When she slightly glared, she was charming and lively, yet she herself didn’t notice.

But in the end—

How could this person be like this…

“Who said I was asking you for something? I just saw you were tired and wanted to help you carry things.”

Yesterday Jiang Ji and the Jiang Group had spent both money and effort.

She couldn’t help, but she could at least contribute at home.

Ji Mingzhu hesitated for a moment, and a stubborn thought suddenly rose in her heart. Her hand stayed on it, still not taking it down.

Jiang Ji stared at her for a while, then as if casually loosened his grip. Very quickly, the briefcase lost resistance and ended up in Ji Mingzhu’s hands.

She didn’t know what he had packed; it was quite heavy. Ji Mingzhu didn’t have time to buffer and quickly switched to holding it with both hands.

After letting go, Jiang Ji began changing shoes unhurriedly. Seeing Ji Mingzhu still standing there, he said lightly, “What, want to drink red wine again?”

Ji Mingzhu held the briefcase in her arms. Hearing him bring this up, she felt the topic had circled around.

So… what he thought her sudden kindness meant… was that she wanted to drink red wine?

“I hadn’t planned to, but since you brought it up, then I must drink when we eat later!”

Actually, it would’ve been fine if he hadn’t said anything, but once he did, Ji Mingzhu immediately agreed.

Right now she had no illnesses, no external or internal injuries.

Let’s see how Jiang Ji tries to control her—he couldn’t stop her at all!

Jiang Ji turned his face sideways and hummed ambiguously. Just as he straightened up to walk inside, Ji Mingzhu, sharp-eyed, saw what he was holding.

“Wait… what are you holding?”

Jiang Ji was carrying two very delicate small baskets.

They opened upward, semi-sealed. The outside had lacquered letters on paper packaging.

Seeing her ask, Jiang Ji slightly lifted the items in his hand toward her.

“For me?” Ji Mingzhu pointed at herself.

“Didn’t you say before you wanted to eat little orchid?” Jiang Ji paused, then slowly said, “But orchids can’t be eaten, only little blueberries.”

The first thing Jiang Ji always did after returning was go to the bedroom to change clothes.

Seeing Ji Mingzhu frozen in place, he walked closer. “Give me the briefcase, I’ll take it back to the room.”

After Ji Mingzhu handed him the bag, she watched Jiang Ji place the two boxes of fresh blueberries on the marble table.

“These don’t need washing, you can eat them directly.”

As his figure disappeared, that sentence drifted over.

Ji Mingzhu paused in place for a while, then stepped forward and opened the packaging.

Inside, the small fruits were piled full—deep blue, round, rolling slightly, with a natural whitish bloom, plump and extremely fresh-looking.

Ji Mingzhu took one and put it into her mouth, chewing lightly.

Although there wasn’t much strong flavor, it was quite juicy.

At this moment, what Ji Mingzhu was thinking was—

How exactly had Jiang Ji understood her words?

The “little orchid” she mentioned wasn’t literally “little orchid.” She had said it casually, clearly as a metaphor for someone.

But Jiang Ji not only misunderstood, he even… brought back what he thought was… a substitute?

Or, after finishing his busy work, he even specially went to buy two boxes of imported little blueberries?

Ji Mingzhu felt like she had grabbed Jiang Ji’s little tail, thinking she had discovered something remarkable.

…

At dinner, Ji Mingzhu took out the red wine she had brought back from the hot spring winery.

She tasted it carefully and felt it didn’t quite seem like red wine.

It tasted somewhere between red wine and brandy, with a slightly sweet aftertaste and a hint of freshness like soaked barley ears.

In short, it was a very novel flavor.

Ji Mingzhu had tasted wine for many years, and at this moment she felt she had found treasure. Looking at it this way, her acting spoiled to make Jiang Ji get the wine back then had been so correct!

“Jiang Ji, shall I pour you another glass?” Ji Mingzhu downed two small half-glasses in a row and only felt herself gradually getting addicted.

Jiang Ji looked at her, paused for a moment, and didn’t refuse, nodding.

The two drank casually.

During this time Ji Mingzhu grabbed a few blueberries and ate them together.

Jiang Ji had made a whole table of dishes, but Ji Mingzhu barely touched them. She drank quite a lot of wine instead.

At the end, Jiang Ji advised her, “Alright, drink less.”

Ji Mingzhu’s cheeks were flushed, but her eyes were still clear, her voice steady. “This wine isn’t intoxicating, and it tastes pretty good.”

Jiang Ji couldn’t stop her and only sipped slowly himself.

After he cleaned up the tableware and cups, put the plates into the dishwasher, and walked back to the living room, he found Ji Mingzhu leaning sideways on the sofa, staying still, as if she had fallen asleep.

Jiang Ji took a few long steps to her and shook her. “If you want to sleep, go back to the room.”

Ji Mingzhu turned over and looked at Jiang Ji, her beautiful eyes slightly open.

She just stared at him without speaking.

After who knew how long, Ji Mingzhu reached out and patted the space beside her. “Come on, sit or not.”

Her hair lay messily across her chest, her collar half undone, open like that, revealing a patch of creamy white skin.

Jiang Ji’s fingertips moved over, wanting to help her adjust it, but the moment he touched her, she grabbed him neatly.

“What are you doing?”

“Helping you pull your clothes.” Jiang Ji glanced at her, his tone extremely serious.

“Take off clothes?” Ji Mingzhu somehow heard it like that.

Even her earrings carried a warm pink. Her eyes were hazy—she was clearly tipsy, even her hair seemed soaked in drunkenness. “Stop lying! You just want to take advantage of me!”

Hearing her words, Jiang Ji didn’t respond, only raising his long brows slightly.

“You’ve taken advantage of me so many times. This time, no matter what, I have to take it back!”

Ji Mingzhu then turned her head and stretched out her hand, calling toward the empty air, “Lian Xiaotang, bring the riding whip!”

Afterward she pretended to receive it and waved it toward Jiang Ji.

Only— a faint puzzled voice floated in the air, “Eh… Jiang Ji… why doesn’t it hurt you?”

Jiang Ji’s cool face was hidden in the dim yellow light. Sitting at the side of the sofa, after a moment he slowly leaned back as if struck.

Ji Mingzhu narrowed her eyes, extremely pleased, and directly swung her legs over, sitting on him.

Ji Mingzhu’s red lips moved close. Then she lightly patted Jiang Ji’s face, making a soft sound. “Pretty boy, only this face of yours is passable.”

“Hmph— bad temper, bastard, pretending to be refined, hypocritical scum!”

After saying this firmly, Ji Mingzhu felt Jiang Ji might resist, so she immediately hooked him with her hand, pressing on his shoulder.

“Sounds like you have quite a lot of opinions about me?” Jiang Ji looked at her, his eyes dark and unclear, like rolling lava.

“Yeah… not quite a lot, but very many, super many!”

As Ji Mingzhu spoke, she leaned closer and blew a breath at him. “Not only that… I also want to tell you…”

“No, better not say it, so annoying.”

Like swatting mosquitoes, she waved her hand. Ji Mingzhu held Jiang Ji’s face, lowered her head, and directly bit onto his lips.

Author’s note:

[Mini Theater]:

Jiji: A little riding whip?

Zhuzhu: This… is a misunderstanding qwq

Jiji: If it’s used on you, then it’s not a misunderstanding.

Half an hour later—

Zhuzhu: I’m going to kill Lian Xiaotang! [covering butt]

【First update + second update combined】Pretty hefty today! Asking for praise! Still twenty-five characters for a red envelope! Mua!! Thanks to the little angels who cast overlord votes or irrigated nutrient solution during 2020-02-09 00:59:36~2020-02-10 06:27:53~

Thanks to the little angel who threw a landmine: Qiang 1;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Shen Jiangfu’s Cute Su 15 bottles; Wen Yexi, Tingting’er, Bangtan Family’s Little Kid 8 bottles; Lin Jin 5 bottles; Wutong Qiaoshu, Tianguo Yeqian 3 bottles; 34754696, Yingxue, Xiao Lüe Says He Wants to Be Number One in the World, Lemon Soda, Magical Girl biubiubiu, Never Encountered One Not Occupied, bianxiaoxian, panda Miaoqi 1 bottle;

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