Chapter 32

Chapter 32 Rose x Kiss

“...So… you do have time then?” Ji Mingzhu tilted her head, elbow propped on the table, looking at him like that.

“The Jiang Group isn’t that inhumane. I normally still have weekends off.” Jiang Ji flipped a page of the newspaper, still not looking at her.

Normal weekends off, my foot.

Previously, Ji Mingzhu saw him living in cycles counted by months, busy running around—when had he ever had normal weekends.

“According to your description, then why weren’t you normal before?”

As Ji Mingzhu spoke, she reversed her hand onto the marble tabletop and lightly tapped twice, making a crisp sound.

“Whether I’m normal or not, you should know very well.” Jiang Ji picked up his coffee cup and replied slowly.

“…Hm?” Ji Mingzhu didn’t understand, lifting her eyes with a hint of confusion to look at him.

“Nothing.”

Jiang Ji put the coffee cup on the table, closed the newspaper, and stood up.

He adjusted his collar. “I’m going to the company. I might not come back on time tonight. You don’t need to wait for me.”

“When you come back, I might not be here either. My daily life is quite rich.” Ji Mingzhu blinked. “Especially at night.”

“I can tell.” Jiang Ji lowered his eyes and added, “When you were drunk last night.”

It would’ve been better if he hadn’t mentioned it. Once he did, Ji Mingzhu again thought of the scene of her holding his face and twisting in all sorts of ways.

Holding his face was one thing—but twisting like that… what was she doing!

Ji Mingzhu only felt like ants were biting her face, an itchy sensation rising, that same feeling returning.

Her cheeks warmed slightly, and she secretly glanced up at Jiang Ji.

He was tall with long legs and a lean frame, so when she actually sat on his lap, it wasn’t very comfortable; his bones were hard as hell.

Really like spring bamboo shoots breaking through the soil, pressing painfully against her.

And later, the part pressing against her suddenly became hot, for no reason.

In short, hugging Jiang Ji didn’t have any fancy points—just smelled nice.

Such a noble and handsome president, yet not even as comfortable to hold as Sally the chicken.

She just didn’t know what it would be like to beat him.

“Do you have any cars you like?” Jiang Ji suddenly spoke, interrupting Ji Mingzhu’s thoughts.

Her earlobes turned pink, and she cleared her throat slightly. “…Like? Doesn’t seem so.”

As for car styles, she truly didn’t have any she particularly liked. Ji Mingzhu loved collecting shoes; comparatively, ten pairs of shoes would make her happier.

Among the men she had interacted with, Ji Shaoyan and Jiang Ji both had many cars. But Ji Shaoyan’s tastes were much wilder, with all kinds, spanning many fields, domestic and imported, too many to count.

Jiang Ji, on the other hand, regardless of brand, always chose black models—low-key luxury, mostly without much variation.

However… speaking seriously, Ji Mingzhu also had her own aesthetic.

“I prefer smaller ones, I guess. The color doesn’t need to be too flashy.” As a means of transportation, as long as it worked, it was fine.

Ji Mingzhu even suspected that after a few days of driving, she’d go back to freeloading rides from Uncle Lin again.

“I know a private dealership. I’ll take you there then.”

After saying that, Jiang Ji walked around the table and headed straight for the entryway.

At the moment they passed each other, Ji Mingzhu hooked her foot and rubbed it against his leg.

Jiang Ji stopped immediately when she hooked him like that, his gaze unreadable.

“Who told you to rub my leg just now. Returning it to you.”

She said it with complete confidence.

“Then you were handsy with me yesterday—should I return it now?”

As he spoke, Jiang Ji looked like he was about to walk over and kiss her.

Ji Mingzhu quickly dodged and waved him away. “Why are you so petty?!”

She had been drunk—if she really did something improper, she at least had an excuse.

And at this moment, the sentence he once said, “It’s not like we haven’t kissed before,” could be returned to him.

“If I were really petty, you wouldn’t have slept on the bay window last night.” Jiang Ji glanced at his wristwatch and stepped toward the entryway.

“Jiang Ji, I’ve discovered—you’re very talkative today.” Ji Mingzhu lazily turned around, watching him press the elevator.

Hearing this, he paused. Before the elevator doors opened, he looked over at her.

“I’m leaving.”

……

Today, when Jiang Ji arrived at the company, it was later than usual.

Although he still wore that cold face and still emitted a “keep strangers away” aura, in the eyes of the executive assistant office—the boss was in a good mood today.

This kind of change in aura was hard to describe in words.

In short, it could only be understood, not explained.

Jiang Ji had three executive assistants in total, all matched after he took over the Jiang Group. Strictly speaking, they hadn’t followed him for very long.

Assistant Ying had previously worked within the Jiang Group. He firmly grasped the group’s internal and external situation, was most favored by Jiang Ji, handled matters efficiently, and had the strongest overall ability. So Jiang Ji brought him along in most situations.

Assistant Qian and Assistant Tian had only recently graduated with master’s degrees. They were young talents personally selected by Jiang Ji.

Because of their outstanding abilities and impressive resumes, while assisting Jiang Ji, they respectively handled multilingual translation and external liaison affairs.

Now, after Jiang Ji entered the office and his figure disappeared inside, Assistant Qian leaned toward Assistant Ying. “Did you notice? President Jiang talked a bit more today.”

“Did he?” Assistant Ying looked at him across the desk.

“Of course! Usually he responds with single words—today he actually used two!”

Jiang Ji spoke so little it bordered on cold-blooded. It wasn’t that he was lazy to talk, but rather an innate sense of distance.

This lofty demeanor didn’t feel abrupt or unpleasant—only natural.

Even toward the three assistants who were relatively close and saw him daily, he didn’t show much emotional fluctuation.

Normally it was “Mm,” “Speak,” “Okay,” and similar words. Only during work reports would he say a bit more.

“Anyway, I think President Jiang is in a good mood today.”

Assistant Tian, hearing this, chimed in, “You’re not alone. I think so too. And the boss actually came this late today—never happened before.”

“Right!—The day before yesterday too. The boss worked all night, and after finishing last night, he just left immediately.”

The two grew more excited until Assistant Ying spoke.

“Working hours. Don’t gossip.”

Assistant Qian and Assistant Tian belonged to a newer working style—sloppy when not busy, but very focused and excellent when serious.

Different from Assistant Ying, who was rigid and looked honest.

Hearing him, Assistant Qian closed his mouth.

But then he asked again—“Then can I post office observations on the executive assistant office’s Weibo?”

A few days ago, Assistant Qian had responded on Weibo in his own way on behalf of Jiang Ji, receiving praise both inside and outside the group. Even the company forum gained him fans, so he felt he had achieved a “great feat,” finally beating Assistant Ying in some way.

Assistant Ying looked at him speechlessly. “It’s better not to publicize President Jiang’s private matters.”

“Got it.” After saying that, Assistant Qian sighed. “Ah, boring. The only thing I can look forward to now is Miss Ji’s next visit.”

Assistant Tian looked at him, quite surprised. “That’s President Jiang’s fiancée. What are you looking forward to?!”

Assistant Qian shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. You can tell you guys have never been in love. Think about it—lipstick and Weibo, how explosive! I think our President Jiang only looks cold on the outside. Who knows how deep he hides things inside.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the office door slowly opened, and Jiang Ji walked out.

Three piercing gazes immediately followed, all turning toward him at once.

Jiang Ji spoke lightly, “What’s wrong with my inside?”

Assistant Qian: “……………”

What could be more hellish than badmouthing the boss and getting caught on the spot? :)

……

After seeing Jiang Ji off, Ji Mingzhu simply tidied the dining table. She didn’t need to go to yoga class today.

Three times a week basically meant going every other day.

Ji Mingzhu had her day planned—edit videos in the afternoon, and if she wasn’t busy at night, go out and meet people.

She shuffled in her slippers, about to play some video games in the living room. Before the screen even fully turned on, the entry elevator sounded its arrival tone.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t turn her head, assuming Jiang Ji had come back.

“So President Jiang forgets things too?”

“Miss!”

But the voice wasn’t the one she expected.

Ji Mingzhu immediately turned around. Looking closely, it was Aunt Li.

“Aunt Li, why are you here?”

Aunt Li laughed cheerfully. “I’ve been wanting to visit you. I asked your dad today, and he said you weren’t sleeping, so I got the password here and came to see you.”

“I came to cook for you!” She lifted the large basket of vegetables in her hand. “I went to the premium supermarket early this morning and bought lots of things you like. I planned to come later, but plans can’t keep up with changes.”

“So much.” Ji Mingzhu walked over and peeked inside, smiling. “But the fridge here is already full. How will we store it?”

“Full?” Aunt Li looked puzzled. “Then I’ll cook everything today for you.”

Ji Mingzhu handed her slippers. “Mm-hmm. The fridge here has never been empty.”

Aunt Li smiled even wider. “Little Jiang prepared it?”

“I just heard you mistake me for him,” Aunt Li said while changing shoes. “You two seem to get along quite well.”

“Not really… just like that…” Ji Mingzhu helped carry the bags. “We see each other all the time. Aunt Li, you understand me.”

“Oh, of course I understand.” Aunt Li winked at Ji Mingzhu, smiling meaningfully.

“……….”

Since Aunt Li was here, Ji Mingzhu’s lunch was settled.

Aunt Li really followed through—she cooked all the ingredients she bought, practically a “Manchu-Han Imperial Feast.”

“Aunt Li, you made so much. I definitely can’t finish it.”

“If you can’t finish, reheat it tonight. I won’t say much else, but my cooking can’t be compared to takeout. You two young people—what dishes can you make? You definitely don’t take care of yourselves.”

She was actually mistaken.

Jiang Ji was quite good at cooking.

By the time Ji Mingzhu finished eating, her stomach felt round and full. Only then did Aunt Li look satisfied, as if she had truly been “starving the child” before.

Aunt Li came mainly to help Ji Mingzhu tidy up and clean, and wouldn’t listen no matter how much she was persuaded.

In the end, Ji Mingzhu lay crookedly on the bed, still hearing Aunt Li muttering, “Should I go clean Little Jiang’s side too?”

“No need. There’s not a speck of dust there—clean to the extreme.” Ji Mingzhu paused. “Like an operating room.”

Aunt Li responded, “Oh my, you’ve been to the opposite side?”

“I went to borrow something.”

Borrowing the bay window also counts as… borrowing something!

Ji Mingzhu paused, as if unwilling to lose. “Anyway, he’s been to my place too.”

“Got it, got it.” Aunt Li laughed. “Anyway, when necessary, ah, no matter which room you’re in, you still need to take key precautions.”

Ji Mingzhu thought for quite a while before understanding what Aunt Li meant.

Was it that… precaution… she was thinking of?

“…Aunt Li!” she called softly. “…What does that even have to do with anything?”

“I meant close the door properly when you sleep at night. Your place is big—easy to catch drafts and get cold at night. What are you thinking about?” Aunt Li looked up curiously.

Ji Mingzhu was so embarrassed she almost went mute. After a long moment she said quietly, “It’s temperature-controlled here, I won’t catch a cold. Please don’t worry about me sleeping badly.”

“What do you know? A lot of things seep in slowly. If you don’t pay attention, that cold air goes straight into your calves…”

Aunt Li’s nagging started again. Ji Mingzhu half listened, half didn’t, leaning in the corner of the bed, responding absentmindedly.

While cleaning, Aunt Li found the music box on Ji Mingzhu’s bedside table.

“You even brought this over.” Aunt Li looked at Ji Mingzhu playing with her phone on the bed. “You child really are nostalgic.”

Ji Mingzhu looked over, something stirring in her heart. She called softly, “Aunt Li.”

“Do we still have any photos of my mom at home?”

When Qi Yan passed away, Ji Mingzhu was still young. She didn’t remember her appearance, and her memories were few.

After she grew up, Ji Shaoyan also didn’t allow any related photos to be displayed at home.

“Why are you asking this? There aren’t any left, not a single one.” Aunt Li patted Ji Mingzhu’s head. “Don’t ask your dad about this.”

“These years haven’t been easy for him either—you’ve seen it.”

“But recently I even saw gossip about him and some young model in an entertainment magazine… not stopping at all!” Ji Mingzhu immediately retorted.

“Those rumors are just hearsay. If you ask me whether they’re true, Aunt Li doesn’t know either.” After saying that, she added slowly, “But those things from before should all be in the past.”

“Besides, isn’t there someone like that at home now.”

Aunt Li was referring to Shu Yuhua.

Ji Mingzhu looked at the music box, her gaze fixed. “But I don’t like her.”

She rarely disliked people, and Shu Yuhua was one of them.

Moreover, this was the kind of dislike she openly admitted.

“After all, she’s only moved in, not married yet. And think about it—from childhood to now, has anything your dad arranged for you been something you didn’t like? He dotes on you the most.” Aunt Li smiled, comforting her.

Ji Mingzhu was focused on the Shu Yuhua matter. Hearing Aunt Li’s words, she felt they made some sense.

………

In the afternoon, Aunt Li went to the guest room for a nap.

Ji Mingzhu had no mood to relax, so she simply went to the small attic to edit the video from the hot spring winery trip.

There was a lot of new footage. She wanted to make a special feature about it. The previous material about Yin City scenery was temporarily shelved—the north city part had been forced to stop, and the south line would be explored later.

After going back and forth, she decided to first make a hot spring winery theme.

But during editing, Jiang Ji’s face inevitably appeared.

Ji Mingzhu looked at him displayed on the big screen, her thoughts drifting.

Seriously speaking, she really had to thank him.

If she used these three days and two nights of content for editing, just the aerial scenery shot from the helicopter was already wonderful enough.

When she came down from the attic humming a tune, Aunt Li was already busy preparing dinner.

Along with the leftovers from noon, it was another round of a “Manchu-Han Imperial Feast” in the evening.

Aunt Li probably thought she and Jiang Ji ate grass all day; Ji Mingzhu felt both amused and helpless.

“Aunt Li, didn’t you say reheating lunch would be enough? Why are you still cooking?”

“How could that work? Eating too many leftovers isn’t healthy, better make something fresh.” Aunt Li’s voice came from the kitchen counter. “I also made a portion for Little Jiang.”

“Take it easy. He’ll probably come back late, and might not eat here at Park Hyatt.”

“I’ll cook first. What if he comes back right away? That won’t hurt, right?”

Aunt Li said it casually, but it really came true, like a prophet.

Not long after mealtime, Jiang Ji returned.

Seeing Aunt Li, he wasn’t too surprised. He greeted her briefly and went to change clothes first.

After the meal, Aunt Li insisted on leaving.

“There are plenty of rooms here—why not stay the night? You said you missed me, yet you insist on leaving.”

Ji Mingzhu walked to the entryway, trying to hold Aunt Li back.

“I won’t disturb you two young people. With my old bones, I sleep better in the bed at the Ji residence. I’ll come by often in the future and cook for you two.”

“You’re going back alone—should someone see you off?” Ji Mingzhu said this, unaware that Jiang Ji had already stood up behind her.

Aunt Li noticed first and waved her hand toward Jiang Ji. “No need. Your dad knew I was coming to see you and arranged someone.”

“Then be careful on the way.”

“Mm, alright, I’m leaving.”

Ji Mingzhu watched the slowly closing elevator doors, looking reluctant to part.

“When did Aunt Li come today?” Jiang Ji asked, seeing her lose energy.

“Not long after you left this morning.” Ji Mingzhu sat on the sofa beside him and looked at him. “Didn’t you say you might come back late tonight? Why so early?”

“Didn’t you also say your nightlife was rich, and you might not be here when I returned?”

“I said not necessarily.”

“Mine was also a possibility.”

Ji Mingzhu rolled her eyes dramatically and stood up. “I’m going back to my room first.”

“Mm. In a few days I’ll take you to look at cars.”

Ji Mingzhu paused mid-step, as if thinking of something. A sudden guess rose in her mind.

She turned back, stepped quickly toward him, and stopped in front of Jiang Ji.

“Jiang Ji.”

He didn’t respond, only raised his eyes to look at her.

“You came back so early today… you weren’t trying to catch me and see whether I actually went to—have a rich nightlife, were you?”

Jiang Ji didn’t even blink, still calm and composed. “What do you think?”

“…………”

Ji Mingzhu was too lazy to guess.

But thinking with her toes, Jiang Ji probably wasn’t that bored, right?

……

Ji Mingzhu returned to her room, confirmed the next day’s yoga class with Teacher Liu, then logged onto her Weibo and posted a preview of the next video’s theme.

Of the photos taken at the hot spring winery before, aside from the ones she posted on Moments, she kept some exclusive ones.

After posting those photos, Ji Mingzhu interacted with her fans for a while.

Probably because she had eaten well at noon and at night, Ji Mingzhu curled up on the bed, looking out the window, and suddenly felt infinitely satisfied, as if life now gave her something to look forward to.

Through the gauze window, the winter night was faintly visible—deep and heavy black, with a thin layer of mist on the glass.

Unknowingly, Yin City had already entered midwinter.

For some reason, the craving stirred by alcohol quietly rose again in Ji Mingzhu’s heart.

If there was a chance, she would have to instigate Jiang Ji to reserve a few more boxes. The previous wine really tasted good.

But in order not to harm his “chicken.”

She decided to drink secretly by herself.

Just as she opened the door and stepped into the corridor, from the crack of the door of the opposite room came repeated sounds.

Like the vibration of a phone.

It was probably placed on the table; the contact made the vibration grow louder each time.

Blatantly carrying through.

Ji Mingzhu originally planned to sneak past Jiang Ji’s place directly to the wine cellar, but the vibration showed no sign of stopping.

It paused midway, then quickly rang again, urgent like a death summons.

Seeing this—

Jiang Ji… wasn’t there?

Ji Mingzhu paused, and tentatively called toward the inside, “…Jiang Ji?”

There was no response, completely quiet.

She didn’t think much of it, pushed the door open, and looked around. There was indeed no one.

But then she noticed the frosted glass of the bathroom was covered with a layer of mist, unclear.

Jiang Ji was probably showering inside.

Ji Mingzhu lingered for a moment, found the phone on the table, and glanced at the caller ID.

It showed [Assistant Ying].

Seeing this, could it be something urgent?

Ji Mingzhu picked up the phone and slid to answer, planning to tell Assistant Ying to call back later. But as soon as it connected, Assistant Ying didn’t give any buffer and spoke directly.

“President Jiang, about the proposal we just checked this afternoon—the partner’s person in charge called tonight saying they want to change the upper limit of concessions. They asked me to get your opinion.”

“Uh… Assistant Ying?” Ji Mingzhu spoke slowly after listening.

The voice on the other end paused, then quickly returned to normal.

“Miss Ji?”

“Mm, it’s me. Jiang Ji is showering, it’s not convenient for him to answer. Call back later.”

Assistant Ying was silent for two seconds, then responded, “Okay.”

“But Miss Ji, you must remember to tell President Jiang before certain things, otherwise I’m afraid it’ll delay time.”

Showering would only take a moment; she would definitely pass the message along.

But what did he mean by “delay”…?

“Got it, it’ll be quick. I’ll pass it along in a bit. If you’re worried, you can call again in ten minutes. Jiang Ji will definitely be out by then. Do you think that—ah!”

Ji Mingzhu’s words turned abruptly halfway through.

Her volume suddenly shot up.

On the other end of the receiver, Assistant Ying, who had been listening the whole time and hadn’t been able to hang up: ?

Then Ji Mingzhu’s voice came through again.

Her tone carried a bit of disbelief and shock—

“Jiang Ji! You… why aren’t you wearing clothes!”

Assistant Ying: “……….”

Listening to this “live broadcast,” his heart pounded in alarm.

Author’s note: 【Mini Theater】:

Chicken Chicken: When it presses against you like that, there will be more in the future.

Pig Pig: ?

Chicken Chicken: Most at night.

Pig Pig: Jiang Ji, you’re not human! [covering bunny bunny] [covering butt]

【Second update combined】Sorry everyone, honestly every time it’s this late, I might not just go bald but be completely bald qwq

So twenty-five words get a red envelope! 【Deep bow——】Thanks to the little angels who threw overlord tickets or irrigated nutrient solution during 2020-02-11 07:08:28~2020-02-12 08:35:55~

Thanks to the little angels who threw grenades: Gou Dan’s Little Goldfish 1;

Thanks to the little angels who threw mines: Le Han 3; yoon, Crowing at Three to Wake Up, Orange Little Sister 1;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: sadness゜Demon 9 bottles; Orange Orange’s Sauce w, real—pcy, Above!, Tingting’er ah, kkpig 5 bottles; Shi Jiu eh, vic Song toria, Wutong Qiao Tree 3 bottles; 37857597, Xiao Kai dd. 2 bottles; Fence Box 丷, fish ya, Vanilla Sandwich Oreo, Your Little Sweetie, Jiaying Baby, Nan Li 1 bottle;

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