Chapter 33

Chapter 33 Rose x Kiss

Along with Ji Mingzhu’s words, the half-open bathroom door let out muffled heat that rushed toward her.

Jiang Ji stood within the hazy mist, like an immortal.

“There’s a bath towel.”

Seeing her like this, Jiang Ji remained calm. His wrist turned inward, pointing downward briefly, stopping there.

Ji Mingzhu had raised one free hand to block her view. Hearing his words, she opened one eye and glanced.

It seemed he wasn’t completely naked…

When he had just come out, Ji Mingzhu had only managed to glimpse his upper body, her gaze not drifting downward in time.

His black hair was half wet, lazily resting on his forehead. When he looked at her, mist seemed to swirl in his eyes like mountain clouds, indistinct.

“There’s a bath towel… but you’re not wearing anything on top…”

Jiang Ji didn’t mind. He pulled down the towel draped over his shoulder. “Then what about you? What are you doing in my room?”

“And you’re holding my phone.” His jaw tilted toward the direction of her hand.

While showering, Jiang Ji had already sensed something off—rustling sounds came intermittently from outside the bathroom door.

He had just finished washing, so he deliberately quieted his movements and listened.

Sure enough, faint sounds persisted outside.

Like someone was talking.

There was no one else at Park Hyatt, so as expected, when he opened the door, he saw Ji Mingzhu.

And Ji Mingzhu, who had intruded into the “chicken coop,” was clearly still out of it.

Because they weren’t far apart, she only had to raise her head slightly to take in his whole body.

Transparent droplets slid down from his broad, fair chest, directly disappearing into the V-line.

A bath towel barely circled his narrow waist, as if about to fall.

Very loose—who knew if he was wearing anything inside.

What, did this man not have pajamas?

He just had to—

Just had to wrap a bath towel and come out?!

But in that hurried glance, he looked… rather seductive.

His abs also looked like they’d feel good to touch.

Coming back to her senses, Jiang Ji’s earlier words reminded Ji Mingzhu—

She only then realized she was still on the call with Assistant Ying!

Just as she lifted the phone to her ear to speak, Assistant Ying on the other end seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere and very consciously hung up first.

Only the “beep beep” remained.

For a moment, the space fell silent.

Completely silent, with only the hot tension flowing.

“It’s over, he definitely misunderstood—”

Ji Mingzhu frowned, refusing to meet Jiang Ji’s eyes, lowering her head and speaking quickly, “Assistant Ying called you because something seemed to be up you didn’t answer the vibration was loud so I thought I’d help you answer so I came into your room.”

She said it all in one breath without pausing.

After finishing, she pointed toward the door. “I won’t disturb President Jiang’s elegant mood. You continue, I’ll go back to my room.”

As soon as she finished, Ji Mingzhu tossed the phone toward the bed. Watching it trace a graceful arc through the air and land steadily on Jiang Ji’s bedding, she hurriedly slipped away out of sight.

Jiang Ji looked in the direction where she disappeared, focused for a moment, then slowly walked to the bedside, picked up his phone, unlocked the screen, and called Assistant Ying back.

It connected quickly.

“President Jiang?”

“You’re looking for me this late—something wrong?”

There was nothing special in Jiang Ji’s tone.

“You… weren’t busy?” Assistant Ying’s tone carried a hint of probing, as if casually, yet skillfully emphasizing the word “busy,” then he continued slowly, “It is indeed something urgent, but I’m not disturbing you now, am I?”

“No.” Jiang Ji lowered his gaze. “Go on.”

After ending the call with Assistant Ying, Jiang Ji changed into home clothes and half reclined by the headboard.

If Ji Mingzhu’s hurried escape just now was avoiding him at all costs,

then his current state mirrored her in form, yet conveyed completely opposite feelings.

The dim yellow light spilled from above, casting faint shadows.

Jiang Ji’s gaze fixed somewhere unknown. His long fingers paused, then rested on his lips, slowly rubbing them.

He thought of that night. Sometimes he felt that the joys and sorrows of this life had blurred together, nothing more than that.

Because the tiny bit of happiness the world tirelessly pursued—he had obtained it.

And if one had to say who disturbed him,

then it seemed,

there really was someone.

……

Ji Mingzhu returned to her room, slammed the door hard, then cupped her cheeks.

She hadn’t even fully kicked off her slippers before diving straight onto the bed.

She unlocked her phone and directly opened Lian Tang’s chat window.

Ji Mingzhu: [eyes.jpg][eyes.jpg][eyes.jpg].

Lian Tang: ?

Lian Tang: What.

Lian Tang: Are you trying to scare me to death?!

Ji Mingzhu: My eyes…

Ji Mingzhu: I just saw Jiang Ji’s… that!

Lian Tang: Damn it.

Lian Tang: You don’t need to describe it so specifically!

Lian Tang: Private matters—better for you two to share yourselves.

Ji Mingzhu: No.

Ji Mingzhu: Jiang Ji wasn’t wearing clothes just now!

Lian Tang: Are you kidding me?

Lian Tang: Isn’t that still private matters?!

Ji Mingzhu: No, he only had a bath towel!

Ji Mingzhu: No, I think I can’t lately.

Ji Mingzhu: ………… very can’t!

Ji Mingzhu: Is it because I haven’t interacted with men for too long, so I’m especially… thirsty?

Lian Tang: That’s normal. Jiang Ji’s conditions are so good—you’re just in heat.

Ji Mingzhu: …………

Ji Mingzhu: In heat? That’s something only high schoolers do, right.

Speaking of that.

She didn’t want to repeat past mistakes.

Lian Tang: Who hasn’t had crazy moments? Look at me.

Lian Tang: The first person in my spring-that-dream was Brother Xiao Yi.

Lian Tang: But he’s too flirtatious :)

Ji Mingzhu knew about this past of Lian Tang’s.

When they were in high school together, Xiao Yi was the basketball team captain of their international high school—handsome, cool, and devilishly charming.

Lian Tang’s heart fluttered, and relying on their childhood acquaintance, she secretly showed him favor.

At that time, Xiao Yi changed girlfriends one after another, yet none of them was Lian Tang.

But—he was uniquely good to Lian Tang.

No one knew whether he truly understood her feelings, or just treated her like a younger sister.

At least before Ji Mingzhu went abroad, the two were still harmonious.

Until the day Lian Tang finished the college entrance exam, she called Ji Mingzhu overseas, crying earth-shakingly.

She originally said she would force it, even bringing a room key card to “handle” Xiao Yi, but no one knew what happened later.

In short, Lian Tang never openly confessed to Xiao Yi, and this first love was turned over.

By the time Ji Mingzhu finally returned to the country, Lian Tang was deeply stuck in the turmoil of an arranged marriage, heading irreversibly toward becoming a sheltered socialite.

Xiao Yi, to her, was no longer like before.

However—

The object of spring-that-dream?

A slender, tall figure flashed in Ji Mingzhu’s mind.

Whether before going abroad or after,

she seemed unable to escape.

Why was the person in that dream always him?

……

After last night’s mix-up with Assistant Ying, early the next morning Ji Mingzhu waited for Jiang Ji to leave, planning to indirectly probe him.

Nothing else—she simply wanted Assistant Ying’s contact information.

Some things were better explained in person.

Of course, not saying it was fine too; Ji Mingzhu could also hint indirectly.

But she thought it would be as simple as when she asked Jiang Ji to buy her wine before—drop some pride and act a little spoiled. However, reality didn’t go as she wished.

Jiang Ji looked at her, his gaze inexplicably cold. “Why do you want his contact information?”

“Just… chat, talk heart-to-heart, something like that.” Ji Mingzhu looked at him. “Can’t I?”

“No.” Jiang Ji refused stiffly, not even giving her 0.1 seconds to think.

“Why?!” Ji Mingzhu almost jumped up.

“There’s no why.” Jiang Ji said lightly. “He’s my assistant, not yours.”

Actually, Ji Mingzhu didn’t absolutely have to get Assistant Ying’s contact information; it was just that Jiang Ji looked incredibly arrogant at this moment.

His overbearing aura was practically reaching the sky and stretching all the way to her.

“Then what if I buy him over to Ji Corporation at a high price!”

If she mentioned it to Ji Shaoyan, it would probably be fine. After she joined her own company later, if she really got Assistant Ying, she would definitely hold her head high and feel proud.

“Then go ahead and try.” Jiang Ji raised his brows, his voice slow. “Let’s see—whether you can buy him over.”

“.........”

Where did Jiang Ji learn such an extremely punchable expression?

Right after sending off this big Buddha, Ji Mingzhu went to Lise Street.

She hadn’t forgotten her three-times-a-week yoga class.

Arriving at the exclusive classroom, Ji Mingzhu opened Lian Tang’s WeChat and vented to her thoroughly before finally feeling refreshed.

Teacher Liu arrived at that moment and slowly closed the door. “Miss Ji, you came so early.”

“Eh—” Ji Mingzhu closed her phone and turned around. “Yes, I’m usually not busy, so I just came earlier.”

“Days without work are good; you can do many things you want.” Compared to the first day they met, Liu Xi wasn’t wearing casual clothes but a yoga outfit, her posture elegant.

“Right, you can do what you like, but sitting too long makes it easy to get cervical spine problems. I don’t want to become too stiff, so I signed up for yoga.”

After saying that, Ji Mingzhu stood up from the bench. “If I’m going to be busy, it’ll be after a while.”

“That’s a good idea. Three classes a week isn’t too frequent. Even when you get busy later, I can adjust the schedule with you; everything will still be more than manageable.”

Liu Xi slowly opened the yoga mat and placed the blankets for both of them facing each other.

Watching her unhurried movements, Ji Mingzhu felt her own heart calm down as well.

She was a little curious. “Teacher Liu, did you become a yoga teacher because you like it?”

“Yes. Actually, I studied music before, but my health wasn’t very good. After practicing yoga I felt much better, so later I took certification exams.” Liu Xi smiled. “The internationally certified kind. If you follow me, those occupational diseases definitely won’t happen again.”

“Speaking of which, Miss Ji, you’re my first one-on-one client since I came here.”

Liu Xi’s business in Lise hadn’t expanded much yet. Her temperament was gentle, and she didn’t want to take too many classes for now; focusing on teaching one person was enough.

Back then, the agency chose Liu Xi for Ji Mingzhu.

Unbeknownst to her, Liu Xi had also looked at the client introduction. Though the information revealed wasn’t much, she particularly liked it, so she gave the agency the opportunity to push her résumé.

So the arrow wasn’t one-way.

“Then I guess I’m lucky.” Ji Mingzhu sat down opposite Liu Xi. “But Teacher Liu, since we’ll meet often, you don’t need to call me ‘Miss Ji.’ That sounds too distant.”

After a pause, she looked at Liu Xi’s gentle face bathed in afternoon sunlight and suggested, “Just call me Xiao Ba.”

……

After practicing for two hours, Ji Mingzhu finally said goodbye.

After two hours of slow, held poses, she felt the softness seep into her bones.

If she really twisted her waist, she might not quite withstand it.

In short, it felt as comfortable as having her meridians opened.

Still not satisfied, Ji Mingzhu returned to the Park Hyatt in the glow of the evening.

Since it was still early, she took the opportunity to try a few particularly charming poses in the living room.

Surprisingly, although the poses were bold and novel, Ji Mingzhu didn’t find them difficult.

Holding herself like this might even make her figure tighter.

When Jiang Ji came back that night, Ji Mingzhu was still looking at herself in the floor-to-ceiling mirror beside the spiral staircase.

The mirror stretched vertically, a truly full-length mirror—huge and gleaming.

Even an ordinary person would look radiant in it, let alone someone like Ji Mingzhu, a stunning beauty, appearing even more dazzling.

It set off her rosy cheeks; even her eyes looked moist and bright, sparkling with tiny glints.

Ji Mingzhu got addicted to it and couldn’t stop.

How had she never realized before that this mirror had such powerful effects?

Jiang Ji changed his shoes and took off his coat at the entrance, while Ji Mingzhu was still “striking poses” for herself—showing off those particularly vain postures.

Seeing him return, Ji Mingzhu didn’t react much. She only paused for a few seconds, then continued doing her own thing.

Jiang Ji originally planned to walk straight past her, but for some reason he paused, then took a few steps back.

He crossed his arms, leaned against the wall, and cast his gaze toward her.

Ji Mingzhu slightly lifted her chin; a few strands of hair fell beside her fair cheek.

When she focused on something, she truly didn’t spare even a glance for anyone else.

After who knew how long, Ji Mingzhu’s peripheral vision finally caught something by the mirror.

It was Jiang Ji.

He was standing in the corner.

Their gazes met across the mirror.

“What are you looking at… never seen a fairy before?”

Jiang Ji seemed to smile. After hearing her words, he slowly straightened up, walked around the living room, and headed toward his bedroom.

Such a relaxed back view of him was rare.

But the room was quiet, and Ji Mingzhu didn’t miss his response.

Jiang Ji seemed to answer with a nasal sound, “Mm.”

It was softly hummed, light and barely there.

………

Jiang Ji said he would take her to see cars, and he really didn’t delay long.

Honestly speaking, Jiang Ji was quite a principled man.

No matter what he did, promised, or agreed to, he usually followed through.

“You still haven’t decided what model you like?” The black Bentley slipped into the night, slowly heading toward the northern part of the city.

Ji Mingzhu had just eaten a big table of dishes cooked by Jiang Ji. Looking at the thick night outside the window, drowsiness after being full came over her.

She responded lazily.

“Mm, didn’t you say you’d take me to pick? Then I’ll choose on the spot.”

Jiang Ji glanced sideways at her and immediately understood what she was planning.

“Don’t sleep, we’re almost there.”

“…I’m not sleeping.” Ji Mingzhu insisted.

But what Jiang Ji said about being almost there really was true.

Within a few minutes, the car stopped in a quiet old district.

There were no high-rise buildings here, only standalone small Western-style houses.

Although it was indeed a wealthy area in the northern city and looked quite decent—not like a scam—but—

“…There’s really a place selling cars here?”

After all, car dealerships were usually high-ceiling constructions, convenient for display and parking multiple cars.

These houses didn’t look large enough to accommodate cars.

But she saw Jiang Ji simply nod, without saying anything more.

Ji Mingzhu got down from the passenger seat, and after only a few steps, a pebble pressed against her foot.

It was originally just a trivial stumble, but Jiang Ji came around from behind her and, without explanation, grabbed her hand.

“Hold onto me.”

This sentence, though not an order, sounded like one, and Ji Mingzhu really didn’t struggle.

Perhaps because the buildings in the northern part of the city were low.

The sky pressed down heavily, as if she could touch it by stretching out her hand, making it especially dark.

Aside from the dim roadside lights, everything around was silent, and nothing could be seen clearly.

A faint uneasiness seeped into her heart, and she subconsciously tightened her grip on Jiang Ji’s hand.

His bones were neat, his knuckles distinct, yet when held, his hand was unexpectedly soft.

Jiang Ji noticed Ji Mingzhu’s small movement, froze for a moment, then applied force in return and held her hand more tightly.

Ji Mingzhu’s doubt was still on the question she had just asked Jiang Ji, but then, following his leading figure and the gradually widening and brightening view, the answer became clear.

Standing at the entrance of the car shop, Ji Mingzhu finally understood.

The private car shop Jiang Ji mentioned was beneath this row of small Western-style houses.

They must have connected the original basements or garages into one; the space looked quite large.

Looking around, there were bright light tubes messily arranged on the ceiling. The light shone onto the cars, making them dazzling, almost reflecting people’s faces clearly.

The surrounding walls were covered in colorful graffiti.

Very distinctive, with a strong private style.

Most importantly, there was no one around. Ji Mingzhu was busy looking, and her hand naturally slipped out of Jiang Ji’s palm.

The person behind her didn’t follow. Just as Ji Mingzhu went to look at the graffiti wall, someone slowly emerged from the corner.

“.........Jiang Ji!”

Ji Mingzhu’s eyelids twitched; before seeing anything clearly, she cowardly retreated behind Jiang Ji.

Fortunately, they weren’t far apart.

This car shop was already so remote!

How were the people here also appearing and disappearing like ghosts!

The man walked up in a few steps, his tone lazy.

—“Senior, you finally came.”

With that sentence, Ji Mingzhu finally saw the newcomer’s appearance.

She also understood why she hadn’t noticed him earlier while looking at the graffiti.

This young man wore all the graffiti elements on his body; punk and heavy metal style showed in his accessories.

There was also a flashy earring on his ear, reflecting light with a strange blue shine.

“Senior?”

Ji Mingzhu stared at the unfamiliar young man for a while. She hadn’t known Jiang Ji even knew such a junior.

Jiang Ji glanced sideways at her. “This is my junior from university.”

Ji Mingzhu half-understood. “Didn’t you just graduate too? How has he already come back?”

“Sis, because I didn’t go to graduate school.” The boy blinked, his gaze shifting from Ji Mingzhu to Jiang Ji. “Senior, is this your girlfriend?”

Jiang Ji didn’t waste words with him and directly asked, “Where’s the car?”

“Already arrived. I went through a lot of trouble to get it customized—stable performance, absolutely OK.” The boy paused. “But don’t you want to reassemble it? It’d definitely look cool.”

“No need.” Jiang Ji refused cleanly.

The boy didn’t mind, casually leaning against a car. “Alright, suit yourselves.”

Jiang Ji looked at Ji Mingzhu. “Go see if there’s anything you like.”

“Are you sure there’s something I want?” Ji Mingzhu’s gaze swept back and forth, still a bit uncertain.

But—no wonder it was a private car shop. The cars here were nothing like ordinary models. Probably tailored to personal tastes, each one was compact, lightweight, and exquisitely designed.

Suddenly, Ji Mingzhu’s eyes fixed on the nearest one—a pure white supercar.

Along the edges of the car, fine crystals were inlaid, sparkling. It was the kind you wouldn’t notice unless you looked closely—luxury in low-key form.

Immediately, she couldn’t move.

This car seemed to have been made exactly according to the requirements she had mentioned before.

It just—precisely, completely—hit her aesthetic point.

A perfect match.

“I want this one.”

Ji Mingzhu looked at the car in front of her; the other cars around didn’t draw even a bit of her attention.

Seeing her like this, the boy smiled at Jiang Ji and let out a particularly improper whistle. “As expected.”

“As expected what?” She raised her head, puzzled.

“Complimenting your good taste, sis. This Bugatti Veyron is the ceramic crystal commemorative edition, specially air-shipped from abroad. There are only two in the world.”

Air-shipped?

Ji Mingzhu looked at this junior, then turned to Jiang Ji standing nearby.

No wonder this boy knew Jiang Ji; his family background probably wasn’t bad either.

This car shop was likely just a private hobby.

“Sure you want this one? Then I’ll go get the keys and delivery paperwork?” The boy looked at Ji Mingzhu.

“About how much?”

The boy raised his fingers. “Your customized one—at least eight figures.”

Ji Mingzhu nodded, then looked at Jiang Ji’s reaction. Just as Jiang Ji raised his eyes to look at her, his expression didn’t fluctuate.

—Very good.

If not now, when?!

She, Ji Mingzhu, today would make Jiang Ji truly live up to the title of “big sucker”!

Ji Mingzhu immediately moved closer, sat beside Jiang Ji, naturally wrapped both hands around his arm, her voice soft enough to drip water, almost seductive. “President Jiang~ since you already brought me here today~ could you conveniently push the boat along?”

Jiang Ji raised his brows. “Meaning?”

“Just—swipe your card?” Ji Mingzhu blinked.

Jiang Ji half-lifted his eyelids and didn’t refuse, as if tacitly agreeing.

Having succeeded, Ji Mingzhu stood up from the sofa like a proud little peacock, walked to the boy, and put on airs. “Hey, junior, swipe your senior’s card.”

But before she could fully carry out the persona of “the overbearing CEO’s coquettish troublemaker,” she heard him say—

“No need to swipe a card.” The junior didn’t even raise his head. “This one was already prepaid by him.”

“.........”

It took Ji Mingzhu quite a while to understand what that sentence meant.

So when Jiang Ji started to put his heart into it,

he really was

accurate every time.

Author’s note: 【Mini Theater】:

Ji Ji: Still want another man’s phone number?

Zhu Zhu: …I don’t!

Ji Ji: [slowly unties the bath towel]

Two hours later—

Zhu Zhu: Woo woo woo I don’t dare anymore

【Double update combined】Is this word count fat enough to make you happy? Still, twenty-five characters get a red envelope! Thanks to the little angels who cast overlord tickets or irrigated nutrient solution between 2020-02-12 08:35:55~2020-02-13 02:59:42~

Thanks to the little angels who threw landmines: Cheng Xi 2; Qing Jiu, Hatsune 1;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Su Yan’s little wife 33 bottles; Cheng Xi, Xi Xi Xi Xi Xi Xi, Xun Huan 10 bottles; Little Pig Sighs, Oh My 6 bottles; sarah-Ping, Meat-Loving Hao Sijia, Wutong Qiao Tree 5 bottles; Qian Xi Xi Xi~ 2 bottles; Xiao Kai dd., Six-Yuan Little Fairy, Ah Yan Too Salty, A Round Taro, Nan Li 1 bottle;

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