Chapter 40

Chapter 40 Rose x Kiss

"This..." Ji Mingzhu looked down at the dining table scattered with rose petals, a few even fallen onto the soft carpet. "Is this the set you ordered?"

Jiang Ji lowered his eyes to the table. "Mm, it is."

"A happy night? What’s that, an extra bonus?" Ji Mingzhu tapped a rose petal on the table with her fingertip.

"Not sure." Jiang Ji said, pouring her some red wine himself. "But since it’s offered, then accept it."

After a pause, he pushed the wine glass toward Ji Mingzhu. "Drink."

Ji Mingzhu raised an eyebrow at him. "…Aren’t you concerned about me today? Jiang Ji, I still have to go to your company for work tomorrow."

"A little, but not too much, you won’t be unable to get up tomorrow." Jiang Ji pointed with his index finger, signaling her to take it casually.

Ji Mingzhu stared at him, puzzled, not understanding why he was so eager.

This was the first time he had been so proactive about wine.

After they had eaten for a while, the only sound in the air was the clinking of cutlery, but Ji Mingzhu didn’t feel awkward or uncomfortable.

She had long been accustomed to this. Jiang Ji never liked to talk at the table; Ji Mingzhu occasionally made conversation, but she didn’t insist on talking endlessly during meals. This was basic table etiquette.

Perhaps because she had spent so much time with Jiang Ji before, she felt completely relaxed now.

Outside was the view of the Jiang River and towers, inside fine wine and food, and the person opposite her was also pleasing to the eye.

Although Jiang Ji said she could drink a little, later, when Ji Mingzhu indulged, he never stopped her.

By the end of the meal, Ji Mingzhu’s cheeks were flushed, a rosy pink.

Her peach blossom eyes seemed wet, glistening.

As she followed Jiang Ji out, the sound of her high heels on the floor was soft and light.

Ji Mingzhu walked unsteadily; she was slightly tipsy.

Before leaving, the chef and restaurant manager each came forward to see them off, extremely enthusiastic.

Ji Mingzhu still had some awareness, waving at them.

"Are you drunk? Can you walk by yourself?" Jiang Ji asked, glancing back at her as they headed toward the car.

Ji Mingzhu met his gaze and stayed silent.

What’s with Jiang Ji… is this really how he reacts when she’s drunk?

Learning from last time, Ji Mingzhu was confident in her control; small doses were fine.

"...Of course I can!" Ji Mingzhu’s voice suddenly went higher. She lifted her bag with one hand, steadied her steps slightly, and continued following Jiang Ji closely.

The winter wind was biting, but luckily Jiang Ji’s car wasn’t far.

Once inside the car, Ji Mingzhu lazily leaned back in the passenger seat. She casually kicked off her high heels, letting them fall crookedly onto the seat.

After settling in, she reached for the seatbelt to buckle herself in.

Jiang Ji watched her for a moment, noticing her slight fluster, and bent forward to get closer.

The car cabin was filled with his clean scent.

Up close, Ji Mingzhu’s nose was filled entirely with Jiang Ji’s unique fragrance.

While he helped her with the seatbelt, his fingers occasionally brushed her waist, causing Ji Mingzhu to softly moan.

Jiang Ji’s eyes were deep and unreadable; he didn’t say anything, but he quickened his movements, fastening the belt efficiently. Then he slowly spoke.

"Still saying you’re not drunk?"

Ji Mingzhu looked at him steadily for a moment. "Hmph, if I were really drunk, could you still drive properly?"

Of course! Just like last time!

Twisting freely, trying to tease him.

Jiang Ji started the engine, hands on the steering wheel, neither acknowledging nor denying Ji Mingzhu’s words.

When they arrived at Baiyue, Jiang Ji got out first, walked around the front of the car to her side, and opened the door, as if to greet her.

Ji Mingzhu moved to put on her shoes, but Jiang Ji stopped her. "You were already walking awkwardly just now, don’t put them on yet."

Hearing this, her movements froze immediately. "…You want me to walk barefoot?"

This black-hearted man!

Face so fair, and yet!

And she had even praised him for being good-looking!!!

"...I’ll walk with them on anyway," Ji Mingzhu said indignantly, feeling a little enlightened.

"Who said you had to be barefoot?" Jiang Ji’s tone was helpless, as if there was nothing he could do about her. "I’ll carry you."

Ji Mingzhu froze in surprise. He first took her small handbag, then turned toward her. "Get on."

…

Ji Mingzhu looked at his straight, lean, sharply angled shoulders, her thoughts drifting.

Even bending slightly to squat, Jiang Ji’s back remained straight, his proud posture intact.

Such a young, noble man.

A century-old family, born into wealth. Walking this path smoothly, he probably had never had to bow to anyone.

This posture was a symbol of trust and reliance, a layered sense of security different from an embrace, being transmitted to her.

Perhaps in his heart, she was… like family.

Putting aside everything else, the Ji and Jiang families had been long-time allies; their cooperation over the years was inseparable.

Right now—

Jiang Ji had his back to her.

Ji Mingzhu could not read his emotions or expression, and she didn’t hold back. She picked up her high heels, leaned over, hooked her hands around his neck from behind, and pressed herself against his back. "This is what you said, remember."

On the way to the elevator, Ji Mingzhu spoke while Jiang Ji quietly listened, occasionally chiming in.

For convenience, Ji Mingzhu slung her handbag, which Jiang Ji was holding, over his neck.

Excited, Ji Mingzhu chuckled twice. "When I watch Douyin, couples do this all the time— the guy bends down and uses his neck to carry the girl’s bag."

After saying that, Ji Mingzhu seemed to notice something wrong in her words.

She paused, and her high heel moved with the motion. The sharp tip scraped across Jiang Ji’s coat.

Jiang Ji immediately groaned.

If it weren’t for the thick winter clothing, this accidental scrape might have caused serious pain.

"Ah…" Ji Mingzhu quickly leaned down to check. "Jiang Ji, are you okay?"

After a long pause, Jiang Ji replied, a voice squeezed between his teeth: "...I’m fine."

"Haha, I didn’t mean it." Ji Mingzhu leaned against his back, imitating his previous posture, resting near his earlobe. Her voice was low. "I accidentally bullied you just now, were you very upset?"

Ji Mingzhu continued in his tone, soft breath floating at the side of his neck.

"Should I give you some compensation now?"

At that moment, a "beep—" sounded as the building elevator arrived.

Jiang Ji carried her inside, reminding her, "There’s surveillance here."

…Surveillance?

This was a serious matter.

Ji Mingzhu had always been rebellious; when others advised her not to do something, she would insist on trying.

And now, with Jiang Ji reminding her like this, could it be that he was shy or flustered?

These rare emotions displayed by him gave Ji Mingzhu, at this very moment, the impulse to break through all limits.

Opportunity waits for no one!

As the elevator doors slowly closed, Ji Mingzhu spoke, “So now heaven doesn’t answer your calls? Look, the elevator doors are already closed.”

“Hey, don’t hide… just let me compensate you~” Ji Mingzhu said, leaning closer.

Then, a female voice echoed in the elevator, tinged with curiosity, “...Jiang Ji, why are your ears so red?”

…

The “compensation” Ji Mingzhu mentioned never reached Jiang Ji, as the elevator soon arrived at their floor.

Jiang Ji set her down and began removing his coat by himself.

Ji Mingzhu stepped off his back, seeing how unwilling he was to make eye contact, and found it slightly amusing.

Had she… gone too far just now?

Ji Mingzhu changed into her slippers, circled to Jiang Ji’s side, and pretended to casually look at him.

Whether it was her sudden surge of sympathy or not, she couldn’t help but feel that, at this moment, Jiang Ji looked a bit like a little wife who had been wronged.

Ji Mingzhu remembered that something she had ordered would arrive in a few days, and decided that once it arrived, she would promptly give it to him.

He hadn’t mentioned it, but she wouldn’t forget.

Thinking this, Ji Mingzhu called out to him, “Jiang Ji, just wait.”

These words weren’t a declaration of war, nor anything else.

Seeing Jiang Ji lift his gaze toward her, she slightly curved her lips. “I have something very important. I need to go to Lishe Avenue. When you finish work that day, you go back first. I won’t go with you.”

“When?”

Ji Mingzhu thought for a moment. “Next Friday. I’ll take an hour off? I want to go in person.”

Jiang Ji nodded, acknowledging her plan.

…

In the following days, Ji Mingzhu lived a nine-to-five life, following Jiang Ji’s schedule.

The tasks he assigned to her grew increasingly numerous and important.

Ji Mingzhu understood this was her training before officially joining the Ji Corporation, so she didn’t feel bitter or tired and accepted it willingly.

However, she couldn’t balance filming videos, so she put that aside for now and would return to it when she had time.

Even on weekends, she was too busy to focus on it.

Over time, recording the scenic routes of Nancheng and Beicheng in Yin City was temporarily pushed to the back of her mind.

After all, there would be plenty of time in the future.

After spending two weeks at Jiang’s company, Ji Mingzhu left first on a Friday, heading to Lishe Avenue.

This was the first time in a while that they didn’t return together.

Jiang Ji still had some matters to handle, but after calculating the time, his gaze fell on the right side of the office.

No one was there now; only traces of a recently used desk remained, showing the presence of the previous occupant.

After a moment of thought, Jiang Ji left exactly on time.

The three assistants in the executive office were quite surprised, but regarding their boss’s affairs, they had no right to interfere.

They could only watch Jiang Ji’s figure disappear into the elevator.

Jiang Ji started the car, drove around for a bit, and eventually arrived at Lishe Avenue.

Then, he sent Ji Mingzhu a message—

【Are you still on Lishe Avenue?】

After a long while, Ji Mingzhu replied—

【Yes, I’ll be back a little later.】

【What’s wrong?】

—【Nothing’s wrong.】

Jiang Ji thought for a long while, going back and forth with his phone, and finally sent this message.

He parked on the side of the main road, quietly waiting.

From this angle, he could take in the entire view of the main street of Lishe.

After an unknown amount of time, his gaze shifted slightly.

At the revolving gate, a familiar figure appeared.

But she was not alone.

By Ji Mingzhu’s side was someone Jiang Ji had never really spoken to over all these years, yet knew well.

The tall, upright figure beside her was Jiang Mo.

Jiang Ji couldn’t remember how long he stared. He could only vaguely recall from his memory what Ji Mingzhu had said before.

She had mentioned it was something very important.

Whether before or now.

For her, important matters had never involved him.

Jiang Ji rubbed the cufflink that Ji Mingzhu had given him earlier, and a quiet, lingering melancholy spread through the car.

The feeling was bitter, trapping him, unable to free himself.

Over all these years, Jiang Ji had also struggled and worked hard for something he could never grasp.

His eyes reddened, he lowered his head, and withdrew his gaze.

Author’s note: The world is full of distractions and chaos, yet there are always those who carry a pure heart and sincere love.

No mini-scene today—the turning point has arrived. Don’t be afraid~ Thank you to the little angels who voted or watered the story between 2020-02-18 23:51:47 and 2020-02-19 23:59:19~

Thanks to those who placed landmines: Di Shengsheng’s big fan, 38114692, Junmian Suho’s little Guafu, Xianxian Bu Xianxian, Summer Whisper 1 each;

Thanks to those who watered the story: Xiaobai, 37126644 20 bottles Cofu, Chen Jingsheng’s rice woman, Zhou Guliang, A Yan is a cat 10 bottles; 38114692 8 bottles; Aili 6 bottles; Five Elements Short of Money 5 bottles; Qingjin, Wutong Qiaoshu, Di Shengsheng’s big fan 3 bottles; Fang Shi He I’ll chase you, Time Slightly Warm, Guocha, Li Yangyang Mio, Lazy Sun Bun Shop 2 bottles; Wen Ye Xi, Hu Yitian’s wife, Loves Eating Peaches Rui’er, Ying Xue, Zhi Yu°, Feng Gu Bu Wei 1 bottle;

Thank you all for your support—I will continue to work hard!