Chapter 54

Chapter 54 Rose x Kiss

Actually, regardless of Jiang Ji’s last sentence.

Everything that happened today wasn’t within her expectations.

But it didn’t seem unacceptable either.

That willingness to open both body and mind and hand herself to him, that blazing closeness in the dim, secret environment, and the uniqueness where only the two of them could explore each other.

All kinds of wild thoughts spread infinitely, making her soften like water while, in hazy clarity, releasing themselves to each other.

Jiang Ji was obviously still unsatisfied. With this kind of thing… even if it was her turn to exploit him, she would still be the one at a loss.

“…Yours isn’t as big as mine.” Ji Mingzhu’s face was still flushed like just after finishing. When she said this, the deterrence was insufficient, a bit light.

Jiang Ji froze for a moment, then quickly came back to his senses. His tone came slowly, “But mine is harder than yours.”

“............”

What level of wild words is this?!

Of course, afterward Ji Mingzhu didn’t suffer a loss.

In the following days, she copied his method and touched back. The time was much longer than this.

Ji Mingzhu raised her hand and pushed him twice. “Alright, I don’t want to keep talking with you. Hurry and open the elevator. If others don’t know, they’ll think we’re doing something shameful inside.”

The space here was cramped and narrow, and because of what just happened, waves of stuffy atmosphere filled the elevator, making one dizzy.

Her voice just now, blurted out, carried an unconscious sweetness.

“Shameful…”

Jiang Ji raised his long brows slightly. After repeating Ji Mingzhu’s wording, he didn’t continue teasing her and didn’t stay inside for long.

He reached out and opened the elevator. The two planned to pass the front desk together and walk outside.

When they came in the morning, Ji Mingzhu had taken Jiang Ji’s car. When he came to Jiang Corporation, he hadn’t parked in the underground garage.

At this time, there was no thought of avoiding suspicion. They came as they pleased, very casual.

After he stepped out halfway, he seemed to feel no response.

Then he turned around and looked at Ji Mingzhu.

Ji Mingzhu didn’t understand, looked up, and saw Jiang Ji slowly extending his hand toward her.

She froze for a moment, then quickly reacted.

This person…

Really.

She deliberately tightened her lips, proudly moving closer, stretching her arm forward, then sending her hand in his direction.

The moment Jiang Ji’s slightly cool fingertips touched hers, he applied a bit of force and pulled her over.

With one hand intertwined, his palm wrapped over the back of her hand.

Ji Mingzhu struggled slightly while being held like this, and what she got in return was Jiang Ji increasing his strength.

The two leaned close as they passed the front desk.

When the elevator arrived, the notification sound had already put the front desk staff into alert mode, so before Jiang Ji and Ji Mingzhu walked out, their eyes were bright and spirits high.

Thus, they didn’t miss the small interactions and details between the two.

Of course, what was regrettable again was…

Half of Ji Mingzhu’s face was blocked by Jiang Ji’s figure. Only her elegant swan neck and half of her beautiful profile could be seen.

After the two figures disappeared together at the company entrance.

The front desk staff secretly gathered together. No matter their professional quality, their gossiping hearts couldn’t be restrained.

——“Ah, so swoon-worthy, did President Jiang hold Miss Ji’s little hand?”

——“Ah, great beauty, she finally walked past the front desk once, and I still didn’t see her full face clearly!”

——“Can this post be posted in the company forum? I’m a bit afraid my salary will be docked.........”

——“It won’t. The company admin is super double-standard. Last time I praised President Xiao who came here and it wasn’t allowed, but if you praise Miss Ji, as long as it’s good and positive, the post definitely won’t be deleted. My bonus hurts, it’s all President Xiao’s fault!”

——“Go ahead and post, anyway the hottest gossip thread on the company forum so far is still the office play speculation last time hahaha.”

That night, a new post floated to the forum homepage.

After completing a day of coordination, the employees of Jiang Corporation finally welcomed the most anticipated boss’s private-life segment. Although there was only a little, it was enough to glimpse some details.

However, Ji Mingzhu at that time was in some indescribable deep waters and scorching heat, and didn’t have the chance to reply to the thread immediately.

......

The two parked the car outside today also with a plan.

After asking her opinion, Jiang Ji settled on a dining place.

Because it was early spring, green buds sprouted, and the evening wind became slightly warm.

Yin City was very damp and cold in winter, but when the chilly spring arrived, everything came alive again.

Jiang Ji thus chose a rather quiet restaurant.

The flavors inside were mild, salty with a hint of sweetness — Jiangsu cuisine.

Jinling soup dumplings, clear-stewed lion’s head meatballs, fish maw chicken simmered with cordyceps, a fragrant golden pot that smelled delicious. There were also meat balls brewed with sugar, rice cakes steamed with osmanthus wine dew, and glutinous rice stuffed lotus root, which were indispensable.

After finishing the meal at this restaurant, desserts began to be served one after another.

The desserts were also different from ordinary shops, all made with sweet vegetables into healthy sweets: a soup thickened with goat milk and red dates, water drawn from steamed pumpkin mixed with a few water chestnuts, and purple sweet potato purée made into brûlée.

Ji Mingzhu especially liked this kind of fresh sweetness. Even though her appetite wasn’t big, this time she gave Jiang Ji face and kept eating with her head down.

In contrast, he was as usual — indifferent in everything — and this was displayed to the fullest during meals.

Jiang Ji only moved his chopsticks slightly, slowly sipped some clear tea, and barely ate anymore.

If it weren’t for how forceful he was every time he kissed her, with lean waist muscles and especially beautiful abs, Ji Mingzhu would suspect he was just a decorative cold-faced scholar, whose soul had been hooked away by a fox spirit like her.

“Aren’t you eating more?”

“Mm.” Jiang Ji’s fingertips rested on the table, tapping casually. “You eat slowly, don’t rush. I’ll go to the restroom. After you finish, I’ll take you shopping?”

He didn’t linger on this topic. Ji Mingzhu obediently nodded. “President Jiang, come back quickly.”

“I’m just stepping out, not going abroad.” Jiang Ji stood up, his tone pleasant. “You don’t have to be so unable to leave me.”

“............”

The two bickered back and forth for a while before Jiang Ji left his seat.

Ji Mingzhu looked at Jiang Ji’s back, thoughtful.

Before, Jiang Ji just had a light appetite, not the type who ate little.

In high school, a group of four or five of them went together to eat street stalls near the school.

At that time, the boys had played basketball, consumed a lot of energy, and all could eat quite a lot. Jiang Ji was no exception.

Ji Mingzhu had hidden a bit of her own little thoughts then and ordered many things for Jiang Ji.

She did it secretly, yet he accepted everything.

Seen this way, it wasn’t just her.

The long-held coveting also had his share.

Memories swept over overwhelmingly. Ji Mingzhu suddenly realized she truly had too many memories with him.

She didn’t know whether it was because he was tired, or because he had hurt his stomach abroad.

Ji Mingzhu decided to go back and consult Lin Manxi, and give him something nourishing.

......

This restaurant didn’t have many people, but it wasn’t because it wasn’t popular. It was just that the prepared table settings were only this many; any more would have to wait.

Separated by green bamboo, with wooden imitation mountain railings, the environment was very suitable for people who disliked noise.

Of course, all these reflections stopped at one sentence—

“…Sister?”

Ji Mingzhu had almost finished eating and was idly playing on her phone while waiting for Jiang Ji to come back. Hearing this, she raised her eyes to look over.

The address “sister.”

In her memory, there was only one person.

Sure enough.

Ji Mingzhu searched in her mind — it was Jiang Ji’s junior.

“What a coincidence.” The junior wore a punk black denim jacket, tall and slender, duckbill cap pulled low, fragmented hair, ear stud on the side, still that careless expression.

“It is quite a coincidence. You’re here to eat too?”

“Came with family.” The junior pointed to another booth. “I couldn’t stand their chatting inside, so I came out for some air.”

After speaking, he saw the car keys placed on Ji Mingzhu’s table. “Who did you come to eat with?”

Ji Mingzhu saw his little thoughts and turned her face slightly, her tone slow. “Who else — with your dear Senior Jiang.”

The junior seemed to have expected it. After responding, he smiled. “I actually guessed. Do you like the car?”

“I like it. Beautiful appearance, beautiful maintenance price.”

Her Bugatti Veyron was quietly parked in the underground garage of Park Hyatt and had never been driven again.

With Jiang Ji’s car easy to hitch, Ji Mingzhu now usually only drove her own on weekends when she met Lian Tang for afternoon tea.

“Do you want modifications? You can completely trust me. Guaranteed cool, what do you say?” The junior persisted with the suggestion he hadn’t convinced her about before.

“Stop — I don’t need it now. I’m really afraid you’ll give me a contrasting color scheme.”

“Then add WeChat. If you need anything later, sister, just contact me.” The junior began taking out his phone.

Ji Mingzhu originally intended to agree, but seemed to think of something. “Did you add your senior?”

“I added him when we were exchange students.” The junior didn’t mind. “Why ask?”

Ji Mingzhu took out her phone and scanned his contact card. “Nothing. Why are you like a curious baby.”

She was just thinking…

Someone with Jiang Ji’s personality actually added this junior, whom he probably hadn’t known long, back when they were exchange students?

That was really rare.

The junior lingered here, and Jiang Ji returned right after.

Seeing the other party, he was obviously surprised. “You’re here too?”

The junior greeted Jiang Ji. “Yeah, just chatted with sister for a bit and added WeChat. I knew you were here, senior, so I deliberately waited.”

Not knowing which word he heard, Jiang Ji suddenly became expressionless. “After greeting, you should leave.”

The junior couldn’t figure it out, but clicked his tongue. “Moody. Really can’t understand you old people’s world.”

Ji Mingzhu was stunned at being inexplicably called old.

Watching the junior gradually leave, she said, “What’s with kids these days? Is that even reasonable? I only graduated from university not long ago!”

She studied undergraduate at the University of Melbourne, then continued with postgraduate studies.

But because overseas master’s programs are short, she only needed to study one year for graduate school. Once her qualifications were enough, she returned to the country directly.

Strictly speaking, Ji Mingzhu’s age counted as quite young. Jiang Ji was a bit older than her, their birthdays only a few months apart, so their ages were actually almost the same.

Yet even so, she was called — “old.”

Jiang Ji neatly put on his coat, then picked up the scarf Ji Mingzhu had placed on the tatami and wrapped it around her.

Hearing her small complaint, Jiang Ji’s tone was light, “So? Still chatting with others and adding WeChat?”

Ji Mingzhu: ?

“…You’re so sour.”

“I don’t know if I’m sour, but I can make you sore.” As Jiang Ji spoke, his gaze dropped, landing directly on her chest, then after slightly passing over, moved to her waist.

Such a hint carried unspoken implication.

Ji Mingzhu imagined being made sore and weak by him, and suddenly felt she couldn’t withstand it.

“…Tell me honestly… has your mouth been blessed…”

Why did he always have reasons like this and that.

Others had sweet mouths like honey; he directly opened the edge.

Jiang Ji seemed to suddenly be in a better mood. He lowered his head and lightly bit the tip of her upturned nose, only asking back, “What do you think.”

......

What they called shopping was actually Jiang Ji accompanying Ji Mingzhu.

The young, noble, unsmiling man wore a structured coat over his black suit, with a light gray plaid scarf at the collar, extremely handsome.

The girl beside him almost leaned into his arms. The fluffy collar was pure white, her face like a rose blooming in snow, alluring and lazy.

The scarf covered her small chin, making her peach blossom eyes even more lively and bright.

The two walked along, attracting frequent glances from passersby.

“What else do you want to buy?” Jiang Ji carried the packaging boxes of Ji Mingzhu’s new spoils — several pairs of her favorite high heels — and spoke.

“I really don’t want to buy anything else. What about you, should I buy you new shirts?” Ji Mingzhu said, lightly tapping his collar with her fingertips.

“What, going to write new words on it?”

It would have been fine if Jiang Ji hadn’t mentioned it, but once he did, Ji Mingzhu suddenly remembered what happened in his office that day.

“Last time was because it was fun. If you insist this time, it’s not impossible.” Ji Mingzhu paused. “This time it’ll be like a tattoo, carried for life. Believe it or not, I’ll paint a pig on you.”

Jiang Ji couldn’t hold back, his tone lightly teasing. “How will you paint it? If you use lipstick, it can’t be carried for life.”

“You underestimate me. There’s always a way. Don’t get arrogant yet!”

“Mm, not underestimating you.”

The two left the main street of Lise Avenue and walked toward the row of shops on the side.

At this time, it didn’t matter what they were shopping for. With the two together, even doing anything casually made the air feel filled with cotton candy.

“I suddenly remembered, after I left that day, what did you and Zhao Lan talk about in the office?” Ji Mingzhu finally spoke.

Although she knew Jiang Ji had refused, at this moment it seemed that even though she had already buried her youthful past, subconsciously she still had resistant emotions toward Zhao Lan.

“Which day?”

“The day she wanted to do a financial interview with you.”

Ji Mingzhu felt Jiang Ji was pretending not to understand. She smiled coldly, pinching his palm, almost twisting it.

“If it’s this, she looked for me many times.” Jiang Ji thought for a moment, then answered.

“…Many times?” Now it was Ji Mingzhu’s turn to be surprised. There were actually many times she hadn’t seen?!

“She first asked once, Assistant Ying directly refused. Later, when you were at Jiang Corporation that time, I didn’t let her enter the office, so there was nothing to talk about.” Jiang Ji paused. “Afterward I went to the north of the city. Old Zhao invited me as a guest. When I came out, she stopped me and mentioned it again.”

Since then, the two had no more interaction.

Afterward, the next time they met was the day of the birthday banquet.

Hearing Jiang Ji mention the words “north of the city,” everything seemed to become clear in this instant.

Ji Mingzhu suddenly remembered the two she had seen when she went to the north of the city to record a video.

So…

The cause and effect were here.

“Then I’ll tell you a little secret too.” Ji Mingzhu looked mysterious.

“What little secret?” Jiang Ji lowered his eyes to look at her. In the night, the background light was blurred, but she, so close at hand, was especially clear.

Ji Mingzhu blinked her crow-black eyelashes. She wanted to tell him that she had actually seen the two that day.

However… the words reached her mouth and turned back. “Forget it, I won’t say it.”

She imitated Jiang Ji’s previous cool appearance, laying out all the infuriating tricks he had used on her before. “It’s not urgent now… you slowly guess… there’s still such a long time in the future.”

Jiang Ji fell silent for a moment.

It was the first time he suffered his own loss.

“Haha President Jiang, when you come out to mix, you have to repay eventually.”

......

The two joked for a while and unknowingly arrived at a shop.

Ji Mingzhu only glanced at the interior decoration and pulled Jiang Ji inside.

Inside were all Sally Chicken collaboration goods, everything available.

A bright yellow expanse.

As the two entered, the store manager at the cashier widened her eyes.

It seemed like welcome, and also surprise; her voice rose several tones—

“Ah, young man, you came again?!”

Hearing this, Ji Mingzhu turned to look at Jiang Ji beside her. He slightly nodded to the shop owner.

“Do you come to this store often?” Ji Mingzhu became curious.

“I came once.” He implied something. “The time I bought medicine for abrasions.”

“I know… now I see it.” Ji Mingzhu’s gaze fell on the circle of chick collaboration merchandise.

But — Ji Mingzhu found it unbelievable. “How did you think of buying Sally Chicken for me back then?”

For some reason… she suddenly felt a bit guilty.

Only because at that time, Ji Mingzhu really beat up that chick every day.

“Sometimes when passing your room door, I saw you seemed to like that chicken very much.” Jiang Ji’s expression didn’t change, stating flatly, “Holding it in your arms.”

Actually — it was because Ji Mingzhu’s door had never been tightly closed.

She was unguarded, and didn’t mind him in this shared space.

Not knowing where the “danger” was.

Ji Mingzhu probably wouldn’t look at him through the crack of the door, but… Jiang Ji had glimpsed her countless times through that narrow line of sight.

“You’re the one holding it in your arms.” Ji Mingzhu pointed at the shelf here; there happened to be a similar plush. “I’m usually the one beating it.”

In the end, Ji Mingzhu bought another Sally Chicken.

When checking out, the shop owner looked at Ji Mingzhu, then looked at Jiang Ji again.

Her eyesight really wasn’t bad. When this young man came before, he was indeed buying things for his girlfriend. Now it seemed his girlfriend was indeed excessively beautiful.

“Buying things for your girlfriend again?” The shop owner smiled, looking at the pair.

Jiang Ji paid neatly. “Mm.”

Ji Mingzhu hugged the little chick and, when walking out of the store, kept staring at Jiang Ji.

Even after getting into the car, her gaze seemed glued, sticking firmly without moving, not shifting for even a moment.

“What’s wrong?” Jiang Ji had actually noticed Ji Mingzhu’s scrutiny all along, but at this moment he couldn’t hold back. He turned his head and finally asked.

“That ‘again,’ aren’t you going to explain it?”

Buying things for your girlfriend again.

Again!

“When I came last time.” Jiang Ji’s tone was light, like drifting far to the horizon. “I didn’t deny it.”

Ji Mingzhu liked this kind of bottomless pit of exploration attached to Jiang Ji’s name.

This feeling was really novel and hard to satisfy.

“Jiang Ji… how many things have you done… that I don’t know about.”

Ji Mingzhu spoke slowly.

......

Returning to Park Hyatt, Jiang Ji told her to wash up and go rest.

“What about you, what are you going to do?”

“There are still some things to handle. Tomorrow morning I’ll come wake you.” Jiang Ji half-squatted to change her slippers. “We were out shopping for a long time today. It’s late, go rest early.”

“Oh…” Ji Mingzhu looked at him. “If I knew you were so busy, I wouldn’t have dragged you out.”

“Just something temporary.” Jiang Ji straightened. “Since you pity me so much—”

He stopped halfway.

The ending tone deliberately dragged, full of implication.

Ji Mingzhu froze.

If it were like in the elevator…

Better forget it!

Touching all day — that wouldn’t do.

She leaned forward and kissed his thin lips, making a “pop” sound.

“Alright, Ji Mingzhu successfully completed the mission~”

Jiang Ji seemed unsatisfied, staring deeply at her. “You really think I’m that easy to deal with?”

As he spoke, he leaned forward again, but the next second the phone rang.

He glanced at the screen — it was Assistant Ying calling.

“Yes! That’s exactly what I think!” By then, Ji Mingzhu had already run to the living room, leaving only a seemingly triumphant back view.

Jiang Ji looked in the direction she disappeared, clearly placing his fingertips on his lips.

That trace of rose fragrance seemed to still linger.

He was, of course, not that easy to deal with.

......

After Ji Mingzhu returned to the room, she placed the newly bought Sally Chicken next to the original one.

She poked each of them.

For some reason, her memory returned to the scene in the elevator that night.

Jiang Ji’s hand moved from her waist, slowly upward.

Then, without explanation, gradually covered.

Like kneading steamed bun dough… actually Ji Mingzhu had felt a bit of pain at that time.

And because one hand couldn’t control everything, Jiang Ji had no technique, only knowing to use brute force…

Thinking of this, Ji Mingzhu felt like a sponge soaked in water, shrinking and expanding, utterly helpless.

But that pain was only at the beginning; later it was much better.

Ji Mingzhu thought and thought, suddenly realizing that this scene kept circling in her mind again and again.

No matter how she tried, she couldn’t drive it away…

On a sudden whim, she lifted her collar and, under the light, took a look.

It seemed a little red.

Ji Mingzhu’s face “boom” exploded.

Jiang Ji was really harmful!

She made up her mind and simply carried one Sally Chicken to his room — one each, evenly distributed.

Although Jiang Ji was still in the study and not in the room, he had probably just come to change clothes, so a lamp was still on.

Ji Mingzhu thought of everything Jiang Ji had done accompanying her today…

Then remembered… because he had been too busy these days… Jiang Ji hadn’t slept with her at night.

She stared at the bed here for a while.

......

When Jiang Ji finished handling affairs, it was close to midnight.

In a few days, the smart robot invested and developed by Jiang Corporation would be launched and put into the subsequent production chain.

The plans related to promotion and early user feedback still needed continuous discussion and revision.

He went downstairs. Park Hyatt was quiet, only moonlight like water slowly shining in.

There was no sound in the house, just dark silence.

Jiang Ji walked past the corridor. On the left, Ji Mingzhu’s room was pitch black; she should already be asleep.

Only his own room leaked some light.

This lamp was deliberately left by Jiang Ji, so that with Ji Mingzhu sleeping opposite, she might feel someone was there.

It wasn’t exactly because he worried she’d be afraid, but Jiang Ji felt that with their current relationship, there should be something to hold onto.

That lamp was like that, as if he were by her side.

Jiang Ji’s steps paused. He didn’t think of disturbing her and directly pushed open his own door.

He first went to the bathroom. After washing up, he slowly walked toward his bed.

And when he lifted the quilt, Jiang Ji’s relaxed gaze instantly froze.

If… since entering the room… Jiang Ji had been careless about his bed — then now… Jiang Ji was equally surprised.

Inside the bedding, on his bed, was a beautiful scene.

Ji Mingzhu’s pajamas were thin, her curves rising and falling, curls resting on her snow-white smooth shoulders.

Her eyelashes were lowered, brows lightly furrowed.

She hugged that little chick plush, not knowing how long she had slept there.

Author’s Note: 【Mini Theater】

Chicken: Excited.

Piggy: ?

Chicken: This is what “when you come out to mix, you always have to repay” really means.

There was a bug in a previous chapter, I modified it~ And my outline will definitely all be written out, it’s just uncertain which chapter it will appear in, haha, I won’t not write it! Thanks to the little angels who threw overlord tickets or irrigated nutrient solution during 2020-03-02 10:45:44~2020-03-03 09:45:11~

Thanks to the little angels who threw landmines: Super Cute Yanyan, Lazy Sun Bun Shop 1 each;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: Meng Hui Yan Xing_ 20 bottles; Zhao Rang’s Iron Bull Snail 19 bottles; Wife of Shan p 11 bottles; lcj, lalala, play games today too, tsky 10 bottles; gardenia 6 bottles; Moon Zai Zai, Little Mengmeng 5 bottles; Ji Qiao, Adding Flowers to Brocade 2 bottles; aili, ellana, Cold Pupil, vv, Qianqian, Jiaying Baby 1 bottle;

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