He stood up abruptly and draped his clothes over the chair, "I'm going to the restroom."
Jiang Mian felt a bit agitated. Why hadn't Ji Zhixiu come to find her yet?
When Ji Zhixiu returned from the restroom and couldn't find her, then located Jiang Mian, he saw the two of them entangled. Jiang Mian's back was to him.
"Mianmian," his voice carried a hint of fear that only he knew.
Hearing the sound, Shen Tingyu unconsciously loosened her grip.
Jiang Mian turned her face, her small face full of grievance, the corners of her eyes reddened, and her voice was delicate, "Xi-xiu... it hurts."
She extended a snow-white wrist, which had been squeezed red and swollen by the woman, to show the man.
Ji Zhixiu's usually calm face showed a hint of nervousness. He strode over, took her hand, and questioned, "What's going on?"
Jiang Mian had fair and tender skin, which easily showed marks with just a little force.
His voice was too cold. Shen Tingyu's face showed a trace of guilt and panic at being discovered. She shook her head, "It's... it's not me, I don't know, I didn't do it... Listen to me, Zhixiu, I just wanted to talk to her."
Jiang Mian looked at the scene and narrowed her eyes slightly, letting out a delicate cry, "Xi-xiu, my hand hurts..."
Ji Zhixiu bent down and scooped her up, his expression stern, his gaze sharp as he looked at Shen Tingyu, "From now on, if she's here, you are not to appear."
Even after the people had walked far away, Jiang Mian was still pondering what he meant by that.
Did he mean that wherever Shen Tingyu was, Jiang Mian should take a detour?
The man walked out with a cold face, and Jiang Mian was momentarily unsure of his intentions.
Her small hands wrapped around his neck, and Jiang Mian reminded him, "I haven't taken my clothes yet."
"It's just a piece of clothing."
"How can I go out like this? Do you want me to freeze to death?"
She truly had lost her mind upon seeing her old flame, Jiang Mian frowned imperceptibly.
Without a down jacket, she was only wearing a loose sweater. The weather in Kyoto was freezing, so she naturally couldn't go out.
He paused and set her down on the sofa in the lobby.
"Wait here, I'll get them for you."
Jiang Mian nodded obediently.
Her phone was in her bag, and her bag was also left in the private room.
Jiang Mian idly picked up the promotional brochure on the table.
The promotional brochure for Yan Wang Fu was exquisitely made, with tempting dishes.
As she was engrossed in looking, a surprised voice sounded by her ear, "Miss Jiang, is that you?"
Jiang Mian looked up.
"President Luo."
The person was the young master of the Luo family, the CEO of Luo Entertainment.
Jiang Mian had previously filmed a low-budget web drama for their company, which had become popular online for a while.
Afterward, because she was too laid-back, there were no further developments.
Luo Fei appeared to be a gentleman, with a slight smile, "What a coincidence, I didn't expect to see you here."
Jiang Mian curved her lips, neither standing up to greet him nor inviting him to sit.
"It is indeed a coincidence."
The conversation seemed to have stalled, but Luo Fei didn't feel awkward.
He hadn't expected to see Jiang Mian here, and his hidden desires began to stir.
"I didn't expect Miss Jiang to retire after filming that drama. Your fans have missed you dearly for so many years. If possible, we hope Miss Jiang can consider Luo's. Luo's will be your best partner."
Jiang Mian had a management company, and although it wasn't famous, it treated her well.
Even if she didn't, she wouldn't consider Luo's.
They say one shouldn't hit a smiling person. She slowly nodded, "Okay."
Ji Zhixiu returned after retrieving her things and saw Jiang Mian talking to a man.
His brow furrowed, and displeasure flickered in his heart.
Jiang Mian's sharp eyes spotted him, and she got up and pounced, "Xi-xiu, why did it take so long? I've been waiting for ages."
The young girl's voice was soft and delicate, and Ji Zhixiu's displeasure instantly vanished.
He put on the down jacket for Jiang Mian as if pampering a daughter, then took off his scarf and placed it around her neck.
The dark gray scarf made her small, palm-sized face appear even more delicate.
Ji Zhixiu's voice carried a hint of coolness, "Who is that?"
The scarf was still warm. Jiang Mian squinted comfortably. Knowing he had seen, she replied, "Someone unimportant."
This answer greatly pleased the man.
Ji Zhixiu didn't ask further questions and led the woman out.
Luo Fei stared at their departing backs. His assistant urged him, "President, President Wang and the others have already arrived."
Luo Fei unhurriedly asked him, "Was that girl just now good-looking?"
Based on his years of experience in the industry, his assistant nodded, "Extremely beautiful," and then added, "It's a shame she seems to have a boyfriend."
Due to the obstruction of passing guests, Luo Fei hadn't clearly seen the man's appearance. A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes, "So what if she has a boyfriend? Is he better than me?"
The assistant smiled and flattered, "Who can compare to you, President? You took over Luo's at twenty and, in two years, made it the leading entertainment company in the country."
If there was truly someone who could be stronger than President Luo, it would only be President Ji of the Ji Corporation.
A business prodigy who, through his own efforts, resurrected the Ji Corporation and elevated it to new heights. He is now the undisputed head of Kyoto's elite, and no one fears his thunderous methods.
Of course, he wouldn't dare to say that out loud.
Luo Fei turned and walked inside, "Let's go in."
...
After Ji Zhixiu left, Chang Qin lit a cigarette, "Lu Cong, tell me, what have you been doing?"
Lu Cong recalled Ji Zhixiu's cold expression just now, and the words "From now on, don't interfere in Shen Tingyu's affairs" still echoed in his ears.
He couldn't help but shiver, "Chang Qin, what's going on between Brother Xiu and Shen Tingyu?"
Chang Qin flicked the ash from his cigarette, "It's none of your business. Just remember that Jiang Mian is our sister-in-law, that's all that matters."
Lu Cong nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry, from now on, even if Shen Tingyu greets me, I won't acknowledge her."
"It's best if it's like that."
Shen Tingyu was still immersed in Ji Zhixiu's warning just now.
He must be angry, blaming her for leaving for three years. Shen Tingyu gave a bitter smile. It was understandable that he would be angry.
Wasn't she back now to win him back?
He was definitely punishing her by being so cold, he was sure of it. As for Jiang Mian, she was just a replacement.
Shen Tingyu rallied her spirits. When she returned to the private room, Ji Zhixiu and Jiang Mian had already disappeared.
She absentmindedly greeted everyone and, having no desire to stay, got up to leave.
...
In the car.
Jiang Mian leaned on his shoulder and whispered in his ear, breathing like orchids, "Xi-xiu."
This man hadn't spoken a word since getting in the car.
Was he still in a bad mood after seeing his old flame?
Before Ji Zhixiu could speak, his phone rang.
He answered the call. The voice on the other end said something, and he immediately replied, "We'll be there immediately."
"What's wrong?" Jiang Mian asked, seeing his low spirits.
Ji Zhixiu's eyes were heavy, "Zhi Lan has been admitted to the hospital. I need to see her."
Ji Zhi Lan was his sister.
Jiang Mian knew this, but the two had never met.
She nodded, "Then you go. I'll take a taxi back myself."
"I'll take you home," he said resolutely.
After dropping Jiang Mian back at Shengshi Huating, Ji Zhixiu told the driver to turn around and head to the Central Hospital.
36th floor VIP ward of the inpatient department.
Ji Zhi Lan lay in bed, her delicate face pale.
Her appearance bore a four or five-point resemblance to Ji Zhixiu, but her temperament was vastly different.
She hadn't dared to tell anyone about this matter, only confiding in her brother.
Seeing Ji Zhixiu enter, the young girl began to cry.
Ji Zhixiu's sharp eyes, like a thousand-year-old ice, swept indifferently over the bruises on her face. His voice was like cold water, "What exactly happened? Tell me."
His expression was so terrifying that the temperature in the ward dropped by several degrees.
Even in front of this brother, Ji Zhi Lan didn't dare to act spoiled.
She held back her tears and sobbed, "Jiang Cheng hit me."
Hmph, he had met his sister's boyfriend once.
In front of him, he was so scared his legs were trembling, and he could barely speak, but his sister liked him, so Ji Zhixiu had let it slide.
He hadn't expected it to escalate to domestic violence.
He let out a cold scoff, "Ji Zhi Lan, is your brain grafted? Don't worry, I'll make him taste the same pain you're feeling."
"No, brother, don't!" Ji Zhi Lan, terrified, sat up in bed.
She knew her brother too well. If he wanted to, he had a thousand ways to make Jiang Cheng wish he were dead.
But they had been together for five years, and Ji Zhi Lan couldn't bear it.
Ji Zhixiu narrowed his long, slender eyes, "Why?"
"Brother, please let him go. I promise I won't associate with him again and I won't get hurt again," she pleaded.
Ji Zhixiu exhaled, "As you wish. I'll leave Xiang Long to take care of you."
Xiang Long was his bodyguard.
Ji Zhi Lan breathed a sigh of relief. With her brother saying this, he wouldn't pursue it.
"Thank you, brother."
As they were speaking, her phone rang. Looking at the caller ID, Ji Zhi Lan hesitated to answer.
Ji Zhixiu glanced at her, "Who is it?"
"It's Jiang Cheng," she said with difficulty.
"Answer it, put it on speaker," he commanded.
Ji Zhi Lan slowly picked up the phone, and the man's voice immediately rang out.
"Lan Lan, where are you? I was wrong, can you forgive me? I promise this is the last time! I love you so much! Lan Lan, please! Forgive me!"
Ji Zhixiu heard it all clearly.
He glanced at Ji Zhi Lan.
Ji Zhi Lan took a deep breath. No matter how much affection she had, she didn't dare to look back.
In front of her brother, she replied coldly, "Jiang Cheng, we're breaking up!"
Afterward, she blocked the man's number.
Ji Zhixiu stood up, "Rest well. If you need anything, find Xiang Long."
As he reached the door, he instructed Xiang Long, "Take good care of Miss."
"Yes, President Ji."
After leaving Yan Wang Fu, Shen Tingyu suddenly remembered that she had a medical report at the Central Hospital that she hadn't collected.
She hailed a taxi to the hospital.
Upon arriving upstairs, she realized she had gone to the wrong place and entered the inpatient department.
The nurse at the nurse's station politely asked who she was looking for.
Shen Tingyu smiled apologetically, "I'm sorry, I came to the wrong floor."
"Which floor were you looking for?"
"I need to go to the medical examination center."
"The medical examination center is in the building behind," the nurse enthusiastically pointed the way.
Shen Tingyu turned back to the elevator. As she walked out after descending, she immediately saw that distinguished and extraordinary man.
She hadn't expected to see this man here, and Shen Tingyu's heart began to beat faster.
Seeing the man about to walk away, she quickly called out, "Zhixiu!"