"I can stop being angry, but only if..."
He reached out and wrapped his arm around Lin Shuran’s waist. "Ranran, why don't you skip going home tonight and stay with me instead? It’s been a while since we’ve... you know. I’ve missed you."
"I can't. If I don't go home tonight, my father will get suspicious." Lin Shuran’s face flushed with shyness as she muttered, "But, I can spend the day with you."
"Then... shall we go to a hotel now?"
"Mm-hmm, whatever you say."
...
After much deliberation, Jiang Nianxi finally decided to ask Xie Zhiyuan if she could consult him.
It wasn’t just because Xie Zhiyuan was a distinguished alumnus of Jing University—having graduated at the top of the business school with near-perfect marks in almost every subject—but more importantly, she wanted to find a way to repair her relationship with this uncle of hers.
In the past, because of Ji Yanxiu, she had treated him so poorly. Not only had she spoken to him with sharp words, but she had even resorted to physical confrontation, repeatedly wounding the heart of a man who had cared for her from childhood.
It wasn't too late to make amends!
However, he must be very busy, and it wouldn't be appropriate to just show up unannounced. Jiang Nianxi decided to test the waters first to see if he was free, so she opened WeChat.
At a glance, she saw the messages she had sent him before.
【Get lost! Are you annoying or what?】
【Who do you think you are? What right do you have to control me?】
【So what if I like him? I’m grown up now, can’t I pursue the person I like?】
【You don’t find a girlfriend yourself, yet you won’t let me have a boyfriend. It’s pathetic. You really think you’re something, don't you!】
【I hate you so much! Just get lost, I don’t want to see you ever again!】
Ugh...
Jiang Nianxi’s mouth twitched. As if trying to destroy evidence, she deleted the entire embarrassing chat history.
Then, she sent Xie Zhiyuan a cute animated cat sticker to say hello.
Xie Group.
Xie Zhiyuan was currently chairing a meeting with senior executives when his phone on the table suddenly buzzed with a notification. He cast a casual glance at it, and his entire demeanor froze.
Niannian: [Animated sticker]
She had actually reached out to him first.
Xie Zhiyuan immediately raised a hand to signal the executive who was presenting to pause, while his other hand picked up the phone.
Jiang Nianxi hadn't expected Xie Zhiyuan to respond, so she was surprised to receive a reply almost immediately: 【?】
Feeling a surge of confidence, she asked: 【Uncle, do you have any lunch plans today? ^^】
Xie Zhiyuan’s heart trembled slightly. Was she... trying to invite him out?
He replied: 【Why?】
Jiang Nianxi pursed her lips. Her uncle was as sparing with his words as ever.
【If you don’t have any plans, can I bring you lunch? How about the sweet and sour pork ribs and pan-seared ribs made by Chef Zhang? I remember you like them.】
She remembered what he liked to eat.
Knowing her nature, she wouldn't come to him for no reason; she probably needed something.
However, the fact that she was willing to contact him, or even meet him, meant that even if she wanted him to help her chase that guy surnamed Ji, he couldn't bring himself to refuse.
Xie Zhiyuan smiled bitterly to himself and replied: 【Alright.】
Only then did he lift his gaze toward the executives in the conference room and say coldly, "Continue."
The executives looked at each other in confusion.
Who could have possibly sent a message to Mr. Xie? Just moments ago, he had been radiating terrifying coldness because he was dissatisfied with their proposals, but now his mood had eased significantly. It was bizarre!
...
The Xie Group headquarters was located in the heart of the CBD, where every inch of land was worth gold. The modern, towering building stood as a landmark of the business district.
"Miss, I’m sorry, but you cannot see Mr. Xie without an appointment." The receptionist looked at Jiang Nianxi with cold eyes. "To be honest, there are countless women like you who come up with all sorts of excuses to get close to Mr. Xie."
Hm?
So her uncle was that popular!
Well, that made sense. Just his bewitching face alone was enough to enchant a crowd, not to mention his status.
Jiang Nianxi remained calm. "I have an appointment with your Mr. Xie. If you don’t believe me, you can call him and ask."
"We don't have the authority to do that."
The receptionist’s gaze became even more disdainful. "Miss, I advise you to drop any inappropriate ideas you might have. Two days ago, an influencer who claimed to be Mr. Xie’s fiancée was dragged out by security. It was quite a spectacle. Would you like to try that too?"
Jiang Nianxi didn't want to waste any more time with her. She took out her phone, intending to call Xie Zhiyuan, when a stern voice boomed over, "Are you trying to get yourself fired? How dare you treat Ms. Jiang with such an attitude!"
Zhou Yan hurried over toward them. "Ms. Jiang, I apologize. She has no eye for talent. Please don't take it to heart."
Jiang Nianxi turned her head and gave him a faint smile. "Assistant Zhou, you've arrived just in time."
Zhou Yan’s eyes widened in shock. "You... you are—Ms. Jiang?"
From the silhouette he had seen earlier, he had recognized her immediately. But now, seeing her face, he found himself doubting it!
Jiang Nianxi raised an eyebrow. "Is that so hard to believe?"
"..." Zhou Yan was stunned speechless.
He hadn't been working with Xie Zhiyuan for very long and had never seen what Jiang Nianxi used to look like. He only knew that every time he had seen her before, he felt his eyes were being assaulted.
But the girl before him was fair-skinned and beautiful, with bright lips and pearly white teeth. Her almond-shaped eyes were as pure and pretty as a young deer's.
She wore a houndstooth tweed suit, exuding an elegant and distinguished temperament, with a pearl hairpin in her hair. Its soft luster complemented her porcelain-like skin; she looked like a beauty who had stepped right out of a painting.
Zhou Yan stared, transfixed, a blush creeping up his ears.
God, he never imagined that Ms. Jiang would look so stunning when dressed normally!
Recovering himself, Zhou Yan gestured with his hand. "Ms. Jiang, please, this way."
Seeing him lead Jiang Nianxi toward the executive private elevator, the receptionist turned pale. She stepped forward and whispered, "Assistant Zhou, who is she?"
Zhou Yan glared at her. "She is the person Mr. Xie cares about most. You’re lucky she’s not holding this against you, otherwise you’d be in deep trouble!"
What?
The person Mr. Xie cares about most?
The receptionist was incredulous, finally realizing what a fool she had just made of herself.
In the CEO’s office.
Zhou Yan knocked on the door. "Mr. Xie, Ms. Jiang is here."
"Come in."
Hearing that deep, cold voice, Jiang Nianxi felt a sudden wave of nerves. She took a deep breath before following Zhou Yan inside.
Xie Zhiyuan stood before the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, holding a cup of coffee and overlooking the city. The afternoon light traced the exquisite, sharp contours of his profile.
He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, and his legs seemed longer than her entire life.
Honestly, if her uncle weren't in business and had gone into entertainment instead, just his face and build would have made him a top-tier star!
Jiang Nianxi felt, for the umpteenth time, that she must have been blind. Why on earth had she ever thought Ji Yanxiu was the most handsome man in the world?
Xie Zhiyuan turned his head, and the moment he saw Jiang Nianxi, he was struck with astonishment.
She had actually washed off all that strange, eccentric makeup.
But didn't she want to please that guy surnamed Ji?
Jiang Nianxi greeted him politely, "Uncle."
Xie Zhiyuan suppressed the complex emotions in his heart and said nonchalantly, "Go ahead. What is it?"
Straight to the point?
It seemed that in her uncle’s eyes, her intentions weren't pure—though, to be fair, they weren't.
Jiang Nianxi rubbed her nose. "It’s like this..."
Zhou Yan’s heart immediately leapt into his throat.
The proposals today had been revised several times without meeting Mr. Xie’s satisfaction, and he was already very displeased. If she brought up that pretty boy, nobody in the company would have a peaceful day!
Seeing her hesitate, Xie Zhiyuan’s eyes turned a shade colder.
So, it really was about that guy surnamed Ji.