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Ji Yanzhou had sent her the time and location. He was someone with a strong sense of punctuality and always arrived on time.
Ji Xueli hurriedly put on her earrings and shoes before rushing out the door. “Auntie Li, I won’t be home for dinner tonight, no need to cook for me.”
“Okay, Miss,” Auntie Li replied. Seeing her so flustered, she assumed it was something work-related and couldn’t help sighing.
Outside, Ji Xueli took a deep breath to calm herself. She needed to approach Ji Yanzhou with the demeanor of a refined lady.
Just as she stepped out of the courtyard, she saw a white BMW parked outside. The owner of the car was already out, standing beside it. His black eyes were cool and distant, carrying a noble, untouchable aura that made him seem aloof from the world, almost intimidating.
When he saw her, Ji Yanzhou took a few steps forward.
“Have you been waiting long?” Ji Xueli asked politely as she walked up.
“No.” Ji Yanzhou looked at her, and couldn’t help remembering how it was when they were together. He was always on time, while she always ran a few minutes late.
He politely opened the car door for her.
“Thank you.” Ji Xueli didn’t know why, but she always felt a bit tense around him—maybe because they used to argue so much…
Once in the car, she nervously fiddled with her purse. She didn’t know what to say, and the atmosphere felt awkward.
But the man beside her didn’t seem to notice at all. Glancing at her, he was the first to speak: “What time are you heading to the film set tomorrow?”
“Five in the morning,” Ji Xueli replied, feeling like she was about to collapse just thinking about it. Being a celebrity wasn’t all glamor.
Ji Yanzhou nodded and added, “Congratulations on getting the new endorsement.”
“You even know about that?” Ji Xueli was a bit surprised. The endorsement hadn’t been officially announced yet, but she had already been confirmed as the brand ambassador for a luxury brand. Considering she had just made her comeback, this was a big deal.
“Industry insiders already know.”
“Oh, right. I forgot—you’re also in the entertainment business.” Ji Yanzhou owned a company too, so naturally, he’d be in the loop.
Ji Xueli sighed, “I’m heading to Hengdian tomorrow, then I have to film a promo the day after, then back to Hengdian… Honestly, I might as well give up on getting a full night’s sleep.”
“How long until the film is done?” Ji Yanzhou frowned slightly.
“Over a month left,” Ji Xueli replied. Even when that wraps, there are already other activities lined up. Her schedule for the entire year was practically set.
At a red light, Ji Yanzhou stopped the car. “When do you plan to leave START Entertainment?”
Why the sudden topic change…
“My schedule is fully booked for the year, so I probably won’t leave anytime soon,” Ji Xueli replied tactfully. Besides, START was giving her top-tier resources—she’d stay until the contract ended for the sake of her career.
Ji Yanzhou’s face darkened. He was clearly displeased.
“START is just a platform; my team is still the same people,” Ji Xueli quickly added.
Ever since she found out he was the male lead, she didn’t know how to act around him anymore. Everything just felt off.
“How long is the contract?” he pressed.
Ji Xueli sheepishly held up eight fingers. “Eight years.”
His expression worsened. That meant she’d be under START—and Duan Qingyu—for eight more years.
“What’s the penalty for breaking the contract?” he asked directly.
Now she was the one who wasn’t happy. “Ji Yanzhou, didn’t we agree to start over as friends? You’re crossing the line now.”
Not just crossing it—he was barging in. START was one of the top entertainment companies. If she broke the contract this early, it would be career suicide.
Ji Yanzhou gripped the steering wheel tighter. He knew that—but he couldn’t help it. Ever since he found out Duan Qingyu had feelings for her, his anger had been rising by the day.
And she used to be close with those people. Now, things seemed to be heading that way again. He was scared she’d leave again—just like before—without a word.
Noticing his expression, Ji Xueli softened her tone. “Don’t worry, I can separate work and personal life.”
“We’re here. Get out,” Ji Yanzhou said instead of replying.
Ji Xueli unbuckled her seatbelt, feeling like if this continued any longer, she might lose it.
She patted her chest—no anger, no anger. This was all her own doing anyway.
Ji Yanzhou had booked a Western restaurant—one they used to frequent.
“Mr. Ji, your table is this way,” a server rushed out to greet them and lead them inside.
Ji Yanzhou responded with a nod.
Ji Xueli discreetly glanced around. The decor was in a classical Western style, and clearly expensive—easily over a thousand yuan per person.
“What would you like to eat?” Ji Yanzhou handed her the menu.
She scanned it briefly and ordered a few familiar dishes, plus a bottle of red wine.
“Your tastes haven’t changed,” Ji Yanzhou commented.
That was good. The original Ji Xueli and her had similar preferences. “Taste isn’t something that changes easily,” she replied smoothly.
Then Ji Yanzhou changed the subject. “What about the person?”
Ji Xueli figured he was referring to how she used to treat him. She calmly wiped her hands and dodged the question: “When did Xie Yujun start hanging around you?”
“You know—after she saved me when I had alcohol poisoning,” Ji Yanzhou replied.
“She came to me after the Haitang Bay project fell apart. Asked me to help you. Even asked me to leave you,” Ji Xueli said bluntly.
Ji Yanzhou frowned, clearly displeased.
“I said no. I felt it was your business and I didn’t want to get involved,” she added.
“You really don’t need to worry about Haitang Bay. I have my ways. As for her…” Ji Yanzhou trailed off, unsure of what to say.
Ji Xueli set her towel aside for the waiter to collect and got straight to the point: “She likes you.”
Ji Yanzhou’s expression didn’t change—it seemed he already knew.
“So, what’s your stance? Is she a ‘personal assistant’? A friend? Or…” Ji Xueli stopped. She felt she needed to hear something from him.
He wasn’t like Duan Qingyu—whose thoughts were impossible to read. Ji Yanzhou’s emotions could still be read in his expressions, so she could more or less guess his feelings.
“Assistant,” Ji Yanzhou replied.
Ji Xueli nodded. Now she understood why in old romance novels, the female lead always got hurt in the beginning, and then the male lead chased her down like his life depended on it. So stubborn. So unwilling to admit anything.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t the female lead. She was the love rival. The villainess.
So…
She asked, “Really just an assistant?”
Ji Yanzhou set down his glass and clasped his slender, pale hands together. “You’re the one who left without a word back then.”
Of all people, you have the least right to ask.