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On the other side, Qi Qin led Wen Jiu to the entrance of the living room and said softly, “Wait here for a moment, I’ll check what Yan-ge is doing.”
Qi Qin hadn’t planned to bring Wen Jiu directly into the villa. After all, many people came here to discuss important matters with Jiang Yanci, and he was afraid she might overhear something confidential that couldn’t be leaked.
“Yan-ge.”
Entering the living room and seeing the people seated inside, Qi Qin was immensely glad about his decision. He greeted the group of bigshots politely before leaning in to quietly remind Jiang Yanci:
“Wen Jiu wants to see you. I brought her over. She’s at the entrance now. Do you want to see her?”
Jiang Yanci hadn’t paid much attention to Qi Qin’s arrival, his head still lowered over a document. But upon hearing that, he slowly raised his head.
His gaze passed over the living room and landed on the jade screen at the entrance.
The girl’s graceful silhouette was outlined in light against the screen, blending with the carved bamboo shadows, looking as if she had become part of an ancient painting.
Jiang Yanci handed the document in his hand to Chen Xiao and said, “Let’s call it a day. Dismissed.”
“Yes.”
In the Jiang family, Jiang Yanci’s word was law. No matter how far along a negotiation was or whether a matter had been resolved, if Jiang Yanci said it was over, no one dared linger.
The guests in the living room filed out one after another. Wen Jiu, still smiling politely, was just about to step aside when Jiang Yanci appeared in her line of sight.
Today, he wore a dark ink-blue shirt, the collar slightly open and sleeves rolled up past his forearms, exuding a relaxed, unruly charm.
He toyed with a red cord in his hand, from which hung a half-broken jade thumb ring.
As he stepped out of the living room, the sunlight hit the jade, making its already fine quality look even more translucent.
Sadly, the ring was broken and only half remained.
“Miss Wen.” Jiang Yanci stopped two steps away from her, holding back the urge to get closer, and said gently,
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No, not at all.” Wen Jiu shook her head. Despite sensing the curious glances from others, she remained composed as she spoke to him.
“I came because I had something to ask you.”
Jiang Yanci gestured, “Come in first.”
Wen Jiu stepped forward, one step at a time, until she passed Jiang Yanci and entered the living room.
Seeing Jiang Yanci follow her instead of leading, someone among the departing guests couldn’t help but whisper:
“Who’s that?”
“No idea.”
“If it’s not your business, don’t ask. Jiang Yanci isn’t your boss.”
He didn’t tolerate people acting beyond their station.
“I’m just curious… fine, let’s go.”
The one who asked tried to justify himself, but when he felt the cold stares from the shadows fall upon him, he only wanted to leave faster.
Soon, the people near the entrance dispersed completely. The spacious living room was left with only Wen Jiu, Jiang Yanci, and the ever-laid-back Qi Qin, lounging in the side seat.
Seeing Jiang Yanci actually walking behind Wen Jiu, Qi Qin gave him a teasing glance before yawning and saying lazily,
“I’m still sleepy, I’ll go back and nap some more.”
He strolled out, yawning as he went.
Neither Wen Jiu nor Jiang Yanci stopped him. Once his figure had disappeared, Wen Jiu withdrew her gaze.
“Come with me,” Jiang Yanci said as he turned and walked toward another door.
“The living room is for meeting outsiders. I’ll take you to the tea room.”
Wen Jiu walked beside him. “I just came to ask you one thing. No need to go to all this trouble.”
She had intended to get her answer and leave, but Jiang Yanci clearly didn’t plan to let her go so easily.
Sure enough, the next moment, she heard him say:
“It’s no trouble. At the very least, I should treat you well…”
After a pause, he continued,
“…as my honored guest.”
His enunciation emphasized my, as if deliberately.
They walked in silence, passing through a small garden before entering the nearby tea room. Jiang Yanci gestured for her to sit before asking,
“What kind of tea would you like?”
“Anything is fine.”
Wen Jiu sat opposite him and, seeing his skilled movements as he warmed the cups and added the tea leaves, she realized this wasn’t his first time doing this.
Jiang Yanci’s hands were flawless—long, slender fingers with clearly defined joints and faint veins running across the pale skin, emanating an indescribable allure.
The blue-and-white porcelain teacups danced skillfully in his fingers, creating yet another mesmerizing sight.
Wen Jiu didn’t rush things. Resting her chin in her hand, she watched with interest as he slowly brewed the tea, relishing the final product.
“So fragrant.” Wen Jiu lifted her teacup, inhaling the inviting aroma—like the fresh vitality of a mountain stream at dawn.
She took a small sip, then gave him a thumbs-up.
“This is better than any tea I’ve ever had.”
Wen Jiu often visited tea houses, but even the most high-end places couldn’t compare to the cup Jiang Yanci had made for her.
“As long as you like it.” Jiang Yanci smiled. Seeing her finish her tea, he refilled it before asking,
“So, what did you want to ask me?”
Wen Jiu immediately sat up straight. “I want to ask—were you the one who helped deal with the people following me?”
“Of course, I’m just asking because… among the people I know in Gangcheng, only you and Qi Qin have the power to do that. I already asked Qi Qin, and he said it wasn’t him. So… I came to ask you.”
She hadn’t planned to say so much, but looking into Jiang Yanci’s smiling eyes, she inexplicably felt guilty—
As if asking Qi Qin before him was something she should regret.
“It was me.” Jiang Yanci smiled at her and asked, “Did you see the man kneeling at the entrance just now?”
Wen Jiu nodded.
“That’s the one who hired people to stalk and secretly photograph you. I’ve already handed the ones who took the pictures to the police.”
Noticing Wen Jiu’s expression darken at the mention of “secret photos,” Jiang Yanci added:
“They were just shots of your daily activities. I’ve cleaned everything up. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you.”
Wen Jiu knew that just saying thanks felt inadequate. She paused, then added,
“If there’s anything you need help with, and I can do it, I will.”
“Alright.” Jiang Yanci agreed, not doubting her sincerity in the slightest.
Glancing at the time, he asked,
“Have you had lunch?”
“Not yet.” Wen Jiu wasn’t shy at all. “I actually just woke up an hour and a half ago.”
“Perfect. Lunch is just ready.” Jiang Yanci looked up and gestured to her,
“Let’s go, Miss Wen~”
The words Miss Wen rolled off his tongue slowly, like he’d savored them, laced with a soft, lingering fondness.
Wen Jiu followed him, unconsciously reaching up to touch her warm ears.
Then she said,
“Jiang Yanci, actually… you can just call me by my name. Or Jiujiu? A-Jiu? That’s what my family and friends call me.”
“Is that so?”
Jiang Yanci’s steps paused.
Then he simply stopped, lowered his gaze, and fixed his eyes intensely on her.
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