Chapter 14: A Little Impression

Duan Qingyu didn’t participate in their conversation. He took a sip of his drink, the ice cubes clinking against the glass.

Ji Xueli didn’t speak either. Instead, under their watchful gazes, she walked forward.

“Excuse me, could you move aside?” Ji Xueli spoke to the woman next to Duan Qingyu.

The woman hesitated, knowing Ji Xueli’s status, but she looked at Duan Qingyu, silently hoping he would say something on her behalf.

However, Duan Qingyu didn’t even glance at her. His eyes were fixed solely on Ji Xueli: “Isn’t this a gathering?”

Reluctantly, the woman moved aside and sat down. Ji Xueli took a seat next to Duan Qingyu, their shoulders brushing. She spoke casually, “It’s over, I came for a drink.”

The others looked at Ji Xueli sitting next to Duan Qingyu, and then started chatting. They couldn’t believe it—after such a big falling out in the past, they were now sitting together and drinking…

Cheng Du tilted his head, avoiding eye contact with them. Judging by Ji Xueli’s attitude, she was serious about this, but it was fine as long as she wasn’t with Ji Yan Zhou. After all, it was him who caused the rift between them in the first place.

However, considering the Crown Prince’s family background and looks, why hadn’t he been able to compete with Ji Yan Zhou? Though he had these qualities as well…

In terms of looks, Cheng Du still believed the Crown Prince had the upper hand.

Tsk, who would have thought Ji Xueli was still someone who cared about appearances.

“Didn’t expect… after coming back to the country, Miss Ji and the Crown Prince seem to have quite a good relationship,” someone said with an awkward smile.

That smile was so fake. Ji Xueli took a sip of her drink. Who says you can’t be on good terms with an ex? As long as you have thick skin.

Duan Qingyu ignored them and continued asking, “Cheng Du mentioned you went to the hospital with Ji Yan Zhou.”

“Yeah, to visit his assistant.” Ji Xueli nodded, not trying to hide anything. It wasn’t really important.

“Did you meet her?” Duan Qingyu asked, showing some interest.

Ji Xueli noticed his reaction and felt something was off. “I did. What? You know her?”

“I’ve seen her a few times. I have some impression of her,” Duan Qingyu replied casually, raising his eyebrow with a low voice.

Oh… no wonder Ji mother warned her to be careful. Could that assistant have some hidden intentions? Maybe she had some connection with Duan Qingyu.

“That assistant is pretty, no wonder the Crown Prince remembers her,” Ji Xueli said with a smile.

If anyone should be jealous, it should be Ji Yan Zhou, not Duan Qingyu. Duan Qingyu glanced at her without a trace of emotion.

“Compared to her, Miss Ji is even more beautiful.” The corners of his eyes curled up, carrying a hint of flirtation.

That was definitely an ambiguous statement, but to Ji Xueli, it didn’t feel that way. She inexplicably felt a sense of danger.

“Really? The Crown Prince is comparing me to someone else? That’s quite hurtful,” Ji Xueli said, lowering her brows and feigning a hurt expression.

Duan Qingyu chuckled lightly and clinked his cup with hers. “Miss Ji is indeed a good actress.”

“Did you figure that out so easily?” Ji Xueli suppressed her emotions, feeling that it wasn’t worth it, and took another sip.

“After three years abroad, you must have improved quite a bit,” Duan Qingyu said, looking at her with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Was this a veiled jab at the female lead’s sudden departure? Sigh, luckily, Ji Xueli understood sarcasm. Otherwise, she might have thought he was criticizing her professional abilities.

Ji Xueli quickly analyzed the situation in her mind and smiled: “Whether I’ve improved or not, the Crown Prince was able to see it at a glance.”

Their gazes met, and Duan Qingyu tried to read her emotions, but there was nothing there.

Duan Qingyu was the first to avert his gaze, his eyes dark and unreadable.