Chapter 12: A Declaration of Ownership

Tang Xiaohe thought to herself:
Since her goal was to win over Ji Yanli, then naturally the faster their relationship progressed, the better.
A simple change in how they addressed each other — no big deal, nothing to be shy about.
So, she nodded.
“Then I’ll call you Yanli from now on.”

Ji Yanli responded gently, “Mm.”

Tang Xiaohe picked up another bite of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall and exclaimed happily,
“Wow, this tastes even better than their signature dish, the salted duck!”

Ji Yanli normally didn’t have much of an appetite, but seeing her enjoy herself so much, he smiled faintly and took a bite of the dish she praised.

Tang Xiaohe looked at him expectantly, waiting for his review.
“Well?” she asked.

Ji Yanli nodded. “It’s good.”

“I know another place in the South City that makes this dish really well. My friends and I love it. If you’d like to try it, I can take you next time!”

“Sounds good.” Ji Yanli replied in his usual mild tone.

Just then, a tall, attractive woman walked up to their table.

“Officer Ji, what a coincidence! You’re dining here too?”

Tang Xiaohe thought the woman looked familiar. She was sure she’d seen her before.
Ji Yanli gave a nod and a short “Mm” as a response.

The cold reaction seemed to catch the woman off guard, and she stood there awkwardly.

Tang Xiaohe had no choice but to break the ice.
“Yanli, who’s this?”

Hearing Tang Xiaohe call him “Yanli” so softly and sweetly, Ji Yanli couldn’t help but smile.

“She’s a colleague — Fang Yun.”

Fang Yun’s expression changed slightly when she heard the intimate way Tang Xiaohe addressed Ji Yanli.
She had worked with Ji Yanli for so long. He was always like an iceberg around her, cold and aloof.
When had she ever seen him be this gentle with anyone?

Fang Yun’s eyes scanned Tang Xiaohe from head to toe.

Tang Xiaohe narrowed her beautiful eyes in thought.
So, this was Ji Yanli’s colleague.
She suddenly remembered where she’d seen Fang Yun before — wasn’t she the one who had tried to drink a cross-cupped wine with Ji Yanli in that private room?

Sensing Fang Yun’s faintly hostile gaze, Tang Xiaohe thought to herself:
Yup. A romantic rival. Definitely not here for friendly conversation.

“Officer Ji, and this is…?”

After introducing Fang Yun, Ji Yanli said nothing further.
But Fang Yun wasn’t giving up — she was desperate to know their relationship.
This girl, apart from having a pretty face, didn’t look like much.
Judging by her outfit, not a single luxury brand in sight.
Even the handbag she placed on the table was just a COACH Dionysus — not worth much.

Earlier when she walked over, she vaguely heard Tang Xiaohe excitedly talking about how delicious this and that dish was, like some country bumpkin who’d never seen fine dining before.

How could someone like Officer Ji, who comes from such a good family, be into this kind of girl?

Just as Ji Yanli was about to speak, Tang Xiaohe beat him to it.
She stood up, extended her hand to Fang Yun, and said clearly:

“Hi, I’m Tang Xiaohe — Yanli’s girlfriend.”

Fang Yun’s pupils dilated in shock.
She turned her gaze toward Ji Yanli, forcing a smile as she sought confirmation.

Ji Yanli glanced at Tang Xiaohe and, as expected, noticed her other hand — the one by her side — nervously fidgeting with her fingers.
He chuckled to himself.
She probably hadn’t even realized that she did this little gesture when she was anxious.
It was quite cute.

So, he nodded and gave Fang Yun a firm response:
“Mm.”

Just one syllable — but Fang Yun’s smile completely collapsed.

She forced out a sentence:
“I didn’t know Officer Ji had a girlfriend. You never mentioned it before.”

Ji Yanli returned to his ice-cold demeanor:
“It’s a personal matter. Not something I discuss.”

Unable to remain any longer, Fang Yun muttered something about friends waiting for her and hurried off.

After she left, Tang Xiaohe turned to Ji Yanli with a teasing smile.
“Officer Ji, since when did you have a girlfriend? You never mentioned it before.”

Ji Yanli raised an eyebrow.
“Didn’t it just happen… just now?”
Tang Xiaohe was caught off guard and nearly choked on her water. She coughed, “Cough cough.” Season Yanli looked serious. Was he really serious? Could it be that they were already ‘official’?

“You’re still calling me Officer Ji? Who was it just now confidently declaring ownership without blushing?” Season Yanli handed Tang Xiaohe a piece of paper with a faint smile.

“I was just trying to help you get rid of the trouble…” Tang Xiaohe’s voice grew softer and softer.

At that moment, she hadn’t thought too much about it. She just felt that since Fang Yun kept lingering awkwardly and making things uncomfortable, it was better to settle things quickly. Besides, Season Yanli had already rejected Fang Yun’s offer of a drinking toast and made it clear he didn’t like her. So, if Fang Yun was still persisting, it was just being unreasonable.

But she had to admit, when Season Yanli admitted she was his girlfriend — even if it was fake — her heart still pounded wildly like fireworks exploding, and she wanted to jump up for joy right then and there.

Season Yanli sat back casually, his hands folded, one button of his shirt undone, revealing a glimpse of his skin.

Tang Xiaohe stared at him, heart racing faster and faster.

Season Yanli noticed her spacing out and thought it was adorable how she got so lost in thought and absent-minded.

“Thank you,” Season Yanli said softly.

“Huh? What?” Tang Xiaohe blinked.

“I said thank you for helping me block the unwanted attention,” he replied.

“You’re welcome, it’s what I’m supposed to do…” Tang Xiaohe said, almost biting her tongue — how did it turn into ‘what one should do at home’?

Season Yanli didn’t correct her.

After dinner, Season Yanli naturally handed his wallet to Tang Xiaohe to pay, then got up to go to the restroom.

Tang Xiaohe called a waiter over and opened Season Yanli’s wallet — a simple black leather wallet with nothing special on the outside but inside was embroidered with the name “Yanli.”

Tang Xiaohe smiled to herself. He really liked putting his name on his belongings — even the handkerchief he gave her before had the same.

She took out his card and handed it to the waiter, who quickly processed the payment and handed her the receipt.

“Mrs. Ji, please sign here,” the waiter said politely.

Tang Xiaohe’s pupils suddenly dilated — how did paying with Season Yanli’s card instantly turn her into Mrs. Ji?

She hurriedly shook her head, “I’m not—”

“Oh, sorry!” The waiter apologized quickly, worried about offending the customer, then left.

“It’s strange, they look so good together! And they used the gentleman’s card—I thought they must be married…”

“Next time be more careful with your words, or the manager might fine you for offending a guest!”

The waiter and her colleague walked away, their words floating into Tang Xiaohe’s ears.

Though she had never been in a relationship and was totally inexperienced, Tang Xiaohe suddenly understood Season Yanli must feel something special for her. Bringing her home, letting her call him by his name, letting her pay with his wallet — these were things only someone very close would do.

If Season Yanli really liked her, and she really liked him, then why not just be together now? Why wait any longer?

Season Yanli walked back from the restroom.

Tang Xiaohe looked at him steadily, her mind made up. She decided to find the right moment to break through the barrier between them.

“You know I wanna be your destiny…”