Chapter 24.1

Tang Ruan was momentarily stunned.

It took her a few seconds to process this before she gawked at Ji Jing, blinking in disbelief. “You’re… not joking?”

Ji Jing scoffed lightly, the corners of his lips curving into a faint smile. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

He didn’t. Not in the slightest.

But Tang Ruan could never have imagined that the tea she had picked from the study—the one she assumed Ji Jing was reluctant to drink because it was expensive—was actually a gift from Father Ji to Ji Jing. She had even looked up the price after the butler brewed it for her once, and she was shocked.

Not knowing it was Father Ji’s birthday at the time, she had casually grabbed two boxes, thinking that it would make a thoughtful and impressive gift for a parent.

…

She looked at Ji Jing’s expression and recalled the events from that day. After handing over the gift, she noticed a strange look in Father Ji’s eyes, but at the time, Tang Ruan had been preoccupied with handling some relatives, so she didn’t think much of it.

Now, looking back, she felt that Father Ji had probably been mocking her.

Heh, he didn’t even try to hide it.

He took the tea he had given me for his son and gave it back to me.

In the past, at least he would give a watch worth hundreds of thousands each year. Even if sometimes it was the same watch for two years, it was still something of value. But now…

Just thinking about what Father Ji might have been thinking made Tang Ruan feel weak in the knees.

Next time, she might not even be allowed inside the house.

–

She looked at Ji Jing, somewhat speechless. “Why didn’t you remind me back then?”

Ji Jing shrugged. “What do you think?”

He hadn’t known Tang Ruan had taken the tea.

Tang Ruan: “…So, what did your dad say just now?”

“Hmm.”

“What did he say?” She looked worried and curious. She was a little scared, since Father Ji didn’t have the best impression of her, and she felt that Father Ji probably disliked her.

Ji Jing couldn’t help but smile slightly at the sight of her anxious expression.

“He didn’t say anything.”

“Then what did he say?”

Ji Jing glanced at her. “He asked if you knew that tea was from him.”

Tang Ruan let out a soft “oh,” then sighed, “I guess I won’t randomly take things from the house anymore.”

If this happened again, her heart might not survive.

But she found it a little odd. That tea had been given to Ji Jing by Father Ji, so did the other relatives know? Everyone had been there, yet no one seemed surprised.

“Did the other relatives not know about that tea?”

Ji Jing nodded and explained, “They don’t know.”

The tea was from a private tea garden owned by one of Father Ji’s friends. The annual production was very limited, and the price was high. It wasn’t sold publicly, so Father Ji kept some at home but rarely took it out. He would give a few packets to Ji Jing each year.

So, no one knew the tea had been given by Father Ji and was later taken by Tang Ruan to re-gift as a birthday present.

Tang Ruan felt a little guilty and looked at Ji Jing. “Sorry, I didn’t know that it was for you.”

Ji Jing simply replied, “Mm,” not paying much attention.

He didn’t dwell on the topic and instead looked at Tang Ruan, who was dressed like a high school student. He squinted his eyes. “You going out?”

“I want to.” Tang Ruan’s eyes brightened as she looked at him. “Do you have something to do today?”

“Why?”

“Want to go shopping with me?” Tang Ruan grinned and immediately changed her tone, walking over to Ji Jing and standing next to him, batting her long lashes. “Husband, will you accompany your wife for some shopping?”

Ji Jing’s body stiffened. He swallowed, lowered his gaze, and stared at her. “What do you want to do?”

“Just shopping,” she winked. “I dressed up so nicely today, and I feel like it’d be such a waste not to go shopping.”

Ji Jing: “…”

–

The early autumn scenery was truly beautiful, with fallen leaves covering the streets, making a soft rustling sound underfoot.

Tang Ruan, wearing a knit sweater, walked ahead, while Ji Jing followed behind. Many people turned to look at them as they passed by, probably thinking they were a good-looking couple.

Tang Ruan lowered her head, walking ahead and feeling very at ease. It was a lot more comfortable now compared to when she first arrived. She turned her head to glance at Ji Jing, finding the situation amusing.

The more time she spent with him, the more she realized Ji Jing wasn’t so bad. Though he didn’t talk much, he was quite protective of the people around him—famously known for being protective.

“By the way, has Dai Jun’s matter been resolved?”

Ji Jing nodded, walking casually with his hands in his pockets. He rarely had time to be this leisurely. When he first took over the company, there was no way he could have such free time. It was only in the last couple of years, after gradually acquiring weekends off, that he could experience moments like this. However, he rarely went out for walks like this.

Now, walking and enjoying the breeze felt surprisingly pleasant.

“It’s resolved. Don’t worry.”

Tang Ruan nodded. “Thanks for handling it. Nothing serious happened, right?”

“No.”

Tang Ruan didn’t really know how to respond to Ji Jing, who always ended their conversations with such concise answers.

She hummed a little, looking down at the fallen leaves, suddenly smiling.

“What’s up?”

“The leaf I gave you, where is it?”

Ji Jing froze for a moment, not expecting her to bring it up. He pressed his lips together and muttered, “It’s in the office.”

“Really keeping it?”

Ji Jing scoffed softly, glancing at her but not answering. The reason he kept it was mainly to avoid unnecessary trouble in case she suddenly got a whim and started questioning him about why he hadn’t kept the thing she gave him. After spending some time with Tang Ruan, Ji Jing had figured out her personality quite well.

To prevent trouble, he kept it, tucked inside a book.

Tang Ruan noticed Ji Jing’s reaction and suddenly felt very happy.

“Thank you.”

Ji Jing snorted but didn’t respond, walking ahead.

Tang Ruan smiled and followed, continuing to chat with him happily. Even if he didn’t reply, she was having fun talking on her own.

–

The mall was crowded, as it was the weekend.

They both knew the way and headed straight for the stores. Since everything Ji Jing bought was custom-made, he never had to go shopping for himself. Besides, it didn’t make sense for a grown man to go shopping. But today, for some strange reason, he found himself tagging along.

Ji Jing thought—

Maybe he just couldn’t bear to see Tang Ruan acting and decided to humor her.

Tang Ruan seemed knowledgeable about almost everything. Whether in luxury boutiques or ordinary cosmetic stores, she could talk about the products fluently, her face radiant with a smile.

Standing a short distance away, he watched as a woman approached to ask for her opinion.

“Is this product really good?”

Tang Ruan smiled and answered softly, “It’s great for oily skin, but not very suitable for winter—it can feel a bit drying and doesn’t brighten the complexion. Their new 02 shade would be a better fit for you…”

Before long, a small crowd gathered around her.

Even a store clerk couldn’t help but comment, “You seem very familiar with our products.”

Tang Ruan chuckled. “I’ve tried them all myself.”

Today, her purpose was to buy some of this store’s new releases.

Ji Jing, observing from his spot, found it remarkable.

The once-proud woman, too lofty to spare a glance for others, was now so warm and eloquent, so effortlessly engaging. He narrowed his eyes, watching her for a long moment before finally averting his gaze.

Neither of them expected to encounter someone familiar.

Ji Ling had come shopping with her classmates. None of them knew her true identity as the eldest daughter of the Ji family.

Emerging from a milk tea shop, she immediately recognized two familiar figures.

“No way…”

Her friend glanced at her. “What’s up?”

Ji Ling squinted at the two people in front of her, took out her phone, and dialed a number. From a distance, she watched Ji Jing retrieve his phone—just as he was about to answer, she hung up.

Turning to her friend, she waved goodbye. “Yuan Yuan, I’ve got something to do. See you later!”

Yuan Yuan barely had time to react before Ji Ling ran off. “Be careful!”

“Got it!”

—

Tang Ruan walked a careful distance from Ji Jing. Her stomach growled slightly as she considered where to grab a bite.

“Hungry?”

“You didn’t have lunch?”

Tang Ruan sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. “I did. But I’m hungry again. I want something to drink.”

Ji Jing responded calmly, “Go ahead.”

She had just opened her mouth to speak when a figure suddenly appeared before them, blocking their path. The newcomer stared at them in shock and blurted out, “Are you two… serious?”

Ji Jing: “…”

Tang Ruan: “…”

Tang Ruan blinked in surprise.

Ji Jing frowned. “What are you doing here?”