The butler nodded and said nothing more, then got into another car.
When Song Xingjia returned to the Ji family, it was a scene of utter chaos.
Song Yin ran around the courtyard, followed by several servants, "Little ancestor, stop running!"
"I can't catch up with you!"
"Don't fall and get hurt!"
Song Yin, with a triumphant look, rushed straight into Song Xingjia's arms. Upon realizing it was his uncle, he quickly stopped, immediately put his hands behind his back, and with a serious expression, said, "Hello, Uncle."
Song Xingjia looked at him for a moment, not angry, but with a commanding tone, "You're ten years old now, such a big boy, you need to be more sensible. Have you finished reading the books I sent you last time?"
Song Yin had never feared his parents, only his uncle. He obediently replied, "Not yet..."
"Then why aren't you reading them?"
The servants behind him finally caught up and greeted Song Xingjia in unison, "Greetings, Young Master. We will escort the young master away now."
After they left, Song Xingjia stared at their retreating backs, a hint of complexity in his eyes.
Song Xingzhi was waiting for Song Xingjia in the main hall. Seeing his younger brother finally return, he breathed a sigh of relief.
He then dismissed all the servants and looked at Song Xingjia, "Xingjia, we are brothers. I won't say anything else. Little Yin is only ten years old, and my health is poor. I hope you will take over the Song family."
Song Xingjia's eyes showed no joy. He merely said indifferently, "Brother, you know my ambition lies elsewhere."
Song Xingzhi's eyes held a hint of sadness, "Xingjia, you also know that I married your sister-in-law to consolidate our family's interests. Now, many collateral relatives and shareholders are eyeing me covetously, eager to pull me down. Little Yin is also lively and innocent. Only you can bear the burden of this family..."
Song Xingjia put down the antique tea cup in his hand and turned to look at him, "I've returned to help you now, Brother. What is there to fear?"
Song Xingzhi felt greatly relieved upon his return, "Then, about your work?"
Song Xingjia sat elegantly and nonchalantly, "Brother, you don't need to worry about my affairs. I will handle them."
"Okay, good. Xingjia, with your words, I am at ease. Rest assured, Brother will never ask you for anything, as long as you are willing to lend me a hand, it will be enough."
Song Xingzhi nodded slightly and added, "Brother still spoils Little Yin so much. I wonder if, after all these years, Brother has ever thought of the other child?"
Song Xingzhi's expression became serious, and he looked at Song Xingjia with a warning, "Be careful, Xingjia."
Song Xingjia stood up, "I've been on the plane for so long, I'm tired. I'll go back to rest now."
Song Xingjia left the main hall, bypassed the covered walkway, and headed back.
The Song residence was a typical traditional Chinese house, with a long history and immense value in Hong Kong. Many famous figures had come from their ancestors.
It had been renovated several times by this generation. But what remained unchanged was its antique charm.
He walked unhurriedly towards the back courtyard. Just as he rounded a corner, he saw a beautiful woman. Song Xingjia stopped, "Sister-in-law."
The beautiful woman had willow-leaf eyebrows, small round eyes, her hair was in a bun, and she was dressed elegantly. Seeing Song Xingjia, a slight smile appeared on her lips, "Xingjia, you're back so soon? Have you seen your brother?"
"Yes, I just had a heart-to-heart talk with Brother."
The beautiful woman nodded, "Then go back and rest. I've had someone clean your room every day, and it's exactly as it was when you left."
Song Xingjia was grateful, "Then I'll go back. Thank you for your trouble, Sister-in-law."
They passed each other and went their separate ways.
By the time Song Xingjia remembered he hadn't replied to the message, it was already evening.
He thought long and hard, unsure of what sincerity Ji Lanruo wanted.
Just then, the butler came to find him, "Young Master, these are the Hong Kong specialties you asked me to buy. Are you sending them to someone?"
Song Xingjia looked at the two large boxes the butler had bought, "Please mail them out. The address is this."
The butler nodded and turned to leave.
"Wait," Song Xingjia called him back, "Please divide them into two portions. Send another portion to her."
...
The day before Jiang Mian left school, she had a farewell dinner with her roommates and then moved from Shengshi Huating back to the villa.
The results of the audition for the Luo Corporation's drama had also come out, with Jiang Mian being asked to join the cast as soon as possible.
Jiang Mian was a little surprised when she received the express delivery. Song Xingjia had asked for her address before, and she hadn't expected him to send her Hong Kong specialties.
She took a photo and sent it to Song Xingjia, [Received the package, I like it very much!]
Song Xingjia: [Glad you like it. Come visit when you have a chance.]
At the same time, a hint of doubt arose in his heart. Jiang Mian had received hers, but she hadn't yet?
Ji Lanyu drove Ji Lanruo back to the dormitory. After watching her enter the building, he drove away.
Ji Lanruo was humming a little tune as she strolled towards the stairs when the dormitory supervisor, wearing glasses, called out to her, "Ji baby, your express delivery."
Ji Lanruo stopped and turned her head, pointing to herself, "Huh? My express delivery?"
As graduation approached, Ji Lanruo had been using her home address for purchases, not the school's, so where would this delivery come from?
The dormitory supervisor nodded affirmatively, "Yes, it's for you. The recipient is written as Ji Lanruo, so it must be you."
Ji Lanruo nodded and took two steps back, "Okay, please get it for me, Auntie."
"Wait a moment, I'll go look for it."
She turned and glanced into the room. A moment later, she came out carrying a large box, "Here, your express delivery."
"So big..." Ji Lanruo muttered softly.
Upon seeing the name "Song Xingjia" on it, her eyes widened. She easily lifted the box, "Thank you, Auntie, I'm leaving now!"
"Hiss... it's quite heavy."
Ji Lanruo pressed the elevator button. When she reached her dormitory door, she put the box down and shook her arm, "What is this... so heavy."
She took out scissors, cut open the box, and took out the items one by one. "Wow? What's this? Hong Kong traditional salted egg yolk custard pastries? Chinese time-honored Hong Kong golden cake? Little Bear Bakery durian crisp?"
A few minutes later, Ji Lanruo looked at the pile of snacks and murmured to herself, "This is his so-called 'sincerity'?"
She took out her phone, took a selfie, and sent it to Song Xingjia, [I'm surrounded by your snacks.]
Song Xingjia: [Glad you received it. Do you like the taste?]
Ji Lanruo: [Haven't started eating yet! Thank you for the treats.]
She opened a bag of durian crisp and took a bite. The flavor was rich, and the texture was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. "It's quite delicious, even better than the ones I've had before..."
...
Jiang Mian, along with Li Laidi and Xiang Long, went directly to Hengdian to join the crew.
This Xianxia drama was called "Nine Heavens Immortal," and she played the role of the female lead's master, with limited scenes.
With concentrated filming, it would likely be finished in about half a month.
"Nine Heavens Immortal" was being filmed by two crews, A and B. Jiang Mian and the female lead, Zhao Xinxin, were in crew A, while the male lead, Ling He, and other actors were in crew B.
They were mostly scheduled separately, so much so that after a week on set, Jiang Mian hadn't even met the male lead.
However, she had become increasingly familiar with Zhao Xinxin.
Zhao Xinxin, a child star, had a round face and a standard sweet appearance. The first time she saw Jiang Mian, she insisted on adding her WeChat and then leaned in close to Jiang Mian, saying, "I just like beautiful women."
Jiang Mian smiled back, "You're beautiful yourself."
Zhao Xinxin pouted, "So what? Ling He doesn't like my type."
Jiang Mian: ???
Was this what she thought it meant?
Seeing Jiang Mian's shocked expression, Zhao Xinxin confessed, "Yes, exactly what you're thinking. I like Ling He."
Jiang Mian remained silent.
Zhao Xinxin didn't need her to speak. She continued, "Our families are old friends, we've known each other since childhood. I've always followed Ling He around, but alas, he says he doesn't like my type."
This was truly explosive gossip. Jiang Mian wished she had heard nothing. She patted Zhao Xinxin's shoulder to comfort her, "My dear disciple, there are plenty of fish in the sea. Don't worry, I won't say a word."
Zhao Xinxin smiled, "Don't be nervous, my good master. Don't worry! After this drama is finished, I won't like him anymore. I even invested money in this drama myself."
She winked slyly, "To fulfill my own dream."
Ling He walked over from a distance with a displeased expression. Zhao Xinxin, seeing him, flinched for a moment before standing up with her hands on her hips, "Hey, why are you in our crew A?"
Ling He glanced at her, "It's definitely not to see you. I'm here to get props."
"Get them quickly and leave," Zhao Xinxin said indignantly.
After Ling He actually left, she slumped back down, "Damn Ling He, stinky Ling He."
From Jiang Mian's outsider perspective, Ling He might not dislike Zhao Xinxin. But she didn't voice it.
Jiang Mian hadn't expected to see Nightwing again so soon.
Nightwing was brought in by the director as a last-minute addition, playing one of the male lead's bodyguards.
When he saw Jiang Mian, a flicker of interest flashed in his eyes, "What a coincidence, we meet again."
Jiang Mian said nothing.
Zhao Xinxin exclaimed, "Wow, director, where did you find this handsome guy? He's almost as handsome as the male lead!"
Jiang Mian subtly glanced at Ling He's expression; it was indeed not good.
The director chuckled a couple of times, "Our Ling He is also handsome, very handsome. There are no ugly people in our drama."
Nightwing humbly replied, "Not at all, not at all. You flatter me. I'm just average."
Zhao Xinxin unceremoniously tiptoed and patted his shoulder, "You're too modest! Come on, from now on, you'll be with me. Are you new? I don't remember seeing you before."
"Yes, I'm new. Please take care of me, Sister Xinxin."
"Don't worry, no one in this crew will dare to bully you."
Ling He's gaze fell on her hand, and yet the person remained oblivious.
Jiang Mian felt that with Zhao Xinxin in the crew, it would definitely be exciting. Moreover, Nightwing had now joined.
However, it was fortunate that her part would be finished in another week.
When filming ended, Nightwing came to find her. He brought a cup of mango pomelo sago. Jiang Mian raised an eyebrow and didn't take it, "How did you know I like mango pomelo sago?"
"If I say I guessed it, would you believe me?"
"No."
Nightwing nodded, "If I want to pursue you, I naturally need to understand your preferences first."
Jiang Mian almost thought she had misheard. She looked at him with suspicion, "What did you say?"