Old Master Ji had a long-standing habit of practicing martial arts in the morning.
When Ji Zhixiu arrived, he didn't disturb him. He took the towel from a servant and handed it to the old master after he finished a set of Tai Chi.
The old master looked up and was full of surprise seeing Ji Zhixiu. "Xiu'er, why do you have time to come back today?"
Ji Zhixiu said directly, "My mother asked me to come back."
The old master frowned slightly, "What does she want with you?"
"She said I should meet the Ji family's daughter."
Old Master Ji also knew about the Ji family's young lady. When she was born, the Ji family had hosted a banquet at the best hotel in the capital, and Old Master Ji was a guest of honor. In the blink of an eye, she had grown so big...
"You refused?" the old master asked.
"I don't like others interfering in my affairs," Ji Zhixiu said in a deep voice.
Even if that someone was his mother.
Old Master Ji knew the most about the affairs between mother and son. He slowly wiped the sweat from his forehead, "I will talk to your mother. You've grown up without ever giving me much worry. I won't interfere too much in your romantic life either."
His grandson was good in every way, except he seemed too indifferent and detached.
Even in family matters, he seemed a bit distant. But after all, their family owed him something.
Sighing slightly in his heart, the old master straightened his back. "Xiu'er, don't worry about your mother. Do whatever you want."
"I want to go abroad for New Year this year. The business in Ireland is also wrapping up, so I'll go and inspect it," Ji Zhixiu followed along.
The old master was quite surprised. This was the first time Xiu'er had said he wouldn't be home for New Year. The reason seemed quite valid.
He nodded, "It's up to you. Don't tell your mother yet. I'll mention it later."
"Thank you, Grandpa."
"Stay for lunch? Accompany me upstairs for two games of Go first."
...
With his grandson accompanying him for lunch, the old master ate an extra bowl.
However, Ji Zhilan was a little restless. Her period was late this month, and after that incident with Jiang Cheng, in her panic, she had forgotten to take her medicine.
She didn't know if it was psychosomatic, but she felt nauseous and queasy.
Mother Ji saw that her son was truly not interested in marriage, so she wisely didn't mention it again. She didn't want to further strain their mother-son relationship.
Father Ji was a man of leisure. He finished his meal in a few bites without even looking at Mother Ji, rushing off to walk his birds.
The meal was relatively harmonious.
After lunch, Ji Zhilan went upstairs. The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She took out her phone and ordered a pregnancy test kit online.
Thirty minutes later, seeing the two lines on the test kit, she was struck by lightning...
Chang Qing had already sent Jiang Mian a birthday invitation for this Saturday, with the venue set as "Seattle."
Jiang Mian received the message and replied: "Definitely there, see you soon."
After replying, Jiang Mian rested her chin on her hand, wondering what gift to get for Chang Qin.
Rich young masters like him never lacked anything. After thinking for a while, Jiang Mian decided to ask Ji Zhixiu when he returned.
As the end of the year approached, Aunt Song became even busier. Even though Ji Zhixiu had already said he wouldn't be spending the New Year at the villa this year, Aunt Song still had to take care of the security team and had started preparing early.
Jiang Mian didn't want to disturb Aunt Song, so after breakfast, she watched dramas upstairs.
Actor Song's new drama was airing on Lemon TV. Jiang Mian generously subscribed to a yearly membership for this drama.
The group chat for their four-person dorm started buzzing.
[Ji Beauty]: Did you watch Actor Song's new drama yesterday? He was so handsome I almost cried. After three years, Actor Song is back in historical dramas, he's stunning!!!
[Susu Wants to Lose Weight]: Watched it, watched it. This man is damn charming!
[Duo Duo Flowers Bloom in Wealth]: I also really want to collaborate with Actor Song, crying.
[Ji Beauty]: @Jiang Mian, @Jiang Mian, come out quickly.
Jiang Mian opened her phone and replied: I'm watching it now.
She was supposed to stay up to watch the premiere last night, but it was all thanks to that man Ji Zhixiu who dragged her to bed early.
Jiang Mian wasn't a fan. She was in the industry herself and knew how fake and decadent the glamorous facade of this industry truly was.
Only Song Xingjia was an exception for Jiang Mian.
Winning the Best Actor award at twenty, and having no scandals in twenty years of his career was a miracle in itself. He didn't sign with any agency, didn't take sides, and was both dedicated and hardworking.
Jiang Mian deeply admired such a person.
As Actor Song's first historical drama since his return, it had already dominated the trending topics on Weibo upon its release.
Jiang Mian watched the five updated episodes in one sitting, still wanting more.
She typed in the dorm chat: The plot is tight, the visuals are exquisite, worthy of a script personally chosen by Actor Song.
[Ji Beauty]: Dump that husband of yours and bring Actor Song home.
[Duo Duo Flowers Bloom in Wealth]: No way, no way. Actor Song belongs to everyone.
[Susu Wants to Lose Weight]: Doesn't Actor Song look a bit like Mianmian? Have you noticed?
[Jiang Mian]: Beautiful people are probably all alike.
[Ji Beauty]: Hmph...
After sending the message, Jiang Mian didn't linger in the chat. She took out the scripts Ning Jie had sent her and started reading.
Ning Jie had sent Jiang Mian two scripts, one was a youth campus drama, and the other was a historical palace drama.
The production teams were all from established companies. Jiang Mian scanned them briefly.
Youth campus dramas were easy to act, but the plot was really too bland. Moreover, the role Ning Jie chose for Jiang Mian wasn't the lead, but the second female lead.
Jiang Mian didn't really care about being a lead or supporting character, but the character of this second female lead was unlikable. She was clearly a villainous female character who was brainless, jealous, and prone to all sorts of schemes against the protagonist.
She wasn't popular anywhere and was a complete cannon fodder.
As she read, she called Ning Jie. The call was answered immediately, and Ning Jie sounded delighted, "Have you chosen?"
"Ning Jie, I want to know who the female lead is in this campus drama?"
Ning Jie shook her head, "You want to try for this female lead? I don't know who it is, but it's rumored to be a done deal."
Jiang Mian pouted. She had wanted to try for it, but since it was a done deal, forget it.
"Then it's this historical drama. I like this county princess."
In this script, Princess Jiale was spoiled and willful, yet innocent and cute, cheerful and quirky. If played well, she could be a fan-favorite character.
Princess Jiale didn't have much screen time; she was the fourth female lead in the drama, but she left a very deep impression.
Ning Jie said, "Okay, I'll send you the audition address later. By the way, both the male and female leads for this drama haven't been decided yet. If possible, you can try for them on the spot."
Jiang Mian nodded, "Okay."
After hanging up, Jiang Mian received the address. The audition was scheduled for next Monday, which was before she went abroad, so it was timely.
Jiang Mian thought about it and relaxed.
As she was looking at it, Ji Zhixiu walked up behind her and suddenly asked, "What are you looking at?"
Jiang Mian turned her head and glared at him, "You scared me. You're back so early?"
"Sorry." Ji Zhixiu pulled her into his arms.
Since Jiang Mian had made up her mind, she wouldn't hide it from Ji Zhixiu. She stepped out of his embrace and held up the script, "Ning Jie gave me two scripts. Do you want to take a look?"
Ji Zhixiu glanced down, his expression calm, "No need. Do as you please."
Jiang Mian asked curiously, "Don't you want to see if there are any intimate scenes?"
"If you dare to film it, I have ways to ensure it never gets aired."
He kissed the top of the young girl's head. He had been having Fan Cheng look for people who looked like Jiang Mian all over the country to act as stand-ins.
He just hadn't told Jiang Mian.
Jiang Mian mumbled softly, "So domineering!"
Ji Zhixiu accepted it calmly, "Let's go downstairs for dinner."
...
Ji Zhilan didn't eat much at lunch and used some more time with Jiang Mian when he returned.
Jiang Mian ate heartily; she never deliberately dieted.
With her around, Ji Zhixiu felt like he ate more.
After dinner, Jiang Mian asked, "Qingqing has already sent me an invitation. Chang Qin's birthday is this Saturday. What gift should we get him?"
Ji Zhixiu liked that she said "we." He pondered for a moment and said, "Chang Qin likes to collect porcelain. I previously commissioned a German master to make him a set of teacups and saucers. They should be arriving soon."
Jiang Mian nodded slightly, "Okay."
Xiao Yugan elegantly walked over and circled Ji Zhixiu's feet. Jiang Mian looked down with a hint of sourness, "Now that you're back, he doesn't stick to me anymore."
Ji Zhixiu said calmly, "It's time to have Xiao Yugan neutered."
When he was first brought back last year, Xiao Yugan was too young, and then it was postponed again and again. Now, it was probably time.
Xiao Yugan, lying leisurely on Ji Zhixiu's shoes, was unaware that his fate had been decided by his father and that he was about to become a eunuch.
Jiang Mian burst into laughter, her eyes curved, her starry eyes sparkling, "Will he not stick to you after being neutered?"
Ji Zhixiu mused, "He'll probably blame me for neutering him."