The fireworks display lasted a full hour, and Jiang Mian was incredibly excited. She had Ji Zhixiu take countless photos for her.
What girl doesn't love such romance?
She turned her face from his embrace, his eyes filled with a tenderness that could drown a person. Jiang Mian's heart skipped a beat, then pounded like a drum. She wrapped her arms around his lean waist, nuzzling him like a kitten.
She whispered softly into his ear, "Ji Zhixiu, I like you so much."
Not just this surprise, but you too.
That night, in bed, she carefully selected several photos to post on Weibo. Even her fans sensed her good mood and left comments asking if she had landed a role and was filming.
The next morning, as Jiang Mian got out of bed, she accidentally knocked over a pillow, only to find a red envelope pressed underneath.
Her eyes curved as she picked it up. She felt its thickness with her fingertip; it seemed quite thin. Jiang Mian opened it curiously and found that Ji Zhixiu had given her a bank card.
Tsk, rich and overbearing.
She changed her clothes and walked downstairs, noticing that the servants' faces were all beaming today. Steven saw her and was all smiles, asking in English if she wanted anything to drink.
Jiang Mian: "Why is everyone so happy?"
This joy was as if they had found money.
Steven took out a red envelope from his pocket, his face full of spring breeze, "Mr. Ji gave it to us. Everyone got one."
So that's how it is, Jiang Mian smiled faintly.
Ji Zhixiu had arranged their itinerary for the next two days. He booked a three-day, two-night hot spring resort, planning to take Jiang Mian on a vacation.
However, it turned out they wouldn't have the time. Ji Zhixiu took a phone call and had to return to the country.
He held Jiang Mian, his chin resting on her forehead, his voice full of apology, "Mianmian, why don't you wait here for a few days? I'll come back after I'm done with this. I can have Steven take you to the resort; I've already made all the arrangements."
Jiang Mian shook her head, her peach blossom eyes sparkling, "I want to go back with you."
Just then, Sister Ning had told her there was new news about Director Wang's film and she needed to return as soon as possible. She had been wondering how to tell Ji Zhixiu. She was already very satisfied with this trip abroad.
Since Jiang Mian wanted to leave with him, Ji Zhixiu accelerated his plans. On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Steven drove them to the airport, and Jiang Mian and Ji Zhixiu returned to Kyoto.
After seeing Jiang Mian into the villa, Ji Zhixiu drove back to the Ji family's residence.
Aunt Song was surprised to see her. Why had she returned so soon? Had the young couple quarreled? She cautiously observed Jiang Mian's expression, "Young Madam, are you back alone?"
Jiang Mian slumped onto the sofa, "No, we came back together. Axiu went to the Ji family; there must be something important."
With a powerful movement, she sat up straight, "Aunt Song, Happy New Year."
Knowing that the young couple was fine, Aunt Song was relieved. Aunt Song smiled, "Happy New Year, and I wish Young Madam and President Ji an early birth of your son."
Jiang Mian's face blushed. Children, she hadn't even considered it yet. She opened her suitcase. Although they hadn't stayed long on this trip, she had still bought quite a few things.
She took them out one by one, "Aunt Song, please help me call the security team. I have gifts for you all."
Soon, twenty members of the security team stood tall in the living room, five per row. They all said in unison, "Happy New Year, Young Madam! We wish Madam and President eternal love and a happy union for a hundred years!"
Sun Shu stood at the very front, a proud smile on his face. He had taught them this on the way. It was the New Year, after all, and they should say some auspicious words.
Their voices were deafening. Jiang Mian let out a muffled laugh. These young men were too cute... However, she loved hearing those words.
She cleared her throat slightly, "Thank you all. I also wish you all a Happy New Year. These are gifts I picked for you in Ireland. You can choose yourselves."
Everyone's preferences were different, and Jiang Mian didn't know what these bodyguards liked. So, she bought food and drinks, allowing them to choose according to their tastes.
Everyone took their gifts in an orderly and restrained manner, without being picky. As soon as one finished, it was the next person's turn. Sun Shu was very pleased; these were all his trainees.
As the captain, Sun Shu chose to take his gift last. When it was his turn, only one item remained: a bag of milk candy of an unknown brand.
Sun Shu grinned. He figured these boys had a conscience and knew he liked candy, so they deliberately left it for him.
Jiang Mian watched them finish taking their gifts, then took out the red envelopes she had prepared earlier, smiling, "One for each of you. A new year, a fresh start, and may it bring you good fortune."
In fact, Ji Zhixiu never treated them poorly; their salaries were tripled on holidays. But who would complain about having too much money?
Everyone smiled, a scene of jubilation. They said in unison, "Thank you, Madam! Madam is so generous!"
Jiang Mian gave Sun Shu an extra one. Xiang Long also had a share, but Xiang Long had returned to the Ji family with Ji Zhixiu. When he returned, Sun Shu would give it to him. After distributing the gifts, everyone returned to their duties.
Jiang Mian took out her laptop and called Sister Ning.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Ji Zhixiu leaned back against the car seat with his eyes closed. He said nothing, making it impossible to gauge his emotions.
Xiang Long glanced at him in the rearview mirror. Having followed Ji Zhixiu for many years, he could sense that the president was in a bad mood.
The phone call had been from Madam Ji. She hadn't said much, her voice relatively calm, only asking him to return as soon as possible.
Ji Zhixiu already had a feeling, likely related to his sister. When he arrived at the Ji residence, the entire family was seated in the living room.
Upon seeing Ji Zhixiu, he realized just how grim his mother's expression was. However, Madam Ji had been much more restrained and calm for the past two days, especially with Old Master Ji present.
Ji Zhixiu nodded slightly, "Grandfather, Father, Mother, I'm back."
Ji Zhilan sat a distance away, a hint of pleading in her eyes as she looked at him. She hoped her brother would take her side later.
Ji Zhixiu's gaze swept over her, and he asked sternly, "Mother, you called me so urgently, what exactly happened?"
Despite his immense anger, Old Master Ji was now completely calm, showing no hint of it. Ji's father remained silent.
Madam Ji's chest heaved, and she spoke first, dropping a bombshell: "Your sister is pregnant!"
This was truly unexpected. Ji Zhixiu's eyes darkened, "With Jiang Cheng's?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, his gaze fixed intently on Ji Zhilan, "Didn't you two break up and haven't been in contact for a long time?"
Under his piercing gaze, Ji Zhilan couldn't help but tremble. Her voice, when she spoke again, was tinged with tears, "We did break up, but he tracked me down once... I also had the baby checked by a doctor. The doctor said my uterine wall is thin. If I abort this child, I might never be able to have another child."
Such a result was too cruel for her. She had already scheduled the surgery, only to be told this. She had been struggling with this decision for days. If she were to keep the child, she had no choice but to tell her family.
"Why didn't you tell me he was bothering you?" Ji Zhixiu said angrily.
He didn't need to interfere in his sister's love life, provided she wasn't harmed. But now, Ji Zhixiu deeply regretted not having prevented Jiang Cheng from even entering their doorstep in the first place.
Ji Zhilan bit her lip tightly, her bloodless face showing a hint of stubbornness, "It's too late to say these things now, Brother. I want to have this child."
Madam Ji could no longer stand it. She slammed the table and stood up, "Ji Zhilan, I absolutely forbid it! You will abort this child immediately!"
Being pregnant before marriage was already a disgrace to a wealthy family. Moreover, she wanted to give birth to this child, this grandchild, she couldn't bear it!
"Mother, this is also a little life. How can you bear it?" Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Just a bastard! Do you want our Ji family to be ridiculed for a lifetime? Besides, you are still so young. Do you know how much it takes to raise a child?" Madam Ji gritted her teeth.
"Enough!" Ji's father interrupted them. "Xiu'er, what do you think?"
Ji Zhixiu looked at Old Master Ji, who was sitting upright, "Grandfather, I'd like to hear your opinion."
Old Master Ji sighed, "Zhilan is an adult now. Adults should have their own considerations and be able to bear the consequences."
He slowly stood up and waved his hand, "I won't get involved in this matter. I will accept any outcome."
Ji Zhixiu watched his grandfather go upstairs, his jawline taut, his eyes cold, anger surging, "I do not approve of Zhilan having this child."
If her brother didn't support her, then she had virtually no hope. Ji Zhilan's tears streamed down her face, and she said hoarsely, "Brother, what will I do if I can't be a mother in the future?"
No one could guarantee that after this miscarriage, Ji Zhilan would have a child of her own. Ji Zhixiu remained silent.
Ji's father was troubled and stepped forward, "I think Father is right. Zhilan is not young anymore. If she wants to have it, she can. Send her abroad for two years. If she doesn't want it, have an abortion."
Ji Zhilan looked at her father with tear-filled eyes. Her father's words were not helpful; they only made Madam Ji furious. She sneered, "I will not agree. When you were with Jiang Cheng, not a single person in our family agreed. Now that you're pregnant, where is he? Where is he? Men are such despicable beings."
These words offended two people at once. Ji's father's face turned ashen, "What are you insinuating?"
Ji Zhixiu's expression was blank. He would not become like his father, nor did he need to take it personally.
Ji Zhilan sobbed, "I... I didn't tell him." If Jiang Cheng knew, he would demand to marry her. But she no longer wanted to marry Jiang Cheng.
"Such a big event, and he doesn't even show up? You still want to have his child? Ji Zhilan, how could I have such a foolish and clumsy daughter like you?"
Ji Zhilan found it too difficult to speak. She dared not tell her mother that Jiang Cheng had been abusive, otherwise, upon learning of the pregnancy, she would have already registered her marriage with Jiang Cheng!
Ji Zhixiu rubbed his forehead. He truly didn't want to deal with such a mess. He cast a cold glance at Ji Zhilan and sternly presented two options, "If you truly want to keep this child, I will send you directly abroad. If you don't want to have it, I will take you to have a quiet abortion. No one will know about it."
Go abroad? Abroad, with no friends or family, no one she knew. Leaving her homeland, just thinking about it made Ji Zhilan feel miserable. Wasn't this akin to being abandoned?
She shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks and into her neck, "Brother, I don't want to go abroad."