When Jiang Mian was idle, she thought about opening a Weibo live stream, but remembering the incident with Luo Fei last time, she paused for a second, clicked into Luo Fei's Weibo homepage, and unblocked him with a single, swift action.
While tilting her head and petting her cat, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she picked up, "Sister Ning."
Sister Ning was full of relief, "Mianmian, thank goodness you didn't take that script last time. Guess what?"
She clearly intended to pique Jiang Mian's curiosity, and Jiang Mian happily played along, "What happened?"
Sister Ning chuckled, "The original author of that script is embroiled in a plagiarism scandal and is currently suing the company. It's uncertain if production will even start. Thankfully, you didn't act in it, or your public image would have suffered at least."
The script was well-written, but now with the lawsuit, it was unlikely to go into production.
Sister Ning was truly relieved that she hadn't wasted her time on it. The investors had earnestly invited Jiang Mian to play the female lead.
She had felt guilty after declining.
Jiang Mian, scratching the chin of her cat, Xiao Yugan, didn't seem too bothered. Her voice was lazy, "Oh? That's quite a twist of fate."
Sister Ning turned serious, "So, what are your thoughts now? Are you really not planning to make a comeback?"
Jiang Mian had never truly considered giving up her acting career entirely.
Her years in the entertainment industry, working alone, had been quite tiring. Discovered by a scout at fifteen and debuting, she met Ji Zhixiu at twenty and was secretly married for three years.
She had also retired to focus on her studies for three years, but completely severing ties with her acting career was something she couldn't do.
Jiang Mian hesitated for a moment, "I don't have any plans like that."
Sister Ning immediately interjected, "You girl, you're just being lazy. New faces pop up in this industry every day, one after another like leeks in a field. If you don't come out, who will remember you?
It's a waste of your beauty and acting skills. You're only twenty-three, it's not too late for anything. Why have you lost your fighting spirit so young? Mr. Ji is great, but you can't abandon your career for a man."
She spoke like a machine gun, but Jiang Mian smiled faintly, not annoyed. This was just Sister Ning's personality.
Xiao Yugan licked her palm. Jiang Mian lowered her gaze, a decision made in her heart, "If there are suitable scripts later, please take a look for me again."
This was a sign of her willingness. Sister Ning was delighted. She had said this many times before, but she hadn't expected to convince her today.
"Okay, consider it done. As long as you want to do it, you don't have to worry about not making it!"
Jiang Mian was exceptionally beautiful, and with Mr. Ji backing her, Sister Ning was very confident in her.
Sister Ning, encountering a rare piece of good news, then asked, "You're graduating soon, right?"
After June next year, Jiang Mian would graduate from the undergraduate acting program.
She had left her hometown at fifteen when a scout discovered her. Later, her grandmother accompanied her, traveling between Jiangnan and Kyoto for filming.
She filmed several dramas, playing minor roles.
Her grandmother, seeing her passion for the profession, grudgingly accompanied her. But Jiang Mian gradually realized that her grandmother's focus had shifted entirely to her.
Life in the bustling Kyoto was not as happy or free as in the water towns of Jiangnan. Outside, there were neighbors everywhere; that kind of atmosphere was something Kyoto could never match.
So, Jiang Mian accompanied her grandmother back to Jiangnan. Not long after, her grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Jiang Mian returned to Kyoto again, working even harder than before, taking any role, accepting any scene. But ultimately, she couldn't keep her grandmother with her...
Thinking of her grandmother, Jiang Mian's heart always softened.
The cheerful old lady from her memories was now so far away.
Later, she buckled down and got into Kyoto University, beginning her life of drifting alone, supporting herself.
Pulling her scattered thoughts back, she nodded, "Around June next year."
Sister Ning sincerely wished Jiang Mian well. If she was willing to work hard, and with Ji Zhixiu, that formidable figure, backing her, there was no shortage of paths in this industry.
If she could help Jiang Mian make a comeback, she could also hold her head high in front of her old friends.
"Then you need to think carefully about your future plans, since you still want to pursue this path. I won't say much more. I'll let you know if there's any good news."
Jiang Mian smiled, "Thank you, Sister Ning, you've worked hard."
"Don't be so formal. Stop joking," Sister Ning said, but she couldn't help but smile.
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Mian found a few highly-rated movies from this year to watch.
Observing others' performances was also a form of learning.
When Ji Zhixiu returned from work, she had already fallen asleep on the sofa.
Her sleeping face was tranquil, gentle, and beautiful.
Xiao Yugan lay beside her, much more alert than Jiang Mian.
As soon as the door opened, it knew Ji Zhixiu was back and with a flick of its tail, jumped off the sofa.
That lazy demeanor was exactly like Jiang Mian's usual one.
Ji Zhixiu took off his coat and hung it on the rack. He walked to the sofa, cupped the woman's head in his large palm, and mischievously pinched Jiang Mian's nose.
Unable to breathe, Jiang Mian woke up shortly. She opened her hazy eyes, saw Ji Zhixiu, and quickly became fully alert.
She nestled against his chest charmingly and said, "I fell asleep watching a movie."
"Have you eaten?" he asked.
There was originally supposed to be a nanny, but Jiang Mian didn't like strangers in the house.
Ji Zhixiu dismissed her and usually cooked himself, occasionally Jiang Mian would cook. As for cleaning, he hired a cleaner.
Jiang Mian shook her head, "No, have you?"
"I have."
Jiang Mian's eyes curved. She pulled away from his embrace, "Then keep me company."
"What do you want to eat tonight?" In front of Jiang Mian, Ji Zhixiu always seemed to have infinite patience.
Jiang Mian thought for a moment, then asked for his opinion, "How about we go to the food street behind our school?"
Behind their school was a food street. Even during the winter break, it was still open. The food there was good and cheap, and it was always crowded with diners.
"Go change," Ji Zhixiu said.
Jiang Mian nodded, casually put on a down jacket, and they left.
It was snowing in Kyoto, and as they went out, snowflakes began to fall, drifting down.
Jiang Mian loved snow. She had never seen it during her years in Jiangnan. Even after being in Kyoto for so long, she still felt a sense of novelty whenever it snowed.
She quietly rolled down the car window, caught a few snowflakes, and then rolled it back up.
The car was warm with the heater on.
Ji Zhixiu had never been to the food street near Jiang Mian's school, but he had been to her school often.
Jiang Mian directed him on the quickest route, and to her surprise, the food street was indeed quite crowded. Ji Zhixiu spent a long time searching for a parking spot.
Jiang Mian pouted, "It's really not easy to get this meal."
"What do you feel like eating?" Ji Zhixiu turned off the engine.
"Let's have hot pot. It has to be hot pot in winter!"
"Okay."
Jiang Mian was much more familiar with this area. She pulled Ji Zhixiu along.
By the time they got out of the car, the snow had stopped.
The food street was bustling with people, as if nothing could stop people's pursuit of good food.
Jiang Mian held his arm tightly, weaving through the crowd. Ji Zhixiu glanced at the young woman beside him, and the weariness from work gradually vanished.
Jiang Mian led him to an old Sichuan hot pot restaurant.
It had been open in this area for a long time. Jiang Mian often came here with her roommates to have meals together and they had even gotten a membership card.
As soon as she entered, the proprietress saw her.
A naturally beautiful young woman like her seemed to have her own light, attracting attention wherever she went.
Her gaze fell on the man beside her. The proprietress greeted them with a knowing smile, "Still rushing to my place even on holiday? Who is this?"
Jiang Mian smiled familiarly, "I was just craving your food, Auntie. This is my older brother."
Ji Zhixiu remained silent, but his expression visibly cooled.
Jiang Mian remained calm and changed the subject, "Auntie, do you still have a table?"
The proprietress thought to herself, although they were a handsome man and beautiful woman, they didn't really look like siblings.
Busy with the order slips, she didn't chat further, "There's one inside. Go sit inside."
Jiang Mian then led Ji Zhixiu inside and they found a table for two.
The restaurant used QR code ordering. Jiang Mian was genuinely craving something, but remembering the man's somber expression just now, she asked, "Are you unhappy?"
Ji Zhixiu remained silent, his thin lips pressed tightly together.
Jiang Mian was not afraid of his cold demeanor. She cupped her face in her hands, her peach blossom eyes curving upwards, her gaze flowing, "I didn't say anything wrong. Aren't you my dear older brother?"
She could always easily stir his heart. Ji Zhixiu sighed softly, "Let's order."
Having appeased him, Jiang Mian opened WeChat to scan the code and enter the ordering center, asking, "What do you want to eat? Or is there anything you don't eat?"
"Whatever."
When a woman says that, it's annoying. When a man says it, it's no better. Jiang Mian said indignantly, "What do you mean, 'whatever'?"
She handed the phone to Ji Zhixiu, "You order."
Ji Zhixiu's slender, jade-like fingers took the phone and soon he had ordered and submitted the order.
"So fast?" Jiang Mian was surprised.
"I ordered one of everything," Ji Zhixiu said casually.
Jiang Mian glanced at him, "We can't finish it all."
"We'll pack the leftovers," he said concisely.
Jiang Mian took back her phone and noticed that Ji Zhixiu had used his linked payment method to pay.
Her payment password was very simple, just a few recurring numbers.
After being together for three years, Ji Zhixiu had glimpsed it a few times. He had a good memory and had tried it just now. Jiang Mian hadn't even changed it.
Ji Zhixiu had set up the linked payment for her when they got married.
But Jiang Mian had her own money and never thought of spending his.
She put down her phone and went to the condiment bar to get some snacks.
A shop that could be so popular near the university town was naturally very affordable. The condiment bar was well-stocked. She got some snacks and prepared two dipping sauces.
She handed them to Ji Zhixiu, "Try the sauce I made."
Ji Zhixiu had never eaten in this kind of restaurant before. The place wasn't fancy, but it was clean. The space inside was cramped, with only about ten tables and chairs. You could see the whole place at a glance.
He reached out and took them. Soon, the soup base and several dishes were served.
The soup base was a yin-yang pot. Jiang Mian was from Jiangnan.
She liked spicy food but couldn't handle too much spice, so the yin-yang pot was perfect for her.
The vegetables cooked quickly. Jiang Mian happily picked them up and put them in her bowl.
She enjoyed her time with Ji Zhixiu. If one ignored the fact that they didn't love each other, it often gave her the illusion of being happy and fulfilled.
The soup base in this restaurant got spicier as you ate it. Jiang Mian knew this well and had prepared plum juice in advance. The room was too hot, so she unzipped her down jacket, revealing the high-necked sweater underneath.
A few beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Jiang Mian was thoroughly enjoying this meal.
In the misty steam, Jiang Mian picked up a piece of pork belly and put it in Ji Zhixiu's bowl, "Try it, is it good?"
She looked at Ji Zhixiu with her sparkling eyes, full of anticipation.
Ji Zhixiu obediently took a few bites and honestly said, "It's okay."