His expression flickered almost imperceptibly, but it didn't escape Jing Yiyi's notice.
Jing Yiyi instinctively reached out to support him, "What's wrong? Are you too tired these past few days?"
Ye Yi's chest ached intensely. He leaned half of his weight onto Jing Yiyi. A smile curved his lips, "I'm fine."
"What do you mean fine? Your face is as white as a sheet!" Jing Yiyi wasn't stupid; she could clearly see something was wrong.
Ye Yi was helpless. He lowered his head to look at her, his voice laced with a hint of amusement, "Why are you being so fierce?"
Jing Yiyi's face flushed. His tone made her feel as if they were very close.
She mumbled softly, "It's because I'm worried about you."
"Where exactly are you feeling unwell?" Jing Yiyi asked, tilting her head up and insisting on knowing.
Ye Yi coughed, "It's nothing, I just suddenly felt a bit breathless a moment ago. I'm much better now."
Jing Yiyi remained concerned, "Are you really okay?"
"I told you I'm fine. Tell me the bar's name first."
Jing Yiyi suddenly felt a surge of anger. He looked so pale, it was obvious he was unwell, yet he was still trying to find Jiang Mian. Was Jiang Mian that important?!
Who was Jiang Mian to him? She was Ji Zhixiu's legitimate wife. What did she have to do with him?
Jing Yiyi's heart felt sour, but she didn't say a word.
She said stiffly, "The bar's name is in French, and I don't recognize it. I'll send it to your phone later."
Ye Yi nodded, "Okay, thank you."
Who wanted to hear his thanks?
Jing Yiyi was furious. She turned her head, "If you're fine, I'll be leaving now."
Ye Yi grunted, "Okay."
His agreement was too quick, which made Jing Yiyi feel even more unsettled.
She spoke to fill the silence, "Are you going to find her?"
He answered without hesitation, "Of course."
Jing Yiyi found it hard to believe, "Shouldn't you tell Ji Zhixiu first?"
"Why should I tell him?" Ye Yi was gradually recovering, regaining his strength, and withdrawing his weight from Jing Yiyi, standing steadily.
"He's Jiang Mian's husband!"
"What does that have to do with me?" he said indifferently.
Jing Yiyi gritted her teeth, "Don't you think the rumors outside are bad enough? What will people say about you if this gets out? That you're coveting your own sister-in-law."
Ye Yi looked at her in surprise, "So what?"
Jing Yiyi was exasperated. She stomped her foot, "Who else could you like, but a married woman!"
Ye Yi gave a devilish smile, "I just like married women."
Jing Yiyi's eyes were practically overflowing with anger. She opened her mouth to say something, but ultimately held back.
"Do as you please!" she said angrily and turned away.
She hailed a taxi and drove away.
As soon as she left, the smile on Ye Yi's face vanished completely.
His hand trembled as he dialed Ye San's number, "Come pick me up."
Ye Residence.
Ye San poured him a glass of water and handed it to him, "You need to rest."
Ye Yi swallowed the pill with the water, and said casually, "I need to go to Italy."
Ye San: "Your body can't handle any more fatigue. How long has it been since you returned from treatment on Mist Star Island? Are you going back again? Besides, why are you going to Italy now?"
Ye Yi smiled happily. After so many days, he finally had news of her. "Jing Yiyi said someone saw Jiang Mian in Italy."
Ye San frowned, "I'll go for you. You wait for news in the capital."
Given Ye Yi's current physical condition, long-distance travel was out of the question.
Ye Yi shook his head, "No, I have to go find her myself."
Ye San was speechless, "Can't you take care of your own body? If you collapse, trust me, Jiang Mian won't be comforted."
Ye Yi closed his eyes, "I'll be fine after a while."
He knew his own body's condition.
Ye San knew that once he made up his mind, no one could easily change it.
He remained silent.
The next day, Ye Yi was supposed to depart.
Ye San blocked him at the stairs, "Don't go."
Ye Yi smiled, "Ye San, you can't stop me."
Ye San paused, "Ji Zhixiu is already on a plane to Italy."
Ye Yi froze.
"I told him. You should be relieved that he's going to find Jiang Mian. Your current health simply doesn't support you overexerting yourself." Ye San admitted his actions.
Ye Yi rested his tongue against his jaw and let out a scoff. He dropped his suitcase.
The suitcase slid smoothly across the floor.
Ye Yi sat down, "You're really something, Ye San. If you didn't want me to go, you really put in the effort."
"I just don't want you to push yourself," Ye San said matter-of-factly.
Ye Yi made an "okay" gesture, "As you wish. I'll rest well at home for the next few days."
"That would be for the best."
"By the way, how are things with Sister Ning?"
Ye San thought for a moment, "Given Jiang Mian's current situation, the endorsement contracts she signed earlier cannot proceed with on-site activities. I've already paid the termination fees. Some partners are willing to wait for us. Also, I've rejected two invitations for Jiang Mian to attend galas. And one is the Magnolia Award, inviting Jiang Mian at the end of this month. I'm not sure if Jiang Mian can make it. In short, no reply has been given yet."
Ye Yi looked thoughtful, "This award does carry some weight."
This year, Jiang Mian had steadily built her reputation, gaining fame and fortune from several dramas, especially "Lock Heart."
It was precisely when directors and producers would be looking for her, and her absence at this juncture was definitely not a good thing.
Ye Yi said, "Find a way to contact Song Xingjia."
If she could return before then, it would be best. If not, he had to be fully prepared.
Ye San understood what he meant and nodded.
Meanwhile, in Italy.
Ji Zhixiu hadn't expected Ye Yi's people to contact him, but regardless, it was news of Jiang Mian.
He rushed over as soon as he heard.
It was broad daylight.
The bar had a small side entrance open.
Ji Zhixiu entered with Xiang Long.
Inside, there were only two or three scattered customers, all with blonde hair and blue eyes.
Seeing Ji Zhixiu enter, they spoke in surprise in English, telling him it wasn't open for business yet.
Xiang Long stepped forward, took out a photo of Jiang Mian, and asked them fluently in English if they had seen her.
They all shook their heads.
Ji Zhixiu surveyed the surroundings. The bar was small and low-lying.
Upon entering, he discovered that the interior structure resembled a cave, adorned with various local decorative items.
He tapped the bar with his knuckles, drawing everyone's attention.
Ji Zhixiu raised his eyebrows slightly, exuding a commanding presence.
The group grew impatient, muttering in annoyance and about to kick him out.
Xiang Long's temper flared, and he was about to speak when Ji Zhixiu stopped him.
The man lightly parted his thin lips and calmly called out the name of the bar's owner.
The expressions of the group changed.
Ten minutes later.
In a private room.
Lick poured a glass of wine and handed it to Ji Zhixiu, saying in broken Chinese, "I didn't expect it to be Ji Cong."
Ji Zhixiu raised his hand, switching to English for easier communication.
Lick relaxed slightly, then frowned, "I really haven't seen this person."
Ji Zhixiu narrowed his long, slender eyes. Lick had no reason to lie, and he could tell Lick was telling the truth.
"However," Lick paused slightly, "someone rented my private room for a period some time ago and instructed us not to approach. Since they paid well and didn't cause any trouble, I didn't pay much attention."
Ji Zhixiu suppressed his anxiety and pressed, "Do you remember what kind of person it was?"
Lick shook his head, "The other party contacted me by phone, I never saw them in person."
"What about the room they rented? Is it still available? Take me to see it."
Lick nodded, "This one is still here. I'll take you."
He got up and led Ji Zhixiu and the other man through a narrow passage.
Seeing Ji Zhixiu's tall stature, Lick felt somewhat embarrassed by the confined space and explained, "This decoration is a feature of our bar."
He had designed it this way when he opened the bar.
Ji Zhixiu didn't care about such details. His joy at potentially finding Jiang Mian far outweighed these concerns.
The passage was narrow and long. After a few minutes of walking, they reached the room at the very end.
Lick opened the door, "This is it."
Ji Zhixiu stepped inside.
The room was clean and tidy, not very large, but it had everything it needed.
Ji Zhixiu turned to him, "I'd like to look around myself."
Lick understood, "Then I'll be leaving. Call me if you need anything, Mr. Ji."
Xiang Long escorted Lick out.
Ji Zhixiu turned his back and began searching the items in the room.
The room was simply furnished, and he could see everything at a glance.
It looked like it had been tidied up.
Ji Zhixiu pulled open the bedside table drawer, but it was empty.
He stood up, a frown unconsciously creasing his brow. He was now certain that Jiang Mian had been here.
If he were Jiang Mian and wanted to leave a clue, where would he put it?
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him.
Ji Zhixiu moved the bedside table aside, and a slip of paper fell out from the gap.
Ji Zhixiu bent down and opened the paper, then couldn't help but frown.
There were no words on the paper, only three wavy symbols.
Was this the message Jiang Mian wanted to leave for him?
Ji Zhixiu held the paper, not finding any other clues.
As he was leaving, he asked Lick to send him the phone number of the person who had rented the room.
Then he hurried back to China.
Xiang Long followed him, puzzled, "Are we just leaving like this, President?"
Ji Zhixiu's expression was calm, but the disappointment was unspeakable, "She's not here."
If he guessed correctly, she must have already left Italy.
"Check the number I gave you as soon as we land."
Xiang Long nodded, "I understand. Should we investigate Lick?"
Ji Zhixiu shook his head, "He's not necessary."
The reason he knew Lick was because during a visit to a factory in Italy years ago, his subordinate had taken him to this niche music bar.
He and Lick had met once years ago.
On the plane, Ji Zhixiu thought for a moment, "Tell Fan Cheng to restart the online promotion for the 'Heaven's Choice' series advertisement."
Xiang Long was somewhat surprised. The project had already concluded perfectly. There was no need to restart the promotion.
But he wouldn't question any of the President's decisions, "Understood."
Ji Zhixiu closed his eyes. He could only hope that by letting Jiang Mian see him, she would take the initiative to escape and find him.
The first thing Ji Zhixiu did upon landing was to return to the company and summon Fan Cheng.
"Restart the 'Heaven's Choice' fragrance series advertisements."
Fan Cheng was taken aback, "But President, the fragrance series has already sold out!"
The 'Heaven's Choice' series was highly popular upon release, especially with Jiang Mian's endorsement, the two complemented each other, achieving mutual success.
"Then produce more," Ji Zhixiu said without hesitation.
Fan Cheng nodded, "Okay."
"Also, add a small line at the end of the advertisement: for any issues, please contact the nearest point of sale. We will have dedicated personnel to provide after-sales service. And I want this advertisement to be broadcast globally, leaving no corner untouched."