Under the light, his eyes were lowered, his tone dismissive, and mockery evident in his gaze.
With his arms crossed, he stared at the woman in the mirror.
Jing Yiyi's hands, gripping the washbasin, paused. She slowly raised her head, looking at her reflection.
She had put on a beautiful makeup today, completely different from her usual style.
The black eyeliner made her fox-like eyes appear even longer and more almond-shaped, with the corners subtly upturned. They were now glaringly red due to physiological nausea.
The petal-shaped lips were painted with a vibrant and eye-catching lipstick. In truth, she disliked this shade.
Even she hadn't realized that her makeup today was entirely to cater to the man's preferences.
Looking at herself like this, she felt like a stranger.
Night Wing's tongue pressed against his jawline, his eyes narrowed. He was displeased with her listless appearance.
Jing Yiyi blinked slowly, then turned around.
"Then what can I do?" Her voice was extremely low, almost a whisper.
"As the dignified eldest daughter of the Jing family, do you need to cast aside your pride to do this?" Night Wing scoffed.
This woman was practically on the verge of begging.
His words struck Jing Yiyi's ears precisely.
A few steps away, Jing Yiyi slowly spoke, her tone calm, "I'm going back."
Night Wing instantly understood her meaning.
He nodded, his tone not very pleasant, "Okay."
"Night Wing," Jing Yiyi looked at him, calling his name solemnly.
She raised her hand and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, quietly swallowing a mouthful of saliva, then said earnestly, "In what capacity were you just speaking?"
She understood his implication.
But could he give her a reason to comply?
Give her a reason to go with this man.
As long as he said just one sentence, just one, she would immediately leave with him.
Perhaps she had been standing for too long; the lights seemed unusually glaring to Jing Yiyi.
Her heart pounded more and more fiercely, so much so that she could clearly feel its uncontrolled beat.
Indescribable.
At the same time, an emotion named anticipation was inevitably growing within her, flowing through her limbs.
Night Wing lowered his eyelashes. When he looked up again, his expression was indifferent. "I'm sorry, I was meddling."
Something quietly extinguished.
Jing Yiyi forced a smile and replied, "It's fine."
She walked away step by step, very slowly.
How she wished Night Wing would call out to her.
But he didn't, not until she brushed past him.
Jing Yiyi forced back her tears, telling herself, don't look back, Jing Yiyi.
Suddenly, she felt that it no longer mattered what kind of person she was in Night Wing's heart.
She had more important things to do.
"Yiyi, why did it take you so long to go to the restroom?"
"Come, come, let's refill."
"Where were we?"
Amidst the clinking of glasses, Jing Yiyi heard her own voice, "I heard this wine is even better. It's a new shipment from Europe. Have you uncles tried it?"
She felt detached, as if her body and soul were separated.
One person was expressionless and filled with disgust.
The other wore a smile and tried to appease them.
"I didn't expect Yiyi to know so much."
"Then bring two bottles!"
After an unknown amount of time, Jing Yiyi saw everyone off.
Alone, she lay on the sofa. The nausea she had suppressed earlier surged up all at once.
She quickly grabbed a trash can and bent over, vomiting until she was dizzy.
Her empty stomach could only manage to expel some wine.
Her alcohol tolerance wasn't bad, but against these sophisticated people, it clearly wasn't enough.
She had drunk the most at tonight's gathering.
After vomiting, the burning sensation in her stomach felt a little better.
Jing Yiyi sank back into the sofa, leaning slightly to reach the signed contract on the table and carefully placing it into her bag.
Having done so, she closed her eyes.
Her phone in her bag vibrated. Jing Yiyi, eyes closed, fumbled for her phone.
"Hello, Yiyi, how is it on your end? Why aren't you back yet?"
"Mommy, everything is going smoothly here. I've taken care of it. I won't be back tonight; I'll stay out and sleep for one night. It will be convenient to go to the company tomorrow." She rubbed her forehead, her voice sounding relaxed.
"Alright, then be safe and get some rest early tonight."
"Okay, got it, Mommy. You get some rest early too. Goodnight."
After hanging up, Jing Yiyi opened her eyes.
Her stomach was still churning, making her feel like she would vomit again. She took out her phone and ordered some medicine for delivery.
Just then, a cup of warm water appeared before her.
Jing Yiyi looked up in confusion.
"Hello, ma'am. You seem a bit unwell, so we've prepared a cup of honey water for you. Is there anything else we can help you with?" The attendant bowed, his smile polite.
Jing Yiyi smiled, suppressing the disappointment in her heart, and took the cup. "Thank you. Do you have any rooms? I'd like to book one."
She was too tired and just wanted a bed to lie down on.
Her head felt like it was about to split open.
A while later, the attendant brought her a room card. Perhaps seeing Jing Yiyi's state, he was a bit worried.
He asked, "The guest rooms are on the sixth floor. Would you like me to escort you there?"
Jing Yiyi shook her head. "No, thank you. Please tidy this up."
She stood up, picked up her bag, and walked towards the elevator.
Swiping her room card, Jing Yiyi tossed her bag aside, kicked off her heels, and collapsed onto the bed like a starfish.
The soft mattress was so comfortable she didn't want to move.
Jing Yiyi moved her eyelids. She heard her phone ringing in her bag. She got up again and found her phone. "Yes, 0605. Please have it sent up."
She opened the door and took the medicine she had ordered from the delivery person. "Thank you."
Closing the door again, Jing Yiyi unscrewed the bottled water on the nightstand and swallowed it with the anti-emetic pills.
She should take a bath, but she was so drowsy she didn't want to move.
The moment she closed her eyes, the man's face appeared in her mind.
"Jing Yiyi."
"Miss Jing."
"Night Wing, how could I have thought of you?" She couldn't help but murmur to herself.
Yet her mind was a jumbled mess, unable to think.
"It's an illusion, just an illusion..." Jing Yiyi muttered softly.
She soon fell asleep.
...
Jiang Mian flew back to Kyoto the day after her performance ended.
Upon her return, she first went to the company.
In Sister Ning's office.
"Ji Corporation sent us a work invitation, a perfume endorsement. Did you know?" Her gaze was sly, filled with teasing.
Jiang Mian froze. She remembered Ji Zhixiu asking her last time if she had any perfume endorsements.
She had said no, and told him to arrange one for her.
It was a casual remark, a joke, but she hadn't expected it to actually be arranged.
"I've already accepted it for you. The specific plan is still under discussion. This can be considered keeping it in the family," Sister Ning said with a smile.
Jiang Mian curved her lips and smiled. "I know."
Sister Ning patted her shoulder, feeling quite gratified. "After being with President Ji for so many years, you're finally willing to fight for yourself. That's great! If President Ji arranges a few more good scripts and productions for you, we'll immediately be considered a top-tier actress."
Jiang Mian shook her head. "I don't want to."
Sister Ning glared. "Why not? Didn't you fight for this endorsement? Or did President Ji give it to you?"
She furrowed her brow. "Did you two break up? Giving you this endorsement out of the blue, is it a breakup fee?"
The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Sister Ning's expression changed. "Then why not give you more? What's one endorsement?"
Jiang Mian was amused and exasperated. "Where is your mind going?"
"We're doing well. This endorsement is probably because they think I'm very suitable."
Sister Ning instantly breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good that you're doing well. I say, you shouldn't just not fight for anything. What's your husband's is yours, right? What's the difference between that and yours?"
"It's fine to focus on yourself, have some career ambition, sister."
"I originally wanted to arrange a reality show for you, but your historical drama has been postponed, which has led to a lack of buzz. Although it's been scheduled now, it was delayed."
Sister Ning was worried. There wasn't a day she didn't wish for Jiang Mian to become famous.
"Let's take it slow. Let good work speak for itself," Jiang Mian said.
"Okay, I'll keep an eye out for you. You take advantage of these two days while you have time to spend with President Ji. Who knows when you'll have to join a crew."
"Alright, alright, hurry back. Don't be an eyesore here. I'm busy."
Sister Ning waved her away.
As soon as Jiang Mian left the office, she saw Night Wing.
She walked around the desk and tapped on his office door with her knuckles.
"Come in," the man's nonchalant voice responded.
Jiang Mian pushed the door open. "You're back?"
Night Wing was leaning on his desk, playing with a snow-white Samoyed.
Hearing her voice, he turned around in surprise. "What are you doing here? Come to see me?"
Jiang Mian curved her lips. "Just passing by."
Night Wing was clearly in a good mood. He picked up the Samoyed and proudly showed it to her. "Sit first. How is it? Cute, right?"
The puppy looked a few months old, snow-white all over, with bright, curious eyes darting around. It licked Night Wing's fingers, looking like a ball of soft cotton.
"Where did you get the dog? It's very cute." Jiang Mian smiled.
"I don't know where Night Three got it from. I think it's cute too, just not as cute as me." He put the puppy back in its cage.
He stood up and sat opposite Jiang Mian. "Just got back?"
"Yes, just off the plane. I came to see Sister Ning," Jiang Mian said with a smile.
"I thought you came specifically to see me. I was happy for nothing," he sighed, feigning hurt.
Jiang Mian ignored him. "Let's talk business."
"Go ahead," he immediately became serious.
"What's the name of the Xianxia drama you mentioned? Now that I have some free time, I'll read the original novel."
"The original novel is 'Jiu Li'. I have a physical copy here. Wait for me."
He got up and found the book from the Italian-style bookshelf in his office, handing it to her. "Take it and read it slowly."
Jiang Mian took it and flipped through a few pages. "Okay, I'll return it to you after I finish reading."
"No need. Keep it. The original author gave it to me. I don't read these anyway," he shrugged.
"Alright, then I'll be going?"
"Leaving already? Won't you stay for dinner?" Night Wing said with displeasure. "I don't care, you have to eat with me."
Jiang Mian hesitated for a moment, then agreed. "Okay, what do you want to eat?"
It was a good opportunity to thank Night Wing. Treating him to a meal wouldn't hurt.
Night Wing immediately brightened up. "Anything is fine, as long as I'm with you. What do you want to eat?"
"There's a good Japanese restaurant on Qingtong Road. Want to try it?"