“Master Ji, then…” Despite having said so much, the butler still didn’t understand and had no idea how to proceed with the arrangements.
Ji Zechen’s resolve remained unshaken. He responded with the same detached tone, “First floor.”
His bedroom was on the second floor, which constituted his entirely private domain. Even the butler rarely went up there under normal circumstances, let alone this sudden intruder into his world.
“Yes,” the butler replied, immediately going to make the arrangements.
Almost simultaneously, a soft “Aiya” sounded beside Ji Zechen’s ear—as delicate as a newborn kitten’s mewl, yet unsettling.
Ji Zechen frowned subconsciously and turned to look.
The person who had been standing perfectly fine beside him just a moment ago was now sitting on the floor, lips pale, pitifully rubbing her ankle.
Noticing his gaze, she hoarsely said, “Brother, my foot hurts.”
Seeing her like this, Ji Zechen felt somewhat repulsed.
But when his eyes fell on the bandages wrapped around her hands and legs, it was like a bucket of water dousing all his dissatisfaction.
“Get up,” he said, his tone devoid of much pity.
“Oh,” Shu Qianzhi obediently complied, using one hand to push herself up from the steps as she struggled to stand.
During the process, she deliberately staggered at just the right moment. As expected, Ji Zechen’s hand came over to support her.
“Sorry, brother, I can even fall while walking.” Shu Qianzhi concealed all her true emotions, resolutely maintaining an appearance of grievance and frustration. “Am I very stupid?”
Ji Zechen wasn’t buying it, but still replied, “Yes.”
“Uh…” Shu Qianzhi was left speechless.
“Looking at you like this, you still want to go to the second floor?” Ji Zechen willingly acted as Shu Qianzhi’s human crutch with one hand, even taking the initiative to speak.
It seemed promising.
Shu Qianzhi weighed her options internally for a moment, then raised her voice with conviction, “I can! Although my foot hurts, I can endure a lot!”
Endure?
Ji Zechen scoffed inwardly. Crying at the drop of a hat, yet claiming to be able to endure such things?
Ridiculous…
Unaware of his internal reaction, Shu Qianzhi continued speaking while subtly observing his expression, then timely delivered her next line: “Ze Xi isn’t afraid of pain or hardship, but is afraid of being alone. Having brother here makes me feel much more at ease.”
Despite such a sincere expression, Ji Zechen remained silent.
He wasn’t buying it.
Just then, the butler finished everything and stood before them. “Master Ji, the room for this young lady has been arranged.”
At this moment, Shu Qianzhi neither cried nor made a fuss, merely standing obediently behind him without saying a word.
She had done all she could and said plenty. Now she could only gamble on whether Ji Zechen would yield for her sake and allow her to stay on the second floor.
“Hmm.” Ji Zechen’s expression remained unchanged. After helping her down, he directly turned and went upstairs without any hesitation or lingering attachment.
Well, she had lost the bet.
But it didn’t matter. Gambling was only interesting when there were both wins and losses.
Otherwise, at this rate, she’d be getting married tomorrow and holding a baby the day after.
Too fast wouldn’t be any fun anyway, right?
“Young lady, this way please.” Even with Ji Zechen gone, the butler remained reverently respectful, attending to Shu Qianzhi with impeccable service.
After all, she was someone brought by Master Ji and one of the rare feminine presences in this villa, so she must be no ordinary person. The butler would naturally serve her with utmost respect and attentiveness.
“Alright.” Shu Qianzhi played her part to the end, allowing the butler to support her into the prepared room where she settled onto the plush sofa.
Shortly after, Wan Feng arrived and explained many details to her, including matters regarding her injuries, assuring her that she need only ask for anything she required, and he would do his best to accommodate her.
Moments later, someone delivered clothing and daily necessities, even thoughtfully providing a mobile phone.
This treatment of being respected and cherished—the warmth of being held in the palm of someone’s hand—was something Shu Qianzhi had never experienced throughout all her lifetimes.
Tears welled up in her eyes instantly, and she was so moved she became somewhat incoherent.
“Thank you,” Shu Qianzhi sniffled slightly, overwhelmed with emotion.
“It’s nothing, it’s my duty,” Wan Feng replied, clearly startled, quickly handing her a few tissues. “Miss, why are you crying?”
Shu Qianzhi rubbed her eyes, “I’m comforted that my brother has people like you by his side.”
Wan Feng: …
Thanks, he was honored too.
After explaining everything, Wan Feng promptly left the bedroom, giving Shu Qianzhi her space, and efficiently carried out all her requests.
Alone in the room, Shu Qianzhi rummaged through a bag for her nearly depleted painkillers and swallowed several pills at once.
She had indeed nearly cried, but not out of gratitude for being cared for—it was from the pain.
Her earlier fall wasn’t intentional; it was due to a sudden, sharp pain that struck fiercely and without warning as her painkillers wore off.
Overwhelmed by the agony coursing through her body, she had momentarily lost focus and missed her step, stumbling and falling.
Yet this pain was peculiar. Logically, her superficial injuries shouldn’t cause such intense suffering, but every time the painkillers faded, she would instantly weaken, leaving her utterly drained.
Slumped weakly against the sofa, Shu Qianzhi closed her eyes, gradually finding some relief as the medication took effect.
But she felt increasingly weary, her mind growing heavier, as if struggling to sustain any coherent thought.
…
In the study, Wan Feng lightly knocked on the door and entered after receiving permission, standing before Ji Zechen.
“All settled?” Ji Zechen leaned back in his chair, one hand idly tapping the desk with a hint of laziness.
“Yes,” Wan Feng replied, reporting truthfully, “The young lady also requested several extra boxes of painkillers. I’ve already had them brought over.”
“Painkillers?” Ji Zechen frowned slightly.
An image surfaced in his mind of her sitting on the ground earlier, rubbing her ankle and crying out in pain. Could it have been genuine?
Wan Feng nodded, “Yes.”
He then recounted what had happened in the room, “By the way, Master Ji, the young lady cried again earlier.”
“The reason?”
“She said something about being happy that you have people like us around you,” Wan Feng reported honestly, momentarily unsure if her words were an indirect compliment to himself.
“Uh…” Ji Zechen rubbed his temples.
She cried over that?
What a crybaby.
“But Master Ji, I don’t think that’s the real reason for the young lady’s tears.” Wan Feng observed Ji Zechen’s expression carefully before continuing.
Ji Zechen flicked his fingers lightly, signaling him to go on.
“Probably the young lady has accumulated many grievances these past few days. After all, she’s forgotten everything yet still remembers her brother. This person must be the most important figure in her life, but in her current memory, this person is keeping her at a distance…”
Ji Zechen: …
So, it’s his fault?
“Ahem.” Wan Feng realized he had overstepped, daring to criticize Master Ji to his face, so he quickly changed the subject before the volcano erupted. “But Master Ji, are you certain there won’t be any problems with bringing her back like this?”
He naturally wanted to trust that young lady – after all, she had risked her life to save them and appeared so pure and innocent. But if Ji Zechen had brought her along solely for that reason, it wouldn’t match his usual style.
Ji Zechen didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he swiveled his chair, his slender fingers still tapping rhythmically on the desk, emitting faint sounds from time to time.
“No.” He finally stated with certainty after a moment. “If she’s truly lost her memory, we’ll treat it as charity. But if she’s pretending, keeping her here makes it easier to control her.”
This was the Ji residence, his territory. If she wanted to cause trouble here, her abilities alone would be far from sufficient.
Ji Zechen detested being used most of all. If she had other intentions, he certainly wouldn’t allow himself to be manipulated – the only outcome would be making an example of her.
About this, he had complete confidence.