Chen Yi didn’t cook every day; she only occasionally prepared a few meals to give the two of them a change of taste. The manor had a chef specially hired by Ji Han Zhuo from a five-star hotel.
Today’s meal was prepared by the chef, consisting of relatively light dishes. Dozens of dishes covered the long dining table adorned with intricate patterns, with fresh, vibrant flowers placed on both sides of the table. The environment was excellent and full of style.
The two sat at opposite ends of the long table. In the past, Jiang Xizhi would have felt extremely uncomfortable, but now, in her second life, she was already used to it. She picked up her chopsticks and began eating with complete ease.
Ji Han Zhuo was wealthy and had a discerning palate, so the food that met his standards was certainly exceptional. She simply had to enjoy it alongside him.
Ji Han Zhuo rarely spoke while eating, so Jiang Xizhi didn’t have to worry about dealing with him. She focused solely on eating her fill. In truth, she had been hungry for a while. If it weren’t for Ji Han Zhuo insisting on holding her while she slept, she would have eaten much earlier.
After satisfying her hunger, Jiang Xizhi’s mood improved considerably.
Wiping her mouth, she looked up and met the man’s deep gaze. Jiang Xizhi sensed something strange about Ji Han Zhuo and glanced at him warily.
In fact, halfway through Jiang Xizhi’s meal, Ji Han Zhuo had already put down his bowl and chopsticks, crossing his arms as he quietly watched her eat.
After the two stared at each other for a moment, Ji Han Zhuo spoke, asking calmly, “Are you finished eating?”
Jiang Xizhi nodded, unsure of his intentions. “Yes.” Ji Han Zhuo shook his head. “You didn’t drink the soup. Did today’s soup not suit your taste?”
Jiang Xizhi glanced at the red date and snow fungus soup in front of her and answered honestly, “It’s too bland. I don’t feel like drinking it.”
Ji Han Zhuo nodded as if he understood. “Perfect. The kitchen just prepared a new soup. See if it suits your taste.”
With that, a servant brought a large pot of meat soup and placed it in the center of the dining table.
Curious, Jiang Xizhi took a look, but as soon as she did, she jerked her head back, quickly covered her mouth, her pupils contracting sharply. She stared at Ji Han Zhuo in disbelief.
The scent didn’t seem like ordinary meat. Recalling Ji Han Zhuo’s mention of a surprise for her that morning… this was dog meat—the vicious dog that had bitten her yesterday.
Ji Han Zhuo had actually stewed it into soup!
Good heavens, this man was even more terrifying than in her previous life. Although the dog had bitten her, it was still his own pet. How could he bring himself to do such a thing?
It wasn’t exactly disgust she felt, but a strong sense of aversion. Just thinking about that dog sent shivers down her spine, and now, seeing this pot of… thing in front of her, she couldn’t help but want to escape. It was also a bit nauseating.
But she didn’t dare to actually run. She feared that if she did, she might truly anger Ji Han Zhuo. What if he forced this pot of… thing down her throat? It was too horrifying to imagine.
Terrified, Jiang Xizhi closed her eyes, covered her mouth with both hands, and said in a trembling voice, “Ji Han Zhuo, please have someone take this away. I’m scared.”
Ji Han Zhuo took in all of Jiang Xizhi’s subtle reactions, watching her cowering form with amusement. He asked gently, “What are you afraid of? Those who do wrong must be punished. The dog was, and so are people. What’s wrong with that?”
If he didn’t give her a warning, she would run again next time.
Jiang Xizhi was now even more certain that the pot contained dog meat, and she was most afraid of Ji Han Zhuo when he spoke in this gentle tone. Based on her understanding of him, this man was absolutely hiding a knife behind his smile, waiting for her to speak so he could strike her down.
Covering her mouth, she sobbed, “You’re right, I’ll listen to you from now on. Please have someone take it away.”
First, let him get rid of that thing—she really couldn’t stand it.
He must still be angry about her escape last night and deliberately trying to scare her, but she was genuinely terrified. After what happened last night, she was already afraid of dogs, and now seeing that bowl made her feel goosebumps all over.
Ji Han Zhuo curled the corners of his lips in satisfaction. Seeing that the desired effect had been achieved, he waved his hand and had someone take the soup away. However, it wasn’t actually dog meat soup—just ordinary pigeon soup. He only wanted to scare her and teach her a lesson.
But it was true that the dog had lost its life.
Ji Han Zhuo walked over to Jiang Xizhi, pulled her into his arms, and patted her back gently to comfort her. “As long as you behave, I won’t scare you.”
Jiang Xizhi nodded heavily.
This man was even more twisted than in her past life. How was she going to escape?
After the meal, Ji Han Zhuo fed Jiang Xizhi some fruit, then held her in the living room while they watched her favorite TV drama.
Halfway through the show, Ji Han Zhuo’s phone rang—it was a message from Chen Zhan reminding him to handle new documents.
Chen Zhan was Ji Han Zhuo’s special assistant, handling both work and personal matters. She still remembered that in her past life, Chen Zhan had taken a bullet for Ji Han Zhuo, probably in the second year of her imprisonment. Ji Han Zhuo had taken him to M Country to handle matters at a branch company, and the two had been attacked.
After graduating from high school, Ji Han Zhuo went to study at the top university in M Country. At eighteen, during his first year abroad, he founded J.O. Company there. He balanced his studies with expanding the business until he returned to the country at twenty-three with dual master’s degrees, relocating the company headquarters back home and renaming it J·T Group.
In his first year back, he also took over the family business of the Ji family, expanding it dozens of times within a month, thereby becoming the new head of the Ji family—ruthless, decisive, and formidable.
By calculation, he was only twenty-five this year, yet he had already become a fearsome figure in the capital. Even high-ranking industry leaders had to address him as “Master Ji.”
Ji Han Zhuo could be described as the perfect man, combining intelligence, wealth, and looks. The only flaw, according to outside rumors, was that he was too ruthless and heartless.
Yet, it was precisely such a ruthless character who had taken a liking to Jiang Xizhi, whose courage was as timid as a rabbit’s.
It could only be said that one thing conquers another.
Ji Han Zhuo watched another half hour of TV with Jiang Xizhi before turning it off. He carried her upstairs, heading toward the study.
When Jiang Xizhi saw the study, her face suddenly changed. Clutching his clothes, she began to act coquettishly. “I’m sleepy, I want to sleep. Come with me.”
Ji Han Zhuo frowned, looking down at her intently. “Didn’t you sleep enough this morning?”
Besides, she had gone to bed quite early last night, while he had stayed up late.
Jiang Xizhi yawned, her starry eyes half-closed, her voice soft and sweet. “I’m just sleepy. I take a nap every afternoon—it’s become a habit. Come sleep with me for a while longer.”
Ji Han Zhuo was most susceptible to this side of her. “Alright.”
Ji Han Zhuo carried Jiang Xizhi back to the master bedroom, laid her on the bed, drew the curtains, lifted the covers, and held her as they slept together.
As soon as Jiang Xizhi nestled into his arms, she pretended to close her eyes. Seeing this, Ji Han Zhuo closed his eyes as well.
Half an hour later, in the pitch-black room, Jiang Xizhi suddenly opened her eyes and whispered, “Ji Han Zhuo, are you asleep?”
The only response was the sound of soft breathing.
Jiang Xizhi couldn’t help but curse him in her heart. What kind of “keeping her company” was this? He seemed to be sleeping quite soundly himself.
Then, remembering her main task, she immediately threw off the covers, tiptoed out of bed, and dragged her injured leg step by step toward the door. Before closing the door, she glanced at the man sleeping soundly on the bed. He probably wouldn’t wake up, right?
With a soft click as the door closed, the man on the bed instantly opened his eyes, his gaze dark and heavy as he stared at the tightly shut door.
He was determined to find out what tricks his Xi Xi was up to.