The gathering Ji Han Zhuo had arranged was at Shengxi, a high-end entertainment club opened by the Shen family’s second son, Shen Shixi. Only prominent figures in the capital city could gain entry.
After her rebirth, this was Jiang Xizhi’s first time visiting such a place. Although Ji Han Zhuo had taken her out before, it was only to the company.
True to his word, Ji Han Zhuo carried her into the club.
The black Maybach stopped at the entrance of Shengxi. The devilishly handsome man in a custom-tailored black suit stepped out from the left door, walked around to the right side, and scooped up the woman wearing a matching black sequined gown. Without a glance elsewhere, he strode into the club’s lobby.
Unsurprisingly, the pair drew many eyes. Though shocked, no one dared to comment openly, only stealing glances at the woman in the man’s arms. But she had buried her face completely in his chest, making her features impossible to discern.
Those standing close enough could only notice that her ears were as red as if scalded by hot water.
The moment the two entered the elevator, the lobby erupted in murmurs.
The young masters began to chatter.
“Am I seeing things?”
“No, we all are. But Master Ji really is carrying someone—looks like a woman.”
“What do you mean ‘looks like’? It is a woman. Have you ever seen a man wear a dress?”
“Well, it’s just that people used to say Master Ji avoids women and prefers men.”
“Looks like another wave of heartbroken girls is coming. I’ll make the first move and go comfort them.”
“Me too, don’t you dare cut in line…”
…
Only after entering the elevator did Jiang Xizhi lift her head, letting out a heavy sigh. Ji Han Zhuo truly had a hundred ways to make her die of embarrassment, but at least her face remained hidden.
She had fallen asleep in the car and was awakened by Ji Han Zhuo’s movements. By the time she was fully conscious, she was already in his arms, and he had already entered the lobby. There was nothing she could do except hide her face.
Jiang Xizhi really didn’t want to relive that scene when they stepped out of the elevator, so she tugged at Ji Han Zhuo’s sleeve. “Put me down. I can walk.”
“No. If you strain your wound, you’ll start crying again. Besides, your walking posture is too awkward.”
At this, Jiang Xizhi’s face flushed with embarrassment. Having lived two lives, she was no longer an innocent girl, and her mind couldn’t help but wander. Limping around did indeed resemble the aftermath of overindulgence in her previous life.
In the end, Jiang Xizhi was still carried into the private room by Ji Han Zhuo.
Although she already knew who Ji Han Zhuo’s friends were, the moment the door opened, she couldn’t help but feel awkward.
“Big Brother.”
“Big Brother’s here. And this must be our sister-in-law.”
Two men seated in the room greeted them in turn: Shen Jingming and Shen Shixi. The former was steady and composed, while the latter was lively and unrestrained.
Shen Jingming was the eldest son of the main branch of the prestigious Shen family in the capital. He had taken over the family business at eighteen, known for his steadiness.
Jiang Xizhi was a student in the English Department at Beijing University, while Wen Luoyue studied financial management. Logically, the two shouldn’t have become roommates. However, the year Jiang Xizhi enrolled, the English Department was overcrowded, and there weren’t enough dormitory beds. By a twist of fate, Jiang Xizhi was assigned to the financial management dormitory, which had few female students, and she ended up as Wen Luoyue’s roommate.
Wen Luoyue had always been cheerful and carefree since childhood, and she particularly adored gentle, well-behaved, and pretty girls. Jiang Xizhi, with her delicate and fragile beauty, perfectly matched Wen Luoyue’s taste. On the first day of moving into the dormitory, Wen Luoyue took an instant liking to her, helped her with her luggage, and immediately took her under her wing.
Jiang Xizhi was simple-hearted—she treated others well if they treated her well. Through their mutual interactions, the two became close friends.
Shen Shixi was Shen Jingming’s cousin, the youngest son of the Shen family’s second branch. He had no interest in managing the company but was an expert in eating, drinking, and having fun—a classic second-generation heir and a playboy. With Shen Jingming’s support, he opened Shengxi, the largest entertainment club in Jing City.
Although she had mentally prepared herself, Jiang Xizhi was still stunned when she saw Shen Shixi’s bright blue hair with streaks of purple highlights. She remembered that the last time she saw him in her previous life, his hair was dyed green, wasn’t it?
Fortunately, his face was still decent-looking; otherwise, he really wouldn’t be able to pull off that hair color.
Seeing Jiang Xizhi staring at his hair in a daze, Shen Shixi ignored Ji Han Zhuo’s icy glare. Instead, he flicked the bangs on his forehead, struck what he thought was a cool pose, and asked with a grin, “Little sister-in-law, isn’t it awesome? If you like it, I can recommend my Tony teacher to you. Guaranteed professional.”
Jiang Xizhi forced a few awkward laughs. “No need, thanks. My current hair is just fine.”
Then, she immediately buried her face in Ji Han Zhuo’s chest, her expression a mix of disbelief and discomfort. So cringey! Thankfully, he had a handsome face, or she might have thrown up her dinner from last night.
It wasn’t that Shen Shixi was actually cringey, but Jiang Xizhi’s standards had been raised too high by Ji Han Zhuo’s godlike looks.
Ji Han Zhuo glanced at Jiang Xizhi nestled in his arms before withdrawing his cold gaze and placing her on the sofa.
He introduced, “This is my fiancée, Jiang Xizhi.”
Jiang Xizhi froze. When had she agreed to marry him? Even in her previous life, they had a child together but never got married.
Before she could question him, Ji Han Zhuo took her hand first and gently squeezed her fingers.
Jiang Xizhi understood his meaning—he wanted her to hold off on asking for now.
Shen Jingming raised an eyebrow in surprise and said, “Hello, sister-in-law.”
He never expected his older brother to like this delicate, innocent type. But she did look quite young—how could he bring himself to go after her?
Shen Shixi chimed in, “I knew it was little sister-in-law! I said the girl my brother personally carried in must be special. Don’t worry, little sister-in-law, I’ve got your back from now on. You can strut around Beijing without a care.”
Shen Jingming laughed and scolded, “You really know how to act all high and mighty under someone else’s influence. Don’t go around telling people I’m your brother.”
He found it embarrassing.
With his older brother around, when would he ever get a chance to show off?
Jiang Xizhi smiled politely but said nothing.
Strut around? She couldn’t even step out of the gate of Yucui Garden.
Shen Shixi shamelessly continued, “How am I acting high and mighty? In my heart, my older brother is even closer than my own brother. What’s wrong with borrowing a bit of his influence?”
Shen Jingming narrowed his eyes, “What? Closer than me? From now on, manage your own company yourself, don’t come to me.”
The Shen family had a rule: once the children came of age, each would be assigned a subsidiary company to manage. Shen Shixi, a playboy, had no desire to handle company affairs. After much pleading, he finally convinced Shen Jingming to manage the company for him, securing his current comfortable life.
So, upon hearing this, Shen Shixi panicked. He ingratiatingly poured Shen Jingming a glass of wine and hurriedly said, “Hey, no, no, you’re both my dear brothers, no distinction between you. I was wrong, okay?”
Shen Jingming glanced at him but still accepted the wine.
Ji Han Zhuo hadn’t come today for casual conversation but to discuss the company acquisition with Shen Jingming.
Shen Shixi had tagged along out of curiosity. He was actually there to catch a glimpse of Jiang Xizhi’s true appearance. He had long heard that his aloof and dignified older brother kept a delicate beauty in his private residence and was curious about what kind of beauty could conquer his brother.
Now, it seemed that using softness to overcome hardness was indeed true.