The next day.
When Jiang Zhuo got up and went out, he happened to see Jiang Si leaning on crutches, about to go down the stairs.
“When did you get back?”
Jiang Zhuo walked over to support him, asking knowingly.
“Oh, last night!”
With Jiang Zhuo’s help, Jiang Si immediately felt much more at ease. As he continued down the stairs, he turned his head and added, “I knew you went to bed early, so I didn’t wake you. I came back quietly on my own—I was afraid you’d scold me.”
Jiang Zhuo shook his head, his eyes filled with helplessness.
He had guessed Jiang Si might do something like this; he could never stay put in the hospital.
Once downstairs, the housekeeper had just finished preparing breakfast and was setting it on the table.
Jiang Zhuo helped Jiang Si sit down, then pulled out the chair beside him and sat next to him.
“Brother, do you have something to tell me?”
Jiang Si suddenly asked him. In fact, he had sensed it from the moment he first saw him earlier.
Jiang Zhuo didn’t speak immediately, as if pondering how to phrase it.
“Brother, is it about Cheng Sisi?” Jiang Si tentatively asked.
Jiang Zhuo turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow slightly.
“Actually, Jiang Xin already told me everything about Cheng Sisi’s feelings for me on the day she had that incident outside.”
He already knew Cheng Sisi liked him and that she had moved into the Jiang family because of him.
Jiang Zhuo nodded understandingly and asked, “So what do you think? Do you have any feelings for her?”
“I barely know her. My strongest impression of her is that she’s always following Jiang Xin around—she seems like a quiet girl. How could I have those kinds of feelings for her?”
“Really?” Jiang Zhuo pressed again.
“Really!” Jiang Si sighed, resting his chin on his hand. “Besides, it’s all so sudden. I don’t even know how to face her now!”
Jiang Zhuo turned away, a faint smile gradually appearing in his eyes.
It was good that he had no feelings for Cheng Sisi; otherwise, some things would be difficult to handle.
“Since you don’t have feelings for her, be clear and decisive. Don’t give her unnecessary hope—it’ll only hurt her in the end and make things awkward for you.”
“Yeah, I understand, brother. I’ll handle it properly.”
“Good. Let’s eat.”
Suddenly, Jiang Zhuo glanced toward the second floor, as if sensing someone hiding there.
Sure enough, Cheng Sisi was hiding behind the wall like a thief.
One hand covered her pounding heart, while the other covered her mouth.
She had heard everything and now understood that leaving this place truly was the right choice. Otherwise, Jiang Si, who was the rightful owner here, would feel uncomfortable because of an outsider like her—what kind of logic was that?
Immediately, she took deep, steady breaths to calm her emotions.
Then, she stepped out from behind the wall and walked down the stairs.
“Come have breakfast,” Jiang Zhuo called to her.
She walked over gracefully, sat down across from the two of them, and picked up her chopsticks.
Jiang Xin had gone out for dinner with colleagues after work last night, so she returned late and still hadn’t gotten up yet.
Jiang Zhuo asked the housekeeper to wake her up, or she would be late for work.
Jiang Xin dawdled for a long time, only getting out of bed after everyone else had finished eating. So, Jiang Zhuo decided not to wait for her and took Cheng Sisi to the company first.
In the car, Jiang Zhuo asked her, “Not afraid of riding in my car today?”
Cheng Sisi replied firmly, “Brother Jiang Zhuo, you were right yesterday. Since there’s nothing between us, we should be open and straightforward. Being overly cautious would only raise more suspicion. I am Jiang Xin’s friend, and it’s true that I got into the company with your help. Facts are facts—trying to hide them would only make us look guilty.”
Jiang Zhuo didn’t speak but smiled faintly.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No!” Jiang Zhuo immediately wiped the smile off his face and said, “I just feel like you’ve suddenly grown up!”
“It’s all thanks to your guidance, Brother Jiang Zhuo. Honestly, meeting you must be the greatest blessing of my life. You’ve saved me from danger multiple times, guided me like a life mentor, and with your status as the CEO of the Jiang Group, just being associated with you makes others look at me with more respect.”
Jiang Zhuo turned to look at her, surprised.
“Just after praising you, you start flattering me?”
“Not at all!” Her face flushed. “I’m telling the truth!”
But then, her expression turned serious, as if she had something on her mind. After a moment of hesitation, she spoke up.
“Brother Jiang Zhuo, I want to move out of the house tonight.”
He was clearly taken aback, though his exact emotions were hard to read. He only asked, “Have you found a place to stay?”
“Yes!” She nodded. “A classmate of mine has been renting a place for several years and is moving out today, so she offered it to me.”
Jiang Zhuo fell silent for a while before slowly saying, “Since you’ve already made up your mind, I respect your choice.”
Living outside might be better—he wouldn’t have to worry about being discovered by Jiang Xin and the others.
He then asked, “Are you going right after work?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll take you there!”
…
At the company, the two once again stepped out of the car under the astonished gazes of everyone.
But this time, she didn’t naively squeeze into the same elevator with Jiang Zhuo. Giving her a ride was a favor, but taking his private elevator would be crossing the line.
However, the private elevator was indeed faster.
Jiang Zhuo had already reached over a dozen floors, while she was still waiting downstairs.
“Hey, how come you and President Jiang come together every day?” a curious colleague asked, leaning in.
Cheng Sisi didn’t shy away and answered openly and honestly, “Because I’m currently staying at President Jiang’s house!”
The colleague immediately gaped in shock, only to hear Cheng Sisi continue, “But to be precise, it’s because I’m a college classmate and close friend of President Jiang’s sister. Since my family isn’t from City A, my friend let me stay at her house before I found a job.”
“However, I’ve already found a place to stay and will be moving out tonight. It wouldn’t be right to keep troubling them.”
“And I have to admit, a large part of why I got this job at the Jiang Group is because of my friend. Otherwise, with my qualifications, I definitely wouldn’t have been hired. I’m very grateful to her and to President Jiang for giving me this opportunity.”
“Oh, I see. That explains it. I heard yesterday that a new person joined the company without even going through an interview.”
“Yes…” Cheng Sisi calmly continued, “Even so, I’m confident in my abilities. President Jiang is your boss, and you probably know him better than I do. Why would he bring in someone mediocre and unremarkable?”
“That’s true, our President Jiang has very high standards for talent. Oh, by the way, you’re from the advertising design department, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Well then, I’m looking forward to seeing your performance in this season’s new product ad campaign. Good luck!”
“Okay, thank you!”
Cheng Sisi felt pleased. Indeed, to make others remove their colored glasses, one must first be open and sincere. Only a small minority scheme behind others’ backs—most people are reasonable and understanding.
And this was something Jiang Zhuo had taught her!
Nothing unexpected happened throughout the day.
Just as work ended, Jiang Zhuo sent her a message saying he was waiting for her in the garage.
The moment she got into the car, Cheng Sisi felt inexplicably sad.
This was likely the last time she would ever ride in his car.