Cheng Sisi’s breath hitched, and she quickly pulled back, slamming the door shut.
“What’s wrong?”
Jiang Xin walked over from behind, seeing her face pale with anxiety.
“Your… your eldest brother is outside.”
“It’s fine. My eldest brother is a gentleman; he won’t do anything.”
“I know your eldest brother is a gentleman, but I can’t get past this mental hurdle.”
Cheng Sisi looked utterly miserable, leaning against the corner of the wall as if she had lost all hope.
“Just thinking about how embarrassing it was when your eldest brother saw me last night, I…”
She couldn’t even finish her sentence, glaring at Jiang Xin with a pitiful expression before adding, “It’s all your fault!”
“My fault, my fault, it’s all my fault.”
Jiang Xin didn’t argue, knowing she truly felt wronged, and could only try her best to comfort her.
“But you really shouldn’t dwell on it too much. I trust my eldest brother’s character completely. Last night, when I went out to look for you, he told me you were already asleep in the guest room and not to disturb you. He even scolded me harshly, saying I hadn’t taken good care of you or been a proper host.”
After hearing this, Cheng Sisi let out a heavy sigh. “Fine, for your eldest brother’s sake, I won’t hold it against you.”
Jiang Xin grinned widely, then eagerly opened the door to make sure no one was outside before letting her out.
After changing back into her own clothes, Cheng Sisi finally felt comfortable.
When she went downstairs, Jiang Zhuo was having breakfast.
Jiang Zhuo didn’t mention anything about the previous night, even maintaining a calm expression as he invited her to eat. If she continued to act awkward, it would only seem insincere.
So, forcing herself to relax, she sat down across from him.
As soon as she sat down, someone rushed in through the front door.
Seeing him, Cheng Sisi immediately tensed up.
“Second Brother!” Jiang Xin’s dissatisfied voice rang out. “Where did you go fooling around last night? You didn’t come back all night. Don’t tell me you were racing again? That’s so dangerous. Why won’t you ever listen? What if one day…”
“Stop it, stop it!”
The one who had arrived was Jiang Xin’s second brother, Jiang Si.
Dark circles from a sleepless night were visible on his face, but they couldn’t hide his youthful energy. He sprawled onto the sofa, limbs splayed, and retorted, “Jiang Xin, don’t jinx me. If you don’t understand racing, keep your mouth shut.”
He had always been passionate about racing, something Cheng Sisi knew well.
And she shared Jiang Xin’s concerns, especially about him racing all night like this—it was far too dangerous.
Jiang Xin couldn’t persuade him, but as soon as Jiang Zhuo spoke, he immediately straightened up and became more disciplined.
“Your sister is right. Racing is too dangerous. It’s fine as a hobby to do occasionally, but if you keep driving like your life doesn’t matter, I’ll confiscate all your cars and make sure you never touch one again.”
“I mean what I say!”
His tone was gentle, but that gentleness was like the firmness hidden within the softness of Tai Chi—it carried weight.
Jiang Si didn’t dare argue and used the excuse of going upstairs to freshen up to slip away.
Watching him run off, Cheng Sisi’s expression turned despondent.
From the moment Jiang Si entered, it was as if he hadn’t seen her at all. He hadn’t said a single word to her, not even a greeting.
And her despondence didn’t escape Jiang Zhuo’s notice.
A flicker of gloom passed through his eyes, but it quickly and silently faded away.
After breakfast, Jiang Zhuo drove them to the company for their interview, as it was on his way.
During the ride, Cheng Sisi and Jiang Xin chatted and laughed in the back seat, while Jiang Zhuo focused on driving. Occasionally, he recalled the scene from the previous night with the handcuffs and pajamas, sparks flickering in his eyes from time to time.
“Brother, it’s right ahead, Sheng Yu Advertising Company.”
Jiang Xin excitedly pointed to the company on the right where they were about to have their interview, signaling Jiang Zhuo to pull over.
The car slowly came to a stop, and the two in the back seat got out together.
“Brother!” Jiang Xin walked to the driver’s side and flashed Jiang Zhuo a sweet smile. “Thank you for driving us here. Wish us luck!”
Jiang Zhuo’s eyes were affectionate, though his expression remained impassive. “You’ve really grown wings now!”
“Ah, brother!” Jiang Xin pouted playfully and added, “I know you want me to work at our family’s group company, but I still want to try making it on my own. I want to prove to you that I’ve grown up!”
Jiang Zhuo shook his head, feeling the helplessness of a parent whose child has grown up and can no longer be swayed.
In the end, he could only nod at her and say, “I understand and support you. If you ever feel uncomfortable outside, just come back anytime. There will always be a place for you in the company.”
Jiang Xin giggled, “Thank you, brother. You’re the best!”
Yes, the best indeed!
Cheng Sisi stood behind them, listening with envy.
Their Jiang Group was one of the top companies in the country, something countless people fought tooth and nail to get into. Jiang Xin was the younger sister of the group’s president, and with just a word from Jiang Zhuo, she could skip the interview and walk right in.
Cheng Sisi was different. As a recent graduate with no work experience, she couldn’t get into Jiang Group.
But envy was one thing; striving to improve herself was another.
Cheng Sisi would make Jiang Group her future goal and work hard for it.
Before Jiang Zhuo left, she stepped forward to thank him as well, and Jiang Zhuo gently wished her success.
Only after they had gone inside did Jiang Zhuo start the car again.
Yet his eyes kept drifting almost imperceptibly toward the large characters above that read “Sheng Yu Advertising Company,” as if he had some plan hidden in his heart.
During dinner time, Jiang Zhuo happened to return from the company.
He had heard that both Jiang Xin and Cheng Sisi had passed their interviews, so a table full of dishes had been prepared to celebrate. They had called him several times, insisting he come back for dinner.
“Brother, look at this table of dishes I made. Doesn’t it look impressive?”
Jiang Xin stood by the table, showing off.
After washing his hands, Jiang Zhuo sat down at the dining table and smiled faintly. “I’ve watched you grow up since you were little. Do you think I don’t know what you’re like? You’ve barely stepped into the kitchen a few times!”
“You saw right through me again!”
Jiang Xin stuck out her tongue and pushed Cheng Sisi in front of him. “Sisi made all these dishes. Isn’t she amazing? They’re as good as a five-star chef’s!”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhuo raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Cheng Sisi was the same age as Jiang Xin and looked delicate, yet she had such impressive culinary skills.
The dishes indeed looked incredibly delicious just from their appearance.
But he still noticed something off.
Most of the dishes were Jiang Si’s favorites. Rather than being prepared to celebrate with him after returning from the company, they seemed specially made for Jiang Si.
Jiang Zhuo lowered his gaze slightly, thinking to himself how attentive she was to Jiang Si!
His appetite vanished instantly, but he maintained his politeness, saying only that he had an important video conference and telling them to start without him. With that, he went upstairs.
He went to his study, his expression betraying a hint of displeasure.
From the fingerprint-locked drawer of his desk, he took out a photograph, squinting as he examined it carefully.
It was the photo of Cheng Sisi he had taken last night!
Each photo was in a provocative pose, enough to make one’s blood boil, yet Jiang Zhuo’s expression was unusually dark and grim.
Finally, he tossed the photos aside and called his assistant.
“Mr. Jiang, what can I do for you?”
“Contact the CEO of Shengyu Advertising and tell him…”
…
After hanging up and handling some more work, he finally left the study.
Unexpectedly, he saw Cheng Sisi standing not far away at the door of Jiang Si’s room, murmuring something under her breath.
He approached silently and finally heard her clearly.
It turned out she was practicing how to confess her feelings!
“Ah Si, I’ve actually liked you for a long time, ever since the first time I saw you…”
“No, no, that’s too direct!”
“Ah Si, are you free this weekend?”