Having received the answer she had been longing for, Qin Yaoyao's smile grew even brighter, and her tone was extremely sincere. "I'm going to stroll around Flower City with A Yan. Sister Jiang Li, you'll be bored alone in the hotel. Why not come with us?"
Jiang Li refused without a second thought. "No, thanks. I'd like to rest alone in the hotel. You two have a good time."
Even if she wanted to explore Flower City, she didn't want to be with these two big shots.
"Sister Jiang Li, come with us." Qin Yaoyao blinked her eyes, her tone cheerful. "Just now A Yan promised me that he'll foot the bill for all our expenses today."
After saying that, she deliberately winked at Jiang Li, trying to create a sisterly atmosphere.
Jiang Li still insisted. "You two go and have fun. I..."
"We'll go straight to meet the client after the stroll. Do you want me to come back to pick you up specially?" Xiao Yanzhi's jaw tightened coldly.
Jiang Li clenched her hands. "Just tell me the address. I can take a taxi there on time."
"For a business cooperation, are we going in two separate groups? Jiang Li, you really don't understand the rules."
The chill on Xiao Yanzhi's handsome face seeped out bit by bit, and his aura was bone - chilling.
—
In the end, Jiang Li got in the car with them.
The car was borrowed from the hotel by Xiao Yanzhi. The hotel manager knew Xiao Yanzhi and quickly and respectfully arranged a business car.
While waiting, Qin Yaoyao specially dragged Xiao Yanzhi to a pharmacy to buy anti - inflammatory medicine for urticaria.
After getting in the car, she even forced him to take the medicine in the car.
Jiang Li sat in the back row and pinched her palm hard to keep herself from laughing.
Having to take medicine when there was nothing wrong with him was really ridiculous.
Take it. It would be best if it made him sick.
When Xiao Yanzhi tilted his head to take the medicine, he noticed the fleeting slyness in Jiang Li's eyes through the rear - view mirror. The emotions in his eyes churned, unfathomable.
He couldn't remember when it started. He rarely saw the real Jiang Li.
Nor could he remember when she started wearing a thick mask on her face. It seemed that no one could tear off that hypocritical disguise.
He was almost forgetting what the real Jiang Li was like.
But it was definitely not like this.
Not only was she boring, but also annoying.
Xiao Yanzhi averted his eyes and his gaze fell lightly on Qin Yaoyao in the front passenger seat. "Where do you want to go?"
Qin Yaoyao had already made a strategy in advance. She took out her phone excitedly and waved it in front of Xiao Yanzhi. "Flower City is most famous for its flower market. Shall we go there?"
Xiao Yanzhi raised his eyebrows and casually turned to ask Jiang Li, "Do you have any suggestions?"
Jiang Li replied casually, "No. It's up to you."
It didn't matter where they went with these two people.
It would always be a dampener.
Xiao Yanzhi's eyes were as dark as ink. He glanced at her and then slowly said, "Don't look so glum when you're out for fun. It's a mood - killer."
Jiang Li frowned slightly.
She couldn't understand why Xiao Yanzhi was so boring and childish. She wasn't even allowed to say "it's up to you".
"Okay, okay, A Yan, don't scold Sister Jiang Li anymore."
Seeing the suddenly cold atmosphere between the two, Qin Yaoyao took the initiative to play the peacemaker. "Today is the first day of the New Year. I won't allow you two to quarrel. You should be happy. Got it?"
Jiang Li didn't answer, but Xiao Yanzhi was quite obliging and replied with a grunt. "I'll listen to Yaoyao."
Seeing them singing in harmony and looking so loving, Jiang Li's eyelashes drooped slightly.
She thought she didn't care anymore.
But seeing Xiao Yanzhi, who usually kept people at arm's length, being so docile and submissive to Qin Yaoyao, she still felt a tightness in her chest.
It was like a thorn, neither soft nor hard, stuck in her chest.
She couldn't swallow it, nor could she pull it out.
...
The climate in Flower City was indeed much warmer than that in North City. There was no need to wear a coat.
Before getting out of the car, Jiang Li habitually put on her sunglasses. The man in the front row suddenly sneered. "Do you think anyone will recognize you here?"
"Jiang Li, don't think you're that famous."
Jiang Li paused for a moment but still put on the sunglasses.
It was better to be safe than sorry.
Moreover, if their combination was photographed and posted online, it would definitely cause an uproar.
When getting out of the car, she deliberately dawdled for a while. After the other two walked far away, she slowly got out of the car.
As soon as she opened the car door, a warm breeze blew in. Jiang Li squinted her eyes comfortably.
She had always been afraid of the cold. She actually resisted the climate in North City.
She had heard that Flower City was like spring all year round. It was really the case this time. It was not only warm but also had a pleasant scenery.
Today was the first day of the New Year, and the flower market was very lively. Many men, women, old people, and children were strolling around, and they would stop in front of a stall from time to time.
They spoke in a soft tone, gentle and kind, indescribably amiable.
Jiang Li suddenly had the idea of settling down in Flower City.
If she settled down here, it would mean that she would never have to endure the biting cold wind in North City in winter again, nor the heavy snow, nor shiver in the cold.
Most importantly, she could stay away from North City.
Stay away from the people and things that had brought her endless torture and pain.
She was tempted.
Jiang Li slightly raised her eyes and suddenly smelled the faint fragrance of flowers in the air.
It smelled nice.
She followed the fragrance and stopped in front of a stall.
It was a stall selling aromatherapy.
"Girl, do you want to buy aromatherapy?"
The stall - keeper was very enthusiastic and immediately tried to attract her. "Mine are all made of pure flower petals, all - natural, non - irritating, and without any additives!"
Jiang Li was amused. She lowered her head and looked at the colorful aromatherapy boxes, very interested.
She patiently picked up each one and smelled it. When she found the familiar scent, she smiled satisfactorily. "Boss, I'll take this one."
It was the fragrance of white tea flowers, a faint and non - greasy smell that was very pleasant.
Jiang Li liked this smell.
"Sure, girl. Are you buying it for someone or for yourself?" The old lady smiled. "If it's for someone, I have nice packaging boxes here!"
Jiang Li thought for a while and nodded. "Then please help me find a nice box to pack it."
After all, Song Yu had helped her a lot before. He helped her find a house before, and he also took care of Xixi during the New Year's Eve. She felt a bit sorry and wanted to buy a gift from Flower City to take back.
When she was paying the bill, Xiao Yanzhi and Qin Yaoyao walked over and waved to her from afar. "Sister Lili, are you shopping?"
Qin Yaoyao was smart enough. Afraid that others might really recognize Jiang Li, she deliberately changed the way of addressing her.
Jiang Li paused slightly and then turned to look at the two of them.