"I'm of course well aware," Jiang Li hung her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "The threshold of the Xiao family is high and imposing. For a commoner like me who's struggled at the bottom, just getting a glimpse of it feels like a blessing from my ancestors."
"But I truly want to get married," Jiang Li sniffed, her voice choked with emotion. "Ever since I was a child, I've longed for a complete family, a loving marriage, and a simple, peaceful life."
Xiao Yanzhi remained silent.
He knew Jiang Li's past, her pains and scars, and thus understood what she truly desired.
She yearned for a home.
A home free from scolding and quarrels, from partiality and indifference, and from oppression and servitude.
"I have no intention of overreaching and marrying Mr. Xiao. So, please be lenient with me," Jiang Li lowered her head even more, half of her face hidden in the shadow. It seemed she had lost more weight in less than a month.
"So eager to get married. Have you found a suitable partner?"
Surprisingly, Xiao Yanzhi didn't mock her but simply asked this question.
Jiang Li bit her lip. "No, but if I continue this ambiguous relationship with Mr. Xiao, I'll never find the right one in my life."
Most importantly, her heart would be forever tied to him, sinking deeper and deeper.
"Being with me is an ambiguous relationship?" Xiao Yanzhi smiled faintly. "In these four years with me, have I ever allowed any negative news or scandals about you to spread?"
Jiang Li didn't respond.
Indeed, Xiao Yanzhi had protected her well in these four years.
Xiao Yanzhi hooked his lips, a hint of self - mockery in his expression. "Even if there were speculations from the outside world, I never allowed them to write anything disgraceful."
Xiao Yanzhi's expression was calm. Looking down, he noticed the slightly open collar of Jiang Li's nightgown and casually pulled it up for her.
His sudden tenderness caught Jiang Li off guard.
He actually seemed like a gentleman.
Jiang Li hesitated and changed the topic. "What brings you to Huacheng?"
"Seeing that you've had enough fun, I'm here to clean up your mess."
"Why?"
"Don't you want to try running a company?" Xiao Yanzhi let go of the collar of her nightgown and looked into her eyes. "The progress of the company can't be delayed. You should be aware of that."
"Since I've already let you experience it, the rest should get back on track as soon as possible."
Jiang Li looked up at him slightly.
His words were extremely indulgent, as if he was taking responsibility for everything she did.
With him around, there was no need to worry about any problems with the company.
But she still wanted to give it a try.
She wanted to run the company on her own, to achieve her goals step by step with her own abilities.
Rather than relying on Xiao Yanzhi.
Jiang Li was born as a proud rose, not willing to be a dodder flower clinging to others.
The phone rang. It was Sister Chen.
She reached out to answer it. Sister Chen's voice on the other end was excited but subdued. "Lili, am I disturbing you?"
"No, I'm just having dinner," Jiang Li replied gently, stealing a glance at Xiao Yanzhi.
Hearing the movement on the other end, Sister Chen was sure she wasn't disturbing anything and then said excitedly, "Vitaly's PR just contacted me and said they want to talk about cooperation with us."
Jiang Li was stunned at first, then suddenly covered her mouth and exclaimed in disbelief, "Why so sudden?"
"Barry saw your photos and said you've changed a lot compared to four years ago. You have the classical charm they're looking for and they want to talk to you about the endorsement for the next quarter."
Barry was Vitaly's PR, mainly responsible for screening brand spokespersons.
Indeed, when Jiang Li proposed cooperation with Vitaly a few years ago, she was still going for the bold and sexy Western style.
But now, after years of precipitation, she had begun to exude a feminine charm.
She shed her impetuosity and gradually revealed her true and natural temperament.
After hanging up the phone, Jiang Li was beaming with joy, almost dancing on the spot. And the man still stood in front of her with his arms crossed.
"What good news got you so happy?"
Jiang Li couldn't contain her excitement and her lips curled up. "Vitaly's PR contacted Sister Chen and said they want to talk to me about the brand endorsement."
"Maybe I don't need you to clean up my mess anymore," she said enthusiastically, her eyes clear and her beautiful, makeup - free face full of ambition.
It seemed that her life wasn't just limited to marriage.
But rather a greater challenge.
As soon as Jiang Li finished speaking, Xiao Yanzhi paused slightly, then laughed and rubbed his temples. "I underestimated you."
He reached out his hand and brushed away the stray hairs on Jiang Li's face. "You're becoming more and more capable. It makes people look forward to what you'll do next."
Jiang Li's heart skipped a beat and her palms curled up involuntarily.
This wasn't the first time Xiao Yanzhi had praised her like this.
In the early years when Jiang Entertainment was just founded, whenever Jiang Li achieved something small, Xiao Yanzhi would praise her like this.
At that time, she enjoyed it.
But now, it sounded more like an approval for a pet he had raised.
She couldn't be soft - hearted.
The smile on Jiang Li's face disappeared in an instant. She became distant and polite again, her expression calm. "Thank you, Mr. Xiao. I'll go back to my room to sleep. Good night."
With that, she closed the door of the guest room in a flash.
Xiao Yanzhi: …
Are today's young girls so good at changing their expressions?
Fortunately, he was really tired today and had no mood to continue playing hide - and - seek with her. After washing up, he lay back in bed.
He originally came here to help the young girl.
Who would have thought that there would be a turn for the better and she seemed to have a chance to bounce back.
Xiao Yanzhi pressed his finger against his temple and couldn't help but smile when he remembered the innocent and lovely look she had inadvertently shown.
The phone on the bedside table vibrated twice. Xiao Yanzhi pulled his thoughts back and slowly picked it up.
[Qin Yaoyao: A Yan, please don't be angry with me. I miss you so much. I won't be so reckless in the future. Can you forgive me?]
Xiao Yanzhi was used to reading messages without replying.
Soon, the other party sent a second message.
[Qin Yaoyao: Auntie called me today and said she wants to meet me alone.]
Xiao Yanzhi paused for two seconds, and his eyes gradually darkened.
Su Jialan knew that he had been busy on business trips recently and was rarely in Beicheng.
He thought for a moment and replied briefly.
——
On Qin Yaoyao's side.
She held the phone tightly, her heart pounding like a deer. Watching the messages she sent sink without a trace, her mood sank little by little.
It was a good thing that Su Jialan had taken the initiative to invite her; but with Xiao Yanzhi away, she was worried that Su Jialan would deliberately make things difficult for her.
Watching the screen without any response for a long time, Qin Yaoyao became more and more flustered and almost impulsively called Xiao Yanzhi.
But she didn't dare.
She was afraid of offending Xiao Yanzhi again.
Just when Qin Yaoyao thought Xiao Yanzhi wouldn't reply, a message popped up on the phone screen, making her overjoyed:
[A Yan: I'll be back tomorrow. Send me the address then.]