Chapter 236: Chapter 234: A date, Xin Zaozao you shouldn’t have come back! (Second update)
Translator: 549690339
Zhang Qingmei had already made one of the housekeepers set the freshly brewed soup in front of Song Zhizhi, and then affectionately walked with her to the dining room.
Song Zhizhi couldn’t refuse and thus ended up sitting at the same table as Zhang Qingmei.
“Give Auntie’s cooking a try,” Zhang Qingmei said.
Song Zhizhi hesitated for a moment, but eventually picked up the bowl and took a sip.
The taste was genuinely good.
The savory fragrance wasn’t cloying at all, even when it lingered on her lips and teeth.
After finishing the soup, Song Zhizhi smiled and said, “Thank you, Auntie, it’S really good.”
“If you like it, drink more,” Zhang Qingmei refilled her bowl and set it aside, “And eat some other things. Baijian said you worked hard last night.” Song Zhizhi felt slightly embarrassed.
What was the definition of working hard, really?
It was merely a bit emotionally and physically exhausting, after all.
Seeing Song Zhizhi not saying anything, Zhang Qingmei put more meat into her bowl saying, “Eat more, so you’ll be strong to fill out our Ji Family tree.” Song Zhizhi was stunned and then let out a bitter smile.
She’s afraid that might disappoint them.
She quickly finished the meal and finished the bowl of soup that Zhang Qingmei had given her. “Auntie, I’m full.”
“How come you young people eat so little?”
“I’m really full, ” Song Zhizhi said with a smile, a smile full of gratitude.
She didn’t know what kind of stepmother Ji Baijian’s would be, but for now, at this moment, she felt good about her.
Since there wouldn’t be too many deep interactions in the future, she thought there was no need to dig into this feeling which was just passing by.
She wiped her mouth clean and respectfully said to Zhang Qingmei, “Auntie, please continue eating. I have some business to attend to.”
“Zhizhi…”
But Song Zhizhi had already left the house.
Zhang Qingmei set down her chopsticks with a displeased look on her face.
This Ji Baijian, calling early in the morning to ask her to make soup, not to mention that he dictated her to deliver it personally, and when she did, Song Zhizhi didn’t seem to appreciate it. Considering her status as the Madam of the Ji family, did they take her for a housemaid? Seriously annoyed!
Wait until her son secures the right to inherit the Ji Family’s property, and then she would teach Ji Baijian really good lesson!
Song Zhizhi left the house…
It wasn’t really her home.
Song Zhizhi called Luo Xiaolang downstairs to take her away.
Luo Xiaolang was driving. Because Song Zhizhi did not mention where to go for the first time, they aimlessly roamed the streets. Song Zhizhi had a poor sense of direction and, after initially driving them around, they ended back where they started.
Song Zhizhi looked up to see Luo Xiaolang driving back into the complex.
She didn’t know which building she actually lived in, so she kept looking at the top floor.
She sighed softly and said, “Let’s go back to the Song’s mansion.”
“Okay,” Luo Xiaolang nodded.
Eventually, you have to return to where you came from.
At Xin Group’s building.
Xin Zaozao was sitting in her office, scanning the news from the past two days
Song Zhizhi made the headlines again, but the news was rather negative.
She read through the comments, most of which showed a misunderstanding of Song Zhizhi, with many suggesting she was sabotaging her father’s renowned career for her so-called love for her stepbrother. A lot of people wished to see Song Zhizhi regretting her decision. Overall, the public sentiment was unfavorable towards her
Unexpectedly, Song Zhizhi did not engage in any crisis PR.
Zaozao thought Song Zhizhi with her hold on facts, should have already prepared a response. Yet, there was none.
Doesn’t Song Zhizhi care?
If this continues, her reputation will surely suffer.
Lost in these thoughts, her phone suddenly rang.
Xin Zaozao looked at the caller ID, smiled and answered, “Baili.” From some point, they had become rather familiar with each other.
“Zaozao, let’s have dinner together tonight.”
“Okay.”
“Tonight might be a little different.” “Hmm?” Xin Zaozao was surprised. “Anyway, be prepared.”
Xin Zaozao was still inexplicably confused. “I’ll pick you up tonight, see you later.”
After he finished speaking, the line went dead.
Xin Zaozao was somewhat dazed.
She was about to get engaged to Ji Baili.
The Ji Family’s view was that there was no need to rush the wedding. After all, they had just met each other and didn’t understand many things about each other. They could get engaged first and get to I-mow each other better.
Actually, when Ji Baijian told her this, she felt a sense of gratitude deep inside.
She has always had an aversion to marriage. If it starts with an engagement, allowing her to gradually accept marriage, she thinks maybe she could come to terms with it.
And now, she was constantly adjusting her mentality.
She hung up the phone and threw herself into her work.
During this period, a lot of the work at the Xin Group was proceeding routinely, which allowed her to find time to learn the internal management of the Xin Family. With the platform Ji Family provided her, she could quickly seize control of Xin Group!
She felt that her top priority was personnel changes.
Keeping her own people by her side was the core focus of managerial positions!
She had a list of all the current employees of Xin Group, including the headquarters. Of course, she didn’t need to change all the positions, that would just lead to a complete disturbance in Xin Group. She only needed to make changes in some key positions!
She meticulously studied each and every one.
Such work could easily take a whole day.
When Xin Zaozao received Ji Baili’s call again, she had already been off work for more than half an hour, but she had completely forgotten.
She quickly put down her work, grabbed her bag, and left in a hurry with Nie Feng.
She walked towards the elevator.
Remembering her date with Ji Baili that evening, she quickly took out the rarely used powder compact from her bag for a quick touch-up, then applied lipstick to her lips. She fussed around until the elevator arrived, quickly stuffed the cosmetics back into her bag, and stepped into the elevator.
Turning around at that moment, she noticed Mu Cidian.
He had been standing behind her for who knows how long, and due to the arrival of the elevator, he also stepped in with her.
Xin Zaozao didn’t look at Mu Cidian.
Mu Cidian didn’t look at Xin Zaozao either.
The elevator went down.
Since it was after work hours, it was only the two and Nie Feng in the elevator.
It was incredibly quiet.
The elevator quickly reached the ground floor.
Xin Zaozao strode out.
Mu Cidian followed behind her, keeping a moderate distance.
He watched Xin Zaozao walk towards a flashy red sports car that was parked at the main entrance. The man standing by the car was holding a large bouquet of roses, a bright smile on his face as he greeted Xin Zaozao.
He just watched as Xin Zaozao quickened her pace and walked over.
Ji Baili gave the flowers to Xin Zaozao.
Xin Zaozao received them, her cheeks blushing, a bright smile on her face.
Some of her colleagues who were about to leave work watched with envy.
Mu Cidian indifferently passed by them amidst the envious murmurs of others, heading towards the nearby parking lot.
He sat in his car.
He just sat silently in his car.
They say women dress to please others.
Except for extremely formal occasions, he had never seen Xin Zaozao put on makeup.
He started tne car, ready to leave.
Just then, the phone rang.
Mu Cidian glanced at the caller ID and answered. “Mu Cidian, have you left yet?” It was Wan Quan’s voice.
“Yes.” Mu Cidian responded.
“What the hell’s got into you lately? When you’re asked not to come to work, you insist on coming. If you come to work, you should put in your best effort and let everyone see your hard work and your exhaustion. Leaving so early, how does that show your diligence and commitment!” Wan Quan’s voice, cursing, was very loud.
Mu Cidian had no intention of explaining to his mother.
After all, their views had diverged.
He was about to hang up, when he heard Wan Quan mumbling on the other end, “That shameless woman Xin Zaozao, openly dating a man right at the company’s front door, showing off so bluntly, it’S truly disgusting…”
Mu Cidian hung up his mother’s call abruptly and turned off his phone. He slammed the accelerator, speeding out of the parking lot with a loud “vroom”.
It was peak hour for traffic. There were many cars on the road, but Mu Cidian didn’t slow down. The speed was so high that it scared some of the drivers nearby.
Ji Baili was startled, “This car is driving crazier than my sports car, does that guy have no fear of death? Look at the crowd.’
At that moment, Xin Zaozao was sitting next to Ji Baili.
She was transfixed by the flowers in front of her…
No one has ever treated her like this before.
Of course, she never expected it, but unexpectedly, she was somewhat moved by it.
Only when she heard Ji Baili’s sudden voice, she raised her head to look out the car window, seeing a familiar license plate passing by them and disappearing into the distance, with honks ringing out wherever it went.
Xin Zaozao pulled her gaze back.
Ji Baili said, “I don’t know which rich second-generation that is. These road killers are bound to meet with disaster sooner or later.”
“Mu Cidian.” Xin Zaozao said simply.
“Huh?” Ji Baili was surprised.
“That car ahead belongs to Mu Cidian.” Xin Zaozao explained, simply answering Ji Baili’s question.
“I never would have guessed.” Ji Baili couldn’t help but laugh, “From seeing his calm demeanor, I wouldn’t have expected such a reckless driving style. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover.”
Xin Zaozao didn’t respond.
Ji Baili muttered to himself for a moment.
The car pulled up to the entrance of an elegant western restaurant.
The restaurant’s doorman hurriedly opened the car door for them before going to park the car.
With Xin Zaozao in tow, Ji Baili entered the expansive restaurant.
Unexpectedly, there were no other guests at the tables in the restaurant.
At this moment, Xin Zaozao suddenly felt a little nervous.
Was this the special night Ji Baili had mentioned?
Ji Baili seemed to sense Xin Zaozao’s mood. He voluntarily took her hand, “Don’t be nervous, it’s just the two of us.”
It was precisely because it was just the two of them that she felt nervous.
Why would Ji Baili suddenly book out the entire venue?
Ji Baili guided her to the dining table and pulled out the chair for her in a gentlemanly manner.
Xin Zaozao sat down.
Ji Baili took the bouquet of flowers from her hand, which she had been holding all this time, and put it aside. He was afraid she would continue to hold it even while eating.
Had he known she liked flowers so much, he should have given her some every day.
Yes, from now on, he would give her flowers every day.
As he sat across from Xin Zaozao, he snapped his fingers.
A staff member immediately walked over, “Mr. Ji, is it time to serve the meal?”
“Hmm.” Ji Baili nodded.
“Alright.” The staff member responded respectfully.
As Xin Zaozao quietly observed everything around her, the upscale decor, and romantic atmosphere, she said, “Baili, won’t this be too expensive?”
“Although I’m not as rich as you are, I’m still able to afford occasional splurges on my fiancée,” He replied.
Xin Zaozao had a beautiful smile,” Hmm.”
At this moment, the staff brought the well -decanted red wine and poured it for Ji Baili and Xin Zaozao.
And then they served them an exquisite dinner.
In the midst of using their utensils, Ji Baili suddenly said, “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m doing all this tonight?”
Xin Zaozao paused in cutting her steak. Lifting her head, her face, gentle under the candlelight, was extraordinarily captivating. She replied, “Isn’t it just occasional splurge?”
Ji Baili couldn’t hold back his laughter, ” silly girl, occasional abnormal behavior in men always has a motive.”
“Hmm?” As Ji Baili wiped at the corners of his mouth, he suddenly stood up.
Xin Zaozao watched him nervously.
As he approached her, he leaned over to take the cutlery from her hands, and gently wiped away bits of food that had gotten on her lips with a napkin before extending his left hand in a gentlemanly manner, “May I have the honor of inviting the beautiful Miss Xin Zaozao for a dance?”
Xin Zaozao’s heart was beating faster.
She had never experienced something like this.
No man had ever treated her this way.
In the past, she would always stand in a corner, watching others flaunt their colors and dance gracefully. Often, she felt that she had been forgotten by the world, and she accepted this fact calmly.
But now…
It was as if all the lights were focused on her, even though it was just her and Ji Baili in the vast restaurant apart from the staff.
Yet, she felt, she was being pampered by Ji Baili.
The center of attention, indulged in love.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
She carefully placed her small hand in Ji Baili’s.
At times, she felt this wasn’t real.
She didn’t think she would ever meet such a warm man in her world. A man without deceit, without scheme, who tenderly nurtured her icy heart.
She was led by Ji Baili to the side of the dining table.
The melancholic tune of a violin solo suddenly echoed in her ears. In such a beautiful environment, it felt incredibly romantic.
Xin Zaozao was moved.
Really, truly moved.
Perhaps for the ordinary person, this would seem like simple happiness.
But for her, it always felt incredibly hard to attain.
She truly wanted to cherish it, to cherish all the beautiful things Ji Baili had given her.
The swaying dance steps.
Gradually fell silent with the end of the violin piece.
Ji Baili did not let go of Xin Zaozao.
Under such dim lights, he was holding her hand in one of his, while his other hand was still resting on her slender waist.
This woman was even thinner than he had imagined.
Thin enough to make him feel a pang of sympathy.
He just stared at her gorgeous face, with assets that could easily draw men in, yet she chose to hide them away.
He felt proud, though, that he had discovered them.
From then on, she would be his!
He bent down.
Xin Zaozao’s eyes flickered slightly.
Apparently.
This was what made this night different…
The night was fascinating.
Mu Cidian just sat silently in the backseat of the car, looking at the world-renowned night view of Jin
City.
He was drinking.
He hadn’t drunk in a long time.
He had called for a designated driver to take him home.
When he got out of the car, he saw Xin Zaozao had returned as well.
Still holding the ostentatious bouquet of flowers, she got out of the flashy red sports car.
The owner of the red sports car also got out, standing at the villa’s entrance, holding her hand.
The pair showed their affection freely and seemed reluctant to part.
Mu Cidian just stood not far away, blankly observing their intimate interaction, observing Xin Zaozao’s soft and charming face, as she laughs and smiles at another man.
He wasn’t sure for how long.
Probably for a very long time.
Eventually, Ji Baili finally let Xin Zaozao go.
He returned to the driver’s seat.
Xin Zaozao bent over and waved goodbye.
But the man who was about to leave suddenly stuck out his head, his hands holding Xin Zaozao’s face, and a big kiss landed on her cheek.
The woman receiving the kiss was stunned.
From so far away and through the dim lights, he seemed to see the blush on her face clearly, looking so incredibly enchanting.
“See you tomorrow,” Ji Baili said rather smugly after his successful stolen kiss.
He happily drove away.
Xin Zaozao was truly stunned by Ji Baili’s actions.
She hadn’t expected Ji Baili to be so forward, all night… he had been making moves.
And she felt somewhat overwhelmed.
Not that she was repulsed, it just felt fast, she wasn’t sure how to respond.
She watched as Ji Baili’s car disappeared from her sight, then turned to leave.
As she turned around, she saw Mu Cidian. He had been standing there for who Imows how long, his eyes fixed on her.
Xin Zaozao’s face was cold and indifferent, unaffected.
But the moment she stepped into the gates of the villa, her body was suddenly bound.
Xin Zaozao struggled, but she couldn’t break free.
Nie Feng wasn’t there at her side, as she had let him leave first after her date with Ji Baili ended.
She was with Ji Baili; she didn’t think there would be any danger.
The people she needed to be wary of were always only Wan Quan, and…
The now drunk Mu Cidian standing before her.
His eerie voice echoed in her ear, “Xin Zaozao, you should have never come back!”
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢