Ji Tingyang had never heard his parents' story; he was too young before, and even when Lin Xu spoke of it, he couldn't understand. Later, they had passed away as he grew up.
Now, hearing Lin Xu bring it up, he suddenly became curious.
"Just because he showed off his abs, you went with him?" Ji Tingyang felt that was rather shallow of her.
"Not at all!" Lin Xu retorted, then shyly smiled, "Of course, there was also your dad's financial onslaught."
He always liked to give her presents, from flowers and hair clips to jewelry and necklaces; there was always something every time they met.
So much so that she often wondered if this man was intentionally using this method to elevate her standards to keep her from considering other suitors.
Ji Tingyang thought he would hear about her well-considered reasons for choosing his father, but it was just for money?
He disapproved, that still seemed shallow.
"These are all from my experience, listen to me and you won't go wrong!" Lin Xu said confidently, then started her enthusiastic talk, "There was one time your dad..."
Ji Tingyang harbored doubts, but still quietly listened to her, occasionally laughing at how silly Lin Xu was to be fooled by his father's tricks.
Time gradually passed, and Ji Tingyang didn't even notice; he had completely forgotten to check his phone during this time.
He no longer felt annoyed or angry because of that blocked friend, he had even forgotten about Wen Li.
The butlers and servants around breathed a sigh of relief, it seemed today President Ji wouldn't be quick to lose his temper and dock their bonuses.
Miss Lin sure was their savior!
Wen Li returned to the Ji Mansion later in the evening.
Before she came back, she had been uneasy; she had blocked Ji Tingyang's WeChat.
From her experience, he was definitely going to lose his temper at her, and perhaps lock her up again.
With this fearful thought, Wen Li opened the door, expecting to see Ji Tingyang waiting at the entrance, ready to confront her the moment she walked in, but there was no one at the vestibule.
Only further inside the living room, did bursts of laughter occasionally sound.
Wen Li walked over curiously and saw Ji Tingyang, who had been missing, and Lin Xu in the living room.
The sofa was carelessly piled with clothes like a small mountain, and the table was covered with large and small jewelry boxes.
Lin Xu, holding a piece of clothing against herself, was struggling to ask Ji Tingyang for his opinion, "Does it look good?"
Ji Tingyang didn't hesitate: "It looks good!"
He had received a call from the manager of a high-end clothing store that afternoon, informing him the latest season's clothes had just arrived and asking if he wanted some delivered to the mansion.
These clothes were usually bought for Wen Li, but she had never used them, and gradually, he had stopped mentioning them.
While Ji Tingyang was hesitating, Lin Xu, who had heard the conversation on the phone, was especially excited.
Without a second thought, she asked the manager to send the clothes over and to also bring some jewelry from the store.
Seeing a business opportunity, the manager acted swiftly, and in less than an hour, all the clothes and jewelry were delivered.
Then Lin Xu spent the afternoon in the living room, trying on clothes, asking Ji Tingyang about each one.
At first, Ji Tingyang sincerely gave his opinions, but as the time Lin Xu spent fussing over the clothes grew longer, he began to tire.
Eventually, he simply agreed that everything looked good, regardless of Lin Xu's questions.
After all, even if they weren't good-looking, leaving them here was something he could easily afford.
The two were engrossed with the clothes and completely failed to notice Wen Li's return; it was a butler who first spotted her.
"Lady Wen, you're back?"
Wen Li nodded in response, and then looked towards the sofa where Ji Tingyang had already seen her.
Meeting his dark, deep eyes, her heartbeat suddenly quickened, and the air around seemed to still.
Was he about to get angry?
Wen Li clenched her hands in fear.
"Ting Yang, do you think this necklace looks nice?" Lin Xu's voice suddenly rang out.
Ji Tingyang turned his head at the sound and gave her a faint smile, saying it looked good.
Get angry? Question her about the blocklist? Prohibit her from going out?
None of these happened.
Ji Tingyang just glanced at her indifferently, then withdrew his gaze.
Wen Li was dumbfounded; all the mental preparations she had just made were of no use.
For a moment, she was at a loss, standing there stunned.
If it had been any other time, Ji Tingyang ignoring her would have made her happy enough to eat two extra bowls of rice.
In a daze, Wen Li saw the necklace in Lin Xu's hand, her pupils shrinking in shock.
It was the sapphire necklace she had seen in the city center today, the one she had coveted for a long time!
Its pricey tag had made her step back, yet, in a blink, Lin Xu had effortlessly acquired it. She tried it on, found it unsatisfactory, and tossed it back into the jewelry box on the table.
Wen Li gazed at the necklace, biting her lip.
In the past, these gifts had always been given to her by Ji Tingyang, which she had always scorned; now, they were given to Lin Xu.
She felt an awkward sensation of something that had once belonged to her being picked up by someone else.
"I... I'm feeling a bit unwell; I'll go back to my room first," Wen Li spoke, trying to regain Ji Tingyang's attention.
Her voice wasn't loud, but since no one else was speaking at the time, everyone heard her.
Ji Tingyang stood up, walked over to Wen Li, and touched her forehead to check her temperature, "Where do you feel uncomfortable?"
Wen Li dared not look at him, her heartbeat inexplicably quickening, "It's just... my head hurts a bit."
Lin Xu, recalling today's weather, asked, "Could it be the wind today was too strong and made your head cold and painful? Should we call a doctor to have a look?"
Ji Tingyang thought the same and was about to make a call when Wen Li stopped him with her hand.
"No, no need! I'll be fine after sleeping in my room for a bit."
Lin Xu said, "Oh, then you should go back and sleep soon."
"..." Wen Li didn't move but looked up hesitantly at Ji Tingyang.
Ji Tingyang, perhaps understanding the meaning in her eyes, took the initiative to say, "I'll take you to your room."
Wen Li agreed and followed him.
Before going upstairs, she glanced toward the living room. Lin Xu didn't mind at all that she called Ji Tingyang away; she was happily tidying up the clothes and jewelry on the couch.
With too many things to handle alone, Lin Xu had to call the housekeeper to help her arrange them in the wardrobe.
Busy till very late, Lin Xu was so tired that she finished the water in her glass in one breath; not having enough, she went downstairs with her cup to get more water.
Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed the study lit up by light, thinking to herself, could it be that he's still working overtime at this hour?
With that thought, Lin Xu pushed open the door of the study.
Ji Tingyang seemed tired, leaning in his chair with his eyes closed, sleeping, with a pen still in his right hand, not forgetting his work.
Lin Xu thought for a moment, went back to her room to get a small blanket, and covered him gently with it.
However, Ji Tingyang was a light sleeper, and the slight movement woke him up.
His body tensed, and he opened his bleary eyes, then relaxed again after seeing it was Lin Xu.
Lin Xu, no longer afraid to wake him, directly called him to go to his room, "If you're sleepy, go back to your room and sleep."