An Ziyun spoke without any courtesy, but Chi Jun'an was already used to his outspoken way of talking.
Chi Jun'an's eyes darkened slightly, and he said calmly, "Half and half."
"...What?" An Ziyun looked at him in surprise. He rested his chin in his hand and thought for a while, then asked suspiciously, "Chi Jun'an, are you feeling lonely, or do you have some big plan? If there's really any change in the Chi Group, you should give me a heads - up in advance. As a partner of the Chi Group, the An family is quite shrewd!"
Chi Jun'an curled his lips slightly. "Just assume I'm really lonely."
An Ziyun gave him a deep look and put away his joking attitude. "What's really going on? Chi Jun'an, I know those old guys in the Chi Group have always wanted to force their daughters on you, but you're definitely not someone who can be controlled. The things you do can never be as simple as they seem on the surface!"
"You're overthinking it." Chi Jun'an calmly opened the drawer, ready to put the book in his hand back.
An Ziyun's eyes flashed. Since he entered the door, Chi Jun'an's fingers hadn't left this book.
He suddenly reached out and snatched the book as fast as lightning.
"You..." Chi Jun'an felt somewhat helpless.
He wasn't on guard just now, and the book was snatched away by An Ziyun. It was too late for him to get it back now.
"Let me see what's so special about the book that Young Master Chi treasures so much..." The pages were flipped, and they stopped at the page with the photo. His eyes falling on the photo, An Ziyun's smile froze.
"Is this... her?" An Ziyun suddenly realized. "So you made such a big fuss actually to find her?"
"...Sort of." Chi Jun'an lowered his eyes sadly and didn't deny it.
"So much time has passed..." An Ziyun let out a melancholy sigh. "Is she still alive?"
"...I don't know." Chi Jun'an shook his head slightly. "Her body wasn't found back then. I have to look for her to be at peace."
"I can understand." An Ziyun lowered his head and thought for a while. "I remember there seemed to be a marriage contract between her and me..."
"You?" Chi Jun'an raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Don't even think about it."
"Do you think I want to? The marriage contract between her and me was arranged by our two families when she was just born..." An Ziyun looked at him in surprise. "Hey, Chi Jun'an, what's with that disgusted look on your face? We're at least good friends, aren't we?"
"Precisely because we're good friends that I won't let you get close to her." There was a hint of seriousness in Chi Jun'an's eyes.
"..." An Ziyun gave him a resentful look. He put away his playful attitude and said with some concern, "What if you can't find her in the end?"
"Do what one can and leave the rest to fate." Chi Jun'an said lightly. "Remember to keep it a secret."
An Ziyun reached out and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry."
There was a knock on the door, and Han Siyuan's voice came from outside, "Young Master Chi."
An Ziyun walked to the door and opened it for Han Siyuan. He turned back and said, "I'm going back now. I hope you find her soon!"
Chi Jun'an nodded.
An Ziyun left, and Han Siyuan came in front of Chi Jun'an.
"Young Master Chi, I've found out what you asked me to investigate." Han Siyuan said.
"What's that?" Chi Jun'an asked in surprise.
"It's about last night..." Han Siyuan was a bit dazed. Could it be that Chi Jun'an had already forgotten what he'd told him so quickly?
He forced himself to continue, "The person who put things on your car yesterday is named Ji Xiaonuan. She's a senior at Q University..."
Chi Jun'an found it a bit funny. Only then did he understand what Han Siyuan was talking about.
He had been outwitted by Ji Xiaonuan last night, and he was indeed angry at that time. But after a night, his anger had dissipated, and he had long forgotten about it.
Asking Han Siyuan to investigate her background was just an angry remark at that moment. He wasn't going to hold a grudge against a little girl.
Chi Jun'an was about to speak when he heard Han Siyuan continue, "I also found out that Ji Xiaonuan has signed up for the preliminary selection of the surrogate mother this time..."
Chi Jun'an raised his eyebrows in surprise. That little girl had actually signed up?
He suddenly wanted to see what expression Ji Xiaonuan would have if she knew that he was the Chi Jun'an for whom she was preparing to be a surrogate.
Surprised, ashamed?
Or would she become his fan girl like other women, all star - struck?
"Which day is her preliminary selection?" Chi Jun'an suddenly asked.
"Tomorrow." Han Siyuan was a bit stunned, then continued, "It's at Shengshi Square. Do you need me to arrange your schedule?"
Chi Jun'an couldn't help laughing.
He had suffered a bit, but he wasn't going to hold a grudge against that little girl.
"No need." Chi Jun'an pressed his hand to his forehead. "Let's end this matter here."
Han Siyuan looked at Chi Jun'an suspiciously. He somehow felt that... this matter wasn't likely to end here?
Xu Wenwen got up at four o'clock in the morning and kept pestering Ji Xiaonuan until she got up. Then she dragged Ji Xiaonuan out early and they went to Shengshi Square together.
The interview location was a large local photography studio. Outside the studio, many staff members were already arranging the people who came for the interview in an orderly manner.
"Can I not participate?" Ji Xiaonuan frowned helplessly.
"Xiaoxi, we're already here. How can you back out?" Xu Wenwen looked at her pitifully. "With you by my side, I'll feel more at ease."
"Even if I don't participate, I can still be with you!" Ji Xiaonuan felt even more helpless.
"Stop being silly." Without waiting for Ji Xiaonuan to object, Xu Wenwen pulled her along. "I only have a one - in - a - hundred - thousand chance on my own. With you, it'll be two in a hundred thousand!"
"Is there a difference?" Ji Xiaonuan was on the verge of collapse.
"Of course there is!" Xu Wenwen said confidently. "The probability has doubled!"
"..." Well, she was convinced.
Under the guidance of the staff, Ji Xiaonuan and Xu Wenwen got two forms from the front desk.
The content of the form was quite simple, just some ordinary information like name, age, and native place. This was to screen out some people who were just trying their luck.
For this preliminary selection of surrogate mothers, the age requirement was particularly strict. Only those between 20 and 21 years old were eligible to participate.
However, looking at this form, Ji Xiaonuan's resistance welled up again.
"I still don't want to fill it out." Ji Xiaonuan put the form down. "Come on!" Xu Wenwen quickly snatched her form. "We're already here. Think of that thousand yuan. Here, let me fill it out for you."
"I'm not short of that thousand yuan..." Ji Xiaonuan was helpless.
"I am. Can't I be short of it?" Xu Wenwen quickly filled out the form for her. "If you don't want it, you can give it to me!"
"Why should I?" Ji Xiaonuan looked at her speechlessly.
"You don't want it and you won't give it to me?" Xu Wenwen said confidently.