Sweetie, don't look at him, kiss me.

Madam Ji frowned and glanced at Ji Linzhou, seemingly displeased; Old Master Ji put down his chopsticks, his expression somewhat solemn; while Ji Xingye raised his head, his gaze falling on Ji Linzhou with a complex expression.

"She's your niece's friend." Ji Linzhou remained expressionless and calm. "If something happens, it's only right that I keep an eye on her since I'm on my way."

"Really?" Su Tingwan's smile remained unchanged, but she emphasized the words "on the way" with extra clarity.

"I heard you spent a long time at the hospital today?"

Ji Linzhou turned and glanced at her.

That gaze wasn't cold or threatening, yet it sent a chill down Su Tingwan's spine for no apparent reason.

"Miss Su," he said, his voice low and restrained, "you came with me today of your own accord, not because I invited you."

Su Tingwan's smile froze for a moment.

She understood the implication in his words—he was giving her face by allowing her to accompany him to this occasion, rather than implying that she had no right to inquire about his schedule.

She bit her lip, lowered her head, and stopped talking.

Seeing that the atmosphere was getting tense, Madam Ji quickly tried to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, let's stop talking and eat."

The dinner table became lively again, but the undercurrent of tension never completely dissipated.

Halfway through the meal, the Lin family arrived.

When Lin Jianzhong led Zhang Yuzhu and Lin Qingqing into the banquet hall, Lin Qingmian was not there. Lin Qingqing was wearing a pale yellow dress, her hair was styled in an elegant updo, her makeup was exquisite and appropriate, and her smile was gentle and generous. She attracted everyone's attention as soon as she entered.

"Mr. Ji, Mrs. Ji, we're late." Lin Jianzhong bowed and greeted them with a fawning smile. "We heard that Young Master Xingye has returned, so we came to pay our respects."

Madam Ji gave a faint "hmm" and her gaze fell on Lin Qingqing.

She didn't have a good impression of Lin Qingmian, but she was inexplicably somewhat satisfied with this eldest daughter of the Lin family—at least she was much more well-mannered than the arrogant Lin Qingmian.

"Please sit down," said Madam Ji, pointing to several empty seats not far away. "We just happened to add a few chairs."

Lin Qingqing thanked them politely and sat down next to Lin Jianzhong and Zhang Yuzhu.

From the moment she entered the room, her gaze had been subtly fixed on Ji Xingye.

Ji Xingye has matured a lot since two years ago. The boyishness in his eyes has faded somewhat, replaced by a more melancholic and weary look, but the handsome and languid temperament that emanates from his very bones still makes it hard to look away.

Lin Qingqing's heart beat slightly faster.

She picked up her teacup and pretended to drink water, taking the opportunity to turn her gaze away from Ji Xingye, but inadvertently met Ji Linzhou's gaze across from her.

The man was looking at her, his gaze indifferent, his emotions unreadable.

Lin Qingqing quickly lowered her head, not daring to look any further.

As the dinner was drawing to a close, Ji Xingye got up and went to the restroom.

Lin Qingqing seized the opportunity, making an excuse to go to the balcony for some fresh air, and "bumped into" him at the corner of the corridor.

"Hoshino." She greeted him with a smile, her voice gentle and courteous. "Long time no see."

Ji Xingye paused for a moment, then nodded politely: "Miss Lin."

"Just call me Qingqing." Lin Qingqing tilted her head slightly, revealing a playful smile: "You didn't call me that when we were little."

Ji Xingye showed no expression, only giving a faint "hmm".

Lin Qingqing took a step forward, getting closer to him, and lowered her voice: "I heard... Mianmian was in a car accident? Did you see her today?"

When Lin Qingmian was mentioned, Ji Xingye's eyes finally showed a slight change.

"I've seen him," he said, his voice slightly hoarse.

"Is she... alright?"

"Whether it's good or bad, it's none of your business anymore."

Lin Qingqing's voice suddenly turned cold, and the gentle smile on her lips vanished: "Xingye, you were the one who rejected her two years ago, so why pretend to care about her now?"

Ji Xingye frowned as he looked at her, his gaze deep and intense: "Lin Qingqing, what exactly are you trying to say?"

Lin Qingqing met his gaze and suddenly laughed.

"I wanted to say something," she stepped forward, leaning closer, her voice soft yet clear, "Since you don't want her anymore, why not consider me?"

"I'm different from her. I won't put you in a difficult position, nor will I make you break ties with your family for my sake."

"I will be an obedient wife, good to you, and good to your family."

Ji Xingye stared at her for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

The smile was somewhat cold and mocking, carrying a sharpness that Lin Qingqing had never seen on his face before.

"Lin Qingqing," he spoke softly, "do you truly love me, or are you just trying to steal something from Lin Qingmian?"

Lin Qingqing's smile froze completely.

"Twenty years ago you stole her trophy, ten years ago you stole her spot to study abroad, and a year ago you stole the last bit of dignity she had left in the Lin family."

Ji Xingye's voice grew colder: "Now you're even going to steal the man she doesn't want?"

Do you think I would want you?

Lin Qingqing's face turned deathly pale instantly, her lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a single word.

Ji Xingye didn't look at her again, turned around and strode away.

Lin Qingqing was left standing alone in the corridor, her fists clenched, her eyes red-rimmed, but a burning hatred lurked in them.

The dinner party at the Ji family's residence ended after 10 p.m.

Ji Linzhou walked out of the banquet hall, took out his phone and glanced at it—there was no message from Lin Qingmian.

He frowned, put his phone back in his pocket, and walked towards the parking lot.

"Linzhou!"

Su Tingwan's voice came from behind. She jogged after her, panting, "Are you leaving? I'll go with you."

Ji Linzhou stopped and glanced back at her: "Bai Cheng will see you off."

"But I want to be with you."

"Miss Su," Ji Linzhou's voice was calm but distant, "You've already given the old lady face by having you attend today."

"You should know that this is just acting."

Su Tingwan bit her lip, her eyes slightly reddening: "Linzhou, does it have to be like this between us? You were willing to propose to me a year ago..."

"That was just a deal," Ji Linzhou interrupted her, his voice indifferent. "Since you didn't agree, the deal is void."

"I'm married now, and there won't be a second transaction."

After saying that, he turned around and strode towards the parking lot.

As the black Cayenne drove out of the gate of the Ji family's old mansion, the passenger seat remained quiet.

Ji Linzhou gripped the steering wheel with one hand and picked up his phone with the other, sending a message to Lin Qingmian—

Are you asleep?

The message was sent out, but it disappeared without a trace.

He frowned, waited at the intersection for another red light, and when there was still no reply, he dialed directly.

The phone rang for a long time before it was finally answered.

"Hmm..." Lin Qingmian's groggy voice came from the other end, clearly indicating she had been woken up: "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing." Ji Linzhou's voice unconsciously softened a few degrees. "I'm home. Just checking."

"Oh..." Lin Qingmian mumbled a reply, "Then you should get some rest..."

"Um."

He hung up the phone, and the corners of his lips unconsciously turned up slightly for a moment.

Then I started the car and drove towards the Deep Blue Apartments.