Rebirth: Pampered by My Children and Husband-Chapter 290 - Returning to 20 Years Ago (25)
Chapter 290: Chapter 290: Returning to 20 Years Ago (25)
Chapter 290: Chapter 290: Returning to 20 Years Ago (25)
Meeting Ji Yanli’s gaze, Lin Xu’s eyes flickered, and a hint of guilt crept over her face as she let out a dry laugh, “I… I was just joking.”
Ji Yanli’s lips curved into a smile, his gaze lingering on her leisurely, “Really? It actually sounded quite regrettable to me.”
“Absolutely not!” Lin Xu vigorously shook her head, her eyes resolute.
A soft chuckle escaped Ji Yanli’s throat as he took her wrist and started to walk outside.
“Go? Go where?” Her voice trembled slightly.
“Taking you to test the feel, to see whether the fresh meat’s abs are better, or mine,” Ji Yanli said, laughing softly.
Ji Lanyue watched as Lin Xu was helplessly dragged away by Ji Yanli, silently praying for her in her heart.
Hoping her mother wouldn’t be tormented too badly by her father.
With these thoughts, she turned around, only to see Zhao Jiayan not far away.
Zhao Jiayan’s expression was somewhat stiff as he looked at her, causing her to feel a bit strange, “Are you here looking for me?”
“I was thinking of coming over to help you work,” said Zhao Jiayan.
Ji Lanyue’s eyes curved up, just as she was about to say something, she heard Ji Tingyang say to her, “Let’s go, to greet the guests. And weren’t you wanting to fancy a few more handsome guys? This is the perfect opportunity for introductions.”
“My standards are quite high, at least as handsome and mature as my father,” Ji Lanyue responded, turning back and sticking out her tongue at Ji Tingyang.
Seeing Ji Lanyue about to leave with Ji Tingyang, Zhao Jiayan immediately called out to her, “Wait…”
He looked a bit flustered and anxious.
Ji Lanyue turned back, puzzled.
Zhao Jiayan pursed his lips, a flash of struggle passing through his eyes, and finally, as if making up his mind, he grabbed her hand and led her away.
“What’s wrong? Has something happened?” His pace was a bit hurried, and Ji Lanyue had to hurry to keep up.
Not until they were alone on an empty balcony did Zhao Jiayan let go of her hand.
He had impulsively pulled her away upon hearing Ji Tingyang was about to introduce her to boys, wanting to confess his own feelings to her.
But now that they were here, Zhao Jiayan began to hesitate again, “I… I have something I want to tell you.”
Ji Lanyue rubbed her wrist, unconcerned, “What is it?”
Cold sweat began to seep from Zhao Jiayan’s palms, the sticky feeling making him even more nervous, and his fingers started to tremble uncontrollably, “I want to know… what do you think of me?”
“What do I think of you?” Ji Lanyue blinked, not understanding why he would ask this, but she answered honestly, “A friend with great grades, a smart head on his shoulders, and who’s really brave. I was really lucky to have you covering for me when I messed up before, otherwise I…”
Zhao Jiayan’s gaze faded.
A friend?
Is that all?
“But I don’t want to be just your friend,” Zhao Jiayan’s voice was soft as a feather.
Ji Lanyue was stunned for a moment, then her face filled with panic, “You don’t want to be friends with me? Why?”
“Is it because I refused last time you asked me out, or because I used you as a shield when I went out to play with friends? Is it because…”
“I like you.”
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Ji Lanyue’s brain went into overdrive, conjuring up various reasons he might want to end their friendship.
Yet the words from Zhao Jiayan cut off her unfinished thoughts.
“You… what did you say?” She was momentarily at a loss.
After taking the first step, the unease in Zhao Jiayan’s heart completely settled down.
He looked at Ji Lanyue with all seriousness, “I also can’t tell when it began, but by the time I realized it, I had already fallen for you.”
Ji Lanyue’s fingers intertwined, and her expression was somewhat embarrassed, “But I’ve always thought of you as a friend.”
“But I don’t want to always be just your friend,” Zhao Jiayan said.
Ji Lanyue averted her gaze, murmuring softly, “I’m sorry.”
Zhao Jiayan was not at all surprised by such a result.
He had always known that Ji Lanyue only saw him as a friend, with no other thoughts.
He had thought about taking it slow, hoping that with time, she would eventually come to like him.
But when Zhao Jiayan heard that Ji Tingyang was introducing her to other guys, his heart suddenly panicked.
He understood that some things just couldn’t wait.
He also knew that his confession could only end in rejection.
“It’s alright, I just wanted to tell you what I was thinking,” Zhao Jiayan’s lips curved into a slight smile, “I will work hard to change the impression you have of me in your heart, from a childhood playmate to someone you could consider dating.”
Ji Lanyue nodded, her voice stammering, “Okay… I’ll go get back to work now, otherwise my older brother will call to hurry me again…”
“I’ll come with you,” Zhao Jiayan followed her out.
“No need, no need, I can go by myself,” Ji Lanyue’s head shook vehemently like a bobblehead, and she turned to dash off in haste.
Zhao Jiayan watched her startled retreat, paused, and sighed softly.
Yet in his heart, he did not regret being honest with her.
Ji Lanyue jogged back to Ji Tingyang’s side, her red lips parted, breathing raggedly.
“Why run? Is there a ghost chasing you?” Ji Tingyang raised an eyebrow.
“No, there’s not,” Ji Lanyue said, feeling somewhat guilty.
“There are so many guests here; you should know to be more composed,” Ji Tingyang frowned.
“I am composed,” Ji Lanyue retorted with dissatisfaction.
Not wanting to argue with her, Ji Tingyang glanced at the time and said, “If you’re so composed, then come up to speak with me.”
Ji Lanyue’s cheeks immediately fell, “I don’t want to; it’s so embarrassing to be stared at by so many people as if you’re putting on a monkey show.”
Although Ji Lanyue was reluctant to go up, once she was on stage facing the crowd, her demeanor appeared calm and collected.
Thus, when Xiao Yu saw her so poised and graceful, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
Xiao Yu and a senior he knew from before had opened a studio, and they received an invitation from a collaborator.
Coming with the intention of networking, Xiao Yu didn’t expect to see Ji Lanyue here, and moreover, giving a speech on stage.
As he thought this, he overheard the conversation of people nearby.
“Who is that woman up there? At such an important event for the Ji’s, why let her speak?”
“Her? That’s Ji Lanyue, the youngest of the Ji Family. You definitely don’t want to offend her; the Ji Family will not let you off easily.”
“So she’s President Ji’s sister; no wonder.”
Xiao Yu’s surprise grew.
Not because she was a member of the Ji Family, but because her name was Ji Lanyue.
In various competitions throughout the school, whenever she participated, the first-place spot was always claimed by Ji Lanyue.
Xiao Yu had a deep impression of this name that always dominated the top spot in competitions, but never had the chance to meet her.
Yet, he never imagined that this girl would be Ji Lanyue.
