Chapter 11: Friend

Talk, about, love?

With who?

Xu Xiao?!

Jiang Nai was stunned and immediately refuted, “I wasn’t talking about love with him. We’re just colleagues.”

However, Li Qingji’s gaze seemed doubtful.

Jiang Nai hurriedly added, “I have boundaries. I won’t embarrass you or jeopardize our marriage.”

“…”

For a moment, Li Qingji was at a loss for words.

After a brief pause, he placed her phone on the table beside them, his expression slightly amused: “Oh, as long as you have boundaries.”

He turned and walked inside.

Jiang Nai quickly changed her shoes and followed.

What did he mean?

Walking behind him, she furrowed her brow. “Of course, I have boundaries. This concerns both families’ reputations; I understand that. But why do you think that way? He just called to check on me after hearing that I was sick. I don’t have any feelings for him…”

Her words trailed off as the person in front stopped.

Jiang Nai looked up at his back. “…What’s wrong?”

“He has feelings for you,” Li Qingji suddenly said.

Jiang Nai froze, and Li Qingji continued, “But it doesn’t matter, as long as you don’t have the same feelings.”

The guest room door opened, and Li Qingji went inside.

Jiang Nai stood there, stunned for a while.

Xu Xiao had feelings for her? Really?

But regardless of whether it was true, how did he know…

Of course, Li Qingji wouldn’t provide her with that answer. The next day, he left the house early, while Jiang Nai, not needing to go to work, stayed home to rest. During this time, Xu Xiao sent her a few messages asking if she felt better and later shared some photos of their day at the resort.

It dawned on Jiang Nai that Li Qingji might have been right. So, after replying briefly to Xu Xiao, she kept that thought in mind.

The following day was Saturday, and Jiang Nai remembered she had promised to accompany Li Qingji to meet his friends today. To be honest, despite being in the Jiang family for so many years, Jiang Nai still couldn’t integrate into the circle of the wealthy.

“Circle” wasn’t meant as a negative term; she just didn’t fit in.

Since high school, she hadn’t participated in banquets or parties and wasn’t interested in gatherings with the young masters and ladies.

But now, whether she liked it or not, she had to go.

Accompanying Li Qingji to certain necessary occasions was part of her role as his “other half,” and there would only be more situations like this in the future, so she needed to adapt.

——

At six in the evening, nightfall set in.

Li Qingji had just finished a video conference in his study. He put down his phone, and within seconds, a new message came through from his mother.

[Your grandfather hopes to see his great-grandchild soon.]

Li Qingji glanced at the message, frowned, and ignored it, locking the screen.

Knock, knock—

A sound at the door.

“Come in.”

The door was pushed open a crack but not fully. A head peeked in. “Sorry to bother you.”

Li Qingji looked over. “What is it?”

Jiang Nai pushed the door open a bit more and said, “Well, tonight we’re going to your friend’s birthday party. Is there a dress code?”

Li Qingji paused and glanced her up and down.

Since they were at home, she was wearing a loose, cream-colored, long nightgown that reached her calves, revealing only her slender arms and ankles. She had on a pair of fluffy slippers, and her hair was casually clipped at the back of her head.

Loose and comfortable, she looked soft and relaxed. But for some reason, Li Qingji’s mind drifted to that night by the hot spring, where black laces entwined, sectioning her skin into glistening patches of pale white.

Completely different from now.

He hesitated, then looked away. “It’s at a bar, so no requirements.”

A birthday party at a bar, she thought. She had assumed it was a formal hotel event and nearly decided to wear a cocktail dress. It was a good thing she had asked.

“So I can dress casually?”

“Mm.”

Joy lit up Jiang Nai’s face. She wasn’t fond of dresses that made it hard to enjoy her meal.

However, as she was closing the door, she hesitated again.

After all, this was the first time Li Qingji was bringing his “wife” to meet his friends. As a man, he would likely prefer she dress up a bit, wouldn’t he?

So Jiang Nai dismissed the idea of going out in a T-shirt and jeans, returning to her wardrobe to pick out a dress and applying light makeup out of courtesy. When she returned to the study, Li Qingji was no longer there. She then went to the bedroom, the door slightly ajar. Without thinking much of it, she pushed the door open.

She hadn’t expected to catch sight of a lean, narrow waist in motion.

As the shirt fell, what remained was a cool-toned, pale chest and well-defined abs…

Jiang Nai froze; she’d never seen this before.

He usually wore pajamas to bed, and by the hot spring, she hadn’t had a chance to notice before he went into the water. This direct visual impact was a first.

While she stood there in shock, Li Qingji, mid-change, glanced sideways at her. Seeing her at the door, he didn’t react much and casually buttoned his shirt, asking nonchalantly, “Ready?”

Jiang Nai snapped out of it, quickly averting her gaze. Standing in the doorway, unsure whether to go in or step back, she cleared her throat and replied, “Yes, I’m ready. We can leave now.”

Li Qingji said, “Wait for me a moment, I’ll be right there.”

“Oh.”

Jiang Nai quickly stepped out. The door closed again, and she stood outside for a moment, her cheeks a little warm.

She should have knocked first…

——

Lu Feng was holding his birthday party at his own bar.

With his cheerful personality and wide circle of friends, the bar was nearly full of guests celebrating his birthday.

“You said Qingji is bringing his wife tonight?” Chen Jiming, a friend, sounded intrigued when he heard the news.

Lu Feng nodded, “Yeah, last time I mentioned he should introduce her, and he said no problem. With my birthday as an excuse, I suggested he bring his wife along. I mean, now that he’s married, shouldn’t he introduce her to us?”

Chen Jiming chuckled, “He should, but I find the idea a bit strange.”

Lu Feng agreed, “I get what you mean. It is strange. I’m also curious to see what Li Qingji is like with his wife by his side.”

“He’ll probably be the same as always. You think he’d turn into someone like Brother Zhang?” another friend chimed in.

Brother Zhang was a friend who had completely changed after marriage, becoming totally devoted to his wife and listening to her every word, a complete 180-degree shift in personality.

Li Qingji? That was impossible.

“But what’s this Jiang family lady like? If you guys hadn’t mentioned Qingji getting married a while ago, I wouldn’t have known she existed.”

Lu Feng said, “I ran into Jiang Yao two days ago and asked about her sister. Jiang Yao didn’t seem too fond of her and didn’t say anything nice. She sarcastically told me to see for myself.”

Chen Jiming raised an eyebrow, “Are they not on good terms?”

“Definitely not,” Lu Feng replied. “Besides Jiang Yao’s temper, which doesn’t get along with anyone, Jiang Nai taking her spot as Qingji’s fiancée is enough reason for friction. Peace between them isn’t possible.”

Chen Jiming remarked, “It wasn’t technically her spot; the Li family only had intentions of linking with the Jiang family but hadn’t formalized anything.”

“True, but it was almost a done deal. If Jiang Yao hadn’t crossed the line, she’d have had that spot.”

“Well, she has only herself to blame.”

Lu Feng nodded, “That’s true…”

“So, what’s the younger sister like?”

Another friend added, “If she’s Jiang Yao’s sister, she’s probably similar—a rose with thorns.”

It was an apt description. They had all known Jiang Yao for a long time. Beautiful, yes, but arrogant, with a sharp tongue that no one could tolerate for long.

It seemed likely her sister wouldn’t be much different.

They couldn’t help feeling a bit sorry for Li Qingji.

At 8 p.m., Jiang Nai arrived at the bar with Li Qingji.

The bar was closed to the public for the night, with all attendees being Lu Feng’s friends. As they walked in, many people greeted Li Qingji.  Though he might not have known everyone, he still responded to their greetings in a way that wasn’t overly warm but didn’t make anyone feel ignored either.

Jiang Nai initially walked side by side with Li Qingji, but as they moved further inside and more eyes turned in their direction, she purposefully fell a few steps behind, avoiding being in the spotlight.

“Aha, our great young master! Finally here,” Lu Feng exclaimed, stopping mid-game with those around him when he saw Li Qingji. He immediately stood up, eyes bright with excitement as he approached.

Everyone nearby followed his gaze, turning their attention to Li Qingji. Lu Feng rushed to his side and asked, “Where is she? Why are you alone? Where’s your wife?”

Li Qingji’s eyes remained calm as he glanced behind him, noticing Jiang Nai hadn’t followed.

Lu Feng continued, “What’s going on? Didn’t bring her? Why keep her so hidden?”

Chen Jiming joked, “Yeah, Qingji, didn’t you promise to bring her and introduce her to us?”

“Last time you said she was easygoing, not troublesome. You must’ve been bluffing. Is she some kind of devil you’re too scared to bring out?” Lu Feng leaned in and whispered, “Is she scarier than Jiang Yao?”

Li Qingji shot him a wordless, deadpan look and said, “She’s here.”

“Where? I don’t—” Lu Feng’s voice cut off abruptly, freezing in place. Amidst the crowd, a figure gracefully made her way through, stopping in front of him.

“Hello, I’m Jiang Nai.”

She wore a light beige long dress, with her hair falling softly over her shoulders. Her features were gentle and serene, with an unmistakably light touch of makeup. The overall impression was fresh and elegant, exuding a unique, ethereal charm.

“You…”

“We’ve met before,” Jiang Nai smiled, recalling, “last time at Siningte.”

Her smile had an even greater effect, eyes sparkling and lively, yet with a composed, quiet demeanor.

Recognition dawned on Lu Feng’s face as he glanced from her to Li Qingji and back. “I remember now! It was you!”

“Why didn’t you introduce her then?” Lu Feng quickly turned to Li Qingji for an answer.

Jiang Nai spoke up, “That was my decision. I started working at Siningte and didn’t want anyone knowing I was…” She didn’t finish, but Lu Feng caught on. She had wanted to keep a low profile at work and avoid being known as the boss’s wife.

“So that’s why! I was wondering why you acted like strangers at the company. No problem, meeting now is just as good.” Lu Feng laughed. “Allow me to officially introduce myself. I’m Lu Feng, his friend.”

Jiang Nai nodded politely. “I know. Happy birthday.”

“Thank you, thank you! Hey, don’t just stand there. Come over and sit down,” Lu Feng said.

Jiang Nai looked at Li Qingji, who nodded, “Let’s go.”

“Mm.”

They headed to the largest and best spot in the bar, where Lu Feng and Li Qingji’s closest friends were seated. Once Jiang Nai sat down, all eyes turned to her.

Well then, who was it that said she’d be like Jiang Yao?

This was entirely different. This girl radiated a pure and refined elegance. She was like a lily, delicate and innocent—not a thorny rose.

Beautiful, truly beautiful.

And she had a warm, inviting smile that made her seem easy to approach, giving the impression that she had a great personality. Now, instead of feeling sympathy for Li Qingji, everyone felt sympathy for Jiang Nai.

Such a lovely girl—how did she end up with someone as heartless as Li Qingji?

“Miss Jiang, what kind of drink would you like?” One of the girls sharing the booth spoke up, probably feeling more comfortable because they were both women.

Jiang Nai hesitated. “Something with a lower alcohol content is fine.”

“Alright, I’ll pour it for you.”

Jiang Nai politely accepted the drink handed to her but did not drink it right away. She wasn’t sure if she should drink, considering she was in Li Qingji’s place, accompanying him to put on a “performance.”

To play the role of a “wife” well, she needed to know what he wanted her to do, so she turned to look at him.

However, Li Qingji was engaged in conversation with some friends and didn’t notice her gaze.

It was Lu Feng who noticed first and tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, your wife’s looking for you.”

Li Qingji glanced over.

Jiang Nai was sitting just a meter away, but due to the loud music, they couldn’t hear each other without raising their voices. He could only see her pointing to the glass in her hand.

Li Qingji didn’t immediately understand what she meant and asked, “Do you want to drink something?”

Jiang Nai scooted closer and raised her voice a little. “I was wondering if I could drink tonight.”

Afraid that he still couldn’t hear her, she leaned in even closer when she spoke, so close that her breath nearly brushed his face. Her eyes were fixed on him, looking almost like a… lost deer?

Li Qingji’s gaze softened slightly.

“Li Qingji, can I drink?” she asked again when he didn’t respond.

Leaning back slightly, Li Qingji kept his eyes on her, then said after a moment, “As you wish. If you want to drink, go ahead.”

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