Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=5310224
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
When Ji Lianxing went to Jiang Shu’s office, she happened to bump into the receptionist who was heading downstairs for lunch. The two exchanged a glance.
“President Jiang said you can go straight in.”
“Mm, okay.”
Even though they had not interacted much, Ji Lianxing had a good impression of her.
When she arrived at Jiang Shu’s office, she had just closed her laptop, as if she had just finished some work.
Jiang Shu looked up at Ji Lianxing and said, “Come eat quickly, or the food will get cold.”
Only then did Ji Lianxing notice a lunch tray on the table across from Jiang Shu. It had her favorite braised pork, some vegetables, and a bowl of soup!
“Eat here?” Ji Lianxing was a little stunned. She’d never expected someone to order lunch and wait for her to eat together. This… this felt a bit too nice.
“Where else? You wanna squeeze in the cafeteria downstairs?” Jiang Shu set her glasses aside on the corner of the desk, then curled her finger, beckoning Ji Lianxing over.
Ji Lianxing walked up to the desk and asked, “There’s only one portion? What about you?”
Jiang Shu shook her head. “I’m not hungry. Don’t feel like eating.” She laced her fingers together, propped her arms on the desk, and looked straight at Ji Lianxing like she really meant to just watch her eat.
“Ah—if you’re watching me, I’ll feel awkward.” Ji Lianxing pulled out the chair and sat down, clearly feeling a little uneasy.
“It’s fine. You eat, I’ll chat with you. Don’t be nervous, just eat like you normally do.”
Ji Lianxing hesitated for a moment. It was a bit awkward, but Jiang Shu seemed in the mood, so why not? Besides, she really was hungry, and turning down this kindness felt wrong too.
The braised pork in the bowl glistened, as if shouting “Come eat me!” Ji Lianxing picked up her chopsticks, didn’t hold back, and took a small piece.
It was just the taste she loved. It melted in her mouth, soft and springy, savory with a hint of sweetness.
Braised pork really was the eternal god.
Ji Lianxing chewed slowly. She ate with her mouth closed, and never made a sound. Though very well-mannered, the look on her face clearly showed she was enjoying the food.
Jiang Shu watched her, the corners of her lips lifting into a smile. “Do you know why I asked you to come up and eat?”
Ji Lianxing swallowed the braised pork. “You had something to tell me?”
“Half right. Keep guessing.”
“Hmm… you wanted to watch me eat?”
Jiang Shu’s smile bloomed. She nodded, then said, “You really do look adorable when you eat. It makes me happy.”
“Really?” Ji Lianxing had never thought someone would feel happy just watching her eat. Would they really be happy? Why though…
“Why would I lie? Come on, eat more.” Jiang Shu’s eyes were practically overflowing with laughter. She was clearly in a great mood. As for why seeing Ji Lianxing made her happy, she did not explain—she just felt like Ji Lianxing filled in all the little gaps in her heart.
Ji Lianxing picked up a piece of braised pork and held it up to Jiang Shu’s mouth. “You should eat too. You can’t skip lunch.”
The rich scent of braised pork drifted into Jiang Shu’s nose. Maybe it was from watching Ji Lianxing eat so happily just now, but suddenly she had an appetite too. She leaned forward and bit into the piece of pork.
The glossy, sugar-coated bite-sized meat slipped into her mouth. A trace of oil shimmered on her bright lipstick, making her lips look incredibly tempting.
Ji Lianxing stared at her lips, and the memory of last night came back. That kiss—it had been soft and sweet...
Suddenly feeling a bit thirsty, Ji Lianxing picked up the soup and took a sip.
Jiang Shu grabbed a tissue to wipe her mouth, then thought for a moment before saying, “Besides wanting to watch you eat, there’s something else I want to talk to you about.”
“Hm? What is it?” Ji Lianxing picked up a piece of braised pork with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth. This bite felt different, almost like a kiss with Jiang Shu through the food.
“Try not to have lunch with that colleague of yours anymore,” Jiang Shu said, frowning.
Ji Lianxing’s movements froze for a second, a look of disbelief on her face. She asked, “You’re talking about Mia?”
“Is her name Mia? I don’t know. The one with curly hair, a bit chubby.”
Ji Lianxing nodded repeatedly in shock. “How do you know she’s so annoying?”
Jiang Shu nodded slightly. “It’s just a feeling. The way she looks at me, and the way she looks at you, my gut tells me she’s not an honest person.”
Jiang Shu had only run into her once in the elevator, but that woman had either been eyeing her shoes or her watch. When she was with Ji Lianxing, there seemed to be a hint of scrutiny.
“You really know how to read people. Today, she even tried to sneak a look at me while I was talking to you,” Ji Lianxing couldn’t help but be honest with Jiang Shu. She felt that Mia was really annoying, but she couldn’t complain about other colleagues in the company. It felt safer to confide in Jiang Shu, probably because she trusted her.
“Looked at your phone?” Jiang Shu’s brows furrowed tightly. “Keep your distance from her.”
“She sits next to me, and I have to bring her along,” Ji Lianxing said with a shiver, recalling what Mia had said during the meeting that morning. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that Mia was out of her mind.
She really hated dealing with people like that, wasting time and life. Anyone could put on an act, but if you had to return the favor, it was exhausting.
“It’s fine.” Jiang Shu reached out to touch her eyebrow, comforting her. “Don’t worry.”
Jiang Shu’s fingers were icy cold, the sensation smooth and slippery, and Ji Lianxing’s brows quickly relaxed.
“Forget it, let’s not talk about her. Let’s keep eating.”
So, for the rest of the meal, Ji Lianxing ate a bite, fed Jiang Shu a bite, and Jiang Shu didn’t even refuse.
Although Ji Lianxing didn’t think much of it, she remembered Jiang Shu saying, “I’m not hungry” before the meal?
Was this not being hungry? She had eaten half the meal already! No one did double standards better than her, the octopus.
After the meal, Ji Lianxing looked at Jiang Shu with questioning eyes, wondering if she should leave. Normally, this would be her break time.
But instead, Jiang Shu stood up and walked her to the door.
Earlier, Ji Lianxing had been curious about the door, but now that she was standing right in front of it, she couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous.
Could there really be a vicious dog inside?
“Sleep here at noon.”
“Here?”
“Inside here.” Jiang Shu twisted the doorknob, and inside was a bedroom. To be precise, besides the bedroom, there seemed to be a bathroom as well. Wasn’t this just a small suite?
“Come in, stay with me and sleep.”
Jiang Shu led the way, and Ji Lianxing hesitated for a moment before following her into the room. She took a careful look around. Apart from the overall space being bigger than Jiang Shu’s room, it was essentially a replica of a bedroom from home. Observing closely, she even noticed that the bed sheets and pillowcases were exactly the same as those at home.
How much does this person love plain, minimalist things?
Jiang Shu took off her coat, revealing a fitted black sweater underneath.
She waved at Ji Lianxing. “Come here.”
Ji Lianxing walked up to her, her gaze still on the bed sheets. When she was less than ten centimeters from Jiang Shu, Jiang Shu reached out and embraced her.
Ji Lianxing was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace, and the sudden physical contact made her a bit flustered.
“President Jiang...” Ji Lianxing placed her hands between them, trying to create some space.
“Ji Lianxing.” Jiang Shu held her close, looking directly into her eyes.
Ji Lianxing's eyes were filled with panic as she averted her gaze, not daring to meet Jiang Shu's eyes. She was wondering why Jiang Shu called her by her name. Didn’t she always call her “Little Hedgehog”?
“Why won’t you look at me?” Jiang Shu placed her index finger on Ji Lianxing’s chin, tilting her face up to force eye contact. “Am I that scary?”
“It’s not that you’re scary, I just don’t know what you’re going to do,” Ji Lianxing met her gaze, feeling the heat of Jiang Shu's stare. In less than two seconds, her face turned red.
It was hot, a little too hot. She was too close, and she couldn’t help but feel nervous. Her heart raced, and she couldn’t tell if the pounding was hers or Jiang Shu’s, or if it was just the result of their closeness.
“Do you remember this morning?” Jiang Shu pinched her cheek.
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=5310224
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
“What happened this morning?” Ji Lianxing pretended to be stupid, forcing herself to act innocent.
“What about last night?”
“What happened last night?” Ji Lianxing repeated her act, pretending to be stupid x2.
Jiang Shu saw her playing innocent and flustered, and couldn’t help but laugh. This girl was just too cute. Teasing her was really too much fun.
“You don’t remember? Then let me remind you.” Jiang Shu pinched her cheek harder, causing Ji Lianxing’s face to slightly contort. Her lips naturally puckered up, though it was clearly a result of Jiang Shu’s force, it almost looked like she was pouting for a kiss.
“Last night I said, call me ‘Octopus’ once, and I’ll kiss you. This morning, I think you called me once?”
“Mm—” Ji Lianxing’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. “So what do you want to do?”
“Nothing.” Jiang Shu released her hand, and Ji Lianxing let out a relieved sigh, thinking she had escaped a kiss.
But the next second, her cheek was pinched again.
Turns out, she just switched hands!!!
Ji Lianxing had not yet come to her senses when Jiang Shu's lips were already pressed against hers, still carrying that familiar sensation.
The difference now was that this kiss was somewhat different from last night. Last night was like a light porridge, a fleeting touch, but now it was like boiling water, intense and passionate.
Jiang Shu’s tongue slipped between Ji Lianxing’s lips and teeth, the scent blooming. Ji Lianxing felt her legs weaken, her body sinking down.
Jiang Shu held her tightly, wrapping her arms around Ji Lianxing’s waist, supporting her weight, and finally, after fiercely biting her lower lip, she released her.
“Still calling me Octopus?”
Ji Lianxing’s breath came heavily, her head spinning. In those few short seconds, she was drenched in a thin layer of sweat.
“President Jiang, you—” Ji Lianxing gasped for air, her temples throbbing. “You double standard, you’re bullying me.”
Jiang Shu looked at her lips, which were red from the bite, and smiled. “I’m bullying you? If you have an issue, you can bully me back.”
???!
“I wouldn’t dare bully you, I’m afraid you’ll bully me again,” Ji Lianxing said.
“Don’t call me Octopus. As long as you don’t call me Octopus, I won’t bully you.”
“Then why do you still call me Little Hedgehog?”
Jiang Shu patted Ji Lianxing’s head. “Little Hedgehog is a term of endearment. Be good.”
Ji Lianxing wanted to say something more, but after thinking about it, she gave up. She couldn’t win against her. This woman really had double standards. If she argued back, she might just get bitten again.
Ji Lianxing: “...”
“Sleep?”
“Mm.”
“It should be more comfortable than sleeping at your workstation,” Jiang Shu said, lying down on the edge of the bed and patting the mattress. It was soft as if inviting Ji Lianxing to join her.
Ji Lianxing was also tired and lay beside her. Jiang Shu adjusted the blanket for her, holding her tightly in her arms, satisfied. “Still feels better to sleep with you.”
“Pfft, President Jiang, I think sometimes you’re like a child.” It was the kind of feeling like a child hugging a favorite stuffed toy and happily falling asleep.
“If you keep saying I’m a child, don’t blame me for not being polite,” Jiang Shu warned, pinching Ji Lianxing’s cheek.
Ji Lianxing, like a salted fish, lay there, not daring to say anything more.
“Good afternoon~ Little Hedgehog.”
“Good afternoon, President Jiang.”
Jiang Shu had originally closed her eyes, but it seemed she remembered something. She opened her eyes, propped herself up, and kissed Ji Lianxing’s face again.
Ji Lianxing was startled. “??? Why are you kissing me again???”
“This is different. It’s a good afternoon kiss,” Jiang Shu said. After speaking, she looked at Ji Lianxing and noticed her cheeks were flushed pink. She was so cute, so likable, Jiang Shu couldn’t get enough of her.
Jiang Shu lifted Ji Lianxing’s chin and kissed her lips again, pressing her upper lip against Ji Lianxing’s lower lip, gently biting it before releasing her.
Ji Lianxing was completely dumbfounded. So not calling her Octopus would still lead to a kiss? What was the point of that rule then?! It’s like the government allows arson but forbids the people from lighting lamps!?
“This??” Ji Lianxing had a confused look on her face.
Why is this happening??
Jiang Shu hugged her tightly, resting her chin on her shoulder. Closing her eyes, her voice filled with joy, she said, “For me, a good afternoon kiss means twice.”
