Chapter 62: The Birthday on the Second Day of the Lunar New Year

In the evening, Shu Shiran had dinner with Dai Jiao, who had just returned from a business trip.

Dai Jiao did not return to the firm; the two of them met directly at the restaurant.

Shu Shiran arrived first. Dai Jiao, running slightly late, sat down and asked immediately, "Sharon, are you feeling better? I heard you didn't go to the office this morning."

"..."

Shu Shiran had not expected that Dai Jiao, even while away on business, would know she felt unwell and skipped the firm.

"I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night."

Dai Jiao nodded. "That's good. Health comes first."

Shu Shiran murmured an acknowledgment and changed the subject, asking about work matters.

Dai Jiao had gone to give her reports, and a lot had happened. The moment Shu Shiran asked, Dai Jiao started talking.

"There's this parachuted-in rich second-generation heir on the client's side, and he's such a pretentious snob. Last night, he invited us to some gathering he organized, and I honestly had to pinch my nose just to sit there for a bit."

That rich heir practically had the words "I am super rich" tattooed on his forehead, and he even tried to flirt with Dai Jiao.

Curious, Shu Shiran asked, "What does he look like?"

Dai Jiao replied, "Average. And way too pretentious."

If she were completely inexperienced, she might have been intimidated. The main thing was that she worked alongside two top-tier wealthy individuals who didn't need to put on any airs for their status to be obvious.

Sharon went without saying; she practiced law purely as a hobby. Then there was Wu Tianqi, who practically paid out of pocket every month just to come to work.

Come to think of it, Wu Tianqi was actually one of her subordinates.

At first, she had felt a bit hesitant about making Wu Tianqi do actual work, thinking he was some young master from a prominent family, but she soon got used to it and felt zero burden telling him to do anything.

So how could she possibly be impressed by a pretentious rich heir like that?

When Shu Shiran and Dai Jiao finished dinner and returned, it was close to nine o'clock. They happened to run into Ji Xi, who was also just coming back.

As they stepped into the elevator together, Ji Xi asked, "What did that message you sent me this afternoon mean?"

After Shu Shiran arrived at the firm that afternoon and received a round of concern from everyone, she had gone into her office and couldn't help but send Ji Xi a message.

- It's all your fault.
- Ji Xi: ?
- Ji Xi: What did I do?

Knowing she would just be teased by him if she explained, Shu Shiran had replied: Nothing.

Right now, she gave the same answer: "Nothing."

Ji Xi could probably guess a little bit.

He pinched Shu Shiran's hand, his tone lacking any seriousness: "Did they find out the real reason you played hooky?"

Shu Shiran glared at him. "No."

Ji Xi's lips curved into a smile as he brushed a lock of hair that had fallen over her shoulder back behind it.

He missed a strand at first, so he picked it up and tucked it behind as well, fully exposing her delicate neck.

His action was inexplicable. Seeing his gaze sweep across her neck as if searching for something, Shu Shiran asked, "What are you doing?"

Ji Xi's eyes remained fixed on her neck. Using a finger to tilt her chin so her head turned slightly to the side, revealing the curve of her neck, he said casually, "Let's see what I'm to blame for. I remember leaving nothing behind here."

"..."

He was teasing her again.

Shu Shiran swatted his hand away.

In the end, she still told him what had happened at the firm.

After listening, Ji Xi's eyes were filled with amusement.

Shu Shiran said with shy annoyance, "You're still laughing."

The elevator reached the floor where Shu Shiran lived. As she moved to step out, Ji Xi pulled her back.

"Accompany me upstairs to get something." He pressed the button for the floor above.

He had mentioned at noon that he was going to move down to live with her, but he hadn't found the time yet.

Once upstairs and inside the door, he pulled Shu Shiran into his arms for a kiss and coaxed her, "It is my fault."

Shu Shiran turned her head slightly and asked, "Is there anything you need my help with?"

How could Ji Xi bear to let her do anything? He nibbled on her earlobe, which was right beside his lips, and said, "No need. I'll just go down and grab a few clothes first."

The sudden tickle on her ear sent a shiver straight down Shu Shiran's lower back.

She dodged slightly and said, "Go get them then."

Ji Xi kissed her a few times more before heading into the bedroom.

Sitting on the couch with a slightly flushed face, Shu Shiran began scrolling through her phone.

Recently, several brands had sent her invitations to view their runway shows, spanning both haute couture and high jewelry.

Over the past few years, Shu Shiran rarely traveled abroad for fashion shows. A round trip took at least two days; she had no time on weekdays, and on weekends she preferred to rest at home. She only visited boutiques occasionally, and each season's clothes were sent directly to her for selection.

Perhaps she should check out more menswear collections in the future.

When Ji Xi came over after packing his things, Shu Shiran was browsing through some watches sent to her by an auction house.

Glancing at her screen, Ji Xi asked, "Which ones do you like?"

Shu Shiran had her eye on only one piece.

Ji Xi checked the catalog number. "Alright."

"Is there anything else you want?" He pinched her earlobe. "You didn't mention it that night."

Shu Shiran remembered being woken up by him in the middle of the night two days ago, his face buried in her neck as he asked her what she wanted.

She thought about it carefully and realized she didn't really want anything in particular.

Seeing her unable to come up with anything, Ji Xi sighed, looking at her. "Great Princess Shu, can you please give your husband a chance to show off?"

Shu Shiran: "..."

She genuinely couldn't think of anything at the moment.

Seeing she was truly drawing a blank, Ji Xi smiled, wrapping his arms around her from behind and resting his chin on her shoulder. "Then should I buy a new private jet? I'll register it under your name and customize the interior however you like."

Shu Shiran leaned into his embrace and nodded.

Remembering that she had seen a menswear show happening in Nancheng this weekend, she said, "Let's go watch the show on Saturday."

Ji Xi agreed without hesitation. "Alright."

Shu Shiran's lips were right before him. Brushing aside her hair, he leaned in and kissed the corner of her mouth. "I have to fly to Switzerland on Sunday."

Shu Shiran paused. "You're going to Switzerland?"

Ji Xi murmured an assent and kissed her again.

Shu Shiran: "How long will you be gone?"

Ji Xi: "About a week."

Before Shu Shiran could say anything more, her face was turned toward him, and her lips were sealed in a kiss.

The clothes Ji Xi intended to take downstairs were draped over one end of the sofa, complete with hangers. A shopping bag sat on the coffee table.

The kiss made the air grow hot.

Shu Shiran was turned around in his arms, her slippers dropping to the floor with a soft thud.

She knelt on the couch facing him, her hands gripping his clothes, her gaze somewhat hazy from the intimacy.

"You—"

Ji Xi murmured, "Start early, finish early."

He kissed the tip of her nose.

"So the people at Chunxiang won't be worrying again tomorrow morning about why Sharon didn't show up."

"..."

Shu Shiran struck his shoulder lightly.

Just shut up.

Ji Xi chuckled softly.

Her waist was pulled in firmly, and the tip of his tongue pressed past her lips.

After a deep kiss, Shu Shiran had long since melted into his arms, her arms wrapped around his neck as she murmured softly, "Let's go downstairs."

Unmoved, Ji Xi coaxed her, "Let's finish this before we go down."

The buttons he had fastened at noon were undone one by one again.

New marks were added over the ones that had just faded on her chest.

It was an hour and a half later when the two of them finally got dressed and headed downstairs.

Ji Xi had the clothes draped over his arm and was holding the paper bag in his hand.

At the very top of the paper bag were several boxes of condoms, one of which had already been opened.

He used his free hand to take Shu Shiran's hand.

Shu Shiran's shirt sleeves were excessively long, completely covering her hands.

Ji Xi simply held her hand right through the sleeves.

Although she had recovered, the flush on Shu Shiran's face had not completely faded.

Fortunately, they lived on the top two floors, so they wouldn't run into anyone else in the elevator.

She was wearing one of Ji Xi's shirts, which made her figure look all the more slender and delicate inside the oversized garment.

Her own shirt had been used by Ji Xi as a cushion on the sofa and was completely unwearable now.

When they got back downstairs and finished showering, it was already nearly half past eleven.

Having not slept enough the night before and having expended more energy just now, Shu Shiran was nodding off and already lying in bed.

Ji Xi leaned against the headboard, a tablet in his hand.

He gently touched Shu Shiran's face. "Sleepy?"

Shu Shiran murmured a yes, her head instinctively moving closer to his familiar scent.

How was he never tired?

Ji Xi turned off the main lights, leaving only a dim bedside lamp on.

"Goodnight."

***

After attending the fashion show together on Saturday, Ji Xi flew to Switzerland the next day.

When Shu Shiran returned home from work on Monday, she received a message from Ji Xi.

He was in Zurich, where the time was six hours behind China, making it still afternoon there.

After they exchanged a few texts, a notification popped up in the group chat she shared with Zheng Tingyan and Xu Ying.

- Zheng Tingyan: @Shu Shiran
- Zheng Tingyan: Shiran, did you and Ji Xi go to the fashion show this weekend?
- Shu Shiran: How did you know?
- Zheng Tingyan: [Photo]
- Zheng Tingyan: Just saw someone post photos on Moments, and you two happened to be in them.

The photo captured the runway models, but accidentally framed Shu Shiran and Ji Xi sitting in the front row opposite.

In the picture, Shu Shiran and Ji Xi were speaking in low voices.

One of Ji Xi's arms rested on the back of her chair, his gaze lowered as he looked at her with an air of detached elegance and casual indifference.

It was actually a very nice photo.

After the show that day, they had followed the sales associate to browse the private exhibition.

Shu Shiran had thoroughly enjoyed looking around, frequently holding up suitable items against Ji Xi's frame to see how they looked, and he patiently cooperated every time.

With a face like his and a physique born for modeling, anything he wore was pleasing to the eye, and she ended up reserving quite a few pieces.

Shu Shiran chatted with Zheng Tingyan in the group for a bit before Zheng Tingyan tagged Xu Ying.

- Zheng Tingyan: Where's A-Ying?
- Zheng Tingyan: Has Cheng Yexiu loosened up yet?

Xu Ying didn't appear until a few minutes later.

- Xu Ying: He still won't agree to a divorce.
- Xu Ying: I'm planning to separate from him first.
- Shu Shiran: You're moving out?
- Shu Shiran: When?
- Xu Ying: The day after tomorrow, I suppose.
- Xu Ying: I'm away on a business trip and coming back the day after tomorrow.

The day Xu Ying moved out was Wednesday. She moved into an apartment she owned under her own name.

She didn't take many belongings and hadn't asked Shu Shiran or Zheng Tingyan to help.

The three of them had dinner together outside that evening.

After dinner, Shu Shiran and Zheng Tingyan accompanied Xu Ying back to her apartment, planning to stay with her for a couple of nights.

Xu Ying's apartment was also by the river, a spacious flat-floor residence.

"Actually, you two don't need to stay with me. You don't have to worry," Xu Ying said.

Although Zheng Tingyan had held a different view regarding whether Xu Ying should tell Cheng Yexiu that she liked him, she supported Xu Ying in whatever decision she made.

"Anyway, I have to live somewhere."

Shu Shiran nodded. "And Ji Xi happens to be in Switzerland these few days."

Zheng Tingyan sighed, "It's been so long since the three of us lived together."

Xu Ying agreed, "It really has been a while."

Thinking of the time she tried to buy the penthouse at Chuansong No. 1, Zheng Tingyan lamented, "I never did manage to become neighbors with Shiran."

Naturally, if the owner didn't want to sell, so be it; she wasn't one to force transactions.

It was just that the seller had rejected her so firmly from the outset without any room for negotiation, only to turn around and sell it to Ji Xi, which left her feeling deeply unbalanced.

Since it was a rare occasion for the three of them to live together, they opened a bottle of red wine after showering and chatted until midnight before finally retreating to their respective rooms.

When Shu Shiran returned to the guest room and unlocked her phone, she saw a message Ji Xi had sent her half an hour ago, asking if she had fallen asleep yet.