This was Ji Zhaoxi's first time attending such a high-end birthday banquet.
She had assumed the food would taste terrible. After all, that was how it always went in the idol dramas she watched; the female lead could never get used to the fancy food.
However, she actually found it quite delicious, and she ate until she was full.
While Jiang Shiyi was dragged around by her parents to greet guests, Ji Zhaoxi wandered around outside, very cautiously making sure not to stray too far.
She still needed Jiang Shiyi to give her a ride home later. That was just how it was for someone without a chauffeur; she even had to bum a ride off others.
"Ji Zhaoxi."
A familiar voice called out from behind her.
Ji Zhaoxi turned around, only to find that Xie Sili had appeared beside her at some point.
"I apologize. I invited you all here today but haven't had much of a chance to talk with you."
Ji Zhaoxi shook her head. "It's completely fine."
Suddenly, Ji Zhaoxi felt a distinct sense of distance from Xie Sili.
Back at school, everyone was just a student. Even though she knew he came from a wealthy family, it hadn't really sunk in.
But here and now, the class disparity between the two of them was glaringly obvious. She was referring to the gap between the male lead and the supporting female character.
Looking at Ji Zhaoxi, who was noticeably more aloof than usual, Xie Sili's expression remained unchanged, though a hint of a smile lingered in his eyes.
"Are you ready to go home? Jiang Shiyi probably won't be leaving for a while. How about I wrap things up here as quickly as I can and take you home?"
Ji Zhaoxi glanced in Jiang Shiyi's direction.
Jiang Shiyi was standing next to her parents, the smile on her face looking somewhat forced. Jiang Zhen wasn't even trying to hide his displeasure; his face was terrifyingly dark.
Left with no other choice, Ji Zhaoxi nodded. "I'll have to trouble you, then."
"It's my pleasure."
Xie Sili led Ji Zhaoxi upstairs.
The guests downstairs watched them with curiosity.
"Who is that girl next to Young Master Xie?" a man asked, holding up his wine glass, a look of surprise in his eyes.
Xie Sili's mother gave a fleeting glance. "Probably just a classmate."
The man chuckled. "This is the first time I've seen Young Master Xie take the initiative like that."
Mother Xie remained silent, and the others tactfully dropped the subject.
Ji Zhaoxi had never expected Xie Sili to bring her to his study.
The study was incredibly spacious. The moment she walked in, she was hit by a heavy, scholarly atmosphere that immediately made her feel sleepy.
A few small trinkets sat conspicuously on the bookshelf, and two sheets of letter paper lay flat on the desk. Ji Zhaoxi stepped closer for a look, only to be startled and immediately back away.
She sat down on the sofa, clutching the cup of hot tea Xie Sili had just poured for her.
Xie Sili set a tablet down next to her.
"Ji Zhaoxi, why don't you amuse yourself here for a bit."
He looked at Ji Zhaoxi sitting there so obediently, a flicker of amusement passing through his eyes. "If you want to study, I can bring you your school textbooks."
Ji Zhaoxi forced a smile. "Thank you, but that won't be necessary."
She didn't love studying so much that she needed to read textbooks at someone's birthday banquet.
The table was laden with snacks, but Ji Zhaoxi couldn't eat another bite.
She stealthily crept over to the desk. She remembered delivering this love letter quite some time ago. Why did Xie Sili still have it sitting out on his desk?
Could it be that he had never seen a love letter written so eloquently before?
Ji Zhaoxi carefully made her way back to the sofa and sat down. Propping her chin in her hands, she stared out of boredom at the opposite corner of the study. It was piled high with gifts, all just casually sitting there on the floor.
The thought that Xie Sili received this many presents every year—and had been doing so for over a decade—made her eyes red with envy.
Down in the main hall, the banquet was still in full swing.
Xie Sili walked over to Jiang Shiyi. "I'll take Ji Zhaoxi home later."
Jiang Shiyi's brows immediately furrowed. "Why?"
"Does Zhaoxi want to leave now? I can just take her back myself."
Jiang Zhen, slouching with his hands stuffed lazily in his pockets, let out a massive yawn. "Perfect. I'm getting sleepy anyway. I'll just drive her back."
Xie Sili's expression remained perfectly calm. "It's fine. I'm almost done here anyway. I know where Ji Zhaoxi lives, so I can just drop her off on my way."
Jiang Shiyi stared at him in utter bewilderment. She couldn't fathom how it would be on his way.
He would have to go completely out of his way to get there—how was that convenient at all?
She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, even if she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
"Where is Zhaoxi right now?"
"Don't worry, she's in my study. No one will bother her there," Xie Sili explained briefly.
Jiang Shiyi's frown deepened. His study?
Since when was Xie Sili on such good terms with Zhaoxi? Wasn't Zhaoxi best friends with her in their class?
"Did Zhaoxi say she wanted you to take her home?" Jiang Shiyi pressed.
Jiang Zhen was starting to lose his patience. "Sis, what does it matter who takes her? Why are you asking so many questions? You guys are all classmates anyway."
Jiang Shiyi smacked him on the back, and Jiang Zhen instantly quieted down.
Xie Sili gave a faint smile. "She mentioned last time that she doesn't get carsick in my car. I figured it would be best if I took her home."
A wave of guilt washed over Jiang Shiyi. On their way to the Xie family estate, Zhaoxi had indeed mentioned feeling a little dizzy.
By the time Xie Sili returned to the study, Ji Zhaoxi was leaning against the sofa, flipping through an art book from his desk.
She was propped up against a throw pillow, her soft hair cascading over the back of the sofa. A thin blanket was draped over her, and the warm, yellow lighting cast a soft, gentle glow over her figure.
Xie Sili paused, coming to a halt at the doorway.
Noticing him at the door, Ji Zhaoxi offered him a smile. "Are you ready to take me home now?"
Xie Sili's grip on the doorknob tightened. His Adam's apple bobbed as he gave a low hum of agreement.
As the two of them headed downstairs together, Xie Sili subtly shielded her from the probing gazes of the guests. Meanwhile, Ji Zhaoxi was still busy admiring the grand decor of the main hall.
Once she struck it rich, she was definitely going to buy a massive villa just like this for her mom.
"Madam, the Young Master said he will return shortly," a man reported cautiously as he approached Mother Xie.
Mother Xie cast a mild glance at her son's retreating figure.
As they were getting into the car, some loose strands of hair fell across Ji Zhaoxi's forehead. Suddenly, she felt something cold brush against her cheek, though the sensation vanished just as quickly.
She looked over in surprise, only to hear Xie Sili murmur, "Sorry."
He absentmindedly rubbed his fingertips together.
"It's fine."
Ji Zhaoxi couldn't help but feel that Xie Sili was acting a bit strange.
Did he really need to apologize for doing a nice thing?
It was the same chauffeur from last time.
The chauffeur looked visibly surprised to see Ji Zhaoxi again.
The scenery outside the window blurred past. It wasn't actually all that late, but Ji Zhaoxi was already exhausted.
Her thoughts drifted back to the love letter on his desk.
"Um..."
Her voice broke the silence in the car.
"Was that the love letter she wrote to you on your desk?" Ji Zhaoxi probed carefully.
In the front seat, the chauffeur immediately perked up his ears.
Here it comes, the interrogation is here.
"Yes. It's beautifully written. I read it over and over again every day," Xie Sili replied softly.
A hint of joy flashed across Ji Zhaoxi's face, but her happiness was short-lived.
"Could you pass a message on to her for me? Tell her she doesn't need to send me cakes or love letters anymore." Xie Sili looked at her as he spoke.
"Why?!" Ji Zhaoxi blurted out, instantly anxious.
Xie Sili was momentarily taken aback by her panicked reaction. He explained, "Because it's too much work for her to deliver them every day, and the cost of those cakes really adds up."
Ji Zhaoxi breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, so that's what you were worried about."
"Well, I'll tell her to stop sending the cakes, then. But she's still going to send the love letters."
This worked out perfectly. Now she could save a large sum of money.
"Is writing love letters a lot of work?"
"Not at all, it only takes a few minutes."
"That fast... Has she written a lot of them?"
"No, it's because she likes you so much that she has so many things she wants to say to you."
"..."
"What's wrong? Are you doubting her sincerity? If she didn't like you, how could she have kept this up for so long!"
"Hmm... thank her for liking me. I'm very honored."
"I'll pass on your thanks!"
