Did the Tsundere Miss Get Slapped in the Face Again Today? - Chapter 86

Chapter 86: “Looking At Her Stupid Face Just Makes Me Angry.”

The early summer moonlight climbed the branches, pouring silver-white light onto the bougainvillea in full bloom in the villa’s courtyard. The petals were stained with dew, and as a breeze blew past, the fragile leaves trembled alongside them, spreading a sweet floral fragrance. It was the familiar scent of honey peach, a lingering, intoxicating aroma.

As the night deepened and grew heavy, a burning breath lingered by the ear. It was noisy—whether it was the sound of the petals fluttering outside the window, or the frantic breathing and heartbeat, it was hard to tell.

Morning came.

The room still held a trace of lingering tenderness and warmth. Jiang Zhi was sleeping soundly, while the “kitten” by her side slowly opened her eyes. Lin Anran turned on her side to look at the sleeping figure. She didn’t wake her, but just watched her quietly, as if she could never see enough. Her fair, slender fingers traced the outlines of Jiang Zhi’s face back and forth.

Jiang Zhi felt a tickle and scratched her cheek. Anran’s finger stopped, and she let out a soft laugh.

Jiang Zhi’s thick eyelashes fluttered as she opened her eyes, still in a dazed, half-awake state. The first thing she saw was a face of exquisite beauty—snow-white skin, curved eyes, a high bridge of the nose, and pink lips. It was so perfect that not a single flaw could be found. No matter how many times she saw Lin Anran, her heart still skipped a beat, just like the first time.

“Have you been awake for long?” Jiang Zhi rubbed her eyes, her voice a bit raspy.

“Just woke up,” Anran said.

“Are you hungry? I’ll make breakfast for you.”

“No need.”

Lin Anran pulled back the quilt and got out of bed. Her bare body was dazzling, and Jiang Zhi couldn’t look away. How did she become so thin? She hadn’t been this thin before. Had she not been eating well these past two years?

Anran’s back was toward her as she calmly picked up her clothes and pants from the floor, putting them on slowly. Fastening the last shirt button, she reached behind her neck to pull out her long hair that was tucked under the collar. A ray of morning light hit her, making the scene incredibly beautiful.

Jiang Zhi unconsciously pursed her dry lips.

Once fully dressed, Lin Anran turned back to look at the person on the bed. After a moment, she turned to leave.

Jiang Zhi snapped out of her trance. “Where are you going?”

Anran stopped but didn’t look back. “I have things to do. I’m leaving now.”

“Leaving because of business?” Jiang Zhi sat up, agitated. “You’re running away right after sleeping with me?”

“Can’t I? Didn’t I learn that from you?” Anran sneered.

Jiang Zhi was instantly silenced, her eyes downcast. If Lin Anran wanted to take revenge this way… it seemed reasonable. She couldn’t really blame her.

The doorknob turned with a click. Just as Anran was about to step out, and as Jiang Zhi was sinking into sadness—

Anran suddenly turned back and rolled her eyes, her familiar arrogance returning. “Do you think I’m like you? There’s something at the company I need to handle. Isn’t the flight at 11:00? I’ll finish up and be back before then. Wait for me here; don’t go running off.”

Jiang Zhi froze. The next second, the gloom in her eyes vanished, replaced by a bright glow.

Anran snorted. “Look at you, so pathetic.”

Jiang Zhi: “Yes, I’m pathetic. So, can you give me a kiss before you go?”

“No.” Anran turned and left coldly.

Ten seconds later, she ducked back in, leaned down, and gave Jiang Zhi a light peck on the cheek. Then, she turned and left coldly again.

“Lin Kitten,” Jiang Zhi called out.

“What?” The “cold” person ducked back in a third time.

Jiang Zhi shook her head and smiled. “Nothing.”

Anran grumbled, “You’re crazy.”

“Remember to come back early after finishing work. Don’t miss the 11:00 plane; tickets are expensive.”

“Look at you being a cheapskate. I know, stop nagging.”

After Anran left, Jiang Zhi lay back down and pulled the quilt over her head. The scent of Lin Anran lingered all over the blankets. She kept inhaling it, her heart swelling with warmth. The smell was like maltose, sweet from the tip of her tongue all the way to her soul, making her feel like she was floating in bubbles.

She wrapped herself in the quilt and rolled back and forth on the bed, feeling indescribable joy. Unsurprisingly, she rolled too far and fell off the bed with a thump. Clutching her aching waist, she sat by the bedside, resting her chin on the mattress, and started laughing like a madwoman. It was a good thing no one else was in the room.

After being happy alone for half an hour, she tidied up and left the room, only to see breakfast prepared on the table. It used to be Jiang Zhi preparing breakfast for Anran; now the roles were reversed.

However, this breakfast… Anran was still using her “revenge that doesn’t look like revenge.” The eggs were soft-boiled, the milk was cold, and there were three slices of toast—deliberately squeezed with a sweet jam that Jiang Zhi disliked.

Jiang Zhi laughed and shook her head. Her revenge tactics never had any new tricks. But she was glad there were no new tricks; if Anran had treated last night as revenge, her heart wouldn’t have been able to take it.

Fortunately, Anran wasn’t that mean. She couldn’t do such heartless things; even her revenge felt tender. Although Anran’s personality wasn’t exactly “gentle,” if you observed closely, you’d see she was more soft-hearted and kinder than anyone else. She seemed spoiled and tough, but she was actually obedient and soft.

Jiang Zhi went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Looking in the mirror, she tilted her neck. There were hickeys all over her neck and bite marks on her shoulders—she was “covered in wounds.” Thinking of last night, her cheeks flushed slightly. She pulled her collar tight to hide the ambiguous marks.

After washing up, she returned to the table to eat the breakfast Anran had prepared. There was a note next to the plate. The handwriting was just like the person—vibrant, arrogant, and free.

“YOU MUST FINISH IT ALL!!!”

Jiang Zhi looked at the six words repeatedly before folding the note and putting it in her pocket for safekeeping. Even though she didn’t like this kind of breakfast, she ate it seriously, satisfying Anran’s desire for a little revenge.

Click. She took a photo of the empty plate and sent it to Anran.

Anran didn’t reply immediately, likely busy. Jiang Zhi didn’t stay idle either; the video she shot a few days ago wasn’t finished. She sat cross-legged on the sofa and began editing seriously on her phone. After editing and adding subtitles, an hour had passed.

She stretched her stiff neck and looked at the clock. It was already 9:00. The flight was at 11:00; considering the travel time to the airport, they needed to get ready to leave now. She checked her chat with Anran; the photo of the empty plate sent two hours ago still had no reply.

Anxiety crept into her heart. She couldn’t have actually run away, could she? After hesitating, she decided to go to the company to find her.

In the meeting room.

Lin Anran, dressed in a light-colored professional suit, was smiling and discussing a collaborative project. She was articulate, polite, and humble throughout.

Jiang Zhi arrived at the company and, passing the meeting room, saw this scene through the window. She was surprised—actually, very surprised. The person who usually lost her temper and rolled her eyes was now chatting so harmoniously with investors. She actually looked like a sophisticated boss.

Looking at her, Jiang Zhi felt a mix of emotions. If possible, who would want to be “sophisticated”? Who wouldn’t want to be carefree and willful? To keep this company afloat, Anran couldn’t be willful anymore; she had to force herself to grow.

Jiang Zhi knew without thinking that for Anran to take this company from the brink of bankruptcy to its current scale in two years, she must have suffered a lot. As a “princess,” she didn’t have to endure this. She had taken over the company for Jiang Zhi; she was working hard to earn money so she could have funds she could control freely.

Jiang Zhi’s eyes were full of guilt and heartache.

Inside the meeting room, Anran and the investor stood up to shake hands. From their expressions, it looked like they had reached an agreement. Anran escorted him out with a smile. “Safe travels, Manager Li. I’ll treat you to dinner another day when you’re free; please be sure to attend.” Manager Li laughed, and Anran laughed with him.

Once he was gone, Anran’s smile vanished. She turned to see Jiang Zhi waiting nearby.

“Why are you here?” Anran rubbed her face, which was stiff from smiling. Smiling for that long was exhausting.

“I came to pick you up from work.” Jiang Zhi walked over.

Anran raised an eyebrow. “You’re getting more and more sensible.”

Jiang Zhi remained silent. The “sensible” one wasn’t her, but the person standing in front of her.

“Is it very tiring?” Jiang Zhi asked.

“It’s alright. It’s just about suppressing my temper, keeping a smile, and being patient during communication. Once you do this work for a while, you get used to it.”

“Do you ever get bullied?”

“Who would dare bully me? I told you, I built this company partly because of my status as the Third Miss of the Lin family. People aren’t rude to me.”

Jiang Zhi stepped forward and hugged her gently. Anran stiffened for a second, hesitated awkwardly, and then hugged her back. “What? Do you feel bad for me?”

Jiang Zhi held her tight. “Yes, I do.”

“Who needs your pity? Don’t think of me as so weak.”

“Is it very tiring being with me? You shouldn’t have to endure all this. It’s because of me…”

Anran pushed her away, frowning and looking at her sternly. “You’re talking nonsense again. My work is tiring, not being with you. Besides, even if I weren’t with you, I would have taken this path. If I just sought pleasure and stayed as a flower in a greenhouse, I’d eventually have to follow my sister’s arrangements and marry whoever she says. I don’t want that. So, don’t take the blame. Whether you were here or not, I’d have to endure this, and it’s not really that hard. It’s just putting on a smile at work. As long as they cooperate and invest, I don’t care if my face turns stiff from smiling.”

The more she spoke, the angrier she got. Looking at Jiang Zhi’s “stupid” thoughts made her even more furious. Her eyes narrowed, and she stepped hard on Jiang Zhi’s foot.

“Ow!” Jiang Zhi jumped in pain.

“Serves you right,” Anran gritted her teeth.

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