I Just Want to be a Throwaway Character - Chapter 42

Chapter 42: A Convenient Coincidence

The company bus pulled into a famous hot springs resort. The twenty or thirty employees got off and waited for their room assignments. When it was Ji Wan’s turn, she felt that something was off. The manager, Sister Zhang, looked at her with a strange, eerily excited expression. As she left, she patted Ji Wan’s back, a look on her face that seemed to say, “Just as I thought.” Ji Wan was confused. What’s with her? Why is she acting like something happened to me?

She found out soon enough. As she walked into the room, she saw a large king-sized bed. She was surprised that the company had suddenly become so generous; it wasn’t a standard double room. Then, the door opened, and Jiang Zhi Li walked in with her suitcase.

Ji Wan was dumbfounded. “Director Jiang, isn’t this my room?”

Jiang Zhi Li walked in without a word and dragged her suitcase to the wardrobe. “They ran out of rooms. By the time it was your turn, there were none left, so I told them to move you into my room for the night.” She turned to look at Ji Wan’s stunned expression, feeling a sense of playfulness. “What’s wrong? Do you mind?”

“No… not at all, I don’t mind,” Ji Wan quickly explained. Internally, she was sighing. Why am I so unlucky? I can’t even escape the devilish Director Jiang outside of the office. Now I have to sleep in the same bed. Oh well, it’s just one night. I can sleep on the sofa.

Jiang Zhi Li took off her jacket and hung it up, amused by the girl’s conflicted expression. “Good. Let’s go. It’s time for dinner.”

“Ah, oh, okay,” Ji Wan replied, following Jiang Zhi Li to the restaurant.

Ji Wan felt like the way everyone in the company was looking at her and Jiang Zhi Li was strange. They looked excited. Since when did I become so popular? Ji Wan didn’t overthink it, though. After all, it was a buffet night! I’m coming for you, abalone, lobster, and king crab…

Ji Wan eagerly looked for a seat, but they were all full. She finally spotted an empty seat next to Sister Zhang, but Sister Zhang refused, saying she didn’t like having people next to her. She kept gesturing for Ji Wan to look at Jiang Zhi Li’s table, where there was an empty seat.

In the end, tempted by the promise of good food, Ji Wan reluctantly sat down with Jiang Zhi Li. For some reason, the others got even more excited. Some of them even started taking pictures of her with their flashes on! Hey! Don’t they know how to turn off the flash?! Even so, Ji Wan was ready to eat. Nothing was more important than food.

Jiang Zhi Li ate with her usual grace, chewing slowly and elegantly. Ji Wan, on the other hand, was not inelegant, but she ate at a speed that would make a starving ghost proud.

A Seductive Invitation

After eating her fill, Ji Wan was dragged by her female colleagues to go shopping. Jiang Zhi Li had to decline their invitation because of some work that came up. The afternoon was an experience. Ji Wan learned what shopping with mature, dedicated women was like. Her legs felt like they were about to fall off, and she couldn’t walk anymore. When the group finally decided to go back, Ji Wan felt like she wanted to kneel and kowtow in gratitude. She was so tired. She’d rather spend time with the devilish Jiang Zhi Li than these sisters with over-the-top endurance.

By the time she returned to her room, it was already dark. She didn’t see Jiang Zhi Li. She thought it was a little strange, but she didn’t wonder where she was because she had a more important task: the hot springs. This was a great way to relax and rejuvenate the body and mind.

Ji Wan hummed to herself as she walked to the super-secluded pool that Jiang Zhi Li had told her about. She had no idea that it wasn’t just a place with few people; it was a VIP pool reserved for just the two of them. Ji Wan found it odd that the hallway was empty, wondering if people weren’t going to the hot springs today. But when she arrived at the pool Jiang Zhi Li had mentioned, she saw it was a beautiful private room with a dedicated changing area, luxurious decorations, and rose petals floating on the water.

The steam made it hard to see clearly, and the room was so quiet that Ji Wan assumed she was alone. She began to relax. She slowly took off her bathrobe, revealing her perfect body. She stepped into the pool, letting the warm water envelop her. The sensation was comforting and she let out a soft sigh, feeling as if her entire body had melted. She leaned against a stone step on the edge, her expression one of pure, lazy enjoyment. The steam made her face flushed and rosy.

Jiang Zhi Li, who had been resting with her eyes closed, slowly opened them and looked at the little figure who had just entered. She froze. The hazy beauty before her was intoxicating. The sight was so stunning that her eyes and heart were stirred. Jiang Zhi Li’s gaze grew deeper and darker. The defenseless Ji Wan was an alluring sight.

Ji Wan felt an intense gaze on her. She turned her head, puzzled, and saw a blurry figure. She instinctively covered her chest. Who is that? She soon found out, because the person began to walk toward her.

The person was a stunning beauty with exquisite features and wet hair draped over her shoulders. Her collarbones were perfectly defined, and below them, a tantalizing body was half-hidden by rose petals. The way she looked at Ji Wan was like a beautiful siren luring someone to their doom. Ji Wan was so mesmerized that she couldn’t think straight. Her face slowly began to turn red. Ji Wan was ashamed to admit she felt a little flutter in her heart. Beauty is a seductress, she thought.

But why did this beautiful person look so familiar? Ji Wan’s fuzzy mind suddenly remembered that face. Her eyes… they look so familiar… She’s Jiang Zhi Li! Ji Wan was so startled that she quickly turned away, creating a large splash. I can’t believe I was just checking her out! This is so embarrassing! For some reason, even though they were both women, she was incredibly shy about being seen by Jiang Zhi Li.

Jiang Zhi Li chuckled at Ji Wan’s flushed, embarrassed reaction. She moved closer, her hand gently touching Ji Wan’s smooth, flawless back and moving upwards. She felt the girl’s body tense up at her touch. Jiang Zhi Li leaned in and whispered into Ji Wan’s ear, her warm breath making the girl shiver. “What’s wrong? Why are you afraid to look at me? You seemed to like it just now.” Jiang Zhi Li’s voice was completely different from her usual cold and restrained tone. It was bold and seductive, as if a switch had been flipped.

Ji Wan was flustered. When Jiang Zhi Li’s hand touched her, she felt an electric current running through her. It was a thrilling, sensitive feeling. She was losing control of her legs and was about to fall over. Especially as Jiang Zhi Li’s fingers slowly traced her back, Ji Wan felt so sensitive she almost whimpered. She covered her mouth with her hand, afraid of making a strange sound.

“Don’t… don’t touch me,” Ji Wan’s voice was soft and pleading. It was so adorable that it only made Jiang Zhi Li want to tease her more.

“Hmm? What’s wrong? Do you not like me?” Jiang Zhi Li asked, moving closer to Ji Wan. Ji Wan felt the direct contact of their bodies and was completely mortified. How can she be so… so improper? Where is her usual aloofness?! Ji Wan awkwardly moved away from her. She didn’t dare to turn around, afraid that Jiang Zhi Li would misunderstand that she liked her. Even though Jiang Zhi Li’s body was so tempting…

Being so close, Ji Wan’s legs felt weak, and her heart pounded. “Director Jiang, can… can you not be so close?” Ji Wan’s voice was soft and melodious, with a hint of a whine, as if she was being bullied.

Jiang Zhi Li decided she had teased her enough and moved away. She didn’t want to make her cry. Ji Wan sighed in relief. But now, it would be awkward if she didn’t turn around. Ugh! I should have never come to the hot springs!

“What’s wrong? Am I so ugly that you’re afraid to turn and look at me?” Jiang Zhi Li’s husky, sexy voice echoed in Ji Wan’s ears. A faint smile touched her lips as she watched Ji Wan’s back.

Ji Wan told herself, Don’t panic. She has what I have. Don’t blush, don’t blush… After a few moments of self-reassurance, she quickly turned around. But her eyes immediately closed. She just couldn’t do it.

“Heh,” Jiang Zhi Li laughed softly. Ji Wan forced herself to open her eyes, but the sight of Jiang Zhi Li’s bright, pale skin made her face flush red again. She was so innocent. Jiang Zhi Li smiled, finding her timidness adorable. In the water, you could only see their shoulders and collarbones.

Finally, after another round of self-reassurance, Ji Wan opened her eyes, but she still couldn’t meet Jiang Zhi Li’s gaze. Why is no one else here? Someone, please save me! Anyone!

Just then, the door opened. Ji Wan looked up, relieved to see her savior. But it was just a waitress who came in, put a tray down, and left. Ji Wan’s heart sank in despair.

Jiang Zhi Li took a bottle of sake from the tray and poured a small cup for herself. She took a sip and caught Ji Wan’s gaze from the corner of her eye. Her mood improved. “Come here and sit next to me,” Jiang Zhi Li said softly, her voice alluring and sexy, like a siren trying to lure a sailor.

Ji Wan swallowed. Today, Jiang Zhi Li was completely different. But the boss had spoken, and she couldn’t refuse. She reluctantly moved to sit next to Jiang Zhi Li, leaving a person-sized gap between them. Jiang Zhi Li didn’t mind. She poured a glass of sake and handed it to Ji Wan. “Have a drink with me.” Her voice was so persuasive that Ji Wan couldn’t refuse.

Ji Wan took the glass, and under Jiang Zhi Li’s amused gaze, she chugged the unknown liquid as if it were juice. The fiery taste made her cough. It was then that she realized she was drinking alcohol. Damn it, beauty misleads people!

Jiang Zhi Li laughed at the sight of Ji Wan coughing after just one drink. It was a complete contrast to her usual cold demeanor. Ji Wan was dazed by her beautiful smile.

“Silly girl, this is sake; you’re supposed to sip it,” Jiang Zhi Li said, gracefully taking a sip herself. Her simple movement was incredibly elegant and mesmerizing. Her eyes, filled with a subtle heat, occasionally glanced at Ji Wan, making her look like a seductive concubine. Ji Wan didn’t know where to look. She could only follow suit, pouring another glass. The cool taste was not as strong, and it had a sweet aftertaste. It’s actually pretty good!

Without Jiang Zhi Li noticing, Ji Wan finished the entire bottle of high-proof sake. By the time Jiang Zhi Li went to pour her second cup, the bottle was empty. She looked at Ji Wan, whose face was already flushed with alcohol. A mischievous smile appeared on Jiang Zhi Li’s face.

Jiang Zhi Li gently pinched Ji Wan’s soft cheek. “Are you still conscious? It’s time to go back.” But Ji Wan ignored her. She just stared at Jiang Zhi Li, her eyes hazy, like a lost fawn in the mist. She’s drunk…