I Just Want to be a Throwaway Character - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: The Silent Treatment

Ji Wan looked at the closed door of Jiang Zhi Li’s office, confused. It had been three days since they returned, and Jiang Zhi Li hadn’t given her a hard time at all. She hadn’t been in her office once. This strange lack of attention made Ji Wan feel oddly unaccustomed. Could it be that I scared her with my punches? she wondered. No, no. Jiang Zhi Li is so cold and aloof; she doesn’t seem like the type to hold a grudge. She’s probably just been too busy these past two days.

While the oblivious girl was being carefree, the pressure around Director Jiang had been low for three days straight. Jiang Zhi Li couldn’t believe that Ji Wan, based on nothing but alcohol, was now completely denying their relationship. So, the great Director Jiang was angry. She had planned to give the bold and reckless woman the cold shoulder for a few days. But Ji Wan was eating and drinking as usual, without a single extra reaction, which made Jiang Zhi Li feel discouraged. Still, she couldn’t bring herself to truly bully her and make her tired.

After three days of this, Jiang Zhi Li couldn’t take it anymore. She watched through the window of her office as Ji Wan laughed and played with others. Even a simple bit of fun was enough to make her heart ache. I must be bewitched, she thought. Otherwise, why would my heart and soul be so completely under Ji Wan’s control? Jiang Zhi Li tried to focus on her work, but her mind kept replaying the image of Ji Wan’s flushed, alluring expression from that night. It made her blood race. In that moment, Jiang Zhi Li was like a teenage girl struggling with a crush, lost and full of a strange longing. She was nothing like her usual decisive self. But she quickly regained her composure. There’s still time for her and me, she thought. I’m confident I can win her heart. A determined light entered Jiang Zhi Li’s eyes as she looked at Ji Wan.

…

Lunch with an Audience

It was noon. After a long morning of work, Ji Wan felt like she was about to fall apart. But the thought of food made her jump up, ready to go. “Wan Wan, Director Jiang is calling for you,” Sister Zhang said, walking out of Jiang Zhi Li’s office.

Ji Wan’s foot froze. Her face fell. She thought Jiang Zhi Li was done giving her a hard time. Why does she have to call me during lunch?! I’m so hungry! I don’t want to revise plans!

Even though Ji Wan was fuming, she obediently walked into Jiang Zhi Li’s office. She watched as the beautiful woman focused on her computer, the warm sunlight from the floor-to-ceiling window illuminating her flawless, captivating profile. The beauty was like a painting; her skin and features were all graceful. Ji Wan was so mesmerized that she forgot to announce her presence.

Jiang Zhi Li had noticed her come in. She looked up, her eyes holding a smile she wasn’t even aware of. “Uh… Director Jiang, did you need me for something?” Ji Wan asked, quickly looking down at her intertwined fingers. It was so embarrassing to be caught staring.

Jiang Zhi Li stood up and walked toward her. “Didn’t you say you were going to treat me to lunch? Let’s go,” she said, looking at Ji Wan’s dazed expression.

“Huh? Lunch?” Ji Wan was confused. When did I agree to that? But Ji Wan still obediently led Jiang Zhi Li toward the cafeteria. No matter what, she’d “bullied” Jiang Zhi Li, so she should at least make amends. She hoped the big boss wouldn’t send her to jail later. She wanted to eat fried chicken, burgers, and drink cola…

Of course, Jiang Zhi Li stopped Ji Wan from ordering a whole fried chicken meal for her, instead getting a salad. Ji Wan ate her fried chicken leg, watching Jiang Zhi Li eat her greens. It felt like she was the one bullying Jiang Zhi Li. Can someone really live on just vegetables? Only the female lead can, I guess. We supporting characters will never understand.

“Wan Wan,” a gentle voice suddenly said. Ji Wan, who was enjoying her meal, looked up. The cafeteria wasn’t big, and their table was already getting a lot of attention. All eyes were on the owner of the voice: a woman with a classic, graceful beauty. She had willow-leaf eyebrows, bright eyes, and a soft gaze. Her nose was like white jade, and her lips were a perfect shade of red. Her slender body was similar to Ji Wan’s, though she was a little taller. Her presence made people feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.

“Sister Zhu Yun?” Ji Wan asked, surprised. Isn’t this Xiao Zhu Yun, the female lead’s rumored fiancé?

Ji Wan’s mind quickly pulled up memories of Xiao Zhu Yun. Xiao Zhu Yun was the granddaughter of the Xiao family, long-time family friends with the Ji family. The two grandfathers had been comrades-in-arms. Their friendship was so deep that when their daughters-in-law were pregnant, Grandpa Ji and Grandpa Xiao jokingly made a verbal engagement between the two children.

Grandpa Ji passed away when Ji Wan was not yet three. Ji Wan was often neglected by her parents, and Grandpa Xiao, out of love for his old friend, doted on little Ji Wan, who spent most of her childhood at the Xiao’s. Xiao Zhu Yun also adored her “little sister,” who was two months younger than her. So, Ji Wan had always loved her gentle and caring Sister Zhu Yun.

Xiao Zhu Yun had always taken care of Ji Wan, but she only saw her as a sister. The original Ji Wan had mistaken her affection for love and hoped for a reciprocation. Later, when the truth about her background was revealed, Xiao Zhu Yun was the one who protected her. But Ji Wan’s actions grew too reckless, and Xiao Zhu Yun gradually grew disappointed, eventually allowing Jiang Zhi Li to send her to prison. All in all, she was a good person.

“Yes,” Xiao Zhu Yun said with a soft smile, gently stroking Ji Wan’s head as she sat down next to her.

Jiang Zhi Li’s eyes grew sharp as she watched their intimate interaction. What is the relationship between this woman and Ji Wan?

“Sister Zhu Yun, why are you here?” Ji Wan asked in a sweet voice.

“Did you forget? It’s my grandpa’s birthday party today. He wanted me to bring you back to celebrate; he says he misses you,” Xiao Zhu Yun said, taking out a napkin and gently wiping some food from the corner of Ji Wan’s mouth. Her actions were incredibly close.

“Huh? So sudden? But I’ve already eaten,” Ji Wan said, looking at the fried chicken leg she had just taken a bite of.

“Silly girl, if I waited for you to find out, when would that be?” Xiao Zhu Yun said, lovingly tapping Ji Wan’s head. Ji Wan was still as clueless as she was as a child. Xiao Zhu Yun felt sorry for Ji Wan, who had worked hard in her childhood to get attention from her parents, only to be ignored. She had eventually gone down the wrong path, thinking that being rude and spoiled would get her the attention she craved. By the time Xiao Zhu Yun realized it, it was too late. Thankfully, Ji Wan wasn’t a bad person at heart. Now, hearing from her uncle that Ji Wan had been much better at the branch company, Xiao Zhu Yun decided to visit. It was also a perfect excuse to bring her to the birthday party.

“But I have to work this afternoon. Sister Zhu Yun, you came too early,” Ji Wan said.

“Don’t worry, I’ll just keep you company this afternoon; I won’t disturb you.” Xiao Zhu Yun said with a laugh, pinching Ji Wan’s cheek.

Their interaction was a thorny sight in Jiang Zhi Li’s eyes. Her gaze grew dark. They’re probably just close friends, she told herself. But her heart felt like it was being scratched by a cat.

“Excuse me, but what is your relationship?” Jiang Zhi Li asked politely, putting down her knife and fork. Her voice was flat, as if it was just a casual question.

“Wow, a chance to introduce them!” Ji Wan thought excitedly. It’s time for the female lead to finally get her true love!

“What do you think, Wan Wan?” Xiao Zhu Yun saw the hint of possessiveness in Jiang Zhi Li’s eyes and deliberately threw the question to Ji Wan, her tone a little ambiguous.

Jiang Zhi Li’s eyes were fixed on Ji Wan, and her expression held a trace of… anger? Jealousy?

“Uh…” Ji Wan didn’t know how to answer this loaded question. Calling her a neighbor seemed wrong. Calling her her fiancé seemed strange. She was conflicted. Her hesitation only fueled the fiery jealousy in Jiang Zhi Li’s heart. If they were just normal friends, why would she hesitate?

“Uh… this is Xiao Zhu Yun. Sister Zhu Yun is my… well. She’s my… childhood engagement partner!” Ji Wan finally blurted out. This way, the blame would fall on their grandfathers, and the female lead wouldn’t be angry at her. I didn’t steal her girlfriend!

The words, not too loud and not too quiet, reached Jiang Zhi Li’s ears. “Is that so?” Jiang Zhi Li’s expression was calm, but her voice was low. Under the table, her hands clenched into a fist. She kept her composure, but only she knew how overwhelmed she was with jealousy. The situation was out of her control. Ji Wan had a fiancé.

Xiao Zhu Yun looked at Jiang Zhi Li’s cold expression and felt a strange feeling. She had thought for a second that Jiang Zhi Li might like Ji Wan. Looks like I was mistaken.

“Huh? That’s it?” Ji Wan had been hoping to see the female lead get jealous over her fiancé. But nothing happened. She was disappointed.

Ji Wan went back to eating her fried chicken, her appetite as strong as ever. “Is it good? Let me have a bite,” Xiao Zhu Yun asked, her eyes filled with curiosity. She rarely ate fried food and was intrigued by how much Ji Wan was enjoying it.

“Oh, okay,” Ji Wan said without thinking, holding out the chicken leg she had just bitten. She remembered that she had often shared food with Xiao Zhu Yun in the past, so she didn’t find it weird.

But Jiang Zhi Li’s expression almost cracked. What are they doing? Just as Xiao Zhu Yun was about to take a bite, the chicken leg landed in Jiang Zhi Li’s hand.

“Sorry, I wanted some too,” Jiang Zhi Li said calmly, as if she wasn’t snatching it.

“But there’s more. You don’t have to eat the one I’ve already bitten,” Ji Wan said, dumbfounded. See? I knew no one could live on just salad when there’s delicious fried chicken!

“No need,” Jiang Zhi Li said, taking a bite from the spot Ji Wan had bitten. She endured the greasiness, but surprisingly, it was quite good. Jiang Zhi Li’s gaze fell on Ji Wan’s soft, full lips. Her eyes grew dark. It’s strange. There are so many other chicken legs.

Ji Wan didn’t think much of it and handed a new one to Xiao Zhu Yun. Xiao Zhu Yun looked at the chicken leg in her hand, then at Ji Wan and Jiang Zhi Li. A strange feeling welled up inside her, but she didn’t dwell on it. Maybe they’re just really good friends.

…

The Company Chat: A Shura Field

Meanwhile, in the company’s Wolf-and-Rabbit CP Group Chat:

Wan Wan is the Gong?: “OMG!! It’s a love triangle! This is so exciting!”

Gentleman’s Friendship: “Tsk tsk, little Wan is a woman with deep sins.”

A_Dumb_Person: “Did you see it? Director Jiang is jealous!!”

The Coolest Director: “Oh my god, get the ambulance, the oxygen machine, it’s so sweet, I can’t breathe.”

Sister Zhang: “Did you see it?! The Director and Wan Wan shared a chicken leg!!”

Your_Little_Sweetheart: “Am I the only one who thinks the person sitting with Wan Wan is beautiful?”

Wan Wan is the Gong?: “Let’s ship them, girls! I’m betting all my money that Wan Wan is the shou!”