Join a Dating Reality Show with the Aloof, Fishing-Style Richest Man - Chapter 23

Lu Zhao could hardly believe her eyes. A fall?

Wasn’t Xu Miaomiao’s leg already broken? Could her leg even handle a fall like that?

Lu Zhao: …Sister, is your leg okay?

Xu Miaomiao: Minor issue. She didn’t fall on my leg. When we fell, she grabbed me and used herself as a cushion.

Xu Miaomiao: She really gives me such a sense of security! (/≧▽≦/)

Lu Zhao wiped away non-existent cold sweat from her forehead. This Xu Miaomiao was a pure “love-brain”!

She was the type who would be completely satisfied and overjoyed with even the tiniest bit of progress. She didn’t even care about her leg just for the sake of a kiss!

Lu Zhao: Then what happened? Anything else?

Xu Miaomiao: She wanted to run away afterward, but I wouldn’t let her. I told her if she dared to leave, I’d discharge myself from the hospital immediately!

Lu Zhao raised an eyebrow. This girl had actually learned how to use threats. Progress.

Xu Miaomiao: After I said that, she really didn’t dare to leave. It’s just that she’s so difficult—she’d rather sit by my bed all night than get in and sleep with me.

Xu Miaomiao: [Pouty/Aggrieved Face.jpg]

Lu Zhao: That’s normal! Someone like her probably wouldn’t find it easy to let her guard down like that.

Xu Miaomiao: [Sigh.jpg]

Lu Zhao: It’s okay, you’ve made significant strides, even if those strides look a bit like harassment.

Lu Zhao even suspected that if given the chance, Xu Miaomiao might try to “cook the rice” (force the issue) directly. That wouldn’t do—it would be a disaster if it turned into assault.

Xu Miaomiao: …Sister, your words make my heart ache!

Lu Zhao: I’m just telling it like it is. Don’t let your heart ache; strike while the iron is hot and get her to visit you more!

Xu Miaomiao: Understood!

Soon, Xu Miaomiao disappeared from the chat. Lu Zhao put down her phone with a slight sense of melancholy, feeling like Xu Miaomiao was a bit of a “player”—coming and going like the wind.

After putting her phone away, Lu Zhao began a deep cleaning session, making her already tidy apartment sparkle.

When she reached the TV cabinet in the living room, she saw the empty candy jar inside. Her movements paused as she recalled the sight of Ji Zhaoxi asking for a lollipop.

That soft, slightly childish version of Ji Zhaoxi was so unlike her usual self, yet it felt unfairly cute.

At the thought, Lu Zhao couldn’t help but burst into laughter. She wondered what kind of expression Ji Zhaoxi would make if she called her “cute” to her face.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Lu Zhao realized that her current role as a “suitor” was perfect for doing slightly “naughty” things.

Thinking of this, she grabbed her phone and began typing a message to Ji Zhaoxi. A proper suitor needs to maintain a presence even when they aren’t around.

Lu Zhao: Babe, have I ever told you something?

Ding-dong—

The sound of the notification interrupted the speaker at the meeting. Everyone’s eyes instinctively landed on Ji Zhaoxi, unsure whether to continue.

Ji Zhaoxi’s face remained calm and unreadable. She picked up the phone, set it to silent, and signaled the speaker to continue before replying with a single question mark.

When the department directors saw Ji Zhaoxi actually replying to a message during a meeting, they exchanged looks, seeing the teasing curiosity in each other’s eyes.

Whenever that notification sound went off, President Ji would never ignore it if she heard it! Those in the know were secretly dying to find out who the person on the other end was.

The moment Ji Zhaoxi’s question mark was sent, Lu Zhao’s reply arrived instantly.

Lu Zhao: Have I ever told you that you’re so cute~?

Lu Zhao: Especially when you’re tipsy, you’re even cuter~

With those two tildes, Ji Zhaoxi could almost hear the rising, playful lilt in Lu Zhao’s voice.

Ji Zhaoxi: “…”

She kept a stiff face, staring at the two sentences. Then, she expressionlessly turned off the screen and looked up at the person speaking.

The Finance Director, who was currently presenting, suddenly felt the “Gaze of Death”: “…” Did I… say something wrong?

Meanwhile, Zhou Jiayan, sitting right next to Ji Zhaoxi, caught a glimpse of her earlobe. That small ear had turned a pitiful shade of bright red, creating a sharp contrast with her icy expression.

Zhou Jiayan twirled the pen in her hand, feeling curious. What on earth did Lu Zhao say to get such a reaction?

After the meeting adjourned, Ji Zhaoxi didn’t leave immediately. She took out her phone and re-read Lu Zhao’s message. She pursed her lips, still unsure how to respond, and ultimately decided to ignore it.

Zhou Jiayan stayed behind as well. Once everyone else had left the room, she spoke up: “The old man has made his move. That person is currently an intern in our Technical Department.”

Ji Zhaoxi’s eyes flickered. The Technical Department was the core of the Ji Group.

“It seems the old man values this illegitimate son quite a bit. The intent behind placing him in Technical is obvious.”

Ji Zhaoxi didn’t have a big reaction. Her cold voice carried a hint of confusion. “What exactly gives him the idea that his illegitimate son can actually succeed while working under me?”

“Or that his existence could be hidden from me?”

Zhou Jiayan shrugged. “Probably just delusional confidence.”

Ji Zhaoxi curled her lips slightly, a cold light in her eyes. “Since he’s reaching out so far, let’s just cut his hand off.”

“Understood,” Zhou Jiayan’s tone grew serious.

With business concluded, Ji Zhaoxi glanced at Zhou Jiayan. “Haven’t you been sleeping well? Your complexion looks terrible.”

Zhou Jiayan choked at the comment. Recalling a certain person who never played by the rules, she shook her head and sighed without a word.

Ji Zhaoxi frowned slightly, asking in confusion, “If you were worried before that your parents would blame you if they found out… well, Miaomiao has already told the family. Why is your attitude still like this?”

In Ji Zhaoxi’s view, no matter what, Zhou Jiayan’s relationship with the Xu family could never go back to the way it was.

Zhou Jiayan rubbed her temples tiredly. “How could it be that simple? I am her sister, after all. Her turning out like this means I didn’t discipline her well.”

Even though Xu Miaomiao told the parents that she was the one pursuing Jiayan, the Xu parents hadn’t contacted Jiayan once. Who knew if they blamed her for “leading their daughter astray”?

Ji Zhaoxi’s frown deepened. As she rose to leave, her voice was soft: “Are you really still putting yourself in the position of a ‘sister’?”

“Is your role as a sister really that innocent?”

Zhou Jiayan’s expression shifted, her fingertips turning white as she gripped her pen.

On the other side, Lu Zhao, having received no reply from Ji Zhaoxi, was rolling around laughing on her freshly mopped floor.

She didn’t even need a reply; she could already imagine Ji Zhaoxi’s face when she saw the message.

The more she thought about it, the more she laughed. She felt the thrill and pride of a successful prank, wishing she had a tail to wag.

With the successful teasing, Lu Zhao was in a fantastic mood. She went to strain the osmanthus flowers that had been soaking, planning to cook a great meal for Ji Zhaoxi after work—a reward for the woman throwing away her image to pick flowers with her.

During the afternoon, she made a trip to the supermarket to restock and buy a variety of ingredients. It looked like she was truly planning to prepare an entire feast for Ji Zhaoxi.

A minor incident occurred while grocery shopping: someone recognized Lu Zhao.

“Teacher Lu, why didn’t you go deliver lunch to President Ji today?” A girl who looked like a fresh college student looked at Lu Zhao with curiosity. After all, back when the topic was trending, Lu Zhao hadn’t cared at all and had openly delivered lunch to Ji Zhaoxi.

Lu Zhao went silent for a second, then her eyes crinkled into a smile behind her mask as she gestured toward the items in her cart. “Because I’m preparing a sumptuous dinner for her tonight~”

The girl gave Lu Zhao a big thumbs-up.

Later, this interaction was filmed and posted online, where it eventually caught Ji Zhaoxi’s eye.

Watching Lu Zhao’s vibrant eyes in the video and hearing that playful lilt in her voice when she mentioned making dinner, Ji Zhaoxi’s gaze involuntarily softened. After a moment’s thought, she sent a message to her assistant.

As quitting time approached, the assistant walked in carrying a pet carrier, from which soft, delicate meows emanated.

“President Ji, what do you think of this one?” The assistant carefully set the carrier down for Ji Zhaoxi to inspect.

Ji Zhaoxi looked through the grate at a Ragdoll cat. It had deep blue eyes and a round, endearing face. About four or five months old, its coat was already becoming thick and fluffy.

The kitten gave a soft, tiny meow toward Ji Zhaoxi.

Ji Zhaoxi curled her lips. “Good. This is the one.”

The assistant breathed a sigh of relief, though they couldn’t help but wonder why Ji Zhaoxi had suddenly decided to raise a cat.

Ji Zhaoxi didn’t even wait for the official end of the workday. Carrying the pet carrier, she headed out. Along the way, many employees watched the cat in the carrier with curiosity, whispering to each other in their heads.

Meanwhile, Lu Zhao had been busy since returning from the supermarket. Realizing Ji Zhaoxi hadn’t worked overtime yesterday, she assumed today would be the same. She timed everything perfectly, finishing the dishes and finally letting a small pot of soup simmer.

Thinking Ji Zhaoxi would still be a while, Lu Zhao decided to take a shower first. After a busy day, she felt like she was starting to stink!

But her luck didn’t last…

Mid-shower, the water pressure from the showerhead grew weaker and weaker until it finally cut off completely.

Lu Zhao, with foam still clinging to her hair: “…”

Is the water out?

She hastily wrapped a bath towel around herself and hurried out of the bathroom to check if the water had truly been cut. She had been right in the middle of a comfortable shower—this was agonizing!

Just as she opened her bedroom door, she heard a soft, delicate meow. Her face went blank for a moment. Why is there a cat meowing in this house?

As she swung the door fully open, she saw Ji Zhaoxi crouching on the floor. Simultaneously, a white-and-grey shadow lunged toward her. Before Lu Zhao could see what it was, she felt a sudden chill. The bath towel wrapped around her body had been tugged down by an external force and now lay in a heap on the floor.

Lu Zhao locked eyes with Ji Zhaoxi: “…”

Ji Zhaoxi stared at her, her gaze involuntarily and slowly drifting downward. Silence hung in the air for about three seconds. Finally, Lu Zhao heard Ji Zhaoxi speak.

“Nice technique. This time, your ‘thirst’ was quite well-played.”

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