Join a Dating Reality Show with the Aloof, Fishing-Style Richest Man - Chapter 26

Lu Zhao spoke with great sincerity and earnestness, leaving Ji Zhaoxi feeling quite speechless.

A “Heartless Path” (Wuqingdao) face?

Ji Zhaoxi: “…Does she also need to ‘slay her spouse to prove her Dao’?”

“Yes, yes, yes! How did you know! Baby, you’re incredible! You actually know about this; it seems you’ve done your research!” Lu Zhao looked surprised and delighted.

She hadn’t expected Ji Zhaoxi to actually get her reference!

Ji Zhaoxi: “…”

She took a deep breath, her chest feeling a bit tight. Do I really look that cold and heartless?!

The staff member drying Tangyuan’s fur nearby looked like they had been struck by lightning after hearing the conversation. Is this the kind of talk I’m allowed to hear?

Moreover, Lu Zhao just called Ji Zhaoxi “Baby”! And Ji Zhaoxi didn’t even protest!

Looking at it this way, the two of them are almost certainly the real deal.

After Tangyuan was washed and dried, the kitten regained its status as a “little fairy” among cats. Ji Zhaoxi held her in her arms while Lu Zhao reached out to rub her head.

The atmosphere between the two was excellent—warm and harmonious. Anyone seeing this scene would instinctively think that this family must have a wonderful dynamic.

By the time the bath was finished, it was 3:00 PM. Lu Zhao took Ji Zhaoxi to the supermarket to buy groceries. Tangyuan wasn’t put back into the carrier; instead, Ji Zhaoxi carried her into the store.

The two of them were far too conspicuous. Coupled with the eye-catching beauty of Tangyuan, and the fact that many young people were out shopping at 3:00 PM, they were recognized by many people instantly.

Some bolder individuals even came up directly to ask for autographs.

Signing one or two would have been fine, but there were too many people. Lu Zhao pressed her hands together in apology and said, “I’m so sorry, but I don’t have any released works yet. I’d feel a bit embarrassed signing like this. How about this: send me a private message when you get home, and once I have a project out, I’ll send you my signed photos.”

This was the only way Lu Zhao could think of that wouldn’t disrupt others.

Hearing Lu Zhao put it that way, and seeing the cold-faced Ji Zhaoxi standing beside her, the crowd finally nodded and gradually dispersed.

Once the crowd cleared, Lu Zhao looked at Ji Zhaoxi. Ji Zhaoxi was currently gently stroking Tangyuan’s head to soothe the slight stress caused by the crowd.

This reaction was better than when the cat first arrived home; at least she didn’t try to bolt.

“Are you unhappy because of the crowd?” Lu Zhao asked, sensing that Ji Zhaoxi’s aura had grown even colder.

Ji Zhaoxi nodded. “It was affecting the other shoppers.”

It was lucky they dispersed quickly. If they had stayed any longer, the supermarket security would have likely come to clear them out.

“Sigh, I suddenly miss the days when I could go out and no one knew who I was,” Lu Zhao lamented. Back then, she could go wherever she wanted without being surrounded.

“Isn’t being famous good?” Ji Zhaoxi looked at her.

“It is good. Look, now that I’m famous, I have scripts to film and variety shows to join. It’s much better than before,” Lu Zhao said with a beaming smile, though she hadn’t quite adjusted to the transition yet.

Ji Zhaoxi didn’t say anything more. Holding Tangyuan, she followed Lu Zhao further inside. She didn’t know how to pick good produce, so Lu Zhao did most of the choosing.

Once the items were selected, Ji Zhaoxi had Lu Zhao hold Tangyuan while she pushed the cart toward the checkout.

Lu Zhao held the cat, staring blankly at Ji Zhaoxi’s back for a second. Honestly, Ji Zhaoxi could be considered perfect. Beneath that seemingly indifferent exterior was a soft and considerate heart.

Following Ji Zhaoxi out, she saw her carrying two grocery bags. Lu Zhao wanted to help, but Ji Zhaoxi wouldn’t let her, telling her to just hold Tangyuan.

Realizing the supermarket wasn’t far from home, Lu Zhao suggested that Ji Zhaoxi drive back first while she walked back with Tangyuan.

She wanted Tangyuan to become familiar with the neighborhood facilities, just in case she ever got lost and needed to find her way home.

Along the way, Tangyuan curiously observed her surroundings. After Ji Zhaoxi drove the car into the residential complex, she actually got out and walked back to join them.

Seeing Ji Zhaoxi return, Lu Zhao proactively handed the leash to her and said, “It’s still early. Let’s walk Tangyuan around the area.”

Ji Zhaoxi took it, glanced down at Tangyuan walking ahead of them, and nodded.

Though Tangyuan was timid, her courage grew when both of them were by her side. Even outdoors on the ground, she didn’t show much of a stress response.

The cat walked slowly, so Lu Zhao and Ji Zhaoxi naturally slowed down. Ji Zhaoxi glanced at Lu Zhao from the corner of her eye, seeing her looking at Tangyuan with eyes full of affection.

“…”

Suddenly, Lu Zhao stepped forward quickly, scooped Tangyuan up into her arms, and a Teddy dog suddenly dashed over, barking at Lu Zhao.

Ji Zhaoxi stepped forward quickly to block Lu Zhao, looking down warily at the Teddy.

The Teddy was unleashed. Looking around, there was no sign of an owner, and Ji Zhaoxi frowned.

“Ignore it, let’s go back first,” Ji Zhaoxi said to Lu Zhao.

Lu Zhao looked down at the frantically barking Teddy, soothed Tangyuan’s head, and whispered to Ji Zhaoxi, “Call 12319 to report someone walking a dog without a leash.”

It was fine for adults like them, but if a child encountered a barking dog surrounding them like this, they’d be scared to death.

Ji Zhaoxi glanced back at her, then nodded seriously. She took out her phone and dialed the report line. After explaining the situation, she made another call to the property management, asking them to handle the aftermath.

As Ji Zhaoxi led Lu Zhao back, Lu Zhao continued to hold Tangyuan. Fortunately, she had picked her up in time, so the cat wasn’t too spooked.

Once home, the heartless Tangyuan went right back to playing with her toys.

Lu Zhao went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Ji Zhaoxi had intended to follow her in to help, but her phone rang.

Ji Zhaoxi looked at the silhouette in the kitchen, walked a bit further away, and answered.

“Zhaoxi, has it come to the point where your father can’t manage you anymore?” A frail, aged voice came from the other end, filled with exhaustion.

Ji Zhaoxi’s expression didn’t change. “I have work to do, so I won’t be attending.”

In the kitchen, Lu Zhao’s ears were sharp. Her ears twitched when she heard that sentence. She looked back at Ji Zhaoxi—this person had been running around with her all day; where was the “work” she was busy with?

“I called the company, and they said you left early!” The voice on the phone was clearly angry.

“I am busy. Not being at the company doesn’t mean I’m not working. I have things to do, hanging up now.” Ji Zhaoxi hung up expressionlessly, only to turn around and meet Lu Zhao’s startled eyes.

Lu Zhao: “What ‘work’ are you handling?”

This was the first time Lu Zhao had heard her lie.

Ji Zhaoxi said calmly and deliberately, “Aren’t you my work? We did sign a labor contract.”

Lu Zhao: “…”

Put that way, it actually made sense.

Speechless, Lu Zhao turned back to wash the vegetables. She now knew that while Ji Zhaoxi seemed like a person of few words, she was actually quite silver-tongued!

Anyway, Lu Zhao couldn’t win an argument against her.

Ji Zhaoxi entered the kitchen and asked, “Is there anything I can help with?”

“Go, go, go, get out. Don’t ruin the rhythm of my cooking.” Lu Zhao shooed her away, afraid that if Ji Zhaoxi didn’t know what she was doing, she’d just have to clean up a mess.

Ji Zhaoxi: “…”

However, Ji Zhaoxi didn’t actually leave the kitchen. She stood at the doorway watching Lu Zhao’s movements, not saying a word, just watching.

Lu Zhao glanced at her. “What? Trying to steal my techniques?”

Ji Zhaoxi remained calm and nodded. “Trying to ‘steal’ a bit. It’d be best if I could learn.”

Lu Zhao: “…If you went out to learn a craft, you’d definitely be the fastest learner.”

“Because I know how to ‘steal’ techniques,” Ji Zhaoxi added naturally.

Lu Zhao gave her a thumbs up. “You certainly have self-awareness.”

Ji Zhaoxi gave her a faint smile, not minding the sarcasm at all.

Lu Zhao busied herself. Later, Tangyuan ran over too, squatting at Ji Zhaoxi’s feet to play. It felt like a “family of three” guarding the kitchen.

Then, Lu Zhao’s phone chimed with a notification. Because her hands were wet, she asked Ji Zhaoxi to take it out of her pocket and see who sent a message.

The phone was in Lu Zhao’s pants pocket. She was wearing loose, casual pants today. When Ji Zhaoxi reached in, her fingertips accidentally brushed against Lu Zhao’s thigh.

Lu Zhao’s body stiffened. The moment Ji Zhaoxi reached in, she already regretted it. The sudden intrusion of a hand that wasn’t her own into her pocket made the warmth of the touch even more apparent. Especially when the fingertips brushed her, it felt like an electric current—numbing and tingly.

Ji Zhaoxi pulled the phone out. “Password?”

“980401,” Lu Zhao said, her voice a bit stiff.

Upon hearing the numbers, Ji Zhaoxi glanced at Lu Zhao, entered the code, and saw the message from Xu Miaomiao.

“It’s Xu Miaomiao.”

As soon as Lu Zhao heard the name, she knew the Best Actress must have run into some trouble again.

After washing and drying her hands, she took the phone. In the few dozen seconds she hadn’t looked at it, Xu Miaomiao had already sent a barrage of messages, mostly wailing in complaint.

Lu Zhao’s brow jumped. Reading closely, she realized that after she had encouraged Xu Miaomiao to try harder and have her older “adopted” sister spend more time with her, Xu Miaomiao had tried—only to receive earth-shattering news.

Her older sister was going on a business trip!!!

Lu Zhao couldn’t help but sigh. Xu Miaomiao’s romantic path was truly bumpy!

Lu Zhao: It’s been hard on you. But there’s nothing to be done; she’s going for work, after all.

Xu Miaomiao replied instantly: It’s not hard, it’s just a hard life.

Lu Zhao: “…”

Exactly how many “G’s” of internet speed was this Movie Queen using to browse memes?

Lu Zhao wanted to laugh at an inappropriate time. Honestly, Xu Miaomiao was pitiable, but her words were also very funny.

Ji Zhaoxi watched her shifting expressions silently from the side.

Lu Zhao: Since she’s on a trip, just focus on nursing your leg. Once your leg is better, won’t you have legs to run with if you want to follow her on a trip?

Xu Miaomiao: True, but I’m still so mad!

Xu Miaomiao: [Angry enough to ascend to heaven.jpg]

Xu Miaomiao: That damn Ji Zhaoxi! She knows exactly how I feel about my sister, yet she still sent her on a business trip! I’m fuming!

Lu Zhao: “…?”

Lu Zhao’s eyes widened instantly. She looked incredulously at the name “Ji Zhaoxi” on the screen, then looked up at the perfectly calm Ji Zhaoxi standing right there.

“?”

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