Non-Humans Want to Fall in Love Too [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 20

Two bosses who had long-standing partnerships with the Ji Group wanted to step forward and offer a greeting when they saw Ji Shijin enter, but they were interrupted by Shi Yan’s appearance. Having witnessed the intimate interaction between Shi Yan and Ji Shijin the entire time, they exchanged looks, both seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes.

“Those two, could they be in that kind of relationship?”

“Which kind?”

“Tsk, stop playing dumb. I know you are thinking the same thing I am. Your eyes cannot hide a thing.”

“…”

They held their wine glasses, heads pressed together, whispering in secret. They did not dare let anyone else overhear their conversation.

“It all makes sense now. All that talk about returning to his homeland to develop because he missed his mother was fake. I bet these two have been together for a long time. Young Master Shi probably could not stand a long-distance relationship and returned for love!”

“You know, that is actually quite possible!”

The two exchanged another glance.

“So, are we still going over to say hello?”

“Are you stupid? The young couple is busy being affectionate. What are you going to do, go up there? Let us go, do not be a third wheel!”

Their conversation was very discreet, but it could not hide from the ears of Shi Yan, who was of the demon race.

Shi Yan overheard every word. Originally, he did not care at all. There were plenty of people at the scene speculating about his relationship with Ji Shijin, and he could not possibly hunt down every single one to tell them to stop talking nonsense.

However, as Shi Yan shifted his gaze, he suddenly noticed Ji Shijin’s eyes flickering, as if he were afraid Shi Yan would discover something.

“What is it? Why are you suddenly staring at me?” Ji Shijin forced himself to calm down, pinching his palm as he looked up at Shi Yan.

Shi Yan suddenly felt uncertain.

He rubbed his fingers together, and the gaze he fixed on Ji Shijin suddenly became sharp. The pressure of a demon emanated for a single moment before being retracted just before any human could notice.

Ji Shijin only felt that the aura around Shi Yan had suddenly turned cold. Not knowing why, he looked in the direction where Shi Yan’s gaze had previously lingered. Associating this with the other’s superior hearing, he mistakenly assumed it was because of the gossip. His face cooled as he asked, “Did you hear something unpleasant? I will go handle them for you.”

“No need.” Shi Yan did not spare a single glance for the others. He looked down steadily at Ji Shijin, a flash of bewitching red appearing in his dark pupils. “They did not say anything out of line. I was just a bit curious.”

Ji Shijin asked, “Curious about what?”

Shi Yan let out a soft chuckle. “Curious about the human imagination. Sometimes it is very unrealistic, but sometimes it is not.”

He did not finish his sentence. Facing Ji Shijin’s confused gaze, he calmly changed the subject. “Let us go. Accompany me to sit over there. The auction will not start for a while.”

“Alright.”

They found a secluded spot in the garden to sit down. The host had already prepared refreshments on the round table in front of them. Shi Yan touched the teapot and called over a waiter, asking him to replace it with a pot of hot water.

“Have some snacks first. The tea needs to steep for a bit longer.” Shi Yan looked down upon the tea provided here. While his back was turned to everyone, he silently manifested a few leaves and let them slide from his hand into the teapot.

Ji Shijin looked around at his surroundings, eventually letting his gaze fall on the hand Shi Yan used to hold the teapot.

The man’s hand was healthy and powerful. When he poured the tea, the veins bulging on the back of his hand were clearly visible. As he picked up the teacup and extended his fingertips, his slender and well-defined fingers dazzled the eyes.

“Snap out of it.”

Ji Shijin suddenly snapped back to his senses. Looking at the tea that had already been handed to him, he lowered his eyes to take it and took a sip. “Good tea. It is not bitter; instead, it has a faint, clear sweetness.”

“However, you still have not told me exactly what you have been giving me to drink these past few days.” Ji Shijin suddenly changed the subject, asking about the doubt he had held for days.

Shi Yan added things to his teacup every day, and the taste was different each time. Previously, when he asked, Shi Yan would brush him off with the answer that it was to supplement his body.

This time he asked again, and seeing that his expression showed he truly wanted to know, Shi Yan contemplated for a moment before speaking. “It is not that I did not want to tell you, but I was afraid you would not be able to drink it after hearing the truth.”

“These are all plants and trees from the demon territory that have been nourished by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. However, most of them have ugly shapes and various functions, such as supplementing essence and blood, manifesting toxins, or causing full-body itching and skin ulceration.”

Ji Shijin’s expression stiffened visibly. Holding the teacup in his hand, he did not know whether to put it down or continue drinking.

Looking at him, how could Shi Yan not know what he was thinking? He said flatly, “Rest assured, everything given to you has been screened and processed. I have removed all the redundant functions, leaving only the one to supplement essence and blood.”

“Supplementing essence and blood?” The tips of Ji Shijin’s ears quietly turned red.

“Mm.” Shi Yan spoke very seriously. “Just because humans cannot find a problem with your body does not mean there truly is not one. The aura of death is daily siphoning away your vital energy, so using plants and trees containing spiritual energy to supplement your body is the best choice.”

“But do not worry, with just this small amount, it will not produce other effects,” Shi Yan added as an afterthought.

Only then did Ji Shijin breathe a sigh of relief. He drank the tea in the cup in one go, and Shi Yan picked up the pot to refill it for him.

If Cheng Ci were present at this moment and saw these invaluable plants being used so extravagantly by Shi Yan to brew tea, he would surely complain bitterly in his heart.

“The water is filled and purified by spiritual energy. Once it enters your body, it will automatically disperse and merge into your blood and bones. Drink more; it is good for your health,” Shi Yan said calmly, lowering his eyes.

Ji Shijin nodded and silently held the teacup.

They sat quietly in this corner, getting along harmoniously, but the other people were not so composed.

Wine and conversation flowed throughout the banquet, but most of them had come today to test the waters after hearing the news of Shi Yan’s return. Who would have thought that before they could discover anything, he and Ji Shijin would be seen together, and their interaction appeared quite intimate.

How were they supposed to test him now? If they tried to make things difficult for Shi Yan, Ji Shijin, who had a good relationship with him, would certainly not allow it. If they wanted to drive a wedge between Shi Yan and the Ji Group, these two seemed inseparable and would not easily let anyone come between them.

The people who came with their own agendas today were destined to return empty-handed.

“Mr. Shi, your presence truly brings honor to my humble place. Oh, it turns out CEO Ji is here as well. I truly did not notice just now.”

An abrupt voice broke the silence of the corner. Ji Shijin looked up, and upon seeing the newcomer, a flash of surprise crossed his face.

It was the host of this auction, Chang Jingchen.

The man was only about thirty years old, but the aura around him was as heavy as someone in their fifties, giving off a rather unpleasant impression.

Chang Jingchen gazed at Ji Shijin, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

Unlike Ji Shijin, Chang Jingchen was born into a wealthy and powerful family, but his parents had a business marriage with a strained relationship. Both sides had their own illegitimate children outside, and the relatives of the Chang family coveted the Chang Corporation. Brothers and sisters fought amongst themselves, and the wealthy family struggles were constant.

Yet Chang Jingchen, a legitimate son who was ignored by everyone and had an extremely low presence, stepped forward just when everyone else was battered and exhausted. He took control of the company with the greatest speed and was now the undisputed person in power.

Ji Shijin did not like dealing with this man because Chang Jingchen always carried a gloomy aura that made him uncomfortable. Therefore, seeing him now, Ji Shijin could not help but frown.

“CEO Chang must be joking. You personally drafted the invitations; do you not know that one of them was sent to me?” Ji Shijin said unceremoniously.

This was one of the reasons he disliked Chang Jingchen. It was clearly a list that had been drafted long ago, yet the man still had to act surprised upon seeing him. It was as if this man spent every day putting on an act, which was exhausting to watch.

Ji Shijin’s disgust was too obvious. Shi Yan could sense the displeasure emanating from him even from half a meter away, and he could not help but feel some curiosity toward this Chang Jingchen.

He shifted his gaze to look over. The man appeared to be around thirty years old, his appearance groomed and clean. Even a single strand of hair was so meticulously placed it did not move in the wind. His features could be considered handsome, but there was an unmaskable gloom in his expression that ruined his good looks.

He was nothing more than a greedy human.

Shi Yan took one look and boredly shifted his gaze away, responding indifferently, “The waiter at the door said you were looking forward to meeting me. Is there something you need?”

While speaking, he did not forget to refill Ji Shijin’s cup, his coldness speaking for itself.

The expression on Chang Jingchen’s face stiffened, nearly crumbling. He had just heard others say this tycoon young master was quite easy to get along with; why was he so unwelcome here?

“It does not matter. Since Mr. Shi is not in the mood today, we will not chat further,” Chang Jingchen said, bowing slightly with what he considered to be grace. “I will see you at the auction.”

“If Mr. Shi is interested in the Chenning market, we can sit down and have a good talk later.” Chang Jingchen did not hide his ambition in his eyes at all. “I wish you a pleasant time today.”

He turned and left, and then Ji Shijin noticed that Shi Yan’s gaze remained on the spot where Chang Jingchen had just stood. An inexplicable wave of emotion rose in his heart. He pursed his lips and asked, “Is something wrong?”

Shi Yan snapped back to his senses and looked at him. “That man has a very heavy demonic aura on him. I do not know where he picked it up.”

Ji Shijin was surprised. “He is tainted with demonic aura? Did he do something?”

“Not necessarily,” Shi Yan explained briefly. “He likely picked it up from long-term, close contact with the demon race. I cannot sense any malice, so there is no need to worry about it.”

“Alright.”

Ji Shijin believed whatever he said. By Shi Yan’s side, it seemed he did not have to worry about anything and could stay safely within his protective circle. This feeling was addictive.

Ji Shijin closed his eyes.

Most of the invited guests had arrived, and the auction was about to begin. Everyone moved indoors.

According to the status of Ji Shijin and Shi Yan, their seats were undoubtedly in the first row. This banquet was publicly associated with charity, and a portion of the auction proceeds would be donated to public welfare causes. Therefore, everyone would more or less bid on some collectibles as a contribution to charity.

After taking his seat, Ji Shijin looked back to search and found his parents in the third row. They were likely trying to keep a low profile on purpose; otherwise, their seats should have been in the first row alongside Ji Shijin.

Sure enough, just as Ji Shijin thought this, he heard the vibration of his phone.

It was a message from Mother Ji.

“Your father and I will not sit in the front row, otherwise it would make the Ji family look too high-profile. If there is anything you like, just bid on it. Mama will pay for you.”

Looking at the last sentence, Ji Shijin curved his lips slightly.

Mother Ji was not the traditional type of wealthy wife. She was also a daughter of a prestigious family before marrying Father Ji and held her own assets. Over the years, while Father Ji focused on managing the company, she handled other industries. Even without the Ji family name, she had a place in the upper circles of Chenning.

Now that the company was managed by Ji Shijin, Father Ji was retired, but Mother Ji was still working. Even Father Ji’s pocket money was given by her.

Shi Yan sat on Ji Shijin’s right. Seeing him smile, he leaned over and asked in a low voice what was wrong.

Ji Shijin put his phone away and explained in two sentences, then saw the corner of Shi Yan’s lips curve into a shallow arc.

That bit of a smile was fleeting, yet it was deeply etched into Ji Shijin’s heart. He secretly raised his hand to cover his heart, as if he felt that familiar burning sensation again.

The lights in the venue suddenly dimmed. When they brightened again, the auction had begun.

The items at the beginning were just small, inexpensive trinkets, and Ji Shijin did not bother competing with others. It was not until the starting price gradually rose to seven figures that he turned his gaze to the stage.

An emerald bead necklace was currently being auctioned. It was of the icy variety in a sky-blue color, its luster transparent and pure. Ji Shijin moved his finger and raised his paddle.

Bidding on this would be a perfect gift for his mother. He remembered that Mother Ji had recently developed an interest in emeralds and was collecting rare materials everywhere.

Seeing Ji Shijin in the first row raise his paddle, the auctioneer on stage gave a more sincere smile and announced loudly, “Three million four hundred thousand from the gentleman at number 023.”

Shi Yan’s brow twitched slightly, his gaze falling on Ji Shijin’s face. Before he could ask, Ji Shijin anticipated his question and explained in a low voice.

“On an occasion like this, tens of millions will eventually be spent anyway. Rather than buying a bunch of things I do not like to let them gather dust at home, it is better to buy something useful.”

Shi Yan thought of Ji Shijin’s mother, Ms. Shang Lexu’s outfit today. The jewelry she wore appeared to be emeralds, and he understood.

Normally, when Ji Shijin made a move, others would never compete with him unless they were truly obsessed with the item. Therefore, when the auctioneer said, “Three million four hundred thousand, for the second time,” no one expected someone to suddenly jump out and raise the price.

“I offer four million.”

The crowd erupted in a clamor, and even the auctioneer was stunned. Ji Shijin and Shi Yan followed the sound and met a pair of gloomy eyes.