Princess Syndrome - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: I don't eat either

Su Lingyue chose a restaurant on Dongyun Street, specializing in Southern cuisine with a slightly sweet flavor. She had been there twice before, both times alone. After moving out of the villa, she interacted less with her former social circle. Although holiday gatherings were unavoidable, those ladies looked down on places like this, and Su Lingyue couldn't be bothered to argue, so she came here by herself.

Ji Zhiyi followed Su Lingyue into the restaurant. It was crowded during the dinner rush. Su Lingyue had reserved a private room on the second floor. The room wasn't large, but it was elegant. A faint sandalwood scent wafted in as they entered, emanating from a table behind the dining area, the smoke slowly dispersing in the air. Su Lingyue loved this scent; it calmed her. She led Ji Zhiyi inside, and the waiter served tea, recognizing her. "Miss Su, you're here."

She smiled at the waiter.

The waiter handed over the menu. "We just got a fresh batch of seafood. Would you like to try some?"

His smile was eager, his gaze fixed on Su Lingyue. Ji Zhiyi sat beside her, expression indifferent, looking down at the menu. Su Lingyue asked, "President Ji, what do you think?"

Ji Zhiyi didn't look up. "Just order some home-style dishes. I don't want seafood today."

Su Lingyue marked a few home-style dishes. The waiter asked, "Would you like some wine?"

Su Lingyue said, "No."

"Alright, please wait a moment." The waiter took the menu and left, turning back at the door to smile at Su Lingyue. Su Lingyue was fiddling with her phone and didn't notice. Ji Zhiyi caught his glance and lowered her eyes to the tableware in front of her.

She asked Su Lingyue, "Do you come here often?"

Su Lingyue put away her phone. "I've been here twice."

Twice, and the waiter is this enthusiastic? He must have a strong impression of her.

Ji Zhiyi picked up the white porcelain cup from the tableware and poured herself some barley tea. The taste was a bit dry. After she finished, Su Lingyue refilled her cup. Ji Zhiyi took the teapot from her and poured a cup for Su Lingyue, pushing it towards her.

Su Lingyue was puzzled.

Ji Zhiyi said, "Take a sip."

She picked up the cup and took a sip.

Ji Zhiyi asked, "What does it taste like?"

Su Lingyue said, "Like tea."

Ji Zhiyi took another sip at her words.

It doesn't taste like tea at all.

It clearly tastes…bitter.

She put down the cup and didn't speak further. Su Lingyue found it strange and glanced at her. Ji Zhiyi's face was indifferent, showing no emotion. She remained silent until all the dishes were served. With her silence, Su Lingyue was happy to relax and focus on eating. The anxiety she felt earlier about going to the CEO's office had gradually dissipated over the past two days. Come what may, she could accept anything.

Her calmness made her appear even more aloof.

Halfway through the meal, Ji Zhiyi turned to Su Lingyue and said, "I want a drink."

Su Lingyue, mid-bite into a chicken wing, looked at Ji Zhiyi, put down her chopsticks, and asked, "What kind of drink would you like, President Ji? There's orange juice, freshly squeezed juice, and..."

She paused, remembering the carbonated drink in the car. "I'll go get it for you."

Ji Zhiyi nodded.

Su Lingyue wiped her lips and went out.

Ji Zhiyi also put down her chopsticks.

She looked around the small, antique-style room. It was by the window, and she looked out at the street. Su Lingyue had parked the car along the curb. Ji Zhiyi watched her walk to the car, open the door, take out the drink, then lock the car and return to the restaurant.

Soon,

Su Lingyue stood before Ji Zhiyi.

She handed the drink to Ji Zhiyi.

Ji Zhiyi didn't take it. "You drink it."

Su Lingyue: "..."

Didn't she just say she wanted a drink?

Changed her mind?

Or is she afraid the drink is poisoned and wants her to test it?

Su Lingyue's thoughts went wild. Seeing Ji Zhiyi still looking at her, she opened the bottle and took a sip. It was sweeter than she expected, grape flavored. Ji Zhiyi asked, "Is it good?"

With her indifferent expression, who could say it wasn't good?

Su Lingyue said, "It's pretty good."

Ji Zhiyi took the drink from her, poured herself a glass, and took a sip.

Su Lingyue: "..."

So she really used her as a poison tester?

She moistened her lips and saw Ji Zhiyi pour her a glass too.

Whatever.

It tastes good anyway.

Su Lingyue finished her meal and her drink. Ji Zhiyi's expression visibly softened. She asked, "Is the furniture store near here?"

"Downstairs, turn right," Su Lingyue said. "It's just across the street."

Ji Zhiyi put down her chopsticks, wiped her lips, and after Su Lingyue finished eating, they went downstairs and out of the restaurant. The furniture store was right across the street, not far, so they didn't drive. Su Lingyue hated the bright sun and looked up, then a shadow enveloped her. She turned her head. Ji Zhiyi asked, "Why aren't you walking?"

Ji Zhiyi was taller than her, her shadow long, covering Su Lingyue.

Su Lingyue was happy to stand in her shadow. "Let's go."

At the furniture store, the staff were on their lunch break, only two or three eating boxed lunches at their desks. Seeing customers, they quickly stood up. "What are you looking to buy?"

Su Lingyue looked at Ji Zhiyi.

She didn't even know what Ji Zhiyi wanted to buy.

Ji Zhiyi said, "I want to replace all the furniture in my office."

Su Lingyue paused. "All of it?"

Ji Zhiyi nodded.

Su Lingyue asked, "What style are you thinking of?"

Ji Zhiyi walked over to a nearby sofa and sat down, casually saying, "You decide."

Su Lingyue had chosen furniture for her suite and apartment but never for an office. The staff member was perceptive and quickly asked, "Miss, could you describe your office for me? I can give you some recommendations."

She nodded, glancing at Ji Zhiyi, and briefly described the layout of the office. The staff member first showed her some sofas. "Miss, what kind of style are you generally looking for?"

Su Lingyue glanced at Ji Zhiyi, who remained silent. Then, calmly, she said, "Princess style."

The staff member was stunned.

Ji Zhiyi's hand, flipping through a magazine, stopped on the page. Su Lingyue wondered if she had scared her and turned to the staff member. "Just kidding."

The staff member chuckled. "You're very humorous."

Su Lingyue said, "Let's go with a minimalist style."

Ji Zhiyi turned the page, still thinking about the "princess style" Su Lingyue had mentioned. Su Lingyue seemed to have lost her thorns, but she still knew how to give a little jab every now and then.

She smiled to herself.

Su Lingyue discussed with the staff member, with her back to Ji Zhiyi. They chose a sofa, a coffee table, a desk... Thinking of the large bookcase, she turned to Ji Zhiyi. "Do you want to replace the bookcase too?"

Ji Zhiyi said, "Replace everything."

Alright.

She forced a smile and continued to negotiate with the staff member.

Finally, a complete set of furniture was chosen, and the delivery time and location were confirmed. Su Lingyue asked, "President Ji, would you like to review the order?"

Ji Zhiyi said, "No need."

She really trusts me. I should have just gone with the princess style.

She looked at Ji Zhiyi, imagining her sitting in a princess-themed office, surrounded by dolls, pink wallpaper, yet still with her indifferent expression, her face serious and focused, just like now.

How comical.

Su Lingyue cleared her throat and turned to the staff member. "That's all then."

The staff member said, "Alright, I'll arrange for someone to deliver it to you this afternoon. Will you be paying by card or cash?"

Ji Zhiyi said, "Card."

The staff member said, "Okay." She hurried to get the card reader. Ji Zhiyi handed her card to Su Lingyue. "The PIN is 140623."

Su Lingyue took the card with a calm expression. "Okay."

Ji Zhiyi's gaze darkened slightly. She brushed past Su Lingyue and left the furniture store. When Su Lingyue came out after collecting the receipts, Ji Zhiyi was standing at the entrance, staring at a nearby tree.

There was no one under the tree, it was empty, yet she kept staring.

Su Lingyue didn't know what she was looking at, so she looked up at the sun instead.

She raised her hand to shield her eyes and heard Ji Zhiyi ask, "Finished?"

Su Lingyue said, "Finished."

Ji Zhiyi nodded and walked out. Su Lingyue quickly followed. As they walked, Ji Zhiyi said, "Check Miss Yang's recent schedule. Invite her to dinner."

Yang Zhizhi?

Su Lingyue recalled seeing Yang Zhizhi's news online just before dinner.

She's preparing to film a new drama, some kind of school romance. She'll probably be going to Hengdian soon. We need to make this dinner appointment before she leaves. But she didn't even have Yang Zhizhi's assistant's contact information. Thinking of this, she messaged Chu Yi.

Chu Yi had just finished eating and, upon receiving Su Lingyue's message, thought for a moment, then replied: "We have her business contact information. I'll forward it to you."

When they reached the car, Su Lingyue received Chu Yi's message. She clicked on the contact information, sent a friend request, then put away her phone and opened the rear passenger door. Ji Zhiyi glanced at her and got in. The first thing Su Lingyue did after getting in the car was start the engine. Cool air rushed out, the car's air conditioning was excellent, the sound system was good too, music flowed softly from the speakers, the atmosphere in the car quiet and comfortable.

Su Lingyue turned the steering wheel and drove towards the company.

As she turned a corner, the soothing music changed its tune. A hurried ringing came from her phone. It was Su Lingyue's. She instinctively answered.

"Hello, Lingyue." The voice blared from the car speakers. She had connected to Bluetooth earlier for driving convenience, so the call was on speakerphone. She didn't speak. Chu Yi asked, "I forgot to ask, what time do you get off work tonight?"

The topic was normal enough.

She said, "Six o'clock."

Chu Yi said, "I'm not working overtime tonight, I'll also be off around six. Shall I give you a ride home?"

Su Lingyue said, "Okay."

Chu Yi said, "For dinner, we..."

Su Lingyue said, "I won't be eating at home tonight."

She planned to go home to get some clothes and then go to Ji Zhiyi's apartment. Although Ji Zhiyi had provided new clothes, she still preferred wearing her own.

Chu Yi sounded confused. "Then where are you eating?"

Then, with an "Ah!": "Are you having dinner with Ji Zhiyi?"

Ji Zhiyi doesn't have a dinner appointment tonight.

Su Lingyue: "Maybe."

Chu Yi asked, "Are you coming back tonight?"

Su Lingyue, thinking of all the books she needed to organize, said, "No."

Chu Yi said, "Not coming back again?"

Her voice lowered. "Then you'll be working all night for two nights in a row? Can your body handle that? Does Ji Zhiyi not let you sleep at night?"

Su Lingyue looked up at the rearview mirror.

She clearly saw Ji Zhiyi looking up at her, her gaze cool and indifferent. Their eyes met in the mirror. Chu Yi said, "Why don't you try being softer with her, apologize properly. I think she's the type who responds to softness, not harshness."

Responds to softness, not harshness?

Su Lingyue took it in. Taking advantage of the red light, she turned to look at Ji Zhiyi. "President Ji..."

She was interrupted. Ji Zhiyi's voice was tense: "I don't eat either. Drive."

Su Lingyue: "..."

Actually, a princess-themed office would really suit her.

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