Jingxia Rose

Chapter 138: Absence Makes the Heart Blossom
Ji Xian was busy like a spinning top all morning, and only relaxed at three o'clock in the afternoon. Dragging his slightly tired body, he went to the company first.

I informed the department director that I would be going on a business trip with a client.

As Ji Xian was getting ready to go back and change his clothes, he was about to send Shi Wan a WeChat message saying he was going on a business trip abroad the next day, but she called him first.

"I was just about to tell you about my business trip tomorrow," she said as she stepped out of the elevator.

"Business trip? Where to?" Shi Wan's voice on the other end of the phone sounded different than usual.

"Britain and France."

"Abroad!" Shi Wan exclaimed in surprise. "How long will that take?"

"About twenty days."

"Damn, it's been that long?" The anger that had been hidden in her voice was gone, replaced by teasing. She even clicked her tongue. "Then you should pity President Wen. You two have only been back together for a few days, and he's already going to be alone in his room, enjoying a long-distance relationship."

Ji Xian ignored her sarcasm and sarcastic remarks, and asked her why she called.

Shi Wan's anger, which had just subsided, flared up again. She gritted her teeth and said, "I'm trending again!"

ha?
Ji Xuan was stunned by her nonsensical remark and didn't even start the car. "What's going on?"

"Didn't we have a bet when we played poker the day before yesterday? That photo of me and Yi Xu with a Milky Way separating us was leaked, by that same marketing account from yesterday. I really want to kill him now! Does murder have to be punished with death?!"

Ji Xuan was surprised and quickly logged onto Weibo. Sure enough, he saw the trending topic "Yi Xu and Shi Shi's relationship gets another blow".

Clicking through, the blogger's caption has a suggestive tone, probably implying that Shi Wan sold her body to curry favor with a wealthy man.

That photo was posted on WeChat Moments by Lu Xuming, Yin Qianran, Chu Feng, and Jiang Huaichuan.

How could it have been leaked so quickly?

"Is he deliberately getting revenge on you? Yi Xu also posted something mocking him yesterday, why doesn't he dare to target Yi Xu?" Ji Xuan was angered by those words, and remembering Shi Wan's fiery temper, she tentatively asked, "You... didn't act impulsively, did you?"

Shi Wan remained silent.

If it weren't for her best friend, Zhiwan would be no better than Xian.

Seeing that trending topic made her so angry that she felt like she could kill that damn marketing account by going through the internet.

So he immediately saved the photo, and in a fit of anger, he drew a tombstone in the empty space between them, which read 'The Tomb of Professor Yu'.

"Is that so? You want to put your tombstone in the empty space in the middle? I also offer other services: 5000 for mourning, 12000 for two people to mourn, 3000 extra for a night's vigil, 2000 for a day's physical labor digging the grave, I can't carry the coffin myself, but I can help you find people for 4000. Do you want me to give you the link?"

With this caption, she posted it on Weibo, looking fresh and vibrant.

The main characteristic is that they can't stand the slightest anger or loss.

This is actually quite irrational, and may even be seen as excessive by some people. It will definitely have a significant impact on her career.

Perhaps due to the filter of friendship, Ji Xian didn't think there was anything wrong with what Shi Wan did.

Those marketing accounts are no different from spreading false rumors. If she doesn't respond with strong words, these rumors could ruin her.

It's not just about the impact on one's career.

While Ji Xuan was still comforting Shi Wan, Yi Xu on the other side also saw the trending topic. Upon seeing the keywords, he immediately frowned.

However, instead of clicking on the hashtag that added another blow to the relationship, they clicked on the hashtag at the end of the trending topics: "Shi Shi responds to Professor Yu again."

He couldn't help but laugh when he saw the tombstone in the photo.

Coupled with her caption about the all-inclusive service, it seemed as if she was recalling her sarcastic and mocking face on the phone yesterday afternoon, and she sneered, "This woman's mouth is really like it's been poisoned."

The assistant, who had been observing from the side, breathed a sigh of relief when he saw how quickly his anger had dissipated. He tentatively asked, "Mr. Yi, do we need to respond to this rumor?"

"Need not."

After laughing, Yi Xu tossed his phone onto the table, his eyes indifferent and nonchalant. "Block this person's account, and find out who leaked this photo to him."

The assistant nodded, "Yes."

An hour later, while netizens were still divided, some thought Shi Wan was cool and daring, not being led by rumors, while others thought Shi Wan was cursing someone to die and being too extreme, the marketing account was banned.

Netizens speculated that this was Yi Xu's domineering CEO tactic.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Around 5:30 in the evening, Wen Qi drove to Ji Xuan's place to pick her up.

Ji Xuan changed his clothes, picked up the things he bought on the way back, and went to the old house.

Sui Yi remained as enthusiastic as ever, and her dignified and poised demeanor was unchanged.

"Auntie," Ji Xian greeted her with a slight smile, "Sister Ruan Zheng."

"You brought things again? I told you before, it's enough that you're here, you don't need to bring anything." Sui Yi glared at her, took the things and handed them to the nanny, then pulled her inside.

Wen Qi was left behind once again.

Ji Xian didn't sense any change in Sui Yi's attitude; she remained as considerate as before.

After chatting for a while, Sui Yi grabbed her hand and said with emotion, "This rascal is actually quite capable. He finally managed to win you back. Otherwise, he would have been a bachelor for the rest of his life."

“Ah-Xian, I’m really happy, and thank you for giving him another chance. If he does anything to upset you this time, feel free to hit him or yell at him. If you can’t handle it, tell me and I’ll have his dad take care of it.”

Ji Xian was amused and said seriously, "Auntie, you're too kind. I can't accept this 'thank you.' He's really a good person, and choosing to start over with him is a choice I made by following my heart."

Sui Yi's smile deepened. "I just hope you two will be happy together."

After dinner, she accompanied Ruan Zheng for a walk in the yard for more than ten minutes.

Ruan Zheng also said she was happy for their reconciliation. Ji Xian smiled and asked about her situation.

“I went for rehabilitation yesterday morning. Returning to the stage is now a distant dream for me. But I am already content with being able to walk normally and no longer needing a wheelchair.”

Ruan Zheng smiled with relief. "I resigned from my job at the association a few days ago. I received an offer to work at the Dance Department of Ocean University. After thinking about it for a long time, I decided to accept it."

"You're going to Haicheng?" Ji Xuan asked in surprise. "Does your aunt know?"

“I’ve discussed it with her. Rather than being trapped in this small world every day, I think it’s better to go out and see the world. People can’t live in the past forever; they have to look forward.”

"It's good that you think that way." Ji Xuan raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Being a teacher isn't bad, Teacher Ruan, don't you think?"

Ruan Zheng smiled, "Indeed."

After returning from the Wen family's old house that day, Ji Xuan began checking the weather in England and France and packing his luggage.

The next day, Ji Xuan woke up at the crack of dawn. After washing up and making sure she hadn't forgotten anything, Wen Qi brought breakfast.

After finishing their breakfast, the two headed to the airport.

After getting out of the car, Wen Qi saw that there was still some time, so he hugged her tightly and buried his face in her neck, saying in a muffled voice, "You promised, remember to miss me."

Ji Xuan was taken aback, but replied with a smile, "Yes."

"Message me when you get off the plane." "Okay."

Be careful when you get there.

"it is good."

"How about... I send a bodyguard to follow you? That way I'll feel more at ease."

The incident with Zheng Feilin last time didn't leave Ji Xian with any lasting trauma, but it did frighten Wen Qi.

Ji Xuan's beauty is obvious to anyone with eyes. Last time he encountered Zheng Feilin, he arrived just in time. What would he do if he encountered someone like that abroad?
The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was necessary to send a bodyguard over.

I'm also annoyed that I didn't think of this sooner.

Ji Xuan was taken aback by his idea. "I'm going there to be a client's interpreter. Why would I bring bodyguards?"

"After all, you're abroad, it's not safe for you to be alone. Bringing a bodyguard won't hurt."

"Without."

Wen Qi remained silent, gazing intently at her.

Ji Xuan sighed and explained, "It's really nothing, don't worry. Mr. Gerry is a very trustworthy person, he will ensure my safety, we talked about that yesterday. At the last party, he was going to see me off, but I said I wanted to wait for you, so he left."

Seeing her insistence, Wen Qi didn't press her any further. He nodded and patted the back of her head. "Call me anytime if you need anything. If you miss me, do the same. Don't think it's bothering you. As long as it's you, it will never be a bother."

It has to be said that Ji Xuan was once again charmed by his unintentional sweet words.

She mumbled "I know" under her breath, then pushed him away. "I have to go in. I can't keep Mr. Gerry and the others waiting."

"Have a safe trip."

Ji Xian nodded, waved, and pushed his suitcase inside.

When she arrived in London, it was a little after six o'clock London time. On the way to the hotel with Mr. Gerry and the others, she sent Wen Qi her location to tell her that she had landed.

After having dinner with Mr. Gerry and his group that evening, I heard his assistant talk about the itinerary for the next four or five days.

The schedule was quite tight, with numerous meetings and gatherings, as well as two or three banquets.

Because of the seven-hour time difference between the two places, they actually have very few opportunities to make phone calls or video chats.

Even sending a WeChat message takes at least several hours between messages.

Occasionally, Wen Qi would stay up late to video chat with her for a few minutes, maybe ten minutes, before Ji Xuan would have to get busy again.

When she arrived in Paris, she had some free time that day. She went shopping for a while, and after returning to the hotel, she had a video call with Wen Qi for more than forty minutes.

This was the longest video call they had had in six days since they parted ways.

They talked about their recent lives and work problems, listening to each other.

Wen Qi has come to understand the bitterness of long-distance relationships.

He slept much more soundly that night after hearing her voice than he had in the previous days.

After that, Ji Xuan was busy all day long.

In early March, Ji Xuan had just decided on the date to return to China in three days when he received a message on his phone from Wen Qi that he was going on a business trip to another province.

On the day she returned to China, Wen Qi was still in another province, and Shi Wan was also in another city. She took a taxi back by herself.

Late that night, news spread from Hong Kong that the head of the Jin family, the richest family in the country, had passed away at 2:07 a.m. His departure meant that the chaos in the Jin family had only just begun.

The old war is about to begin again.

It's rare to find a wealthy family with such simple relationships as the Wen family, while the Jin family represents the typical situation for most wealthy families.

For these people, self-interest always comes first and foremost.

So-called family ties are not worth mentioning.

After returning to China, she and Wen Qi were no longer in a time zone, so at least they could finally communicate and chat in sync.

As we entered late March, the weather was gradually warming up, but the comfortable temperature was eventually shattered by an unexpected spring rain, and a chill swept through the entire city.

Wen Qi returned to Beijing on such a rainy day.

It happened to be the weekend, and Ji Xian wasn't at work. He didn't tell Ji Xian either, wanting to give her a surprise.

As expected, Ji Xuan was indeed pleasantly surprised when he opened the door.

While she was still in a daze of surprise, Wen Qi had already pulled her into his arms with one hand, buried his face in her hair, and greedily inhaled the faint floral fragrance that was unique to her.

The two hadn't seen each other for a whole month.

Even though it feels like we've only been back together for two days, there's an inexplicable sense of déjà vu, like three years have passed.

Wen Qi held her tightly, as if trying to meld her into his very bones, his voice hoarse and low, "I missed you so much."

Ji Xian stumbled from his embrace. He was still shivering, and she instinctively flinched, but didn't push him away. When she came to her senses, she also hugged his neck tightly.

Her gentle voice carried a hint of laughter and languidness, "Me too."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wen Qi gently picked her up, closed the door, entered the foyer, lowered his head to find her lips, and pressed down with a restrained yet gentle kiss.

Gradually, his breathing became completely disordered, even somewhat rapid.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. This brief separation was like a shackle, binding them tightly to each other's hearts, making it impossible for them to part again.

After a long while, Ji Xian felt a little breathless and gently pushed his chest. Wen Qi then released her, his breathing heavy.

His cool fingertips gently caressed her face as he pulled her into his arms again, calming the restlessness and excitement in his heart.

Ji Xian inadvertently touched a wet patch on his coat sleeve, and even his hair was wet.

She frowned and pushed him away again. "You got caught in the rain?"

"It's okay, I got wet when I got out of the car outside the community, it's nothing."

"There are no umbrellas in the car?"

"I took a taxi. It came directly from the airport."

A car was supposed to pick him up, but it got stuck in traffic. Wen Qi waited for more than 20 minutes and still hadn't arrived. He really wanted to see Ji Xian, so he simply left Ye Xueyan and the others behind and took a taxi with his suitcase.

After saying that, he suddenly remembered that his suitcase was still outside, so he quickly opened the door and brought it in.

Ji Xuan took out a pair of men's cotton slippers from the shoe cabinet. "Hurry up and take a hot shower. You'll suffer if you catch a cold."

Wen Qi stared blankly at the slippers beside his feet, then smiled slightly. "When did you buy them?"

"I bought this on a whim while shopping at the supermarket a few days ago," Ji Xian mumbled, urging, "Hurry up and change your shoes. Haven't you eaten yet? I just took the black pepper beef and spaghetti out of the fridge."

Two chapters have been combined into one. I'll add more chapters for those you guys want during the National Day holiday, muah muah muah muah. Also, would you guys like to read the Yi Xu x Shi Wan side story first, or the Xiao Gu Xing and Shu Tang side story first?