My Queen, My Rules - 19
Attentive
People always say three women together make a drama.
Put Ji Mingshu, Gu Kaiyang, and Jiang Chun in the same room, though, and the result was less a melodrama and more a Republican-era spy thriller starring three inseparable best friends.
Li Wenyin hadn’t even set off from across the ocean, yet Gu Kaiyang and Jiang Chun had already prepared a complete list of interview questions designed to make her life miserable.
Since Gu Kaiyang only knew Li Wenyin through Ji Mingshu's endless complaints, and Li Wenyin theoretically had no idea Gu Kaiyang was Ji Mingshu's best friend, Jiang Chun even proposed assigning Gu Kaiyang an undercover mission to infiltrate the enemy's ranks, uncover Li Wenyin's true reason for returning to China, and activate a backup plan if necessary.
Unfortunately, the role was judged far too difficult and carried a near-certain risk of immediate exposure. Both Ji Mingshu and Gu Kaiyang voted it down.
As the three of them enthusiastically trashed Li Wenyin like a trio of villainesses plotting against an innocent white lotus heroine, the cover shoot quietly drew to an end.
When filming wrapped, the actress took a sip of water through a straw, walked over to the monitor to review the shots with the photographer, and exchanged a few comments.
Then she noticed Gu Kaiyang and Ji Mingshu.
Smiling warmly, she came over to greet them, as well as Jiang Chun, whom she'd never met before.
The actress's name was Meng Xiaowei. She was graceful in every social situation and possessed impressively high emotional intelligence.
Her fashion resources were excellent. She and Gu Kaiyang were casual acquaintances, and she often ran into Ji Mingshu at fashion shows, exhibitions, and gala events.
Ji Mingshu had a favorable impression of her. They weren't exactly part of the same social circle, but they could always chat comfortably whenever they met.
As they talked, Meng Xiaowei suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right. Mingshu, you studied interior design in college, didn't you? I heard you designed Chris Chou's Milan runway show a couple of years ago. That show was amazing; it left a big impression on me.”
Hearing someone praise the one project she was genuinely proud of since graduating instantly put Ji Mingshu in an excellent mood.
Of course, Young Miss Ji couldn't possibly act too pleased.
She only let out a light laugh and modestly brushed aside the compliment with practiced indifference, as though praise had become an everyday occurrence.
Meng Xiaowei continued. "Actually, I have a friend who's producing a variety show for Xingcheng TV. They're planning a new design program called Designer’s Abode. The basic format pairs celebrity guests with interior designers to collaborate on space renovation projects."
"One of the designers they'd originally invited was a beautiful designer from Taiwan, but there were some political issues surrounding her stance, so the production team wants to replace her. I honestly think you'd be perfect for it. I just don't know whether you'd be interested."
Ji Mingshu blinked. "A design variety show? Me?"
"Of course. You're incredibly talented, and you look amazing on top of that. I don't think the production team would have any objections."
Meng Xiaowei smiled sweetly, her eyes filled with complete sincerity.
Gu Kaiyang and Jiang Chun: "..."
The two suddenly realized something.
They spent all day praising their Little Canary's beauty, apparently they'd forgotten to compliment her substance.
Compared to Meng Xiaowei's perfectly calibrated flattery, they had suffered a crushing defeat.
The two exchanged a glance, each clearly read the same thought in the other's eyes:
We seriously need to improve.
Meanwhile, Meng Xiaowei continued persuading Ji Mingshu, each compliment landing precisely where it would make her happiest without sounding overly flattering.
It also helped that she had extraordinarily beautiful eyes. When she looked at someone while speaking, every word sounded completely genuine.
With persuasive skills like hers, she could probably talk someone into believing the dead were alive. If she ever sold health supplements, she'd almost certainly become Salesperson of the Year.
It had been quite some time since Ji Mingshu had heard compliments delivered with such exquisite precision.
She floated just a little.
Still, she'd seen enough of the world not to agree simply because someone praised her.
Truthfully, her social circle was already extremely close to the entertainment industry. If they wanted to debut as celebrities, they generally could.
In older generations, wealthy families had looked down on actors and absolutely forbade their children from entering show business.
But times had changed. Over the past decade, enormous amounts of capital had poured into the entertainment industry.
Many of the so-called ‘performers’ once dismissed by older generations had begun playing the capital game themselves, and some had become remarkably successful, emerging as an entirely new class of elite.
In a society where money spoke louder than pedigree, wealth and resources commanded respect. Simply carrying the title of an old prestigious family without any real substance no longer impressed anyone.
Besides, after decades of political and economic reshuffling, there were no truly traditional old-money dynasties left in either Beijing or Shanghai anyway.
Seeing Ji Mingshu hesitate, Meng Xiaowei assumed she was worried about appearing on television.
She added even more gently. "The program requires a certain quota of non-celebrity participants, but the screen time actually allocated won’t be that much. You can rest assured about that.”
"I just genuinely think this show suits you. And there’ll be other designers joining too. You might find it interesting.”
"Why don't you think it over first? If you're interested, just let me know anytime." She turned and waved toward her on-screen partner. "Li Che, come over for a second."
Li Che had become one of the most recognizable young actors over the past two years. He was also one of the rare male idols who maintained a huge fanbase despite being openly tied up in a CP pairing. His official age was twenty-four, his actual age was twenty-six. Fortunately, his clean-cut appearance and sunny next-door-neighbor image kept him looking younger than he really was.
Drinking from a water bottle, Li Che walked over.
When he reached them, Meng Xiaowei introduced him to Ji Mingshu. "This is my friend, Li Che. He'll also be joining Designer’s Abode. You two should get to know each other. Maybe you'll even have the chance to work together."
Then she turned toward Li Che. "This is Miss Ji Mingshu, an exceptionally talented interior designer."
Li Che smiled and extended his hand. "Hello. I'm Li Che."
“A pleasure. Ji Mingshu.”
Li Che was impeccably polite. Their handshake was light and brief. Afterward, he thoughtfully greeted both Gu Kaiyang and Jiang Chun as well.
The two actors still had another schedule to attend, so they didn't chat much longer.
Before leaving, Ji Mingshu finally gave Meng Xiaowei an answer. "I'll think about the show first. Once I've made up my mind, I'll contact you."
Meng Xiaowei nodded happily.
By evening, streaks of sunset slowly drifted across the sky. Layers of crimson and gold blended together with a soft, romantic warmth.
Right on schedule, Cen Sen's car pulled up outside the Zero Degrees office.
After spending the entire day walking around in high heels, Ji Mingshu climbed into the car exhausted. "What are we having for dinner?"
"We'll cook at home."
"You?"
Cen Sen glanced at her but didn’t respond. His expression, however, clearly retorted:
If not me... you?
Ji Mingshu was left speechless for a moment, rubbing her aching calf. "What are you making?"
"Stir-fried bamboo shoots, blanched lettuce, and braised pork ribs."
Braised pork ribs?
Her stomach growled even louder.
His workload had been fairly light that day. Before picking her up, he'd even stopped by a supermarket, sending Zhou Jiaheng inside with specific instructions to buy especially tender ribs.
Back at Mingshui Manor, Ji Mingshu collapsed onto the sofa with her phone. Every few minutes she'd poke her head toward the kitchen to check on the progress of the pork ribs.
She had to admit. This Dog Man really was frighteningly capable.
Ever since childhood, he'd learned faster than almost anyone else. After entering Junyi, he quickly demonstrated exceptional work ability. Even cooking at home, he looked neat and skilled.
From across the room, his tall, refined figure standing at the kitchen island formed a picturesque scene of its own.
Up close, with his shirt sleeves casually rolled to his forearms, soft folds gathered at his wrists.
His long, slender fingers moved with crisp precision, every motion efficient yet strangely beautiful.
Watching him prepare ingredients was unexpectedly mesmerizing.
Ji Mingshu had always been easy to please. As long as she had food, money, and something fun to spend it on, life was good.
When the braised ribs were served, she enthusiastically snapped a photo, added a food filter, and posted it to Moments.
Braised pork ribs made by my husband ❤️
After two years of relying on a professional photo editor to fake perfect married life, she'd finally posted a genuine display of affection.
She enjoyed dinner immensely. Although she daintily picked up each piece one bite at a time, her eating speed was surprisingly impressive. Before she realized it, she'd polished off the entire plate of ribs by herself.
From beginning to end, she never once wondered why Cen Sen had suddenly volunteered to pick her up after work, insisted on cooking dinner himself, or specifically made her favorite braised pork ribs.
It wasn't until later that evening, while they were watching a movie in the home theater, that she gradually discovered his true intentions.
Halfway through the film, Cen Sen pressed her gently beneath him and started getting handsy.
Come to think of it…
It really had been a while.
For some reason, when Cen Sen kissed her, Ji Mingshu always felt he possessed a strangely restrained sort of sensuality.
His kisses fell one after another.
His warm breathing brushed across her skin.
The back of her ears slowly flushed red.
It was…a rather strange feeling.
Before, Ji Mingshu hadn’t disliked being close with him. He was clean, never rough; intimacy never felt uncomfortable with him.
But she couldn't honestly say she'd ever been especially passionate about it either.
Their marital life had often felt like another household obligation, a monthly check-in.
This time, though, something was different.
There was a tiny flutter of happiness inside her and a hint of shy anticipation.
Especially when she saw desire darkening his eyes, the faint redness spreading beneath them.
Those quiet feelings only grew stronger.
Late that night, in the steam-filled bathroom. Ji Mingshu leaned limply against Cen Sen as they bathed together.
Her entire body ached pleasantly. She wasn't actually sleepy, yet nestled against him, she couldn't stop yawning.
Again and again, until tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
"Tired?"
"No."
Perhaps physical intimacy really did deepen a person's attachment to their partner.
The question she'd held back for several days suddenly resurfaced.
Poking lightly at Cen Sen's throat, she asked with complete confidence, "The other day Shu Yang mentioned your ex-girlfriend is coming back. Today Gu Kaiyang also told me their magazine is interviewing her. What are your thoughts?”
"Li Wenyin?"
"You remember her name pretty clearly."
Cen Sen paused briefly. "I have no thoughts about it."
Ji Mingshu wasn't especially satisfied with that answer. But demanding promises from him would only make it seem as though she cared far too much.
That would be far too pathetic.
After thinking for a moment, she declared, "It'd better stay that way. If you ever cheat on me while we're married and I find out, I'm divorcing you. Just wait and see."
Cen Sen realized he didn't particularly like hearing the word divorce. He answered with a perfunctory "Mm," unwilling to continue the conversation.
After soaking for a while longer, he drained the tub, stood up, wrapped Ji Mingshu in a thick, soft bathrobe, and lifted her effortlessly into his arms.
On the way back to the bedroom, he noticed her lowered lashes. She was absentmindedly playing with the robe's belt.
She looked unhappy.
For reasons he couldn't quite explain, after setting her down, he kept one hand around her waist while the other braced itself beside her head, and unexpectedly returned to the subject she'd raised earlier.
"You said it yourself, she's an ex-girlfriend. You should know I’m not someone who likes dwelling on the past.”
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