CTS 9

Ji Mingxuan had already reserved a table.
The private room was spacious enough, more than comfortable for four people.

After sitting down, Zhao Yi glanced at Ji An’an and Shen Mo and said, “Mr. Ji, are you not going to introduce me?”

Ji Mingxuan pointed at Ji An’an and said, “My sister.”

But he did not introduce Shen Mo.

“Ah, so this is Miss Ji,” Zhao Yi said.
Seeing that nothing more was coming, he had to guess on his own. “And is this Miss Ji’s boyfriend?”

Ji An’an could not help laughing out loud.

“Wrong,” Ji Mingxuan said calmly, flipping through the menu without looking up, “this is my future wife.”

Zhao Yi’s smile froze on his face.

Even Ji An’an almost choked on her tea.

But Zhao Yi had spent years surviving in the entertainment industry. He was no stranger to awkward moments. He quickly recovered and said with an easy smile, “Mr. Ji really loves to joke.”

Ji Mingxuan did not bother to deny it. He tossed the menu onto the table and said, “Order whatever you want.”

Ji An’an and Shen Mo were both visiting this restaurant for the first time. Zhao Yi took charge and ordered a few dishes, asking about their tastes while flipping through the menu. “The signature roast suckling pig here is a must-try. Miss Ji, can you handle spicy food?”

He was slick and charming, knowing how to please everyone.

Shen Mo quietly sipped his tea, feeling completely out of his league.

Earlier, Ji Mingxuan’s joke had startled everyone, but he had been the calmest of them all. Three years ago, after Shen Mo recovered from his illness and was discharged from the hospital, he had signed an agreement with Ji Mingxuan. It had been little more than a formality. Even the rings they wore had been bought at the last minute by Ji Mingxuan’s secretary.

At the time, Shen Mo had been in a daze, feeling like everything was a dream, unreal and distant. Sometimes he even thought, luckily Zhou Yang was not a fickle womanizer. Otherwise, for the sake of his sister’s happiness, Ji Mingxuan might have had to marry a dozen times.

The food arrived quickly, and the dishes were excellent, especially the roast suckling pig. The skin was golden and crispy, the meat tender and juicy without being greasy.
Ji An’an could not stop praising it as she ate.

After hearing that Zhao Yi was a celebrity, she grew curious and could not resist asking him for gossip about the entertainment industry.

Zhao Yi was a natural storyteller. Even the most boring stories became lively and hilarious when he told them, making Ji An’an laugh non-stop.

It was only during a brief lull in the conversation that Ji Mingxuan finally asked, “An’an, how was shopping today?”

Ji An’an said, “Thanks to Brother Shen, I already bought Zhou Yang’s birthday gift.”

Ji Mingxuan glanced at Shen Mo. “So it was for Zhou Yang.”

Ji An’an quickly pulled out the cufflinks she had bought earlier, “I also got a gift for you, big brother.”

She made sure to add, “Brother Shen helped me pick it.”

Shen Mo was about to clarify, but Ji Mingxuan had already unwrapped the box and directly put the cufflinks on.

Zhao Yi chimed in warmly, “Mr. Shen has good taste.”

Ji Mingxuan smiled lightly. “Not bad.”

The meal turned out to be surprisingly pleasant.

Later, Ji An’an went to the restroom, and Ji Mingxuan stepped out to take a call, leaving only Shen Mo and Zhao Yi in the private room.

Zhao Yi said, “Was the food not to your liking today? You hardly ate anything.”

“No, I just have a small appetite,” Shen Mo replied.

Zhao Yi’s gaze shifted to Shen Mo’s left hand. “It looks like you and Mr. Ji are wearing the same style of ring.”

Shen Mo was unsure whether he should confirm it, so he only responded vaguely with a soft hum.

The atmosphere grew a little heavy.

Zhao Yi poured himself a glass of water, then suddenly asked, “Do you live in that house in Jinxiu Villa?”

Jinxiu Villa was located in the prime area of H City. The property prices there were astronomical. With his modest savings, Shen Mo could never afford such a place.
Besides, he had been living at Ji Mingxuan’s villa for the past three years.

Shen Mo answered truthfully, “No.”

Zhao Yi smiled. He was already good-looking, but when he smiled like that, it felt like the whole room lit up.

Shen Mo frowned slightly. “Mr. Zhao, why do you suddenly ask that?”

“Nothing,” Zhao Yi blinked and said, “I must have mistaken you for someone else.”