In the blink of an eye, it was Ji Yang’s birthday banquet. In order to get Zhao Anqi into the banquet smoothly, Ji Yang had even gone so far as to strike a deal with Ji Yuan, having her enter together with Ji Niandong, while Ji Niandong, in turn, would attend as Ji Yuan’s female companion.
After all, they had once shown up together at Tong Songbai’s birthday feast, and right now no one else knew that Ji Niandong was Lu Beichen’s wife.
Ji Yuan had sent someone to pick her up early. As soon as Zhao Anqi got into the car, Ji Yuan gave her a once‑over. "No wonder Ji Yang can throw everything aside for you." He let out a light chuckle. "Ji Yang is much luckier than I am."
Zhao Anqi stayed silent. Luckier than him?
The man in front of her had long been renowned throughout all of New City. Everyone said he was the chief’s right‑hand man, and if not for Ji Yang, that chief’s position would surely have been his.
But now, these two brothers...
Tong Songbai’s words were still carved deep into her heart. She feared that Ji Yuan being so warm and eager to bring her over today was anything but out of kindness.
When they swung by to pick up Ji Niandong, and she got into the car, Ji Yuan suddenly said, "Ji Yang actually doesn’t even trust me with something this small, he’s had people tailing us the whole time."
Zhao Anqi gave a soft laugh. "He just doesn’t trust me."
Ever since she’d agreed to start over with him, there had always been someone following her. At first Zhao Anqi had found it odd, and only later confirmed they were Ji Yang’s people.
The more he acted like this, afraid she would run, the more chaotic her heart became.
The car passed through layer after layer of security checks and finally pulled into the YT Hotel. Because Ji Yang was holding his birthday banquet here these days, the entire YT International hotel was off‑limits to outsiders.
When they got out of the car, the vehicle that had been following behind did not come in.
Standing there, Zhao Anqi looked toward the lobby in the near distance, then looked at Ji Yuan’s lightly smiling face and let out a bitter laugh. "All right, I’ve already kept my promise and come."
She stared straight at those three bold characters for "Ji Yang" not far away.
All the people standing at the entrance were figures of status and influence. As long as Ji Yang and Gu Zimo’s engagement was announced today, the chief’s position in the future would undoubtedly be Ji Yang’s.
But right now, when he still hadn’t firmly planted his footing and was still far from being able to match Ji Yuan at all, if she really listened to Ji Yang, walked in there, and he announced in front of everybody that she, a woman with no background, stuck at the very bottom of the entertainment industry, was his official girlfriend, what kind of uproar would that cause?
Zhao Anqi lifted her skirt and turned to leave. Beside her, Ji Niandong grabbed her and asked, "Where are you going? You’re not going in?"
Not going in? If only there were no one else in there, and only Ji Yang waiting for her—then she would definitely go in without the slightest hesitation.
But two years ago she had already understood very clearly that there was no way for them, which was why she had left so decisively. Now, even less could she go in and become a stain on his life, holding back his bright future.
"I promised to attend his birthday banquet, and now I’ve already come." Her beautiful face forced out a faint smile. "Now, it’s time to go."
"But..."
When Ji Niandong reached out to pull her back, Ji Yuan caught hold of Ji Niandong’s arm and had people block Zhao Anqi’s way. "Miss Zhao, I promised Ji Yang I’d bring you in. You can’t leave."
Zhao Anqi eyed him warily. For him to insist on having her show up like this was indeed a profitable bargain from his perspective. Zhao Anqi smiled, her expression turning seductively enchanting. "What you promised him is your business. I don’t mind making a scene here. I wonder if you mind, Mr. Tong?"
Her meaning was very clear: if he tried to use force, she wouldn’t mind a fish‑die‑net‑break outcome.
If Ji Yuan had no ulterior motives, there was no way he would make a fool of himself here over someone as insignificant as her. But if he had to get her inside, then he definitely wouldn’t let her go.
At this moment, Zhao Anqi was gambling too!
Gambling on whether she really was Ji Yang’s burden today!