Ji Zizhao didn't feel she had anything to talk about with Zhong Xinyi.
However, Zhong Xinyi was truly grateful to her from the bottom of her heart, and her thanks were constant.
Facing Zhong Xinyi's sincerity, and then looking at Ji Renran, whom Zhong Xinyi had neglected behind her, Ji Zizhao felt she had no reason to refuse Zhong Xinyi's gratitude.
"Young Miss Zhong need not be so polite. It would be better to keep your eyes open when making friends in the future."
Zhong Xinyi, "..."
She wanted to say I'm blind, just say it.
However, Zhong Xinyi really didn't expect Ji Zizhao to give her such a kind reminder.
In an instant, her good impression of Ji Zizhao soared.
There were only three female guests today, and now Zhong Xinyi was chatting enthusiastically with Ji Zizhao.
Ji Renran sat awkwardly on a chair, completely becoming a mere decoration.
By the time everyone left the Zou family, the sky had already darkened.
Ji Renran, whose backside was sore from sitting, could no longer care about how others looked at her. As soon as she got out of the Zou mansion, she got into the carriage. She had to inform her mother about returning to the Ji family in advance.
Ji Zizhao bid farewell to Zhong Xinyi and walked towards her carriage alone.
Fearing that she would get blocked by other carriages, Ji Zizhao had asked Fubao to park the carriage at the corner.
As it turned out, before Ji Zizhao even reached her carriage, she saw two figures, one large and one small, hugging each other and weeping profusely. Their heartbroken cries made it seem as if the sky was about to fall.
Seeing their young lady come out, Fubao quickly wiped the tears from her face and hurried over. "I've heard about my lady's act of righteousness. It's just a pity that the little beggar has nowhere to go. Why don't we take him back to the mansion to be a household servant?"
Ji Zizhao listened and looked at the little beggar standing by the carriage, and everything became clear.
She hadn't expected this little beggar, after being rescued, wouldn't leave, but instead told Fubao stories all afternoon.
Before Ji Zizhao could speak, she saw the little beggar suddenly rush towards her, crying out as he ran, "From now on, you are my elder sister. I will serve you well. As long as you don't dislike me, I will accompany you even when you get married..."
Seeing the little beggar about to reach her, Ji Zizhao placed a finger on his forehead, controlling him at arm's length.
The little beggar looked sad. "Does elder sister dislike little brother? Don't worry, elder sister. Little brother is actually quite presentable after washing up."
Fubao's eyes reddened again as she watched the little beggar's fawning expression.
What an understanding child.
Ji Zizhao calmly observed the little beggar and said in a calm voice, "I don't have the habit of keeping useless people."
The little beggar quickly wiped his nose and vowed, "Don't worry, elder sister. I can do any kind of work. Washing clothes, cooking, chopping wood, lighting fires, I definitely won't let elder sister dislike me..."
But before the little beggar could finish speaking, Ji Zizhao turned and got into the carriage.
Although Fubao felt pity for the little beggar, she did not dare to disobey her young lady's wishes and could only get into the carriage.
However, seeing the little beggar persistently following the carriage, Fubao couldn't bear it and deliberately slowed down the carriage.
The streets at night were filled with a refreshing sense of peace and tranquility.
Ji Zizhao lifted the carriage curtain and her gaze fell on the little beggar closely following the carriage, lingering there for a long time.
A rich fragrance wafted in with the night breeze.
As the aroma grew stronger, the sounds of commotion also became clearer.
Ji Zizhao looked in the direction of the sound and saw a small wonton stall in a nearby alley.
The wonton vendor was an old man, with a few simple tables and chairs casually placed next to a worn pot.
At this moment, a few drunkards were kicking over the old man's tables and chairs.
The noisy sounds came from their mouths.
Ji Zizhao looked at the wonton stall for a while and suddenly said, "Fubao, go to the alley opposite."
Fubao naturally saw the wonton stall too, and thought her young lady hadn't eaten enough, so she didn't think any further.
When the carriage stopped by the alley, Fubao also saw the shouting drunkards.
Fubao thought she would go buy it for her young lady, but she didn't expect Ji Zizhao to get out of the carriage herself.
"Young lady, it's not safe over there. Let me buy it for you?"
Ji Zizhao looked at Fubao. "No need. You wait here."
She paused, then looked at the little beggar who had just caught up to the carriage. "You come with me."
As soon as the little beggar heard he was singled out by Ji Zizhao, he was overjoyed. "Has elder sister changed her mind and decided to acknowledge me as her brother? I knew it, elder sister is as beautiful as a flower, captivating as a swan. How could anyone look at you and not see a kind heart?"
Ji Zizhao remained silent. She entered the alley and sat in a corner.
The drunkards who had been surrounding the old man had already sat down. Although they were still cursing, they had no intention of taking further action.
Ji Zizhao called out to the old man, "Two bowls of wontons."
The little beggar assumed one bowl was for him and quickly sat down next to Ji Zizhao, not forgetting to show her a big smile, revealing a mouth full of white teeth.
Unexpectedly, someone called out at this moment, "Boss, add another bowl of wontons."
As the familiar voice sounded from behind her, Ji Zizhao froze.
Before she could turn around, she saw the newcomer strolling up to her.
Ji Zizhao looked up and saw the Fourth Prince standing straight in a moon-white robe.
The night breeze gently blew his robe, lifting the black hair tied behind his head. He wore a faint, shallow smile. His face was not conventionally handsome, but for some reason, he was pleasing to the eye.
Ji Zizhao actually didn't want to see the Fourth Prince.
She felt inexplicably restless.
But, for some reason, without asking, he naturally lifted his robe and sat opposite her.
Ji Zizhao, "..."
With such thick skin, what else could he eat but wontons? He might as well peel off his skin and wrap them himself.
It was thick enough.
Xie Jinglan looked at the silent Ji Zizhao and smiled faintly. "It seems I truly offended Young Miss Ji last time. Otherwise, you wouldn't be cursing me so fiercely in your heart."
Ji Zizhao did not evade. "Is the expression on my face that obvious?"
Xie Jinglan picked up the teapot, poured tea for Ji Zizhao, and then looked at her steadily.
His dark eyes were as deep as the sea and as bottomless as a well, yet his pupils seemed to contain myriad stars.
Profound and bright, beautiful enough to make one unable to look away.
On the contrary, Ji Zizhao, who knew well that his appearance was a facade, not only had no appreciation for it but was also made to feel a chill run down her spine by his gaze.
Just as Ji Zizhao was about to get up and leave, she heard him speak again, "If one only looked at Young Miss Ji's face, it wouldn't seem like she's cursing me, but rather like she wants to drag me out and feed me to the dogs."