Chapter 5

The soundproofing in the flat was astonishingly effective.

Jiang Yin slept more soundly than she had in two weeks.

No more midnight footsteps in the dormitory hallway; only the faint scent of sage and sea salt lingered in the air.

Eight in the morning.

Her biological clock woke her.

She sat up groggily, taking in the unfamiliar yet exquisite furnishings. It took her three seconds to realize: Oh right, she'd sold herself to her nemesis, Ji Xiangwan.

"Five million..."

Jiang Yin rallied herself. "For five million, I'll endure this!"

She shuffled in her slippers, her long hair a tangled mess, and yawned as she pushed open the bedroom door.

The living room was silent.

The massive floor-to-ceiling curtains had automatically drawn open, and morning light glinted coldly on the black and gray floor tiles.

Jiang Yin had assumed Ji Xiangwan had already left for work. But as she rounded the entryway, she spotted a figure seated at the island in the open-plan kitchen.

Ji Xiangwan.

She had clearly been up for a while.

She wore a perfectly fitted white shirt, the cuffs buttoned meticulously. Gold-rimmed glasses perched on her aquiline nose as she studied a tablet displaying morning financial news. Beside her sat a steaming mug of Americano and a... remarkably exquisite-looking sandwich.

Hearing the movement, Ji Xiangwan tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over Jiang Yin through her glasses without hesitation.

Jiang Yin wore a loose cartoon pajama set, her long hair disheveled, her eyes still heavy with sleep, and one slipper half-on, half-off her foot.

Compared to the woman opposite, who was meticulously put-together down to the last strand of hair, they were practically different species.

"Good morning."

Ji Xiangwan withdrew her gaze and swiped to another page on her tablet. "Dr. Jiang's biological clock seems to run later than I imagined."

"What researcher actually sleeps and wakes early?" Jiang Yin retorted grumpily, trying to smooth down her unruly hair. "This is called conserving energy. Meanwhile, President Ji, you're dressed like you're about to walk a red carpet first thing in the morning. Doesn't that get tiring?"

As she spoke, her eyes involuntarily drifted to the sandwich on the counter.

Thick layers of ham, cheese, and a fried egg filled the bread, emitting an irresistible aroma.

For Jiang Yin, who hadn't had a proper meal in half a month, this was a fatal temptation.

Grumble—

Her stomach obligingly rumbled.

Jiang Yin's face flushed crimson, and she awkwardly averted her gaze. "Um... I'm just going to get some water."

"Sit down," Ji Xiangwan said without looking up, her tone flat. "That's your breakfast."

Jiang Yin froze. "For me?"

"I don't eat carbs." Ji Xiangwan took a sip of her black coffee. "The housekeeper made too much. Throw it away if you don't want it."

Made too much? Jiang Yin stared at the meticulously plated sandwich, complete with a small dish of blueberries and nuts. What kind of housekeeper makes extra food and plates it like a Michelin-star restaurant?

"Waste is a sin," Jiang Yin immediately found her excuse, pulling out the high-backed chair and sitting down. "Since President Ji doesn't want it, I'll reluctantly help you get rid of it."

She picked up the sandwich and took a bite.

The bread was soft and fluffy, the cheese rich and creamy, and the ham perfectly salty.

It was so delicious it made her want to cry.

Jiang Yin ate with her cheeks puffed out like a hamster stuffing its cheeks.

Ji Xiangwan put down her tablet, propped her chin on one hand, and quietly watched her eat.

Sunlight fell on Jiang Yin's profile, highlighting the fine, downy hairs on her skin. Those fox-like eyes, usually so sharp and guarded, were now slightly narrowed in delight, making her look surprisingly docile.

"Eat slowly," Ji Xiangwan said suddenly, her voice a little softer than before. "No one's going to snatch it from you."

Jiang Yin paused, swallowed, and eyed her warily. "No good deed goes unpunished. How much does this cost? I can't afford anything too expensive."

Ji Xiangwan raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "It's not expensive."

She tapped her long, slender fingers lightly on the table. "You need to eat to have the energy to work. Dr. Jiang, don't forget, you're currently five million yuan in debt. If you die, who's going to pay me back?"

Jiang Yin: "..."

The damn capitalist! Even breakfast had to be turned into a lecture!

"I know!" Jiang Yin angrily stuffed the last bite into her mouth. "I'll work hard! I'll earn enough to buy my freedom back as soon as possible!"

"Buy your freedom back?" Ji Xiangwan chuckled softly, standing up and grabbing her car keys. "That might be a bit difficult. After all... the interest accrues daily."

She walked behind Jiang Yin. Just as Jiang Yin thought she was leaving, Ji Xiangwan suddenly stopped.

A familiar scent of cold pine enveloped her from behind.

Jiang Yin froze, forgetting to chew her sandwich.

A warm hand reached over her shoulder and gently touched the corner of her mouth—a crumb from her hasty breakfast.

The touch of her fingertip against her lip was so light it sent an electric tingle through her.

"You've got crumbs all over your mouth," Ji Xiangwan's voice murmured close to her ear, soft and husky. "How old is Second Miss Jiang this year? Three?"

Jiang Yin's face erupted in crimson.

She whirled around, but Ji Xiangwan had already turned toward the entrance, her back straight and aloof, as if the intimate gesture had never happened.

"You're the one who's three!" Jiang Yin shouted after her, her heart pounding with indignation.

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The car ride to school was eerily quiet.

Jiang Yin sat in the passenger seat, clutching her backpack, her eyes fixed on the blurring scenery outside the window. She tried to calm her racing heart by counting the trees.

It must be because I haven't been around women in so long... Yes, that had to be it! That's why my rival could get under my skin!

Jiang Yin mentally berated herself.

"Drop me off at the next intersection."

As they neared S University, Jiang Yin suddenly spoke.

Ji Xiangwan glanced at her. "We haven't reached the school gate yet."

"I know." Jiang Yin spoke with righteous indignation. "My current persona is that of a disgraced heiress kicked out of her home. How can I waltz into school in your car? Everyone will think I'm being kept!"

Ji Xiangwan's grip tightened on the steering wheel.

Being kept?

Though it was the truth, wasn't this brat a little too self-aware of her role?

"Is being kept so shameful?" Ji Xiangwan asked indifferently.

"Of course it is!"

Jiang Yin snorted. "I may be poor, but I'm still proud! I earn my living with my talent, not my looks!"

Ji Xiangwan didn't say anything, but she parked the car as instructed, two hundred meters from the school.

The moment the car stopped, Jiang Yin eagerly unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Thanks, President Ji! No need to pick me up tonight—I have to work in the lab!"

She pushed open the door, ready to bolt, when her wrist was suddenly caught.

Jiang Yin turned, meeting Ji Xiangwan's deep, dark eyes.

"What? Trying to charge me for the ride again?" Jiang Yin asked warily.

Ji Xiangwan looked at her, her gaze falling on the rumpled collar of her shirt—it had been tucked in half when she rushed out earlier.

"Come here." Ji Xiangwan commanded.

"Huh?"

Before Jiang Yin could react, Ji Xiangwan gave a gentle tug.

Inertia sent her leaning forward, closing the distance between them.

Ji Xiangwan reached out, her movements natural and practiced as she smoothed the tucked collar and adjusted her slightly askew placket.

"Look in the mirror before you go out from now on."

Ji Xiangwan lowered her eyes, her long lashes concealing the emotion in her eyes. Her voice was cool and clear. "If you're going to make a living with your talent, don't dress like a homeless person. It reflects poorly on me."

They were standing extremely close.

Jiang Yin could even smell the faint aroma of coffee on Ji Xiangwan, mixed with that intoxicatingly cool fragrance.

Ji Xiangwan's fingers brushed against her collarbone, cool yet burning like fire.

"I-I know!"

Jiang Yin flinched as if burned, recoiling sharply. Her face turned as red as a tomato. "So bossy! Are you my mom?"

She scrambled to open the car door, clutching her backpack and fleeing in a panic.

Ji Xiangwan remained seated in the car, watching the retreating figure of Jiang Yin, who looked like a startled little rabbit, until she disappeared around the corner of the campus.

She averted her gaze, gently rubbing her fingertips—as if the delicate, warm sensation from their earlier touch still lingered.

"Mom?"

Ji Xiangwan removed her glasses, revealing eyes twinkling with amusement. She murmured softly:

"Better than 'old woman,' anyway."