Chapter 244: 242: Ji Baijian, honestly tell me when did you start liking me?!

Translator: 549690339

“Do you have three thousand beauties in your harem or not?!” Song Zhizhi blurted out in anger.

They were in their bedroom.

Song Zhizhi’s voice resonated in the room.

Seeing her emotional fluctuation, Ji Baijian couldn’t help but smile.

What are you laughing at?!

What could be so funny?

Ji Baijian asked, “Does it matter that much to you, my lady?”

“It doesn’t.” Song Zhizhi said, turning away.

It didn’t matter to her at all.

Why should it?

Those were things from his past life, and she wasn’t foolish enough to dwell on them.

Ji Baijian held her hand tighter.

Song Zhizhi could feel the warmth radiating from his palm.

She heard Ji Baijian say, “Back then, Ye Taiting’s father put me in the position of heir, having imprisoned my parents. I was to obey his every command, or else he’d take it out on my parents. I had no choice but to make many foolish decisions that made everyone think I was too engrossed in pleasure to manage the Commercial Management properly. As for having three thousand beauties in my harem, it was a rumor Ye Taiting’s father deliberately spread. Of course, he did send many women to me…”

Song Zhizhi kept reassuring herself. It’s okay, it’s okay.

He was just the victim of a plot.

He did everything unwillingly.

He was dead in those times, why should she worry if he had been with any women or not.

She was not that petty.

Ji Baijian said, “But those women were merely displayed to me, not a single one of them had any real relationships with me.”

Song Zhizhi turned to look at Ji Baijian.

Ji Baijian smirked, “Ye Taiting’s father wasn’t that foolish to allow any woman in my bed. If any of them were to become pregnant, wouldn’t that mean a possible next-in-line heir? In those times, contraceptives weren’t a thing. Ye Taiting’s father wouldn’t do anything that would reap no rewards. Moreover, he was the very reason for the demise of our entire family, leaving behind any descendants would pose a great risk to him.” So it turns out.

Her husband was completely innocent.

Alright, she admitted, she was indeed very delighted, but more than that, she felt sorry for him.

Ji Baijian must have felt so helpless back then.

There were rumors that Ye Shengheng was the most accomplished descendant of the Ye Family, knowledgeable in all matters, trained in business management since he was 16 and often praised by his grandfather. Everyone was astonished, however, when after he took over the reins, he seemed to have no care for his duties but indulged in women, greatly disappointing everyone.

Ye Shengheng must have been under a lot of stress during those times.

He had to do things that went against his conscience while being despised and insulted by everyone, and bear the pain of knowing his parents were being held captive while he could do nothing about it.

Ji Baijian was calm.

He calmly narrated his past to her from beginning to end.

“Therefore, I am wholeheartedly devoted to you, my lady, ” Ji Baijian stated in a certain tone.

At that point, Song Zhizhi’s emotions genuinely wavered.

She cared deeply about whether Ji Baijian had an illicit relationship with anyone, even if it was done unwillingly.

But at that moment, all she could think about was how Ji Baijian must have felt, being forced and helpless all those years ago.

She always considered Ji Baijian as someone superior and fearless, inexplicably powerful. She never once thought that he too, faced coercion, powerless to retaliate, becoming a mere puppet!

Maybe it was because of his tragic past life that Ji Baijian transformed into the cold, ruthless, yet warm-for-her person he is now in this life.

She said, speaking earnestly, “From now on, I will be there for you.”

I’ll accompany you, help you settle old scores and protect our family’s safety.

She suddenly felt that they were very compatible.

Even their experiences seemed to mirror each other.

Only that Ji Baijian wasn’t as lucky as her. Her family was still alive!

“So you are not divorcing me?” Ji Baijian raised an eyebrow. Feeling awkward, Song Zhizhi replied seriously, “No.”

She wouldn’t, not in this lifetime.

Ji Baijian’s throat seemed to move, and he said in a soft but firm voice, “My lady, I’ve given you my all. You have to take responsibility for me for the rest of your life.”

“Are ancient people particularly traditional?” Song Zhizhi reflected on how Ji Baijian had been conservative and protective of her, she couldn’t help but sigh.

“It depends on the person,” Ji Baijian responded, indicating some criticism, “There were also those who weren’t so disciplined. But compared to the present, it was still a world of difference. The noble traditions of Yanshang Country have deviated considerably now. In my opinion, a couple should stick together for a lifetime.”

So she was thoroughly tied to this old man Ji, huh?

Fine, fine.

She admitted she was actually thrilled, bubbly thrilled inside.

Controlling her emotions, she asked, “Does Yin Qin know about your identity?”

“He does not,” Ji Baijian replied, “In this world, the only one who knows is you, my lady.”

Song Zhizhi’s heart was churning with emotions.

Don’t say such heartfelt things.

She asked, “Then Yin Qin is still following you around so eagerly. He doesn’t even know what you do for a living, but he knows that you are not an ordinary person. And yet, he still treats you so sincerely, isn’t he stupid?”

“He’s not stupid,” Ji Baijian responded, “He simply views me as a brother and doesn’t care about what I do, he just wishes to help me.” Song Zhizhi stared at Ji Baijian.

Yes.

Yin Qin wasn’t stupid at all.

He was just wholeheartedly supporting Ji Baijian without expecting anything in return.

But she… kept doubting Ji Baijian, doubting his sincerity and his intentions again and again.

Compared like this, she lacked the loyalty of Yin Qin, the loyal wife.

She really couldn’t even compare to Yin Qin.

She didn’t deserve to be Ji Baijian’s wife…

“My Lady,” Ji Baijian said, “Even though Yin Qin is such to me, the one I love is still you.” It was as if Ji Baijian had seen through her thoughts and was comforting her.

Song Zhizhi said, with a promise in her voice, “Ji Baijian, I won’t anymore.”

I won’t doubt you anymore.

“Thank you, my lady,” Ji Baijian•s smile was beautiful.

She just couldn’t resist it at that moment, went over and kissed Ji Baijian fiercely on the cheek.

Ji Baijian actually turned somewhat red.

A very pleasant color…emerging on his handsome face. “By the way,” Song Zhizhi asked Ji Baijian, “Why do you like me?”

Ji Baijian simply smiled and didn’t say anything.

Song Zhizhi stared at him, “I remember you said that you’ve liked me for a long time?! Ji Baijian, do you have a thing for underage girls?”

Before Ji Baijian could speak, Song Zhizhi became somewhat agitated, “You knew me when I was only 3, although you were young in body but mature in mind. You teased me, made me cry on purpose, and even helped me do laundry. Ji Baijian, you’d better tell me honestly, did you fall for me when I was just 3?!”

This certainly ought to make her furious.

But why did it feel as if she was boasting about it towards the end!

Did she really charm the high and mighty Ji Baijian who was immune to women’s charms when she was merely 3?!

It’S not a big deal!

“My lady, although I indeed love you very much now, you are perhaps overestimating yourself. Do you remember what you were like when you were three?” Ji Baijian asked, frowning slightly.

Song Zhizhi didn’t believe it. “Ji Baijian, don’t deny it. Why would someone in their twenties go mess with a three-year-old toddler? Don’t tell me you were just bored. There were so many other kids in the class, why did you choose to mess with me of all people?”

“Madam, can’t you remember who it was that started messing with who?” Ji Baijian raised an eyebrow.

Song Zhizhi frowned.

Ji Baijian said, acting all-knowing, “Thought as much, Madam’s intelligence isn’t too high. It is natural that you wouldn’t remember something from when you were three.” “Ji Baijian, who the hell are you saying has a low IQ?!” Song Zhizhi flared up.

Where on earth was she lacking in intelligence?!

Although she might not be a genius, she was definitely smarter than the average person, at least.

Of course.

Compared to Ye Shengheng’s IQof 182, she wouldn’t really stand a chance.

In Ji Baijian’s eyes, most of the people in the world probably looked like idiots.

Ji Baijian said, “On your first day at school, who’s clothes were you crying and holding onto?”

Song Zhizhi tried to remember.

She didn’t remember.

It seemed like Ji Baijian knew that she couldn’t remember, so he patiently explained to her, “Your parents dropped you off at school for the first time. After they left, all you did was cry. You sat next to me and wouldn’t stop crying. I can’t stand children, and tried to move my desk away from you, but you grabbed hold of my clothes and wouldn’t let go. you even smeared your snot and tears all over me. I was really disgusted with you at the time.”

When did she ever do something like that?!

She didn’t remember. Ji Baijian must have made it all up.

“After that, who knows why, but you kept following me around like a shadow. I couldn’t shake you off. Do you know why I got paint on your clothes?” Ji Baijian asked.

“Because you wanted to do my laundry, because you liked me?” Song Zhizhi said hesitantly. “Isn’t that how boys are? They never admit they like a girl, and instead, they annoy her to make their presence known…”

Ji Baijian laughed, “Madam, when I died previously, I was 22, and when you first went to kindergarten, I aged another 5 years. A 29-year-old man isn’t going to do something as childish as that. I messed up your clothes simply because I wanted you to leave me alone. But who would’ve known you were so persistent.”

Ji Baijian had a look as if he had no choice but to reluctantly accept her relentless pursuit of him.

Song Zhizhi was not happy.

No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember that incident.

All she remembered was an older boy from kindergarten who always bullied her.

“In any case, I can’t remember any of that now, so anything you say is just your word, ” Song Zhizhi adamantly denied.

“However, ” Ji Baijian said, “truthfully, I fell for you much earlier than you fell for me.”

Hmph.

Song Zhizhi smirked victoriously.

Seeing the expression on Song Zhizhi’s face, Ji Baijian also broke into a smile.

“When your mother passed away, I was accompanying my current father and grandfather over to your place for the funeral,” Ji Baijian started to explain.

Song Zhizhi felt really strange hearing him refer to his ‘current’ father…

People usually use the terms ‘ex’ and ‘current’ for boyfriends and girlfriends.

Ji Baijian was even applying it to his parents!

She calmed her feelings and listened to Ji Baijian continue.

“We hadn’t seen each other for quite a while before that point. After kindergarten, my parents sent me overseas to study. I had already learnt all the knowledge points in China, and staying would have been a waste of my time. Besides, I needed to do some things abroad, away from prying eyes, so I started living independently in a foreign country since primary school. Just so happens that during my summer break when I was called to come back to China, we received the news of your mother’s death. I had almost forgotten about you, but when I saw you crying so pitifully, I remembered. Your crying face seems to have never changed from then till now, ” Ji Baijian said indifferently.

Actually, back then, her pitiful crying face had really moved him…

Song Zhizhi responded irritably, “So, can you change your crying face? Show me.”

Ji Baijian stroked Song Zhizhi’s head.

It was that same gesture as if he was petting a pet.

Alright, she would tolerate it.

Who said that she was over twenty years younger than Ji Baijian? Hmmm, if Ye Shengheng hadn’t died and was still alive today, she would be over fifty years his junior. She needed to respect her elders and care for the young.

Ji Baijian said, “On the day of your mother’s death, you were very upset. Your crying reminded me of my past life. And at that moment, even though you didn’t recognize me, when I reached out to you, you gave me your little hand, and flung yourself into my arms, continuously crying and repeating that you missed your mom.”

Song Zhizhi seemed to have some blurry memories, remembering a brother who held and comforted her at her father’s funeral.

She didn’t remember what that brother had said. All she remembered was the warmth he had given her.

But because she was so sad that day, she didn’t even know where that warmth she leaned on came from!

At this moment, she seemed to remember her mother’s death again.

It was truly the most painful moment in her life, still incredibly distressing to think about even now.

She tried to remember what her mother looked like, but it was all a blur now…

Her eyes were slightly reddened.

Ji Baijian pulled her into his embrace and held her tightly, surrounded by his familiar scent.

It was as if she was going back in time.

Ji Baijian’s throat bobbed.

He had suspected back then that Song Zhizhi’s mother’s accident was not as simple as it seemed, but he didn’t think too much about it. He had so many things to handle himself that he simply didn’t have the time or energy to devote to anything else. Otherwise, he might have been able to discover a long time ago that Ye Taiting had planted agents around Song Shan.

Song Zhizhi pulled away from Ji Baijian•s embrace.

Her eyes were still slightly red.

Ji Baijian gently brushed his long fingers across the corner of her eyes.

Song Zhizhi forced a smile, trying to mask her sorrow.

Ji Baijian watched Song Zhizhi.

After so many years, the image he couldn’t seem to shake off was of Song Zhizhi crying.

“So, you fell in love with me when I was 8 years old?” Song Zhizhi asked again.

Ji Baijian seemed a bit helpless.

Did this woman still insist on finding out when he started liking her?

“No, I was so busy. I had so many things to handle. Where would I have had time for such feelings?” Ji Baijian denied.

“Stop denying it! You had inappropriate thoughts about me since I was very little!”

“Madam is overestimating herself…”

“Ji Baijian!” Song Zhizhi raised her voice.

Is it that hard for you to admit that you like me?!

Ji Baijian laughed, “But after that, I did think about you often.”

Song Zhizhi wore a triumphant smile.

See, Ji Baijian, this old fart, has been lusting after her beauty since she was a child. “Didn’t our elders arrange our engagement shortly after my mother’s death?!”

“…” So that’s why he kept thinking about her.

She was just being overly emotional again!

“I was quite against it at the time, after all, you were still a child then…”

You were into younger girls and you have the audacity to say I was too young?! You should be thanking your lucky stars!

“So when did you start to like me?” Song Zhizhi couldn’t tolerate it anymore, he just wouldn’t answer.

“I was very against our engagement, but it was only because you were too young. I didn’t oppose it because I wasn’t averse to it. Sometimes when I was alone at night, I’d recall my own past experiences and I couldn’t help but recollect your crying, heartbroken face. Maybe it was because I felt some sort of bond with you, but I hadn’t really fallen in love yet… After all, when I had the time to think about you, weren’t you already with Yi Wenhan?”

Song Zhizhi felt somewhat embarrassed at that moment.

Back then… back then… she didn’t even consider Ji Baijian.

She just felt like this man wasn’t her type.

He was aloof, arrogant, self-important, inaccessible, high and mighty… In short, he was nowhere near as warm and attentive as Yi Wenhan.

“Have you ever been jealous?” Song Zhizhi asked.

She wanted to know if Ji Baijian was dying of jealousy back then!