Ding Jie didn’t think too much of it. Following his usual routine, he gave Xu Ziyan a gentle smile. “You’ve worked hard. You’ve helped me so much, I don’t know how to thank you. Once I secure my footing in the Ding family, I’ll have the ability to repay you properly. Whatever you want then, I’ll be able to give it to you.”
Xu Ziyan let out a soft laugh, thinking to herself, ‘Look at this pie he’s painting, so big and round…’
Every time the original host heard words like this, she thought Ding Jie meant that once he was established, they would be together—build a career first, then start a family. Little did she know, Ding Jie’s words, between the lines, never promised anything at all.
Xu Ziyan wasn’t buying it. She consulted with the system. 『The scripted dialogue is too corny and stupid. Is it really necessary to recite the lines strictly? I completed those two missions yesterday without reciting any lines, just by looking at the results.』
001 thought for a moment. 『The dialogue can deviate somewhat. But this plot point involves entangling with Ding Jie for a long time before finally giving him the game. Ding Jie doesn’t say anything on the surface, but internally he grows angry and impatient, deciding to find other people to cooperate with you against the Fu family, no longer relying on you alone. So some things can’t be omitted. Following the plot strictly is the least effort-intensive path.』
Xu Ziyan didn’t agree. She wasn’t some award-winning actress who could just pick up a script and perform. For starters, the way she looked at Ding Jie could never be full of tender affection. Reciting lines emptily without feeling would be absurd, wouldn’t it? Wouldn’t Ding Jie find it strange too? Besides, it was just about advancing the plot. Other methods would work just as well.
Xu Ziyan looked at Ding Jie and spoke very casually. “What repayment? I wouldn’t have the heart to ask you for anything anyway. But I know that if I don’t ask for anything, you won’t accept the game. How about this? Spend a day with me.”
“Cough, cough, cough—” Fu Qiming, who was sitting in the next booth, was drinking water and choked, hurriedly covering his mouth to muffle the sound, afraid they might hear. His expression shifted through several shades. Could his dad actually be right? Did Xu Ziyan have her eyes on Ding Jie’s looks?
Ding Jie’s expression also changed slightly. It wasn’t that he feared Xu Ziyan coveted his appearance, but rather, he felt the way she spoke was as if she were treating him like a male escort—extremely casual, without a trace of cherished affection.
He was an illegitimate son, most sensitive to others’ contempt and disdain. He stared at Xu Ziyan. Was it because he had been too eager in asking for the game this time, making her look down on him?
Of course, Xu Ziyan looked down on him. An illegitimate son, going back home to fight for the family fortune? If he wanted to fight, he should rely on himself. Yet he used a woman who liked him, schemed against the innocent Fu family—what a piece of work! No matter how much of a villainess the original host was, that wasn’t a reason for him to deceive her feelings.
Now that she was using the original host’s identity, Ding Jie, in her eyes, was naturally a scumbag who lived off women, and had the audacity to be arrogant about it. She wasn’t going to indulge him. If he wanted to eat this “soft rice,” he better kneel down properly and eat it!
Xu Ziyan ordered a whole table of dishes before continuing. “It’s rare to have time today. Let’s eat, then go shopping, and then hit a bar, how about that? You just help me carry bags, pour water, peel shrimp, refill my bowl—take good care of me for a day, let me experience what it feels like to be pampered. Oh, and you’re paying. That can be your repayment.”
Ding Jie dismissed his earlier thoughts, deciding he was being too sensitive. Xu Ziyan was clearly seizing the opportunity to take things a step further, having him play the role of a good boyfriend for a day.
Ding Jie frowned slightly, taking out his phone as if to check his schedule. “My time might be a bit tight today…”
“No way? You can’t even fulfill such a small request for me? Is it like my mom said, that you don’t actually like me at all?” Xu Ziyan fixed him with a steady gaze as she questioned him.
Ding Jie looked up. “Did Mrs. Fu say that?”
A look full of suspicion entered Xu Ziyan’s eyes. She took the portable hard drive from her bag and held it up in front of him. “Fu Qiming found out I sabotaged his game for you. He was so angry he kicked me out of the Fu family. Even though I volunteered to help you, everyone says that someone who truly likes me would never have the heart to make me do such a thing.
Tell me, do you just not care about me at all? I’ve sacrificed so much for you, and you don’t even have a single day to spend with me?”
Ding Jie saw the item he wanted and reached for it, but Xu Ziyan put it back in her bag, her face turning cold. “Forget it. I need to think this over properly. Let’s reschedule for another day.”
Ding Jie smiled and shook his head, his tune changing instantly. “Why are you so impatient? I meant my time is a bit tight today, I need to make a few calls to arrange things first. It’s not that I won’t accompany you.”
He sighed. “About this incident… it’s only natural for Fu Qiming to be angry. But you sacrificed so much just to help me get the game. How could I let your efforts go to waste? Don’t worry, I’ll use this game well to gain recognition from the family. When that time comes, your status won’t have to rely on the Fu family anymore.”
Xu Ziyan’s expression softened, but she still didn’t speak, nor did she take the hard drive out again. Seeing this, Ding Jie first went out to make a few calls. By the time he returned, all the dishes had been served. He proactively started peeling shrimp and picking out crab meat for Xu Ziyan, joking, “Here, let our Miss Zi Yan see if she’s satisfied with my service.”
This private kitchen’s cuisine was comparable to that of imperial chefs, ten times better than Auntie Chen’s cooking. As the delicious crab meat touched her tongue, Xu Ziyan broke into a smile and joked back, “Little Ding, not bad. Keep it up.”
Ding Jie’s expression stiffened for a moment. Suppressing the fire in his heart, he continued peeling shrimp and serving dishes for Xu Ziyan. Xu Ziyan just kept her head down and ate. Occasionally, when she tasted something she particularly liked, she’d signal for Ding Jie to serve her more.
Ding Jie never had a chance to eat himself, serving Xu Ziyan the entire time. For a moment, he really felt like a eunuch in the imperial palace, presenting dishes to a princess.
This meal left Ding Jie utterly stifled with frustration, while Xu Ziyan had a hearty appetite. Ding Jie couldn’t help but say, “That’s probably enough. Be careful not to overeat.”
Xu Ziyan smiled, her eyes crinkling. “So it’s true that a good mood really improves your appetite. I’m especially happy today. This is the first time you’ve been so considerate and caring towards me.” She even tacked on one of the original script lines. “Ding Jie, are you happy when you’re with me?”
Ding Jie turned his head to ladle more soup for her, smiling. “What do you think?”
“I think you have no reason not to be happy. I’ve sacrificed so much for you. There’s no one else in this world who treats you better than I do.” Xu Ziyan recited another line from the script.
『Perfectly blending the scripted lines in, I’m truly a genius!』
Fu Qiming, eavesdropping on the inner thoughts from the next booth, rolled his eyes. He didn’t need to look to imagine how furious Ding Jie must be. But he was enjoying the show. Finally, someone was putting this scheming Ding Jie in his place.
Xu Ziyan ate and drank to her heart’s content, feeling physically and mentally relaxed. Pretending not to see Ding Jie’s constipated expression, and not caring that Ding Jie was still hungry, she stood up and said, “Let’s go. Shopping will help digest the food. I have a lot of things to buy. Oh, right, these dishes are really good. Let’s order another set to go.”
Ding Jie breathed a sigh of relief, thinking Xu Ziyan had finally noticed he hadn’t eaten much. He was about to respond when he heard Xu Ziyan say, “I made mom and dad angry yesterday, I still need to appease them. Have someone deliver it to the Fu family. Consider it you paying your respects to them in advance. After all, they raised me for twenty years.”
A lump of anger stuck in Ding Jie’s chest, unable to go up or down. He stared at Xu Ziyan’s back, his face darkening. The Ding and Fu families had been feuding for generations; they were sworn enemies. What reason did he have to pay respects to the Fu family? Did Xu Ziyan really think he would marry her and become part of the Fu family in the future? What an idiot!
Ding Jie restrained himself, pressing down hard on the table, not letting his anger show. It wasn’t time yet. He still needed Xu Ziyan to continue working for him. Scheming against the Fu family was the fastest way to make the Ding family view him in a new light. And Xu Ziyan’s affection for him was the perfect chess piece. The current situation was extremely favorable; he couldn’t disrupt this chessboard. He would endure it for now.
He did as Xu Ziyan said, paid for both tables, and had someone deliver one full set of dishes to the Fu family.
While they were shopping, Xu Ziyan went to try on clothes and had Ding Jie hold her bag for her. Ding Jie had never held a woman’s handbag for anyone before. Waiting outside, he felt utterly uncomfortable.
Fu Qiming watched from a distance, deliberately taking a few photos. Ding Jie had always put on a flawless, dignified act from the moment he appeared, acting as if he were the pure white moonlight in the sky, and everyone else existed to set him off. Seeing Ding Jie’s expression now was truly a delight. Ha ha ha.
Coincidentally, Ding Jie’s half-brother, Ding Yao, passed by with his female companion. Seeing Ding Jie’s state, he was very surprised and stopped to ask, “Ding Jie? You’re… accompanying your girlfriend?”
Ding Jie instantly put on an impeccable smile, replying politely, “Brother, I just happened to run into a classmate. We just had a meal and are taking a walk to digest.”
Ding Yao noticed the limited-edition women’s bag he was holding. This wasn’t just some random companion. His interest was piqued. “What classmate? Whose family? If it’s a girlfriend, don’t be shy. Isn’t your age the perfect time to be in a relationship?”
Ding Jie’s expression grew even more gentle. “I’ve just started helping out at the company. There’s too much to learn. I’m not considering a relationship for the time being. She really is just a classmate.”
Ding Yao felt that protesting too much meant he was hiding something. This younger brother was definitely on a date. He wanted to see whose daughter it was.
At that moment, Xu Ziyan walked out. She glanced at them, then walked to the mirror to admire the dress she was wearing.
Ding Yao raised an eyebrow. “A Fu family member?” He showed a meaningful expression. “Ding Jie, while love is free… a daughter of the Fu family… really isn’t very suitable. You say you’re just classmates? Just happened to run into each other?
Hey, Xu Ziyan, is what he said true?”
Given the poor relationship between the two families, they usually ignored each other when they met. Xu Ziyan paid him no mind and said to the shop assistant, “This collection is quite nice. Get me one of each style.”
Ding Jie thought Xu Ziyan was standing up for him, deliberately making Ding Yao lose face. He felt pleased internally. But his public image had always been good. He couldn’t just watch Ding Yao be embarrassed, and he was also afraid the two of them might clash because of their family feud. The most important thing today was to get the game from Xu Ziyan; he couldn’t let side issues arise.
So he smoothed things over. “Brother, Zi Yan’s surname is Xu. Strictly speaking, she’s not a Fu family member. I’ll explain this matter to Father.”
Ding Yao shrugged. “As long as you know what you’re doing. I’ll be off then.”
Fu Qiming retracted the foot he had just stepped forward. He had been worried Ding Yao would cause trouble for Xu Ziyan and was thinking of going over to help. Now that he saw Ding Yao leave, he decided not to show himself. Actually, Ding Yao wasn’t so bad. Not as detestable as Ding Jie.
He had just hidden himself again when he heard Xu Ziyan’s inner thoughts. 『Ding Yao is truly the number one cannon fodder in the entire book. He blocks the male lead’s path, competes with him for the inheritance, gets framed for assaulting a minor, gets torn apart online, his reputation utterly ruined, ends up with broken limbs, and is shipped off abroad to become a beggar. Pitiful, truly pitiful. To think someone has an ending worse than mine.』
Ding Yao, who had only walked a few steps away, suddenly turned back, his head full of question marks.
Who? Who was speaking?!