Chapter 699 - 699 Do as You Please

699 Do as You Please

Qiao Xi was going to start work at the Starry Foundation next week. This was her first step, so she took it very seriously. That was why she had been looking through the information Shen Hanxing had given her for the past few days.

“So you were the one cooking the soup. No wonder it’s so fragrant.” Ji Qian exaggeratedly sniffed the air and clutched her stomach with a drooling expression. “I’ve been smelling it for the whole afternoon. I thought the nanny had come up with a new dish.”

“Qian Qian, if you like it, I can cook more for you in the future.” Hearing Ji Qian’s praise, Qiao Xi could not help but smile. She looked over and when her gaze fell on Ji Yan’s cold and handsome face, she quickly looked away as if she was scalded. Her face flushed red. Ji Yan’s presence was too strong. Even though he was not looking at her, she could not sit still. The living room of the Ji family’s house was huge, but it made her feel suffocated. She could almost smell the cold pine wood scent that was exclusive to Ji Yan. Qiao Xi pursed her lips into a straight line and her heart beat rapidly.

“You’re a guest, how can we trouble you to cook?” Shen Hanxing smiled and tapped Ji Qian’s head before turning to Qiao Xi. “You don’t have to do all this. Just treat this place as your own home.” Qiao Xi always looked so uneasy, and she was afraid that Qiao Xi would one day forget to breathe and faint.

“Mrs. Ji is still willing to take me in and even introduce me to a job. I’m very grateful.” Qiao Xi’s eyes were serious and stubborn. She looked at Shen Hanxing and said softly, “I’m very happy to be able to do something within my power for everyone.”

Since, Qiao Xi insisted, Shen Hanxing did not say anything and could only let her be.

Ji Yan glanced at Qiao Xi and said, “Miss Qiao, do as you please.” With that, he held Shen Hanxing’s hand behind the sofa and rubbed it gently. If she had the time, she might as well show more concern for him. Why should she waste her energy on someone who had nothing to do with him?

Qiao Xi’s face instantly flushed red. Her heart was beating so loudly that it was deafening. Ji Yan, was he speaking up for her? Did he understand her feelings of living under someone else’s roof and wanting to do something? Or did he really like her cooking? Qiao Xi felt as if something had broken out of her heart and bloomed like flowers. This was her own joy, a hidden joy. She clenched her fists and lowered her head, afraid that she would reveal any of her emotions. She said hurriedly, “I’m going to the kitchen to look at the soup.” With that, she quickly went downstairs and left.

“Qiao Xi is so timid.” Ji Ning glanced at Qiao Xi’s back, then said in a low voice, “Is she feeling uncomfortable in our family?” She had also once sunk into a state of extreme self-pity and self-esteem, sealing herself up and only felt comfortable alone. Now that she was no longer in that state, her brain would never forget that dark memory. She could empathize with Qiao Xi. It was very difficult for a girl who had experienced countless hardships to live a life with her head held high. She had to first be confident before she could face others with a strong att.i.tude.

“Maybe it’ll be better after a while. Isn’t it much better now than when she first came?” Ji Qian stuck out her tongue and said nonchalantly, “Shen sister Qiao Xi first came, she was so scared that she would cry every time she saw big brother. She couldn’t even say a word in front of big brother. Now, she can speak in full sentences. This is the greatest improvement!” Although Ji Qian was careless and didn’t take many things to heart, she still noticed something. She moved closer to Ji Ning’s ear and whispered, “Qiao Xi was acting like sister-in-law just now.”

Living under the same roof, how could Ji Qian and the others not see that Qiao Xi was copying Shen Hanxing’s every move, whether it was on purpose or not? From her dressing to all the small movements, Qiao Xi looked fine on normal days, but once she showed her fear, even if she was wearing the same clothes as Shen Hanxing, it would be hard to link her to Shen Hanxing. Ji Qian didn’t think too much about it and casually said a few words to Ji Ning. Then, the two of them started to whisper to each other.

On the contrary, Ji Yan’s dark eyes moved slightly, and a thoughtful look flashed through his eyes. Shen Hanxing stood beside him, her finger poking Ji Yan’s arm from time to time. “What is Mr. Ji thinking?” She didn’t use much strength, and her delicate fingers poked at Ji Yan’s muscular forearm through the thin shirt.