Chapter 24 These siblings who met halfway through life...aren't they getting a little too close?

Duan Lin clicked his tongue in annoyance, "What do you mean?"

Meng Henian interjected, "What do you mean? Don't you have any self-awareness?"

As everyone knows, Duan Lin plays cards based entirely on what looks good to him.

Duan Lin almost cursed, "I just didn't bother to use my brain with you guys."

With a slight nod of her chin, she said, "Little sister Zaoyi, I'll show you my card skills later."

Lin Zaoyi: "...Okay."

Her eyes darted around and she noticed that Ji Boshen was sitting with his back to the door. She smiled slightly and said, "President Ji."

Ji Baishen nodded.

"Zaoyi, you're such a good sister." Duan Lin called her "sister" more affectionately than anyone else. "Did you have a mission today?"

Lin Zaoyi didn't feel embarrassed at all. A row of mahjong tiles was automatically pushed out, and she said while arranging the tiles, "Yes."

Duan Lin asked her, "Whose interview are you looking for this time?"

She didn't answer, but glanced very lightly at President Ji sitting down. That fleeting glance was noticed by Duan Lin. "Ji Baishen?"

He clicked his tongue, "It's really not easy. Ji Baishen is no less difficult than Tan Zhaojing. So far, he has only accepted Beijing TV."

Lin Zaoyi recalled it and confirmed it was true.

Duan Lin added, "I won't mention your brother Zhaojing anymore; he refuses all interviews."

She blurted out unconsciously, "Why?"

"Wouldn't it be better to ask him directly?"

She turned her head away, and when she met those dark eyes, she didn't want to say anything.

Automatic microphone muting.

He turned around, drew a card he didn't want, and threw it out.

His luck was terrible; after three or four rounds, he still had a bad hand. Just as he was about to discard a random card, Tan Zhaojing reminded him from behind, "Think carefully before you play. If you win with two of the 20,000, the opponent will win; if you win with five of the 50,000, the player to your left will win."

"?"

How could you calculate that?

If that's the case, she decisively took out 50,000, but President Ji didn't want it. She turned around and looked at Tan Zhaojing, "You miscalculated."

“That’s right.” Ji Boshen smiled. “I didn’t dare to lie, for fear that you would try to extort me for an exclusive interview.”

Lin Zaoyi was slightly embarrassed. "President Ji, I'm not that kind of person."

At most, we can try to get on their good side.

As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Baishen pushed his tile forward, saying, "Since it's not him, then I'll win."

Lin Zaoyi: "..."

How realistic.

Duan Lin was displeased. "Little sister, that's not fair of you."

Lin Zaoyi chuckled awkwardly, "I'll let you go next time."

There are chips in the box, but they were left by someone else, so they can't be used.

He took out his phone and asked, "Where can I exchange chips?"

A stack of red paper appeared before him, and the man's warm, deep voice sounded in his ear, "Use this."

After hesitating for a moment, she took it and said, "Thank you, Brother Zhaojing. I'll return it to you when I get back."

Tan Zhaojing did not respond to her.

Meng Henian didn't play cards, but he stayed nearby, diverting some of his attention to the two men. His gaze swept back and forth across their faces several times, and he smiled thoughtfully.

With only so-so luck, Lin Zaoyi didn't get a good hand until the end of the first round. She was ready to win, and it was a mixed suit.

Suddenly, a weight pressed down on her back, and then the familiar scent of wormwood enveloped her like a thin mist.

Tan Zhaojing placed one hand against the edge of the table in front of her, while the other hand gently covered the back of her hand, as if to stop her from drawing a card.

She shifted uncomfortably, her body stiff as an iron rod. "Is...what's wrong?"

"Don't hit this." He said in a low voice, completely unaware of how suggestive his posture was at that moment.

To others, the two looked no different from hugging.

The only person in the know, Meng Henian, just smiled and remained silent.

Duan Lin felt a little strange. Were these siblings who had grown closer after marriage?

He looked towards Meng Henian.

Meng Henian avoided eye contact.

Duan Lin thought the dog had a sensory disorder, so he deliberately got up and patted it. When he looked over, he gestured with his lip towards the two people.

Meng Henian feigned ignorance, "What's wrong?"

"Wasn't that a bit too intimate?"

Meng Henian tried to smooth things over, saying, "Aren't all brothers and sisters like this?"

He wasn't the only one; several other people watching the game nearby shared the same feeling.

Ji Baishen's expression remained unchanged, calm and composed, except that the rhythm of his fingers tapping on the table was slightly rapid.

Lin Zaoyi's ears were burning hot. She held her breath and asked, "Brother Zhaojing, have you thought this through?"

Then he drew out the only pair of West Wind weapons.

?

This is going to be a uniform rhythm.

Confused, she turned her head, but little did she know that with this movement, her lips inadvertently brushed against his chin. She was startled, jerked away as if electrocuted, and turned her head back as well, not daring to move again.

Her heart was pounding so hard that her voice trembled slightly, "Brother Zhaojing, I understand..."

Tan Zhaojing's Adam's apple bobbed subtly a few times. "Then tell me what nonsense you're talking about?"

She already knew, but his actions made her flustered. Lin Zaoyi focused her attention on the mahjong, but the man's influence was too great, and she couldn't figure it out even after looking for a long time.

When it was her turn, Tan Zhaojing drew a card and was very lucky; it was a nine of bamboo of the same suit.

Now I understand.

Nine of Bamboo, "Win this one."

Tan Zhaojing hummed in agreement, "Throw out the remaining Xifeng card."

She did as instructed.

The problem is, she understands everything, so why doesn't this person leave?

Fortunately, Mr. Ji immediately played a nine of bamboo.

Without considering that he might need his help in the future, he hurriedly pushed aside the cards in front of him and exclaimed, "I win!"

“Hey, wait a minute.” Meng He, who was standing behind Ji Boshen, hissed. ‘How did you break up the cards?’ Ji Boshen had already stood up. ‘You take my place. I’m going out for a smoke.’

Meng Henian: "...?"

Tan Zhaojing straightened up unhurriedly, tilting his foot slightly towards Ji Baishen. His gaze lingered on the still-standing playing cards, and his brow furrowed imperceptibly for a moment.

At that moment, the door to the private room was pushed open, and a fragrant aroma wafted in. The newcomer was dressed in a red dress, and her every move exuded charm.

The first person Yuan Lai saw was Tan Zhaojing, followed by Lin Zaoyi sitting at the mahjong table. Her smile froze.

Why did Tan Zhaojing bring Lin Zaoyi to this private gathering?

In an instant, a smile returned to her face. "Zaoyi, we meet again."

Since the other party had dropped their surname, Lin Zaoyi felt it inappropriate to address her as Miss Yuan anymore, so she smiled slightly and said, "Sister Yuan Lai."

She sensibly gave up her seat, saying, "You can come and play, I'll reply to a work message."

Perfect timing, she needed to catch her breath too.

The private rooms are spacious, combining leisure and entertainment, and are best enjoyed as a quiet rest area.

Walking over, I saw Ji Boshen sitting on the darkest single sofa, holding his phone, seemingly looking at news.

Hearing the noise, he looked up and said, "Sit wherever you like."

They maintained a respectful distance, sitting opposite each other without trying to get close. They sat quietly, and since the private room wasn't very noisy, it didn't feel awkward even though they weren't talking.

Someone came over and called out, "Ji Baishen, let's play cards."

Ji Baishen was uninterested. "No thanks."

"And what about your sister?" the other person asked her.

"I don't know how to play."

The other party left, slightly disappointed.

"Blueberries are quite sour, you should try some." Ji Baishen put away his phone and pointed to the fruit plate on the coffee table.

Lin Zaoyi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay."

She picked one up and popped it into her mouth; the acidity was just right for her.

"Is the taste alright?" President Ji asked her.

"fine."

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a figure approaching. It was an extremely eye-catching figure, and I knew who it was without even looking. I couldn't help but tilt my head slightly. He was wearing dark trousers today, and the straight creases formed a beautiful arc as he walked.

He immediately stopped near her and sat down to her right. "What did you eat?"

Lin Zaoyi pointed to the blueberries in the fruit plate.

Is it sweet?

Is this just making conversation for the sake of it?

He engaged in awkward small talk, saying, "It's so-so, not very sweet."

Tan Zhaojing held out his hand, "Give me one to try."

Lin Zaoyi: "...There's still plenty left in the fruit platter."

Tan Zhaojing turned his head, "Can't you give me one?"

She was just going through the motions, so Lin Zaoyi gave him the few remaining pills in her hand.

She didn't notice the sourness because she wasn't afraid of it; most people would frown, but he ate it without any expression.

I made a tentative guess, "You like sour foods too?"

"I don't love it."

Out of boredom, she asked, "Don't you find it sour?"

He said, "I couldn't taste the sourness, but the bitterness was definitely there."

"bitter?"

How could blueberries be bitter?

Without saying a word, Tan Zhaojing gently pulled her hand away and patted it lightly. "What's on your palm?"

She protested, "No way!"

Just as I was about to pick a fruit from the plate to taste and see if it was really as he said, a smile suddenly bloomed on the man's lips.

"......"

I've been tricked.