Are You Allergic To Romance? - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Darling, I’ve Come to Find You. . .

The rain was still falling, Drizzling. Xie Mianzhi returned to her residence already past three in the morning.

She looked out at the railing through the blurry glass window, her mind wandering far away.

Suddenly, she seemed to spot a dark shadow near the railing outside the villa. A tall, thin figure, like a woman.

This instantly snapped her scattered thoughts back to clarity. She immediately threw the window open.

She didn’t know why, but she instinctively thought the figure in the rain might be that person, but when she blinked again, she realized it was only the shadow of a tree branch swaying in the wind.

Xie Mianzhi felt like she must be insane.

For the first time in her life, she rushed to another city late at night to seek the truth over a piece of news, just to find peace of mind.

And now it was three or four in the morning, and she was wide awake, unable to sleep, mistaking a tree shadow outside her window for that person’s shadow. She had to be crazy.

She thought, even to repay a debt of gratitude, this level of madness was surely excessive.

Frustrated, Xie Mianzhi ran her hand through her hair, turned around, took a bottle of red wine from the cabinet, and poured a glass.

“Sigh…” Xie Mianzhi frowned and opened her phone to check her messages. Xin Su had a page full of missed calls in her log.

She scrolled through the messages, replying to Xin Su. Her friend had also told her about the inside scoop on last night’s major incident—about the convenience store owner named Chen Dong fighting the culprits with all his might, his heroic deeds, and how he was an absolute citizen hero who would be commended. He hadn’t woken up yet, but his vital signs were good.

However, there was no news of Jing Yuan at all.

Of course, this also aligned with her hope: no news was good news, proving that Jing Yuan was truly uninjured.

But, based on what the staff member had implied, the owner, Mr. Chen, was also taken in by a woman, which meant Jing Yuan must have been at the scene last night. Fortunately, others were present; otherwise, if Jing Yuan had been the only one in the store, the consequences would have been unimaginable…

Xie Mianzhi opened that person’s message box again.

‘Hello, Jing Yuan, message me when you have a moment, I’m a little worried about you.’

Xie Mianzhi frowned, found it inappropriate, and decisively deleted it, starting over.

‘Jing Yuan, this is Xie Mianzhi. I saw the news last night. I wanted to ask if you are doing okay now.’

With a tightly drawn brow, she stared at the words she’d typed—they felt deliberate and awkward—and finally pressed the delete key.

What was she doing? She could handle any cutthroat negotiation in the business world, yet now, simply asking ‘Is someone doing okay?’ a seemingly simple greeting, was so difficult.

Xie Mianzhi downed the glass of red wine, lay helplessly on the sofa, and hoped that in her dreams she could figure out the reason for her abnormal behavior.

…

Jing Yuan’s Thoughts

Silver moonlight spilled onto a seaside courtyard where a lone lamp was lit.

The tide rose and fell, and gusts of cold wind made the seaside courtyard appear exceptionally desolate and lonely.

The night was very deep.

However, the black-haired woman sitting by the window showed no sign of sleepiness. She was using the moonlight to meticulously wipe the emerald necklace with a clean tissue.

She didn’t miss a single crevice.

Only after confirming that the necklace was as pristine as before, without any dust, did she carefully place it into a brand-new velvet box.

She had experienced a small accident today—or rather, last night, since it was already past midnight.

Although she had quickly resolved it, the necklace had been touched by that damn scoundrel. That person’s bloodied and sweaty hand had grabbed the necklace, which made her incredibly furious.

Even thinking about those scenes now made her angry.

She slowly leaned back in her chair, trying to relax.

But—

“Ah… I’m still a little angry.” Jing Yuan narrowed her eyes. Her golden pupils suddenly stood vertically, and the stripes on her arm wantonly surfaced on her skin, like specters in the dark night.

‘Eat them, Should have eaten them all,’

The stripes seemed to possess their own consciousness, spelling out the Pinyin for these words on the table. They clamored for their owner’s true thoughts and their greatest desire.

Jing Yuan frowned and tugged at her collar. Indeed, she was a little hungry.

She had even hunted some of the more ferocious creatures in the sea, but it wasn’t enough.

Perhaps her lingering anger was to blame.

She still could not tolerate Miss Xie Mianzhi’s necklace being touched by a person like that. Letting those people live to turn themselves in was truly too merciful.

Jing Yuan opened the contacts on her phone, looking at that person’s number, and silently read the name aloud.

…

“Xie Mianzhi.”

The Next Morning

When Rong Cheng and Min Shu came to deliver their report materials to their boss at eight in the morning, They noticed that their boss, who usually paid great attention to self-care, was greeting them with thick dark circles under her eyes, her pajamas hanging loosely on her body. It was clear she hadn’t had a good night’s rest.

She must have something on her mind.

Rong Cheng found the prominent “panda eyes” on Xie Mianzhi as she came downstairs a little amusing. It seemed like it had been a long time since his Miss had such a ‘decadent beauty’ look.

“Miss, this is the proposal signed by Pengda last time. Please review it,” Rong Cheng reported respectfully, trying hard not to laugh.

Xie Mianzhi nodded, motioning for Rong Cheng to place it on the table.

Xie Mianzhi looked down at the breakfast the housekeeper had served. Normally, such an exquisite breakfast, strictly following a recipe, would set her up for a good day, but today she truly had no appetite.

Her gloomy eyes stared at the meal. Last night, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, her mind constantly figuring out how to quietly ask after that person.

She ended up having nightmares all night.

She had just received a message from Xin Su—the latest news report about the armed robbery incident at the Minsong Town convenience store. The foreign criminals seemed terrified of the ‘Owner Chen’ who made them surrender, confessing to all their heinous crimes without reserve.

The TV station was also broadcasting the latest news: the criminals would be strictly escorted to the highest supervisory institute, and the heroic ‘Owner Chen’ of the convenience store, who fought bravely to protect the staff, would receive a commendation. The incident, which had caused a negative social impact, was now checked by the forces of justice, and citizens would not panic. Everything was developing in a good direction.

Dark things happen everywhere, but fortunately, that person is safe.

After personally confirming it last night, combined with the news from Xin Su and the current information on TV, she knew that Jing Yuan was perfectly safe. This was the best outcome.

Xie Mianzhi brought her thoughts back. She looked at Rong Cheng and Min Shu standing before her, raised an eyebrow, and asked, “Have you two had breakfast yet?”

Min Shu was about to answer “I haven’t eaten,” but Rong Cheng nudged her with an elbow.

Rong Cheng couldn’t quite grasp Xie Mianzhi’s intent. Why was she suddenly concerned about their diet? Something was fishy.

“Miss, we’ve eaten.”

“Then you don’t mind eating a little more,” Xie Mianzhi said, pushing all the food on her plate toward them, motioning for Rong Cheng and Min Shu to sit and enjoy the meal.

“You don’t have an appetite?” Rong Cheng could tell Xie Mianzhi was completely uninterested in the food. Was Miss still thinking about the news incident last night? Hadn’t they already confirmed that Miss Jing Yuan wasn’t affected?

Xie Mianzhi merely gave a light ‘hmph’ as a response.

Aunt Tao, who had worked for the Madam for many years, walked out of the kitchen and saw that her eldest Miss wasn’t eating. She quickly asked if she should make something else or what Miss might like to eat.

Xie Mianzhi waved her hand while flipping through the Pengda trade agreement, indicating that Aunt Tao didn’t need to bother; she truly didn’t feel like eating anything.

Aunt Tao looked at a reluctant Mr. Rong Cheng, hoping he could persuade Miss to eat at least something.

“Miss, you barely ate anything last night. If you don’t eat again today, your complexion might…”

“Might what?”

“Might turn into a ‘zombie,'” Rong Cheng said boldly, spooning up a fish soup. “A dark-circled zombie.”

Min Shu’s eyes widened in horror. She felt that Brother Rong was courting disaster. She quickly used the opportunity to help in the back kitchen, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.

After hearing this, Xie Mianzhi pursed her lips and looked up at Rong Cheng with an arched brow. She was about to scold him for being overly talkative and increasingly bold, but the phrase “dark-circled zombie” inexplicably reminded her of that person.

It was kind of cute.

So, after a few seconds of thought, she decided not to argue with Rong Cheng. She instructed the housekeeper: “Aunt Tao, then make me a blueberry milk smoothie. I want to drink some milk first.”

Rong Cheng’s eyes widened. His tyrannical boss was not only not berating him but had even accepted his suggestion and asked for a cup of blueberry milk.

“Put thirteen blueberries in it,” Xie Mianzhi added.

Aunt Tao paused for a moment, but then realizing her Miss’s picky nature, she decided the boss must have learned some new drink recipe somewhere. She immediately picked exactly thirteen blueberries, washed them, and put them in the blender.

Soon, a fresh cup of what could be called ‘Jing-style signature blueberry milk’ was presented to Xie Mianzhi.

“Is it thirteen?”

“Miss, no more, no less, exactly thirteen blueberries,” Aunt Tao answered sincerely. She always followed her employer’s will, or this picky eldest Miss would surely quit on her.

Xie Mianzhi finally picked up the cup with satisfaction and took a sip. The taste was indeed similar to the last time she drank it. It was fine, but she always felt something was missing.

However—

Xie Mianzhi looked left and right, feeling that something wasn’t quite right. It was probably the glass.

“Rong Cheng, order a tall glass with a vertical pattern from Ms. Xu Lun. Have it delivered today,” Xie Mianzhi ordered. She remembered the one in Jing Yuan’s house had a simpler vertical pattern.

Rong Cheng looked at the Italian imported diamond glass cup in his boss’s hand. Wasn’t this the one Artisan Xu Lun had just delivered last week? Miss even said it was beautiful then…

Although he was confused, he nodded and complied: “Yes, Miss.”

“Did you find the necklace?” After finishing her review of the agreement, Xie Mianzhi was satisfied with Pengda’s cooperation attitude. Her mood improved slightly, and she immediately changed the subject to ask about the necklace.

Rong Cheng felt like the breakfast he was forced to enjoy was a veiled threat.

“Replying, Miss, it hasn’t been found yet. Perhaps it truly…”

“Then I’ll deduct your commission until you’re seventy, Rong Cheng.” Xie Mianzhi smiled as she informed him of the cruel result.

Rong Cheng felt the food he had just swallowed catch in his throat. His extremely awkward boss was truly indirectly reminding him—

She wanted to see that Miss from Minsong Town.

No, Miss Jing Yuan.

“Boss, I promise I will find that precious necklace for you today. I swear.” Rong Cheng stood up. He wasn’t stupid. Having followed Xie Mianzhi for so long, he knew exactly what she was trying to imply.

If Xie Mianzhi truly cared about the necklace, she would have had people flip the entire city upside down already. Instead, she had been waiting, waiting for Miss Jing Yuan.

Unfortunately, Miss Jing, who didn’t understand her demanding Miss’s true intentions, still hadn’t appeared. Last night, the boss had even gone to great lengths to clear connections to the hospital just to ensure that person was unharmed.

And she didn’t let the other party know.

The self-proclaimed reason was not concern, but because Miss Jing Yuan was her benefactor, and she had to repay the debt of gratitude.

No one would believe that.

Rong Cheng felt that his Miss probably, perhaps, very likely… wanted to fall in love.

She was developing feelings for a woman.

However, the person involved didn’t seem to realize it.

After all, though his boss appeared to be a playgirl on the surface, she was actually a ‘first-kiss lady’ who had never been in a proper relationship.

“Boss, that necklace probably can’t be compensated for even with my lifetime commission,” Rong Cheng said. He knew Xie Mianzhi was deliberately making things difficult to lead into the next part of the conversation.

“Trying to gain sympathy? That won’t work with me,” Xie Mianzhi replied coldly, taking a sip of blueberry milk.

Rong Cheng nodded. “I know, so I still want to try other methods to find it, but I need your permission.”

“Go on,” Xie Mianzhi put down her glass and watched Rong Cheng with a seasoned expression.

Rong Cheng looked at his boss’s sharp expression and knew he was right.

She wanted to see the person, but he had to be the one to smoothly set it up.

“I think we need to contact Miss Jing Yuan in Minsong Town. It’s very likely the necklace was dropped at her house. I’ve already searched everywhere here,” Rong Cheng said respectfully.

Xie Mianzhi rested her chin on her hand and thought for a few seconds.

“Honestly, you’ve been with me for so long, and I don’t want to deduct your salary,” Xie Mianzhi said, using polite words about their long working relationship.

Rong Cheng nodded with “gratitude” as he listened.

“Then go ahead and do it,” Xie Mianzhi agreed to Rong Cheng’s suggestion, as she also knew her necklace was most likely genuinely lost in some corner or crevice of Jing Yuan’s house.

Rong Cheng looked at the time. Miss Jing Yuan should be awake now. He had a hunch she wasn’t the type to sleep in.

“Then I’ll contact Miss Jing Yuan first.” Rong Cheng stood up with the phone, ready to move aside so as not to disturb his boss’s meal.

If it were anyone else unimportant, Xie Mianzhi would absolutely not let him make the call near her. However, since he was calling Jing Yuan, she had to listen nearby, not missing a single word.

“Just call here. I’m done eating anyway,” Xie Mianzhi demanded.

Rong Cheng had no choice but to dial the number right under her nose.

The waiting time was long, even though it only rang three times.

Finally, the person on the other end picked up.

“Hello.”

A voice as clear and cool as a mountain spring came through. Rong Cheng sensibly turned the volume all the way up.

Xie Mianzhi heard the long-awaited voice. Her heart suddenly thumped. The little savior’s voice was so lovely. It felt like the last time she heard it was in the last century.

“Hello, Miss Jing Yuan. I’m Rong Cheng, the assistant to Boss Xie Mianzhi. I apologize for bothering you.” Rong Cheng spoke politely to Jing Yuan on the phone, while his boss stood nearby, pretending to be nonchalant and listening.

“The thing is, our boss might have misplaced a necklace at your place before. We wanted to ask if you happen to… Ah, I see,” Rong Cheng sounded a little surprised by the reply on the other end. He didn’t expect Miss Jing Yuan to have already found his boss’s million-dollar necklace.

Rong Cheng immediately turned to look at his boss, seeking instructions on what to do.

Xie Mianzhi mouthed to Rong Cheng: either go together to pick it up or invite her to come over, whichever was convenient for Jing Yuan, but absolutely do not let her mail it.

If she mailed it, they wouldn’t get to see each other!

“Miss Jing Yuan, thank you so much for finding the necklace. It’s very important to the boss. If possible, we’d like to bother you again and drive over to pick it up, or…”

“I’ve already brought it over.”

This response from the other end of the line made Xie Mianzhi and Rong Cheng’s eyes widen in astonishment simultaneously.

“You mean you’ve already delivered it today? Is it by mail or…” Rong Cheng quickly regained his senses and asked Jing Yuan. She probably wanted to avoid trouble and might have sent it by mail, which would be terrible.

Wouldn’t his Miss’s plan to see her fall through?

“It’s me. I took a car here today. I wanted to deliver it to Xie Mianzhi personally.”