For some reason, she had a gut feeling that this matter might be related to Cen Yang's previous attempt to steal Cen Sen's investment, so she patiently read through the report carefully.
Ji Mingshu only vaguely understood the financial terms; after reading them, she summarized the gist of it as follows:
Borui is plagued by deep-seated internal conflicts and failed capital restructuring. Its future is not optimistic, and it is highly likely to be acquired or merged.
As an investor in Borui, Haichuan Capital made several poor decisions during this period, resulting in heavy losses. The head of the Greater China region has recently resigned to take responsibility.
The report also mentioned that Jingcheng Capital intends to acquire Borui at a low price.
— Jingcheng Capital has absolutely no affiliation with Jingjian, but it seems to be a company jointly established by Cen Sen and Jiang Che.
Ji Mingshu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly seemed to understand something.
As soon as Ji Mingshu got off the plane, she switched modes and immediately received Cen Sen's feedback on the documentary program.
He first presented his argument, much like writing an argumentative essay—that he could participate—and then presented various arguments, both positive and negative, to support his point.
Ji Mingshu glanced at it only once before dialing the driver's number. "Hello, have we arrived at the airport yet?"
For some reason, the driver's response was somewhat mumbled, "Ah! We've...we've arrived! Please wait a moment, Madam."
Nearly half a minute later he replied, "Madam, the car is parked outside International Departure Exit 2. May I ask which exit you came from?"
Ji Mingshu looked up and saw that it was International Departure Exit 2. "Oh, let's stop there. I'll be right out."
Her large luggage had already been airlifted back to China. Now, she had one hand in the pocket of her silk trench coat, wore sunglasses, and was pushing a light and nimble suitcase with the other, looking quite like a celebrity.
However, she was preoccupied with the news she had just seen on the plane, so she was a little absent-minded and walked quickly.
Seeing a familiar license plate with its hazard lights flashing, waiting by the parking lane, Ji Mingshu felt a strange unease, but before she could think about it, her actions preceded her thoughts, and she opened the car door and sat in the back seat.
After sitting down, she finally realized what was strange.
Why didn't the driver help her with her luggage? Why didn't he open the car door for her? Does this driver even want to keep his job? He—
Ji Mingshu unexpectedly met a pair of familiar eyes in the rearview mirror, and his heart skipped a beat.
She then peeked her head forward, playfully slapped the driver's arm twice, and then wrapped her arms around his neck, saying, "Why are you here? Didn't you say you were going on a business trip today?"
Cen Sen, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding her slender white wrist, pondered for a moment before saying earnestly, "I've heard this is called a surprise."
After saying that, he magically produced a bouquet of roses.
Ji Mingshu had been maintaining a cool and aloof demeanor, but upon seeing the flowers, she couldn't hold back any longer. She quickly opened the car door, got into the passenger seat, and took a deep breath while holding the little rose. Then, she leaned in and kissed Cen Sen's cheek. "Well done!"
Cen Sen remained calm and seemed to have no particular reaction to her kiss. He only said that he couldn't stop on the side of the road for long, and then leaned over to help her fasten her seatbelt.
The distance between the two suddenly closed.
Ji Mingshu had a very faint perfume scent on her, probably from when she went out; now only the citrus base notes remained.
However, after only a week apart, Cen Sen found that he missed the little canary who had been briefly released from her cage even more than he had imagined. Although they video-called every day, it was completely different from the feeling of her lying next to him.
After fastening his seatbelt, he didn't get up. He supported himself on the side of her chair with one hand, his gaze falling on her lips, which were only adorned with lipstick. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he unconsciously moved closer.
Do you want to kiss me?
But there are still so many people outside.
Ji Mingshu was a little embarrassed after not seeing him for a few days. Her ears turned red, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and then she slowly closed them.
One second, two seconds, three seconds, she finally felt Cen Sen's warm breath and couldn't help but move forward slightly, wanting to get a little closer.
Unexpectedly, she lost control of her forward momentum and bumped directly into his lips.
The air fell silent for a moment.
Cen Sen maintained a brief distance of a few centimeters, without moving an inch, and then suddenly chuckled, "I didn't realize you thought so much about me."
Chapter 84
Whether she wants it or not is hard to say, but she is certainly embarrassed and annoyed.
On the way back, Ji Mingshu sullenly looked out the window, ignoring Cen Sen. Cen Sen tried to start a conversation several times, but she refrained from responding, silently refuting him in her heart.
However, Cen Sen received a call from Jiang Che on the way, and without trying to avoid her, he played it out via Bluetooth.
She listened intently. Although neither of them mentioned Cen Yang, she still heard the familiar names "Bo Rui" and "Hai Chuan".
After Cen Sen finished his call, Ji Mingshu couldn't help but speak first, "I read a financial newspaper on the plane. The newspaper said that Jingcheng Capital is interested in acquiring Borui. Jingcheng Capital is a partnership between you and Jiang Che, right?"
"Um."
Ji Mingshu then asked, "So, the acquisition... has this been in your plans for a long time?"
Ahead was the ETC exit of the airport expressway toll station, where several cars were lined up. Cen Sen slowed down, seemingly pondering, "It hasn't been long. I only started planning this last year when I returned to China."
It hasn't been long yet?
"Then...was Cen Yang's interception of that billion-dollar investment also part of your plan?"
In fact, Ji Mingshu had been thinking about this question the whole time she was on the plane. She had always heard people say that Cen Sen was incredibly capable and resourceful. Could it be that he was the one who frantically cleaned up the mess after being outmaneuvered by someone who had just returned from abroad? Thinking about it carefully, it didn't make sense.
Just as Ji Mingshu was imagining Cen Sen carrying the whole game and manipulating everyone, Cen Sen poured cold water on her enthusiasm, saying, "He's not here."
"..."
Sorry to bother you.
Cen Sen added slowly and deliberately, "He's not worth my planning yet."
When he said this, he looked straight ahead with a calm expression. His profile was smooth and clean. Although he was just sitting in a normal driving position, he inexplicably gave people a sense of composure and confidence.
Ji Mingshu turned to look at him, but inappropriately fell for him for a few seconds. Her fingers fiddled with the flower petals, her heart pounding.
It took her a while to come to her senses, and she casually looked out the window. She glanced out the window and saw Cen Sen driving attentively. She then silently took out her phone and quickly typed a line on the keyboard, a smile unconsciously creeping onto her lips.
Ji Mingshu: [Waaaaah, when my Cen Shi Sen Sen gets into a fight, no other man can compete!]
Jiang Chun: [?]
Jiang Chun: [Offloading dog food at the wrong time and place results in a red card warning.]
Gu Kaiyang: [Ji Shi Shushu, you've changed.]
Gu Kaiyang: [You used to call him a total jerk.]
Jiang Chun: [Because she has now mutated into Cen Shi Shushu!]
Ji Mingshu: [...]
Ji Mingshu: [I brought you both gifts. Think it over carefully.]
[Jiang Chun retracted a message] x2
[Gu Kaiyang retracted a message] x2
This is so true to life :)
Ji Mingshu was unaware that Cen Sen had turned to look at her three times during the few minutes she was chatting.
While waiting at a traffic light, Cen Sen suddenly asked in a slow voice, "Are you chatting with Cen Yang?"
"?"
"what's on your mind?"
Ji Mingshu was full of questions, but without thinking, she openly showed Cen Sen the chat conversation.
Cen Sen actually took a look, and before Ji Mingshu could react, he reached out and slid his hand upwards.
[Waaaaah, when my Cen Shi Sen Sen gets into a fight, no other man can compete!]
Upon seeing this sentence, Cen Sen raised an eyebrow slightly, nodded slightly, and continued driving.
...?
Ji Mingshu was stunned, but she managed to discern a hint of pleasure in his expressionless face.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
That night, the lights at Mingshui Mansion stayed on all night.
Ji Mingshu experienced firsthand what it meant to be "A". The next day, when he woke up and lay in bed, he felt extremely peaceful and world-weary.
Cen Sen used to clean up the trash when he got up, but ever since they talked about having a baby, the family hasn't bought any more of these family planning supplies that are destined to become trash.
However, it seems that getting pregnant is not so easy; Ji Mingshu's period has been very regular for the past month or two.
Ji Mingshu was already having some doubts about her own constitution, but Cen Sen didn't seem to be in a hurry at all.
This directly led Ji Mingshu to highly suspect that he didn't actually want a baby, but just wanted to have his own pleasure.
Her suspicions weren't without evidence. After they stopped taking precautions, this bastard's enthusiasm and stamina for sex increased dramatically. Before, she was only occasionally tormented to the point of near death, but now she was tormented to the point of near death every time.
Seeing Cen Sen emerge from the bathroom early in the morning, dressed in a neat white shirt and suit, his tie perfectly tied, with the tie clip she had given him pinned to the side, looking every bit the refined and noble gentleman, she couldn't help but mutter weakly in bed, "A beast in human clothing!"
Upon hearing this, Cen Sen turned around, walked to the bedside, covered her with the blanket, tidied her messy long hair, kissed her on the lips, and frankly admitted, "Yes, you're dressed now."
—Let's be beasts again tonight.
Ji Mingshu couldn't help but kick him.
"Don't move around, I just applied some medicine to your wound."
Cen Sen grabbed her ankle, as naturally as if they were having a casual chat.
Ji Mingshu was so angry that he couldn't speak for a long time.
Fortunately, Cen Sen knew when to stop. "I'm going to the company. You should rest well at home today."
After getting up, he seemed to remember something, leaned over, and whispered two words in Ji Mingshu's ear.
He was good at grasping the key points. As soon as Ji Mingshu heard this, the anger that hadn't been fully gathered dissipated in an instant. Awkwardly, she even took the initiative to hug his neck and give him a kiss.
Although Cen Sen told her to rest well at home, Ji Mingshu couldn't stop working whenever she thought about the endless design work she had on hand.
Moreover, during dinner last night, she had a good talk with Cen Sen about the documentary program, and after careful consideration, she gave the producer a positive answer.
The program was eventually titled "Impressions of Old Streets" and will be broadcast in the form of a documentary with narration. The designers will not appear on camera too often, except to introduce the renovation projects.
This is fundamentally different from "The Designer," which is more about recording than design, while this show is more about design than recording.
In late June and early July, the main building of Junyi Yaji, a designer brand hotel under the Junyi Group, was completed, and the decoration project officially began.