The Reconciliation Chapter 16

Chapter 16 – Eating Together

Yu Xi had always been healthy because she frequently exercised in the past. Even though her days and nights were flipped whenever she needed to film, she would seldom get sick.  However, she seemed to have truly neglected her body recently.

Her meals were irregular, and she lacked motivation to exercise so her health worsened. Luckily, her foundation was good so after she had the milk and candy Zhong Chen gave her, she felt all better.

By the time Bai Yutang rushed back to the company, Yu Xi was having breakfast. She hurriedly rushed up to Yu Xi and asked, “I heard from Yitong that you almost fainted.”

“What happened?”

Standing behind Yu Xi, Zhong Chen felt Bai Yutang’s inquiring gaze and shrunk back, replying in a soft voice, “Xixi had low blood sugar…”

Bai Yutang stared at her sharply, “Low blood sugar?”

“She didn’t have breakfast?”

Zhong Chen shook her head slowly.

Bai Yutang sucked in a deep breath, “How about yesterday? How many meals did she have?”

Zhong Chen blinked innocently and hesitantly stuck out one finger, smiling flatteringly at her. Bai Yutang smacked the table in a fury, “Ridiculous!”

Yu Xi’s hand trembled and the buns almost fell onto the table.

There was a knock on the door and Bai Yutang’s assistant called in, “Bai-jie, Director Zhao’s looking for you.”

Bai Yutang glared at Yu Xi, “I’ll deal with you when I come back!”

Yu Xi swallowed her last bite of the bun and looked up, smiling lightly at Bai Yutang, “Okay.”

Her tone was obedient and her smile was sweet. Bai Yutang couldn’t stand this type of sugar coating and her stern expression turned speechless. She coldly harrumphed and left the office.

When the door closed, Zhong Chen rubbed her nose.

The difference in treatment was too obvious, Bai-jie!

Was it her fault that she’s not pretty?

She looked down, cleaning the wrappers up, expression indignant. Yu Xi asked her, “What’s wrong?”

Zhong Chen looked towards Yu Xi, asking seriously, “Xixi, do you think it’s too late for me to get plastic surgery?”

Yu Xi, “……”

Bai Yutang came back to the office around eleven. Yu Xi was sitting on the sofa, reading the script. She walked over and sat down, taking a sip of water from the cup she was holding, “The schedule’s set.”

Yu Xi closed the script, “Is the male lead set yet?”

There were many people in the running for the role of the male lead, but due to clashes in their schedule, Yu Xi still did not know who the male lead was.

Bai Yutang took another sip and nodded, “Mhm, it was just set.”

“You should know him.”

“Ji Linfeng.”

Yu Xi was familiar with this name. He was currently a popular young actor. They’ve never worked together before officially, but they’ve been on the same program before so they did know each other.

His last drama started airing around the same time the program was broadcasted, so she also helped him promote his drama before.

Yu Xi nodded, “I do.”

Bai Yutang said, “The cast is all set so we’re going to start filming the day after tomorrow.”

“I’ve already discussed with President Jiang. We are not going to release any news about the filming so try to be more low-profile during this time.”

“And let’s keep it like that until the drama is finished filming.”

Yu Xi didn’t have any opinions and agreed, “Okay.”

Bai Yutang continued, “There’s a dinner party tonight, Director Zhao’s. Go and get changed later.”

Yu Xi nodded.

Looking at the other’s listless appearance, she didn’t give any more orders. She merely turned towards Zhong Chen and said, “Pay attention to her diet.”

“I don’t want anything like earlier to happen again.”

Zhong Chen felt guilty, nodding vigorously, “I will pay more attention next time, Bai-jie.”

Bai Yutang then asked Yu Xi, “It’s almost time for lunch, do you want lunch together?”

Yu Xi ate buns only two hours prior so she wasn’t very hungry yet, but she knew if she didn’t go, Bai Yutang would nag her incessantly. For the sake of her ears, she could only nod, “Sure.”

Zhong Chen carried the bags and followed close behind.

The three people left the office. Zhong Chen went to press the elevator button. When the elevator door opened, there were already two people standing inside.

Zhong Chen really wanted to cut off the hand that pressed the button. If she knew earlier that she would show up, she wouldn’t have pressed it.

Her complexion was complicated, as she stood there without moving. Bai Yutang stood behind her, “What, aren’t you getting in the elevator?”

She looked up and saw Jiang Jingbai and her assistant standing in the elevator. Bai Yutang nodded, greeting her, “President Jiang.”

Jiang Jingbai nodded in response, smiling lightly. She took a few steps in to make space. Bai Yutang walked into the elevator first, with Yu Xi following behind. Zhong Chen was the last one in.

The elevator was quite spacious. Even though there were five people standing in there, there was enough room to spare, but Bai Yutang still felt the atmosphere was wrong. She glanced over to Jiang Jingbai but didn’t expect her to break the ice first.

“Are you guys going out?”

Bai Yutang didn’t expect their new boss to ask first and concluded that their new boss was not as cold and detached as she expected. She quickly nodded, “Mhm, we’re going out for lunch.”

She self-consciously asked in a courteous manner, “Has President Jiang eaten yet?”

Jiang Jingbai pressed her lips together, “Not yet.”

Bai Yutang, “……”

How should she reply?

Was the new boss simply saying that she hadn’t eaten yet or did she want an invitation?

Bai Yutang’s generally sharp-witted mind was not able to turn around quick enough and was momentarily stumped. It was only when the elevator reached the first floor did she say joking, “Then if President Jiang doesn’t mind, I know a restaurant nearby the company that’s pretty good.”

Yu Xi glanced over to Jiang Jingbai’s side profile and watched as she opened her mouth.

“I don’t mind.”

Bai Yutang, “…..”

Okay, she finally figured it out, the new boss just wanted to freeload a meal.

Bai Yutang didn’t lie. There really was a restaurant nearby with a good reputation. Usually, customers would need to wait in line for a long time before they could get a table, however, Bai Yutang was a frequent customer and knew the owner, so when the restaurant was busy, she would just borrow the owner’s private room. She didn’t need to wait in line and just went in directly.

The interior design had a European style. A huge crystal chandelier hung in the middle of the room and the walls were dark-colored, with a few oil paintings hung on the wall. The tablecloth was red. The waiter who led them into the room held a teapot and poured a cup for everyone after they sat down.

Bai Yutang passed the menu to Jiang Jingbai, smiling, “President Jiang, what would you like?”

Jiang Jingbai scanned over the menu for two seconds before passing it to Yu Xi, “I’m okay with anything, you choose.”

Yu Xi took over the menu and straightforwardly drew a few marks on the menu. After she finished picking the dishes, she passed it over to the waiter.

Noticing the silence, Bai Yutang spoke up first, “President Jiang, I heard you were born here and then lived abroad for the past few years.”

Jiang Jingbai hummed in agreement.

Bai Yutang asked, “Is the place different than before you went abroad?”

Jiang Jingbai pondered for a few seconds before nodding, “It has changed quite a lot.”

Bai Yutang smiled, “Yeah, it’s different every year.”

She was talking about the place.

But Jiang Jingbai was talking about the people.

Her line of sight traveled over to Yu Xi.

Yu Xi’s change was very apparent. In the past, she did not like making poker faces. She liked to smile and liked to act cute. Whenever she was unhappy, she would also childishly throw a temper tantrum. When she was late to their date, she would also pinch her ears and nag her. She wore her heart on her sleeve, expressing all of her emotion for the world to see.  

Unlike her calm countenance now. Now, her expression was always indifferent, no one could guess what she’s thinking.

A knock traveled over from the room door and then the waiter walked in with the dishes. Jiang Jingbai glanced carelessly over at the food—it was all spicy food.

She squinted her eyes and heard Bai Yutang’s enthusiastic introduction, “President Jiang, this is Mala Rabbit Meat¹, their specialty, the taste is very authentic, try some.”

Jiang Jingbai nodded and picked up a piece with her chopstick. She took a bite and choked on the biting spiciness. She violently coughed, cheeks flushing and eyes slightly watering. Seeing Jiang Jingbai’s appearance, Yu Xi felt illogically satisfied. She rotated the dish directly in front of Jiang Jingbai and smiled, “President Jiang, it’s a little spicy at first, but it should be better after a few more bites.”

Her voice carried a tone of playfulness. Jiang Jingbai’s eyes flickered over to her a couple of times.

This was the first time since they met again that she spoke to her with a smile on her face.

Jiang Jingbai couldn’t stop herself from eating a few more bites.

She only put down her chopsticks when she felt the burn down in her stomach.

After half an hour, Yu Xi rose and said, “Please excuse me, I’m going to the restroom.”

Bai Yutang looked up, “Zhong Chen, go with her.”

They were still in a restaurant with a lot of customers, so if anyone recognized her then it would be disastrous. Yu Xi didn’t refute back and allowed Zhong Chen to follow behind her.

After Yu Xi left, Bai Yutang turned over to look at Jiang Jingbai and asked, “President Jiang, how is your new residence?”

Jiang Jingbai put down her chopsticks and used a napkin to dab at her mouth, “Pretty good.”

“I haven’t even thanked you yet for helping me find a place to live.”

Bai Yutang was flattered, “No need to stand on ceremony, President Jiang, as long as you’re happy. “

“If you need any help in the future, please tell me.”

You couldn’t blame Bai Yutang for trying to curry favor with Jiang Jingbai. In fact, there were many managers in the company. In the past, she relied on Yu Xi to stand at the top of the bunch, but now that Yu Xi’s traction have fallen so apparently, she’s doing what she could. Although Tao Yitong was brought in by Jiang Jingbai, she did not know clearly what their two’s relationship was like, so she was unlikely to let go of any chances to tighten their relationship.

After all, the company’s resources were limited.

Jiang Jingbai nodded, “Okay.”

Right after they finished their conversation, Yu Xi and Zhong Chen walked in. She wore a dark sunglasses. With her head lowered, her long hair covered her face. After they walked into the private room, she swept her hair back with her hand, revealing her exquisite facial features. Bai Yutang looked over and asked inquiringly, “Why were you two gone for so long, the food is cold now.”

Zhong Chen explained, “There’s a lot of people.”

Bai Yutang nodded, “Are you going to eat more? I’ll get someone to heat it up.”

Yu Xi waved her hands, “I’m full.”

Bai Yutang turned around to look at Jiang Jingbai, “What about President Jiang?”

Jiang Jingbai didn’t eat much, but all of the dishes on the table were extremely spicy so she couldn’t eat it anyways. She shook her head, “No need.”

Hearing their responses, Bai Yutang could only reply, “Then I’ll go and pay. There’s a back door where you can leave the restaurant.”

After she paid the check and walked out of the restaurant, she found Yu Xi and Jiang Jingbai standing under a tree. She walked over and smiled lightly, “Xixi, we still need to hold a meeting later. Why don’t you go back first?”

Yu Xi had the same intention, so she nodded.

Standing behind them, Jiang Jingbai said, “Going back to the apartment, right? I left a document at home and need to go grab it. Do you want to go back together?”

Zhong Chen was about to say something, but Bai Yutang interrupted her, “Okay.”

“I almost forget Xixi lived right next to President Jiang. Then we’ll have to bother you, President Jiang.”

Jiang Jingbai stared at Yu Xi. The latter was silent for a few seconds before looking up, expression clear, “Probably not.”

“I’m not used to sitting in stranger’s cars.”

Bai Yutang’s expression froze. She pulled on Yu Xi’s sleeve, expression apologetic, “I’m sorry, President Jiang. Xixi didn’t feel well today, and that probably also affected her emotions, she’s not usually…”

Jiang Jingbai pursed her lips together, her voice indifferent like usual, “It’s fine.”

“Then I’ll leave first.”

Bai Yutang watched as Jiang Jingbai’s back faded away. She pinched Yu Xi’s ears and said, “What’s wrong with you? Do you know who you were just talking to?”

As her ears were pinched, Yu Xi could only nod honestly, “I do.”

Bai Yutang’s anger didn’t subside, “This is our new boss! How could you-“

Before she could finish her sentence, Yu Xi added to her previous statement, “She’s also my ex-girlfriend.”

Bai Yutang was stunned, the words stuck in her mouth turning back to where it came from. She couldn’t stop herself from muttering, “You did well.”

Yu Xi, “……”

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Author’s Notes

One day, Jiang Jingbai was in an interview when a reporter asked her: President Jiang, what do you think is the greatest hindrance in chasing Yu Xi?
Jiang Jingbai thought about it: Her assistant, and her manager.
Reporter: ……

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1 A Sichuan specialty with rabbit meat cooked with spicy peppers and peppercorn so it’s super spicy and super numbing.