Chapter 196: Matched My Foot
After Ji Yanming put the things in order, he led the siblings out.
Having someone familiar with S City to guide them made things much easier—they avoided taking wrong turns and didn’t need to think for themselves. All they needed was for one person to follow Comrade Ji, and that was it.
Ji Yanming had lived here since childhood, making him half a S City-nese. He knew the area well, including which alleys shortened the route to their destination.
After leaving the hospital, crossing a few streets and winding alleys, they finally arrived at the entrance of S City’s largest newspaper.
Ning Xiyue and Ning Qingyuan hadn’t had to think at all along the way. They walked as if the streets were unfamiliar, cluelessly reaching the destination.
If not for her hyperthymesia—her photographic memory automatically forming mental images of the paths they took—Ning Xiyue might not have believed the route they had traveled.
But truthfully, not worrying about anything and having a friend take care of it all made traveling without thinking genuinely enjoyable.
Before they knew it, they were inside the newspaper office. Her second brother had already started chatting with Ji Yanming’s editor friend.
The two seemed to be getting along very well, clearly having a pleasant conversation—promising, perhaps.
Ning Xiyue felt happy for her brother.
She and Ji Yanming didn’t join the conversation but instead sat separately, sipping tea, waiting for the discussion to finish.
Seeing that it would take a while, Ning Xiyue turned her attention to chat with Comrade Ji.
“Comrade Ji, thank you for bringing us here today. Otherwise, my brother and I wouldn’t have known how long it would take to find this place. Even if we did, we wouldn’t have connected with the editor so quickly. Having a friend like you is truly our luck.”
Ning Xiyue sighed with gratitude. Lately, she had thanked Comrade Ji so many times she felt one meal wasn’t enough; several meals might be required.
Ji Yanming chuckled softly, murmuring, “It’s my luck too. Having you three siblings as friends makes me very happy.”
Since meeting her, he smiled more often.
It was Ning Qingzhi, a close comrade, who noticed this and told him; that’s when he realized his own feelings.
Ji Yanming felt pleased with himself. From a stranger to a lucky friend in Xiyue’s heart—that was a significant step.
This meant he now had a place in her heart, and he intended to gradually expand that position.
When he noticed Ning Xiyue’s tea cup was empty, he calmly got up and refilled it for her, the rising steam making the moment particularly warm and cozy.
“Thank you, Comrade Ji.”
Ning Xiyue leisurely sipped the warm tea, glanced at her brother still talking with the editor without signs of stopping, and continued chatting with Comrade Ji, holding her cup.
As she became more familiar with him, Ning Xiyue realized Ji Yanming was a man of few words, but meticulous, kind-hearted, and helpful—a genuinely upright friend.
This made spending time with him comfortable, not stifling; there was no need for excessive politeness.
Thinking of friendship, and that he knew her entire family while she barely knew his situation, she wanted to learn more.
“Comrade Ji, you’re so familiar with S City—every alley and shortcut. Are you a local?”
“I’m not originally from S City. My hometown is the capital, the Capital, but I consider myself half a S City-nese,” Ji Yanming said, happy to share.
Besides Ning Xiyue being someone he liked, another reason he shared was that her genuine interest made her a perfect listener—a professional supporter.
When someone listens with sincere, sparkling eyes, nodding and occasionally responding, it’s irresistible to continue talking.
Ning Xiyue had that adorable expression now, eyes curious, responding, “Oh? How’s that?”
“My parents were always busy, so no one took care of me as a child. At six, I came to S City with my grandparents and stayed until twelve before returning to the Capital. At fifteen, I returned here and have lived in S City ever since. So, this city is like a second home—I’m half a S City-nese.”
Ji Yanming smiled as he spoke.
“So, whether you’re in S City or the Capital, I can show you around if I’m there. I know both places well. If we go to the Capital, I’ll take you to see Tiananmen, climb the Great Wall, visit the Forbidden City, and try my uncle’s authentic roast duck—it’s phenomenal.”
Ning Xiyue grinned slyly, “Then it’s settled! I’ll remember that. When the time comes, you’ll be our host and treat my brother and me to your uncle’s roast duck.”
In the future, she and her brother would both take the college entrance exam for universities in the Capital—this would give her the chance. She also just wanted to enjoy the roast duck.
“Of course,” Ji Yanming replied enthusiastically, agreeing immediately. He knew Ning Xiyue couldn’t resist food; he had said it intentionally.
He then shared all kinds of culinary specialties from S City and the Capital with her, and the two chatted animatedly about food.
Meanwhile, Ning Qingyuan, who had finished his draft and was waiting to sign the contract, glanced over. He saw his sister and Comrade Ji sitting nearby, holding warm tea, smiling brightly at each other. His heart sank.
It seemed he had inadvertently created a perfect opportunity for Ji Yanming.
Just as he was about to intervene, the editor friend Zhang Xu returned with the contract, sat down, followed Ning Qingyuan’s gaze, and smiled, saying, “I’ve never seen Old Ji care so much about anyone. They look so happy together—really well matched.”
Pfft! That remark stabbed at Ning Qingyuan’s heart. He clutched his chest in frustration.
Gritting his teeth, he muttered a mildly vulgar retort:
“Matched my foot.”
