In the sleek, modern penthouse of Ji Yanluo, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the polished floors. Ji Lanxue lounged on the couch, casually biting into a crisp apple, the sound of crunching filling the brief silence.
"President Ji is coming back today," Xiao Lin announced, her voice bright against the backdrop of kitchen clatter as she and Han Su prepped lunch.
"True. He should be here any minute," Han Su replied, glancing at the clock, a hint of excitement threading through his tone.
"Talking about coming back," Ji Lanxue chimed, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "do you think he'll bring a lady or a scandal with him?"
"Scandal?" Han Su chuckled, shaking his head. "You wish."
"Do you think he won't do it?" Xiao Lin asked, stirring a pot on the stove.
"Why would he? President Ji is a man of self-esteem. He won't get close to women on purpose. He considers them problematic," Han Su asserted, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
"Like he regards Bai Zhiqi as one," Ji Lanxue shot back, her tone teasing but laced with something deeper.
"Miss Bai is different. She's not like those other ladies. She carries herself with esteem," Han Su countered, but there was an underlying tension in his voice, a hint of the unspoken rivalry that had been brewing beneath the surface.
"It's over! My brother is in love with Bai Zhiqi!" Ji Lanxue declared, her voice rising in mock excitement just as the door swung open.
"Bro!" she exclaimed, jumping up as Ji Yanluo entered, his presence filling the room with an undeniable intensity.
"Were you expecting me?" he asked, arching an eyebrow, his tone flat but his eyes scanning the room.
"Of course! We all missed you. Without you here, we hardly get a glimpse of Bai Zhiqi," Ji Lanxue replied, her voice light, but the weight of her words hung heavy in the air.
"Bai Zhiqi. What is wrong with her?" he asked, his curiosity piqued, though he hid it behind a mask of indifference.
"Bro, you just came back, and the first thing you ask about is Bai Zhiqi? You've lost all rationality," Ji Lanxue teased, but Ji Yanluo's expression remained unreadable.
"Where is she?" he demanded, ignoring his sister's playful jabs.
"In her room. She's been practicing all day long," Xiao Lin said, her tone more serious now.
Without another word, Ji Yanluo strode toward her room, his mind racing with thoughts of the enigmatic woman who had captured his attention. As he approached, the door swung open, revealing Bai Zhiqi, her hair damp and cascading down her shoulders.
For a moment, time stood still. Ji Yanluo froze, captivated by her bare face, the red of her lips contrasting vividly against her porcelain skin. Water dripped from her hair, tracing a path down her neck and disappearing beneath the fabric of her singlet, which left little to the imagination. He gulped, his breath hitching in his throat as he tried to maintain his composure.
"You are back," Bai Zhiqi said, her voice steady and inviting as she held his gaze, unwavering.
"Just came back," he managed, forcing himself to look away, his heart racing.
"Okay," she replied, a knowing smile playing on her lips, as if she sensed the tension crackling between them.
"I'd be in my study," he said curtly, turning to leave, the air thick with unspoken words and lingering glances.
As he walked away, he could feel her eyes on him, a weight that both thrilled and unnerved him. Behind them, Ji Lanxue, Xiao Lin, and Han Su exchanged knowing glances, stifling their smiles.
"Looks like someone's smitten," Ji Lanxue teased, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
"Or perhaps just caught off guard," Han Su added, a grin tugging at his lips. "It's not every day the mighty President Ji stumbles over his words."
"Let's hope he doesn't make a fool of himself," Xiao Lin said, her voice light but with an edge of concern. "We all know how much is at stake."
"True. But this time, it's different," Ji Lanxue said, her tone shifting slightly, hinting at the underlying tension. "There's more to this than just a simple crush. If he's really falling for her, it could change everything."
As Ji Yanluo retreated to his study, the walls of his carefully constructed world began to feel less solid. The thought of Bai Zhiqi lingered like a haunting melody, and he couldn't shake the feeling that what lay ahead would be anything but simple.
In that moment, the stakes were raised, and the game of love and revenge was about to unfold. Little did they know, the return of Ji Yanluo was just the beginning of a much larger storm brewing on the horizon.