The Fake Heiress's Inner Thoughts Were Heard by Her Entire Family

Ever since Jing Yi started her plan, Jing Zeqian had become even stricter in watching over her.0

Coming home so late today, she didn't know how to explain herself if she really ran into Jing Zeqian.0

Fortunately, after checking with Uncle Li, Jing Yi knew it was safe to return now. She could quietly go back to her room and claim she had been back for a while!0

But plans rarely go as expected.0

Just as Jing Yi was trying to sneak upstairs quietly, a figure blocked her path. Jing Zeqian stood at the stairs in his loungewear, arms crossed.0

Jing Yi quickly put on an innocent smile, "Second Brother, why aren't you resting so late?" Jing Zeqian replied coldly, "How could I rest when our Miss Jing Yi hasn't returned home?"0

Jing Yi gave a few dry laughs, hoping to brush it off, but Jing Zeqian had no intention of letting her go.0

"Come down with me."0

[Oh no! There's no escaping now!]0

Jing Zeqian sat on the sofa, crossing his long legs and leaning back lazily.0

Jing Yi stood before him with her head lowered, appearing apologetic.0

"Explain why you're coming home near midnight."0

If he hadn't called to confirm that Jing Yi wasn't with Wang Boqi, Jing Zeqian would have gone looking for her hours ago.0

"It's not quite midnight yet..." It was just past eleven, wasn't it?0

"It's almost dawn, if not midnight. Instead of picking at my words, you'd better think about how to explain yourself!"0

Jing Yi stammered, unsure how to explain.0

[I can't exactly say I fell asleep while chatting with someone, and then got hungry when I woke up, so I went to grab a meal...]0

Jing Zeqian couldn't even describe his complicated feelings. Fell asleep while chatting? Could there be a more ridiculous way to fall asleep?0

"Who were you out with?"0

Jing Yi lowered her head even more.0

"Shen Huaichu"0

Her voice was so soft that Jing Zeqian couldn't hear clearly. He frowned and asked again.0

"Who did you say?"0

Jing Yi carefully glanced up at Jing Zeqian and repeated, "I was with Shen Huaichu."0

Oh, so it was Shen Huaichu.0

"Shen Huaichu?!"0

Jing Yi stepped back half a step, startled by Jing Zeqian's volume. Even though they lived in a detached villa, such volume would surely disturb their sleeping family members.0

Jing Zeqian had no time for such concerns. He never expected this – when he managed to guard against one person, another would slip through!0

"It's bad enough that you went out with him, but to stay out so late?"0

More importantly, you fell asleep right in front of him – don't you know that guy has feelings for you?!0

Jing Yi felt somewhat wronged, "Second Brother, I didn't mean to come home so late, it's just that..."0

[Just that I fell asleep while chatting, right?]0

"Just what?"0

Jing Yi blinked, not daring to say it.0

Jing Zeqian was nearly furious. He had emphasized so many times, yet she still remained so unguarded.0

Later, Jing Yi listened to Jing Zeqian's lengthy lecture for half an hour, feeling a headache coming on.0

Upstairs, Lin Ruiqing hazily woke up, watching Jing Beicheng's figure rise.0

"Is Yi Yi back?"0

Jing Beicheng returned to bed, tucking the blanket around his wife, saying softly, "She's back. Zeqian is lecturing her downstairs."0

He had initially wanted to tell Jing Zeqian to keep his voice down, but as the voices gradually became quieter, he let it be.0

Lin Ruiqing, still drowsy, said, "Tell him to wrap it up. It's so late, Yi Yi needs to rest." Though she didn't know what Yi Yi had been busy with lately, she wasn't worried since Jing Zeyou and the others were watching over her.0

Lin Ruiqing didn't dwell on it further.0

Jing Beicheng quietly agreed, and Lin Ruiqing quickly fell back asleep.0

...0

"Zejun?"0

Wen Qingyan looked questioningly at Jing Zejun, who seemed somewhat distracted lately.0

Jing Zejun came back to her senses, "Brother Qingyan, did you call me?"0

Wen Qingyan looked concerned, "Are you too tired from filming lately? You've been often lost in thought." Was it because the drama was approaching its end, making her feel more pressured?0

Jing Zejun shook her head slightly, "No, I'm just thinking about some things."0

Hearing this, the worry in Wen Qingyan's eyes didn't fade, "Is there anything I can help with?"0

Jing Zejun sighed slightly. Let alone Wen Qingyan, even Jing Zeqian would have a low chance of being able to help.0

During this time, Jing Zejun could sense that Jing Yi seemed to be busy with something, but she hadn't paid much attention, assuming her sister had her own matters to attend to.0

Until last month, when Jing Zejun returned to North River for a birthday banquet, she saw Wang Boqi there.0

She and Jing Yi were all too familiar with Wang Boqi and Jiang Miaomiao's story, so why was he invited?0

More importantly, Jing Zejun caught a glimpse of Jing Yi and Wang Boqi's familiarity. Though not intimate, it exceeded the boundaries of ordinary friendship.0

Being at the banquet, Jing Zejun didn't make a scene then, but she immediately cornered Jing Yi afterward.0

From Jing Yi's explanation, Jing Zejun learned that she and Jing Zeyou were planning to deal with Wang Boqi.0

Jing Zejun was very surprised, "Why does it have to be you dealing with Wang Boqi?" She asked with urgency and confusion, not understanding how Jing Zeyou could agree to this.0

Jing Yi explained the whole situation to Jing Zejun, but this didn't ease Jing Zejun's concerns.0

Jing Yi said she was the only suitable person for this task.0

"...Has he done anything to you?"0

Jing Zejun still remembered Jiang Miaomiao's final fate, and Jing Yi was also a girl.0

Jing Yi smiled, her eyes curving, "Zejun, you forgot that I know Sanda. He can't get close to me, and besides, our brothers have given me some protective items."0

Jing Yi eagerly showed Jing Zejun her bracelet, demonstrating all the functions of its decorative buttons.0

But even so, there was no guarantee that Wang Boqi wouldn't resort to underhanded methods, which was still worrying.0

Since that banquet, Jing Zejun had been thinking about this matter. As she had told Wen Qingyan, she couldn't help much either.0

Now she could only hope this matter would end soon, so Jing Yi wouldn't have to remain in such a dangerous situation.0

"It's alright, I'm just worried about Yi Yi," Jing Zejun said to Wen Qingyan with a gentle smile.0

It seemed like something he truly couldn't help with. Wen Qingyan didn't push further, "You know you can always contact me if you need me."0

Jing Zejun smiled gracefully, looking even more elegant, "Thank you, Brother Qingyan."0

Come to think of it, during these days of filming, Jing Zejun and Wen Qingyan had grown closer.0

Though Jing Zejun couldn't pinpoint when it started, she had gradually become more natural in her interactions with Wen Qingyan.0