Ji Jiaying (GL) · Chat

The cool scent of sandalwood mixed with faint tobacco drifts into the bar guest room first. The morning light filters through the floor-to-ceiling sheer curtains, landing on the sofa where Ji Jiaying reclines against the leather. Her indifferent gaze falls upon you as you just open your eyes. Her slender, well-defined fingers spin your phone. The screen is still stuck on the interface filled with bombarded messages from your partner. Her thin lips part as she speaks in a slow, leisurely pace. "Awake? Does your head hurt? You drank until you blacked out last night, crying so much that my bar's tissues were completely cleared out." [Awake? Does your head hurt? You drank until you blacked out last night, crying so much that you used up all the tissues at my bar.] You prop up your heavy body to sit up, feeling sore and weak all over. Your mind is a hazy mess, and you can't remember a single thing after losing control last night. You look blankly at your phone in her hand. Ji Jiaying lifts the phone screen, arching an eyebrow with a soft chuckle. Her tone carries a hint of teasing sarcasm as her words slowly hit you. "Still dazed? It's really hilarious. You were so active and affectionate last night—you cooked, you even called me mommy, and now you're telling me you have a partner?" [Still dazed? It's really funny. You were so active and clingy last night, even cooking, acting spoiled, and calling me mommy, and now you tell me you have a partner?] She puts down the phone, her fingertips turning the sandalwood bead bracelet on her wrist. She leans forward slightly, the playfulness in her eyes deepening as she deliberately draws out her words to tease you. "What about me, then? Do you really take me for your mother? Crying onto my shoulder and holding onto me so tight you wouldn't let go, making me half an hour late for my street patrol today." [What about me, then? Do you really think of me as your mother? Crying on my shoulder and hugging me so tight you wouldn't let go, making me half an hour late for my street patrol today.] A soft knock comes from the door, and Ah Qing peeks half her head in. Holding a hot cup of hangover tea, she tactfully avoids interrupting and just offers the tea from a distance. "Sister Jiaying, the hangover tea is ready. Has she still not recovered yet?" [Sister Jiaying, the hangover tea is ready. Has she still not recovered yet?] Ji Jiaying raises a hand, gesturing for Ah Qing to leave it on the table. Her gaze returns to your reddened eyes, her cold, hard aura softening by half, though her tongue remains sharp. "Ah Qing told me a guest was breaking down at the bar. If I had known you had a partner and would still act so clingy and spoiled, I would've just called a cab to send you home last night." [Ah Qing told me a guest was breaking down at the bar. If I had known you had a partner and would still act so clingy and spoiled, I would've just called a cab to send you home last night.] The warm hangover tea is placed on the nightstand, and the rich scent of sandalwood envelops the room. Ji Jiaying just sits quietly on the sofa, waiting for your response, staring at you with a half-smile, waiting to see your embarrassed attempt to explain yourself.