Chapter 3: The Riverside Residence
Chapter 3: The Riverside Residence
Chapter 3
After some hassle, Jing Yi finally arrived at the Jing family residence.
The Jing family was one of the most prominent and influential families in North River. At the same time, their Hengjing Group was a renowned internet technology company both domestically and internationally.
"Little Yi, your room is on the third floor, first door on the left after you turn. Junjun's room is on the same floor."
The speaker was Jing Beicheng, the chairman of Hengjing Group. Even though he had stepped back from the frontlines, and was now middle-aged, his every gesture still exuded a commanding presence that inspired admiration.
Jing Yi, gripping her suitcase, politely nodded to Jing Beicheng.
"Alright, Uncle."
Indeed, from their very first meeting, Jing Yi had addressed the Jing couple as Uncle and Aunt.
Even though her grandmother had told her multiple times that they were her father and mother, she stubbornly insisted on addressing them this way.
She thought it would make both parties more comfortable.
"Let me help you take your luggage upstairs."
This was Jing Zeyou, the current CEO of Hengjing Group and the eldest son of the Jing family.
Jing Zeyou was a strikingly handsome man, with excellent features that were both three-dimensional and proper, exuding an air of righteousness.
He stepped forward, ready to help Jing Yi with her suitcase, but she dodged him.
"It's alright, Big Brother. I can manage it myself. The suitcase isn't heavy."
Jing Yi gave a tight-lipped smile, appearing shy and reserved.
Jing Zeqian, lounging on the sofa, turned his face sideways and smirked coldly.
"Big Brother, she says she can handle it herself. No need to be so eager." He wanted to see if she could really manage three flights of stairs.
"Zeqian!" "Little Qian!"
Jing Zeqian was the second son of the Jing family, founder and CEO of Startrack Entertainment.
Compared to his elder brother's steady and proper demeanor, Jing Zeqian leaned more towards a lazy, bad-boy type, with a hint of frivolity in his manner.
He was the person in this family who was least welcoming towards her, Jing Yi had thought so since their first meeting.
After all, the malice in his eyes was still very obvious even now.
Jing Yi's lips curled slightly, her gaze meeting Jing Zeqian's, confronting the hostility in his eyes.
"Big Brother, Second Brother is right. I can manage it myself."
[Such a snarky comment, I bet he grew up drinking wind oil!]
Jing Yi retracted the handle of her suitcase, gripped it firmly, and lifted it up. She glanced at Jing Zeqian, then turned and headed up the stairs.
Jing Zejun turned to look at Jing Zeqian, then quickly followed Jing Yi upstairs.
"You!"
Jing Zeqian had heard Jing Yi's inner thoughts. His eyes widened, and he was about to say something.
Jing Beicheng frowned and walked over, standing in front of him.
"Jing Zeqian, before we returned to the country, I asked for everyone's opinion. If I remember correctly, your personal objection was overruled. As per our usual practice, you should accept Jing Yi living with us."
Indeed, regarding whether to allow Jing Yi to live in the house, Jing Beicheng had called a family meeting. Of course, except for Jing Zeqian's lone objection, the other four members had all agreed.
Following the family's long-standing principle of the minority submitting to the majority, Jing Zeqian's objection had been overruled.
He pressed his lips tightly together, his eyes filled with resistance.
Seeing this, Jing Zeyou and Lin Ruiqing also walked over.
Jing Zeyou furrowed his brows, his eyes conveying disapproval.
"Zeqian, you don't have to like Jing Yi, but you can't keep treating her with this attitude."
"That's right, Little Qian. Besides, you should be grateful to her. It's thanks to her that we were able to find Junjun."
Jing Zeqian opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but seeing the three of them standing united before him, he felt deflated.
"Fine, fine. I'll just talk to her less in the future. Is that good enough?"
Jing Yi had also thrown cold sarcasm at him and called him wind oil!
Even though she had only thought it in her mind, everyone had heard it!
Why was he the only one being scolded?
Jing Zeqian crossed his arms and leaned back on the sofa, his expression still somewhat dissatisfied.
Meanwhile, Jing Yi had managed to carry her suitcase up to the third floor in one go.
Placing the suitcase at the top of the stairs, Jing Yi dusted off her hands.
That was easy enough.
Jing Yi turned her head to look left, just about to pull her suitcase over, when Jing Zejun caught up.
"Jing Yi"
"Miss Jing"
Faced with the pretty young lady, Jing Yi was still very gentle.
Jing Zejun looked somewhat apologetic.
"Um, about Second Brother..."
Jing Yi interrupted her.
"It's alright, Miss Jing. I don't mind."
[He's just wind oil personified, it's not worth getting upset over.]
Jing Zejun smiled sweetly. Jing Yi really was a peculiar person.
"Then let me show you to your room."
She stepped forward to help Jing Yi push the suitcase. Feeling its weight, she gave a surprised look at the person beside her.
She had thought the suitcase wasn't heavy, since Jing Yi had carried it up three floors in one go, but she felt its weight as soon as she tried to push it.
Jing Yi's lips curved into an arc, blossoming into a shy smile.
Jing Zejun's smile became even more evident.
She led Jing Yi to the room and pushed the suitcase inside.
Jing Yi peered inside, her first reaction being that the room was huge.
The room was predominantly cream-colored. It didn't look like a bedroom, but more like a fully equipped suite.
Bedroom, walk-in closet, master bathroom, floor-to-ceiling balcony - it had everything.
Although Jing Yi had mentally prepared herself, having already been shocked once when she first arrived at the Jing residence, she still couldn't help feeling amazed at the sight before her.
"The room has already been cleaned. This is the walk-in closet, with the dressing room inside. That's the bathroom, and the balcony offers a view of the Jiu River. The night view of North River is also spectacular."
Jing Zejun patiently introduced the layout of the room to Jing Yi.
Hearing her mention the river view, Jing Yi curiously moved closer.
"Also, besides Dad, Mom, and your two brothers, you might see Uncle Li and Aunt Wang. Uncle Li is the middle-aged man you met when you got out of the car earlier. He's the family's butler, and you can ask him if you have any questions. Aunt Wang should still be busy in the kitchen..."
Actually, Jing Zejun had only recently met the other two household members herself. When she first arrived, Lin Ruiqing had introduced everything to her in the same way.
Now she was doing the same for the newly arrived Jing Yi.
Jing Yi's eyes sparkled with amusement as she watched Jing Zejun continue her introduction.
[Jing Zejun is really such a gentle person. No wonder she's the female lead!]
Jing Yi could distinguish between showing off and genuine sincerity. Jing Zejun was truly concerned that she might feel out of place in the house, which was why she was explaining everything in such detail.
Jing Zejun froze, a blush rising to her cheeks, feeling a bit flustered.
"Am I talking too much?"
Jing Yi shook her head, her smile deepening.
"Not at all. I'm very grateful for Miss Jing's introduction."
"Then let's formally introduce ourselves. Hello Jing Yi, I'm Jing Zejun."
Jing Zejun extended her right hand, her smile serene, the corners of her lips exuding a gentle warmth.
Jing Yi's round almond eyes curved into crescents, her dimples showing slightly, her smile sweet and adorable.
"Hello Jing Zejun, I'm Jing Yi."