Ji Wei’s tone didn’t sound very cheerful.
"You seem a bit reluctant?"
Gu Moqian’s smile deepened.
"No, no... just being able to go out is already a blessing, how could I dare to be unwilling."
The little woman was clearly saying one thing but meaning another.
"Why do I feel like you’re blaming me for restricting your freedom?" Gu Moqian said lightly.
"Not at all... Mo Qian, everything you do is for my own good. I understand." Ji Wei suddenly sped up her speech. "You must be really busy right now, so I’ll stop taking up your time. Bye-bye!"
She hung up the phone as soon as she finished speaking.
Gu Moqian slowly put his phone away. Thinking of Ji Wei’s somewhat begrudging and conflicted expression in that moment, he couldn’t help but curve his lips into a faint smile.
Still, her purpose in calling specifically to ask permission to go to the café might not be solely about coffee.
"Chen Ke, reschedule the meeting with Yao Shi Group this afternoon to tomorrow. I have other plans this afternoon." Gu Moqian suddenly turned to tell Chen Ke behind him.
After lunch, Ji Wei couldn’t wait to change into her outfit, lightly put on some makeup, and head out.
The driver dropped her off at the entrance of the café Xia Duoduo had mentioned.
Ji Wei lifted her wrist to look at her watch. She was thirty minutes early for the agreed time.
She was about to walk into the café when she suddenly thought of something. Turning around, she looked at the two bodyguards in black following her: "You two wait outside for now. I’m just going in for coffee."
Bringing bodyguards along just for coffee—she didn’t want to walk in and cause a huge commotion. If the paparazzi showed up, Xia Duoduo and Xiao Zhen’s date would be completely ruined.
"Miss Ji, Mr. Gu instructed us not to stay more than three meters away from you..."
Ji Wei frowned slightly. "So you’re saying if I go to the restroom, you’re going to follow me into the women’s bathroom too?"
The bodyguards looked visibly distressed.
"I know Mo Qian is concerned about my safety, but it’s daytime right now, and I’ll only be sitting inside the café. You’ll be able to monitor the café from outside just as well, won’t you? I don’t want to be the center of attention just for drinking coffee."
Ji Wei’s expression was serious.
The two bodyguards exchanged glances and reluctantly conceded. "Alright, Miss Ji, please go ahead."
Ji Wei turned and walked into the café.
According to Xia Duoduo’s message, she had reserved a table on the second-floor terrace of the café, which offered a good view of Rongcheng’s river scenery.
Ji Wei naturally headed straight to the second floor, finding a table closest to the terrace.
Luckily, there was a glass window and some decorative flowers nearby, so it wouldn’t appear as if she had deliberately come to spy on Xiao Zhen.
Ji Wei ordered a latte and sat there flipping through a magazine.
Meanwhile, Ji Shanshan, along with two friends she often hung out with at bars, also walked into the café.
"Lilan, are you sure about the info? Is Xiao Zhen really coming to this café?" another girl named Zhang Yun asked.
"Absolutely. My friend’s sister has a good connection with Xiao Zhen’s agent. She overheard Xiao Zhen confirming the itinerary personally—it’s here."
"Great. Finally, we get to meet the idol of our dreams. I’m so thrilled!" Zhang Yun made a fangirl expression.
Ji Shanshan’s mood, however, wasn’t as high. Ever since Ji Wei had kicked her out that day, she’d been hanging around with these two troublemaker friends every day, even spending all last night at the bar.
If she hadn’t been dragged out to meet the celebrity, she’d have chosen to stay home and sleep.
"Huh, Xiao Zhen isn’t downstairs. Could we have arrived too early?" Zhang Yun scanned the café.
"Let’s check upstairs."
The small group began climbing the stairs to the second floor.
As soon as they reached the landing, Lilan’s sharp eyes caught sight of Ji Wei sitting by the window. She quickly patted Ji Shanshan’s shoulder. "Shanshan, isn’t that your cousin?"
Ji Shanshan had been absent-minded, but when she heard Lilan’s remark, she immediately followed her gaze and her expression changed.
It really was Ji Wei!