Chapter 1576: Does Your Cigarette Smell Harsh?

“Why are you still the same as when you were a child.”

Lu Zhenzhen looked up, her eyes showing displeasure.

Who are you trying to get close to!

“You maybe don’t remember, but when you were three or four years old, you already disliked those younger than you, especially babies only a few months old. Even though you were just a kid yourself, while other adults would fuss over the babies, you’d stand there with your arms crossed, full of impatience.”

Ji Yanzhi tried to start a conversation with her, but upon seeing Lu Zhenzhen’s bewildered and subtly cold expression, he suddenly recalled the stories about Miss Lu’s flamboyant and domineering character over the years, and instantly felt it was inappropriate.

Childhood matters shouldn’t be brought up now.

Besides, they’ve been apart for so many years.

As he was about to apologize, Lu Zhenzhen curved her lips, saying softly, “Oh? Really?”

He paused slightly, raised his tone a bit, and spoke in a relaxed manner: “Yeah, it was a long time ago. Around when you turned four, our Ji Family moved here, and we haven’t kept in touch all these years. I returned to the country in the last couple of years to take over most of the business, and haven’t had the chance to meet you.”

Ji Yanzhi took his hands out of his pockets, chuckled lightly, “Sorry, I still think of you as the little girl next door. If I offended you with my words earlier, I apologize.”

The wariness in Lu Zhenzhen’s eyes eased, and she asked, “It’s fine, are you free now?”

“Quite free.”

Afraid that Lu Zhenzhen might think he was being dismissive, he explained, “There are enough people in the family to entertain guests well. Before you arrived, I was busy, so it’s just the right time to take a break now.”

“Then let’s find a place to sit.” Lu Zhenzhen suggested.

“Sure, are you hungry? I can take you to eat something.”

She nodded.

Ji Yanzhi led her along, and people greeted them throughout the way. Some recognized Lu Zhenzhen and tried to get close to her, one after another.

Ji Yanzhi noticed her growing impatience in handling them, so when someone approached, he found excuses to turn them away. Observant people noticed Miss Lu’s unpleasant expression and didn’t dare engage excessively, smiling and nodding to suffice as a greeting.

The buffet table had a lot of delicate pastries, but no real food. The attendees weren’t here for the food, but Old Master Ji dotes on his little granddaughter, so even a dessert had to cost in the four digits. Ji Yanzhi picked some and placed them in front of Lu Zhenzhen.

There were few people around, Ji Yanzhi sat down, instinctively wanted to grab a smoke, reached into his pocket, touched the cigarette pack, and took it out.

“Are your cigarettes harsh?” Lu Zhenzhen didn’t lower her gaze but noticed his action, “Could I have one?”

“You smoke too?”

Ji Yanzhi was a bit surprised.

Lu Zhenzhen was indifferent, “Occasionally, but I’m not addicted.”

He hesitated for a moment, realizing he had no standing to object, and handed her a cigarette, then moving his lighter closer. When he tried to help light it, Lu Zhenzhen turned her head down the offer, took the lighter herself, covered it with one hand in front of her lips, and skillfully took a puff after lighting it.

She tapped the cigarette and asked him, “Aren’t you having a craving? Not smoking one?”

“I’ll pass, I’ll hold off today. I’d rather wait until the full moon banquet is over. My dad smells the smoke on me and won’t let me near Xiao Baoer.”

Lu Zhenzhen considered for a moment, “Not named yet?”

“Not yet, everyone’s contesting, no one’s yielding. Up till now, we haven’t settled on what the proper name will be, so it’s been Xiao Baoer all along.”

Lu Zhenzhen listened, maskless but slightly uninterested, “Tell me more about when I was little.”