Jiang Chengsi has always been upfront; he just stared at her, resting one hand on the table, sipping his water, watching her face turn redder, and couldn’t help but smirk.
"Cough—" She coughed, glanced at Jiang Chengsi, "You..."
What exactly are you looking at?
"It’s ti to get so dipping sauce." The hot pot restaurant offers either pre-mixed dipping sauces or the option to mix your own.
"Okay." She nodded, "I’ll go first then."
Usually, when two people go for hot pot, one would leave to fetch things while the other stays. However, Jiang Chengsi went out with her.
The second floor was all private rooms, with hardly anyone at the sauce station. She took a small bowl and started mixing. Jiang Chengsi wasn’t picky about food; as long as the sauce tasted good, he was fine. Watching her select, he felt it must be tasty, so he mimicked her choices, following close behind...
"You..." She furrowed her brow, "Do you have the sa taste as ?"
"No, I just think yours should taste good."
...
Usually, hot pot is enjoyed with a group of friends, buzzing with chatter. Eating with just the two of them, there wasn’t much conversation; she ate slowly, sotis chatting a bit. The atmosphere wasn’t bad at all.
When they were about to leave the restaurant, Jiang went ahead to settle the bill. By the ti she ca out, stepping out into the cold wind, it was indeed chilly.
She was initially feeling hot and hadn’t worn her scarf. With the chilly wind sneaking in, she hurriedly put on her scarf, pulling her hair out, and tied a neat knot.
At that mont, she caught a glimpse of soone’s shoes by her side.
Instinctively, she looked up, finding him so close that she almost forgot to breathe, wanting to step back.
"Why move?" Jiang Chengsi’s gaze was on her scarf.
She didn’t move further, her fingers still clutching the scarf as he reached out, seemingly flicking a strand of her hair, freeing it from the scarf.
"There was a bit of hair stuck inside." His fingers seed to inadvertently slide across her neck.
An electric-like sensation shot through...
Before she realized it, Jiang Chengsi had already stepped back towards the car, "Get in, I’ll take you ho."
She followed closely behind, her fingers brushing the spot on her neck, still feeling warm.
The car had been customized, with an interior different from regular ones. It was a personal vehicle, completely unlike those for competition, marked with a strong personal style.
Jiang Chengsi noticed her observing the car and recalled the incident during his little nephew’s one-month-old banquet.
"On the day of the banquet, you were at our house. I ntioned if you were interested in cars, you could co over soday. I should be free this weekend."
"If you’re still interested, let know in advance, and I’ll pick you up."
She nodded in agreent but didn’t say much more.
Jiang Chengsi didn’t like owing people, especially since he had already promised.
The car stopped at the entrance of the apartnt complex, and he watched her silhouette disappear before preparing to head ho, only to find his phone buzzing with group ssages.
Though they wouldn’t dare leak Jiang Chengsi’s private matters, they started an internal debate in the group, even initiating a poll.
[Has Fourth Brother started dating?]
Those who believed he was dating argued that if she weren’t important, he wouldn’t go out of his way to please her.
The opposing view was that, in his eyes, cars were more important than anything, making it unlikely he’d spend ti dating.
Upon returning ho, Jiang Chengsi parked the car and took a few laps around the garage...
If she does co over, which car should I let her ride?
This one’s body is too high, this one’s too bulky, and this one... too flashy...
**
Guandong Si Family
A certain old father finally waited for his daughter to return. Still faintly slling of hot pot, he knew where she’d been, feeling rather pleased. It was not even nine in the evening yet, so she wasn’t necessarily ho late.
He wanted to "pick a bone" and ask a few more questions; yet couldn’t find a reasonable excuse.
"You’re back?" A certain old father tried to sound natural.
"Hmm."
"Who did you have dinner with?"
"A friend."
"Your uncle’s coming over this weekend."
"For what?"
Since Qi Zeyan’s relationship news, You Hongxian had been warned and had been quiet for a while.
He’d already been warned; the Si Family wouldn’t be pleased if he stirred things up again. If he did, their ties might completely sever.
"Just coming over for a al."
"I might not be free this weekend."
"..." A certain old father felt uncomfortable again. What did this an? Going out on a date again?
Who exactly is this brat? He really wanted to investigate her social circle thoroughly but feared hurting their father-daughter relationship should she find out.
He was teetering on the edge of investigating or not.
Jiang Chengsi took a shower at ho and checked his phone to find she had ssaged, telling him she’d gotten ho safely among other things.
Jiang Chengsi replied and then flipped to other chat logs.
Qi Zeyan was clamoring in the group, asking about fun places nearby, seemingly planning a trip with Ruan ngxi.
This annoyed Jiang Chengsi quite a bit.
It’s one thing to sneak a kiss in the hallway during work, but now planning a trip? They really don’t care about their boss’s opinion.
[Qiqi, if you want to take her out, you’ve got to see if I agree.]
The club served as a place for leisure; holidays were the busiest tis.
Qi Zeyan: [You don’t agree? Why not?]
[Because I’m your boss.]
[Jiang Xiaosi, are you jealous watching date? No worries, care for lonely seniors. That’s why I plan to take her out, so I won’t be an eyesore to you.]
Lonely senior?
Jiang Chengsi’s lips twitched hard.
But then Huo Qinqi jumped in, and Qi Zeyan seized the chance to ask about eting the family.
Qi Zeyan had been troubled recently about how to invite Ruan Daqiang. Before the Ruan Family parents left Beijing, they needed to at least have a al, even if they couldn’t settle on an engagent.
Huo Qinqi: [Haven’t you t the family already?]
Qi Zeyan: [That didn’t count; this is more formal. Do you have any advice to share?]
[Thick-skinned, don’t worry about appearances. Just brown-nosing and pleasing will do. You’ve got all that; no need for to teach anything.]
[...]
What did he an by having all that? Qi Zeyan exploded again in the group.
He began bombarding with emojis, saying how inconsiderate Huo Qinqi was; after spamming for a while, his anger dissipated when Huo Qinqi sent a .
A cartoon holding a shield with two words below: [Bounce Back]
Qi Zeyan flared up instantly. He actually knew how to use s now?
Bounce back? Are you kidding ?
Sure enough, married people are different.
Jiang Chengsi was in stitches. He had seen that before, it belonged to Huo Ran, otherwise, Huo Qinqi wouldn’t even use such a thing.
Qi Zeyan was furious, releasing a cascade of s in the group, but Huo Qinqi didn’t respond further, busy video chatting with Shen Shuci, having no intention of engaging him.
Shen Shuci had gone for a maternity check today; the baby was fine, but she was too thin, which pained Huo Qinqi, unable to be there to fulfill his duties as a husband.
Upon learning he was video chatting with Shen Shuci, Qi Zeyan comforted him in the group:
"Old Huo, it’s okay, we’ll take care of sister-in-law."
After saying that, it just felt off sohow.
anwhile, Jiang Chengsi received a weekend invite for a motorcycle ride.
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