Xiao Xia wasn't very confident in herself, but Jiang Cheng's suggestive words still made her imagine things she shouldn't.
She instantly felt torn; there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Last time he hadn't demanded anything when he bought the flat, yet the way he'd just looked at her was completely different.
If Jiang Cheng really did ask for something, should she agree or not?
A woman in her position had managed to meet a young, wealthy guy like him.
Was she honestly going to refuse?
She suddenly recalled the marriage prospects her parents and relatives had lined up before she left for the big city.
Every one of them had been either the boy from the next village or some cousin of a neighbor.
If she reached a certain age without finding a partner, she'd probably have to move back home.
Then she'd marry some honest, hardworking man and have kids.
She'd pinch pennies to raise those children, who'd grow up to become copies of her.
Frankly, she didn't want that life; bringing a child into the world without the means to support it was irresponsible.
She knew a man like Jiang Cheng would have more than one woman in his future.
But after arriving in the metropolis, her once-rosy values had been battered to pieces by this materialistic society.
Material comfort in one hand, love in the other—which should she choose?
Seeing that Xiao Xia didn't answer, Jiang Cheng said no more.
Yet he noticed her quest progress had shot up after his remark.
It had been at twenty percent; now it jumped to fifty.
So while he lusted after her body, she lusted after his as well???
Jiang Cheng didn't propose any more sightseeing.
Too much of a good thing backfires, and the returns were already diminishing.
For dinner he skipped the fancy restaurants and walked straight into KFC.
Xiao Xia was surprised by his choice but said nothing.
She'd never eaten here and had wanted to try it for ages.
They found an empty window table and sat down.
After scanning the ordering code, Xiao Xia handed her phone to Jiang Cheng. "What would you like, sir?"
He naturally took the phone, glanced at the menu, and picked a set meal.
"This non-spicy combo will do."
Once he'd ordered, she took the phone back, hesitated over the choices, then selected the same meal.
She ended up copying his order.
When the food arrived, Jiang Cheng saw a sparkle in her eyes—clearly the burger suited her taste.
"By the way, Mr. Jiang, which city's university did you apply to?"
"The one in Modu," he replied.
"Modu… sounds far away," she said, disappointed.
"Not at all; it's only a three-hour flight to Pudong Airport."
Hearing this, Xiao Xia nodded blankly.
"Will you come back often?"
Jiang Cheng caught the hope in her voice. His gaze softened, and he trotted out the good-guy line: "There's no reason to come back—but if you want me to, I can fly back regularly."
Just as he said it, Xiao Xia took a big bite of her burger.
His sudden flirt caught her off guard; she choked and coughed.
Then the coughing turned into a full fit.
She tried to stifle it, swallowed hard—
and the bite lodged in her throat.
Her face turned crimson; she clutched her neck.
Seeing her clumsy panic, Jiang Cheng chuckled helplessly, walked around, and patted her back.
When her color improved, he slipped the straw of her Coke between her lips.
Only then did he gently pat her chest.
"Why eat so fast? I'm not going to steal it from you."
Xiao Xia gulped air, and when she recovered she realized Jiang Cheng's hand was resting on her chest, patting in rhythm.
At his touch a blush flooded her cheeks.
Yet seeing his earnest scolding, she felt her own thoughts were rather dirty.
She quickly nodded and said gratefully, "I understand—thank you, Mr. Jiang."
Jiang Cheng, knowing when to quit, withdrew his hand.
After the meal they didn't roam any further; once the boutique delivered her purchases, he drove her home.
Looking at the shabby urban village ahead, Jiang Cheng frowned slightly.
A mixed bag of people lived here; for a beauty like Xiao Xia the place was hardly safe.
All self-built rental blocks, no security downstairs—anything could happen.
When the car stopped, Xiao Xia gathered her courage. "Thank you for driving me back. I had a wonderful day."
Perhaps because of her makeover, she now seemed relaxed compared with her earlier stiffness.
Her quest progress ticked up again—now at sixty percent.
Jiang Cheng checked: her favorability value toward him had soared to 88 points.
Could the Devour Card meant for Zhou Ying's offspring be used ahead of schedule?
He swore he'd started this only for the five physique points.
Jiang Cheng popped the trunk and handed her the shopping bags he'd bought for her.
"Having a gorgeous girl like you keep me company was fun. These are for you."
Xiao Xia stared at seven or eight bags of designer clothes, handbags, and cosmetics.
She gasped and covered her mouth.
"This…""
Jiang Cheng cut in, "I know what you're about to say—same as before: take them, no arguments. It's late, go on up. Have the property deed ready tomorrow; I'll come pick it up."