The dishes arrived quickly.
Besides the hotpot, they'd ordered a few local Sichuan dishes.
Jiang Cheng picked up a couple of the crimson-roasted scallops, took a bite, and couldn't help praising them: "Not bad at all, still as fresh as ever. Scallops like these need to be flash-fried till they weep white, then hit with mid-heat wok."
Seeing Jiang Cheng enjoy it, Zhou Ying lifted her chopsticks for a taste. "Mm, it's okay."
Zhou Zhiyun and the others watched Zhou Ying's innocent, little-rabbit act, exchanged glances, then turned to Jiang Cheng with looks of pure scorn.
"Beast!"
"Utterly shameless."
"We're all brothers here, so let me just ask: when's it my turn for this kind of luck?"
Seeing the three of them muttering, Zhong Chuxi leaned over, puzzled. "What are you guys whispering about? What's wrong with Jiang Cheng? I don't get it."
Zhou Zhiyun rubbed his nose, covering. "Ignore them; just sit tight on my whip."
Zhong Chuxi rolled her eyes. "Who says I'm sitting on your whip?"
"If not you, then who? Aren't you on it right now?"
Huang Cheng and Wang Xiaochui, who'd just settled down, shot to their feet again.
"Come on! Enough, you two!"
"Yeah, let us single dogs eat in peace."
Seeing Zhong Chuxi shift away in bewilderment, Zhou Zhiyun glared at them. "I finally got her seated and you idiots ruined it. Tonight I'm drinking you under the table."
Huang Cheng grinned. "Long time no see—drinks tonight?"
"Of course. I can't even remember the last time."
Jiang Cheng laughed and cursed, "Last time in Modu, that Xu—"
He caught himself mid-sentence.
At the reminder, Zhou Zhiyun remembered. He gave Jiang Cheng a grateful glance. "Oh, right, you treated me and said next time you're heartbroken I'll return the favor…"
He glanced at Zhou Ying beside Jiang Cheng, voice tinged with envy. "Looks like that chance is gone… sigh."
Huang Cheng chimed in, "With Old Jiang's situation, that drink's off the table. You, on the other hand, still have a shot."
"Don't jinx me. If you get wasted later, I'm leaving you."
Wang Xiaochui patted Huang Cheng's shoulder. "Cheng, it's been ages—hope your tolerance improved. Better talk less."
Huang Cheng bristled. "We'll see who folds first. Last time I was just off my game; the moment I lie down at home I feel like I could knock back another seven or eight liang."
Seeing Zhong Chuxi not angry at all but cheerfully watching Zhou Zhiyun and Huang Cheng bicker, Jiang Cheng activated the Character Scanning System on her.
"Human-Machine Scanning System initiating… acquiring target data."
[Name: Zhong Chuxi]
[Age: 19]
[Height: 162 cm]
[Face: 79]
[Figure: 89]
[Privacy: 0]
[favorability value: 70]
Though Zhong Chuxi's face score wasn't as high as Jiang Yun's,
her figure was excellent; at only 162 cm she had great proportions and looked tall and slender.
More importantly, she carried herself naturally, exuding a distinctive charm.
Fresh and refined, she gave the impression of a pure, untainted girl.
Moreover, after learning that Jiang Cheng was easily worth hundreds of millions, her favorability hadn't spiked—indicating integrity and sound values.
Such a girl is rare in modern society, one in ten thousand.
Zhou Zhiyun, while not exceptionally handsome, was tall and straight, upbeat, and from a well-off family.
Remember, for his coming-of-age his parents had bought him a three-bedroom flat.
Though not the only son, it showed how much his family valued him.
Trouble was, he kept pulling outrageous stunts, giving off an air of immaturity.
With that flaw, whether he could win over a girl with proper values remained uncertain.
Seeing everyone drinking, Jiang Cheng pointed to the drinks fridge and asked Zhou Ying, "What would you like? I'll grab it."
Zhou Ying glanced at him, delighted. "Mom's not home tonight, so I can have a bit—she'll never know."
Those words made Jiang Cheng's eyes light up.
Not going home? Mother-in-law was practically playing matchmaker.
Though thrilled inside, he kept a straight face. "What's that got to do with drinking? Girls should drink less outside."
Zhou Ying rolled her eyes. "Stop scaring me. I know you're just afraid if I drink, no one will drive you home."
Seeing she hadn't taken it the wrong way, Jiang Cheng pinched her soft cheek fondly. "Clever girl."
He walked to the fridge, pulled out several cans of Wangzai milk and set them on the table.
With their current relationship, no alcohol was needed for anything to happen.
Besides, Jiang Cheng had no taste for lifeless fish.
Lying still, not making a sound—what fun was that?
Might as well hit a club and find a woman who'd fake enthusiasm for cash.
For money, she'd put on a show and flatter you, high or low.