After Jiang Cheng finished speaking, Xiao Xia's heart warmed once again: "You're so good to me, I don't even know how to repay you."
Jiang Cheng reached out and flicked Xiao Xia on the forehead, then sighed: "Look what you've done to me—squashed flat—and you still don't know how to (wrap) show gratitude?"
Xiao Xia quickly shifted her weight, but before she could move Jiang Cheng pressed her back down. "Hmm? Going back on your word?"
Blushing, Xiao Xia lowered her head. "Of course I keep my word. Not just this life—even in the next I'll repay you properly."
Seeing the sincerity on her face, Jiang Cheng felt thoroughly satisfied.
This Girl was simply earnest; in her next life she'd deliver herself gift-wrapped.
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Xia copied the way Jiang Cheng had kissed her in the car and leaned in.
She kissed him, her slightly clumsy tongue exploring.
In the past she'd never known how to express herself.
But Jiang Cheng had been so incredibly good to her.
If she still didn't get the message she'd have no conscience left.
She already belonged to Jiang Cheng, so what did it matter if she did things that pleased him?
With that thought, her movements grew bolder…
The next day Jiang Cheng stretched and rubbed his slightly sore lower back.
He turned to find the space beside him empty and sighed.
Day after day, tide after tide.
The tide rose and fell, leaving both body and heart hollow.
Life felt utterly decadent.
He'd shown off three times on the plane yesterday.
Last night, with Xiao Xia taking the lead, he'd obliged another three times.
If the System hadn't boosted his constitution by five points a few days ago, no ordinary man could have hit those limits in twenty-four hours.
Impressive as it was, blowing through billions in a single day still left him empty.
What was the point of rebirth?
Had he returned just for this?
A life spent flexing every single day was exhausting.
Where was the meaning if this carried on?
No—he had to find something worthwhile to do.
Just as he resolved to get up and build his empire, Xiao Xia walked out wrapped in a towel so short he could see the white lace hem from where he lay.
Seeing his stare, she murmured, "This towel is tiny; I'll go buy a longer one later."
Watching her cross her legs, Jiang Cheng couldn't help but exclaim:
"Good lord, she's gorgeous."
What had he been brooding about?
Where was the decadence in striving every day?
Tell me?
It was well past noon before Jiang Cheng left Xiao Xia's place, looking refreshed.
He didn't plan to handle her university enrollment himself; that task went straight to Zhu Yan.
A good man doesn't cling to one Girl.
Spreading the love kept the cuckold's horns away—after all, he wasn't the only one with appetites.
Girls had needs too.
His phone could barely hold all the photos they sent—images that would need heavy censoring.
Downstairs he climbed into a rolls-royce.
After buying several, super-cars had lost their flavor.
His waist worked hard enough; if he had to drive himself he'd need another five constitution points.
He wondered whether the System had picked up on that wish,
but the panel stayed stubbornly still.
Unless he needed to take a Girl out solo for some showing-off, he'd rather ride in comfort while working.
Arriving at Xingchen's headquarters, he bypassed Yu Xiaoxiao and Chen Xueer,
took the elevator to the 26th floor, and stepped straight into Xingchen Media Company's domain.
The doors opened to reveal a guy and a Girl standing awkwardly by the entrance.
The height gap was striking—he looked well over 190 cm, she barely 160.
They scrolled through their phones, chatting in desultory bursts.
Jiang Cheng glanced at them and paused.
He recognized both.
The twin-tailed Girl in JK uniform was none other than Little Crispy.
On stream she'd had the help of filters;
in person her cheeks looked packed with collagen, her skin so delicate it seemed it might drip water.
Bright, star-like eyes sparkled, impossible to ignore.
She looked exactly like a little manga heroine—adorable.
Beside her the guy wore a silly, good-natured grin that felt instantly friendly.
He was Liu Yuning, one half of the mildly famous Internet Celebrity duo "Magic Lamp Brothers."
Jiang Cheng walked up. "Why are you two still out here?"
They stopped scrolling and turned to him in unison.
Little Crispy's eyes lit up; she batted her lashes and cooed, "Wow, such a Handsome Guy—are you signed here too?"
She turned to Liu Yuning. "From today I'm not calling you Onii-chan anymore; you're off the Handsome Guy list."
Liu Yuning rolled his eyes at her.
Ignoring him, Little Crispy beamed at Jiang Cheng. "Onii-chan, hi! I'm Little Crispy~"
Jiang Cheng nodded. "I know who you are."
She gasped, covering her mouth. "Really? You know me? I'm so thrilled!"