After leaving Chow Tai Fook, Jiang Cheng drove Si Qing back to campus.
The whole way, each of them was lost in thought, exchanging only the occasional word.
Most of Si Qing's attention was on reporting to Si Nian everything she had just seen and heard at Chow Tai Fook.
Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng kept quietly checking the favorability value Si Qing currently held toward him on the system panel.
According to the system, her favorability sat at a mere 60 points.
He recalled that the first time they'd run into each other outside Simple Tea, she'd started him off with only a pitiful 40.
At noon, when Wang Jian had tried to hit on her and Jiang Cheng had stepped in to save the situation, her favorability had jumped by 10 points on the spot.
Then, just now at dinner, when he'd thoughtfully swapped her bowl for the Boston-lobster ramen, it had risen another 10.
What surprised him, though, was that during the entire shopping trip at Chow Tai Fook her favorability had stayed perfectly flat, without the slightest ripple.
The discovery caught him completely off guard.
From her reactions and what his Mind Perception Skill told him, she absolutely adored the brilliant diamonds she'd just bought.
Yet for some reason the favorability meter hadn't budged.
In truth, just as Jiang Cheng sensed, Si Qing's heart was overflowing with joy.
The main reason she could keep her growing affection for him in check was that she knew the role she was playing right now wasn't her true self—it was Si Nian.
Because of that, Si Qing kept her restless feelings firmly under control.
When the luxury sports car rolled to a stop at the school gate, Si Qing immediately messaged Si Nian: We're at the gate. Want to 'accidentally' run into him and give him a surprise?
A moment later Si Nian replied playfully: I'm in the library—won't make it. I'm afraid he'll think he's run into a ghost late at night and scare himself silly.
Since Si Nian wasn't coming, Si Qing began gathering her bag, ready to get out.
Even though it was nearly nine p.m., plenty of students were still returning from off-campus activities.
The moment the lamborghini reventón pulled up, even the security guards at the gate took notice.
Students passing by all turned their eyes toward Jiang Cheng, curious about who was in his car.
Once the vehicle stopped, Jiang Cheng hopped out quickly.
Tonight he wore a white LV tee and ash-gray trousers that made his long legs look perfectly straight.
Good looks plus a super-car—wealth and handsomeness combined—set several girls' hearts on fire.
Seeing the female students at the gate staring at Jiang Cheng, Si Qing shook her head and murmured, A guy like that gets snapped up fast.
Jiang Cheng popped the front hood, took out the Chow Tai Fook shopping bags, turned, and handed them to Si Qing with a smile: I won't walk you in.
Si Qing waved her hands at once.
She'd actually anticipated this on the ride over.
She hadn't expected Jiang Cheng to really give her the things.
I can't, she protested. Today was supposed to be my treat. I already mooched a great meal—how can I take something so expensive? Next time I'll… next time I'll treat you again.
Jiang Cheng was used to scenes like this.
He knew exactly how to handle them.
He caught her hand and pressed the bags into it.
These bracelets were chosen for your size—if not you, who else can I give them to? Your campus is lively this late; I'd better get going.
Before he finished speaking he slipped agilely back into the driver's seat.
Seeing he was about to drive off, Si Qing panicked and hurried after him.
No—this won't do. This stuff cost at least a hundred grand even at seventy percent off. It's way too much; holding it feels like clutching a burning coal.
Watching her clutch the bags in anxious dismay, Jiang Cheng grinned: Too hot? Then treat me to a few more meals later.
With that he started the car and left.
She sighed helplessly at the disappearing tail-lights.
Then, bags in hand, she hurried from the gate toward the library.
About ten minutes later Si Nian finally met a panting Si Qing.
Staring at the pile of Chow Tai Fook-logo bags, Si Nian frowned and whispered, What are these… did you win the lottery?
Si Qing rolled her eyes, leaned in, and murmured, These are all gifts from Jiang Cheng—to you.
Wha—? Si Nian almost squealed.
Si Qing quickly tapped her shoulder: Shh… we're in the library, keep it down.
Realizing her slip, Si Nian shut up and eagerly pulled box after box from the bags.
When every lid was open her eyes went round as saucers.
No girl could resist jewelry this exquisite.
Neither of them had ever owned anything so costly.
How did this happen? How could you accept something so pricey? I've only shared one meal with him—you…
Si Qing gazed at her enviously: Not one meal—two, counting tonight.
Si Nian pinched her arm: Be serious. You didn't tell me you were going shopping.
Ignoring the warning, Si Qing teased, He insisted on giving them to you—what could I do? From what I saw today, he definitely likes you; after dinner he even held your hand.
What?? He held your—her—hand? Si Nian gasped, clapping a hand over her mouth.
A-hem, stop that. It was you he held; how could he know I'm not the real you?
Seeing Si Qing avoid her eyes, Si Nian leaned closer. Then why are your cheeks crimson? Tell me the truth—what happened today?
Stop talking nonsense!! We only had dinner, then he chatted with that Chow Tai Fook young master the whole time.
Don't pretend; every time you lie or get nervous you start speaking classical Chinese—I know you too well.