His so-called restraint is nothing more than the fact that Yu Xiaoxiao is already by his side, forcing him to rein himself in.
Because of this deep regret, An Xin has remained trapped in this relationship, unable to pull herself free.
Only today did she finally wake up as if from a dream and realize that Jiang Cheng had never truly loved her.
Because the number of girls around him is staggering!
When An Xin understood that Jiang Cheng was merely toying with her, she felt ready to explode with rage.
If, during her last meeting with Young Master Huang, Jiang Cheng had responded to her with polite detachment—letting her cut off her feelings then—An Xin believes she'd have had no right to question him now.
But the present situation clearly shows she was played.
At this point Jiang Cheng rubbed his nose, looked embarrassed, and reluctantly admitted, "Well… you could say they're all my girlfriends."
"Do they know about each other?" An Xin pressed.
Jiang Cheng thought for a moment. "Of the ones you've seen, the other two know; Zhou Ying doesn't."
The answer stunned An Xin. After a long pause she asked in disbelief, "Yu Xiaoxiao knows they exist?"
"She knows, but she's never met them."
"What on earth are you thinking?"
"I don't think much. I just want to live in the moment."
An Xin was speechless. "Fine, you're living in the moment—but have you considered what their futures will look like?"
Jiang Cheng very much wanted to answer: What's wrong with dating several? I've plenty of time; it's not like I can't afford it.
And as long as I'm rich enough, it's not like I can't support them.
Though that's what he thought, he replied solemnly, "They're not unhappy with me. If they were, I wouldn't keep them around."
His reply left An Xin at a loss for words.
She truly doesn't know what Zhou Ying and the others really think.
She can't understand why they don't care even when they know the truth.
Changing tack, she asked, "What about you—are you serious about them, or just…?"
Jiang Cheng met her gaze and activated Deep Affection Gaze again: "Of course I'm serious. Why else would I do all this?"
"Have you really fallen in love with them?"
Jiang Cheng nodded firmly. "You're right—I do love being 'with' them."
That affection-drenched look, too saccharine even for a dog to bear, finally stirred something in An Xin.
She shook her head gently and murmured, "How can a heart be split so easily? I simply can't believe it."
In her eyes only her father is the model of a normal, outstanding man.
After her mother died he never found a Stepmother and left everything to her—that's what a good man should be.
"An Xin, the world isn't black and white; you understand that better than I. To me, love is the same. I won't be bound by worldly rules. As long as she's my woman, I'll love her."
His words dropped into her heart like a stone, sending ripples across her mind.
It was the first time Jiang Cheng had addressed her in such an indifferent tone.
Still, An Xin couldn't accept his view.
At that moment, little Annie chimed in untimely, "Brother Jiang Cheng, do you really have that many girlfriends?"
Jiang Cheng looked sheepish and nodded slightly. "Well… not that many, really."
"Then you mustn't find any more—you have to wait for me to grow up!" Annie batted her big lively eyes and cooed.
Jiang Cheng stroked her petal-soft cheek and asked half-smilingly, "With so many girlfriends, would you still want to be with me?"
"Of course! I love you the most, Brother Jiang Cheng. I'll stay with you forever," she giggled, her eyes sparkling adorably.
"Won't you get jealous?"
Annie rolled her eyes and answered cheekily, "I will—but as long as you're good to me, I won't stay mad, hee-hee."
Listening to them, An Xin frowned. "That logic is off. Annie's just a child; how can her thoughts equal theirs?"
"How do you know they don't think the same?"
The retort left An Xin stunned; she couldn't reply.
Yes—Yu Xiaoxiao clearly knows Jiang Cheng has other girlfriends, yet she stays and looks so happy with him.
Could Yu Xiaoxiao feel the same as Annie?
Thinking this, An Xin began to examine herself.
Why can Yu Xiaoxiao accept it? Is it money? If she were in their place, could she do the same?
Seeing An Xin fall silent, Jiang Cheng observed her quietly.
Through the system panel he noticed her favorability value fluctuating nonstop, hovering between 60 and 80.
Clearly her heart is in fierce turmoil.
Jiang Cheng understands this well.
After all, someone from a privileged background like hers, the pearl of An Sheng Group, has every right to be proud.
Even without choosing Jiang Cheng, An Xin would have no trouble finding an ideal partner.