Although she was eighteen years older than Jiang Cheng, he had to admit she looked astonishingly well-preserved.
Like Fang Yuan, she seemed a girl in her prime, with almost no trace of time's passage.
Even so, Jiang Cheng entertained no special thoughts at that moment.
Besides, given Fan Shuishui's current privacy stats, the new card wasn't suitable for her either.
With that in mind, Jiang Cheng politely declined, "Thank you for the kind offer, but I won't be staying at a hotel—I have a place here."
Hearing this, Fan Shuishui's face couldn't help but show a hint of disappointment.
Just as she was about to press him again, Wang Congcong quickly cut in.
"Exactly, why should you three arrange this? I booked a hotel ages ago…"
Before he could finish, Wang Congcong stared at Jiang Cheng in shock.
"Hey, when did you buy a place here??"
The question snapped Jiang Cheng back to reality.
The system had only just rewarded him—he could hardly say he'd bought it a minute ago.
"Must be my memory—I forgot to mention it. I picked up a Courtyard House in Rear Sea area; I'll stay there."
Though Jiang Cheng's answer sounded stiff,
Wang Congcong didn't doubt him for a second.
After all, if the family could arrange that sort of welcome, a house was nothing.
What stunned him was the location.
"A Rear Sea area Courtyard House??"
As Wang Congcong, the Wang Brothers, and Fan Shuishui stared in surprise, Reba quietly messaged Yang Mi.
She wasn't familiar with the capital, but Yang Mi was a native.
Reba: "Sister Mi, have you heard of Courtyard Houses in Rear Sea area?"
Yang Mi: "What's wrong?? Don't wander there—trouble finds you fast."
Reba: "Huh, why?? Jiang Cheng says he owns one there."
Yang Mi: "Really? Beijing's class lines are sharp—Rear Sea and East Four Courtyard Houses without plaques? Don't even look, or you'll be flagged as a spy. If he really lives there, stay put."
Reba: "I'm not staying with him; he's going back alone. Oh, and the army came to pick him up today…"
Yang Mi: "You mean… the army?"
Yang Mi: "Then a Rear Sea area Courtyard House makes perfect sense."
Reba: "Too risky for photos; I'll tell you everything later."
Everyone present shared Yang Mi's view.
Though their Beijing homes were lavish—either sky-high luxury flats or opulent villas,
surrounded by bustling streets, easy transport, and gorgeous grounds—
this was the capital.
No matter how pricey or upscale, their addresses ranked only second-tier here.
In this city, even limitless wealth couldn't buy a Rear Sea area Courtyard House;
those properties had no market price. Value hinged not on money but on social stratum.
Wang Congcong nodded enviously. "Then head to your grandpa's first. When you're free, let me tour that Courtyard House."
After a brief chat, Jiang Cheng turned to Reba.
Activating Deep Affection Gaze, he said, "I'm tied up tonight; I'll see you tomorrow. Shall Wang Sheng take you to the hotel?"
The moment he spoke, Reba looked up from her phone.
Meeting his eyes, she flushed crimson, as ripe and lovely as an apple.
Just now he had calmly rejected Fan Shuishui,
yet now he arranged for his Bodyguard to escort her.
The sudden care made Reba feel uniquely important to him.
Most of all, the meaning in his gaze
suggested she alone existed in that instant.
Even a seasoned actress felt her heart race.
Reba couldn't fathom why he stared at her like this;
on the plane he'd been perfectly normal.
Yet after solving her problem, he'd grown warmly attentive.
She sensed something different about him.
While her issue remained unresolved, he'd demanded nothing,
and before an international star like Fan Shuishui he'd stayed unmoved.
To her, Jiang Cheng was the prince who'd rescued her from darkness—
handsome and, apparently, of impressive background.
Such a man was hard not to fall for.
Blushing, she nodded obediently. "Thank you. I'll wait for you."
Reba: "favorability value +5!"
To onlookers her reply oozed intimacy,
delivering a crushing blow to Fan Shuishui, who longed to cling to Jiang Cheng.
Once he left, Fan Shuishui turned anxiously to Wang Jun and Wang Lei. "Brothers, what should I do?"
With Company's biggest problem solved, the Wang Brothers were relaxed, in stark contrast to her panic.
Seeing her knitted brow, Wang Lei slipped an arm around her.
"Shuishui, it's just a fine—you can afford it. If no one digs deeper, it's nothing."
"Brother Wang, a fine I could handle, but I fear policy. The industry's ruthless to tainted artists…"
She poured out her worries, face etched with dread.