"Actually, those girls you mentioned, in my opinion, there's a difference."
Hearing this, Zhu Yan became interested and looked at Jiang Cheng curiously, asking, "What difference?"
"To me, a true lover should be someone with genuine feelings. This kind of relationship is very subtle. Although it isn't understood by others, it's a kind of beauty that can be encountered but not sought."
Zhu Yan pondered these words, her brow furrowing slightly. "I don't understand."
"To put it bluntly, one is a relationship with feelings, where two people maintain it through emotion. The other is a loveless, consensual transaction. I drop my pants, you take the money. It's that simple," Jiang Cheng explained bluntly.
Jiang Cheng's words made Zhu Yan fall into deep thought, even making her think of the women around him.
In truth, Zhu Yan could probably guess a thing or two about exactly how many women were around him.
After all, she was the one who helped Jiang Cheng handle those real estate properties.
For example, Yu Xiaoxiao's mansion, and the houses for Qiao Yinyin and Zhou Ying—she was the one following up on the payment and transfer procedures.
Could all these people be the 'people with feelings' he spoke of?
Whether those women had feelings for Jiang Cheng, Zhu Yan didn't know.
But to buy a house for them in a place like Magic City, Zhu Yan felt that Jiang Cheng must value them highly.
And relationships like the one her uncle had with other girls—that must be the kind of loveless relationship Jiang Cheng was talking about.
"Then, according to what you're saying, in a situation where there are feelings, but the other person shares that beauty with many people, what then?"
Zhu Yan's question was very sharp.
Although she also knew the benefits of holding onto Jiang Cheng.
But at her age, her ambition wasn't that great yet, so her inner thoughts often wavered.
Jiang Cheng didn't answer the question, but instead asked, "Do you want to check what the current divorce rate in society is?"
This question momentarily stunned Zhu Yan, her eyes showing a hint of confusion and curiosity.
Seeing Jiang Cheng's gaze fall on the phone she had placed on the table.
Understanding his intent, Zhu Yan picked up her phone and opened the browser to start searching for relevant information.
As the search results appeared, those beautiful eyes couldn't help but widen slightly.
Her surprise was palpable.
According to the report, the marriage rate in Magic City had actually been on a downward trend for seven consecutive years, while the divorce rate had continued to climb for four consecutive years.
Especially last year (2017), the divorce rate was as high as a shocking 38%!
Scrolling further down, more data was revealed.
According to statistics, in the first half of 2017, the number of registered marriages in Magic City reached 58,493 pairs, but at the same time, the number of divorces was as high as 25,509 pairs.
Looking at the surprised expression on Zhu Yan's face, Jiang Cheng followed up, "After seeing this, do you still think marriage is the ultimate result of feelings? In my opinion, as long as two people have feelings for each other and can be happy and joyful by each other's side, then they should maintain their relationship and give of themselves with peace of mind."
Although she couldn't quite agree with these words, the data she had just found left her somewhat unable to refute them.
Zhu Yan struggled to ask again, "Can one person really be good to many people at the same time?"
Though there was a hint of confusion and unease in her voice.
But it was undeniable that Jiang Cheng's words had somewhat successfully brainwashed her; after all, she was starting to fall into self-doubt.
Jiang Cheng smiled and replied, "For ordinary people, it might be a bit difficult, but once your ability reaches a certain level, it's naturally possible."
After a moment of silence, Jiang Cheng slowly said again, "You're the one handling all my affairs, so you should be very clear about this. I don't know about others, I only know myself—as long as it's someone I like, I'll ensure I'm good to her."
After Jiang Cheng finished speaking, Zhu Yan didn't say anything more, but silently placed a few more fish slices into his bowl... After walking out of the restaurant, Zhu Yan spoke up, "I'll go back first to help you handle the Sina payment. I'm not quite at ease with others doing it."
Seeing Jiang Cheng nod, Zhu Yan immediately added, "Once I've handled everything, can I ask you out?"
Although Zhu Yan hadn't responded to the previous topic, the favorability value, which had risen slightly again, already explained everything.
If she really minded, the favorability value wouldn't have reached 89 points.
And right now, she wasn't talking about treating Jiang Cheng to a meal, but asking him out.
For this invitation, Jiang Cheng naturally accepted it gladly.
After returning to the villa and taking an afternoon nap with Chloe, it was soon after four in the afternoon. Jiang Cheng left again, driving toward the Academy of Arts and Music.
Half an hour later, the car stopped at the residential complex where Zhou Ying lived.
Taking the elevator upstairs with practiced ease.
Jiang Cheng pressed the fingerprint lock at the door.
The first time he came to this apartment with Zhou Ying, Jiang Cheng had already registered his fingerprint.
After unlocking it easily, Jiang Cheng opened the door and walked in.
Unlike usual, Jiang Cheng found the house to be very quiet at this time.
When chatting with Zhou Ying yesterday, she had told him that she didn't have classes today and would likely be resting at home.
So when he came over just now, Jiang Cheng hadn't told Zhou Ying in advance.
Seeing no one in the living room, Jiang Cheng headed toward the bedroom.
Approaching, he saw a figure curled up on the bed.
The figure was under the covers, revealing a fair neck and shoulders, with hair scattered across the pillow.
She looked like a well-behaved kitten.
Looking at the figure on the bed, Jiang Cheng shook his head helplessly.
He couldn't understand why Zhou Ying was sleeping so soundly that she didn't even hear the sound of him opening the door and entering.
This girl was way too careless.
Somewhat dissatisfied, Jiang Cheng tiptoed over, preparing to give her a startling surprise.
Jiang Cheng walked carefully to the bedside.
Then, he quickly whipped off the quilt and pounced directly onto Zhou Ying.
The person sleeping soundly on the bed was clearly startled by Jiang Cheng's move.
However, her consciousness wasn't fully awake yet.
Her body was also in a half-asleep, half-awake state, making her reactions sluggish and weak.
Seeing that the person who had pounced on her was Jiang Cheng, her eyes snapped open, her face filled with terror and confusion.
She instinctively started to scream.
Attempting to struggle and break free from Jiang Cheng's control.
But just as her small mouth opened, before she could make a sound, it was immediately and quickly blocked by Jiang Cheng.
Her thrashing body was also pinned down tightly by Jiang Cheng.
In an instant, her breathing became rapid.
The scream was stuck in her throat, and she helplessly made muffled wuwuwu sounds.
At this moment, not only was the person beneath him panicking, but Jiang Cheng also began to feel a wave of panic.
Because the moment his lips met hers, he discovered that the person lying on the bed was clearly not Zhou Ying, but Fang Yuan!