Si Qing silently watched her right hand, still tightly held by Jiang Cheng. A trace of nervousness and shyness flickered in her eyes.
When she'd held hands with him before, she'd mostly played the part of an amused observer.
Outwardly she teased Si Nian, urging her to hurry up and snag Jiang Cheng, but in truth she'd been quietly vetting him on Si Nian's behalf.
Yet while she was doing that vetting, her own heart quietly slipped its leash.
What had started as simple observation gradually turned into anticipation.
Twenty minutes later the car turned onto a small side road.
Outside the window the wind knifed through the night, shaking the roadside trees so their leaves rustled like dry paper.
Distant peaks drifted in and out of the mist, a landscape brushed in ink-wash strokes.
When Si Qing saw the cluster of classically styled Chinese buildings ahead, her eyes lit up.
They exuded a simple, elegant antiquity: carved beams, painted rafters, every line steeped in old-world charm.
Beneath the gate, rows of lanterns cast a gentle glow.
The surrounding walls were carved with exquisite patterns.
It looked like some kind of mountain villa.
A faint fragrance drifted on the air, the scent of nearby flowers and grass.
The moment the door opened, the club manager Xu Rui—who had been waiting at the entrance—hurried forward with several staff in tow.
Xu Rui's face glowed with warmth, his eyes respectful.
In a clear, ringing voice he said, "Young Master Jiang, long time no see! Welcome, welcome!"
Before his words had faded, the tall, uniformed girls behind him bowed to Jiang Cheng in perfect unison.
They greeted him in bright chorus: "Good evening, Young Master Jiang!"—voices as clear and sweet orioles.
Still seated in the car, Si Qing's eyes widened at the spectacle; instinctively she turned to Jiang Cheng.
She hadn't expected dinner to come with a welcoming committee of long-legged beauties.
When Jiang Cheng turned and reached back into the car, Xu Rui finally noticed the girl in the rear seat.
He glanced inside: Si Qing wore a thick black down jacket and a snow-white faux-fur beret that looked warm and adorably soft.
Perhaps from the stuffy interior—or from the lavish reception—her cheeks bloomed pink.
Her lovely eyes held a hint of nervous shyness; such pomp was clearly overwhelming.
From her age and outfit she looked like a college girl who hadn't seen much of the world.
Their club catered to the very top tier.
Most patrons were either filthy rich or wielded serious power; the rest at least had deep pockets.
In all his years here Xu Rui had seen plenty of female customers.
Most had come to catch cheating husbands.
This was the first time he'd seen Jiang Cheng bring a girlfriend of his own.
Still, within two seconds Xu Rui's expression settled back into professional calm.
He figured most Second-generation rich kids like Jiang Cheng quickly tire of old flames.
Take Xia Meng—summoned back by Jiang Cheng a second time, so what? Tonight he shows up with someone new.
Xu Rui stole another glance at Si Qing, fixing her face and aura in his memory.
Next time Jiang Cheng visits, maybe he can ask for an introduction to the same model.
Once Jiang Cheng had helped Si Qing out of the car, he turned to Xu Rui with unruffled ease.
"Well, well, Old Xu! With that new hair color I almost didn't recognize you!"