Qiao Yinyin pouted her rosy lips, radiating confidence as she cooed:
Ganking doesn't scare me; no one knows it's me anyway. I just focus on the ambush and ignore my teammates' complaints. Lately I've been studying the talent tree—once I master it, I'll blind everyone with my brilliance.
She finished with a playful wink.
Jiang Cheng gazed at the adorable yet self-effacing little woman before him, affection swelling in his heart as he gently stroked her silken hair.
Like a docile kitten, Yinyin shyly nestled against Jiang Cheng's broad chest.
Jiang Cheng lowered his gaze and caught sight of her snow-white shoulder.
And the gentle rise and fall of her alluring curves with each breath.
The tempting sight made his throat bob, heat rushing through him.
'Oh, you know talents? Then let me test you—do you know what Grasp of the Undying is?'
Yinyin tilted her head in earnest thought.
After several seconds she shook her head apologetically: 'Um… I don't.'
A wicked grin flashed across Jiang Cheng's face.
He caught her delicate hand and chuckled: 'Don't know? Then let me demonstrate. First, I'll show you the Grasp of the Undying talent.'
'Grasp of the Undying? Sounds really tanky…'
Before she could finish, her cheeks blazed scarlet.
She even cried 'Ah!' and covered her eyes with her left hand.
After a soft laugh, she didn't pull back the right hand Jiang Cheng held.
She only flinched slightly at the first tentative touch, then murmured, 'You're so bad~~'
'What do you mean bad? I'm giving you a hands-on lesson. Open your eyes and study the key point…'
'Ah—I won't look…'
'Not looking? Then just feel it…'
Early next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, flooding the bedroom.
Jiang Cheng stretched and slowly woke.
Rubbing his eyes, he turned to find Yinyin already gone.
That girl's out early again—must have gone to buy breakfast, he thought.
He dressed and went to the bathroom to wash up.
When he stepped out, he saw Yinyin standing in the living room, smiling, a steaming bag of breakfast in her hand.
Jiang Cheng walked up, hugged her tight, and kissed her again without a word.
Minutes later he released her, swept her into a princess carry,
turned to the dining table, and opened a box of dumplings.
With practiced chopsticks he lifted a dumpling to her lips.
Yinyin opened her mouth happily.
'Will you go home for New Year?' Jiang Cheng asked.
After swallowing, she nodded, vexed: 'I have to. My parents keep nagging—it's annoying.'
'What's wrong?' he asked.
She pouted: 'All the aunts drive me crazy every year—crowds of them, asking and comparing everything.'
Jiang Cheng shrugged: 'If the 911 isn't flashy enough, pick any of my cars—take the ferrari laferrari and the porsche 918 back.'
Yinyin blinked, then burst out laughing.
Still giggling, she took the chopsticks from him,
lifted a steaming, translucent xiaolongbao, and carefully brought it to his mouth.
As she fed him, she said softly:
'I won't even drive the 911 home. They already gossip about me being a streamer. If I rolled up in cars that expensive, my parents would die of shock…'
Just after eleven, Jiang Cheng pushed open the gate to the Tomson Golf Villa.
Inside, he saw Jiang Jianmin seated on the living-room sofa, cigarette smoke curling upward.
He couldn't tell if it was his imagination,
but ever since that day at Shanghai airport, Jiang Cheng had felt something odd—
his father's aura had changed completely.
Once, compared with other rigid dads, Jiang Jianmin had seemed relaxed and easy-going.
He'd always raised Jiang Cheng with a free-range style focused on communication.
Their relationship had always been close and harmonious.
Yet now, seeing his father sitting silently, Jiang Cheng felt an invisible pressure spreading outward.
It wasn't from words or actions, but from the subtle shift in Jiang Jianmin's bearing.
Though father and son were only steps apart, the unfamiliar feeling unsettled Jiang Cheng.
He paused, took a breath, and walked over.
'Dad,' he called quietly.
Jiang Jianmin, lost in thought, started as if awakened.
His previously tense, stern face relaxed.
He glanced up and nodded: 'Back?'
Jiang Cheng sat on the opposite sofa.
'Where's Mom?' he asked, puzzled.
Jiang Jianmin glanced upstairs: 'Packing.'
Then he lapsed back into thought.
'Packing so soon?' Jiang Cheng frowned.
Jiang Jianmin nodded. 'We leave tomorrow. Uncle Qiu's ready; he's coming with us. Go pack too.'
'But Mom said the day after tomorrow!'
With a weary sigh Jiang Jianmin leaned back into the sofa,
rubbing his temples as though to ease frustration.
'Can't stay longer. If we do, they'll come knocking. I've no time for that.'
Seeing his father so uneasy, Jiang Cheng felt a pang of sympathy.
Ever since acquiring the tycoon system, Jiang Cheng had hoped
his parents could finally retire and never worry again.