So he had only just obtained the [Negative Emotion Removal Card].
And now this was happening??
If Jiang Cheng glanced at Xu Yan and then politely accepted...
That card would very likely be gone for good.
He shook his head at Xu Yan and answered courteously, "I already ate; let Chu Ran have it."
When Jiang Cheng did this, he didn't deliberately look toward Jiang Churan.
Instead, it felt like a natural, instinctive action.
In a setting like this, if he stared at Jiang Churan first and only then refused...
People would probably think he was a bit of a scumbag.
It would give off the vibe of a scumbag gauging her reaction.
Jiang Cheng was a good man, not a scumbag.
A truly good man can always keep himself clean.
Every move he makes comes from the heart, not from calculation or an attempt to please.
Sure enough, seeing Jiang Cheng reject Xu Yan without hesitation...
Shen Shuang shot Jiang Churan a look both surprised and envious.
Leaving aside whether Jiang Cheng's refusal was just for show...
At the very least, for now...
His attitude was miles better than that of Wang Congcong and the other Second-generation rich kids.
After all, Wang Congcong at social gatherings like this...
Never refused any Girl who took the initiative.
Sometimes he'd even throw an arm around two at once.
He'd often hit the bar to party and dance deep into the night.
Though he spent generously on the Girls...
If any of them were her best friend, Shen Shuang would definitely feel upset.
Shen Shuang had always hoped her two best friends would find reliable, wealthy partners.
Even if Jiang Churan's family background meant she couldn't go the distance with these rich heirs...
Since it was still going to be a relationship...
Why not pick a Second-generation rich who won't treat you like a disposable toy?
Seeing Jiang Cheng reject Xu Yan, Jiang Churan showed no expression...
But inside she quietly raised his favorability a notch.
Jiang Churan: favorability value +1!
Xu Yan: favorability value +3!
Shen Shuang: favorability value +5!
Watching the three Girls' favorability alerts...
Jiang Cheng silently complained in his heart.
What the heck??
So this couldn't be that legendary best friend test, could it... There's a saying:...
'A real best friend would never fall for your boyfriend.'
But come to think of it, was Xu Yan even Jiang Churan's best friend??
He noticed Xu Yan's favorability toward him had already reached 83.
While Shen Shuang's stayed at the 80-point mark.
Putting the data together...
In Jiang Cheng's mind, Xu Yan probably didn't count as Jiang Churan's best friend, right??
After all, that 94-point charm made him hesitate.
So, after careful thought...
Jiang Cheng secretly made up his mind...
From now on he would only recognize Shen Shuang as their sole best friend.
Luckily, Shen Shuang had no idea what he was thinking.
If she did, her fragile heart would've taken a 100-point critical hit—was a Girl with 80-point charm not even worth a glance?... Hearing Jiang Cheng, Jiang Churan's lips curved in a radiant spring-blossom smile.
She gracefully leaned forward...
And without hesitation popped the big, tempting strawberry from Xu Yan's hand into her mouth.
It was obvious from her expression...
Jiang Churan was in an exceptionally good mood.
"Yan Yan, your strawberry is really sweet."
After Jiang Cheng's refusal, no trace of displeasure showed on Xu Yan's pretty face.
She simply smiled...
Picked another glistening strawberry, and stood lightly.
Yet, whether by intent or coincidence...
As she rose, Xu Yan's left leg brushed Jiang Cheng's right several times.
"Shuang Shuang, one for you too~~"
Seeing Xu Yan leave her seat...
Jiang Churan naturally shifted her hips...
And quietly swapped places with Xu Yan...
Ending up right next to Jiang Cheng.
The moment she sat down, Jiang Cheng leaned over to her ear...
And whispered, "I want to eat your strawberry."
At those words, Jiang Churan's heart skipped a beat...
As though time had frozen.
She lifted her gaze to his thick lashes edged by the soft light.
The sentence exploded on her tongue like popping candy...
A tingle spread through her nerves.
Though she usually kept a cool facade...
An unconscious sweet smile crept to her lips.
He had just rejected Xu Yan...
And now wanted to eat hers—wasn't that favoritism??
She bent slightly...
Her slim fingers closed around a fork...
And carefully picked the largest, reddest strawberry from the plate.
This time, instead of handing it to him...
With playful intimacy...
She raised it to his lips in a classic feeding pose.
"You like strawberries that much?"
"I do, but what I like most..."
Seeing Shen Shuang nearby, he finished the sentence in a whisper: "...is eating yours."
As he spoke...
His low, magnetic voice, laced with a breathy note...
Brushed her sensitive ear like a feather.
Warm breath grazed her earlobe...
And Jiang Churan felt as if an electric current had shot through her.
The fork in her hand trembled...
The juicy strawberry quivered at his lips, nearly slipping from the tines.
"You..." Her throat went dry; she stammered.
A shy blush flared across her cheeks.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Shen Shuang and Xu Yan resting their chins on their hands, watching with teasing grins.
Flustered, she shoved the strawberry into his mouth.
Perhaps too hastily...
Sweet juice trailed down the corner of his lip.
And the instant he closed his mouth over the fruit...
The tip of his tongue fleetingly brushed her fingertip.
She jerked back as if burned, ears crimson.
Lowering her head, her hair hid her burning face as she fussed with her dress.
Then Xu Yan burst out laughing: "Boss, didn't you say you were full?? You won't eat my strawberry, but you'll eat Chu Ran's—are hers sweeter?"
Jiang Cheng couldn't help rubbing the bridge of his brow.
The Girl had no idea how wild her words sounded.
He dabbed his chin with a napkin...
Paused...
"I really couldn't say; another day I'll taste yours and compare."
Among the three, only Shen Shuang caught his meaning.
With a chuckle she pushed the whole box of strawberries toward Xu Yan.
"Stop stirring trouble—they're all yours..."
They didn't stay at Shen Shuang's much longer...
Partly because few acquaintances were there, partly because Reba was waiting at the Courtyard House.
After walking Jiang Churan back to Shen Shuang's apartment...
Jiang Cheng carried up all her shopping himself.
Why not let Wang Sheng do it?
Because Shen Shuang hadn't returned yet...
A lone man and woman in the apartment seemed just right.