Xu Yan quickly nodded and thanked him.
But when she actually saw the scene, it still felt surreal.
It was like watching a revered university professor bow and scrape to a student, meticulously arranging and reporting everything—utterly unbelievable.
The first two times they met, Xu Yan had only seen Jiang Cheng's flamboyant, high-spending heir persona.
Today, every inch of him radiated the poised authority of someone accustomed to power.
Especially when facing famous directors and veteran actors decades older than him.
He showed no hint of greenness; instead he was effortless, confident.
A young, accomplished, devastatingly handsome yet aloof domineering CEO.
Wasn't that the perfect hero made flesh from every romance novel?
Watching Jiang Cheng so close, Xu Yan felt dizzy with fascination.
On the ride back her eyes barely left her phone screen.
Her fingers flew in the girls' group chat with Jiang Churan and the others.
She described every jaw-dropping detail of the night.
Between messages she muttered like a broken spell: "He's my best friend's man, my best friend's man… no, no, I'm not listening…"
After dropping Xu Yan outside Shen Shuang's apartment.
She drew a deep breath, smoothed her hair and her mood, then turned to Jiang Cheng with solemn sincerity.
"Jiang Cheng, thank you for tonight. I thought about it the whole way; right now all I can offer is a heartfelt thank-you, but I truly am grateful for your help."
At those words Jiang Cheng's thoughts surged.
The fire Su Wan had kindled earlier still burned.
Hearing this now, he wanted to shout: I'm on fire.
If you want to thank me, then climb on and take care of it yourself.
Release it on me.
Jiang Cheng said nothing, simply stared, and Xu Yan's heart lurched.
She sensed instantly that his gaze was no ordinary look.
It was a hungry predator locking on its prey—aggressive, possessive.
One more second and he would pounce, devour her until not a bone remained.
Her heart hammered like a panicked deer racing through her chest.
The racing made her breath come in short gasps.
What… what did Jiang Cheng mean?
After a few seconds she couldn't bear the scorching stare; she looked away first.
Her hands fumbled, trembling, to unbuckle the seat belt.
While struggling with it she stammered, "Th-thank you… I—I'll get out now. Next time I'll treat you to dinner…"
Before the words finished she bolted like a startled rabbit, sprinting away without a backward glance, leaving only a flustered silhouette.
Watching her flee until she vanished, Jiang Cheng finally let his taut nerves relax.
He tugged a faint smile, gave a helpless shake of his head.
Then he inhaled, floored the accelerator, and the car shot off like an arrow released from a bow.