Big Secret gave Jiang Cheng an imperceptible glare, her fox-like eyes flashing with a hint of reproach.
Her slender fingers gently stroked the rim of the soup bowl.
Her red lips curled up slightly.
Did he not have a clue why she was slowing down and taking her time?
Big Secret replied again, unwilling to be outdone.
"It really is inappropriate to work until so late." Big Secret deliberately drawled, her fingertips lightly tapping on the tabletop.
"But to be honest..." She suddenly leaned forward, the snowy-white skin under her V-neck partially visible. "When it comes to doing business, sometimes it's not easy for either side. Perhaps something exceeded the client's tolerance, yet the client didn't want to let go of such a big deal, so..."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng's brow twitched slightly.
Her words came to an abrupt halt as she gave a meaningful glance toward the area under Jiang Cheng's dining table.
Under the table, the stocking-clad foot that Jiang Cheng had caught continued to move restlessly.
Jiang Cheng's brow arched slightly, and his Adam's apple bobbed unconsciously.
Even that behemoth couldn't help but stir and lift its head.
He leaned lazily against the back of the chair, the muscle lines under his shirt tensing slightly.
"So, you mean the client is having a hard time swallowing this deal of mine, so she can only keep grinding and grinding until I start to find it unbearable, and only then will she hurry up and wait for the 'climax'?"
Beside them, Baba was currently picking up a piece of tender fish with her chopsticks.
Her large, clear eyes, like those of a fawn, blinked as she looked at the two of them.
Originally, she had wanted to chime in; after all, everyone was chatting.
The business topics these two were discussing were too deep; she couldn't quite grasp the main point.
She could only place a portion of food into each of their bowls with a look of naive confusion, then said with a smile, "This fish is very delicious, you both should try it..."
Jiang Cheng's words made Big Secret surrender automatically.
She suddenly let out a soft chuckle, then quickly withdrew her foot from under the table and elegantly crossed her legs.
It wasn't because she was shy, but because Baba was present.
If it were just her and Jiang Cheng right now, given his handsome face and his incredible patience, she would definitely be in the mood to accompany him in this 'dirty talk' at any time.
Unfortunately, Baba was right there.
Although at this moment, Baba's eyes still held a hint of clarity and innocent stupidity.
But who knew if the conversation would accidentally veer off-track later? If they really crashed into a territory Baba understood, that would be disastrous.
She knew when to stop.
She wanted things to last, to slowly enjoy this clandestine thrill.
Even though Big Secret knew in her heart what would happen if Baba found out about her relationship with Jiang Cheng.
Baba would likely be heartbroken and sad.
However, as long as Baba was given some time to slowly digest the fact, perhaps it wouldn't cause too much of a problem in the end.
But Big Secret didn't want that at all.
She thoroughly enjoyed the current feeling.
As the saying goes, what man doesn't enjoy the thrill of an affair?
If they didn't, there wouldn't be so many names for mistresses and side chicks, or so many 'Old Wangs next door'.
Big Secret picked up the soup bowl and took a small sip. The fresh flavor spread across her tongue, making her sigh, "Mmm... that's roughly what I meant."
After speaking, her gaze drifted toward Jiang Cheng's collar, recalling the beads of sweat that had seeped out there last night.
How those powerful hands had gripped her waist, and how that young body had tirelessly made demands... Thinking of Jiang Cheng's performance last night made her legs feel weak.
Seeing Big Secret sit properly, Jiang Cheng also withdrew his hand from under the table, his well-defined fingers lightly tapping the tabletop.
He looked at the flush on the tips of Big Secret's ears with a half-smile.
Looking at Jiang Cheng's face as he teased her, Big Secret didn't know why.
For a moment, she actually found herself dazed while staring at him.
She shook her head, tossing away the ridiculous thoughts in her mind.
She hurriedly lowered her head to straighten her napkin.
Her slender neck curved into a graceful arc, the diamond necklace at her collarbone swaying slightly with her breath.
She knew that the reason she had seduced Jiang Cheng yesterday.
Was mostly because she was too lonely.
In this complicated circle, combined with having gone through a failed marriage.
She no longer held any hope for something like love.
What meaning did such a thing have anyway??
It wasn't as good as the 'Big OK' Baba currently possessed.
Being able to find someone for comfort when she wanted it, and being free and unfettered when she didn't.
As it turned out, after last night's experiment.
She was very glad for her indulgence last night.
This 'Big OK' was indeed just as Baba had described.
It wasn't an exaggeration at all, and being young meant having a good physique.
He had relentlessly tossed her around four times in one night before leaving.
This kind of experience was a first for her... After seeing the two of them off, Jiang Cheng also prepared to return to his Great-Grandfather's Courtyard House.
Stepping out the door, he saw Xia Li standing alone on a ladder, changing the large red lanterns at the entrance.
The winter sunlight spilled over her cool face, outlining a cold silhouette.
Her movements were swift and crisp, without any superfluous expression, as if she were merely completing a task.
"Young Master Jiang, are you going out?" Xia Li asked without turning her head, her voice as cool as her persona.
She didn't even need to turn around to confirm; she had already identified the person's identity just by the sound of the footsteps.
Jiang Cheng looked at Xia Li's back and couldn't help but think of the mission the system had issued that day.
"Help Xia Li find her enemy and settle the score personally."
He had already instructed Wang Sheng and Heng Cheng from Tyrande's side to handle this, but there was still no news.
According to Xia Li's original description.
She had taken only three minutes to accurately summarize all the characteristics of her enemy.
Her photographic memory made the clues she provided exceptionally clear.
Unfortunately, the target was a mercenary who traveled all over the world, making the search area far too large.
"The lanterns are well-chosen; they look quite festive," Jiang Cheng remarked, looking up.
Only then did Xia Li leap lightly down from the ladder, making almost no sound upon landing.
She patted away non-existent dust from her hands.
She replied with a faint smile, "I saw them at the market. There are also some smaller ones; I'll hang them in the corners later." After a pause, she added, "I heard firecrackers are banned here, so we can only use these to create an atmosphere. I hope your new year will be prosperous."
Wang Sheng, standing nearby, couldn't help but chime in, "Xia Li, why did you steal the New Year's greeting I prepared? Now I have to think of a new one for tonight..."
Xia Li just gave Wang Sheng a cold glance. "I didn't know you were going to say that."
She turned to Jiang Cheng, took a pair of couplets from a high chair nearby, and presented them with both hands. "Young Master Jiang, these are the main door couplets the Old Gentleman sent over. Do you want to paste them yourself?"
Jiang Cheng took the couplets and unfurled them.
The two vertical scrolls read: "Deep virtue flows brightly, inheriting ancestral teachings; high talent rises anew, starting a fresh journey." The horizontal scroll read: "A Flourishing Household."
After reading them, even though he was a top student from a 211 university, he could only blurt out two words.
"Awesome~~"
After pasting the couplets, Jiang Cheng said to the two of them, "I'm going over to my grandfather's place and won't be back tonight. I've already notified the kitchen to prepare a table of good food; you all should have a reunion dinner together."
Hearing this, Xia Li's eyes flickered slightly.
She quickly lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her face, hiding the fluctuations in her heart.
As an orphan, she had long been used to spending every holiday alone; those memories were as clear and cold as any other information stored in her mind.
But at this moment, a certain unfamiliar warmth was eroding the wall she had built around her heart.
"Thank you, Young Master Jiang." Her voice was still calm, but it was a few degrees softer than usual.
Wang Sheng also couldn't help but wipe away tears. "Young Master, you are too good to us..."
Like Xia Li, he had been an orphan since childhood.
Except for the years he spent in the army celebrating the New Year.
He had spent all other holidays alone.
There was no such thing as a 'reunion dinner' for him.
During his time following Jiang Cheng.
He increasingly felt how good it was to be by Jiang Cheng's side.
During those years working as a mercenary after leaving the army.
Though he earned money, it was all traded for with his life.
And in that environment, others would only treat you as a machine that risked its life.
No one would ever care if you ate well or slept warmly.
Much less would there be any talk of having a heart-to-heart meal with teammates.
He spent every day on edge, wary of everyone.
But after coming to Jiang Cheng's side, everything had changed.
In just half a year, Wang Sheng felt his life had truly been turned upside down.
Not only was the pay high, he even got paid to go to clubs.
The food and lodging were also top-notch.
To them, Jiang Cheng was simply a god-tier boss!
Seeing their moved expressions, Jiang Cheng laughed, "Why are you two looking at me like that? You're being silly. Go and get ready~~"
As he turned to leave, he caught a glimpse of Xia Li looking up at the newly hung lanterns, the winter sun reflecting a warm glow on her cool face through the red paper.