"Wow, this bag alone must be worth almost ten grand. Big shot, I'm too embarrassed to take it."
Hearing that, Xu Yan waved her hand. "I'm even more embarrassed—you still haven't let me thank you for finding me a job."
At those words, Jiang Churan glanced at the several bags Jiang Cheng had just given her.
"Then are the things you gave me expensive too?"
"Not really. Just some tonics, a small token of appreciation."
The moment Jiang Cheng finished, Shen Shuang shot to her feet.
"I don't believe it! If ours cost that much, Ranran's must be even better."
Xu Yan leaned in. "Ooh, let me broaden my horizons."
Jiang Churan opened a bag and peeked inside—and was instantly startled.
"Jiang Cheng, this is way too valuable. I can't take it home."
Jiang Cheng shrugged. "Take it. What's 'valuable'? Just ordinary supplements for Uncle and Auntie to stay healthy."
"Gimme a break—'ordinary'? That moutai is the zodiac-commemorative edition, about thirty thousand a bottle. And there's shark-fin and ginseng. Jeez, these bags must run into the hundreds of thousands." Shen Shuang exclaimed.
Xu Yan drifted over, seemingly without thinking, and parked herself in the narrow gap between Jiang Cheng and Jiang Churan.
Her lovely figure suddenly blocked Jiang Cheng's view, and his gaze slid down to the two rounded curves barely a hand's breadth away.
At this distance, honestly, it was hard not to reach out.
Silently he recited the Great Sutra for Suppressing Rampant Beasts, keeping his hands under control.
With perfect composure Xu Yan lifted a packet from Jiang Churan's bag.
"My God, what's this? Hokkaido scallops? They're huge—I've never seen any this big."
Shen Shuang looked and said, "They're big, but still not as big as yours."
Blushing, Xu Yan pinched Shen Shuang's armpit.
"You little perv, jealous? Want me to give you a squeeze?"
Shen Shuang hugged herself, giggling. "Get lost, woo~"
Jiang Cheng pretended not to catch their innuendo and solemnly opened the menu, though Shen Shuang's remark kept echoing in his mind.
They're that big??
Seeing her two best friends cracking dirty jokes in front of Jiang Cheng, Jiang Churan suddenly recalled the scene in the car moments ago when Jiang Cheng had pinched that "pimple" and she'd pushed him away.
Face flushed, she tried to change the subject. "Okay, Shuang Shuang, why provoke the busty terror?"
"I'm only telling the truth," Shen Shuang laughed, stuffing the scallops back at Xu Yan.
While the two tussled, Xu Yan stumbled backward and her back brushed Jiang Cheng's head, her hair sweeping his jaw.
Before Jiang Churan could steady her, Xu Yan had already balanced herself—yet her calf curved back, toes grazing Jiang Cheng's leg through the fabric.
Feeling him tense, she feigned innocence and cooed at Shen Shuang, "Trying to murder your bestie?"
Noting Xu Yan's reddened ear-tips, Jiang Cheng suspected this "best friend test" was fishier than it seemed—the move had been stealthy, and afterward she nervously picked up a box of tribute sea-cucumber.
"Don't tell me this is hotel-exclusive too—oh my, 6,800 yuan?"
Shen Shuang explained, "It's wild, certified, low-pressure, low-temperature processed—great expansion rate, hence the price."
Jiang Cheng discreetly shifted his foot away and gave Shen Shuang a thumbs-up. "You're the expert; I didn't even know."
Shen Shuang rolled her eyes. "Big shot, are you really that modest or just teasing me?"
With utmost sincerity Jiang Cheng said, "I didn't buy any of this. Since I arrived in the capital, gifts have been piling up at home. I picked the best for you guys, so don't be polite—help me clear the stash."
As they chatted, the Waitress pushed the door open and began serving the dishes.
Xu Yan took the cue to slip back to her own seat.