From Jiang Cheng's angle, Qiu Yihe seemed to be trembling.
He stepped into the restroom and pulled Qiu Yihe straight into his arms.
"What's wrong?"
Before Qiu Yihe could decide how to react, Wang Sheng addressed Jiang Cheng: "Young Master, Miss Bai is here."
Jiang Cheng turned his head at the words.
Bai Xiaoxiao stood behind a group of men, looking tiny and fragile.
She had clearly sensed the tense stand-off.
Hesitation flickered across her face; she didn't dare push forward.
Jiang Cheng noticed the bow on her chest drooping crookedly.
The collar of her once-pristine white shirt bore brown tea stains, the top two buttons gone.
After one glance he frowned. "Your hair—and your clothes?"
She'd fought Yuan Jing, height had put her at a disadvantage, and Yuan Jing had yanked out dozens of strands.
When Jiang Cheng hadn't come back, she'd come looking for comfort.
Never had she expected to find him hugging the Waitress from earlier.
In one day he'd effectively cheated on her twice.
Though calling it that wasn't entirely accurate.
After all, she had asked him out and made her own intentions obvious.
Yet Jiang Cheng had flirted with two Girls right in front of her.
So saying she'd been cuckolded twice wasn't wrong.
Bai Xiaoxiao's eyes were rimmed red, tears crystallising like crushed ice on her lashes.
She bit her lower lip so hard the pink faded to white.
Cheated on was bad enough; now her hair was matted with tea, her shirt crumpled from Yuan Jing's tugging.
She'd come seeking Jiang Cheng in such a state, only to receive a crushing blow.
The Girl couldn't hold it in; her lips quivered and she burst into sobs.
"Huu—go ask Yuan Jing yourself. I'm leaving. I won't stay here."
With a sniff and a sob she spun on her heel and walked away.
Bai Xiaoxiao: favorability value –5!
Bai Xiaoxiao: favorability value –5!
...Watching the system panel, her favorability kept dropping.
It finally settled at 70.
Jiang Cheng stared, utterly bewildered.
Wang Sheng explained, "After you came in, Miss Bai and Miss Yuan got into a fight for some reason. Our people said Miss Bai lost and ran out..."
Jiang Cheng's eyes widened. "They actually fought?"
Crap—had this whole thing blown up?
Still, it was bad timing.
Given the situation between Bai Xiaoxiao and Yuan Jing,
if she'd arrived to find Jiang Cheng alone instead of holding Qiu Yihe,
a simple hug and a few soothing words after her humiliation
would have sealed the deal effortlessly.
But the timing was off.
Seeing him with another Girl shattered her composure on the spot.
Had Yuan Jing been the one to walk in,
her favorability would have plummeted just as hard.
The difference was that, no matter how disgusted she felt,
Yuan Jing would never turn and leave.
She would swallow the nausea and ingratiate herself.
That is the gap between a privacy value of 38 and one of 0.
"Yes. You were inside; I didn't have time to report..."
Wang Sheng finished, and Liu Li glanced at a middle-aged man standing nearby.
Most corners of the restaurant were monitored,
and plenty of eyes were watching.
When something happened, word travelled fast.
Meeting Liu Li's gaze, the man nodded.
Only then did Liu Li's heart settle.
Noticing Jiang Cheng's frozen expression,
Qiu Yihe asked, "Young Master Jiang, they're gone. Still staring? Want to chase after her?"
At the sour note Jiang Cheng arched a brow.
He lowered his head with a grin. "What? The Girl ran off because of you, and now you're jealous?"
Recalling how Bai Xiaoxiao had clung to his arm, Qiu Yihe bit her lip.
Right—why was she upset?
Realising her own awkwardness, she brushed stray hairs from her forehead.
"Not at all."
Liu Li burst into laughter, gold teeth glinting obsequiously under the lights.
She bent deliberately, her low-cut cheongsam revealing more skin, while her right hand worried the Thai-script talisman on her jade bracelet. "My, Young Master Jiang, so wicked."
To a seasoned operator like Liu Li,
as long as Jiang Cheng wasn't an enemy, befriending him was essential.
A classic saying: one more friend, one more road.
Besides, he was Second-generation rich.
Most moneyed heirs crossed paths with people like her.
The wealthier they were, the wilder the venues they frequented.
A bit of indulgence was normal.
Why else fly around every day?
Mind Perception Skill registered that Liu Li's suspicion had faded,
replaced by a faint, calculating interest.
Jiang Cheng felt a sudden itch of discomfort.
Frankly, with his net worth he didn't need some cougar and her steel-wool tactics.
What did that terrifying smile mean?
No—he admitted he was spooked.
"Manager Liu, what's with the hassle? Your sushi bar makes entering the restroom an ordeal—now you dictate how many Girls I bring?"
Liu Li smiled apologetically. "Of course not. It was all a misunderstanding. We're newly opened, reputation matters, staff training is strict, sometimes overly so. I apologise; please don't hold it against us."
Her face changed faster than a weather-vane—true veteran.
Jiang Cheng waved dismissively. "If she weren't your employee, I wouldn't bother coming again."
Qiu Yihe seized the moment. "Sorry, Manager Liu, I broke the rules... I accept any penalty."
Head lowered, fingers twisting, her voice carried just the right mix of dread and grievance.
Liu Li narrowed her eyes. "Pretty little thing—no wonder Young Master Jiang couldn't resist."
"Manager Liu jokes... I'm just a worker..."
Jiang Cheng toyed with her name badge, tone dissatisfied. "Why so timid? With me you're afraid of being fired? Relax—if they sack you, I'll buy the place and make you landlady."
Qiu Yihe feigned delighted surprise.
"Really?"
Jiang Cheng snorted. "A tiny sushi bar—how much could it cost? Last night I handed out millions in red packets at the company. Why lie to you?"
"I didn't mean that. I saw the financial news—Jiang Tai was so generous; everyone praises your firm."
"Naturally."
He turned to Liu Li. "Manager Liu, name your price. I'll take over right now."
Liu Li panicked.
So Jiang Cheng was the young master of Jiang Tai.
After arriving in Chengdu they had researched every major company, boss, and key position.
During renovations they'd dealt with all the big suppliers.
Of course she'd heard of Jiang Tai.
Since last year Jiang Tai had leapt to become Chengdu's largest, most powerful construction firm.
They'd finally built relationships and greased every needed palm.
Start over and the whole process—and risk—would repeat.
Liu Li forced a laugh, gold teeth flashing. "Young Master Jiang, you tease. We treasure our staff; little Lin isn't at fault."
She turned to Qiu Yihe. "The VIP section needs someone sharp. From now on, whenever Young Master Jiang visits, little Lin will serve him exclusively."