"Ding~ Given the high degree of cooperation, smoothness, and completion, the Host is awarded a Chain-Reaction outcome. The chain reaction can be applied to two people; when activated, it will rapidly push the pair toward a best friend relationship similar to that of Qiao Yinyin and Bai Xiaoxiao."
"Special note: Chain Reaction can only be used once, and only between two people of opposite sexes. Use with caution!"
He had only given it a cursory glance while still on the plane.
Now that he looked carefully, he wanted to shout out loud:
dream come true system is awesome!
After reading, Jiang Cheng—now in a splendid mood—said to Wang Sheng, "Take me to the Bund Mansion."
When the car reached the Bund Mansion,
Jiang Cheng keyed in the code and pressed his fingerprint; the heavy security door slid open. The house was quiet—Yu Xiaoxiao clearly hadn't left work yet.
His fingertips brushed the cool marble countertop of the living room.
His gaze swept across the empty apartment.
The tasteful furniture felt a little cold and lonely.
He opened the fridge: aside from a few bottles of mineral water and some fresh fruit, there were no ingredients at all.
It seemed Yu Xiaoxiao usually ate at the company and rarely cooked at home.
He remembered that whenever he visited, she would carefully stew soup and prepare a whole table of dishes for him.
Looking at the empty fridge now, Jiang Cheng felt a sudden pang of heartache.
Besides, after the Zhang Yu incident she had broken ties with her family.
He had forgotten to ask where she planned to spend New Year's.
At that thought, guilt welled up inside him.
Judging by the look of things, she would most likely stay in Modu alone for the holiday.
Jiang Cheng tapped his forehead, then took out his phone and dialed a contact saved as 'Chef Li'.
He was the five-star head chef from Xia Meng's private club.
His French cuisine was practically art on a plate.
"Chef Li, come to the Bund Mansion at seven tonight," Jiang Cheng said lazily, a smile in his voice. "Prepare a candle-lit dinner for two—romantic, your choice of ingredients; budget isn't an issue."
Chef Li answered at once, "Rest assured, Mr. Jiang, I'll make sure you're satisfied."
After hanging up, Jiang Cheng looked around and began arranging the Modu specialties he had bought.
Delicately boxed Fu-Ling Cakes, gold-leaf-wrapped chocolates, and a small tin of Kyoto Matcha Powder Yu Xiaoxiao had mentioned craving.
At six-thirty Chef Li arrived on time with two assistants, wheeling insulated food carts straight into the kitchen.
Jiang Cheng didn't disturb them; he simply leaned against the living-room's floor-to-ceiling window, watching the Bund sink into night outside.
The Oriental Pearl's lights scattered like broken gold across the river.
The evening breeze carried the river's dampness; the city's glamour and gentleness merged in this moment.
The view from this mansion really was superb.
Just after seven-thirty the front door's lock beeped softly.
Yu Xiaoxiao stepped in; her high heels made the faintest sound on the hallway carpet.
Catching the faint glow from the kitchen out of the corner of her eye, she froze mid-motion, hesitant to go farther.
A second later a faint aroma drifted over—
the nutty scent of butter browning, the richness of black truffle, and a hint of rose.
Her eyes lit up, joy unmistakable, and she called softly, "darling?"
Her fingers tightened on her shoes as she hurried inside. Just past the hallway, Jiang Cheng stepped forward and swept her into his arms.
"You're finally home," he murmured, warm breath brushing her ear.
Yu Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat.
She had commented on his afternoon post, and he hadn't replied; she assumed he was busy—she never imagined he would appear here.
Tears welled instantly, glistening on her lashes.
Following his gaze toward the dining room, her breath caught.
A long table was draped in deep-purple velvet.
At its center stood a small bouquet of fresh champagne roses,
petals still beaded with water.
Four slender candles flickered, their flames turning the silver cutlery softly radiant.
Chef Li was just setting down the final main course—a perfectly seared Filet Mignon.
Its edges caramelised, drizzled with amber-black pepper sauce,
garnished with jade-green asparagus and halved cherry tomatoes—an edible work of art.
"This is..." Her voice trembled as tears suddenly heated her eyes.
She had enjoyed candle-lit dinners before—five-star hotels, all the romance money could buy.
Yet here in her own familiar home, watching this usually carefree man
go to such lengths for her, something inside her melted.
A bittersweet warmth flooded every limb.
Seeing her moved like this, Jiang Cheng once again appreciated the perks money brought.
To be honest, all he had done was make one phone call.
But status gave him the power to turn a simple idea into a romantic surprise.
Had he been an ordinary guy,
he could have slaved over a home-cooked filet and still been told it didn't taste right.
Chef Li and his assistants tidied up and quietly left, gently closing the door behind them; only the two of them remained.
Jiang Cheng carried her to the table, set her down gently, and pulled out her chair. "Try it—Chef Li's steak is said to rank top in all of Modu."
Once seated, she watched Jiang Cheng pick up knife and fork, slice the steak with practiced ease,
and lift a piece to her lips.
At that instant the tears she had held back slipped down her cheeks and fell onto the velvet cloth, blooming into tiny dark flowers.
"Why the tears?" Jiang Cheng paused, set down his cutlery, and gently wiped her tears with a fingertip. "Not to your taste? Or just worn out from work?"
"No..." She shook her head, clasping his hand; the warmth of his palm grounded her. "It's just... such a wonderful surprise."
Yu Xiaoxiao was the first and only woman whose favorability toward Jiang Cheng had reached 100%.
Though she knew there were many other women around him, she never felt jealous.
Part of today's emotion came precisely because of them—
she had outshone all those women and become the first person he came to see after landing,
even putting thought into creating such a romantic scene just for her.
Jiang Cheng understood her feelings perfectly.
From the start this woman had never fought or grabbed for attention—her thoughtfulness only made her more lovable.
His heart clenched, softening completely.
He bent and pressed a light kiss to her smooth forehead, his voice tender: "Silly girl, no need for thanks between us."
"Jiang Cheng..." she whispered, a tearful smile curving her lips, starlight in her eyes. "Thank you."
He knew Yu Xiaoxiao was independent and resilient, used to handling everything herself, rarely showing such fragile dependence.
Right now she had set aside every piece of armor, offering him her softest, most unguarded self.
He lifted another piece of steak to her lips, tone playful: "Eat up before it gets cold. And when you're finished... I've got another 'surprise' waiting for you."