With his arms around them, Jiang Cheng quietly checked both girls' favorability values while opening the explanation of the Chain Result Reaction.
"Ding~ Given the high degree of cooperation, smoothness, and completion, Host is awarded the Chain Result Reaction. This reaction can be applied to two people; when activated, it accelerates the formation of a best friend relationship similar to that between Qiao Yinyin and Bai Xiaoxiao."
"Special note: Chain Reaction can only be used between two people of opposite genders and only once. Host, please use it with caution!"
Since the Twin Sisters had last confronted him, the closest they'd been was walking hand-in-hand with him to the high-speed rail station.
At the time, neither sister resisted; they let Jiang Cheng hold their hands in silence.
On the train they could excuse it by saying the crowd might separate them, but…
…here in the car, Jiang Cheng could feel the girls' bodies stiffen for an instant.
Judging by that, this Chain Reaction wouldn't be achieved in a single moment.
After all, Qiao Yinyin and Bai Xiaoxiao hadn't yet reached the stage of actively teaming up for chicken dinners, but…
…they clearly didn't resist this kind of left-and-right embrace at all.
When Jiang Cheng suddenly made his move, the two sisters exchanged glances again.
Compared with their shyness and panic the last time he held both their hands…
…this time they were noticeably calmer.
Seeing Si Qing look at her in a way totally different from usual…
…Si Nian couldn't help frowning.
Before, even if she'd said nothing, she'd tacitly allowed Si Qing to fool around with Jiang Cheng.
But whenever Jiang Cheng tested them like this…
…Si Qing's gaze would at least carry evasion or teasing.
Yet now her eyes were calm and unflinching.
Watching this, Si Nian copied Si Qing's expression and tone.
"Aren't you afraid my sister will get angry?"
Hearing that, Jiang Cheng released his hold on Si Nian.
He asked Si Qing, "Are you angry?"
Si Qing naturally wasn't angry.
From her standpoint, she'd been the first to book a room with Jiang Cheng.
Although nothing deep had happened, she definitely didn't want Si Nian to mind.
Knowing Si Nian would feel uneasy, she still shook her head with Si Nian's own faint smile.
When Si Qing shook her head, Si Nian's expression didn't change…
…but her eyes locked tightly onto Si Qing.
She felt she'd read the situation correctly.
Jiang Cheng's move seemed casual, yet it carried a probing edge.
Of course Si Qing didn't flinch from Si Nian's piercing stare.
Neither sister showed any intention of backing down.
This was the first time Jiang Cheng had sensed open rivalry between them.
Could it be the Chain Result Reaction beginning to show?
Back then, Bai Xiaoxiao and Qiao Yinyin had also started from confrontation.
The sisters had always kept their complicated feelings about this relationship to themselves…
…and both tacitly acknowledged Si Nian as Jiang Cheng's girlfriend.
But now a faint overt competition seemed to be emerging.
Crucially, when Jiang Cheng made his move—and even asked the question—neither girl's favorability dropped.
Apparently the Chain Reaction, though not making them instantly close, let them show their "care" on their faces.
After that, Jiang Cheng didn't put his arm around Si Nian again.
Watching the sisters fight it out would profit him, but haste spoiled the broth.
He decided to handle it the same way he had with Bai Xiaoxiao and Qiao Yinyin: stay an outsider.
Not only did he not hold Si Nian again, he also let go of Si Qing.
"I've already ordered the yuanyang hotpot at the restaurant—half clear broth, half mushroom. I told them to prep all your favorite dishes."
Those words melted the tension their standoff had created.
Si Qing lowered her lashes, long shadows brushing her cheeks, and murmured…
"We were supposed to treat you today."
Si Nian nodded, gaze still flicking toward Si Qing, voice softer: "Exactly, and you went to all this trouble again."
His fingertip tapped the screen—Cheng Gui's message still open: "As instructed, I'll have him fly to Demon City tomorrow to apologize." Jiang Cheng pocketed the phone without a word.
"Easy—next time it's your turn to treat me."
With that, Jiang Cheng pulled out his buzzing phone.
It was another message from Cheng Gui.
According to Jiang Cheng's intel, Cheng Xiaodong should have been temporarily released from detention today.
Cheng Gui hadn't mentioned Cheng Xiaodong once, yet every sentence probed whether Jiang Cheng was free these days.
After reading it, Jiang Cheng slipped the phone back into his pocket without replying.
The car merged smoothly into traffic, heading for the booked hotpot restaurant.
Neon lights streaked past the windows, but inside the cabin it was unusually quiet.
Si Qing suddenly turned her head toward the window…
…and stole a sidelong glance at Si Nian beside her.
In the shifting light, her profile looked gentle, all the earlier sharpness gone.
Staring at that identical face, Si Qing felt a sudden thought surface in her heart.