Xu Zhi, who was a step slower than Jiang Cheng and Shen Shuang, walked back to Booth E like a walking corpse whose soul had been hollowed out, in a daze.
At this moment, he forced himself not to look at Jiang Cheng's booth.
But seeing Jiang Cheng holding Jiang Churan as they both sprayed champagne together, while Shen Shuang obediently watched them, he felt as if his steps were on cotton, or perhaps on red-hot coals.
After a vicious glare, he immediately lowered his head to hide his burning, distorted expression under the blurred and changing lights of the bar.
Before he could even sit down after returning to the booth, the two scrutinizing and impatient gazes of Young Master Wang, wearing an emerald ring, and Young Master Li locked onto him like shadows.
"Little Xu, why did it take so long? How was the scouting?" Young Master Wang tapped his finger on the table, his emerald ring glinting coldly under the light. His tone seemed flat, but it carried an undeniable pressure that allowed no perfunctory answers.
Seeing these two big shots, Xu Zhi shuddered violently.
He forced his facial muscles to move, squeezing out a'smile' that looked worse than crying.
His voice was a bit airy: "Young Master Wang, Young Master Li, sorry to keep you waiting. Um, I've gathered some information..."
Young Master Wang didn't even fully lift his eyelids: "Gathered information? Then why is your face so pale? Did you run into someone who doesn't know their place?"
He wasn't concerned about Xu Zhi; he was assessing whether any trouble would stick to him.
Young Master Li scrutinized Xu Zhi's subtle expressions from behind his lenses, his voice flat but carrying invisible pressure: "Our time is limited. You said you were going to confirm the news just now. What's the result?"
After speaking, they glanced pointedly toward Jiang Cheng's booth.
Xu Zhi subconsciously clenched his fists again, his nails digging deep into his palm.
He knew very well that in front of these two, personal honor and disgrace had to be completely suppressed.
He absolutely could not let them see what kind of extraordinary humiliation he had just suffered from Jiang Cheng.
That would only make them feel he was useless and had no value.
He immediately forced himself to straighten his back, though his posture remained respectful.
In that instant, a crazy yet pragmatic calculation flashed through his mind like lightning.
To hell with it! Even if it's fake, he's going to take a gamble!
He would use this 'tailwind' to make a huge profit, using real money and success to win back the face he lost today tenfold, a hundredfold!
When that time comes, let's see what Jiang Cheng has to be proud of! Let's see if Shen Shuang regrets it!
Gamble! He must gamble!
If what Jiang Cheng said is true... this is a god-given opportunity!
He could use the information gap to take a step further in front of these two.
Although he had led them to make money twice before,
A few million in profit was just small change.
For them, the speed at which this money was extracted was too slow.
The time span from the shorting of the Conglomerate to this shorting of Love Book was simply too long.
Who knows when the next opportunity like this would come.
In this circle of interest exchange, if he had no utility value, these two might not even agree to meet him tomorrow.
Doubled profits would be the strongest 'tribute' he could offer.
In this circle, loyalty and diligence are worthless; only the delivery of solid benefits can trade for a moment of reliance and a chance to breathe.
He wanted them to feel that without him, earning this money wouldn't be as pleasant or as safe.
They needed him not just for money laundering, but to 'generate money.' Only then would this relationship be truly locked in.
But if... Jiang Cheng's news is fake, it would just be a loss of money.
Compensating them for their principal plus their expected profits—
For the Xu family, that could still be easily extracted.
The key was that even if they lost, he would take the initiative to shoulder it when the time came.
Paying out of his own pocket would make him look magnanimous and responsible in front of them.
It would be equivalent to offering a 'tribute' in a roundabout way.
To prove that I, Xu Zhi, am someone who can share wealth and shoulder risks!
If he could use money to buy their respect, or even a bit of guilt or appreciation, this deal... would be worth it!
This desperate resolve and the anxiety to show off completely overwhelmed his naturally suspicious nature.
The panic on his face quickly faded, replaced by a kind of 'certainty' mixed with fanaticism and flattery.
"No, I just found out clearly! It's good news!!"
He paused deliberately, and seeing that he had indeed caught their attention as they leaned forward slightly, he lowered his voice.
He continued in an inflammatory tone: "Just now... I indeed got more accurate inside information! On Love Book's side, the Metaverse strategy release is a done deal! And the timing might be even earlier than we imagined, with even greater intensity! This is definitely not a groundless rumor!"
To increase credibility, he didn't even hesitate to make up details.
"The source... is very reliable, heard from someone with a direct relationship with Love Book's top management; they are already making final deployments. Our original plan... was too conservative! If we close the net according to the original plan, we might miss the biggest wave of dividends!"
Young Master Wang and Young Master Li exchanged a glance, both seeing excitement and hesitation in each other's eyes.
Although Xu Zhi's state was a bit strange at the moment, the temptation of 'certainty' and 'greater profit' in his words was too strong.
"Are you sure?" Young Master Wang asked in a deep voice, the rhythm of his finger tapping on the table slowing down.
"Xu Zhi, this is no joking matter. You were hesitant just now, and now you're so certain?" Young Master Li was more cautious, his gaze like a torch staring into Xu Zhi's eyes, trying to find any flaws.
Xu Zhi was now completely lightheaded from the obsession of'slapping Jiang Cheng's face' and 'proving himself.'
"Sure! Absolutely sure! Just now... just now I went to confirm this one last time! Now I'm over ninety percent certain! Big brothers, the opportunity is fleeting! We should immediately adjust our strategy, increase our positions, and maybe... even consider using some leverage to seize the absolute initiative before the news is fully public!"
"This time, as long as we operate correctly, the profit will definitely more than double! By then, it won't just be about money; our reputation and status in the circle... will be different!"
Looking at Xu Zhi's fanatical appearance as if he were 'betting his life and fortune,' Young Master Wang and Young Master Li exchanged another look.
Greed finally overrode caution.
Although Xu Zhi was sometimes impulsive, he had indeed helped them make money before, and this time he appeared so 'certain'... "Fine!" Young Master Wang finally made up his mind and slapped the table, "Little Xu, we'll trust you one more time! Do as you say, adjust the plan immediately, and increase the investment! But—"
His tone suddenly turned sharp, "Xu Zhi, listen to me carefully. If anything goes wrong this time, the consequences... you know them yourself!"
Young Master Li also added coldly: "Our money and our reputation are all riding on this. Xu Zhi, you'd better pray your information is absolutely true."
Xu Zhi felt a chill in his heart, but there was no turning back now, so he could only brace himself.
He responded with a louder, more 'confident' voice: "Don't worry, Young Master Wang, Young Master Li! This wave, the shorting plan for Love Book, we're sure to win! I, Xu Zhi, guarantee it with my life!"
When he said the words'sure to win,' his eyes unconsciously drifted toward the distant booth where Jiang Cheng was, where bursts of laughter were coming from. His eyes flickered with a flame mixed with madness, hatred, and a desperate gamble.
At around 11 PM, Jiang Cheng took Jiang Churan and left first.
Upon returning to Renji Mountain Villa, Jiang Churan quickly slipped into the bedroom.
Although the bedroom door wasn't locked, Jiang Cheng found that the bathroom door inside the bedroom was locked.
Evidently hearing the sound of the doorknob turning, Jiang Churan's voice came from inside the bathroom.
"You baddie, not yet. You promised me, go wait for me on the bed obediently..."
Seeing this, Jiang Cheng shrugged helplessly.
What was going on? Although he had showered before going out, as a good man who valued hygiene, he just wanted to take a shower.
Is this Girl's guard a bit too high?
Sigh, how heartbreaking.
Left with no choice, Jiang Cheng went to the next room, which also had an attached bathroom, and took a quick shower.
In less than ten minutes, Jiang Cheng had finished washing and was lying in the bedroom.
But clearly, Jiang Churan was still in the bathroom.
Taking advantage of this time, Jiang Cheng opened wechat and sent Jiang Xin's name to Wang Sheng.
After sending it, Jiang Cheng opened the system again.
On the screen, the stock price K-line chart for 'Love Book' was like a struggling python.
It twisted repeatedly at the final support level, but every rebound appeared increasingly weak. Trading volume was shrinking, and sell orders were piling up on the order book.
After sending the approximate time to close the positions to Chen Xueer, Jiang Churan finally walked out of the bathroom. However, she wasn't wearing the silk strap nightgown from their first time, but a very ordinary set of home pajamas.
Seeing this, a series of question marks appeared in Jiang Cheng's head.
So, she didn't actually think that wearing these pajamas could prevent an 'accident' from happening, did she?
With her looks and figure, these pajamas looked very well-fitted on her.
With her curves, it actually gave off a bit of a cosplay vibe.
However, after coming out, she didn't walk toward the bed. Instead, she glanced at Jiang Cheng and walked outside.
???
Did she run away or what?
Is this Girl a bit lacking in 'fortitude'?
Just as Jiang Cheng was thinking about going out to check, Jiang Churan walked back in.
She was holding a glass of milk and handed it to Jiang Cheng: "You drank quite a bit. I think drinking some milk can protect your stomach. Have some."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng took the milk and downed it in one go.
Capturing that imperceptible hint of nervousness and avoidance in the depths of her eyes, the corners of Jiang Cheng's mouth curled up.
"Churan."
Looking at Jiang Cheng's gaze, Jiang Churan subconsciously wanted to take half a step back: "Ah? Yes."
Before she could speak, Jiang Cheng had already stood up. With a reach of his long arm, he easily pulled her into his embrace.
Instantly, her fragrant hair brushed against Jiang Cheng's jaw.
"Jiang Cheng..." she protested softly, but her voice lacked any strength.
She could feel the steady heartbeat from his chest and his body heat through the thin fabric of her clothes.
This made her think of the previous two times... those suffocatingly hot entanglements and his seemingly endless energy.
Jiang Churan's mind was a mess, and she even had a somewhat absurd doubt.
Just how is this person's constitution built?
Clearly, he was the one putting in the effort, yet afterward, he was the one who was refreshed as if fully charged, while she... the more she thought about it, the hotter her cheeks became.
Jiang Cheng felt the stiffness and slight trembling of the body in his arms and gave a low chuckle, his warm breath brushing against her earlobe: "What are you afraid of?"
"I... I'm not. You... you let me go..."
Jiang Churan buried her face even lower, her words carrying a tiny fear and plea for mercy regarding what was about to happen—a fear she hadn't even noticed herself... The next morning.
The sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting golden spots of light on the bedroom floor.
When Jiang Churan woke up, she found the space beside her empty.
She sat up clutching the quilt, remembering the intimacy after they returned last night.
Although the two of them slept under the same quilt last night,
Fortunately, Jiang Cheng only did some kissing and touching.
And because there was no 'grinding,' she felt that she had indeed rested well last night.
The slight soreness in her body had faded, and her spirit had recovered quite a bit.
After washing up, she walked out and saw Jiang Cheng sitting on the sofa in the living room with his laptop, clearly working.
Jiang Churan walked over quietly and reached out to cover Jiang Cheng's eyes.
"Guess who I am?"
Jiang Cheng didn't expect such a cold and elegant person to act like this.
With a curl of his lip, Jiang Cheng deliberately called out the wrong name: "Are you Shen Shuang?"
Jiang Cheng thought he was being clever by calling her Shen Shuang instead of Xu Yan.
But because of this, Jiang Churan's eyes flickered for a moment.
From a Girl's perspective, deliberately avoiding the one with higher beauty is actually problematic.
Jiang Churan smiled and deliberately followed Jiang Cheng's lead: "I'm not Shuang Shuang, I'm Yan Yan."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng grabbed Jiang Churan's hand and pulled her in front of him: "Ho, you've learned to be naughty. I think you want a spanking?"
Seeing Jiang Cheng give her two smacks on her butt, Jiang Churan pouted and grumbled: "You really hit me."
Jiang Cheng took the opportunity to rub it, then lowered his head to give her a kiss, his voice carrying a slight morning rasp: "How did you rest?"
Jiang Churan met his deep, smiling eyes, and her heart skipped a beat.
"Not bad, I feel like my physical strength has recovered a bit."
"Oh?" Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening with a blatant meaning that began to make her feel endangered, "Recovered a bit? Then it doesn't hurt anymore, right?"
Seeing that the frequency of Jiang Cheng's hand rubbing her butt began to change,
Jiang Churan's face instantly turned a bit red, and she pushed Jiang Cheng's hand: "It doesn't hurt, but I think it would be even better to rest for another day."
Automatically ignoring the second half of Jiang Churan's sentence,
Jiang Cheng pretended to be serious and withdrew his hand from rubbing her butt cheek.
He nodded: "Since your strength has recovered, why don't we... do some morning exercise..."