Jiang Cheng was waiting for these words, and a smile returned to his eyes.
He raised his teacup and toasted Jiang Xin.
"Alright, for that, rest assured, what's yours will still be yours. I'm a fair man and not greedy."
Jiang Xin knew this too.
He also knew about the mining company Jiang Cheng, Wang Cong, and Qin Fen had jointly developed.
Jiang Cheng hadn't used his status to take the lion's share, so he believed that cooperating with him wouldn't result in him being cut out.
The atmosphere relaxed a bit, and Jiang Cheng seemed to suddenly remember something.
Changing the subject, he brought back a lighter topic: "By the way, you heard about the Metaverse I mentioned that day, right?"
Jiang Xin was stunned, failing to keep up with the rhythm, and nodded subconsciously.
"I know, it's the one to pit Xu Zhi..." Halfway through, seeing Jiang Cheng's death stare, he immediately slapped his own mouth. "My tongue slipped. I'll punish myself with a cup of tea instead of wine. Next time we drink, I'll punish myself with three cups."
After saying that, he picked up the teacup and gulped it down.
Jiang Cheng wasn't really angry and waved his hand. "If you have some spare cash, you might as well invest some. This wave of dividends will come faster and more steadily than guarding a rare earth mine."
Jiang Xin's heart stirred. He looked up at Jiang Cheng, wanting to ask something, but saw that the other had already picked up his teacup.
He closed his eyes and slowly savored the tea, clearly not wanting to say more.
He had to swallow his words, but his heart was as clear as a mirror.
Jiang Cheng was extending an olive branch and also reminding him.
Whether to cooperate or not, the path of the Jiang family depended on his decision.
"Thanks, Brother Cheng."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng leaned over and patted the back of his hand neither too hard nor too light. The warmth of his fingertips transmitted through the thin fabric.
It carried a few hints of casual certainty.
"We've known each other for some time now. Don't be nervous. Whether this works out or not won't affect our friendship."
As he spoke, he glanced at Jiang Xin's tense shoulders again, a half-smile playing in his eyes.
His tone carried the composure unique to those in power: "Relax. There's no need to be so stiff when eating with me."
Hearing this, Jiang Xin's fingertips paused imperceptibly.
Then he let go of the tightly held cup, and his back slowly relaxed.
He looked up to meet Jiang Cheng's gaze, the layer of forced restraint on his face fading away.
It was replaced by the composed air of an heir to a prestigious family.
He raised his teacup again and toasted Jiang Cheng, his tone neither humble nor arrogant: "Brother Cheng, those are honest words. I was indeed too tense just now. I'll punish myself with a cup."
The warm tea went down his throat, suppressing the last ripple in his heart.
He knew very well that Jiang Cheng was offering him a way out and also showing his attitude.
Success would be a win-win; failure wouldn't lead to a fallout.
This sense of propriety was truly worthy of his status... The two chatted casually about the current situation. After three rounds of tea, the lunch finally came to an end.
At the restaurant entrance, Jiang Cheng and Jiang Xin shook hands, exchanged a few pleasantries, and went their separate ways.
When he sat in the car, the sun in Beijing, just a few days after the Qingming Festival, was bright and dazzling.
The wind carried the scent of sun-heated asphalt, and the newly sprouted sycamore leaves by the roadside rustled in the breeze.
"Wang Sheng, back to the residence." Jiang Cheng leaned against the backrest, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the phone case.
There was still some lingering fatigue from the dinner party in his eyes.
Jiang Cheng now somewhat understood why his father always looked exhausted after coming home from social engagements.
It wasn't that he didn't eat or drink well, but it was mentally taxing.
Soon, the car merged into the traffic.
Just after turning two corners, the road ahead was completely blocked.
The car could only move forward like a snail, inching and pausing.
Jiang Cheng sighed silently; the traffic in the capital was as expected.
Feeling mentally tired, he reached out and rolled down the window.
Jiang Cheng felt stuffy and lowered the window. The wind blew in with the smoky aroma of street food stalls, dispelling some of his fatigue.
While Jiang Cheng was looking at the street scene, Wang Sheng's voice came over: "Young Master Jiang, that looks like... Miss Qiu ahead?"
Jiang Cheng looked up and saw Qiu Yihe standing at the entrance of the court.
She was wearing a simple white T-shirt with a denim jacket and clutching a canvas bag in her hand.
She was standing on tiptoe peering toward the intersection, her brow slightly furrowed, clearly getting impatient from waiting.
After curling his lips into a smile, he had Wang Sheng slowly pull the car over.
Obviously, Qiu Yihe recognized Jiang Cheng's car as it approached her.
After lowering the window, seeing Qiu Yihe turn her face away and ignore him, Jiang Cheng's tone had a hint of playful mockery.
"Hey, beautiful, who are you waiting for?"
Hearing this, Qiu Yihe quickly glanced at Jiang Cheng.
She gave a cold snort, intentionally raising her voice.
She looked like she had no intention of paying attention to Jiang Cheng at all.
Seeing her pouting, Jiang Cheng instantly felt energized again.
Resting his elbow on the car window, he said slowly, "Beautiful, don't be so cold. Let's add each other on wechat..."
Hearing Jiang Cheng deliberately mention wechat, she couldn't help but feel her teeth itch with anger.
But unfortunately, she couldn't hit him or scold him.
After feeling frustrated for a long time, she could only feel a bit discouraged in the end.
While pouting, she gave Jiang Cheng another glare.
"Young Master Jiang, can your pick-up lines be any more old-fashioned?"
"Old-fashioned is practical." Jiang Cheng smiled, his gaze sweeping over her furrowed brow. "Why are you standing here? Waiting for a car? How about I give you a lift?"
Hearing this, Qiu Yihe finally turned to look at Jiang Cheng, her heart suddenly becoming conflicted.
She hadn't driven today so she could walk around and explore the neighborhood better, but she didn't expect to be unable to get a taxi now that she was going back.
She had waited for nearly half an hour, and after refreshing the ride-hailing app for a long time, there were no takers. Her legs were already sore from standing.
But thinking about their previous interactions, she couldn't bring herself to agree.
Just then, however, a taxi finally turned the corner slowly, its "Empty" light on.
Seeing this, Qiu Yihe's eyes lit up, and her conflicted expression vanished instantly.
She immediately raised her hand and replied firmly, "No need, Young Master Jiang. You should go hit on someone else. I'll take a taxi back myself."
As she spoke, she immediately walked quickly toward the roadside, waving at the taxi.
Unexpectedly, after just two steps, an auntie carrying a vegetable basket suddenly rushed out from the side.
She snatched the car door open first, muttering something.
"Hey, hey, Auntie, I was first."
"Move aside, young lady. My grandson is waiting for me to go back and cook!"
After saying that, the auntie ignored Qiu Yihe's expression and directly pried her hand off the car door.
With a bang, she closed the door.
The taxi sped away, leaving Qiu Yihe frozen in place.
Looking at the back of the car, her cheeks puffed out in anger, and she couldn't help but stomp her foot hard.
Jiang Cheng, in the car, saw everything and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Although she was angry, adhering to the idea of "having to bow one's head under another's roof," Qiu Yihe walked back to Jiang Cheng's car.
"That auntie is really something..." This sentence seemed like a complaint, but it was actually giving herself a way out for having just rejected Jiang Cheng.
However, although Jiang Cheng understood what she meant, he deliberately didn't take the bait.
He shook his head at Qiu Yihe and put on a helpless look. "Well then, since you don't need a lift, I'll be going."
"You..."
She knew Jiang Cheng's words were intentional.
Wasn't he just waiting for her to soften her stance?
But he was clearly the one who had cast her aside.
And it wasn't just for a day or two.
If she hadn't appeared, he probably would have forgotten she even existed.
Jiang Cheng seemed to see through her thoughts.
He added slowly, "You know, I'm a good man. I'm someone who hates forcing women the most. I'm leaving now..."
After saying that, Jiang Cheng sat back in the car, rolled up the window, turned to Wang Sheng, and tilted his chin, his tone crisp: "Let's go."
Watching the car window slowly rise, Qiu Yihe's lower lip, which she had been biting, suddenly parted slightly.
The little person in her heart was having a fierce battle.
She clearly wanted to call out to him, but her pitiful sense of pride was acting up, making it impossible for her to open her mouth.
Wang Sheng was completely confused, subconsciously looking at Qiu Yihe, who was still struggling outside the car window.
He then looked at his boss, hesitating and not moving.
"Young Master Jiang..."
"Go, what are you waiting for?" Jiang Cheng urged.
Seeing that Jiang Cheng was serious, Wang Sheng finally reacted, stepped on the gas, and the car sped away.
Watching the car's tail lights get further and further away, Qiu Yihe finally couldn't hold it in anymore.
She stomped her foot and shouted anxiously at the car, "Hey! Jiang Cheng, you scumbag!!!"