The aroma of red chili oil wafted from the Sichuan cuisine window, where the Boiled Fish and Spicy Chicken looked incredibly enticing.
Steam rose from the bamboo baskets at the Cantonese window; the Crystal Shrimp Dumplings were translucent, and the pleats on the Shaomai were even more exquisite than those in a high-end restaurant.
There was even a dedicated Western food section, where steaks sizzled on the grill and pasta sauces were rich and creamy.
Even Halal and vegetarian windows were partitioned off separately.
Qiu Yihe couldn't help but click her tongue in admiration.
"Wow, there's actually a dessert section! Mango Pomelo Sago, Double-Skin Milk, mousse cakes... and the fruit over here looks great too—Shine Muscat, cherries, Dandong strawberries. This cafeteria really went all out. This treatment is just too good, isn't it?"
Lin Chongzhe, who was accompanying her, saw this and thought she still had doubts about the standard.
He smiled and explained further, "Miss Qiu, our R&D personnel often dive into the lab for over ten hours at a time, which is extremely taxing both mentally and physically. Mr. Jiang often says that health is the capital of revolution; only when you eat well can your brain work fast. This food standard is a genuine investment in productivity."
Hearing this, Qiu Yihe forced a smile. "Can we eat all of this whenever we want?"
Jiang Cheng nodded, casually ordering a portion of Boiled Fish, Spicy Chicken, and a side of green vegetables.
He then added, "Eat as much as you like, but the prerequisite is no wasting. Ordering in moderation is a virtue."
Upon hearing Jiang Cheng's words, the expression on Qiu Yihe's face momentarily turned blank.
Although this wasn't her first time in this type of cafeteria,
it didn't stop her from being amazed.
Part of her surprise was because this cafeteria was much better than the one she had in Shanghai.
Another part was feeling that Jiang Cheng was truly willing to spend a fortune.
While what she had seen earlier was already excellent, she hadn't expected the cafeteria to also offer set meals for celebratory gatherings.
It even included high-end dishes like buddha jumps over the wall.
This wasn't just an employee restaurant; it was almost like a banquet hall... Seeing Qiu Yihe still hesitating after he had finished ordering,
Jiang Cheng shook his head helplessly. "What's wrong? Is there nothing you like?"
At his question, Qiu Yihe immediately shook her head. "How could that be? This treatment... is way better than my unit's cafeteria... Wait for me a moment..."
With that, she went over and ordered Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, a portion of Shrimp Dumplings, and some green vegetables.
Lin Chongzhe asked casually, "Oh? Which unit does Miss Qiu work for?"
Qiu Yihe froze for a second, her eyes instinctively flickering toward Jiang Cheng.
She then replied vaguely, "...In the Public Security Department."
"Public security?" Lin Chongzhe was a bit surprised and looked her up and down. Qiu Yihe was in civilian clothes today, with a bare face and a sharp, capable aura, but she indeed didn't look like a typical office clerk. "Specifically...?"
"Just an ordinary police officer," Qiu Yihe said with a smile, trying to brush it off.
Lin Chongzhe, however, became interested. "A police officer? Then did Miss Qiu come from a Police Academy?"
"Yes, I spent five years at the Police Academy," Qiu Yihe nodded.
"No wonder," Lin Chongzhe said with a hint of admiration in his eyes. "I could tell from your posture and gaze that you were different. You must be very skilled."
Qiu Yihe felt a bit embarrassed by the praise and slightly guilty, especially in front of Jiang Cheng.
She said modestly, "I'm alright... I once took eighth place in the Women's Combat Event at the National Games. But..." She shot a quick glance at Jiang Cheng, "Jiang Cheng's skills... are also very good."
As soon as she said this, Lin Chongzhe's gaze shifted between the two of them, and a knowing, slightly playful smile appeared on his face.
"Oh? It seems you two... have sparred? Now I'm a bit curious."
After setting down his tray, he turned to Jiang Cheng and asked half-jokingly, "Mr. Jiang, I only knew you were still in university; I didn't realize you had trained before. So, between you and Miss Qiu, who is better?"
Jiang Cheng had just picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks; hearing this, his movement paused.
Then, he unhurriedly put the fish into his mouth. After chewing and swallowing, he curled his lips into a meaningful, somewhat roguish smile.
"The two of us..." he drawled, his gaze intentionally lingering on Qiu Yihe's increasingly red face. "Actually... our skills are pretty much on par. When we spar, sometimes I'm on the bottom and she's on top, and sometimes I'm on top and she's on the bottom. It goes back and forth. It's the kind of... um... alternating lead type of situation..."
Qiu Yihe had originally been listening seriously to Jiang Cheng's assessment.
The words sounded like a description of positions and outcomes in a martial arts match, but combined with his gaze and tone, she felt it sounded stranger and stranger the more she listened.
They were clearly fighting, so what was this 'top and bottom' talk... but toward the end, she suddenly understood.
Especially with the faint emphasis on the word 'cooperation' that followed... "Cough, cough, cough!!" Qiu Yihe suddenly choked on a mouthful of juice and began coughing violently. Her entire face instantly turned bright red, and even her neck was flushed pink.
Her leg under the table reached out and kicked Jiang Cheng.
Lin Chongzhe, on the side, was completely unaware of the silent undercurrent and the ambiguous riddle passing between the two.
As an academic, he had only asked to lighten the atmosphere.
Taking the words at face value, he even followed up with the earnestness of a researcher: "Oh? Is it due to rule restrictions or physical differences? Miss Qiu is a professional, so if you can go back and forth with her, Mr. Jiang, it seems you must exercise quite a bit. Physical stamina is very important."
"..."
Jiang Cheng didn't respond, his lips merely curving upward almost imperceptibly.
Just then, his phone vibrated urgently.
Lin Chongzhe pulled out his phone and took a look; his expression immediately became serious and urgent.
He said apologetically, "Mr. Jiang, Miss Qiu, I'm terribly sorry. There's an emergency with some critical data at the lab, and I need to go back and verify it immediately. Please enjoy your meal; I must excuse myself."
Jiang Cheng nodded understandingly. "Go ahead, work comes first. Thank you for your hard work."
"It's my duty." Lin Chongzhe hurriedly nodded to the two of them and left quickly, already beginning to give instructions into the phone. His mind was instantly back on his data and experiments.
Finally, only the two of them were left at the table.
Silence reigned for a few seconds, save for the faint background noise of the cafeteria.
Qiu Yihe slowly looked up, the flush on her face not yet fully faded. She glared at Jiang Cheng and lowered her voice: "What were you... talking about just now?"
Jiang Cheng picked up his chopsticks again and grabbed a piece of green vegetable, his tone returning to its previous nonchalance.
"What did I say? I was just telling the truth, wasn't I? By the way, I've always been curious—why do you have a butterfly tattooed on your inner thigh? It wouldn't be so that the butterfly moves when you're trembling, would it..."