"Them?" Jiang Cheng's tone was indifferent. "The total time they've spent with me doesn't even add up to a single day. You want me to buy them houses?"
Zhong Chuxi was stunned.
Jiang Cheng looked at her with an expression that held an indescribable meaning—perhaps mockery, perhaps honesty, or perhaps both.
"Women are realistic," he said. "Men are realistic too. Do you understand what I mean?"
Zhong Chuxi opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found herself unable to speak.
Because Chen Jiaxue had already said those words.
If she asked again now, she would only be asking for herself.
She recalled the scene in the storage room.
It wasn't voluntary, but... but at that time, she hadn't truly resisted to the end.
Thinking of this, she replied somewhat petulantly, "Hmph, I think only Zhou Ying would believe you... I won't tell her..."
After a pause, seeing that Jiang Cheng didn't speak, she added, "Don't you have anything you want to say to me?"
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng glanced at Zhong Chuxi and pondered for a moment.
Zhong Chuxi felt uneasy under his gaze. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes, and her cheeks began to heat up again. After enduring it for a few seconds, she finally couldn't hold it in and spoke up crossly, "What are you doing? Why are you staring at me? What do you mean by that?"
She thought Jiang Cheng would say something ambiguous or tease her a bit more, but to her surprise, Jiang Cheng's Adam's apple bobbed as he held back for a long time.
He actually blurted out, "Um... may good people live safe lives?"
These words instantly made Zhong Chuxi explode. Her eyes widened into circles, and she reached out to slap Jiang Cheng's arm.
"Jiang Cheng!!"
Jiang Cheng was prepared and dodged to the side with a smile. Zhong Chuxi missed and nearly stumbled instead.
Now even more furious, she stomped her foot and chased after him. "Don't run! Explain yourself! What do you mean by 'good people live safe lives'? You're deliberately trying to annoy me, aren't you!"
As the two of them chased each other, the noisy laughter instantly broke the surrounding silence.
Not far away, Chen Jiaxue, Zhao Yihan, and Chloe heard the commotion and immediately stopped what they were doing, looking over in unison.
They saw Zhong Chuxi with a lingering flush on her face, shouting crossly as she gave chase. Her expression was full of a young girl's charm and vivacity, without a trace of the previous restraint.
Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng, who usually maintained the steady image of a domineering CEO, looked like an unruly youth at this moment, looking back to tease her as he ran.
A smile he couldn't hide hung at the corners of his mouth, and even his footsteps were light.
The three women stood there, a hint of envy simultaneously appearing in their eyes.
.
After chasing for a while, Zhong Chuxi was out of breath. She leaned on her knees, gasping for air. "I hate you. I'm not playing with you anymore. I'm going back. Take this back... I don't want it."
Seeing her try to hand the bag back to him, Jiang Cheng looked back at her and replied crossly, "Fine, fine, stop being so fussy, you're acting like a broad."
Zhong Chuxi was stunned by his words.
After processing it, she glared at him and suddenly straightened her back, deliberately puffing out her chest.
She retorted defiantly, "What are you saying? I am a girl! What do you mean I'm acting like a broad? Do you even know how to talk!"
Saying that, she raised her hand again to slap Jiang Cheng's arm, but he dodged with a laugh.
The two of them continued to fool around.
Sunlight spilled over them, and even the air seemed to drift with the fresh aura of youth.
Watching from not far away, the envy in the eyes of The three women deepened a bit more.
This kind of reckless, carefree playing—they could no longer do it now.
They once had such unrestrained youth, but time had smoothed out their edges, teaching them restraint and propriety...
As evening fell, Jiang Cheng continued to drive the pagani huayra.
The engine emitted a low yet incredibly piercing roar as it sped along, making no effort to hide its flamboyant presence as it headed toward An Jingsheng's home.
At this time, in the An Family living room, An Jingsheng was sitting opposite Cheng Gui, with an exquisite tea set laid out on the table.
The scalding tea sent up curls of steam. The two seemed to be chatting and tasting tea, but their expressions suggested they each had their own thoughts.
Cheng Gui took a sip from his teacup. Just as he set it down, he faintly heard the roar of a supercar approaching from the distance.
The sound was sharp and flamboyant, unlike the noise of an ordinary vehicle.
It seemed to be coming toward them.
He frowned, his tone carrying a hint of surprise.
He looked at An Jingsheng. "President An, who is this? Your place is usually quiet. Who's being so high-profile? They actually drove right up to your front door?"
Every person who visited the An Family was low-key and respectful.
This was the first time Cheng Gui had seen someone making such a scene.
Hearing this, An Jingsheng rubbed his temples helplessly, his tone full of a headache.
He picked up his teacup and took a large gulp before waving his hand and saying crossly, "Don't even mention it. Who else could it be? It's that person who gives both you and me a headache, Jiang Cheng."
Hearing this, Cheng Gui was about to ask something more when the roar of the supercar outside the living room window stopped at the front door, followed by the soft sound of a car door opening and closing.
His expression changed abruptly. His previous composure vanished without a trace, and he instinctively sprang up from his chair.
His movements were hurried, and even the teacup on the table shook slightly.
Seeing him like this, An Jingsheng didn't have the heart to tease him and could only sigh helplessly.
He knew Cheng Gui's thoughts all too well; after all, the matter with Cheng Xiaodong was still there.
No matter how much resentment Cheng Gui had in his heart, when facing Jiang Cheng, he could only lower his posture and didn't dare to be the least bit disrespectful.
Before An Jingsheng could stand up, Cheng Gui had already hurried toward the door, forcing a respectful smile onto his face.
His pace was faster than usual. As he walked, he muttered under his breath as if to encourage himself or remind himself not to make a mistake.
His face wore a natural yet humble smile—not overly fawning, but showing proper restraint in every way.
His tone was warm yet respectful. As soon as he reached the door, he took the initiative to speak, his voice carrying a hint of surprise: "President Jiang! Why are you here? What a coincidence! I just came over to chat with President An for a bit, and I didn't expect to run into you. You tell me, how many people would be green with envy over the fate between us?"
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng straightened up slightly, his gaze falling on Cheng Gui.
A playful smile curled at the corners of his mouth, and his tone was casual with a hint of teasing: "Old Cheng, are you also here to have President An treat you to dinner?"