Jiang Cheng looked up, and Xia Li turned around abruptly.
Her heart was beating so fast it felt like it would explode.
At the doorway, Qiu Yihe stood frozen, the teacup in her hand tilted to one side with nearly half the water spilled, her eyes wide and round.
Her gaze was fixed on Jiang Cheng's hand, which was resting on Xia Li's bottom.
Her fair face instantly flushed bright red.
She had originally intended to use the excuse of bringing tea to have a few words with Jiang Cheng.
But as soon as she reached the door, she witnessed this scene inside the room.
Three people, six eyes meeting.
The air was deathly silent.
Xia Li's face alternated between pale and red.
She immediately pulled away from Jiang Cheng's embrace.
"Young Master Jiang, I'll head down first..."
After speaking, Xia Li didn't even look at Qiu Yihe; she brushed right past her and hurried toward the stairs.
In an instant, only two people were left in the hallway.
Qiu Yihe stood at the door, her hand still frozen in mid-air.
The scene from just now felt like a small thorn pricking her heart—not fatal, but it made her feel numb with bitterness.
She didn't blush, scream, interrogate him, or cry.
Her expression was just a bit paler than before, and her gaze was excessively calm, with only a trace of imperceptible coldness, gloom, and awkwardness hidden deep within.
Seeing her like that, Jiang Cheng didn't bother to explain. He spoke indifferently, "Well? What are you doing standing at the door?"
Qiu Yihe slowly withdrew her gaze and looked down at the spilled teacup by her feet.
She gave it a gentle kick, her voice flat and devoid of emotion, yet carrying the cold hardness she usually used to rebuff him. "Nothing. Just passing by."
Seeing her stubbornness, Jiang Cheng finally smiled. "There's only one room on this floor. Where exactly are you passing by to?"
Hearing this, Qiu Yihe looked around awkwardly.
"Wh... who says there's only one? Isn't that one next door?"
"That's a study..."
"I didn't know it was a study. I'm not used to sleeping downstairs, so I wanted to come up and check. What, are you blaming me for disturbing you?"
Before Jiang Cheng could respond, Qiu Yihe muttered sourly to herself, "Honestly, you never stop, even here..."
Seeing her huffing, Jiang Cheng curled his lips and stepped forward. "What? You have an issue with this too?"
As Jiang Cheng approached her, Qiu Yihe's tone carried a hint of feigned ignorance and jealousy, yet she pretended not to care. "What opinion could I possibly have... I'm nobody to you..."
She spoke candidly, as if she truly didn't care.
But only she knew that the dull ache in her chest couldn't be faked.
She had clearly accepted his promiscuity and the constant stream of women around him long ago, but seeing it with her own eyes still made her uncomfortable.
This woman says she doesn't mind, but she's actually like a powder keg...
Jiang Cheng took a step forward, closing the distance by half a step, his tone carrying his usual rogue-like air. "The way you say that makes it sound like you really want to be someone to me. Actually, it's not impossible..."
With that, Jiang Cheng reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Qiu Yihe's face instantly turned red, and she spat out a "Bah!" contrary to her feelings.
"Who wants to be your someone? What, did I interrupt your business? So now you want to mess with me? Young Master Jiang, you really are insatiable."
Jiang Cheng wasn't provoked by her words.
After all, with a busty girl's fragrant, soft body in his arms, even if she actually spat on him now, wouldn't that be as good as a kiss?
Jiang Cheng didn't want to spoil the mood by saying something she wouldn't like.
"She was trying to repay a debt of gratitude, caught up in the heat of the moment. I didn't let her."
Qiu Yihe was silent for two seconds, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.
Her expression didn't soften.
Instead, it grew even colder.
She glanced toward the stairs where Xia Li had disappeared and suddenly didn't know what to say.
"So," she began, her voice a bit softer than before, "you came all the way to the border just to help her catch that person?"
Seeing Jiang Cheng nod, Qiu Yihe lowered her head and stared at her toes.
Qiu Yihe: affinity value -5!
Qiu Yihe: affinity value -5!
Qiu Yihe: affinity value -5!
Holy crap!
What's going on??
Did what I just say not work?
Looking at Qiu Yihe, whose affinity value had instantly dropped to 75 points, Jiang Cheng was completely bewildered.
Seeing Qiu Yihe about to leave without a word, Jiang Cheng frowned.
He spoke up, "Hey, are you leaving?"
Stopped by Jiang Cheng, Qiu Yihe was forced to halt. She looked up at him, her gaze a bit colder. "Yeah. I'm tired. Going home to sleep."
Jiang Cheng still didn't quite understand why Qiu Yihe was angry.
An Xin had been like this when she saw Zhou Ying, but that was because she didn't know anything at the time.
Besides, An Xin would show it when she was angry.
But this girl was just leaving with a cold face.
Something's not right!
And hadn't Qiu Yihe known for a long time?
Back in Jingdu, Jiang Cheng had called several girls right in front of her.
She had always known there were many women around him.
Why did things go south today?
"It's too late. Just sleep here..."
"No thanks, I'll drive back myself..."
"It's so late, it's not safe..."
Hearing this, Qiu Yihe gave a cold snort.
She rolled her eyes at Jiang Cheng and said, "You've probably forgotten that I was the National Games women's..."
Jiang Cheng interrupted her, "What use is that? If you run into a few strong men, you'll still be done for..."
Normally, Qiu Yihe would have just argued a bit.
But right now she was annoyed, and she immediately flared up.
"Pfft, this is Huaxia. Even if it's the border, it's very safe. Besides, my martial arts are more than enough to beat you up..."
Jiang Cheng reached out and caught the hand that was balled into a fist and waving at him.
"Fine, fine, whatever you say. Just sleep here..."
She hadn't wanted to talk to Jiang Cheng anymore, but seeing him look down on her, Qiu Yihe's competitive streak was instantly ignited.
She knew Jiang Cheng was bringing up what happened last time again.
"What do you mean? You look down on me?" She yanked her hand away and took a step back. "How about we have another fight?"
Jiang Cheng fell silent for a moment.
It seemed this girl was truly angry.
He reflexively followed up with, "A fight is fine, the bed is big enough anyway."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Qiu Yihe's face flushed crimson, the heat spreading from her ears down to her neck.
She glared at him, her eyes looking as if they were about to spit fire.
"You—!"
She threw a punch straight at him.
Jiang Cheng dodged to the side and parried with his hand. "You're serious?"
"Is there such a thing as a fake fight?" Qiu Yihe's second punch followed immediately, fast and fierce.
Jiang Cheng blocked and retreated, not striking back.
This girl wasn't fighting; she was venting her frustration.
"Why are you only blocking?" Qiu Yihe threw another punch, which he pushed aside with his palm. She was getting more and more annoyed as she fought. "Didn't you say we'd have a fight?"
After stopping, Qiu Yihe panted and glared at him. "Didn't you say I was no good? Fine, if you can beat me tonight, you can set whatever conditions you want."
Jiang Cheng raised an eyebrow. "Whatever I want?"
Qiu Yihe grit her teeth and gave a mocking smile. "That's right! I know what you're thinking. If you win today, you can do whatever you want."