56: Ye Cheng's Story - Part 2 (Bonus Chapter)

Jiang Ye listened to her talk of "clear pricing" and "tiered rates," three black lines appearing on his forehead.

Girl, you're really thorough!

This pricing is way too comprehensive! You've even planned for future harem expansion?

"But Jiang Ye, let me make this clear upfront. One million a month is the hard requirement for you to unlock the 'Ye Cheng Route.'"

Ye Cheng glanced at him and snorted lightly, "Until you achieve that, no matter how much money you give me or how expensive the things you buy, I'll accept them without a second thought. It's like venture capital—you're investing in the future. If you never meet the agreement, I won't refund any of that early investment!"

Looking into her clear, slightly teasing eyes, Jiang Ye actually felt more at ease.

He gave an "OK" gesture, full of confidence, "No problem. At this rate, it'll take at most two or three months, maybe just one, before you can 'rise up.'"

Ye Cheng shot him a disdainful glare, "Smooth-talking little Pervert!"

They chatted while eating, and the atmosphere relaxed considerably.

Jiang Ye remembered the earlier topic and asked curiously, "Cheng Cheng..."

Ye Cheng shivered at the nickname, "Stop! Talk properly! I'm getting goosebumps all over!"

"So... if I'd just transferred you 100,000 yuan right after hearing you out earlier... what would've happened then?"

"Then I'd be yours, my dear patron. You could do whatever you wanted with me~"

"Huh?"

Jiang Ye immediately punched his palm, his face full of regret, "Damn it!"

"What? Regretting it now? It's still possible."

Seeing his look of deep regret, Ye Cheng couldn't help but laugh, "But we have to agree—different prices, different requirements. If you only give me 100,000, I'll hold you to the 'Pure Love Exclusive Edition' standard. You'd have to be devoted, with only me in your eyes and heart. If I find out you've taken everything from me and still dare to mess around outside..."

She picked up a dinner knife and made a sharp slicing motion in the air, her eyes fierce, "You know what'll happen!"

Jiang Ye looked at the gleaming blade and felt an inexplicable chill in his inner thighs, instinctively squeezing his legs together.

"So... can I give you 100,000 first to try the 'Pure Love Edition,' then upgrade to the 'Million Harem Edition' in a couple of months?"

Ye Cheng shook her head firmly, "No, no, no! Dream on! There's no such good deal! Either go all in from the start or save up honestly! Thinking of switching gears mid-way? Not a chance!"

Seeing Jiang Ye's instantly crestfallen, bitter face, she leaned in closer with a smile, lowering her voice:

"What? After hearing that, does it feel like a cat's scratching at your heart, making you restless? Actually... trying the pure love route isn't so bad. At worst, you end up a eunuch in the palace, and I end up on a sewing machine. We'd still be a unique kind of mutual devotion."

Jiang Ye: "..."

"Thanks for the offer, but I think I can hold out a bit longer."

Seeing him flustered, Ye Cheng pursed her lips into a smile, feeling quite pleased.

She licked her lips, kicked off her right boot, found Jiang Ye's calf under the table, and gently rubbed against it.

Jiang Ye was drinking water and stiffened at her sudden move, nearly choking.

He quickly put down his glass and whispered, "Damn! Ye Cheng, what are you doing? This is a public place!"

Ye Cheng blinked, looking innocent, "Nothing much? Just being nice to my patron daddy~ Don't you men love this kind of... um... 'secret under the table' scenario?"

As she spoke, her movements under the table didn't stop:

"What? Can't hold back already? If you can't, just tell me. There's a hotel right in the mall. As long as you agree to be good only to me from now on, I'll believe you."

Jiang Ye: "..."

Damn!

My high moral standards, principles, honesty, and reliability—this woman has still figured them out!

Watching the woman across from him making moves under the table while calmly eating her salad, looking like she had him pegged, a surge of frustration welled up in him.

Jiang Ye steeled himself and, while she was lowering her head to drink soup, reached his right hand under the table and grabbed hold.

"Hey! You..."

Ye Cheng didn't expect him to counterattack so suddenly. She couldn't help but gasp softly, her face instantly flushing red. She instinctively tried to pull back, but Jiang Ye held on tight.

"Let go! You Pervert! We're eating!"

Feeling the smooth texture and slight struggle in his palm, Jiang Ye rolled his eyes, "You're the one who knows we're eating? Did you even wash before sticking it over here?"

Still, being in a public restaurant, he didn't dare go too far. After teasing her a bit, he let go.

Ye Cheng quickly pulled her leg back, shoved it into her boot, and started cutting her steak vigorously, muttering under her breath, "Disgusting Pervert... shameless..."

They finished their Western meal bickering and flirting ambiguously.

After paying and leaving the restaurant, they slowly took the elevator down and walked toward the taxi stand at the mall entrance.

The afternoon sun was just right, warming them with its gentle rays.

Ye Cheng stretched lazily, looked back at Jiang Ye with a faint smile—teasing, expectant, and a touch of inexplicable seriousness.

"Jiang Ye, do your best."

Her voice was especially clear in the warm winter afternoon sun, "I'm just waiting for you to help me achieve financial freedom directly and live a happy life of lying back and collecting rent."

Looking at her profile outlined in golden light by the sun, Jiang Ye nodded with a smile, "Sure, no problem. You do your best too. When you have time, study a few new positions—probably... they'll come in handy soon."

Ye Cheng was slowly getting used to his smooth-talking ways and just glared at him in annoyance before reaching to open a taxi door.

Just as she was about to get in, she paused, seemed to remember something, closed the door, turned, and quickly walked back to Jiang Ye.

Under Jiang Ye's puzzled gaze, Ye Cheng stood on tiptoe, leaned close to his ear, and whispered with warm breath brushing his earlobe:

"Husband~"

The term made him freeze slightly.

"If you really can't hold back... call me anytime. Actually... I'd really like to try the pure love route with you."

After saying that, she didn't wait for his reaction, quickly stepped back, looked at him—clearly wanting it badly but holding back for the "harem plan"—smiled smugly with narrowed eyes, waved at him, and finally got into the taxi.

"Driver, Sheng Yin South Gate, please."

The taxi slowly started and merged into traffic.

Jiang Ye stood there, watching the car disappear around the corner, and unconsciously touched his ear, which still seemed to carry Ye Cheng's scent. He felt the restlessness in his heart... grow even stronger.