49: Chapter 49 The Beautiful Neighbor's Invitation

The night was deep, and the lamborghini's engine hummed low along the tree-lined paths of Shanshui Manor.

Jiang Jing rested one hand on the steering wheel, while the other rested on the edge of the window, his fingertips tapping lightly against the door frame.

Zhou Wenying had hurried back to her dormitory to start packing. After dropping her off at Rongcheng University, Jiang Jing drove back to Shanshui Manor, his mind still calculating the items in the System Mall.

As the car drove past Villa No. 3, a familiar figure stood by the roadside, appearing particularly striking under the headlights.

Jiang Jing stepped on the brake, and the window slowly rolled down.

Under the moonlight, Butler Zhou Shan was dressed in a crisp black suit. He bowed slightly, holding a gold-stamped invitation in his hands, his posture respectful yet composed.

"Mr. Jiang," Butler Zhou Shan's voice was low and steady, "My young lady asked me to deliver an invitation to you."

Jiang Jing didn't get out of the car; he just rolled down the window and glanced at the invitation.

The gold-stamped Su Family crest shone brilliantly in the moonlight, its edges inlaid with intricate, subtle patterns; one look told him it was expensive.

"What kind of invitation?" Jiang Jing asked, his tone indifferent.

"The Rong City Charity Auction Banquet in three days," Butler Zhou Shan handed over the invitation with both hands, "It is co-hosted by the Su Family, the Lin Group, and the Rong City Chamber of Commerce. My young lady hopes that Mr. Jiang will honor us with his presence."

Jiang Jing took the invitation, his fingertips brushing over the smooth surface.

"Tell Miss Su I will be there on time." Jiang Jing tossed the invitation onto the passenger seat, his tone as casual as if he were agreeing to a simple dinner.

Butler Zhou Shan nodded slightly but did not leave immediately. He stood there, watching Jiang Jing with a calm gaze, as if waiting for something.

A brief silence fell inside the car.

Jiang Jing's fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel, and he suddenly spoke, "Anything else?"

Butler Zhou Shan pondered for a moment, his voice lowering slightly, "Mr. Jiang, forgive my presumption... My young lady is very interested in you."

"Oh?" Jiang Jing raised an eyebrow, "What kind of interest?"

"Commercial," Butler Zhou Shan's answer was flawless, but his eyes were meaningful, "The Su Family is currently looking for suitable business partners, and my young lady believes you might be a good choice."

Jiang Jing chuckled and didn't respond.

He knew what Su Yingxue was planning—this woman was far from as simple as she appeared. To have achieved so much at such a young age, such a person had a purpose behind every decision.

"Thank Miss Su for her appreciation on my behalf," Jiang Jing finally said, his tone tinged with playfulness, "However, matters of cooperation are better discussed in person, don't you think?"

Butler Zhou Shan bowed slightly, "Mr. Jiang is right." He stepped back half a pace to clear the driveway, "Looking forward to seeing you again in three days."

The car window slowly rose, the lamborghini's engine roared again, and it drove toward Villa No. 1.

In the rearview mirror, Butler Zhou Shan's figure gradually shrank and eventually disappeared into the night.

Villa No. 1, Study.

Jiang Jing stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, toying with the gold-stamped invitation in his hand.

"Charity auction..." He muttered to himself, a cold sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Such occasions were ostensibly stages for socialites to display their charity, but in reality, they hid daggers and shadows.

Behind every auction item lay potential interests and exchanges; every bid was a contest of wealth and status. Su Yingxue inviting him was nothing more than wanting to see if he was a true dragon or a snake in disguise.

But what she didn't know was that what Jiang Jing excelled at most was shattering others' expectations.

Yunhai View Mansion.

Li Xue sat in front of her vanity, her fingertips unconsciously scrolling across her phone screen.

On Douyin, a video with over a million likes was playing on a loop—in the footage, Jiang Jing's lamborghini veneno Roadster, one of only eight in the world, was parked at the gate of Rongcheng University. The scissor doors slowly rose, and a girl in a white dress happily climbed into the passenger seat.

The girl was very pretty, with chestnut-colored hair cascading over her shoulders and eyes that curved into crescents when she smiled. She made a peace sign at the camera, with the caption: "First date with Brother Jing~"

The comment section exploded: [Holy sh*t! Isn't this the lamborghini veneno?] [Who is this girl? So pretty.] [Rich people really know how to play!] [If I had this car, I'd catch an STD within a year.]

Li Xue's fingertips paused on the screen, her breathing tightening slightly.

She knew that a man like Jiang Jing would not have just one woman by his side, but seeing him be so high-profile with another girl with her own eyes still felt like something had sharply pierced her chest.

She clicked into the girl's profile—the ID was "Little Mosquito Loves Life," 20 years old, Rongcheng University Art Department, 320,000 followers, with a bio that read: "Love to dance, love life~"

Scrolling down, the latest video had been posted today.

Zhou Wenying sat in the lamborghini, holding a property purchase contract. The details were unclear, but one could see the large characters on the cover—Yunhai View Mansion.

The caption read: My first house in life was a gift from Brother, so happy.

Li Xue's fingers tightened abruptly, her nails almost digging into her palms.

"Xiao Xue? What's wrong with you?"

Her best friend, Li Ruonan, pushed the door open, holding two cups of milk tea. She immediately noticed Li Xue's pale complexion and slightly trembling fingers.

"It's nothing." Li Xue quickly locked her screen and managed to force a smile.

Li Ruonan raised an eyebrow, set the milk tea on the table, and snatched the phone, "Cut the crap, do you look like you're 'fine'?"

The phone unlocked, and the screen was still on Zhou Wenying's Douyin profile.

Li Ruonan glanced at it twice and suddenly laughed, "That's it?"

Li Xue pursed her lips and didn't speak.

"Jealous?" Li Ruonan poked her face, "Because Jiang Jing picked up another girl?"

"I didn't..." Li Xue turned her head away, but her voice dropped.

Li Ruonan sighed and plopped down beside her, "Give it a rest, you might as well have 'I'm so jealous' written across your face."

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

Li Xue finally spoke, her voice muffled, "Ruonan, am I being too greedy?"

"Hmm?"

"I clearly know that a person as outstanding as Jiang Jing couldn't possibly not have beautiful women throwing themselves at him..." She gripped the hem of her skirt, "But now, I'm actually feeling uncomfortable because he's with someone else."

Li Ruonan didn't rush to answer, instead taking a big sip of milk tea and saying leisurely, "You're feeling unbalanced?"

Li Xue was silent; the answer was obvious.

"Silence means you agree." Li Ruonan shrugged, "What's there to struggle with? If it were me, I'd like him too—handsome, good figure, rich and generous, and his bedroom skills are so strong..."

"Li Ruonan!" Li Xue glared at her, her ears turning bright red.

"What? I'm telling the truth." Li Ruonan rolled her eyes, "You're angry because you see yourself as the main wife, thinking Jiang Jing should only dote on you. But the problem is—are you two married?"

Li Xue was stunned.

"You're not, right?" Li Ruonan said, hitting the nail on the head, "He spends money on you, buys you houses and cars, but has he ever said 'I want to marry you'?"

Li Xue's fingers curled slightly—no.

Jiang Jing had never given her any promises.

Seeing her like this, Li Ruonan's tone softened, "Xiao Xue, let's be realistic. For a man like Jiang Jing, there will only be more and more beautiful women around him. You're angry about this one today, maybe another one will pop up tomorrow, and the day after, who knows, even female celebrities might throw themselves at him—can you handle all that anger?"