52: Chapter 52 Li Xue's Little Scheme

"Ruonan!" Li Xue carried the tray out. "Can you help me get the salad?"

Li Ruonan stood up, winked at Jiang Jing, and went to the kitchen.

Jiang Jing was confused—what was she doing?

15 favorability points shouldn't cause this; was there something fishy going on?

Three main courses were served: Pan-seared foie gras with fig jam, black truffle mushroom cream soup, and the signature Kobe steak.

The plating was as exquisite as a Michelin restaurant; one couldn't tell it was a beginner's work at all.

"Taste it?" Li Xue gripped the edge of her apron nervously.

Jiang Jing cut a piece of steak; the meat was a perfect pink, and crystal-clear juices oozed out when the knife pressed down. The moment it entered his mouth, the aroma of black pepper and rosemary exploded on his tongue, and the meat was so tender it barely needed chewing.

"How is it?" Li Xue's eyes sparkled, and Li Ruonan was also full of anticipation.

"Michelin standard," Jiang Jing said sincerely.

Li Xue smiled until her eyes curved into crescent moons and ran to the wine cabinet to get another bottle of red wine.

At the dining table, the atmosphere was quite harmonious as they drank.

"So, you work in finance?" Jiang Jing cut a piece of foie gras and asked casually.

Li Ruonan shrugged: "Private equity, helping rich people get richer."

She took a sip of red wine, leaving a faint mark on the rim of the glass with her red lips, "But compared to your spending, my operations are just child's play."

Her gaze was direct and bold, carrying undisguised curiosity.

Li Xue ate her salad quietly, occasionally topping up their drinks, looking unbelievably well-behaved.

Dinner continued in a subtle atmosphere. Li Ruonan told a few pieces of gossip from the financial circle.

"I heard you bought an apartment recently?" Li Ruonan suddenly changed the subject, "Yunhai View Mansion?"

The atmosphere at the table froze for a moment.

Li Xue's movements paused, but she quickly continued cutting the beef on her plate as if nothing happened.

Jiang Jing remained calm: "Yeah, it's a gift for someone."

"Ruonan!" Li Xue looked up abruptly, her eyes filled with warning.

Jiang Jing put down his knife and fork and looked at Li Xue: "You knew?"

Li Xue bit her lip and nodded gently.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Jing didn't feel embarrassed; instead, he laughed and reached out to pinch Li Xue's cheek: "Are you jealous?"

"No." Li Xue turned her face away, her voice muffled, "I know I have no right to manage these things of yours..."

This sentence was spoken just right, carrying a bit of grievance while also revealing her obedience.

Jiang Jing checked Li Xue's favorability—90 points, down a little from before, but still not bad.

Li Ruonan stood up at the right time: "I'll go get dessert." She winked at Li Xue.

After the kitchen door closed, Jiang Jing pulled Li Xue onto his lap: "Really not jealous?"

Li Xue lowered her head, her fingers subconsciously twisting the hem of her skirt: "A little... but more than that, I'm afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

"Afraid that you..." She looked up, her eyes slightly red, "Afraid that you'll think they are better than me and not want me anymore."

Jiang Jing was stunned.

Li Xue took the opportunity to lean into his arms, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible: "I know there will be many people around you. I don't ask for anything else, I just hope... to have a small place in your heart."

Her hair brushed against Jiang Jing's chin, carrying a faint scent of gardenias.

Jiang Jing suddenly realized that Li Xue had changed.

She used to be the goddess in the eyes of her classmates, full of pride.

But now, after falling in love with Jiang Jing, she had learned to advance by retreating—this kind of show of weakness was more lethal than any struggle.

The kitchen door opened, and Li Ruonan walked out with dessert. Seeing their posture, she exaggeratedly covered her eyes: "Oh my, should I leave?"

Li Xue hurriedly jumped off Jiang Jing's lap, her cheeks burning red: "Stop it..."

Li Ruonan placed the dessert on the table—it was an exquisite chocolate lava cake with the character "Jiang" written on it in strawberry sauce.

"Xiao Xue learned this specially to prepare it for you." She winked at Jiang Jing, "How about it, this surprise is pretty good, right?"

Jiang Jing looked at the crooked "Jiang" character and suddenly felt something gently bump against his chest.

After dinner, Li Ruonan left. When she left, she insisted on taking a taxi herself—because she knew no one would drive her...

"Alright, I won't disturb your two-person world." She picked up her coat and waved at Li Xue and Jiang Jing.

Before turning away, she made a "mission accomplished" gesture to Li Xue.

"Be careful on the way." Li Xue expressed concern for her best friend.

Originally there was a room for Li Ruonan here, but since Jiang Jing came today, she was embarrassed to stay and be a lightbulb, so she had to go out and have some fun.

After the elevator door closed, Jiang Jing suddenly asked: "Does your best friend have a boyfriend?"

Li Xue felt a tightness in her heart, but didn't show it on her face: "Why, interested?"

Jiang Jing chuckled and put his arm around her waist: "Just asking."

His phone suddenly vibrated; it was a message from Zhou Wenying: [Brother, I learned a new dance. Do you want me to film it for you?]

Li Xue saw the screen out of the corner of her eye but pretended not to see it, just leaning gently on his shoulder: "Tonight... are you staying?"

Jiang Jing put away his phone and pinched her chin: "Is this your surprise?"

Li Xue stood on tiptoe and whispered in his ear: "The surprise has only just begun..."

Her lips brushed against his earlobe, carrying the sweet scent of chocolate.

Jiang Jing picked her up horizontally and walked toward the bedroom.

Li Xue buried herself in his neck, a smug smile curling on her lips.

—Advancing by retreating is the smartest form of attack.

The night was deep, and only a dim wall lamp remained in the bedroom.

Li Xue curled up in Jiang Jing's arms, her breathing even and long, with a lingering blush on her cheeks.

Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and a satisfied smile hung on her lips, like a child who had finally received candy.

Jiang Jing leaned against the headboard, his fingertips gently stroking her hair, his gaze falling on the faint hickeys on her collarbone.

He silently opened the System Store, and the virtual interface unfolded before his eyes; the store was filled with all kinds of items.

Jiang Jing clicked directly into the [Beauty and Health] category, his eyes scanning row after row of magical products—

[Perfect beauty serum (100 million)]

Maintains skin in a perfect state for 5 years, delays aging, and fades blemishes.

Without hesitation, Jiang Jing exchanged for it.

A glass bottle with a faint blue glimmer appeared in his hand, the liquid looking like a flowing galaxy under the moonlight.

He gently placed the bottle on the nightstand, preparing to give Li Xue a surprise tomorrow morning.

The system didn't indicate any cashback; it seems this bug couldn't be exploited.

Spending 100 million all at once, his funds had shrunk a bit. It seems he couldn't stop chasing girls, otherwise, he could only drool at the good things in the store.

Jiang Jing remembered he hadn't spent money on Douyin for a while because he no longer cared for the pittance from gift cashback; the efficiency was too slow.

Buying houses and cars in reality was so much more satisfying.

However, Li Xue was already tired and asleep. With nothing to do, Jiang Jing had to take out his phone to search for suitable targets for cashback.