16: First time holding hands

As they strolled, chatting about everything under the sun, the atmosphere between them grew increasingly ambiguous.

Occasionally, their hands would brush against each other by accident, then quickly separate, and that subtle touch sent a ripple through Zhang Qingning’s heart.

Zhang Qingning secretly glanced at Jiang Feng, then quickly lowered her head; she wanted to hold Jiang Feng’s hand but was too shy.

You blockhead!

Zhang Qingning felt a bit annoyed; although she could make the first move, she still hoped Jiang Feng would take her hand first.

“Ding!”

“At nineteen, you were a simp, played like a dog by Liu Ruyan, and handed over your 50,000 yuan hard-earned money without even holding her hand. Now, your childhood friend, Sister Qingning, is by your side, enjoying a pleasant date with you. Please gather your courage and hold her hand!”

“Mission Content: Hold Zhang Qingning’s hand.”

“Mission Reward: Beginner-level Sanda Skill.”

At this moment, the blockhead, Mr. Jiang, heard the mechanical voice of the mission announcement in his mind, but his expression didn’t change in the slightest.

He was looking around, checking out what delicious things were available at the various stalls.

Zhang Qingning bit her lower lip lightly, finally made up her mind, and slowly, little by little, moved her small hand closer to Jiang Feng’s.

Just when their hands were about to touch.

“Move aside, move aside, watch out ahead!”

They looked in the direction of the voice to see an uncle pushing goods on a small cart, his view completely obscured by the items, speeding towards them, about to crash into them both.

It’s over! I finally managed to touch Xiao Feng’s hand!

Zhang Qingning wailed internally; her first thought wasn’t her own safety, but her frustration at not being able to hold his hand.

By the time she realized she was about to be hit, it was too late.

Suddenly, a strong, warm hand covered her small one, followed by a pull that yanked her away.

“Sister Qingning, are you alright?”

Zhang Qingning opened her eyes to find herself in Jiang Feng’s embrace.

Feeling the rush of male hormones, Zhang Qingning’s pretty face instantly flushed crimson, red enough to drip blood, and that blush rapidly spread downwards, over the unobstructed hills, and into the unfathomable darkness.

Her heart pounded faster and faster, feeling like her little heart was about to leap out.

Jiang Feng looked at the shy beauty before him.

Sister Qingning is so cute, soft and fragrant, I want to eat her.

At this moment, Jiang Feng finally felt the true thrill of being in love.

And honestly, it was a completely different feeling.

Although he had been with countless women in his previous life, ultimately, it was nothing more than sweet talk and showing off his strength to trick them; it was purely physical, not emotional.

“Sister Qingning? Are you alright?”

Jiang Feng patiently repeated his question.

“Ah?” Zhang Qingning felt like she was about to faint, unable to breathe, “I…I’m fine…”

“That’s good.”

Jiang Feng held Zhang Qingning’s hand and continued walking.

“Then let’s continue shopping.”

“Okay…”

Zhang Qingning walked with her head down, her mind a blur, taking small steps, allowing Jiang Feng to lead her forward.

After a long while, she finally came back to her senses, her gaze falling on her small hand, enveloped by his large one.

A surge of joy welled up in her heart, and Zhang Qingning, smiling, looked up at Jiang Feng, her eyes practically melting.

“Ding! Mission Completed.”

“Mission Content: Hold Zhang Qingning’s hand.”

“Mission Reward: Beginner-level Sanda Skill.”

Jiang Feng heard the mechanical voice in his mind and subconsciously looked back at Zhang Qingning.

Only then did he realize that Zhang Qingning was looking at him with tender affection, her watery peach blossom eyes curved into a smile, her gaze practically melting.

“Ah!”

As soon as their eyes met, Zhang Qingning, as if caught doing something wrong, quickly lowered her head.

After lowering her head, she couldn’t help but secretly peek at Jiang Feng again, only to find him looking at her with a half-smile.

In an instant, Zhang Qingning felt as if she had been electrocuted, her delicate body trembling slightly.

She instinctively tried to pull her hand back but found her small hand tightly grasped by Jiang Feng, unmoving.

Jiang Feng’s lips curved into a smile, and he asked knowingly:

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing…”

They continued to shop, and after a good while, Zhang Qingning returned to normal, implicitly accepting that she and Jiang Feng were holding hands.

As they passed a snack stall, the vendor enthusiastically called out:

“Handsome guy, pretty lady, want some grilled squid skewers? They’re delicious.”

Zhang Qingning looked at the golden, crispy squid skewers and unconsciously swallowed, her large, watery eyes looking at Jiang Feng:

“Xiao Feng, do you want to eat some?”

Jiang Feng nodded and said with a smile, “Sure, how many skewers? One is enough for me.”

Fun fact: when a girl asks if you want to eat something, it’s highly probable that she herself wants to eat it.

Zhang Qingning hesitated, thinking that her gluttonous appearance might ruin her image in Jiang Feng’s heart, but ultimately, her craving won over her reason.

“Then…then let’s have three skewers, boss. Mine should be just a little bit spicy, just a tiny bit! Otherwise, it’ll be too spicy! Xiao Feng, do you want spicy?”

Zhang Qingning seemed to imagine herself being hit by the spiciness, instinctively took a sharp breath, and stuck out her small tongue.

“I’ll have mine the same as yours.” Jiang Feng looked at Zhang Qingning’s cute expression, and a smile involuntarily appeared on his lips. “Boss, how much is it in total?”

“12 yuan.”

The vendor said, placing the squid skewers one by one onto the griddle.

Jiang Feng pulled out his wallet, ready to pay.

Zhang Qingning quickly pulled his hand, shaking her small head:

“I’ll pay, it’s fine.”

She didn’t know that Jiang Feng was already a “ten-thousand-yuan household” now.

Zhang Qingning just felt that Auntie Shu Wan was sick and needed money, and Xiao Feng was still studying, so he probably didn’t have much money.

So she should offer to pay to prevent Jiang Feng from spending his meal money.

Zhang Qingning had also considered directly giving money to Jiang Feng.

However, she thought that men valued their pride, and even if she gave him money out of goodwill, it might still hurt Jiang Feng’s feelings.

When school starts, I need to ask Xiao Feng out for meals more often, that way I won’t hurt him!

I’m so smart!

Zhang Qingning felt proud of her cleverness.

“Alright.”

Jiang Feng watched Zhang Qingning pay with a smile; although he wasn’t short on money, being treated by a beautiful woman felt really good.

A top-tier scumbag’s teaching moment: if after multiple dates, a girl still doesn’t spend a dime, she’s either a foolish donkey with terrible character or she’s treating the guy like an ATM.

Either go Dutch or take turns treating; men are not obligated to contribute unilaterally.

Of course, simps and warm guys are exceptions.

Thinking of this, Jiang Feng suddenly remembered that the system had rated him as a warm guy!

What the f*ck, you dog system, you have no eyes!

However, as long as he got his hard-earned money back from Liu Ruyan, he could gloriously advance to the simp level!

“System, check relevant missions!”

Jiang Feng thought silently.

“Ding!”

“Mission Content: Use any means to retrieve the host’s hard-earned money from Liu Ruyan!”

“Mission Reward: Recovered amount * 3, Charm + 10 (Can be upgraded to Simp, unlocking Milk Tea Shop reward).”

If he got all 50,000 yuan back, the system would reward him with 150,000!

That would be enough for his mom’s initial treatment fees!

Most importantly, after upgrading, the system would reward him with a milk tea shop!

Most milk tea shops at this time were imported from Taiwan, like the famous Silk Stocking Milk Tea.

But most were small, family-run workshops, with a taste that left much to be desired, and they were expensive.

Moreover, Mixue Bingcheng was still an unknown small workshop at this time!

He could completely replicate the same business model!

Now, he just had to wait for news from the private investigator.

Liu Ruyan, you b*tch, become the first stepping stone for my business venture!

Damn it, I will definitely make you live in fear for the rest of your life.