154: Chapter 154 Even Bolder Things

Zhang Qi looked at Li Bingyue's bright, beautiful face so close to his own, and could clearly smell the faint scent of body wash on her.

At this moment, her shoulder was pressed tightly against his, and her eyes held a hint of nervousness mixed with expectant probing.

Zhang Qi had never been averse to such straightforward initiative; he set down his chopsticks, his expression very relaxed.

"As long as I can beat that Song Jun tomorrow night, otherwise I'd be too embarrassed to let you treat me again."

Hearing what counted as an affirmative reply, the slight bitterness and nervousness in Li Bingyue's heart instantly vanished.

She could no longer suppress the smile at the corners of her mouth, and in her excitement, she even leaned further into Zhang Qi.

"Brother Qi, I believe you will definitely win, and then I'll treat you to a big meal."

Feeling the soft warmth against his arm, Zhang Qi indifferently picked up a piece of green vegetable and put it into his bowl.

"Alright, I definitely won't be polite when the time comes."

Li Bingyue knew he was joking, but she was still amused and giggled incessantly.

That's just how women are; as long as they like someone, whatever that person says or does is right.

Meanwhile, in a restaurant on the other side of town, Lin Yuxi was holding her phone, slightly dazed.

The screen displayed the reply Zhang Qi had just sent, and the words "I have time, sure" made her heart skip a beat.

When she sent the message just now, her palms were full of sweat, fearing that Zhang Qi would reject her because he was dining with someone else.

Now, seeing this message, she felt the heavy, dull feeling in her chest instantly dissipate, replaced by a trace of sweet, secret joy.

Tao Xiaoman, sitting opposite her, keenly caught the smile on her best friend's face and immediately put down her spoon, leaning forward.

"So, did that rich guy agree to meet you?"

Lin Yuxi was startled by her suddenly close face, quickly turned her phone face down on the table, and her cheeks flushed with a faint red.

"Don't call him that, his name is Zhang Qi, and he said he has time tomorrow to help me shoot a video."

Looking at her shy appearance, Tao Xiaoman couldn't help but let out a long sigh in her heart.

She now completely understood why even someone with severe social anxiety like Lin Yuxi could be so infatuated.

He didn't even blink when buying a house in full for over ten million, and gave away two million worth of Photography equipment just like that.

If it were her, Tao Xiaoman, she would have long cast aside all restraint and pounced on a top-tier rich guy of this caliber.

Although she usually prided herself on being a beauty when dressed up, she didn't have this kind of life-changing opportunity in this city.

Such a powerful backer who could help someone directly cross social classes was even rarer than winning the lottery jackpot.

Tao Xiaoman took a deep breath, her expression becoming unprecedentedly serious and earnest.

"Yuxi, take my advice, this is absolutely the biggest opportunity in your life."

Lin Yuxi picked up her glass and took a sip of lemonade, her eyes darting away, not daring to meet her best friend's burning gaze.

"Don't exaggerate things so much, I just think he's a very good person and want to interact with him more."

Tao Xiaoman tapped the table, frustrated by her lack of ambition, her tone filled with urgency.

"This isn't an exaggeration; do you know how many women out there are eyeing such a high-quality god-like man?"

"If you keep holding onto this 'let nature take its course' mentality, this piece of prime meat will end up in someone else's mouth sooner or later."

Hearing this, the vibrant and aggressive face of Li Bingyue immediately appeared in Lin Yuxi's mind.

Her mood, which had just calmed down, began to become anxious again, and her fingers unconsciously rubbed the rim of the glass.

"But I really don't know what to do; I get nervous even when just talking to guys normally."

Seeing that she finally had a sense of crisis, Tao Xiaoman immediately began to offer advice.

"If you can't talk, then use body language. Didn't you just say he held your hand before and even hugged you?"

Hearing this, Lin Yuxi's face instantly flushed to the roots of her ears, and she couldn't help but recall the scene in the apartment.

Zhang Qi's extremely aggressive gaze at that time, and that overbearing and powerful hug, still made her feel weak all over whenever she thought about it.

She quickly defended herself in a low voice, fearing her best friend would misunderstand, claiming that time was just an accident.

Tao Xiaoman rolled her eyes dramatically, scoffing at this self-deception and stating bluntly that there aren't that many accidents between adult men and women.

"When shooting the video tomorrow, you must take the initiative and seize control."

Lin Yuxi listened with a blank face, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion and helplessness.

"Take the initiative? What exactly should I do? I can't just jump into his arms, right?"

Tao Xiaoman rubbed her chin, a glint of cunning flashing in her eyes.

"Jumping on him directly is too deliberate. You need to learn how to create seemingly reasonable opportunities for contact."

"For example, when he adjusts the lens for you or fixes your clothes, you can pretend you're unsteady and lean into him."

"Or when you're looking at the finished footage, you can lean in closer, so your shoulders are touching."

Listening to these bold suggestions, Lin Yuxi felt her heart pounding like a drum.

"Xiaoman, wouldn't that be too obvious? What if he thinks I'm frivolous?"

Tao Xiaoman wished she could pry open her thick skull, her tone becoming even more earnest and persuasive.

"Do you understand what 'contrast' is? You're usually so aloof, but suddenly showing him this kind of reliance and vulnerability—any man would be hooked."

"And not only do you need to create opportunities for holding hands and hugging, but if the atmosphere is right, you can even do some bolder things."

Upon hearing that last sentence, Lin Yuxi stiffened, her eyes widening.

She felt her face was so hot it was about to burn up, and even her breathing became somewhat rapid.

"Bolder... bolder things? What does that mean?"

Looking at her innocent, little white rabbit-like appearance, Tao Xiaoman couldn't help but smile meaningfully.

"It's just the two of you in your apartment. A man and a woman alone in one room, with the atmosphere slightly set, isn't it normal for something to happen?"

Countless R-rated images instantly flashed through Lin Yuxi's mind, and she quickly covered her burning cheeks with both hands.

"Don't talk nonsense, we haven't reached that stage yet. How could I possibly do that kind of thing?"

Seeing how extremely shy she was, Tao Xiaoman knew she couldn't push too hard, so she changed to a more coaxing tone.

"I'm not asking you to give yourself to him tomorrow, but at least you need to give him a clear signal so he knows you don't reject his advances."

"As long as you send that signal effectively, if he likes you too, he will naturally take the initiative to advance things."

Listening to Tao Xiaoman's long lecture, Lin Yuxi's mind was like a tangled mess, unable to make any sense of it.

If she didn't seize this opportunity, by the time he was surrounded by excellent women like Li Bingyue, she wouldn't even have a place to cry.

Lin Yuxi took a deep breath, trying hard to calm the surging emotions in her heart, and her eyes gradually became firm.

"Okay, I'll try my best tomorrow, but I can't guarantee I'll be able to do it well."

Seeing that she had finally come around, Tao Xiaoman snapped her fingers in satisfaction, a gratified smile appearing on her face.

"That's right. Just remember, a woman pursuing a man is separated only by a layer of gauze, and besides, you're an influencer with nearly a million followers."

Lin Yuxi blushed again at her words, but a hint of indescribable anticipation faintly rose in her heart.

She bit her lower lip and silently cheered herself on in her heart.

What exactly would count as bolder? Perhaps when she saw him tomorrow, her body would give the most truthful answer.