142: Only routines win people's hearts

If she had to name the most perfect man she had ever met over the years, it would undoubtedly be Jiang Che.

He was handsome, tall, had a powerful background, and was gentle, refined, and a true gentleman.

Moreover, his special status and ability to maintain his integrity over so many years were truly rare.

Not having witnessed Jiang Che's cunning, insidious, and treacherous side, Xia Qingge was completely deceived by the persona he had created.

She had no idea what kind of evil heart was hidden beneath Jiang Che's glamorous exterior; he was a complete cultured scoundrel.

Regarding the rumors about Jiang Che and Shen Yuxuan, Xia Qingge had checked the campus forum when she heard about them yesterday, but she didn't see any videos circulating, so she just dismissed them as baseless gossip, someone deliberately spreading rumors.

After all, over the past three years, there had been no shortage of various scandalous news about Jiang Che on the campus forum, but most of them, like the Chen Hao incident today, originated from the overly imaginative minds of certain lovesick girls, purely fictitious.

She had read many similar lengthy discussions before, and she had also seen many girls' confession messages to Jiang Che on the campus wall or forum.

Xia Qingge didn't approve of these women's actions, but she could understand their enthusiasm.

After all, with Jiang Che's family background, even just a one-night stand with him could ensure a lifetime of comfort.

Isn't that the meaning of the so-called 'flying onto a branch to become a phoenix'?

Shaking her head and casting aside the jumbled thoughts in her mind, Xia Qingge pursed her red lips, lightly bit her pearly teeth, and tentatively asked,

"Jiang Che... can I ask you for a favor?"

As for soulmates, that could wait.

After personally witnessing Jiang Che's piano skills, she truly wished she could stay by Jiang Che's side twenty-four hours a day to learn about music from him.

"Just say it, we're friends, aren't we?"

Jiang Che smiled faintly, signaling Xia Qingge to speak freely.

Jiang Che, of course, knew what Xia Qingge's so-called request was; what else could it be besides asking him to teach and guide her in piano practice?

In the early stages of interacting with a girl, if one shows too strong a desire, or even makes some lewd gestures, the impression in the girl's heart will be greatly reduced.

Moreover, this kind of thing cannot be too proactive; one must grasp the timing, maintain a sense of elusive ambiguity, to make a woman constantly think of you.

Fragrant flowers attract butterflies; the essence of love has always been mutual attraction. Adoration of strength is a gene ingrained in women; they naturally look down on those who only give blindly.

If she's not interested in you, even if you pluck the stars from the night sky and give them to her, she still won't be interested in you.

The great official Jiang understood this principle deeply and had much experience, so he naturally wouldn't make similar mistakes, only standing from a friend's perspective.

Facing a pure first love like Xia Qingge, a young lady with impressive knowledge and broad horizons, it would be impossible to win both her heart and soul without putting in some effort.

Jiang Che knew he was handsome, but he wasn't so narcissistic as to believe that all women in the world would like him; that kind of thinking was too off-putting.

After all, Xia Qingge's situation was fundamentally different and distinct from his little darlings, Li Yanran, Qingqiu, and Yu Xuan.

………………

Hearing Jiang Che say this, Xia Qingge suddenly felt a lot more confident, speaking softly.

"It's just... could you be my piano teacher?"

"I want to ask you about some piano techniques and theoretical knowledge, is that okay?"

Xia Qingge blinked her watery big eyes, her gaze full of anticipation.

"This..."

Jiang Che didn't immediately agree, but feigned hesitation, as if he was considering something.

"Xia Qingge, you know my situation. My studies are heavy, and I also have to find time to manage Lingxiao Capital's business and maintain the company's normal operations..."

"Oh, I see..."

Xia Qingge's face showed disappointment, she forced a smile, but didn't say anything more.

That's right, how could a young master like Jiang Che be an idle, good-for-nothing second-generation rich kid?

He must be extremely busy on weekdays, with all sorts of schedules packed full.

It was already a great honor for him to personally attend the birthday banquet today.

Just when Xia Qingge had given up hope, Jiang Che suddenly changed the subject.

"But, since you have such a request, I will naturally agree."

"After all, you're different from others..."

Jiang Che said something rather ambiguous, wanting to continuously stir up Xia Qingge's imagination and make her thoughts flutter.

If he had agreed directly from the start, Xia Qingge would have been happy, but it wouldn't have achieved the desired effect.

First letting Xia Qingge feel disappointed and anxious, then a sudden turn of events, emphasizing her uniqueness, and then agreeing, could achieve a strong effect, making Xia Qingge feel a sense of trance and illusion.

The so-called charm of language art is precisely this.

As for what that meant?

That was for Xia Qingge to savor and interpret however she wished.

"I'm different from others?"

The reality was exactly as Jiang Che had predicted. Hearing Jiang Che say this, Xia Qingge was slightly startled for a moment, and numerous thoughts instantly surged within her.

A faint blush appeared on her beautiful cheeks, her earlobes felt hot, her almond eyes and rosy cheeks indicated that she was experiencing one of life's three great illusions.

Could it be... Jiang Che likes me?

Otherwise, why would he say I'm different from others?

Just having the thought that Jiang Che might be her destined soulmate, and now Jiang Che suddenly said such an extremely ambiguous sentence, Xia Qingge inevitably started to overthink.

[Xia Qingge's heart fluttered, emotional value +7788...]

Listening to the system prompt in his mind, Jiang Che secretly chuckled.

He looked down at the Vacheron Constantin on his wrist and suggested directly,

"It's getting late. I'll start teaching you piano now..."

"Mm-hmm, okay..."

Xia Qingge still hadn't quite grasped the true meaning of that sentence, her little head still a bit muddled. She sat down at the piano, ready to receive Jiang Che's personal instruction and guidance, as he leaned over to teach her.

"Now, let's start with 'adeline of the watery shore'...

"You do it like this..."

It was quite normal to have some intimate contact when guiding Xia Qingge in piano practice, wasn't it?

It was also for this reason that all of Xia Qingge's previous piano teachers had been female; this was her first time having such close contact with someone of the opposite sex.

Clearly, because she had been too excited just now, Xia Qingge instinctively overlooked this issue.

Being taught by Jiang Che hand-in-hand, Xia Qingge felt completely uncomfortable. A tingly, ticklish sensation arose in her heart, her heartbeat quickened, and the blush on her face deepened by three points.

Occasionally, when their eyes met, Xia Qingge's heart raced, and she couldn't maintain eye contact for more than three seconds.

She didn't learn much actual knowledge, but many strange thoughts popped into her mind...

This kind of contact made Xia Qingge feel quite wonderful, and a vague sense of affection began to sprout in her heart.