Teasing the Big Shot

The little episode did nothing to dampen the mood of the three women’s shopping trip.

They spent the whole afternoon out and about, not returning home until evening, and even then they still felt they had not had enough.

So Jiang Yuan messaged the girls’ group chat and arranged for them to meet by the river two days later for a drink. She also said she wanted to take Ye Qingqing along to experience Jiangcheng’s most distinctive riverside night view.

Of course, Ye Mian agreed as well.

She was busy most of the time, but on holiday she ought to have a proper time with her friends.

After wandering around all day, Ye Mian felt exhausted. She did not continue following the group chat as it buzzed on.

Dragging her soft, weary body into the bathroom, she took a hot shower, and only then did she feel much lighter.

After coming out, Ye Mian picked up her phone to set an alarm, only to discover two messages from Jiang Chen on the list.

Looking at the time, they had come in just when she was in the shower.

One picture, and one voice message.

In the picture was a steaming bowl of shrimp noodles.

Zooming in, there was also a bowl of steamed egg custard beside it.

Ye Mian carefully tapped the voice message. The man’s low voice, tinged with a little alcohol, sounded out: “I was just about to eat.”

The room was bright with lamplight, the wind outside the window was quiet, and now and then leaves rustled softly in the dark.

Ye Mian raised an eyebrow and pressed the voice button. “Eating this late... Have you been drinking?”

Just as she was thinking it over, her phone vibrated again.

[Jiang Chen: Mm, a little.]

[Jiang Chen: Not much.]

Ye Mian blinked. Not much, my ass. The scent of alcohol in his words was practically about to seep out through the phone.

[Good Sleep: Then eat first.]

After sending that reply, Ye Mian set her phone down.

Her gaze drifted toward the corner, and she reached over to take out a small square box from today’s haul.

Inside was a bottle of high-end men’s perfume.

It was for Jiang Chen.

Ever since the New Year before last, she had wanted to make up for the New Year gift she had never been able to give him.

Unfortunately, he had been overseas, and there had been no chance.

Now that he was back, and she knew Jiang Chen liked fragrances, she had deliberately spent a long time choosing in the mall today, finally settling on a woody grapefruit scent for men.

She felt the fragrance suited Jiang Chen very well.

It was neither bleak nor lifeless, but steady and pleasant, and could even be worn in business settings.

She would wait until the next time she met Jiang Chen, and then give him the gift.

For the next two days...

She still had to keep company with Jiang Yuan and her younger sister.

---

Jiangcheng lay right beside the new district.

At night, this side of the city was far removed from the steel-and-concrete feel of the modern industrial world. There was less noise and more tranquility, and all around stood the kind of bars and lounges with especially mellow atmosphere.

There were not many pedestrians, yet almost every lounge was doing brisk business.

People sat along the corridor bridge on both banks, feeling the river breeze and listening to music, drinking alone or with friends, all of it relaxed and leisurely.

Ye Mian and the others arrived here just after dark.

Since it was her turn to treat, she booked the most stylish lounge.

The place was spacious, with semi-private sunken sofas that gave it an especially romantic feel.

When they arrived, the band had only just begun to sing. By the time they had drunk through seven or eight songs, they were already slightly tipsy.

A girls’ gathering, with plenty of alcohol, naturally meant endless topics to talk about. Not to mention that Jiang Yuan had first brought up the story of her college romance.

The way she told it, she was laughing and crying all at once.

After hearing it, Ye Qingqing turned in curiosity to her cousin. “Sister Mian Mian, have you ever been in love?”

Jiang Yuan held her wineglass, her face flushed red, and said boldly with a drawling laugh, “How could our sister be as brave as that? When she meets a man, she goes straight at him. She’s still... hic.”

Before she could finish, she let out a sudden hiccup of wine.

“Still what?” Ye Qingqing had caught the scent of gossip.

A gentle river breeze brushed over the water, stirring layer upon layer of ripples.

Ye Mian was half-drunk and half-awake as well. She naturally pouted a little and admitted it.

“In love with someone.”

“In love with someone very, very good.”

Once the topic was opened, she downed two glasses of wine and poured out all the events of these years, especially how upset and angry she had been when Jiang Chen went abroad.

Jiang Yuan and Ye Qingqing listened in stunned silence.

When she finished, Ye Mian let out a sigh. “I think he likes me, but he turned me down. Tsk. Big shots are really hard to deal with.”

Jiang Yuan drank with her, then set down her glass and laughed. “A big shot like Jiang, top scorer in the province, is indeed a little harder to handle than ordinary people. But I think he probably does like you.”

Ye Mian tilted her head, her eyes faintly red. “Then why did he reject me?”

“Maybe he has his own reasons,” Jiang Yuan said in the tone of someone with experience. “Anyway, now he knows you like him, and he’s shown signs of liking you too. You might as well be bolder about it. Say things now and then that sound casual but are actually pointed, and poke at him a little. We won’t confess first; we’ll just see how long he can hold out.”

Ye Mian nodded. “I think I get it.”

Jiang Yuan applauded her. “If you get it, then do it.”

“Fine.” Ye Mian nodded and stood up, her eyes determined as though she were about to make a formal pledge. “Before that, though, I should probably go to the bathroom first.”

Jiang Yuan: “...”

The riverbank was a little chilly at night. Ye Mian, barely holding on to her drunkenness, walked in a somewhat crooked straight line toward the restroom, taking two or three turns before reaching the women’s bathroom.

After washing her hands and stepping back out, Ye Mian went to the side, took out her phone, and wanted to try Jiang Yuan’s method by being a little braver and telling Jiang Chen that she was drunk.

Just then, she heard footsteps in front of her. Ye Mian lifted her gaze from her phone and looked toward the sound.

Her eyes met those of a man holding a wide-mouthed wineglass.

The surroundings were dim.

Ye Mian looked momentarily stunned. She had never imagined that picking any random lounge would let her run into Jiang Chen.

...And at the very moment she was about to message Jiang Chen.

The man wore a white shirt, with an earring once again hanging from one ear. Every line of his face was perfectly shaped, and he stood tall in front of her, his eyes carrying a hint of surprise and amusement.

His excellent proportions, paired with his cool, pale skin, made him look irresistibly alluring.

Ye Mian was already half-drunk, and could not help walking over. After looking him over from head to toe twice, she curved the corners of her mouth.

In her heart, she silently cheered herself on.

Then she teased Jiang Chen, saying, “Handsome guy, boys should know how to protect themselves. If you look too good, it’s easy to get harassed.”

It was such a shocking thing to say that she admired her own train of thought.

The man set down his glass and raised an eyebrow, smiling gently. “Drank too much?”

Ye Mian nodded, then shook her head, ignoring his question. “Don’t laugh. I’m serious.”

“Is that so?” Facing the girl steeped in drink, his voice gradually turned lazy. “Then are you harassing me?”

“That’s not quite right. First of all, subjectively, I am definitely not some kind of female rogue.”

Using the dim light, Ye Mian boldly reached out and touched the side of his face.

Jiang Chen’s smile turned roguishly alluring. “Mm?”

Ye Mian lifted the corner of her eye, smiling. “Second, objectively, I can be.”