Chapter 25: In the Same Boat

Chapter 25: In the Same Boat

Jiang Chengxiao listened to Song Xilan’s weak attempt at a threat, sighing and chuckling softly, then said, "I’ll take care of this."

He then turned to Jiang Jingru, his voice suddenly turning cold: "You have two choices. First, return the money and the watch, and this matter will be settled. Second, you can choose not to return the money, but I guarantee that by tomorrow morning, your team leader will receive a letter of complaint detailing all the disgraceful things you’ve done, including..."

Jiang Chengxiao lowered his voice and stared at her: "Your visit to the OB-GYN."

Jiang Jingru’s eyes widened. Others might not know, but she was well aware that Jiang Chengxiao was the main antagonist in the later stages of the drama, ruthless and capable of doing anything. Anyone he targeted would come to a bad end.

The original character she had transmigrated into had died at Jiang Chengxiao’s hands.

No matter how powerful the antagonist, they would ultimately be defeated by the female lead. But she wasn’t the female lead yet and didn’t have the protagonist’s halo. She truly didn’t dare to provoke Jiang Chengxiao.

"I... I’ll return the money," Jiang Jingru promptly took out the watch and placed it on the table, pushing it toward Jiang Chengxiao. Being a modern person, she didn’t care much about such a cheap watch.

In fact, she didn’t care much about the 360 yuan either, but she just didn’t have the money right now.

"Then, you have to promise me you won’t cause me any more trouble in the future?"

Jiang Chengxiao wasn’t too keen on letting her off so easily, but considering Lin Guangshan’s deep affection for her and how his spirit probably wouldn’t want her to suffer too much, he reluctantly agreed: "From now on, we’ll pretend we don’t know each other. We’ll go our own ways."

"But I really can’t come up with that much money right now. Can you give me a few more days? I’ll definitely find a way to get the money to you." As Jiang Jingru spoke, her eyes involuntarily glanced at Song Xilan.

So what if she’s awakened? She’s still just a clueless fool.

Thanks to Song Xilan, Jiang Jingru had already figured out a way to get a large sum of money in a short time.

Jiang Chengxiao also knew she couldn’t come up with the money immediately, so he didn’t push her too hard: "Three days. After three days, I’ll either get the money or send the complaint letter to your leader."

Jiang Jingru stood up coldly. Despite her fear, she couldn’t lose face as a transmigrator: "Fine, wait for it. I’ll pay back every cent."

The three of them met at a pavilion by the lake in the park, a spot picked by Jiang Chengxiao. As he put it, meeting there provided an open view, making it hard for others to eavesdrop. Additionally, if anything were to happen, it would be immediately noticed, making it safer.

The only downside was that it was cold and windy.

When Jiang Jingru left, her lips were visibly pale from the north wind. She had chosen style over warmth, wearing too little for the weather.

Song Xilan, on the other hand, had specifically worn a puffer jacket today. Though it made her look a little puffy, it was exceptionally warm.

Moreover, Jiang Chengxiao had been sitting at the windward side, shielding her from the wind. His tall frame was like a wall, blocking the wind completely.

Seeing Jiang Jingru leave, Song Xilan stood up and rubbed her hands: "So, are we done for today?"

Jiang Chengxiao smiled: "Yes, it’s done. Thank you for your great help. I finally get to treat you to a meal, right?"

"Sure!" Song Xilan agreed readily. Before leaving home today, she had already told her mother that she would be going out with friends after work and wouldn’t be home for dinner.

If Jiang Chengxiao had forgotten about the invitation, she would have had to figure out dinner on her own.

Seeing her agree so cheerfully, Jiang Chengxiao was also pleased: "What do you feel like eating? I’m not very familiar with the local cuisine here. Could you introduce me to something special?"

Song Xilan thought for a moment. Based on Jiang Chengxiao’s attire in their recent meetings, if he wasn’t the type to spend all his money on clothes for vanity’s sake, his financial situation should be decent.

So, she decided to take him to a nice place.

"There’s a century-old restaurant nearby called Luming Restaurant. Their dishes are quite good. It’s not far, just a bit over a stop away. If you don’t mind, we can walk there."

"If you say it’s good, it must be good. I can’t wait to dig in. Let’s go!"

"Do you really trust me that much? Aren’t you afraid I might take you for a ride?"

"You wouldn’t. You look like someone who knows good food. You wouldn’t pick something pricey and lousy just to take me for a ride. As long as the food is good, the price isn’t an issue."

Song Xilan didn’t mince words: "You guessed right. I’ve pretty much eaten at all the restaurants in the city, big and small. Almost all the income my family of three brings in is spent on food."

Song Xilan wasn’t entirely oblivious. A young couple going out like this would naturally make people assume they were dating.

She could tell that Jiang Chengxiao was interested in her. Since she agreed to meet him and was willing to go out to eat together, it was an unspoken agreement to see where things might go.

Her parents had long told her that when choosing a partner, the most important thing was finding someone who shared her love for food.

For example, she loves to eat and doesn’t mind splurging on food and drink. If the other person was thrifty and believed that just eating to fill up was enough, and that money should be saved for important things, then they wouldn’t be a good match.

It’s best to be upfront early on to avoid wasting each other’s time.

So Song Xilan straightforwardly told Jiang Chengxiao that she didn’t mind splurging on food. If he couldn’t accept that, he should back off now.

Jiang Chengxiao smiled and said, "Then I’m in luck. Tagging along with you will save me a lot of trial and error! Let’s agree that whenever you go out to eat, you have to take me along!"

Song Xilan: "Everyone’s taste is different. Maybe what I like, you won’t, and what I don’t like, you might."

"Then let’s try together. There must be something that suits both our tastes and that we both like. It’s said that when two people eat together for a long time, their tastes gradually become similar."

It was as good as saying they’d be sharing meals for the long haul.

Song Xilan’s face flushed, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at him. Fortunately, they had arrived at the Deer Call Restaurant. She pointed to a quaintly decorated restaurant ahead: "It’s right there!"

The restaurant looked historically significant from the outside, but the staff inside were just like those at other state-run eateries, wearing white uniforms and blue sleeves, with a lukewarm attitude. They pointed to a small blackboard on the wall: "Today’s menu is up there, take a look and order for yourselves."