Evening, a gentle breeze stirred.
There weren’t many people in Class 2-3, only about thirty in total. They had chosen a beef hotpot buffet—85 yuan per person, eat as much as you want, but no waste allowed. Every 50 grams over would cost an extra 25 yuan.
As soon as they entered, everyone immediately scattered—some went to grab dipping sauces, others headed for the barbecue, some took plates of beef. The scene was lively and bustling.
Though it was called a class team-building event, it was actually more like dormitory units having separate dinners. Those close in friendship, proximity, or without conflicts naturally sat together.
After all, people have varying degrees of closeness; it’s hard to avoid.
Ji Yuennian followed the flow to the sauce area. The key to enjoying hotpot was always the dipping sauce base—whether it was rich and fragrant sesame paste, slightly spicy and sweet chili sauce, or light and refreshing clear broth sauce.
The quality of the beef’s taste largely depended on the sauce one prepared.
This time, Ji Yuennian planned to make a chopped chili pepper base: chopped chili peppers, cilantro, chopped green onions, and fish mint.
Just as he was about to scoop a spoonful of chopped chili into his bowl, a slender arm beat him to it. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a familiar figure—Jiang Chi.
Perhaps sensing Ji Yuennian’s gaze, after scooping the chopped chili, Jiang Chi handed the spoon over to him. Ji Yuennian didn’t hesitate and scooped several spoonfuls into his bowl.
After preparing their sauce bases, the two didn’t return to their respective tables. Instead, they stood by the entrance of the restaurant, dipping bowls in hand, chatting leisurely.
“You’ve changed quite a bit,” Ji Yuennian remarked, glancing at the fiery red chili in Jiang Chi’s bowl. Once upon a time, that model student who didn’t smoke, didn’t drink, and didn’t like strong flavors was now slowly transforming.
Is this the fun of being a PU…?
“You too,” Jiang Chi nodded in response.
“Thanks again for what you did last time.”
“No need. Not everyone has your kind of determination.”
“What about the suspended sentence? Where are they now?”
“Detained at the juvenile detention center, won’t be released until the end of the year.” Saying this, Jiang Chi smiled faintly as if recalling something.
“That was right when the new law came into effect…”
“Perfect timing, huh? Haha.” Hearing this, Ji Yuennian smiled and tucked the stray hair behind his ear.
Jiang Chi thought Ji Yuennian was quite innocent—righteous and kindhearted. Although sometimes impulsive, that youthful vitality was exactly what someone their age should have.
If he hadn’t met Ji Qingchan, Jiang Chi thought he would have admired and yearned to be someone like Ji Yuennian—no obsession with cleanliness, a big group of close friends, an older brother at home, no heavy responsibilities, free to do whatever he liked.
But now he had Ji Qingchan—his Qingchan… locked away, hidden, only for his eyes.
If he had never seen the light, then he could bear the darkness.
Lost in thought, Jiang Chi looked back at Ji Yuennian. He saw him brush the stray hair from his face, the image quietly merging with the figure deep in his heart. His deep blue eyes darkened.
Honestly, even though the paternity report hadn’t been released yet, Jiang Chi was somewhat convinced his girlfriend Ji Qingchan was Aunt Huang’s illegitimate daughter. After all, such subconscious little gestures could only be cultivated through long-term subtle influence.
But if she really was an illegitimate child, his plans would get complicated.
After all, if she were just an orphan—no father, no mother, vanished without a trace—not many would care.
But if she was an illegitimate daughter… if so… maybe he could arrange an “accident,” like a car crash, fire, or drowning.
“Something on my face?” Ji Yuennian noticed Jiang Chi staring and raised a hand to his cheek.
“Your hands are quite white,” Jiang Chi said casually.
Had he not mentioned it, Ji Yuennian wouldn’t have noticed that he’d forgotten to apply hand cream today. His slender, pale hands were delicate, nails rounded—at first glance, they looked almost like a woman’s.
Damn! Almost forgot Jiang Chi was a hand fetishist!
Ji Yuennian quickly hid his hands behind his back.
You’ve got “Ji Qingchan” already, so for god’s sake don’t fetishize me!
Ji Yuennian knew that people with a hand fetish—especially severe ones—could be obsessed with both men and women, regardless of age.
Thinking this, he felt his own little moderator in his livestream was much more sensible—just wanted a few photos and didn’t do much else. Not like Jiang Chi, who insisted on making “Ji Qingchan” wear gloves and even recorded the whole process.
A true pervert among perverts!
Because of this little episode, Ji Yuennian swiftly ended the topic, and the two returned to their own tables.
The hotpot was placed in the center of the table, the broth constantly bubbling. The bright red chili oil mixed with the fragrant bone soup created an irresistibly tempting scene.
Thin, almost translucent slices of beef were neatly arranged on plates. Pick up a piece, dip it briefly into the pot—just a few seconds—and the beef curled and changed color. Quickly fish it out, dip it into the carefully prepared sauce, and pop it into your mouth. The fresh, tender, and juicy flavor immediately blossomed on the taste buds.
Ji Yuennian held a beer, greeting each table one by one. When it came to social graces, he was already very familiar.
The essence of drinking culture was just empty formalities, with everyone showing off and flattering each other.
Jiang Chi also drank quite a bit. Sometimes, to quickly blend into a group, you have to give up a little.
When he got home, still slightly tipsy, his parents weren’t angry—in fact, they were quite happy. Their eldest son was drinking now, grown up, becoming a man.
Although Jiang Chi had the connection of Jiang Yushu, and he wouldn’t be running around as a business manager to land clients in the future, occasionally drinking with colleagues and bosses to build rapport was unavoidable.
As the saying goes: When you enter society, you don’t have to love alcohol, but you must drink.
After a cup of sobering tea, Jiang Chi felt much better and clearer-headed. After saying goodbye to his concerned parents, he staggered back to his room.
Once inside, Jiang Chi opened his computer. He had recently received news that a stock he held was about to peak tonight—it was time to “harvest the chives” and cash out.
Ding dong!
Suddenly, a message popped up. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw it was an invite from the streamer “Cool Little Mistress,” someone he followed before.
Remembering he hadn’t shown support in a while, Jiang Chi casually clicked it open and minimized the window—like keeping it on for an online class attendance—but then turned his attention back to the fluctuating red and green numbers of the stock market.
He desperately needed money!
Whether for himself or for Ji Qingchan, he wanted to give her a better life.
He wanted Qingchan carefree and free.
He wanted to give Qingchan a big golden cage—one where she could only look at him and be draped in golden chains!!
As Jiang Chi focused intently on the unpredictable stock trends, his gaze accidentally swept across the livestream window.
In an instant, it was as if he’d been frozen by a spell. He stood motionless, not even noticing the stock market data streaming by on the screen, as if the whole world had stopped.
Because, in that livestream, on the desk where the keyboard rested, there lay a silver bell. The bell shimmered with a cold, clear light under the glow of the lamp.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.