Chapter 27: Stepping Out While Supporting Her Waist

Many people find Shanghai-style cuisine hard to get used to. Jiang Qingqing was no exception; although the local dishes are known for their heavy oils and rich, savory sauces, she found them far inferior to the spicy flavors of Chongqing. Perhaps because of the underlying sweetness, she ate very little, sitting quietly while watching Ji Yu devour his meal.

He skewered a lion’s head meatball the size of a fist and polished it off like a candied hawthorn on a stick.

*What a little ruffian,* she thought, *he has no manners when he eats.*

Yet, Jiang Qingqing found herself enjoying the sight. Forced refinement was always more off-putting. Take Li Yapeng, for instance—clearly a skirt-chaser who insists on acting like a gentleman. It was insufferable.

After finishing the meatball, Ji Yu wiped his mouth and asked, "Let’s go for Sichuan food next time."

"We'll see," Jiang Qingqing replied. *The current meal isn't even over yet, and he’s already planning the next one. He’s quite greedy.*

Ji Yu immediately added, "Don't say that. The company reimburses the meals when I’m out with you. I wouldn't be able to afford a place this nice on my own."

Jiang Qingqing couldn't help but laugh, teasing him, "So that’s why you told me to order less earlier—trying to line your own pockets, are you?"

"I have no choice; my salary is low. That set of cosmetics you use costs over two thousand—it’s too expensive." As he spoke, he set his sights on a plate of braised pork belly and dug in.

Jiang Qingqing couldn't help but mutter, "I never asked you to buy it for me."

"What?" Ji Yu looked up at her, blank-faced.

Flustered and annoyed, Jiang Qingqing snapped, "Nothing. Just eat your food."

Ji Yu went back to the pork belly. *Buy you cosmetics? You’re not my girlfriend.* In his eyes, the twenty-five-year-old Jiang Qingqing wasn't as captivating as she would be at thirty-five. She lacked that certain flair and maturity. It was the difference between a green apple and a Fuji—one was sour and juicy, the other sweet and delicious. If he had to choose, he preferred the juicy one. Whether it was sweet or not didn't really matter; juiciness was a gift from heaven, while sweetness was something cultivated later. There was no comparison.

Once he was full, Ji Yu checked his watch. "It’s still early. Let’s wait another twenty minutes before we head out."

"Why?" Jiang Qingqing asked curiously.

Ji Yu sipped his tea. "Do you eat that quickly when you're actually dating someone?"

"You certainly have plenty of little tricks."

"When it comes to putting on a show, I'm a professional!"

Twenty minutes later, they left. Ji Yu deliberately lingered at the entrance for a few minutes before getting into the car, giving the paparazzi plenty of time to snap their photos.

Next on the agenda: a movie.

After arriving near Fudan University, Ji Yu discovered that the local video halls had evolved into something resembling the private screening rooms of the future. They even had small, individual rooms for viewing. That saved him the cost of booking the whole theater—another chance to scam the company!

Ji Yu chose a clean little room furnished only with a television and a loveseat. In the next room, a pair of student lovers had turned the volume of their movie up very loud, yet if one listened carefully, other sounds—not belonging to the film—could be heard. When it came to eavesdropping, Ji Yu was a pro.

Spies were trained for exactly this. After circling the room, he felt certain it had been a battlefield for many couples before them; the walls were still marked with deep scratches from fingernails.

Jiang Qingqing sat on the sofa, wrinkling her nose. "It smells a bit strange in here."

"Just open the window to let some air in."

Ji Yu pushed the window open, and a gust of cold wind rushed in. Jiang Qingqing wrapped her coat tighter around herself, shivering. Ji Yu crouched down to load the disc. The owner had just tried to recommend *Sex and Zen*, but this was a mission, not a tryst—why would he watch that? *Pfft. I’ll rent it and watch it in private later!*

Once the movie started, Ji Yu sat on the sofa. It was a bit small, forcing the two of them to squeeze together. On screen, the film began—a classic Wong Kar-wai opening. Shaky camera work, cryptic dialogue, and dim, amber-toned lighting created a sense of retro nostalgia. It was a comfortable kind of cinema; the ambiguous plot easily induced a sense of artistic sentimentality.

Halfway through, Jiang Qingqing slowly leaned against Ji Yu. In the intimate proximity, surrounded by her rich perfume and the dim light, Ji Yu felt his heart racing. But he could only think about it; he couldn't betray Teacher Li. The hype was just hype—this was work, and he couldn't mix business with pleasure.

After a while, Ji Yu started to doze off. Wong Kar-wai’s films were excellent for inducing sleep. Jiang Qingqing turned her head, saw him, and reached out to pinch his thigh with all her might.

Ji Yu: "!!!" His eyes widened like bronze bells, flashing with sudden alertness!

Jiang Qingqing glared at him, furious. Even if this was just a marketing stunt, wasn't falling asleep a bit too disrespectful? Was she really that unappealing?

"Don't you dare sleep, or I'm leaving."

Ji Yu winced. "Then rub it for me."

"In your dreams!"

"Then let me pinch you back."

"Do you want to lose your hand?"

"You fierce woman!"

By the time the movie ended, Ji Yu was covered in bruises and rubbing his waist. He suspected Jiang Qingqing used to work in a factory tightening bolts; her grip was far too strong!

Hidden in the shadows, the paparazzi clicked away frantically. "Tsk, he was full of energy before they went in, and now he’s rubbing his waist. Must have been drained dry," one reporter muttered with envy, hoping they would hurry up to the next location so he could finish work and go home.

Ji Yu drove Jiang Qingqing back to her hotel.

"I'm taking your car. It's too far from my place, so I'll come pick you up tomorrow morning!"

"Be careful then."

"I know."

"I meant don't scratch the car—it's not mine."

"…And here I thought you were worried about me."

"Watch your safety too. Bye."

Ji Yu flipped her the bird and slammed on the gas. Jiang Qingqing returned the gesture at the taillights. Polite formalities were non-existent, but their rapport was growing quickly.

Once home, Ji Yu talked to Li Xiaoran on the phone for over an hour. If you don't talk in a long-distance relationship, it’s game over in a few days. It was so hard. Sometimes he really wanted to have several partners so he could manage a schedule. *Forget it, stop thinking about it.*

Time to watch that adult film and learn some techniques from the masters! Once he’d mastered the craft, he’d launch a night raid on Teacher Li in Hengdian!

The next morning, Ji Yu bought a newspaper and sat at a breakfast stall. The entertainment section was true to its word, featuring his date with Jiang Qingqing on the front page. The photos were clear, and Ji Yu’s handsome face was finally visible to the masses. Looking at his own dashing portrait, Ji Yu drank an extra cup of soy milk with his breakfast.

*Satisfying!*

He drove the borrowed car to the hotel entrance and waited for Jiang Qingqing. Stroking the steering wheel, he wondered when he’d be able to afford his own car. Even an Alto would do. Riding a bicycle every day was bad for his image—even the paparazzi had cars!

Ji Yu glanced at the van parked across the street; it was the same paparazzi from last night. They were quite dedicated. He wondered what kind of arrangements Old Cai had made—how many red envelopes had been stuffed? Or perhaps Old Cai hadn't paid them at all, but had actually collected a tip-off fee from the reporters instead!

He didn't wait long before Jiang Qingqing came down. She was dressed beautifully, looking like she was truly on a date. After she got in, Ji Yu took the initiative to compliment her: "I shouldn't have picked a movie last night. The lighting was too dim to properly admire a peerless beauty."

Jiang Qingqing gave a haughty hum. "I don't know who it was that fell asleep while watching it."

"Can't help it. Being around a beauty just makes me sleepy."

Ji Yu hit the gas, and the car accelerated.

"Why are you driving so fast!" Jiang Qingqing cried out in alarm, slapping his arm in annoyance.

"Do you prefer it slower?"

"Why did you start so fast!"

"Warm up first, then accelerate, right? Got it!"

"Ji Yu, you're acting strange!"

"Don't call me Ji Yu, it sounds so distant. Call me 'Big Ji' instead."

"Big Ji... are you teasing me?!"

"Oh, you caught me."

"Shameless."