Chapter 16: Do You Really Have To Eat Like This?!!!
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=5310224
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
It was getting late, and the streets were stil6 noisy. A few delivery vans were parked in the middle of the road, honking their horns with loud beeping sounds. The two drivers seemed to have had a quarrel.
Ji Lianxing stood at the entrance of Pilot. She was still wearing denim shorts on the bottom, but had already put on a hoodie on top. The dark gray hoodie’s hood was pulled over her head, and she leaned against a utility pole, lost in thought.
When Jiang Shu came out, she happened to see Ji Lianxing’s slender figure. Her shadow was stretched out by the orange streetlight. The hoodie hung loosely on her body, looking like it could fit two of her inside.
“What’s wrong?” Jiang Shu walked up to her.
Ji Lianxing turned around, took off her hood, and revealed her entire face. Her features were delicate and defined. Her hair was tied up, with a few small braids mixed with a smokey eye makeup. Compared to during the day, she truly seemed like two different people.
But this wild vibe didn’t take away from her beauty; instead, it added to her presence. It was like a drop of bright red blood on a pure white petal—deadly, yet incredibly captivating.
“President Jiang.” Ji Lianxing stared at Jiang Shu, not blinking. “50,000 is a lot.”
Jiang Shu didn’t speak.
“The merchant will take half. In just half an hour, you’ve already lost 25,000.”
“Lose?” Jiang Shu looked a bit confused. “This isn’t losing. Money, to me, if it brings happiness, is worth far more than its value.”
“Will tipping me bring you happiness?” Ji Lianxing kept staring at her, her eyes showing a cold light. She had a bit of emotion, but it wasn’t anger. Perhaps it was a feeling of helplessness from a difference in economic capability, making her seem pale and powerless.
Jiang Shu stared at her deep brown pupils. Something cold pricked at her, and she felt that Ji Lianxing’s gaze might carry a bit of disappointment, or perhaps sadness.
“I thought you’d be happy,” Jiang Shu said.
Ji Lianxing turned her back to Jiang Shu. “President Jiang, to be honest, sometimes money makes me feel pain.”
Jiang Shu couldn’t see her expression, so she judged her emotions based on the tone of her voice. But her tone was so indifferent that Jiang Shu couldn’t figure out her feelings, as if she hadn’t touched anything at all.
Jiang Shu felt a bit confused. Didn’t she love money? Didn’t money bring her happiness? She had thought that ten minutes ago, when Ji Lianxing said “Thank you, Ms. Jiang from the second floor,” it had been heartfelt.
But if money didn’t make her happy, then why was she working so hard to make it? Was she still lacking money now?
The atmosphere became a bit tense, as both of them thought their own thoughts.
They stood there in silence, both of them quiet. Jiang Shu wanted to say something, but she didn’t. She didn’t like to speak first during awkward silences.
The sizzling sound of the grilled squid on the street rang out, and the smell of oil fumes drifted into Ji Lianxing’s nose.
Gulu.
Ji Lianxing’s stomach growled loudly.
“Pfft.” Jiang Shu couldn’t hold it in anymore and spoke first. “Are you hungry?”
Her stomach betrayed her, and there was nothing Ji Lianxing could do but nod.
Jiang Shu thought she even looked cute when she was angry and reached out to pinch her cheek.
“Alright, don’t be mad.”
Ji Lianxing sighed. “President Jiang, I’m not angry. I just think it’s unnecessary. You have money, but—”
But it still hurts, after all, your money didn’t come from the wind. The words stuck in her throat and couldn’t be said.
Twenty-five thousand was already two months’ worth of her salary. Even if she was a resident singer, she would need to sing twenty shows to earn that back.
What’s more, she could never accept the tip from Jiang Shu. In the end, she would have to pay it back, so it would just be the bar owner getting the benefit.
Seeing the little hedgehog sighing and frowning again, Jiang Shu really wished she could be a little happier.
“Let’s go, don’t think so much. How about we grab a late-night snack?”
Ji Lianxing nodded. “Alright, I’ll message the boss.”
Ji Lianxing suggested going to the night market street in the university town.
Jiang Shu hadn’t been to the university town in years. The noisy shops, the variety of people, and the dimly lit streets.
“President Jiang, want some takoyaki?” As they strolled down the street, Ji Lianxing stopped in front of a store.
Takoyaki? The last time Jiang Shu had some was when she was in college.
Jiang Shu nodded. “Sure.”
Ji Lianxing got in line, but seeing Jiang Shu still standing on the street, dazed, she waved at her. “Come over, why are you standing there~”
Jiang Shu walked over to Ji Lianxing, automatically standing behind her. It wasn’t long before two guys joined the line behind them.
Ji Lianxing, with her sharp eyes, noticed them. One of the guys had tattoos and a lip piercing. Although she wasn’t against these things, the look in his eyes made her uncomfortable.
She gently grabbed Jiang Shu’s hand, pulling her in front of herself, while Ji Lianxing chose to stand in the middle, separating Jiang Shu from the two guys behind them.
Jiang Shu didn’t understand what was happening, but when she saw the two men, she realized what was going on.
Her heartbeat quickened a little. She didn’t expect to feel this strange sensation. Was Ji Lianxing protecting her? She couldn’t quite explain it. She didn’t know what it was, but this small detail made her feel itchy and sweet inside.
“This place’s takoyaki is really delicious. Back in college, I used to come here often with my best friend. The only downside is that we always had to wait in such a long line.” Ji Lianxing glanced ahead, estimating there were about ten people left.
“Don’t worry, we can take our time and wait.”
“It feels like we’ll have to wait for about ten more minutes.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Lianxing felt a tap on her shoulder.
Turning around, she saw it was one of the guys behind them, the other one. He had a light gray mullet hairstyle, an average look, and was dressed in trendy clothes, wearing necklaces and rings. Perhaps the accessories gave him a bit more confidence.
“Sister, can I add you on WeChat?” From the guy’s tone, it was clear he wasn’t a stranger to this, probably an experienced one who would make a move whenever he saw something attractive.
Ji Lianxing: “...”
Seeing Ji Lianxing silent, the guy wasn’t discouraged. He pushed the QR code toward her again and said with a smile, “Sister, give me a chance, add me on WeChat.”
Just as Ji Lianxing was about to refuse, she felt Jiang Shu pull her gently. The pull first grabbed her hand, then Jiang Shu curled her fingers into Ji Lianxing’s palm, turning their simple hand-holding onto their fingers tightly interlocked.
That sudden touch made Ji Lianxing’s heart skip a beat. Feeling the warmth of Jiang Shu’s fingers, Ji Lianxing’s heart raced, and her little face started to flush.
The mullet head young man saw the situation and the way Ji Lianxing’s face turned red. Then he glanced at Jiang Shu’s gaze. Even though neither of them had said anything, he understood what it meant.
“Ah...” The guy awkwardly took two steps back. “Sister, you two go ahead, sorry for the disturbance.”
He didn’t even buy the takoyaki, quickly pulling his buddy across the street, as if he would die of embarrassment if he didn’t escape immediately.
“Are college students this direct now?” Jiang Shu kept holding Ji Lianxing’s hand and not letting go. Her tone was a bit casual as she spoke.
“Ah, ye-yes, they are pretty direct.” Ji Lianxing's mind was full of thoughts like, Why aren’t you letting go of my hand? Why are you still holding it? We really look like a couple now. Although I don’t mind, my heart is racing. Please, let go quickly.
But the next moment, Jiang Shu stuffed her hand into her own pocket and said, “Your hand is so cold. You’re wearing too little. Remember to wear long pants next time.”
!!!
Ji Lianxing almost couldn’t handle it. Her hand instinctively tried to pull back, but Jiang Shu firmly held it, not giving her the chance to withdraw.
Ji Lianxing didn’t give up and tried to pull her hand back again.
Then Jiang Shu glanced at her and said, “Don’t pull away. Stay here.”
Her tone was too domineering, with a hint of: If you don’t listen to me, I’ll make you regret it.
“Fine…” Ji Lianxing ddn’t know what else to say, so she turned her head away, pretending to look at how many people were still in line ahead.
Actually, she felt a bit flustered. That was Jiang Shu’s hand, currently holding hers. It was really embarrassing—like this, they were no different from a couple.
However, Jiang Shu’s hand was indeed very warm, slender, and smooth to the touch.
Ji Lianxing, who had never been in a relationship, felt her heart racing wildly, like a startled deer. Amidst the thumping of her heart, something seemed to knock against it, jolting her awake.
They weren’t a romantic couple. They were just casual lovers.
Afterward, the two showed no changes in their expressions as they waited in line. A few minutes later, they finally got their takoyaki, and Ji Lianxing’s hand was able to smoothly withdraw from Jiang Shu’s pocket.
Holding the box of takoyaki, Ji Lianxing picked up a small piece with a fork, ready to put it in her mouth, when she seemed to sense a gaze...
The takoyaki made a detour and ended up at Jiang Shu’s lips instead.
“President Jiang, you try it first.”
Jiang Shu opened her mouth and took a bite—a small one at that. She ate with such elegance that it seemed like she hadn’t eaten at all, leaving most of the takoyaki untouched.
“How is it? Is it good?” Ji Lianxing asked.
“Delicious.”
Ji Lianxing brought the remaining portion to Jiang Shu’s lips, intending for her to finish it.
However, Jiang Shu shook her head. “It’s delicious. You should have a bite too.”
Ah, was this a forced indirect kissing command? Ji Lianxing forced an awkward smile. Whether she wanted to or not, she had no choice but to eat it.
Source: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=5310224
This translation was originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com
Since Jiang Shu had insisted, there was no reason to refuse. Besides, they had already... kissed that night, so sharing a takoyaki now didn’t seem like a big deal.
Thus, the takoyaki smoothly entered Ji Lianxing’s mouth. While the taste wasn’t any different, psychologically, it felt entirely distinct. Ji Lianxing chewed twice and suddenly felt that this leftover half-takoyaki seemed even more flavorful.
After finishing the first one, she picked up a second takoyaki, took a bite, leaving half, and was about to put it into her mouth when Jiang Shu spoke again, “I want more.”
Another forced indirect kiss command? A big question mark hung in Ji Lianxing’s mind. It was hard not to think Jiang Shu was doing this on purpose.
Jiang Shu added another sentence: "Sharing is the way to happiness."
The small takoyaki was skewered on a bamboo stick, its sauce glistening with a shiny luster, and the few bits of octopus stuck to it looked especially tempting.
Before Ji Lianxing could snap out of it, Jiang Shu had already leaned in, opened her mouth, and bit into half of the takoyaki.
By the time Ji Lianxing reacted, the takoyaki was already in Jiang Shu's mouth.
!!! What the hell!!! Do you really have to eat like this?!!!
Ji Lianxing's heart skipped another beat. "President Jiang, you really are fast, precise, and ruthless."
Jiang Shu's eyes sparkled, happiness nearly overflowing from them. She smiled at Ji Lianxing and said, “It's delicious after all."
Author's Note:
President Jiang: Happiness made me drop my cold mask.
Xiao Ji: Your happiness scares me.
