Chapter 008 I'd be happy to!

  *

  Half an hour is certainly not enough time to "get properly ready." Li Chengshi clearly had no experience in dating, but Su Xian didn't care anyway.

  Her face was slightly sunburned today, with the skin under her eyes being reddish and a little sore, so heavy makeup was out of the question. She simply applied some after-sun repair lotion, drew her eyebrows, put on a moisturizing lip balm, pulled out a tropical-print long dress, paired it with casual shoes and a bag, and then hastily tousled her hair in the hallway mirror before leaving, aiming for a lazy, effortless style.

  *

  At 6:40 PM, Su Xian's WeChat message arrived: "Arrived at the complex entrance."

  Li Chengshi grabbed his bag and greeted Li Xiao, who was watching TV in the living room: "Mom, I'm heading out."

  "Be careful, come back early."

  "Mhm."

  *

  Seeing Li Chengshi, Su Xian immediately got out of the car, held up a large cup of milk tea for him, and gave him a bright, fawning smile. "Hey, little friend Li Chengshi, hello. I'm sorry I'm late, please don't be angry."

  "You're the little friend!" Li Chengshi rolled his eyes but didn't take the milk tea.

  "Men are really sensitive about the word 'little,' aren't they?" Su Xian opened the car door and gestured for him to get in.

  "No, what are you thinking now?! I mean, we're from the same company. Who are you looking down on by calling someone a 'little friend'?" He was a bit exasperated. She was clearly dressed very beautifully today, but the minute she opened her mouth with something nonsensical, it was a total "sexual repellent."

  "Then, Grand Hero Li Chengshi?"

  "That's clearly sarcasm."

  "Then, Mr. Li Chengshi?"

  "What, does your throat hurt when you simply say the three words 'Li Chengshi'?"

  "Okay, I get it. Do you want the milk tea or not? It cost 29 yuan." She offered it again.

  "29 yuan? Didn't you use a coupon?"

  "Where do I get one?" Su Xian rarely drinks milk tea due to her constant gym routine and was unfamiliar with those tricks.

  Li Chengshi sighed and took the milk tea.

  *

  Bay View Grand Restaurant is built facing the sea. It's very popular in the summer, and the cool outdoor seating directly facing the cross-sea bridge was full. The waiter led them to the seating area on the second floor, where each person was charged a 100 yuan service fee. Su Xian didn't mind the cost at all. After all, Li Chengshi had truly been a hero saving a beauty today, allowing her to experience a romantic scene that typically only exists in Wuxia novels.

  She would cherish the memory.

  The building had an Italian-Mediterranean architectural style, featuring antique-style floor tiles in earth tones and unique wrought-iron decorations, exuding an exotic atmosphere. The seats were separated by abundant greenery, making the setting elegant while maintaining privacy.

  "You're not allergic to seafood, are you?" Su Xian handed the menu to Li Chengshi.

  "No." After finishing a large cup of milk tea, he was barely hungry. Could this be her conspiracy? The goal being to make him eat less. No, probably not. She wasn't that calculating; she was simply wanting to buy him a milk tea.

  This is probably a form of expressing liking.

  *

  They ordered a few dishes and drinks. With the cool night breeze coming through the window, the atmosphere was romantically intoxicating. Seeing Su Xian's hair gently floating, Li Chengshi suddenly felt a bit self-conscious and lowered his head to take a sip of his Passion Fruit Daiquiri cocktail. It was rich, tropical, and went straight to his head.

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  Su Xian, who had to drive, only had a soft drink, but she was excited. "Li Chengshi, you're usually so low-key, I never expected you to be so good at swimming. I almost worship you!"

  "I can't exactly swim around the office, so how could I be high-key? But yes, you can worship me, because I am very good at swimming." Since she rarely caught onto a strong point of his, he wanted to make a deep impression.

  "You were my hero today. But how did you catch up to me?"

  "After quitting the race, I took a mountain path that circled to the rafting section. I was sitting on the bank waiting for you to pass, planning to record a video for the company group chat, when I saw that person from Dacheng Construction stealthily circling in place. I wondered if he was planning to harm someone from our company, and it turned out I was right."

  "You did a great job! General Manager Liang said she'll commend you. Even though you didn't finish the entire course, you'll still receive a 10,000 yuan bonus."

  "Really?" His face lit up with joy. Earning both fame and fortune made him very happy.

  "Wait, how did you know there was a path in those mountains?"

  "My mother used to take me to pick mushrooms in those mountain forests frequently. I know the terrain by heart."

  Su Xian suddenly understood. "No wonder you made mushroom soup that night on Youlu Island. You're experienced, huh?"

  Uh-oh, the conversation has strayed into what shouldn't be said. Li Chengshi deliberately spoke vaguely: "No, I don't remember that."

  "Then you must have been too drunk. I remember very clearly; it was delicious. Next time we have a team building event, let's go to the mountains. You can be in charge of picking mushrooms, and I'll be in charge of catching wild rabbits. That's a great plan." She was already looking forward to it.

  Li Chengshi wanted to avoid the topic. Although he didn't think his "crime" was likely to be exposed, his mental tolerance wasn't great. He was afraid he might voluntarily confess.

  "I need to go to the restroom," he excused himself to escape and calm down.

  *

  Zhao Nanfeng walked upstairs with Roy and Martina, sitting down at the table right next to Su Xian.

  Su Xian hadn't seen him through the thick greenery, but his speaking tone had a strangely irritating quality that pierced through the leaves and into her ear, making her shudder and drop her silver spoon.

  The waiter immediately came over to pick up the spoon. "Madam, I will replace it for you immediately."

  Why is he haunting me? Su Xian was debating whether to greet him proactively when Li Chengshi returned.

  Zhao Nanfeng looked up, saw him, and said in surprise, "Xiao Li, are you having dinner here too?"

  Li Chengshi was a bit flustered, looking to Su Xian for help. Su Xian had no choice but to stand up and wave at Zhao Nanfeng. "Hi, ex-boyfriend."

  "You two?!" Zhao Nanfeng abandoned his two girlfriends, walked around the greenery, and stood by their table, saying in an inspecting and mocking tone, "Su Xian, well done. You have good taste."

  "Li Chengshi did me a huge favor. I'm treating him to dinner, and that's all. Zhao Nanfeng, don't talk nonsense."

  Zhao Nanfeng looked her dress up and down. That's right, he bought it for her.

  "What are you looking at? I just like this dress!" It's not strange that she wouldn't discard a dress worth several thousand yuan. As a pragmatic money-lover, she felt completely justified and was not embarrassed in the slightest.

  "You like the dress, but you prefer to be stubborn." Zhao Nanfeng achieved a psychological victory and made no attempt to conceal his smugness. He turned back to his table, and before sitting down, didn't forget to offer Li Chengshi some "kind" advice: "Xiao Li, she's an non-marriage advocate. Don't fall for her tricks."

  "I'd be happy to!" Li Chengshi shouted back three words and sat back down in his seat.

  **