Chapter 61: You Must Not Help the Xiao Family

Li Jingche’s words truly left Jian Qing bewildered, especially when paired with his earnest expression, which made her dazed for a moment.

She grabbed a cushion to hug, but after Li Jingche took it away, Jian Qing shrugged.

“Don’t lie to me, my heart is made of potato chips—it’s terribly fragile. If Young Master Li actually took a fancy to me, how many years of hard work would I save?”

Her words gave Li Jingche a sliver of hope. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he drew closer, pressing Jian Qing into a small corner of the sofa before he stopped.

“You like him?”

“Like or not, marriages in families like ours are just business alliances to consolidate corporate status. If I could latch onto the Li family’s golden Buddha, why wouldn’t I?”

Jian Qing saw through love and marriage with clarity.

There’s no such thing as earning money with dignity or without; people only start to have dignity once they’re rich.

Of course, the Xiao family might be an exception, given Xiao Yuncheng once saved her life.

But now that Xiao Yuncheng had sought out Ren Yishan, Jian Qing’s moral bottom line was actually quite low.

It would be wonderful if she could tie herself to the Li family.

Yet speaking those words felt like dreaming.

A shadow flickered in Li Jingche’s beautiful eyes.

“If the Li family extended an olive branch to you, who would you choose between me and Li Jingche?”

“Of course, Li Jingche.”

“And what about me?”

“I’d keep you on the side,” she said with a bitter smile, adding, “like I did before with Xiao Yuncheng.”

But that bitter smile vanished quickly. After speaking, Jian Qing rose and gently patted Li Jingche’s shoulder, heading toward the dining room.

“Let’s eat, I’m hungry.”

How could the Li family ever notice her, unless Li Jingche was blind?

The Jian family offered the Li family no advantage in the world of fame and fortune, nor any childhood affection. Jian Qing wouldn’t even dream of that man she’d never met.

But clearly, Number 33 took her words seriously.

He sat on the sofa motionless for ages, only walking over when he heard the rustling sounds of her eating in the dining room. After Jian Qing gracefully finished the last piece of dessert, he pressed close behind her, grabbing her arm without a word.

“What are you doing?” Jian Qing jumped in surprise.

“You’ve eaten your fill. Now it’s my turn.”

“No, I... I...” Jian Qing wanted to use her period as an excuse again, but since he’d seen through it last time, Number 33 wouldn’t believe her now.

She hesitated for a long time, and by the time she was dragged to the bedroom, any excuse was swallowed by him.

“Hey, are you part dog? Don’t bite me!”

Jian Qing couldn’t figure out what had provoked Number 33 today; he was more relentless than usual. After months of physical harmony, he’d always been considerate of her moods, but tonight he seemed intent on teasing her appetite.

Two hours later, Jian Qing’s legs were weak and her waist aching, but Li Jingche had no intention of stopping.

“You want to keep me as your lover?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll pay you enough. Hurry up, I’m exhausted.”

Jian Qing thought Number 33 was worried about money, so she added,

“Even if you’re not my boyfriend, just my lover, you don’t need to work at some place like Haiyanheqing. I can support you. Ah—”

Clearly, her answer didn’t satisfy Li Jingche.

After the whirlwind of passion finally ended, Jian Qing lay heavily on his chest, lips pouting, gasping for breath.

“I’m deducting your pay today.”

Li Jingche lowered his brows and eyes, seeing her cheeks flushed, and his body tensed.

“How much?”

Jian Qing bit her lip, afraid too much would upset him, but too little wouldn’t teach him a lesson. She settled for a compromise.

“Half.”

“That’s fine, there’s still the other half left to deduct.”

“No, get up! —”

Li Jingche pressed down on her, running his hand through her hair, his gaze cold and indifferent.

“Today is my birthday. Did you prepare a gift for me?”

“Ah—”

“It hurts?”

Li Jingche tensed with concern, but Jian Qing hurriedly looked away. In that brief moment, he caught her tiny expression, and his voice dropped.

“When we first met, I told you that my birthday was in a week. You didn’t prepare anything for me, did you?”

Secretly sighing, Jian Qing wanted to shake her head, but guilt gnawed at her.

She asked cautiously,

“Then... what kind of gift do you want?”

Few people in this world could anger Li Jingche and still be breathing.

But Jian Qing was unrivaled.

Seeing the misty tears in her eyes, though she’d told herself over and over that she’d brought this upon herself, Li Jingche couldn’t utter a single harsh word.

He brushed the stray hairs from her ear, pondering for a while, making countless concessions.

“Then you mustn’t plead for Xiao Yuncheng or the Xiao family with the Li family.”

Jian Qing licked her lips, troubled.

“But just this once. I already promised my mother—the Xiao family has been generous to us.”

“But that’s my birthday wish.”

Li Jingche’s words brooked no argument, and with his serious expression, Jian Qing felt even more guilty.

Behind Number 33’s back, surely nothing would happen if she spoke to the Li family, right?

He... wouldn’t find out?

A student sponsored in middle and high school—surely the Li family wouldn’t discuss business matters with him, right?

Surely, surely not?

Jian Qing calculated silently, but verbally gave a perfunctory reply.

“Alright, I understand.”

Only then did Li Jingche’s expression relax slightly. He picked her up and carried her to the bathroom, ran a bath for her to soak in, then went out, phone in hand, and sent Qin Jin a message:

“If Jian Qing talks to anyone in the Li family about Xiao Yuncheng, report to me immediately.”

“Yes, Mr. Li.”

He pressed the lock screen button, the dark reflection showing a man’s confident, determined smile—

Jian Qing, you’d better not let me catch you, or else...