Chapter 12 — Add One Point
Qin Jiran wanted Su Yanyi to go outside, but she clearly wasn't going to. He stood frozen for a while before he finally decided to hurry up and finish dressing. The entire time, he kept his back to her. Afterward, he glanced at her nervously and asked, "Are we leaving for lunch now?"
"Mhm." Su Yanyi didn't say much. She turned around and left, hiding the look of disappointment that entered her eyes.
Qin Jiran's figure was unexpectedly impressive to that extent, but unfortunately, his reaction speed was too fast. She'd only been able to get a single glance at him before he stingily turned his back to her. How effeminate and bashful-what, was he afraid she'd try to take advantage of him?
As the two made their way to the parking lot together, they were greeted several times by countless people. Curious gazes and heated discussion trailed after them. Both Qin Jiran and Su Yanyi belonged to the cold-faced category, so they appeared stoic and unaffected as they allowed everyone else to stare and whisper. However, the couple's inner thoughts couldn't be more different from each other's.
Su Yanyi wasn't concerned at all. Whether the stares were ones of curiosity or jealousy, good intentions or malice, that didn't interest her whatsoever. She knew very well the consequences of her actions, but again, she didn't care.
Qin Jiran, on the other hand, was feeling a bit complicated. Although he had long since become accustomed to attracting attention wherever he went, this time he could easily imagine the chain reaction that would follow after being seen like this with Su Yanyi today.
All kinds of speculations on the relationship between him and Su Yanyi would arise, and both positive and negative comments would be made. Some people might even relate his official webpage confession to Su Yanyi, and the consequences of that definitely couldn't be ignored!
He repeatedly snuck glances at her, trying to figure out what she was thinking. Her behavior these past two days was really too weird, and he couldn't make out what was on her mind. He couldn't figure out her motive, so he didn't know what he should do to cooperate.
In his mind, Su Yanyi would never treat him well with no strings attached. There was definitely a motive for her behavior. However, regardless of the reason, he chose to cherish this gift of warmth.
…..
The restaurant was located near the company. It was a century-old restaurant that served mainly Guangzhou-styled cuisine, and a private room had been booked for Qin Jiran and Su Yanyi. As they walked from the parking lot to their private room, they saw at least four or five familiar figures.
Because of its high confidentiality and security, the restaurant was a popular one amongst the entertainment circle, and this was especially true for the employees of Resplendent Entertainment. However, since it wasn't lunch break time yet, there weren't a lot of people around, and those who did recognize the two didn't dare approach.
Once they finished ordering, Qin Jiran poured Su Yanyi a cup of tea. Neither spoke until finally, he gave in and tried to start a conversation with her.
"Is there something you want me to do? If there is, then you can tell me directly. I'll definitely cooperate with you." He firmly believed that she needed something from him, just like three years ago when he was suddenly called to her office, and the contractual marriage between them began.
Su Yanyi was in the middle of sampling her tea. His words came as a surprise to her. She looked at him strangely and then asked faintly, "I have something I want you to do? And what is it that you want to cooperate with me on?"
That rendered him speechless. If he knew what she wanted him to do, then he wouldn't have asked. He would've already done it on his own initiative!
"I don't know. That's why I'm asking you," he said in a helpless tone. If he knew what went on in her mind, then he wouldn't be suffering from this unrequited love. Three years wouldn't have yielded dislike rather than progress.
"I don't know either." She couldn't seem to recall wanting him to do anything?
Wait, no! Suddenly, her eyes lit up with a thought. She prodded, "Does eating a meal with me make you happy?"
Qin Jiran looked up slightly as a trace of embarrassment appeared on his face. Her question made him feel a bit unnatural. He shot a quick glance at her before coughing lightly and answering, "Pretty good."
"Then why aren't you smiling?" Su Yanyi seemed to be really puzzled. She fixed her gaze on him and waited for his response. The corners of Qin Jiran's lips twitched, as though he wanted to laugh but couldn't, and as she watched, her eyebrows furrowed slightly. Why was making this man smile even just once so hard? Were her efforts still not enough?
Their food arrived quickly. After taking a few bites, she deemed it palatable and thoughtfully picked up a piece of her own white-cut chicken with her chopsticks and dropped it into Qin Jiran's bowl.
She stared at him wordlessly.
It took the man a whole three seconds to react. He stared at the piece of chicken, and then at the anticipative look on Su Yanyi's face. Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by an unexpected favor, he said, "Thank you!"
She accepted his thanks with a nod of her head, but when she noticed that there was nothing else, she asked with a trace of impatience, "And then?"
What? Although he didn't say it out loud, the question was written on his face. The shift in his expression was almost imperceptible, but Su Yanyi still noticed it. This time, she started to feel a bit worried.
Why was this man not catching on?
"Are you happy that I put food into your bowl?" This was her first time doing that for somebody!
"… Happy!" Being asked twice if he was happy or not caused the apprehensive tone of his voice to become more obvious.
"Then why aren't you smiling?" No smile meant no mission completion, no mission completion meant no points, and no points meant no upgrade!
Qin Jiran was starting to feel a headache. Su Yanyi was acting too weird.
"Did something happen to you? Or have you just been feeling too much pressure lately?" He stared at her with blatant worry, as if he was looking at an ill patient.
"Are you trying to say I have problems?" Su Yanyi was a keen person, but she was using it in the wrong place.
Seeing her straightforward reaction, paired with the seemingly distressed furrow between her brows, Qin Jiran suddenly laughed!
For some reason, her cold yet conflicted and troubled expression triggered his laughter. It made him realize that even someone like Su Yanyi was capable of having such an adorable side to her, and this side was something he had never seen before. It was absolutely precious and definitely worth treasuring!
Meanwhile, Su Yanyi's Virtuous Wife System finally reacted, and she heard the long-awaited voice ring out in her mind.
Congratulations for accomplishing the task once!
+1 Point
Progress: 1/10
Please continue working hard!
However, when she heard the System's notification, the gaze she was looking at Qin Jiran with instantly turned strange!
VIN: We're making progress… I think. It's time to train your arm muscles a bit~ cliffhanger?
RELEASE SCHEDULE: 5x a week. Why? Because chapter 65 begins the 8k (in raws) chapters, so I'll need time to stockpile those.