Before a woman does something that crosses her bottom line, she always finds a respectable reason for herself.
In the afternoon, Li Xingying received an invitation from Jiang Beicheng to travel to New Zealand together. Deep down, she had already made up her mind to go through with it.
She was also well aware that this trip might lead to her becoming "bed partners" with Jiang Beicheng.
Her delay in responding to Jiang Beicheng wasn't due to "reserve" but rather stemmed from a traditional "good person" mindset.
Everyone has this mindset, crafting a positive image and persona for the outside world.
But that evening, under the encouragement and support of her fans, and bombarded by Jiang Beicheng's lavish gestures, that "good person" mindset vanished entirely.
It didn't matter anymore.
Li Xingying found the most respectable reason to go on this overseas trip with Jiang Beicheng.
Jiang Beicheng wasn't the least bit surprised when he saw Li Xingying's affirmative reply.
Having been with countless women, he knew that so-called "tradition," "reserve," or "good person" personas and boundaries were merely a matter of not yet encountering a tempting enough offer.
As long as you hold enough chips and the temptation is strong enough, boundaries will crumble step by step, turning into a bottomless pit.
Jiang Beicheng replied to Li Xingying: "How's your stamina?"
Having just mentally accepted the possibility of everything that might happen with Jiang Beicheng, Li Xingying naturally thought of intimate matters when she saw this question.
Staring at the chat window, she suddenly didn't know how to respond.
Was Young Master Jiang being *this* direct?
Wasn't it a bit too bold to talk about this now?
Li Xingying only sent a few shy emojis in response.
Jiang Beicheng: "If your stamina can keep up, we'll go shopping for some outdoor gear tomorrow afternoon. New Zealand has some scenic trails perfect for hiking."
Li Xingying burst into laughter while holding her phone, playfully tapping her own head. She had overthought it.
How could you be so dirty-minded?
You're quite the contrast, Li Xingying.
She thought so herself.
"Sounds good, Young Master Jiang. Thank you. I'll get my hair done tomorrow morning, and we can have lunch together before going shopping," Li Xingying arranged.
"Let's go to Old Pi's place! Try his skills."
"I might not be able to book a slot for tomorrow."
Jiang Beicheng: "I'll call him and ask him to squeeze in a morning slot.
He's an old buddy; he'll give me that much face.
Go to the Great Wall Premium Club tomorrow and pick up a box of Cohiba cigars from Brother Li to give to Old Pi.
I'll send Brother Li a message later."
Li Xingying's face lit up with a genuine smile.
A man who can handle anything and arrange everything perfectly is truly captivating to women.
No wonder Zhou Yu always bragged in front of her about attending some salon or party, dining with this or that person, always exuding an air of supreme confidence. Jiang Beicheng's social circle could truly make a vain girl lose herself.
Today, Li Xingying finally understood how her friend Zhou Yu felt.
Li Xingying didn't deny her own strong vanity, but compared to Zhou Yu, she could keep it in check and not let it show all the time.
She also had a strong ambition for her career.
"Noted, Young Master Jiang," Li Xingying replied.
Jiang Beicheng didn't respond further. He changed into workout clothes and went downstairs to lift weights.
Even without the halo of being a rich second-generation heir, Jiang Beicheng's appearance and physique stood out in a crowd.
But in the real world, physical advantages gradually lose their edge, and money and power become the ultimate truth.
Jiang Beicheng didn't yet have a deep understanding of "power" or whether he would pursue it in the future.
For now, he just wanted to live freely.
…
In the morning, Jiang Beicheng visited Chaoniu Hotpot Catering Co., Ltd.
Yesterday, he had a run-in with Zeng Haifeng at Li's Restaurant. Word reached Zeng Wei, Haifeng's father, who personally sent Jiang Beicheng a WeChat message last night, inviting him to visit the company today.
Young masters like Jiang Beicheng have a significant advantage cultivated by their parents from a young age: confidence.
They can walk into any setting and meet anyone without ever feeling intimidated.
There's no denying that after his family's major upheaval, Jiang Beicheng's personal strength was far inferior to the Zeng family's.
Zeng Wei was the president of the Jiangnan City Hotpot Catering Association, a prominent figure in the catering industry with frequent dealings in political circles.
But in Jiang Beicheng's mind, Zeng Wei was still his father's driver.
He was the "Young Master Jiang" in Zeng Wei's mouth.
Following the secretary to Zeng Wei's office, Jiang Beicheng saw Zeng Haifeng there as well.
"You're here," Zeng Wei said with a smile, standing to greet him. He patted Jiang Beicheng's arm and invited him to sit on the office sofa.
He glanced at Zeng Haifeng.
Zeng Haifeng understood immediately and got up to pour tea for Jiang Beicheng.
"Nephew!" Zeng Wei called out warmly.
As a catering tycoon now, it was impossible for him to keep calling Jiang Beicheng "Young Master Jiang." He had his pride.
Calling him by his name directly felt too distant.
So, he opted for the affectionate address of an elder.
"Is Old Zeng not busy today? Calling me over just for tea?" Jiang Beicheng said with a smile.
He had always called him "Old Zeng" since he was a kid, and he was used to it.
Zeng Wei didn't mind.
"Nephew Beicheng, I heard about the issue between you and Haifeng," Zeng Wei said. "On this matter, Uncle owes you an apology.
When I took over Li's Restaurant from your mother, I promised her I'd maintain its reputation.
I didn't do well enough, and I owe you an apology.
Please understand, Uncle has been focused on expanding Chaoniu Hotpot these past few years. I left Li's Restaurant to Haifeng to manage, thinking it would be good experience for him.
The books he submitted always looked fine, so I didn't dig deeper. I didn't expect this kid to be involved in so much dirty business behind the scenes."
He shot a stern glance at Zeng Haifeng.
Zeng Haifeng lowered his head, not daring to speak in front of his father.
Jiang Beicheng smiled faintly. "Congratulations on your growing business."
Zeng Wei laughed. "I wouldn't be where I am today without your father's support.
Nephew Beicheng, if you ever face any difficulties, just tell me. If I can help, I will. If I can't, I'll pull strings to get it done, just like how your father supported me back then."
"Old Zeng, my father is gone. It's his honor that you remember his kindness," Jiang Beicheng said bluntly. "I'm doing fine now. I don't expect you to repay me for my father's favors.
If one day I enter the catering industry, I just hope you, as the president of the catering association, won't make things difficult for me.
Of course, I'm not afraid of another competitor, just like how my father negotiated with the interim government in Kenya.
My father and I share a similar personality."
Zeng Wei's brow furrowed slightly. Jiang Beicheng's words were worth pondering.
He had originally planned to use helping Jiang Beicheng as a way to build his own "loyal and righteous" image in Jiangnan City's business circles, but this kid had seen through his little scheme.
But an old fox is an old fox. Seizing on Jiang Beicheng's words, he dangled a tempting offer. "Nephew Beicheng, are you planning to start a catering business?
That's great.
How about this: I'll hand Li's Restaurant over to you to manage."
Zeng Haifeng interjected, "Dad, what about me?"
Zeng Wei said, "You'll work under Beicheng."
Zeng Haifeng's heart sank at the thought of working for Jiang Beicheng, utterly unwilling.
Jiang Beicheng looked at Zeng Haifeng's reluctant expression and smiled. "Old Zeng, we don't get along.
We didn't get along as kids, and it's the same now as adults."
His words were dripping with sarcasm.