Chen Tianming unhurriedly observed Jiang Lianlian's facial expression. Seeing her absorbed in their interaction, Chen Tianming suddenly broke off the kiss and stepped back. He crossed his arms and looked at Jiang Lianlian. He even took a tissue to wipe the lipstick stain on his lips.
Jiang Lianlian didn't expect him to release her suddenly, so she fell limply to the ground. Her legs had gone weak from the kiss.
Chen Tianming had no intention of helping her up. Instead, he stood quietly and watched Jiang Lianlian kneel on the ground. She looked up at him, dazed.
Chen Tianming lowered his eyes and looked at her with an unreadable countenance.
Jiang Lianlian slowly realized what she had just done. How could she get so engrossed in Chen Tianming's kiss?
This realization made Jiang Lianlian extremely ashamed and angry. However, her legs were so weak that she couldn't stand up.
Chen Tianming smiled and whistled before saying, "Lianlian is quite sweet, but I have things to do. You can continue to pay your debt next time."
"Next time?!" Jiang Lianlian blurted out involuntarily. Her petite face was filled with disbelief as she continued, "Didn't you say that a kiss would be considered enough compensation?"
"I only said it can be compensation; I didn't specify a number." Chen Tianming grinned, "Three million for Lianlian's kiss, but not for one kiss."
Jiang Lianlian was utterly dumbfounded. She didn't expect Chen Tianming to be so shameless.
She was furious at being teased, but Chen Tianming revealed, "I forgot to tell Lianlian that there are surveillance cameras in my study room. Lianlian should be careful she doesn't say something she'll regret."
Jiang Lianlian choked on her anger; how did Chen Tianming know she would tell Jiang Bei that he molested her?
And why was there a surveillance camera in the study room?!
Anything she said will hold little water. She was the one who took the initiative to approach him just now!
Jiang Lianlian's visage changed completely. Her eyes were filled with tears as she cried, "You b*stard!"
"That's music to my ears," Chen Tianming smiled indifferently. "I have something else to do. Lianlian, please help yourself."
Chen Tianming turned around and left just in time to see Jiang Bei walking up the stairs.
Jiang Bei's face should be most familiar to him, but now Chen Tianming found it entirely unfamiliar.
"Tianming, where's Lianlian?" Jiang Bei smiled and came over. "Duan Fei said that you two are together though he remained secretive about why. What have you two been up to?"
Jiang Bei narrowed his eyes and looked at Chen Tianming. "You don't have a crush on my sister, do you?"
'Jiang Bei, will you still be able to smile when you find out the truth?'
Chen Tianming chuckled at the thought. He looked at Jiang Bei and said frankly, "Lianlian is so cute. Who wouldn't like her?"
"Atta-boy!" Jiang Bei grinned and punched Chen Tianming. "She's our family's treasure! We will be even closer if you end up together with Lianlian."
Chen Tianming looked at him and suddenly laughed. "Is that so?"
The treasure of the Jiang family? She was indeed their treasure. How could the Jiang family prosper without Jiang Lianlian stealing business secrets from him all those years?
"But Lianlian is still young; we'll discuss this later." Jiang Bei whispered in Tianming's ear, "I've organized a get-together this week. The school belle, Zhou Qingyue, will also be there. What do you think I should do to win her over?"
It seemed like an ordinary question but in reality…
Chen Tianming sneered. In his previous life, he was the sucker who paid for all of Jiang Bei's dating expenses, and this time was no exception.
However, Chen Tianming had a good impression of Zhou Qingyue among Jiang Bei's many girlfriends.
Zhou Qingyue, who had always been cold and distant, somehow got together with Jiang Bei after this party. However, her attitude was still aloof and after two months of dating, Jiang Bei got sick of her.
Then, nude photos of Zhou Qingyue were leaked, and Jiang Bei broke up with her. Zhou Qingyue also dropped out of school. The last time Chen Tianming saw her, she worked as a waitress in a KTV bar.
Chen Tianming had gone to borrow money, but he had been forced to drink too much by his riffraff 'friends' and passed out at the entrance of the KTV. Zhou Qingyue poured him a glass of warm water and sent him to the hospital. She even paid for his medical expenses.
Chen Tianming still remembered her chilly and indifferent gaze, as if she cared for nothing in the world. However, she went out of her way to thank him for his help.
Chen Tianming couldn't remember what aid he'd provided her, but Zhou Qingyue had given him some comfort in his difficult life.
Looking back, it seems that Jiang Bei had much to do with Zhou Qingyue's downfall.
"Option 1: Pay Jiang Bei's expenses. Tell him that the night's expenses will be covered by his pal, Chen Tianming! Lose a million yuan."
"Option 2: Participate in Jiang Bei's plan. Villainy +1 and monetary loss of two million yuan."
"Option 3: I'll take that; she's mine now! Reward: a copy of Jiang Bei's criminal evidence."
Chen Tianming licked his lips. There's no doubt about it; he had to choose the third option!
"No problem. As your wingman, I will create an opportunity for you." Chen Tianming patted Jiang Bei's shoulder and smiled meaningfully, "Be sure to use it well!"
Smiling, Jiang Bei nudged him and said mysteriously, "My goal is to get with her within a week!"
Jiang Bei then switched to a troubled look. "But I don't have enough money for this month. Tianming, could you…"
"It's fine. We'll book a smaller KTV." Chen Tianming continued as if he hadn't heard the hint in Jiang Bei's words.
'He still wants to use me as an ATM? He should be thankful that I'm not asking him to return the money I lent him for his past pursuits.'
Of course, Jiang Bei wouldn't give up so easily. His eyes were dark, and the emotions within them were obscure, but he maintained his smiling facade. "Tianming, how can you be stingy with money when picking up girls? Aren't you my best bro?"
'Oh, so now we're best bros? What happened to 'best bros' in my previous life?'
Chen Tianming almost snickered out loud. He looked at Jiang Bei and raised his eyebrows. "I'm short of money this month too. After all, I just lost three million yuan, and I'm still sad about it."
When she reached the stairway corner, Jiang Lianlian, who had just come out of the study, heard the conversation between Chen Tianming and Jiang Bei.
She gritted her teeth and appeared behind Chen Tianming with a sweet smile. "Hey bro, what are you talking about?"
"I'm looking to get you a sister-in-law, but I've been a little tight on money recently, so I was chatting about that with Tianming here." Jiang Bei beamed, hinting at Jiang Lianlian to help him get the money from Chen Tianming.
Jiang Lianlian's face froze. They had done this before; as long as Jiang Lianlian requested it, Chen Tianming would usually agree for her sake.
However...
Jiang Lianlian bit her lips, hating herself for coming out now.