Chuyun Town.
Before Chen Lili arrived, Shang Jia had already been drinking with his close friend.
Seeing the sad look on Shang Jia's face, the friend asked angrily: "You're a man, after all. What happened to make you act like this?"
Shang Jia spoke indifferently: "You like a woman very much, and after finally pursuing her, a man suddenly appears beside her. This man is scheming and calculating, and your girlfriend can't see through him. What would you think if you had to protect her all the time?"
The friend touched his chin: "That sounds tough… Wait, the person you're talking about isn't you, right?"
Shang Jia sneered: "What do you think?"
The friend couldn't help but ask: "You have a rival in love? Who is he? Don't you know this woman is already your girlfriend, and someone's still trying to interfere?"
Shang Jia said calmly: "It's disgusting. He's just a small security guard with no background. His only advantage is that he saved Lili once."
The friend was stunned for a moment: "He's just a security guard, so what are you worried about? No woman with a clear head would leave a brilliant medical student like you for a security guard, right?"
Shang Jia's eyes flashed with helplessness: "You don't understand. Lili is kind-hearted by nature, and that guy knows how to take advantage of that. I'm afraid if this continues, Lili might leave me."
The friend spread his hands: "This is tricky, but we can fight fire with fire. Didn't he slander you? We can do the same. Or! You could teach him a lesson. Give me his info, and I'll get someone to rough him up, warn him to stay away from your girlfriend. Or we could set him up, throw him into a hotel with a woman, and let your girlfriend catch him cheating."
"..."
"Are you an idiot? You want my girlfriend to catch someone else cheating and then confuse who's really in the wrong? Am I her boyfriend, or is that jerk? Besides, my girlfriend doesn't even like him."
"And beating him up? What good would that do? If he tells Lili, she'll suspect me first!"
Shang Jia's friend scratched his head: "This won't work, that won't work, I'm out of ideas. Forget it, let's just drink. Later, I'll take you to the bar to relax. I've met some gorgeous girls recently; they could definitely help you release some of that frustration."
Honestly, Shang Jia had held himself back a lot since dating Chen Lili. However, Chen Lili had been refusing to take their relationship to the next level, and Shang Jia had built up a lot of frustration.
He nodded: "Just don't try to fool me with those fake-looking girls with pointed chins."
His friend nodded and was about to say more when suddenly his eyes lit up, looking past Shang Jia.
His friend, seated across from Shang Jia, naturally had a view behind him.
"Damn!"
The friend exclaimed.
Shang Jia looked at him, confused: "What's with you?"
His friend pointed behind him, excitement on his face: "I see a knockout! She's wearing a white silk dress, has a pure face, and even has round glasses. White silk and round glasses, that's the perfect combination!"
Though his friend had a piggish nature, his taste in women was spot on. He was experienced, with many conquests under his belt.
Out of curiosity, Shang Jia was about to look back.
On the other side of the room.
Chen Lili had just met Qi Lin at the hotel entrance. They headed to the reserved table, preparing to sit and order food.
But just as they were about to sit, Chen Lili, guided by some sixth sense, glanced towards Shang Jia.
"That back..."
Chen Lili's heart began to race from nerves.
Suddenly, she noticed the man opposite Shang Jia pointing towards her, saying something.
As Shang Jia started to turn around, Chen Lili froze.
"No way! He's here too?"
Chen Lili hadn't expected to bump into Shang Jia after she'd declined his invitation. If she'd known, she would've chosen a different place to meet Qi Lin.
But now it was too late.
If Shang Jia saw her having dinner with Qi Lin, after she had lied to him, there'd be hell to pay.
At this critical moment, Chen Lili's mind raced for a solution.
She grabbed Qi Lin, who was about to sit down opposite her.
Before Qi Lin understood what was happening, the innocent little doctor buried her face in his chest, hiding herself from view.
"Again?"
Feeling her in his arms, Qi Lin couldn't help but laugh.
"Brother Lin, lower your head. I need to tell you something," Chen Lili whispered softly, her voice barely audible.
Though Shang Jia couldn't see her, he could still see Qi Lin.
To make Qi Lin lower his head, Chen Lili had no choice but to get closer.
But Qi Lin wasn't naive.
From the corner of his eye, he spotted Shang Jia, who was almost on his feet.
"So that's why she suddenly jumped into my arms—her real boyfriend is here."
"This is getting interesting. I spent all this time holding her hand, but now her real boyfriend's presence is bringing her closer to me."
Faced with the beauty before him, Qi Lin saw no reason to hold back.
Chen Lili, still in his arms, found herself suddenly lifted off her feet as Qi Lin picked her up and placed her on his lap.
Feeling the warmth of her silk stockings, Qi Lin savored the moment.
Leaning in close, he whispered in her ear: "Lili, I knew you liked me. You even wore white silk stockings for me today. Now you're in my arms. Does this mean you've agreed to be my girlfriend?"
Chen Lili: "..."
The white silk was supposed to soften Qi Lin's heart, to make him teach her the golden needle acupuncture technique.
She had jumped into his arms to avoid Shang Jia, not because she wanted to be Qi Lin's girlfriend.
But at this point, what could she say?
Meanwhile.
"I didn't see any knockout like you mentioned. All I see is a couple showing off."
Shang Jia looked back and saw only a pair hugging and flirting.
As for whether the girl was Chen Lili, that thought didn't even cross his mind.
No way. Chen Lili wouldn't even let him hold her hand, let alone get intimate with a stranger.
"Tch! I told you to look earlier. That girl was a stunner, I swear. She didn't seem like someone from this world."
"Oh well, such a shame. A beauty like that already has a boyfriend. I can understand why you're worried about your rival. That girl's stunning."
Shang Jia glared at his friend. He was relieved that Chen Lili hadn't met this guy.
They said they were friends, but sometimes, Shang Jia wondered if his friend would take advantage of a situation with his sister-in-law.
As Shang Jia turned back and sat down, Chen Lili's crisis was temporarily over.
She blushed deeply and quickly sat up, saying, "Brother Lin, please put me down."
Qi Lin smiled and said, "Didn't you just throw yourself into my arms? Are you going to deny it so quickly?"
Chen Lili: ".....
Chen Lili didn't know how to explain herself. She could only respond in a slightly annoyed tone, "But now we won't be able to eat, and I have something serious to discuss with you."
Qi Lin knew that a girl like Chen Lili required patience and shouldn't be rushed, or things could go wrong. He smiled and let her go.
Chen Lili breathed a sigh of relief and quickly got off Qi Lin's lap. Feeling the warmth still lingering on his legs, Qi Lin actually felt a sense of loss.
Several delicious dishes were served, filling the air with fragrance. Since this was a thank-you dinner, Chen Lili even ordered some beer.
"Brother Lin, you risked your life to save me the first time, and this morning, you helped me become a regular employee again. You've helped me so much, I really don't know how to repay you. I'm not very good at drinking liquor, so this glass of beer is my toast to you, representing my most sincere gratitude."
Chen Lili raised her glass of beer with her long, white jade-like fingers, her beautiful eyes sparkling with sincerity.
Her words were heartfelt.
Qi Lin didn't tease her this time and smiled as he picked up his glass. "I accept your gratitude."
They clinked their glasses and drank in one go.
Chen Lili wasn't very resistant to alcohol, and after just one glass of beer, her fair face began to flush red. She was so beautiful, with a hint of desire mixed into her purity, like a delicate flower in bloom.
"Brother Lin, is there anything you want as a gift?" Chen Lili felt that a simple meal wasn't enough to repay Qi Lin for all he had done. She put down her glass and asked carefully.
It would be great if Qi Lin wanted something like a phone, a computer, or a luxury belt. She could buy it for him as a gift, and it wouldn't feel like she was showing favoritism.
Qi Lin stroked his chin thoughtfully, but amusement sparkled in his dark eyes. He put his hand down and looked into Chen Lili's expectant eyes with a smile. "I don't have a big wish, but I do have a small one."
"As you know, my profession is just that of a small security guard. Ordinary girls don't like this job, so I've never been in a relationship, and I'm still single."
"So, my wish is simple. I want to find a girlfriend with a gentle personality, someone who's good-looking, like you Lili, and who can earn money, like you Lili. If you, Lili, are willing to spend money on me and take care of me for the rest of my life, I'll be satisfied."
"Lili, do you think my wish is too much?"
Qi Lin blinked and looked at Chen Lili, who seemed stunned.
At that moment, Chen Lili felt shy and helpless inside. What he was implying was practically asking her to be his girlfriend.
After hesitating for a moment, Chen Lili bit her lower lip and said, "Brother Lin, I know many beautiful and outstanding girls. Give me a few days, and I can introduce one to you, okay?"
Qi Lin smiled and shook his head. "Let's forget about that. No girl is as good as you, Lili. I'm realistic. A beautiful, gentle, and financially independent woman wouldn't be interested in a security guard like me. I guess you think the same way, right?"
Hearing this, Chen Lili panicked. After all, Qi Lin had saved her life, and he had helped her a lot today. If she didn't already have a boyfriend, she might have seriously considered him. But the problem was, she did have a boyfriend.
"Brother Lin, I've never thought your work is inferior to others. In my heart, I've always seen you as a true brother. Can you... change your wish? Anything but this, and I promise to grant it."
Chen Lili explained anxiously.
Qi Lin's dark eyes flickered. "Lili, when I was growing up, the only girl whose hand I ever held was yours. I don't even know what a kiss feels like. Could you help me with that? Let me experience what a kiss feels like?"
Chen Lili: "....
This request seemed even more extreme than asking her to be his girlfriend. She and Shang Jia were already dating, but he hadn't even held her hand yet.
"Lili, isn't my one small wish worth the sacrifice I made to save you?" Qi Lin pressed her gently. "Don't worry, once you grant my wish, I won't ask you to be my girlfriend anymore."
Qi Lin smiled inwardly: I won't ask today, but who knows about tomorrow?
Chen Lili never expected Qi Lin to have so many tricks up his sleeve. Thinking that he wouldn't ask her to be his girlfriend again, Chen Lili felt temporarily relieved. Her pretty face blushed. "If we do this, we might not be able to stay normal friends anymore."
Qi Lin raised his eyebrows. "I'll still treat you like a sister. It's up to you how you feel. If you find that you have feelings for me, I'll be even happier. Maybe we'll break through that barrier and become boyfriend and girlfriend."
What else could Chen Lili say at this point? She closed her beautiful eyes in embarrassment, implicitly agreeing to Qi Lin's unreasonable request.
At the same time, Chen Lili felt a little guilty: "Shang Jia, I'm sorry. Brother Lin saved my life, and I don't know how else to thank him except by agreeing to his request. But don't worry, I'm still your girlfriend and will remain faithful to you."
If Qi Lin could hear Chen Lili's inner thoughts, he'd probably laugh out loud. Giving her first kiss to another man, yet talking about maintaining her chastity?
And once Chen Lili crossed that line, there would be no going back.
Qi Lin, noticing Chen Lili waiting with her eyes closed, had a new idea. He picked up a fresh, juicy strawberry from the dessert plate, popped it into his mouth, and added some whipped cream.
"This girl is so innocent. She must have come prepared today, wearing those round-framed glasses and white stockings. I'll have to surprise her."
With a mischievous smile, Qi Lin stole a glance at Shang Jia, who was still chatting with his friends, and kissed Chen Lili.
"Mmm~"
Qi Lin leaned in, his lips brushing against Chen Lili's softly, the sweetness of the strawberry he had just eaten blending into the kiss. Chen Lili's eyes flew open in surprise, but she didn't pull away. Instead, the warmth of his lips caught her off guard, making her heart race.
The kiss deepened slightly, his lips gently coaxing hers, tasting the sweetness that lingered between them. Chen Lili's mind spun, overwhelmed by the unexpected sensation. It was soft, tender, and filled with a surprising intensity that made her breath hitch.
When Qi Lin finally pulled back, their breaths mingled for a moment. Chen Lili, flushed and flustered, instinctively touched her lips, her heart still pounding.
"Brother Lin," she whispered, "you lied... this wasn't your first kiss."
Qi Lin smiled playfully, eyes gleaming. "I didn't lie. I just wanted to see if your lips were sweeter than the strawberry... and they are."
Flustered, Chen Lili quickly wiped her mouth, trying to hide her embarrassment, but the lingering taste of the kiss was impossible to forget.
From that moment, things between Qi Lin and Chen Lili would never be the same.