Yu Xi chuckled as he addressed Jian Yiling, "Sister Yiling, it's enough that you have the intention; Sheng Ye lacks nothing."
In reality, there were things that Sheng Ye needed—things that neither the Zhai family nor the Tianxing Group could find. But Jian Yiling was not in a position to help with those matters.
"I can do many things," Jian Yiling insisted.
Yu Xi, however, did not take her assertion seriously. While it was commendable that she had such enthusiasm, there was no way she could be of any assistance in the complex matters concerning Sheng Ye.
Suddenly, Zhai Yungsheng rose from his seat and approached Jian Yiling. With his hands in his pockets, he looked down at her from his considerable height.
"How tall are you compared to me?" he inquired.
"At liver height," Jian Yiling replied, glancing up at his chest as she carefully estimated the position. After quickly finishing her answer, she averted her gaze.
It wasn't that she had never looked at a man's chest before; generally, when she did, the man was lying down, often in a state of unconsciousness.
Beside them, Yu Xi chimed in, "Most people would say they're at chest level, right?"
Jian Yiling explained, "The chest area is quite large, so the margin of error can be over ten centimeters. However, the liver area has a smaller margin of error, about five centimeters."
Yu Xi nodded, but added, "That's not really the point, is it?"
The real point was that standing in front of the towering 183-centimeter Zhai Yungsheng, Jian Yiling felt like a child who had yet to grow up.
"Therefore, you're like a little kid," Zhai Yungsheng said lightly. "Don't think about things like equal exchange. What I give you, just accept it; I have no ulterior motives."
Jian Yiling frowned, disagreeing. "You're not that much older than I am."
This time, she met Zhai Yungsheng's gaze head-on. Her clear, bright eyes held a determination that belied her youthful face.
It seemed that he couldn't simply brush off her desire to contribute.
Zhai Yungsheng chuckled at her earnestness. Hearing his laughter, Jian Yiling looked up again. He was undeniably attractive, and when he smiled, it made him even more appealing. Yet she couldn't quite grasp what he found amusing.
After the brief moment of laughter, Zhai Yungsheng became serious as he contemplated how he could involve Jian Yiling. What could she possibly do?
Cooking was certainly one of her talents; she had prepared a delicious meal the other day, combining the flair of a restaurant chef with the comforting touch of home-cooked dishes. Just thinking about it made his mouth water.
But as he pictured this petite figure bustling around the kitchen, his eyes fell on her delicate hands. He imagined those small hands wielding a knife and stirring a pot, and he promptly abandoned that thought.
It wouldn't be right to put her through such labor. It would seem as if he were somehow taking advantage of her, and that was not something he was interested in doing.
Perhaps he could ask her to give him a shoulder massage? Yet, he worried that she might not be able to apply enough pressure without hurting her own hands.
After a moment of contemplation, Zhai Yungsheng turned back to Jian Yiling and suggested, "Let's consider this as you owing me a favor. We can write an IOU, and when the time comes that I need your help, I'll collect."
This was a casual remark from Zhai Yungsheng, meant simply to placate Jian Yiling and prevent her from persistently insisting on repaying him.
"Deal! A promise is a promise," Jian Yiling replied eagerly, noting it with a seriousness that conveyed her commitment.
She had never been one to owe others anything. Throughout her life, she had learned that what she received must be commensurate with what she gave. Only by contributing value could she expect to receive something of equal worth in return.