Chapter 669 - 232: Xu Jiali Coaxes Qin Mei Out (3)

’Logically speaking, this is my first time in Xiangjiang, and Xu Jiali is taking me out. I should be the one who’s excited and curious, so why does Xu Jiali look even more excited and curious than I do?’

’Xu Jiali did change her dress, swapping a fiery red princess gown for a pink one. Does she own anything besides princess dresses?’

’Are we going shopping? This looks more like we’re heading to an important banquet.’

Qin Mei and Xu Jiali sat together. Judging by their clothes, Xu Jiali was the young mistress and Qin Mei was her maid.

What Qin Mei found even harder to accept was how their promised road trip had somehow turned into a taxi ride.

"Little Aunt, what happened to us driving?" Qin Mei asked coolly. She had been tricked by Xu Jiali.

"The butler is resting in the garage. Even if I stole the car keys, I wouldn’t dare take the car out with him there," Xu Jiali said guiltily.

"Is it possible that the butler is resting in the garage precisely to keep an eye on you?" Qin Mei said, pulling no punches.

"He is keeping an eye on me." Xu Jiali didn’t deny it, reaching out to sling an arm affectionately around Qin Mei’s shoulder. "Xiao Mei, don’t be so glum. We finally managed to sneak out, so we should have fun. Don’t walk around with such a long face; it’ll ruin your good looks."

Qin Mei swatted away the hand on her shoulder. "I regret this."

"Don’t be like that. I’ll take you to eat some amazing food, and I’ll take you to..." Xu Jiali leaned in and whispered a place in Qin Mei’s ear—a place Qin Mei had wanted Jie Jingchen to take her, but he had refused.

Qin Mei’s heart leaped, but she feigned composure and conceded, "Fine. Since we’re already out, you can make the plans."

"I guarantee you won’t regret this trip," Xu Jiali said, patting her chest in assurance.

Qin Mei just grunted in response, offering no further emotion. Seeing her attitude, Xu Jiali’s confidence wavered. ’Where can I take her so she’ll have a really good time?’ she wracked her brain.

’Jing Chen’s wife is so hard to please. I wore a red dress, and Qin Mei didn’t like it. I changed into a pink dress, and judging by her speechless expression, she still doesn’t like it. So what if Qin Mei doesn’t like my clothes? I find her outfit tacky too, but do you see me saying anything about it?’

’No, right? Freedom of dress.’

"Xiao Mei, should we eat first or have fun first?" Xu Jiali asked Qin Mei.

"Eat first." Qin Mei chose to eat. You need a full stomach to have the energy to play.

A very wise choice. Xu Jiali liked it and began to chatter endlessly, "Xiangjiang has tons of famous delicacies. I’ll take you to the food street—I guarantee you’ll love it. Especially Xiangjiang’s specialty drink, silk stocking milk tea. I have to drink a cup every afternoon."

’Silk stocking milk tea,’ Qin Mei felt a flicker of anticipation.

’I know how to make milk tea. You just pan-fry the tea leaves, pour in pure milk, and add a little sugar. It’s very simple.’

’Once the Reform and Opening-Up policies are announced, I’ll open a milk tea shop. When I get back, I’ll have Jing Wu ask around and see if anyone is selling property near the train station.’

’I wonder if Grandpa and the others will be able to negotiate the compensation I want.’

Xu Jiali brought Qin Mei to a food street. Gazing at the bustling scene, Xu Jiali was even more ecstatic than Qin Mei. She immediately pulled her along to try some sesame rolls.

"Two orders of sesame rolls, please," Xu Jiali said with a wide grin.

The vendor glanced at Xu Jiali, then at Qin Mei. His eyes seemed to say to Qin Mei, ’You’re so lucky to have such a considerate mistress who buys things for her servant.’

Xu Jiali was dressed like a typical rich young lady, while Qin Mei’s outfit was... hard to describe. It fit right in on the food street, whereas Xu Jiali stuck out like a sore thumb.

Passersby kept throwing looks of surprise and envy at Xu Jiali, but she paid them no mind, embracing her whims completely. Qin Mei didn’t care either.

The guest follows the host’s lead. Xu Jiali had Qin Mei try all the desserts on the food street. Qin Mei preferred spicy food but could tolerate sweets. The one taste she couldn’t get on board with was Jing Qi’s—he was obsessed with sour things.

The two of them ate until they were stuffed, their stomachs unable to hold another bite. As dusk fell and the decorative lights flickered on, the entire food street transformed under the glow.

"Come on, I’ll take you somewhere fun." Xu Jiali pulled Qin Mei into a taxi. Each of them was still holding a cup of silk stocking milk tea, but since they were so full, neither took a sip, merely carrying them.

Qin Mei looked out the car window. Xiangjiang was a city that never slept, and its nights were filled with a different kind of light.

’It’s dark now. I wonder if the Qiao family has noticed we’re gone. Will they be in a total panic?’

’When Jie Jingchen gets home and doesn’t see me, he’s going to be so worried.’

Pulling her gaze back inside, Qin Mei glanced sideways at Xu Jiali. Seeing how energetic she was, Qin Mei wondered if suggesting they go home would ruin her fun.

"Um, Little Aunt..."

"Xiao Mei, we’re so close now. You don’t have to call me ’Little Aunt’ when we’re out. Call me... oh, right. Xiao Mei, how old are you this year?" Xu Jiali asked.

’Setting aside seniority, if Qin Mei is older than me, it wouldn’t be right for her to call me ’Big Sis’.’

"Nineteen," Qin Mei replied.

"Only nineteen?" Xu Jiali exclaimed.

"Do I look old?" Qin Mei touched her cheek. ’Seeing how shocked Xu Jiali is, she couldn’t possibly think I’m in my twenties, could she?’

"No, that’s not what I meant." Xu Jiali cleared her throat lightly and added, "I heard from my eldest aunt that you and Jing Chen have been married for a year. Doesn’t that mean you married him when you were eighteen?"

Qin Mei’s almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly. "As I recall, there are women in Xiangjiang who married even younger than I did."

’Is it really worth making such a big fuss?’

"Ahem." Xu Jiali coughed again and hastily explained, "That’s not what I meant. What I mean is... forget it, I didn’t mean anything."

’My eldest aunt was always lecturing me, saying girls shouldn’t marry too young and forbidding me from even having a boyfriend before I turned twenty. Yet, she allowed her own eldest grandson to marry a young girl like that. My aunt really has a double standard.’

"I’m twenty-five. Xiao Mei, from now on when we’re out, just call me ’sis’," Xu Jiali said, feeling a little frustrated.

’I’m a full six years older than Qin Mei, and she’s already been married for a year while I’m still single.’ Xu Jiali gritted her teeth. ’When I get home, I’m calling my boyfriend and telling him to bring his parents over to discuss our marriage with my aunt and uncle.’

"Okay, sis." Qin Mei didn’t dwell on it. She was six years younger than Xu Jiali, yet she had to call her Little Aunt. And Jie Jingchen, who was a year older than Xu Jiali, also had to call the woman Little Aunt. Suddenly, she really wanted to see the look on Jie Jingchen’s face when he called Xu Jiali "Little Aunt."

Marine Grand Lounge.

"Is this a proper restaurant?" Qin Mei asked Xu Jiali.

"Yep. A proper nightclub," Xu Jiali nodded.

Qin Mei’s mouth twitched. ’She’s certainly blunt about it.’

"Come on, let’s go in." Xu Jiali pulled Qin Mei inside.

"Miss Xu, everything is arranged for you. Private room 206," a waiter said, greeting Xu Jiali warmly the moment he saw her.

"Great, I know the way," Xu Jiali said with a smile.

"Miss Xu, the friend you brought today is a bit... unusual." The waiter’s gaze landed on Qin Mei. If Xu Jiali’s dress was out of place on the food street, Qin Mei’s clothes were completely out of place here.

"Pretty, isn’t she?" Xu Jiali gave Qin Mei a shove forward so the waiter could get a better look.

Qin Mei’s face darkened. For a split second, she suspected Xu Jiali had brought her here with ill intentions.

The waiter’s face turned red, and he stammered, "Pre... Pretty..."

"She’s pretty, but not for you to covet. My friend here is taken." Xu Jiali felt very proud taking Qin Mei out. Qin Mei was a natural beauty, so stunning that even Xu Jiali felt she couldn’t compare.

"Miss Xu, you’re joking. How could someone of our station dare to covet..."

"Being self-aware is a virtue." Xu Jiali linked arms with Qin Mei. "Come on, sis, let’s go to 206."

’Seeing how Xu Jiali knows this place like the back of her hand, and how attentive the waiter is to her, she must be a regular here, huh?’

’Doesn’t she have a boyfriend? Isn’t she about to get married?’

’I came here with Xu Jiali for a specific reason, but the fact that she’s a regular here is just baffling.’

Qin Mei asked curiously, "About 206..."