Chapter 187 - 74: Apology Gift (Part 2)

The words "ask me out" were practically written all over his face.

Afraid Zhong Mufeng wouldn’t get the hint, he added, "If there’s anything you need me to do, or any errands you need run, just give the word."

Before Zhong Mufeng could speak, Gu Mingyuan asked, "Mr. Jing, what do you do for work?"

Jing Jichuan waved his hand. "It’s not really a proper job. Nothing worth mentioning."

In his parents’ eyes, playing professionally was the same as being a jobless wanderer.

Hearing that it wasn’t a proper job, Gu Mingyuan’s eyes lit up. "A young man like you, Mr. Jing, should still have a stable job. Otherwise, how can you provide a comfortable life for your partner?"

’Jiang Li is so rich, how is her cousin such a waste?’

’Then again, he’s a cousin, not a direct brother.’

Jing Jichuan arched an eyebrow at Gu Mingyuan. "Don’t you worry, Mr. Gu. My job may not be very ’proper,’ but I have absolutely no trouble supporting her."

With an annual income in the millions, supporting Zhong Mufeng would be a piece of cake.

It was just that Zhong Mufeng refused to accept his gifts; otherwise, she would’ve been a rich woman by now.

Zhong Mufeng had once told him, "Jing Jichuan, it’s never going to happen between us, so I won’t accept your gifts. Please don’t waste your money."

’Any other woman would have thrown herself at me by now, especially since I was offering her cars and houses.’

But instead, Zhong Mufeng had shut him down completely.

They say there are three principles to winning a girl over: be shameless, be shameless, and persistently be shameless.

After being rejected by Zhong Mufeng, he had asked her best friend, Jiang Li, to help play matchmaker.

Afraid that Gu Mingyuan would get the wrong idea about Jing Jichuan, Zhong Mufeng nodded. "Mhm, I can vouch for that."

At her words, Gu Mingyuan’s eyes scanned Jing Jichuan up and down. "You don’t... work at a nightclub, do you?"

Other than that, he really couldn’t think of any other kind of "improper" job.

"PFFT—"

Jiang Li, who had been in the middle of eating, couldn’t help but spit everything out.

Luckily, there were no dishes directly in front of her, or they would have had to order two new ones.

Jiang Li wiped her mouth with a tissue, took a sip of tea to clear her throat, and then looked at Gu Mingyuan. "Mr. Gu, I’ve got to say, I’m really impressed with your imagination."

Gu Mingyuan gave an awkward laugh. "Sometimes I think my imagination is a little too vivid myself."

’Then again, Jiang Li is so wealthy. How could her cousin possibly be working in a nightclub?’

He had been too narrow-minded.

Not wanting to lose face in front of Zhong Mufeng, he added, "It doesn’t matter what kind of work you do. As long as it makes money, it’s a good job."

Zhong Mufeng nodded in agreement. "That’s very true."

Jing Jichuan’s lips curled into a smile. "Mr. Gu has a point."

As he spoke, he served food to both Jiang Li and Zhong Mufeng.

One was his cousin, and the other was the woman he liked. He had to take good care of both, showing no favoritism.

Gu Mingyuan, on the other hand, was like a third wheel, completely left out of their circle.

Jiang Li was extremely satisfied by the end of the meal. Full and content, she leaned back in her chair, slumping slightly as she patted her little belly.

Zhong Mufeng’s eyes landed on Jiang Li’s stomach. She stroked her chin. "Hey, looking at that belly... don’t tell me you’re pregnant?"

Startled, Jiang Li swallowed hard. "What are you talking about?"

’It wasn’t that I don’t want to tell Mufeng,’ she thought. ’It’s just that telling her is the same as telling Jiang Bowen and Jing Shiyun.’

’And if Jiang Bowen and Jing Shiyun found out, how long would it be before Jiang Manshu and Shen Yugang knew too?’

’So, to be safe, I have to keep it from Mufeng, too.’

She jutted her chin at Zhong Mufeng. "Your stomach isn’t exactly small either. Could it be you’re pregnant too?"

Zhong Mufeng glanced down, quickly sucked in her stomach, and laughed. "You bet. I’m pregnant with a ton of milk tea and a whole lot of food."

She glanced at her watch—it was already past eight. She immediately sat up straight. "Mr. Gu, it’s getting late, and I have work tomorrow. Why don’t we call it a night?"

Since Zhong Mufeng had put it that way, what else could Gu Mingyuan say? "Shall I give you a ride?"

Zhong Mufeng shook her head. "That’s okay, I drove here."

Jing Jichuan blinked. "Mufeng, why don’t I see you home? I took a cab here."

’If possible, I could even crash at her place.’

’Of course, if that doesn’t work, I can still get her to drive me home.’

Zhong Mufeng was about to refuse, but then she had another thought. With Jing Jichuan acting as a buffer, she believed Gu Mingyuan would know when to back off.

"Alright."

Having seen enough of the show, Jiang Li stood up. "Well, since you’ve all got it figured out, I’ll be heading home. Ah Yan is waiting for me."

With that, she sent a text to Xu Shijie.

Just as she was about to lock her phone, she saw a new message from Xie Wan.