Jiang Che paused for a moment before replying, "I'm afraid someone might use our relationship against you, which wouldn't be good for you or the child."
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhao snapped out of her daze and suddenly remembered that this was City A, and Jiang Che's status in City A was extraordinary. In addition, given her previous relationship with Shen Du, it would be quite troublesome if someone saw them.
She smiled and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Mr. Jiang."
"Mr. Ye, you're too kind."
The hot pot restaurant Jiang Che mentioned was in a rather secluded location; we didn't see anyone on the road when we got there.
Looking at the pitch-black road, Ye Zhao joked, "Are you trying to drag me to sell myself?"
Jiang Che smiled and said, "The Jiang family does not have any related industries."
Perhaps because they've been spending more and more time together lately, their conversations have become increasingly varied, even bordering on rambling and leaving one bewildered.
Ye Zhao frowned and said, "No? I always see domineering CEOs in romance novels who have connections in both the legitimate and underworld circles, don't they?"
Jiang Che: "...Having connections in both the legal and illegal worlds doesn't include cannibalism, right? Human trafficking is illegal and immoral, and we generally don't do immoral things."
Ye Zhao pressed further, "When will you do it?"
Jiang Che said without batting an eye, "When others lack our virtue..."
"Hahahaha..." Ye Zhao threw her head back and laughed. Her laughter was unrestrained and clear, something Jiang Che had never heard before.
He turned to look at the smile on Ye Zhao's face and smiled back at her. In the dim night, his ears turned slightly red.
The hot pot restaurant Jiang Che mentioned was in a very secluded location, tucked away in a corner of a street, but it was also very professional and clean, with a comfortable ambiance and all small private rooms, offering a high degree of privacy.
As soon as the two sat down in the private room, Jiang Che handed her the menu and said with a smile, "Give it a try, their food is alright."
Ye Zhao didn't stand on ceremony with him and took the menu to order.
The weather in City A has been getting colder lately, with mornings and evenings so chilly you'll want to wear a down jacket, making it the perfect time for hot pot.
Ye Zhao particularly liked the warm, smoky atmosphere. After ordering, she even suggested, "How about... we grab a drink?"
Jiang Che was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "I'd be happy to oblige."
They had never drunk together since they met. Today, Ye Zhao suddenly had the idea that the weather and atmosphere were perfect for a drink.
As the saying goes, hot pot and alcohol go hand in hand, the more you drink, the better.
The hot pot broth was served, steaming hot, and the two sat facing each other, chatting about trivial things.
Ye Zhao ordered a half-and-half hot pot, mainly because she was worried that Jiang Che couldn't handle spicy food, even though she herself quite liked spicy food.
The two were talking intermittently in the small private room. The small pot was bubbling and steaming. Their wine glasses were empty again and again. The topic had already gone around in circles several times. Ye Zhao felt that her thoughts were becoming a little unclear. She looked at Jiang Che through the rising steam and suddenly said, as if her mouth was not under her control, "I think you are quite good-looking."
Jiang Che was stunned when he heard this. He looked up at Ye Zhao's flushed face and hazy eyes, and a blush gradually rose on her originally fair neck.
After a few seconds of silence, he smiled and said, "Really? I think so too."
Ye Zhao laughed and reached out to brush a stray hair from her temple.
Today she wore wide-leg jeans with a trench coat, a white shirt underneath, and high heels, which made her look tall, slender, clean, and neat.
During the meal, she took off her trench coat, rolling up half of the sleeves. As she raised her arm, the jade bracelet on it slipped off halfway, making her skin appear even more like jade, smooth and fair. Her small face was flushed, and her eyes were slightly narrowed, making her look cute and charming.
Jiang Che was hesitant to look at her for too long, but his gaze lingered on her face for a long time.
After a long while, he said from the bottom of his heart, "You are very beautiful!"
Ye Zhao laughed, her eyes crinkling, and she said without hesitation, "Of course!"
Jiang Che laughed as well. He was still wearing a sharp suit today. He took off his coat while eating, leaving only a white shirt and unbuttoning the top button. Ye Zhao could see the muscles that were faintly visible under his shirt, as well as his extremely beautiful collarbone and slender neck. When he moved, the shirt was taut, outlining his tall and upright figure.
Unable to resist taking a few more glances, Ye Zhao didn't know if she was drunk or just infatuated with the handsome man, but her face grew increasingly hot.
After a few seconds of silence, she slowly asked, "I've never had a chance to ask you, what do you like about me?"
Perhaps under the influence of alcohol, both of them were a little tipsy, and they were able to say things they would never normally say, taking advantage of the atmosphere.
Jiang Che paused for two seconds after hearing this, and slowly said, "Perhaps it was love at first sight. When I first saw you on the bluestone streets of Shangyang Ancient City, my heart was moved."
Ye Zhao didn't know whether she believed him or not, and she just looked at him quietly without saying anything. Jiang Che continued, "But as I got to know you better, I found that I also really liked your personality."
"Of course, when I fell for you, I didn't know you at all. Perhaps you could say that I was attracted to you because of your looks."
His voice was gentle and clear, but his tone was earnest. As he recounted these things he had kept in his heart, Ye Zhao blushed, her face turning red from her neck to her ears.
She turned her head away from Jiang Che's burning gaze and teased, "So you just like my appearance?"
Sensing the teasing in her tone, Jiang Che smiled and said, "If I only liked your appearance, then I would be too shallow."
"I prefer your interesting soul to your physical appearance."
Ye Zhao asked again, "What's interesting about it? I'm obviously extremely boring."
Jiang Che looked at her tenderly and said softly, "I like the calm and tranquility in your personality, I like your gentleness, I like your attitude towards the world, and I like your clarity and independence."
Ye Zhao had only asked casually, but he didn't expect that the man could actually answer the question. Ye Zhao was already a little uncomfortable, and now his old face turned bright red.
She stammered, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "What you're saying doesn't sound like me at all."
Jiang Che smiled, his expression becoming even gentler: "How am I different from you? In my eyes, you are just like this."
Ye Zhao turned her head away from him, but said, "Then you didn't see my selfish and narrow-minded side, you didn't see my irritable and crazy appearance, and you don't understand my various shortcomings. You only like my good side."
Jiang Che's gaze fell on her, very seriously.
"Everyone has their own flaws and hidden sides, and I have mine too. I like your strengths, and I'm also willing to learn about your weaknesses. I like your interesting personality, and I'm also curious about your hidden side. Would you be willing to give me this chance?"
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