Chapter 32 (This refers to a chapter where the player takes down an Ace of Hearts.)
Jiang Meng received a phone call before going to bed.
It was the Porsche owner calling; it was a young man's voice.
Jiang Meng exchanged a few words with him, sincerely apologized, and then asked about compensation. The man said bluntly, "My car is a bit expensive, it'll cost at least several thousand. Are you sure you want to settle this privately?"
Jiang Meng was stunned for a moment: "So much money?"
She had been driving for a year and had always been quite careful, without any accidents. However, she had heard from people around her that minor scratches were nothing serious and that traffic police usually recommended settling the matter privately. So Jiang Meng took a photo and recorded a video. She hadn't expected that the Porsche would be so exceptionally precious.
The other person sensed her predicament and guessed that she was a young woman with little driving experience. They offered her a reasonable suggestion: "How about this, if you have time tomorrow, let's go to the traffic police station together to get an accident report. That way, we can see whether to go through insurance or not. This way, things will be clearer, and you won't be worried that I'll keep trying to extort you. Is that okay?"
Jiang Meng nodded and said, "That's fine."
Seeing that the other person's attitude was quite good, and sensing that they had a generous and open-minded personality, she apologized again: "I'm sorry, my driving skills aren't very good. This is the first time I've encountered a situation like this, and I panicked a little."
“It’s alright, just follow the procedures. Next time you encounter this, just call the traffic police,” the man then asked her, “Where do you live?”
"It's right here in the Nanjiang area."
"It's alright, not far," he said. "Then why don't you make a trip there tomorrow? Is this your WeChat or phone number? I'll add you."
"good."
The WeChat notification arrived quickly.
The man's WeChat name was Neon. Jiang Meng recognized the word. She clicked on his profile picture and saw that it was indeed the sign of the bar she had visited earlier that day.
Could it be the owner of this shop?
She clicked into his WeChat Moments, and the various posts advertising his store confirmed her suspicions.
A while later, Neon also came out after looking through her WeChat Moments and sent Jiang Meng a message: "You're a teacher at C University?"
Jiang Meng: "Yes"
Neon: "Excuse me, how much does it cost to use the badminton courts on campus?"
Jiang Meng had been thinking about learning to play ball recently and had looked into this: "7 yuan for three hours."
Neon: "So cheap, are they hard to get?"
Jiang Meng: "Things should be a bit better lately, it's finals week and summer vacation is almost here."
Neon: "Okay, thank you."
The next day after work, Jiang Meng drove her car over. The man was already waiting for her at the door. He was just as she had imagined on the phone—quite gentle, around thirty years old, tall, and easy-going.
Jiang Meng felt he looked familiar and took a few more glances. Since he was connected to that bar, she naturally thought of the person who was talking to Chen Jizhou when she went to his house for drinks that day. It seemed to be this person.
Her pupils slowly dilated in the summer breeze.
What a small world!
When signing, Jiang Meng saw his name: Qi Yunqing.
Qi Yunqing also jokingly teased her about her name: "Jiang Meng".
He looked at the name, then at her face. With her strikingly beautiful features, he inexplicably felt that the name didn't do justice to her dignified appearance. "Was she just cute when she was little?"
Jiang Meng smiled and said, "I was born around the time of spring. Meng means sprouting or budding, full of hope."
Qi Yunqing smiled and said, "I was being vulgar."
On the way out, Jiang Meng struck up a conversation with him: "Are you a badminton coach?"
"No, it's just for amateurs. I haven't found a venue with a good price-performance ratio yet, so I'm still looking for one. School venues are a good deal and have a nice environment, but I'm worried they'll be hard to get a spot."
She joked, "Why would someone driving a Porsche care about this?"
"My money didn't grow on trees," Qi Yunqing laughed. "A thrifty Porsche owner, is this the first time I've seen one like this?"
Jiang Meng didn't answer, but just smiled. She seemed to have thought of something, and then asked him, "So, do you usually find someone to play ball with?"
"There are plenty, do you want to join?"
"May I?"
Jiang Meng's eyes lit up, and even her voice became lighter as she told him, "My friends don't really like sports, and I don't want to play with students, so I've been looking for a coach recently."
Qi Yunqing nodded generously: "Come on over, I'll add you to the group later. We're full of war gods here, I'll have them teach you for free."
"But I'm really bad at this game, will the God of War laugh at me?"
Qi Yunqing laughed: "That's great. I've been fed up with those arrogant guys for a long time. Usually, I'm the only newbie. Two newbies can keep each other company."
Jiang Meng smiled happily: "Okay, okay, I'll definitely find a way to help you get a venue!"
"It's a deal."
Jiang Meng nodded. She quickly became familiar with the warm-hearted man. When they parted ways, she said to him, "I went to your house for drinks the other day, the one at the intersection, right?"
Qi Yunqing suddenly realized, "So you're one of our customers! You should have said so earlier. I'll give you a discount next time you come for drinks."
Jiang Meng said, "Then I've actually benefited from this misfortune. Don't forget me."
"No, that won't happen." Qi Yunqing shook his head repeatedly. "When do you usually come?"
“I go every Saturday.” She got into the car.
Qi Yunqing looked down at her and asked with a smile, "Doesn't the school manage your discipline?"
“You can control me,” Jiang Meng said with a smile as she fastened her seatbelt, raising her beautiful face to the window. “It’s a pity you can’t control me; I’m rebellious by nature.”
Watching her leave, Qi Yunqing stared absently at her car exhaust fumes; there's always a lingering effect when you're with a beautiful woman.
After a while, he took out his phone and called Chen Jizhou: "What are you busy with, Young Master Chen?"
A low voice came from the other end: "What is it?"
"I've got my eye on a girl, can you give me some advice?"
The sound effects of a game came through the phone, and the person who answered casually said, "Even a professional strategist would have to work six days a month and rest one day a week to see 30 of them, right?"
"No way, I really like her. Just looking into her eyes makes my heart jump out of my chest. That's just how I am, I get tongue-tied when I see a beautiful woman. You're a pro, can you give me some advice?"
It was quiet on the other side, except for the system sounds of fighting and killing.
Qi Yunqing clicked his tongue: "--Can you please stop playing that crappy game?"
Chen Jizhou chuckled but didn't say anything.
Perhaps they found him rather boring, and didn't even bother to say a word.
Qi Yunqing: "My skills in picking up girls are limited, so I'm counting on you, Young Master Chen, President Chen, Boss Chen!"
Chen Jizhou had won a game and seemed to be in a better mood. The sound of him picking up his phone came from the other end of the line. His tone was slightly relaxed as he asked seriously, "Whose fault is it that you fell in love with me?"
Qi Yunqing leaned against the car and said, "Although I know you're not just a heartbreaker, I have complete confidence in your monk-like mentality. If you're going to try and steal a girl from me, then you're definitely not after the girl; you're just trying to mess with me."
Chen Jizhou was quiet for a while, then started another game. He replied in a low voice, "I'm not going against you. Just pray that she's not secretly in love with someone else. I'm annoyed by all the romantic entanglements she's involved with, okay?"
Qi Yunqing smiled and said, "Of course, if she really wants to be with you, I'll accept it wholeheartedly."
-
Jiang Meng goes to bars not infrequently, about two or three times a month.
Yan Yuqing was utterly defeated by Chen Jizhou last time, and recently she has no intention of finding a partner. She has gone into seclusion to study her metaphysics, and is determined to trample all those who look down on her underfoot.
Actually, after reading Chen Jizhou's palm that day, she also revealed something to Jiang Meng: "By the way, your ex-boyfriend is destined to have many romantic encounters."
Then, as if trying to save face, he said, "I think I'd better not. There's no need to force it. He looks like a womanizer, and I doubt he ever pays any attention to women."
Jiang Meng lazily closed her eyes: "With that face of his, do you even need to tell me if he's destined to be a ladies' man?"
Yan Yuqing stared at her.
Jiang Meng then reassured him with a smile: "That's absolutely right, so I'm not playing with him anymore."
"As expected, as expected."
Of all Jiang Meng's friends, Liang Shanshan is the most well-behaved. She rarely goes to bars, so when she saw Qi Yunqing's Porsche that day, she exclaimed "Wow!" in surprise. "Wow, a luxury car!"
However, even though the Porsche, with its exceptionally precious nature, has been repainted beautifully, it will suddenly pale in comparison to the more expensive cars next to it.
And that face, which was said to be destined for many romantic encounters, appeared openly in her view as the second-floor window was pushed open.
This handsome face, with its touch of untamed spirit, complements the Aston Martin downstairs perfectly.
Chen Jizhou stood by the window, intending to open it for ventilation, but then paused for a moment to admire the eyes looking up from below.
He leaned on the railing and looked down.
He wasn't wearing a shirt today, showing no signs of business attire. His wrists and neck were completely clean, and he had even taken off his rings. He was wearing a very clean white T-shirt that he would find comfortable.
In the blink of an eye, clouds drifted across the dark sky.
In a moment of dazed confusion, she forgot the time and place in the slow-motion eye contact. The person looking at her resembled the flamboyant young Chen Jizhou, whose hair, casually tossed by the wind, exuded boundless spirit.
She snapped out of her daze when Liang Shanshan grabbed her arm: "So handsome, so youthful."
Jiang Meng looked at her and subconsciously replied, "He's 26."
Liang Shanshan didn't think too much about how Jiang Meng could accurately guess the other person's age. She tugged at her sleeve and followed her inside, saying, "It's just a feeling, he's so handsome, really so handsome, like a high school heartthrob. Isn't that the type you like?"
Jiang Meng was utterly astonished: "When did I say I liked this one?"
Liang Shanshan was even more surprised than her: "You clearly said that!"
Before she could finish speaking, Qi Yunqing came over from the bar: "I've been waiting for you for ages. Come up and have a seat. We have a private room."
I followed him upstairs, pushed open the door, and went inside. There were several men sitting inside.
Qi Yunqing introduced them one by one.
This person is named Shen Shuhuai.
This person's name is Xu Fang.
This person's name is Jiang Jiaming.
The place wasn't as chaotic as Jiang Meng thought. She had some experience in judging people, and Qi Yunqing was a sensible person. The saying "birds of a feather flock together" was true, and his friends were all quite polite.
Qi Yunqing suddenly lowered his head and said in a low voice, "The most handsome one, one of the war gods, what do you think?"
His gaze was directed in Chen Jizhou's direction.
Chen Jizhou was returning from the terrace, closing the balcony door, and looking up at him.
To make sure the girl next to him wasn't distracted by other men, he deliberately blocked her way and reminded her with a smile, "But you can't fall in love with him. He has 108 girlfriends, not even enough to fill Liangshan. You'll have to line up at the bottom of the mountain first."
That's quite humorous.
Jiang Meng was amused by him.
Qi Yunqing smiled and turned to everyone, saying, "Last time I scratched the car and extorted some money from this beautiful lady. I felt bad about it, so I treated her to a couple of drinks."
Once Qi Yunqing's figure was no longer blocking the view.
Chen Jizhou walked past him, looked at Jiang Meng, and nodded to her in greeting.
He walked over.
Jiang Meng slowly raised her eyes as he approached, until the man stopped in front of her, and she softly called out, "Chen Jizhou."
Her voice was very soft, but someone downstairs was singing, so he probably didn't hear her calling his name. He looked at Jiang Meng and asked her, "Want to come over and play?"
It was just a very simple greeting.
She said, "Yes, your friend bought me drinks."
Chen Jizhou looked around and, taking it upon himself to make arrangements for Qi Yunqing, gestured to Jiang Meng through the open window: "Sit over there."
He glanced at her again and told her, "Someone was smoking here just now."
A slight smell of smoke lingers even after it has dissipated, but it's not particularly unbearable.
“It’s alright,” Jiang Meng looked at him and made a request, “Can I sit next to you?”
She said in a very soft voice, "I don't know anyone here."
Time seemed to pass almost seamlessly. In the instant their eyes met, his care for her was natural, and her dependence on him was natural, as if they had never experienced estrangement. The inertia of their long-broken relationship could continue in the moment of their reunion.
He couldn't help but take care of her.
She couldn't help but become dependent on him in an unfamiliar environment.
Chen Jizhou paused for a moment, then lowered his head and said okay.
He tossed aside the cushion that was blocking the seat, making room for Liang Shanshan.
Qi Yunqing sat down at the window seat. Only after he sat down did he realize that two beautiful women had already been arranged for him. He exclaimed in surprise, "Eh?"
Someone reminded them, "The magic show isn't over yet."
Jiang Meng looked at Chen Jizhou: "What magic trick?"
As she asked the question, Chen Jizhou was sending a message with his legs crossed. After putting away his phone, he bent down, picked up a deck of cards from the table in front of him, tapped the cards on the table, and glanced at her: "Teach them a trick, do you want to play?"
Jiang Meng nodded: "Okay."
He shuffled the cards twice and placed them in front of Jiang Meng: "Choose one."
She did as he said, picked out the cards, and secretly glanced at them.
It's the Queen of Clubs.
He said, "Put it back."
Jiang Meng put the cards back and then cut the cards herself, following Chen Jizhou's instructions.
As she chopped, her eyes crinkled with a smile as she interacted with him: "Will you be able to find it later?"
He said confidently, "I can find it."
It's a very simple basic magic trick, and it doesn't look difficult.
After Jiang Meng cut the cards, Chen Jizhou took the deck back into his hand.
Amidst the tense anticipation of everyone, he held the entire deck of cards in his palm, picked out the top few useless cards, and then handed the whole deck to Jiang Meng.
The magician's expression was quite calm, as if indicating that the card she wanted was in the next one.
Just waiting for her to lift it.
Jiang Meng obeyed and picked up the next card, glancing at it.
Huh?
It's the Ace of Hearts.
Jiang Meng showed him, and the failed magic trick made her brows furrow: "No, this isn't it..."
Chen Jizhou didn't look at the cards in her hand, but only at her eyes, showing no panic at the prospect of defeat.
His eyes were clear, deep, and steady, yet they stirred up a powerful wave in her heart, like an unstoppable surge of emotion.
Without even looking at the card, he confidently said, "This one is for you."
Eyes are very close to each other.
His features were very handsome, but not in the kind of thick, large-eyed good looks. Rather than deep-set, thick eyebrows and large eyes, he had a more roguish and romantic air. When he stared at someone, even if he wasn't showing any emotion, it felt like his eyes were overflowing with spring water. Back in junior high, their homeroom teacher once held a teacup and clicked his tongue, saying that this boy would definitely be a troublemaker when he grew up.
Now is the time to wreak havoc on humanity.
Jiang Meng looked at him, her breath catching involuntarily.
Chen Jizhou told her, "It's a gift to mark our meeting."
After a moment of silence, a chorus of jeers erupted from behind.
Jiang Jiaming: "Holy crap, awesome."
Shen Shuhuai: "I've learned something."
Xu Fang: "You can play it like this?"
Qi Yunqing was so envious he was practically drooling: "Those at a higher level are just different."
Jiang Meng looked down at the cards.
She had heard people explain the meaning of the Ace of Hearts when they played drinking games before.
Luck, advantage, courage...
And love.
In short, this is a card of utmost ambiguity.
Out of the corner of Jiang Meng's eye, the man deftly and lightly flicked aside the card below with his fingers.
Unsurprisingly, she drew the Queen of Clubs.
Jiang Meng had no time to ponder the magic trick's intricacies; she simply watched as the Ace of Hearts was drawn.
A red A.
A red heart.
The color is so vibrant it's almost blinding; the most saturated red, the most intense red, will leave a lasting mark on her eyes.
The cheers and jeers from those around her made her ears burn with embarrassment.
However, no one here would know that the gifts they exchanged were actually meant to bury the hatchet.
Chen Jizhou casually tossed the cards onto the table, picked up a wine glass, leaned back on the sofa, resumed his relaxed posture, and looked up at Qi Yunqing, who was a little far away from him, mouthing: Have you learned it?
Qi Yunqing didn't know how to answer.
He should learn...
Shouldn't it be like this?
Qi Yunqing couldn't quite explain the strange magnetic field between the two of them. As he himself said, he became a hothead when it came to matters of the heart.
What's even stranger is that the person with the monk's mindset just sent him two messages.
One of them is: "Don't soak this."
The other one is: "Mine"
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