In Jiang Beicheng's eyes, Wu Keqing was indeed a little kid.
But this girl had a very likable personality. The few days they spent together in New Zealand brought Jiang Beicheng a lot of joy.
Jiang Beicheng was willing to spend some time and effort on her.
"Super cool," Jiang Beicheng teased her.
Wu Keqing: "[Hehe], as expected, Brother Jiang has good taste. A treasure of a girl like me? Ordinary people wouldn't even notice."
That self-confident vibe was reminiscent of Jiang Beicheng's college days.
But there was no denying that Wu Keqing had a great figure and looks, though her personality was a bit too lively.
Most guys preferred the quiet and sweet type.
Ordinary people couldn't handle her.
Jiang Beicheng encouraged her: "When you shine, you'll definitely dazzle everyone."
Wu Keqing: "[Keep it up][Keep it up].
Brother Jiang, do you believe in love?"
Jiang Beicheng frowned slightly. This girl's train of thought was quite peculiar, suddenly jumping to such a profound topic.
"I believe in it!" Having been out in the world for so many years, Jiang Beicheng knew he couldn't use his current perspective to talk with a young girl.
He didn't want to shatter the fantasies and expectations in her heart.
People need something to look forward to in life.
This affirmative response was meant to encourage her.
Wu Keqing was momentarily stunned by Jiang Beicheng's reply.
Didn't Li Xingying say that Brother Jiang was hurt by his ex-girlfriend and no longer believed in love?
Now she was certain that Brother Jiang did believe in love, but he hadn't chosen to be with Li Xingying. Based on this logic, it meant Brother Jiang didn't truly love Li Xingying!
He was just playing around.
Wu Keqing felt like she had uncovered some earth-shattering secret and sent Jiang Beicheng a few [Hehe] emojis.
Jiang Beicheng found it hard to understand this girl's thought process and replied with a [Shaking head] emoji.
Wu Keqing: "Brother Jiang, are you an only child?"
Jiang Beicheng: "Yup!"
Wu Keqing: "That must be lonely, right? Would you mind having a cute little sister?"
She sent over a few adorable, playful photos.
"Huh?"
"How about I become your little sister?"
Wu Keqing replied to Jiang Beicheng in an affirmative tone: "I've been calling you Brother Jiang for days now, and it feels so familiar.
I also have a little selfish motive—I hope a big shot like Brother Jiang can look out for me.
The world is treacherous, and the workplace is full of scheming. Your little sister might not be able to handle it!"
If it were another woman, adding a cutesy tone to every sentence would reek of green tea vibes.
But with Wu Keqing, it carried a bold, straightforward aura.
A candid girl who said whatever came to mind and was upfront about what she wanted.
Jiang Beicheng: "[Sweating][Sweating].
If you run into trouble, you can message me."
He didn't directly agree to take her as a little sister.
He just thought this young girl, fresh out of school, was a bit naive and would likely hit a lot of walls. Helping her out when he could was a way to accumulate some good karma for himself.
"Brother, give me your address. I'll bring you some local specialties tomorrow as a tribute from your little sister. From now on, please take care of me, Big Brother Beicheng."
She sent over a few [Kneeling] emojis.
Jiang Beicheng shook his head and smiled. Having such a lively girl around was actually a kind of fun in life.
Jiang Beicheng: "I might not be home tomorrow. Let's talk about it another time."
"Oh, oh, oh~"
Wu Keqing was actually struggling to contain her excitement about seeing Jiang Beicheng.
He had left such a great impression on her.
The post she made on her Moments today was also meant to catch Jiang Beicheng's attention, hoping for his like.
Human emotions are strange, especially when it comes to interactions between the opposite sex. If the other person leaves a good first impression, you can't help but want to interact with them more.
You might even deliberately post on Moments to get their attention, eagerly hoping for their acknowledgment.
This burst of enthusiasm might not last long; it could just be the thrill of something new.
But these past couple of days, Wu Keqing's mind was often filled with thoughts of Brother Jiang.
She even dreamed about him last night.
Claiming Jiang Beicheng as her "big brother" was the perfect excuse to keep bothering him.
Wu Keqing was thrilled.
She felt pretty clever.
She planned to call Jiang Beicheng directly tomorrow and deliver the local specialties her family had sent over to her "big brother."
After chatting, she found a pretty handbag to pack the specialties for Jiang Beicheng.
Beef jerky, sesame cakes, cured duck, tea leaves… she stuffed them all in.
When the bag was almost full, she glanced at the few remaining packs of specialties and wondered if she should save some to give to her boss and colleagues.
These were sent by her family for her to bring to her workplace and give to her superiors.
But with a ruthless decision, she thought, forget it—her boss didn't deserve them.
She packed everything into the bag to bring to Brother Jiang.
With a big shot like Brother Jiang backing her, why worry about some boss?
Worst case, she'd just go work for Brother Jiang.
…
The next morning, Jiang Beicheng drove into the city to pick up Hai TangXi.
It was an order from his grandmother, and he didn't dare disobey.
Before heading out, he quickly washed his hair. He was very confident in his looks, physique, and fashion sense.
The Jiang family genes were top-tier.
He was a standout on the streets.
At the entrance of the residential complex, he spotted Hai TangXi immediately.
Her 175 cm height was too eye-catching.
Tall but not thin, her body was perfectly proportioned.
She didn't have that "bamboo pole" vibe that could be blown over by a breeze, nor did she have any excess fat or bulkiness. From head to toe, everything was just right.
Balanced!
Jiang Beicheng's Mansory Cadillac Escalade V pulled up in front of her, and she leaned forward, puzzled, to confirm.
Jiang Beicheng got out of the car.
"Ah! Little Chengcheng!" Hai TangXi excitedly ran up and pinched Jiang Beicheng's cheeks with both hands. "You've really grown up handsome."
She glanced at his car. "Not bad. Not as down-and-out as I heard."
The Cadillac Escalade was a well-known American car, especially with the "Presidential One" crown it carried. Hai TangXi recognized it instantly.
She knew its price and, more importantly, the weight behind the "Mansory" name.
Driving this car, he didn't look like a fallen second-generation rich kid at all.
Jiang Beicheng joked, "My old man left me a few small fortunes before he passed. Enough for me to live comfortably."
He didn't want to explain the source of his money, so he gave a seemingly reasonable excuse.
"That kind of talk makes people unhappy," Hai TangXi said with a mock scowl. "Your big sister here is so broke she can't even afford to eat."
"Uncle Hai Lin told me you're earning a million a year in San Francisco."
"I just bought a house in San Francisco and poured all my savings into it. I even had to ask the family for help," Hai TangXi said as she got into the car.
Jiang Beicheng nodded. "The housing prices there are indeed steep.
Buying a house means you're set on immigrating?"
Hai TangXi sighed. "We'll see. For now, I'm back to take a break and make my dear mom happy.
I'll figure out the future later—no rush."
Jiang Beicheng: "Do you still remember the core socialist values?"
Hai TangXi looked at him, puzzled. "What's that about?"
Jiang Beicheng: "I'm worried you've forgotten your roots, so I'm helping you review.
People who get close to me need to have the right stance."
"Who's getting close to you?"
"By the order of our parents and the words of the matchmaker, you dare defy?" Jiang Beicheng teased.
"Enough, Little Chengcheng. Are you questioning my loyalty?" Hai TangXi said confidently. "Abroad is just better for making money, doing art, or research. My heart is still warm.
Prosperity, democracy, civility, harmony, freedom, equality, justice, rule of law, patriotism, dedication, integrity, and kindness.
Want me to recite the fundamental principles, mission, and goals too?"
Jiang Beicheng nodded with a smile. "You're qualified to hang out with me."
"Get lost!" Hai TangXi laughed, playfully slapping Jiang Beicheng's arm. "Where to?"
Jiang Beicheng: "Times Square, shopping?"
Hai TangXi grinned. "I like it!"