"Afternoon tea?"
After lunch, Jiang Beicheng arranged the desserts he had brought back from the city in the morning on a plate and handed them to Hai TangXi.
Flowers and desserts—women's resistance to them is practically zero.
He ground coffee beans and brewed two cups of espresso with a moka pot. Sprawling on a recliner in the courtyard, he reflected on his reading.
"If the farm can be built according to the plan, it'll definitely be comfortable to sit here and have afternoon tea," Hai TangXi said, sipping her coffee.
Not hearing a response from Jiang Beicheng, she turned to look at him.
She was somewhat surprised.
"Reading a book?"
This action from Jiang Beicheng completely caught her off guard.
"*The Effective Executive*—it's a good book. What, are you playing the prodigal son turning over a new leaf?" Hai TangXi teased, holding a dessert.
"When I'm out and about, people at least call me President Jiang," Jiang Beicheng replied with a smile.
Hai TangXi shook her head.
Taking a polite remark seriously.
But she was genuinely pleased by her "little brother's" newfound enthusiasm for learning.
She herself was that kind of person—constantly climbing, always pursuing higher goals.
Jiang Beicheng's gaze fell on another book on the coffee table. "This book might suit you right now."
Hai TangXi finished her dessert, wiped her hands with a wet tissue, and picked up the book. "*Chinese Society and Its People Under a Microhistorical Lens*?"
She frowned slightly, not quite understanding what Jiang Beicheng meant.
Jiang Beicheng said, "Maybe one day you'll want to stay and develop your career in China? This book will give you a lot of insights."
Hai TangXi smiled. "Stay in China? No plans for that, but I'm very curious about the content of this book."
She flipped it open and started reading.
The two of them sat in the courtyard for over two hours.
Hai TangXi closed the book, her expression a mix of sudden realization and puzzlement. She said bluntly, "I'd probably struggle to adapt to the underlying logic and the social dynamics described in this book."
Jiang Beicheng replied, "You and I are both people carried along by the currents of society. When we can't change the environment, adapting to it might make life easier and more fulfilling."
Hai TangXi broke into a smile. "Little Cheng-Cheng, you've got some depth after all!"
Jiang Beicheng said, "A lot of people are deceived by my carefree exterior."
"Acting all profound again!" Hai TangXi was both exasperated and amused.
But undeniably, being around him did bring her a lot of joy.
Jiang Beicheng closed his book, stood up, stretched lazily, and turned to ask Hai TangXi, "Back to the city?"
"I'm definitely going back. Are you heading to the city to see your little mistress?" Hai TangXi joked.
Jiang Beicheng caught a hint of jealousy in her tone and replied with a teasing, slightly sarcastic edge, "Tonight, I'm keeping my main wife company!"
"Tch, tch, tch~"
Hai TangXi shook her head, feigning disdain. Just when she was starting to see him in a new light, he reverted to his old ways.
Wait a second—Jiang Beicheng, what's with that smile and that look in your eyes? Who's your main wife?
Realizing belatedly, Hai TangXi chased after him. "The elders can joke around like that, but you're joining in too? I'm done."
"You didn't exactly refuse either," Jiang Beicheng said.
"I was giving you face. Want me to lose my temper and chew you out to feel better?"
Jiang Beicheng: "Thank you very much."
Hai TangXi had no comeback for him—his wit was just too sharp.
She sighed inwardly. If she actually dated Jiang Beicheng, she'd probably be driven to death by frustration.
"Where to?" Hai TangXi asked as she drove the Wenjie M9 back to the city. Jiang Beicheng hadn't driven, so he sat in the passenger seat.
"Enlightenment!" Jiang Beicheng declared.
Hai TangXi: "Enlightenment at this hour? Temples and dojos are closed."
Jiang Beicheng spoke to the car's AI: "Xiaoyi, Xiaoyi."
"Here, Master. What's your command?"
Jiang Beicheng: "Navigate to Tianlan Foot Massage and SPA Club!"
Hai TangXi couldn't hold it in—she clutched her stomach, laughing hysterically. After a while, she nodded in agreement with Jiang Beicheng's logic. "Foot massage is indeed a path."
And with that, she drove straight back to the city.
Tianlan was a well-known brand among high-end wellness clientele.
It was located right next to Zhaomu Mountain in the affluent area of Jiangnan City.
The establishment offered legitimate, wholesome wellness services. As for whether you had other ideas about the technicians, well, that depended on your charm and your wallet.
Hai TangXi parked the car and followed Jiang Beicheng into the lobby. "The wellness clubs in Jiangnan City have really upped their game," she said. "Back when I was here, I used to go to Golden Impression."
"Golden Impression is still around. Tianlan only popped up in the last few years, positioning itself as high-end. It attracts a lot of elite clientele," Jiang Beicheng explained.
"Little President Jiang, welcome, welcome! What a rare guest," the receptionist greeted, recognizing a familiar face and hurrying over. "Little President Jiang, miss, please have a seat."
The two changed into slippers. The receptionist glanced at Hai TangXi and asked Jiang Beicheng, "Little President Jiang, would you like a private hot spring room?"
Meaning: Are you two soaking together?
Jiang Beicheng looked at Hai TangXi. "I don't mind."
"I mind. Always trying to take advantage of us women," Hai TangXi said, standing up to follow the receptionist to the bath.
"See you later, Sister Xi."
Jiang Beicheng took a hot bath first, then went upstairs for a SPA treatment.
When the manager heard that Little President Jiang was here, she personally accompanied a server to the private room to bring him tea.
"Young President Jiang, it's been a while. I thought you were dissatisfied with our service since you hadn't come by in so long. I was feeling so guilty," she said.
A classic sales pitch.
Jiang Beicheng smiled. "Are Big Qiao and Little Qiao still here?"
"They're here, they're here! They're working the night shift today and just finished getting ready. I'll book them for you right away," the manager said enthusiastically.
Jiang Beicheng nodded.
"What outfit would you like today, Little President Jiang?"
"Maid outfits."
"Got it, Little President Jiang. Please relax, the technicians will be here shortly." The manager closed the door and left.
After the crackdowns, large-scale wellness clubs generally no longer offered shady services.
This also led to the rise of "soft" massages, particularly the competitive world of "pure soft" massages.
Wellness club services could be divided into two main categories: relaxation and technical. Technical services were straightforward—focused on skillful techniques.
Relaxation services were mostly "soft" massages.
In the past, soft massages were divided into "full soft" and "pure soft." Full soft included borderline services—not only getting you "airborne" but also ensuring you "landed."
Pure soft was just about getting you "airborne"—essentially, physical teasing.
Later, to milk more money from customers, businesses introduced "half soft."
They threw in all sorts of flashy add-ons—cosplay, dance performances, yoga, and the like, aiming for visual pleasure.
But the process was still just about getting you "airborne," not "landing."
That said, most technicians offering soft massages were open to going out for late-night snacks.
As long as you were willing to pay for their time, they'd clock out and go with you.
The club didn't allow it, but there was no rule against it outside.
Freelancers were hard to regulate.
The Big Qiao and Little Qiao that Jiang Beicheng requested were actually the club's live-streaming hosts, responsible for new media operations and selling services online.
But Jiang Beicheng had flirted his way into pulling them into the SPA room.
It was also the first time he'd paid for their time—ten sessions each, over 30,000 yuan. The two had gone out with him for a late-night snack afterward.
In the wellness consumption scene, Jiang Beicheng's mindset was the same old saying: "The fairy at home can't compare to the novelty of the club."
It was all about chasing fresh entertainment.
"Hello, technicians."
The two sisters knocked lightly on the door.
"Come in!"
Today, they were going for a "black-and-white sisters" vibe, with two maid outfits—one black, one white.
"Good evening, sir. You've booked the 1599 yuan 'Double Beauty Vitality Full-Body Essential Oil SPA.' I'm your maid…"