**[Smile Count: 12/100]**
After enjoying the exquisite dual-artistry deep SPA service from the two celebrity technicians, Big Qiao and Little Qiao, Jiang Beicheng felt completely relaxed and in high spirits.
After having dinner with Hai TangXi, they moved to the lounge area. He casually found two partners to play a few rounds of Guandan.
After the card game, Hai TangXi asked Jiang Beicheng, "Should I take you home, or are you staying here tonight?"
Jiang Beicheng smiled lightly and said, "Sister Xi, don't worry about me. I have a place to go."
Hearing this, Hai TangXi recalled what Grandma Wang Ying had mentioned that morning: Jiang Beicheng often didn't come home to sleep, and she had grown accustomed to it.
Her mind flashed back to the "husband" she heard during the morning WeChat call!
Hai TangXi broke into a smile. Reclining on the lazy sofa next to Jiang Beicheng, she was about to leave when these thoughts suddenly sparked her curiosity about Jiang Beicheng's "little wife."
Curious, she asked Jiang Beicheng, "If I clung to you tonight and didn't let you leave, would your little wife get mad?"
She had a mischievous urge to put Jiang Beicheng in a tough spot.
Jiang Beicheng shook his head. "No, we're in a free relationship."
Hai TangXi was dumbfounded by this response.
His "free relationship" was *truly* free.
"If I haven't misunderstood the meaning of 'free,' then you're undoubtedly a playboy," Hai TangXi said. "But for the sake of our sibling-like bond, I won't stand on a moral high ground to judge you."
"For the first time, a woman has called me a playboy!" Jiang Beicheng said frankly.
Hai TangXi was shocked, unable to believe what she was hearing.
She really wanted to ask what kind of women Jiang Beicheng had been with before.
Not a single one had called him out? Were they all gold-diggers?
Or was this "stinky little brother" some kind of expert time manager?
Hai TangXi: "Is that the truth?"
"The truth," Jiang Beicheng nodded, then countered, "Sister Xi, do you think pure love exists in relationships?"
Hai TangXi shook her head. Based on her 30 years of life experience, pure love didn't exist in this realistic society—at least not in the social circles she moved in.
Jiang Beicheng said, "I share your view.
Pure love doesn't exist because men and women each have their own agendas—youth, beauty, emotions, money…
It's more obvious among adults, and the proportions of what they seek differ.
As long as you know what she wants most and give it to her, that's enough.
In return, she'll give back to you."
Hai TangXi nodded. She hadn't expected this "stinky little brother" to be such an emotional guru, seeing things so clearly.
But hearing him say this, she couldn't help but feel a slight hint of being emotionally manipulated.
"No wonder you're so generous with women!" Hai TangXi said. "You should be grateful you were born into a wealthy family, or you'd just be a complete sucker."
"Some people are after my looks and physique too," Jiang Beicheng joked. "As long as you have something they desire, you hold the upper hand.
The one with the upper hand is never the sucker.
They'll just follow your lead.
On the other hand, if you have nothing desirable, you're just a worthless walking corpse in this society. This metaphor applies to most social relationships too.
If someone like that betrays another's feelings, *that's* what makes a real playboy!"
Hai TangXi stared at Jiang Beicheng. Whether it was his afternoon insights into the ways of human relationships or his evening take on romantic dynamics, Jiang Beicheng revealed a completely different side of himself to her.
This young man had depth, and though she didn't agree with all his views, he was slowly changing the image she had of him.
Hai TangXi smiled, reaching out to grab Jiang Beicheng's hand.
Jiang Beicheng: "What's up?"
Hai TangXi: "I'm taking you to your little wife's place. I want to see what's so special about the woman you're after."
In matters of relationships, Jiang Beicheng was always straightforward.
Reality was what it was.
He didn't play the game of deceit or pretense.
Since Hai TangXi wanted to meet Li Xingying, Jiang Beicheng didn't refuse.
If something were to happen between them in the future, Li Xingying was someone she'd have to face eventually.
After changing clothes, Hai TangXi drove Jiang Beicheng to Park Avenue.
…
Li Xingying had just finalized a contract with the personal assistant she'd hired and was seeing her out downstairs.
To produce content abroad, she needed a capable assistant. She'd posted a job listing on a recruitment site and hired a young woman who had previously worked as an artist's assistant. Their conversation had gone smoothly.
She was preparing to pack for Budapest.
She was about to start filming videos for the popular Austria-Hungary-Czech Republic travel route.
Fortunately, Jiangnan City had direct flights to Budapest, which made things much more convenient.
Although Jiang Beicheng had given her two million to support her career, she still had to be frugal. She couldn't live like Jiang Beicheng, chartering private planes for every trip.
A few trips like that, and the two million would be gone.
She longed for that kind of lifestyle, but in reality, she needed to make herself financially independent first.
Smiling, she waved goodbye to her assistant and stopped by the convenience store outside the complex to buy a cup of hot milk.
"Little Miss Li."
At the entrance to the complex, she heard a familiar, affectionate voice.
Jiang Beicheng often called her "Little Miss Li" or "Classmate Li," and she loved those nicknames.
Turning around, she jogged toward Jiang Beicheng, calling out warmly, "Hubby!~"
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a stranger's gaze.
Li Xingying glanced at the Hongqi car parked by the roadside.
Hai TangXi said, "Nice taste. Don't forget to pick me up early tomorrow night."
With that, she left.
Compared to the cheerful Hai TangXi who was playing Guandan at the club, this version of her exuded the aura of an independent woman—calm, composed, and unapproachable, with no unnecessary words.
Outsiders wouldn't notice the shift in her demeanor.
But Jiang Beicheng could sense it. After seeing Li Xingying, it was as if her competitive streak had been reignited.
It was the same as when they'd run into Wu Keqing at Times Square.
Once Hai TangXi's car was out of sight, Li Xingying snapped back to reality.
She was stunned by Hai TangXi's aura.
It was the kind of Eastern beauty countless women aspired to.
Her own gentle, sweet charm was instantly overshadowed in comparison.
What was her relationship with Jiang Beicheng?
Why was Jiang Beicheng picking her up tomorrow night?
Li Xingying's tendency to overthink and worry surfaced again.
Even Wu Keqing, that young girl, had kept her up for nights. Now, faced with an even more striking woman, she couldn't help but ask, "Hubby, who was that lady who dropped you off?"
Jiang Beicheng didn't lie to her. He answered honestly, "Our families have been close for generations. We grew up together, but she went abroad to develop her career. She just came back recently."
"Oh~," Li Xingying nodded, then asked curiously, "Is she going back abroad?"
"I don't know. From her tone, it seems she's leaning toward developing her career abroad," Jiang Beicheng said.
Li Xingying's restless heart calmed slightly.
With a smile, she said, "She's really beautiful, the kind of beauty women like us dream of having."
"Really? I didn't notice," Jiang Beicheng teased. "Maybe I've just seen her too much growing up."
Li Xingying giggled.
She knew Jiang Beicheng was joking to comfort her and ease her mind.
But deep down, she was clear: if Hai TangXi wanted to be Jiang Beicheng's partner, she was a top-tier choice in every way—background, qualities, everything. Li Xingying had no chance of competing.
"Hubby, I'm planning to go to Hungary in a few days to focus on my career…" Li Xingying held Jiang Beicheng's hand, sharing her plans while silently encouraging herself.
There was no shortage of exceptional, beautiful women around Young Master Jiang. If she wanted to secure a place in his heart, she had to work harder to become more outstanding, more charming.