Jiang Che had long grown used to Su Qinghe trying to back out whenever something seemed expensive.
Although she always refused, he never felt annoyed or uncomfortable about it. He understood that someone who had been insecure for so long could not suddenly accept excessive kindness from others without feeling uneasy.
So while flipping through the menu, he said without even looking up, “What noodles? That has no nutrition. Didn’t the doctor just say you need to replenish your nutrients and blood? Otherwise you won’t even be able to have the surgery.”
“Don’t you want your eyes to get better?”
Hearing that, Su Qinghe pressed her lips together and obediently stopped protesting.
She said softly, “Then… you order. I’ve never eaten these before.”
“Alright.”
Jiang Che took the menu from the waiter and quickly checked off a few signature dishes he often ordered.
“Fish maw chicken soup, steamed coral grouper, blanched choy sum, and… abalone sauce rice.”
He handed the menu back. “That’s all for now. We’ll add more if it’s not enough.”
“Alright, Mr. Jiang. Please wait a moment.” The waiter left.
Listening to the list of dishes, Su Qinghe silently calculated the cost in her head. The further she calculated, the more her heart pounded.
This meal would probably cost more than several months of her former living expenses.
Although her biological family was considered well-off, her parents had never treated her like a human being.
At the dinner table, the whole family enjoyed delicious food, while Su Qinghe was only ever allowed to eat their leftovers.
Later, when she entered middle school and had to commute daily, her parents gave her only a few hundred yuan a month for living expenses. That was after she had begged desperately, even kneeling and kowtowing until her forehead bled, before they reluctantly handed over the money.
She would never forget the look on their faces when they threw the cash at her. “You little bastard, how much money does school even cost? This is all you get. If it’s not enough, go sell yourself. Don’t come bothering us.”
Left with no choice and unwilling to starve, she secretly worked part-time at a small restaurant near the school.
They had originally refused, but seeing how pitiful she was, they gritted their teeth and kept her on, risking being punished, letting her help with small tasks.
Su Qinghe often wondered whether she was truly their biological daughter.
What kind of parents treated their own child like that?
“Stop overthinking.”
Seeing her sitting there motionless for a long time, Jiang Che assumed she was still worrying about money. He poured her a cup of warm water and placed it in her hands. “I already said I’m paying. Your job right now is to eat and put on some weight so you can have surgery sooner.”
Looking at her sharp chin, he felt inexplicably irritated.
How had the once radiant Campus Belle on stage been reduced to this?
Su Qinghe snapped back to her senses. Holding the cup, she felt the warmth spreading through her palms. The unease in her heart slowly gave way to a gentle warmth.
She took small sips of water and silently reviewed the tricks Bai Yuning had taught her.
Act spoiled… act weak…
Should she say something now?
“Jiang Che…” she called softly.
“Hm? What is it?” Jiang Che was replying to messages on his phone. He looked up at her.
She struggled for a long time, her face turning red before she finally managed to say, “You… you’re really good to me.”
Jiang Che clearly did not understand why she suddenly praised him. He looked confused.
After staring at her flushed little face for a few seconds, he cleared his throat awkwardly and said, “Alright, don’t give me the good guy card for no reason.”
Su Qinghe lowered her head shyly and murmured, “Mm.”
For some reason, the atmosphere suddenly turned strangely intimate.
Fortunately, the dishes arrived quickly. The waiter broke the tension, and soon the table was filled.
Jiang Che did not sit idle. He first ladled a bowl of golden, rich fish maw chicken soup and placed it beside her. Then he carefully removed the fish bones before placing the fillet into her bowl.
“Um… I can do it myself.”
Su Qinghe felt overwhelmed, but when she tried to do it herself, she held the chopsticks helplessly, unsure where to begin.
Jiang Che chuckled softly. “Stop trying to act tough. Just eat.”
As he spoke, he picked up some choy sum and said, “Open your mouth.”
She froze for a second and instinctively opened her mouth.
The tender greens, lightly scented with garlic, were delicious.
But what made them taste even better was that Jiang Che had fed her.
Was this what Sister Bai meant by “interaction”?
It felt far too… intimate.
Su Qinghe pressed her lips together and smiled faintly, like a girl experiencing first love, her heart filled with sweetness.
Some nearby diners cast curious glances their way. Though she could not see, she felt as if being stared at, which made her even more shy. She lowered her head and sipped her soup quietly.
Jiang Che, on the other hand, was completely at ease.
He was just taking care of a patient. What was so surprising?
Besides, he wanted to.
On the way here, he had already thought it through. Since Su Qinghe liked him, why couldn’t he try liking her?
He had never really had anything serious with Lin Wanwan anyway. Now there was a girl who was cute, beautiful, and whose eyes were full of him. He wasn’t an idiot. Of course he knew how to choose.
So at this moment, Jiang Che was treating Su Qinghe exactly like a little girlfriend.
And honestly, it felt pretty good. There was even a hint of sweet romance.
The atmosphere between them gradually relaxed, and Su Qinghe was no longer as shy as before.
She gathered her courage and prepared to pick up a piece of meat for Jiang Che. But just as she lifted it with her chopsticks, a sharp female voice suddenly exploded beside her.
“Oh? Isn’t this Young Master Jiang?”
Startled, Su Qinghe’s wrist trembled, and the meat dropped onto the table.
She would never forget that voice.
It was Lin Wanwan.
Jiang Che’s brows tightened. The gentle expression on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by open impatience.
He set down his chopsticks and slowly turned his head.
Standing in the aisle were a man and a woman.
The woman was Lin Wanwan, dressed extravagantly, holding a Chanel handbag, her chin lifted arrogantly.
Beside her stood a man with dyed yellow hair, wearing expensive but horribly mismatched trendy brands. He had an arm slung around Lin Wanwan’s waist.
Zhang Yang.
After seeing Lin Wanwan’s social media post that day, Jiang Che had recognized him. A nouveau riche whose family had gotten rich from demolition compensation, famous for showing off.
“How unlucky. I can’t even eat a meal without running into trash.”
Jiang Che did not stand up. Leaning back in his chair, he sneered and calmly wiped his hands with a wet towel.
Lin Wanwan’s expression stiffened, then she laughed coldly. She pulled Zhang Yang closer and stopped beside their table.
Her gaze shifted to Su Qinghe, who was sitting quietly with her head lowered.
“Oh? So it’s you.” Lin Wanwan covered her mouth exaggeratedly, raising her voice so everyone in the restaurant could hear. “Isn’t this our long-missing Campus Belle Su Qinghe?”
“I heard our Campus Belle has been wandering the streets for over a month. How did you end up looking like this? Oh my, are you blind?”
The malice in Lin Wanwan’s eyes was almost overflowing. Her face practically screamed jealousy.
Back in school, Su Qinghe had always outshone her. Prettier, smarter, more talented, and admired by countless boys.
Seeing the once untouchable goddess reduced to this miserable state brought Lin Wanwan indescribable satisfaction.
“Tsk tsk, Jiang Che, your taste is getting more and more unique.” Lin Wanwan sneered. “After I dumped you, did you just give up on yourself? You’re even willing to eat garbage you picked up from a trash heap?”