Chapter 10

“Don’t bring up what happened that day again, it’s so… so embarrassing. It was just a misunderstanding, there’s nothing to take responsibility for.”

Zou Shuqing awkwardly picked up her lemon water and took a sip, deliberately averting her gaze to look out the window.

“I don’t like beating around the bush. I’ve expressed my feelings, and you’ve rejected me, haven’t you?” Wang Ming pressed on, leaving Zou Shuqing no room to escape.

“Wang Ming, I… I really don’t know what to do.” Zou Shuqing’s voice trembled a little. “I do have feelings for you, but I can’t face Mengmeng.”

She paused, looked at Wang Ming seriously, and said, “Give me some time, okay? It’s all too sudden. Even without this connection, things can’t move so quickly.”

Wang Ming felt that Zou Shuqing made sense. He decided to give her a few more days; after all, there was a task reward involved.

There was no rush to cash out the Infatuation Level. At this rate, it wouldn’t take much longer.

He nodded. “Alright. Whether you agree or not, I’ll keep sticking around you.”

Zou Shuqing sighed, then seemed to think of something. “How did you get here?”

“I took a taxi.”

“You gave me your car and took a taxi yourself?”

“Yeah.”

Zou Shuqing, feeling helpless, took out the car keys and handed them over. “Here, take them back. Now that you’re entering society, you should have your own car.”

Seeing Wang Ming reluctant to take the keys, she took out her own car keys. “Or you can drive my old car. It’s a bit old, but it’s well maintained and still powerful.”

Wang Ming gently accepted the keys and said softly, “If we exchange cars, does that count as exchanging tokens of affection?”

Hearing Wang Ming’s words, Zou Shuqing blushed even more.

She cleared her throat, trying hard to compose herself, not wanting to respond to Wang Ming’s teasing.

At that moment, the waiter pushed a cart over and served the food. The Japanese dishes were beautifully presented, but didn’t seem to have much aroma.

Zou Shuqing sat up a little straighter and pointed to the dishes on the table. “I ordered double portions of my favorites. Try them-they’re really delicious.

You can order more if you want, don’t be shy.”

Wang Ming looked at the food and waved his hand with a smile. “This is enough. If we order too much, it’ll just end up in Zou Mengmeng’s mouth. You let her eat all the leftovers you packed yesterday, didn’t you?”

Zou Shuqing smiled softly without replying, her gaze falling on the watch on her wrist.

Wang Ming noticed her action and asked with concern, “Are you in a hurry?”

Zou Shuqing nodded. “Mm, I have to ship a customer’s clothes before tonight. Time’s a bit tight.”

After hearing this, Wang Ming opened the System to check and saw that only 16 minutes of the date had passed.

He quickly said, “I’ll drive you back later. That way you can rest your eyes in the car, and you’ll be able to get straight to work when you get home.”

Zou Shuqing shook her head, worry showing on her face. “Mengmeng went home at noon yesterday. If she comes back today and happens to see us together, how would we explain it?”

Wang Ming shrugged nonchalantly. “Explain what? Just tell her I’m her future dad.”

Zou Shuqing couldn’t hold back anymore, her brows arching in mock anger. “I told you to give me some time. I haven’t agreed yet. If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll really leave.”

Seeing that she was genuinely upset, Wang Ming quickly put on a smile. “Alright, alright, I won’t say it anymore.”

Today’s lunch was much less awkward for Zou Shuqing than yesterday, and her affection for Wang Ming had grown considerably.

After the meal, Wang Ming’s System showed that the task progress was at 40 minutes.
Twenty minutes left.

If he didn’t finish now, when Zou Mengmeng went home tonight, Wang Ming would have no chance to date Zou Shuqing.

Wang Ming opened the task prompt. The total duration of the date could be accumulated from multiple sessions, but it had to be completed on the same day. Any invalid time from the previous day would be cleared the next day.

Since it could be accumulated, there was no need to rush. He could ask Zou Shuqing out for another twenty minutes in the afternoon.

The two walked out of the restaurant. Wang Ming suddenly remembered that the car Zou Shuqing had given him was still uncollected; he had to make a trip to Feicui Huating.

“I still need to go back with you. Your car is in the community.”

Zou Shuqing frowned and nodded. “Or you could come in the afternoon? If you come in the afternoon, you can come upstairs.”

Upstairs?

It wasn’t even at 90 yet. If it reached 90, wouldn’t she take the initiative to bring him home?

“See you this afternoon, then. Be careful on the way.”

“Mm, bye-bye.” Zou Shuqing waved and walked toward the parking spot.

Wang Ming returned to his rental apartment and opened the door. The room was empty.

He took out his phone and sent a message to Jia Fang: [Which one is the new house? Where’s the key?]

Less than two minutes after the message was sent, Jia Fang replied: “The one at the very end of the complex, 206. Come get the key at my place.”

Wang Ming put his phone in his pocket, turned, and walked toward Jia Fang’s detached two-story house.

He pressed the doorbell. The main gate slowly opened automatically, and Wang Ming stepped into the yard.

The front door also opened in response, and Jia Fang appeared at the entrance.

She was wearing tight yoga pants and a tank top, her curvy figure on full display.

As Wang Ming approached the door, his gaze was unconsciously drawn to her, and he stared a little too intently.

Seeing this, Jia Fang couldn’t help but laugh, the corners of her mouth lifting to reveal a row of white teeth. “Come in.”

Wang Ming was slightly taken aback and asked a bit awkwardly, “Is it… appropriate?”

Jia Fang raised her eyebrows, her tone light. “You’re already here, so come in and have a glass of water before you go.”

The two entered the house.

It was decorated in a Western style, very refined, but the furnishings had a bit of a nouveau riche feel.

“Your house is really big.”

Jia Fang smiled. “Sit wherever you like. I’ll get you a glass of water.”

Wang Ming sat on the sofa.

Jia Fang went to the kitchen, poured two glasses of water, and handed one to Wang Ming. “Try it, it’s flower tea I just brewed.”

Wang Ming took the glass and sipped. “Tastes good. Where’s the key? Give it to me, I’ll head back.”

Jia Fang acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary. She sat on the sofa opposite Wang Ming, leaned forward slightly, rested her chin in her hands, and looked at Wang Ming with a smile. “Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Stay and chat with me for a bit.”

Looking at this beautiful woman, Wang Ming thought of the System prompt, but his main task now was Zou Shuqing. He was so close to success, how could he be distracted?

He was exhausted from shopping at the mall all morning and needed a good nap. In the afternoon, he still had to go to Zou Shuqing’s place.

“I have an appointment this afternoon. I’ll come chat with you another time, okay?”

Jia Fang pouted. “Oh? Who are you meeting that you’re so invested? Didn’t you say you broke up?”

Wang Ming hesitated for a moment. “Um… I haven’t made things official with the new one yet, but it should be soon.”

Jia Fang’s eyes widened slightly, then she returned to her flirtatious demeanor. “How old is your new girlfriend?”

“Thirty-seven.”