"Isn’t it puzzling why I’m here?" Lu Xize looked at Cen Jin’s confused expression and raised an eyebrow with a smile, casting a subtly meaningful glance at Jiang Baizhou as he spoke.
Cen Jin stared blankly at him, then glanced at Jiang Baizhou, feeling that there was a slight subtlety in the atmosphere between them, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
"Today, it’s mainly because Old Jiang suddenly had a crisis of conscience and said he wanted to treat me to dinner. After knowing him for so many years, it’s really rare to hear him say he wants to treat me to a meal! Strangely comforting, indeed, as the saying goes, ’proximity to vermilion makes you red’. Ever since Old Jiang got together with you, his whole mindset has become less rigid, elevated several levels, and more generous. Cen Jin, that’s thanks to you!" Lu Xize’s expression was cheeky, his smile was downright cunning.
Cen Jin felt increasingly that there was something fishy going on, and she turned again to look at Jiang Baizhou, who appeared composed and didn’t display any unnatural expressions.
Could it be that Jiang Baizhou had something over Lu Xize?
Normally, Jiang Baizhou would have immediately told him to leave without further ado, and with such a long face, one might think she and Lu Xize owed him money!
But given Jiang Baizhou’s meticulous, cautious, and strict nature, it seemed unlikely for Lu Xize to have something on him; it would be fortunate if Lu Xize managed not to be caught by him instead.
"You’re making me embarrassed with your words, but I completely agree," Cen Jin joked, not planning to probe into the inside story, flowing along with Lu Xize’s words and praised herself playfully.
Beside them, Jiang Baizhou heard this and even glanced at her with the corner of his eye, pursing his lips without a word.
However, Lu Xize, although usually carefree, knew when to dim this third-wheel lightbulb of his, so as they almost finished their meal, he took out a toothpick and mischievously held it in his mouth, smiling as he said to Jiang Baizhou, "Thanks, Old Jiang, for the hospitality today. I’m quite satisfied; perhaps because you’re picking up the tab, I feel this restaurant’s food tastes even better than before, almost different."
Cen Jin couldn’t help but smile and roll her eyes at him, amused at how he managed to squeeze out gains with such cheek.
The smugness on his face was practically overflowing, wasn’t it?
"Cen Jin, I’m off now; at this hour, I can still swing by the clinic for a nap," Lu Xize stood up, checked the time on his raised wrist, and even yawned as he said, "Feeling sleepy after a meal, I woke up too early this morning, really need to go back to sleep a bit. I won’t disturb your couple’s world; the third wheel is signing off. See you next time; don’t miss me too much."
Watching him stride off with flair, Cen Jin leaned slightly towards Jiang Baizhou and gently nudged him, tilting her head to ask, "Did Lu Xize catch you doing something? He’s unusually arrogant today! And you too, unusually quiet."
Jiang Baizhou looked at her again and, after a long moment of silence, tugged his lips slightly: "He’s just thick-skinned, nothing to do with me."
Cen Jin was speechless; what he said seemed quite reasonable, and she couldn’t find any words to refute him.
"Are you finished eating?" Jiang Baizhou watched her expression and, after more than ten seconds, asked again.
Cen Jin nodded, "Yes, I’m finished."
"Waiter, the bill, please."