Chapter 36: You Haven’t Fallen for Me, Have You?
"If you were as handsome as me, Li Ran would treat you like this too."
Chen Mo brushed the bangs from his forehead and raised an eyebrow.
Although Chen Mo didn’t quite understand what Xia Shiqing was thinking, it didn’t stop him from flexing on Old Zhang.
"That’s impossible."
Hearing this, Old Zhang shook his head, his gaze firm.
"What’s impossible?"
"Even if I were as handsome as peak Kris Wu, she’d still be a Sichuan and Chongqing T-Rex. Nothing can change that."
Old Zhang said, speaking from deep experience.
"True."
Chen Mo nodded in profound agreement.
He picked up his phone and pressed the voice message button to speak.
"I’m out getting skewers and drinks with Old Zhang. We can hang out tomorrow."
Chen Mo finished speaking and released his finger.
"Don’t drink too much. Should I come pick you up when you’re done?"
Soon, another voice message arrived from Xia Shiqing.
Hearing this, Old Zhang’s eyes went wide as saucers, his gaze toward Chen Mo filled with admiration.
"That’s too much trouble. I’ll just grab a cab home. You should get some rest."
Although Chen Mo was just as surprised internally, his expression remained calm and nonchalant.
"Okay, let me know when you’re home."
"OK."
After Chen Mo put down his phone, Old Zhang gave him a thumbs-up, thoroughly impressed.
He was truly won over.
"You’ve got a lot to learn, kid."
Chen Mo glanced at him, feigning profound wisdom.
"This is something I really can’t learn."
Old Zhang shook his head with self-awareness.
"You need more practice."
Chen Mo clinked his glass with him.
’I have no idea what Xia Shiqing is thinking either, but who cares.’
’I’ll just play it cool for now.’
After the two had eaten and drunk their fill, they each went home.
All that talk about going to a business K was just trash talk.
They never actually went to such places.
Back home, Chen Mo sent Xia Shiqing a message to let her know.
He took a shower, scrolled through some short videos, and then went to sleep.
...
「The next day.」
Chen Mo’s biological clock woke him up right on time.
As disciplined as ever, he changed into his workout clothes and went downstairs for a half-hour morning exercise.
’Consistency is key to exercise. If you slack off for one day, a second day is sure to follow.’
After his workout, he went home, took a shower, and was just about to make some breakfast when a thought struck him.
"Have you eaten breakfast? I can make enough for two, we could eat together?"
Chen Mo picked up his phone and sent a WeChat message to Xia Shiqing.
Today was basically their first official date.
’Can’t just eat by myself, right?’
’That would be a bit of a turn-off.’
"You don’t have to cook. I made sandwiches at home and brought one for you."
"Oh, and you can probably head downstairs now. I’m just two traffic lights away."
Xia Shiqing replied quickly.
"Okay."
Chen Mo was slightly taken aback when he saw the message.
’Something is definitely not right.’
’She even brought me breakfast.’
"Remember to bring your ID."
Xia Shiqing seemed to remember something and sent him a reminder.
"?"
Chen Mo’s brows furrowed. ’What’s going on?’
’Didn’t she just tell me not to rush things?’
’And now we’re fast-forwarding straight to the "bring your ID" stage?’
"We’re going to Disney today."
Since she was driving and couldn’t type, Xia Shiqing sent a voice message.
Hearing this, Chen Mo fell silent.
’Besides checking into a hotel, an ID can also be used to buy tickets.’
’All I can say is, my mind is in the gutter. I’m thinking too small.’
He glanced in the mirror, fixed his hair and clothes, and then went downstairs.
Just as Chen Mo reached the entrance of his residential complex, he saw the familiar Model Y approaching.
After she parked, Chen Mo opened the passenger door and got in.
As soon as he sat down, he caught a faint, fresh fragrance.
It was very pleasant.
"Good morning."
Upon seeing him, a captivating smile bloomed on Xia Shiqing’s gorgeous face.
"Morning."
Chen Mo glanced at Xia Shiqing, a little surprised.
’Why does her smile seem even more captivating today?’
And he noticed that Xia Shiqing had put on elaborate makeup today!
She usually wore makeup, but it was always light, just a little touch-up.
But today was clearly different; it looked like she had on a full face of makeup.
’Putting on a full face of makeup is the highest form of courtesy for a girl going out.’
’It seems Xia Shiqing is taking today’s date very seriously.’
"I made these sandwiches. Try one and tell me what you think."
Xia Shiqing took out a pink lunchbox, opened it, and handed it to Chen Mo.
"Thanks."
Chen Mo took the plastic-wrapped sandwich, glanced at the clean car interior, and hesitated.
He knew many people disliked others eating in their cars.
Especially those with impeccably clean cars.
"Should I wait a minute? I can eat it outside and then get back in?"
He was quite considerate, his right hand already reaching for the door handle.
"It’s okay."
Xia Shiqing shook her head, unconcerned.
She wouldn’t have let anyone else even think about eating in her car.
In fact... no one else would have even gotten a ride in her car.
But her relationship with Chen Mo was different, so he was an exception.
"Alright. If I make a mess, I’ll pay to have your car cleaned."
Since she didn’t mind, Chen Mo didn’t stand on ceremony.
He took a bite and found that it was actually quite good.
"How is it?"
Xia Shiqing turned to face him, her beautiful eyes filled with anticipation.
"It’s delicious."
Chen Mo nodded, speaking as he chewed.
"I was worried you wouldn’t like it."
Hearing his approval, Xia Shiqing was visibly much happier.
A smile he had never seen before appeared on her stunningly beautiful face.
’Why does this feel kind of sweet?’
’Something’s not right.’
She handed Chen Mo a bottle of milk. "Sandwiches can be a bit dry. Drink this."
"Thanks."
Chen Mo took the milk, stuck in the straw, and took a couple of sips.
Just then, Xia Shiqing started the car and began to drive.
The sandwich wasn’t very big, and Chen Mo finished it in a few bites.
After he finished, he tidied up a little and began to observe Xia Shiqing.
Today, she was wearing a black Chanel T-shirt with high-waisted denim hot pants, the hem of the T-shirt tucked in.
On her feet were a pair of Chanel "Panda" sneakers.
The outfit was simple, but on her, it looked stunning.
Besides, since they were going to Disney, this outfit was also practical for going on rides.
Most importantly, from his angle, he had a perfect view of her long, fair, and slender legs.
Her skin was exceptionally fine and smooth, without the slightest blemish.
So pale they were almost dazzling.
Perhaps Xia Shiqing was focused on driving and didn’t notice his gaze, or perhaps she did notice and generously let him look.
In any case, Chen Mo feasted his eyes, enjoying the view... no, *appreciating* it the entire way.
After arriving at the Disney parking lot, the two of them got out of the car.
Chen Mo first found a trash can and threw away the garbage from his breakfast.
Just as he returned to the car, a fragrant breeze wafted over to him.
"Could you hold my bag?"
Xia Shiqing handed him her bag with a beaming smile.
"They say when a woman buys a purse, she’s really buying it for her man, because he’s the one who ends up carrying it when they go out."
Chen Mo chuckled, took the purse, and skillfully slung it over his shoulder.
"Then I guess I bought my purse for you."
Xia Shiqing blinked, then naturally looped her arm through his.
"Let’s go in."
With a radiant smile, Xia Shiqing and Chen Mo walked toward the Disney entrance together.
With their bodies in close contact, Chen Mo could smell the refreshing fragrance on her.
From the content of their chats these past few days, to her bringing him a homemade breakfast this morning...
And now, to her naturally taking his arm and initiating close physical contact...
He really wanted to know: what exactly was Xia Shiqing thinking?
He never overthought things; if he didn’t understand something, he asked immediately.
"So? You haven’t fallen for me, have you?"
Chen Mo tilted his head slightly, looking at the gorgeous face so close to his, and asked bluntly.
’Her actions really make it seem like she’s treating me as her boyfriend.’
"You could see it that way."
Xia Shiqing looked straight into Chen Mo’s eyes, not denying it.
"?"
Chen Mo tilted his head slightly, a look of meme-worthy confusion on his face.