Chapter 415: Chapter 415 - 409: Jing Jihan, Are You Trying to Get Me Drunk?

Ami waited and waited outside the restroom but couldn’t find Shi Su. Her gaze drifted again to the door of the temporary dressing room.

Just then, the door suddenly opened.

A tall and upright man emerged from within, his cold gaze falling on Ami’s stunned face.

The next moment, Ami’s mouth formed an ’O’ shape as she saw Shi Su coming out wearing a hat, looking as if she could fit an egg inside, her eyes wide in disbelief.

Although Shi Su wore a hat and kept her head down, the proximity still revealed her slightly reddened lips, clearly showing that something had just happened...

Ami gasped, "Am I hallucinating..."

Jing Jihan glanced at her, "Ask Zhou He to drive you all back."

Ami, still in a daze, woodenly asked, "Huh? What about you two?"

Jing Jihan didn’t answer, but the subtle expression in his eyes was enough to make Ami wisely shut her mouth.

Chu Jiu, who was savvy enough, had been waiting by the resting sofa and quickly went over to drag the still perplexed Ami, who seemed to want to ask a few more questions, towards the elevator. As he pulled her along, he whispered, "I’d advise you not to ask!"

Not until they were pulled away from the scene and into the elevator did Ami abruptly awaken from her stupor, turning her eyes to Chu Jiu, "How did this happen? Why did it happen?"

Chu Jiu, looking at her like she was an idiot, said, "I’m only responsible for taking you away, not for explaining things."

Ami: "???"

It wasn’t until they were nearly out of the shopping center and close to the car door that Ami realized something seemed off and was about to rush back.

Luckily, Chu Jiu quickly restrained her.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to go remind my big cousin to wake up a bit. Even if he’s had no women around for years, he can’t just target Shi Su like that! They’ve only met once and now..."

Chu Jiu said speechlessly, "Young lady, I think it’s you who needs to wake up."

Ami turned her head furiously, "I have to ask him what he’s thinking. Even married ones aren’t off limits..."

Not wanting to waste any more words with this lady, Chu Jiu, who often helped with props in the crew, easily dragged her back to the car door, opened it, pushed her inside, and promptly sat down as well.

"Mr. Zhou, please drive," Chu Jiu said with a smile to Zhou He, who had returned after buying cigarettes.

Zhou He immediately understood, glanced at the shopping center outside through the rearview mirror, and without asking why Mr. Jing and Shi Su hadn’t boarded, he started the engine, driving off amidst Ami’s unceasing questioning.

Jing Jihan said, "Let’s talk."

And so, the two of them ended up in a smoky barbecue shop in Jiang City.

This environment was indeed beneath Jing Jihan’s status, but Shi Su had chosen it.

The barbecue shop was thriving, with a large space, including two small private rooms. The rooms were very small, only fitting a square table. Beer bottles rolled around on outside tables, while patrons ate and chatted animatedly.

Neither really belonged in such a place, yet Jing Jihan didn’t mind given his status, while Shi Su, just a minor celebrity, had nothing to fret about.

After all, with events unfolding so suddenly today, Shi Su’s mind was still somewhat dazed. Eating there was a choice fueled by a wicked whim prompted by some impulsive factor within.

She just wanted to see how refined and noble Jing Jihan could remain in such a smoky atmosphere.

Here, the closeness to real life contrasted with the glamorous entertainment industry and all those towering international office buildings.

This place was fitting for mindfulness.

The curtain of the private room was occasionally lifted, as the proprietress delivered two plates of grilled skewers inside, shouting casually with a Northern accent, "Eat while they’re hot. If they get cold, you can take them out to reheat over the fire." After leaving, she exited without taking a moment to notice the overly dressed and handsome guests.

All around were busy life’s noises and discussions, vastly different from this man whose wealth was an unimaginable distance away.

But in Shi Su’s eyes, those things were real.

"Talk about what?" Shi Su picked up a grilled skewer first, disregarding any image, and took a bite.

Earlier, the proprietress had also brought in a few cans of beer, placed on a wicker stand beside Jing Jihan. He casually picked one up, opened it, and placed it before Shi Su.

"Why did you choose to have the child after going to the United States?"

His tone sounded cool and indifferent, as though it was just a common inquiry, yet it harbored an undercurrent of dominance, a hint at some sort of interrogation.

Shi Su assumed Jing Jihan wanted to discuss her indifferent behavior over the past two years, the promises she made before the old man, or perhaps something else.

She hadn’t expected him to bring up the child.

But to Shi Su, there was never any need to hide Mianmian deliberately; she was never something to avoid.

She took the beer and drank a few mouthfuls before speaking frankly, "Because at the time I was young and impulsively wished to have a relative, I didn’t think much about the consequences. Youth comes with impulsiveness."

After she finished, she drank the rest of the half-can, then nonchalantly wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, smiling, "In fact, during the pregnancy, I hesitated. You know, I even took some mental health medication back then. But ever since Mianmian was born, my life suddenly gained more meaning, not just merely to survive well or to seek justice someday. That little baby, cute and soft, smiling at me, melted my heart. She brightened my life with vibrant colors. Though raising a child alone was indeed tiring, Mianmian and I lived very happily. Even if she couldn’t help but bring home injured cats, dogs, or rabbits adding to my troubles, I love her dearly, and she loves me..."

Another can of beer was placed before her.

Shi Su looked at the beer in front of her and then raised her eyes to the man who so calmly handed it over, suddenly sneering, "Jing Jihan, are you trying to get me drunk? You’ve never tried such despicable tactics on me before, why suddenly now?"

The man had no intention of denying or excusing himself, "Against a woman who speaks nothing of the truth, I admit it’s despicable, but it’s hardly a tactic."

Shi Su paused for a moment in silence, then raised her hand to open the beer herself, remaining silent as she drank.