Chapter 116: Self-Sacrifice

After scrolling through his phone for a while, Hong Chen finally used his unfamiliarity with Nan City as an excuse to propose meeting with Xu Le and the others in the afternoon, then returning together to Qing City. Once in Qing City, he promised to take care of all the food, drink, and entertainment arrangements.

Jiang Ying was somewhat reluctant, but after much persuasion, Hong Chen finally managed to get her to agree.

They spent nearly two hours shopping in the mall together. Jiang Ying bought a large pile of items, while Hong Chen also got a complete outfit change from head to toe, all chosen by Jiang Ying. To be honest, the woman had a good eye. After swapping his old clothes for new ones, Hong Chen looked at himself in the mirror and finally felt he looked presentable.

During the shopping trip, Hong Chen used the excuse of needing to use the restroom to find a quiet spot and called Jiang Tao. He had made up his mind that this romance must be nipped in the bud. It wasn’t that he disliked Jiang Ying; rather, as a married man—even if it was just a contractual marriage—he wasn’t mentally prepared to begin another relationship.

Jiang Ying was Jiang Tao’s sister, and he couldn’t irresponsibly start something that would toy with her feelings.

Of course, this was just his rational side speaking. From an emotional standpoint, before completely severing ties with Lin Yuxin—the woman he had been with daily for two years—it was difficult for him to fully embrace another woman.

“I’m at the racetrack. The wind is strong here, can you hear me clearly?” The line connected, but the howling wind made Jiang Tao’s voice a bit muffled.

“I want to ask you something. What does your sister Jiang Ying dislike?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, I’m a bit fed up with Cao Renjie and want him to lose favor with your sister.”

“That pretty boy annoyed you? Little Ying wasn’t very interested in him anyway. Leave it to me; one phone call and I’ll make sure she dumps him.”

“No, no, no, that’s too easy. Just tell me what kind of men or behaviors she dislikes, and I’ll figure out how to make Cao Renjie into that kind of person.”

Hehe, you like playing tricks too? Fine. Little Ying hates sloppy men and those gangbangers—guys who bully others and act all high and mighty despite knowing little. Oh, and you can coax Cao Renjie to take her to eat lamb. Little Ying hates the gamey smell of lamb. Not only won’t she eat it herself, but she also hates people who do, claiming it leaves a disgusting smell on them. Also, she likes to have fun and seeks excitement but hates places that are messy and full of riffraff.

Jiang Tao unknowingly gave away all his sister’s secrets, and Hong Chen listened quietly, storing it all in his mind.

Jiang Ying, born into a wealthy family and used to admiration and flattery, was naturally proud. Now that she had feelings for Hong Chen, if he rejected her outright or even politely, it would wound her pride deeply. After careful consideration, Hong Chen decided to sacrifice himself by deliberately becoming the kind of man Jiang Ying detested, hoping she would break up with him out of disgust. This might turn out to be the best outcome.

“All right, got it. The wind there is too strong; I can’t hear clearly. I’ll hang up first.” After extracting all the information from Jiang Tao, Hong Chen didn’t waste more time and hung up, his mind already planning the arrangements for when they returned to Qing City.

At half past three, after everyone gathered at the meeting point, a convoy of four cars set off on the return journey.

Hong Chen’s SUV carried Xu Le and Cao Zilin. Along the way, the two flirted continuously, and Hong Chen only chimed in a few times, mostly lost in his own thoughts.

After more than an hour, they exited the highway and entered Qing City’s jurisdiction. Hong Chen called Jiang Ying and parked at an intersection ahead, waiting for her BMW to arrive.

He then handed his SUV over to Xu Le, got into the driver’s seat of the BMW, while Jiang Ying took the passenger seat. Waving goodbye, Hong Chen drove off in the BMW.

Xu Le and Cao Zilin were left exchanging looks, their expressions oddly complicated.

Leaving Xu Le and Cao Zilin behind, Hong Chen and Jiang Ying naturally didn’t meet up with the others again. Jiang Ying didn’t object to this arrangement, but the faint smile playing on her lips revealed she was quite pleased.

However, that smile lasted less than half an hour before it vanished, as the BMW pulled up in front of a restaurant called “Whole Lamb Fortune.”

Getting out of the car, Hong Chen seemed oblivious to the awkward expression on Jiang Ying’s face and confidently patted his chest, saying, “Come on, this place serves authentic Zhongmeng lamb, my favorite. We’ll order a quarter of a roasted whole lamb. I guarantee it will be unforgettable.”

Inside the private room, Hong Chen didn’t ask for Jiang Ying’s opinion and immediately ordered a quarter of a roasted whole lamb, along with some lamb tripe and liver, plus a few bottles of beer.

Soon, the quarter roasted lamb arrived. Hong Chen didn’t bother washing his hands or wearing gloves; he grabbed a big piece, placed it in front of Jiang Ying, then tore off another for himself. He devoured it in a few bites, wiped the greasy mouth with his sleeve, and wiped his oily hands on his clothes. The new light-blue outfit was now stained.

“Huh? Why aren’t you eating? This is leg meat, very tasty.” Hong Chen tore off a second piece and took a couple of bites before realizing Jiang Ying was just sipping tea and nibbling on peanuts and pickles, holding a hand over her nose. The large chunks of lamb on her plate remained untouched.

Jiang Ying looked up at him chewing happily, her heart aching but forcing a weak smile. She gently shook her head. “Maybe I drank too much last night. My stomach isn’t feeling well. The lamb is too greasy.”

Hong Chen nodded knowingly, then shook his head regretfully. “That’s really a shame. Lamb is a delicacy. If you won’t eat it, I can finish it all myself.”

Saying this, as if to prove his point, he bit into the lamb with enthusiasm.

Jiang Ying watched, stomach churning with acid. Covering her mouth, she rushed out of the private room. Seeing this, Hong Chen smiled wryly and spat out the lamb.

Though he didn’t dislike lamb, he wasn’t particularly fond of it either. The roasted whole lamb was too greasy, and in such a short time, he had wolfed down about four or five taels, which even made him feel a bit nauseous.

When Jiang Ying returned, Hong Chen feigned concern while continuing to enjoy his meal. Jiang Ying wanted to suggest leaving for another place but felt awkward seeing Hong Chen’s enthusiasm, so she reluctantly said, “Order a couple of vegetable dishes. I’ll eat something lighter.”

Hong Chen nodded and called the waiter to add three vegetable stir-fries.

Throughout the meal, Jiang Ying barely ate a few bites, while Hong Chen almost finished the quarter roasted lamb. His clothes, used as napkins, were stained, and even his pants weren’t spared.

When it came time to pay, he accidentally knocked over a beer bottle, spilling half its contents over his clothes, pants, and shoes.

At this moment, Hong Chen truly lived up to the word “sloppy.” The pungent smell of lamb emanating from him was so strong even he found it overwhelming. Not satisfied, when Jiang Ying wasn’t paying attention, he grabbed a lamb bone, rubbed the grease on his palm, and wiped it across his face.

After leaving the restaurant, Hong Chen, with a swollen belly and a satisfied burp, casually opened the BMW door and got into the driver’s seat. His greasy hands rubbed the steering wheel several times, making the dark wheel shine with a reflective gloss. Jiang Ying’s expression was nothing short of spectacular.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Jiang Ying was torn inside, hesitant to speak. If it were anyone else—man or woman, even her parents—she would have kicked them out without hesitation. But for Hong Chen, in the end, she chose silence.