Ji Afei extended every courtesy to Shengshi Company, personally organizing the event with their project manager.
"Chen Jie, you just wait. If you don't get out of here within seven days, I'll kick you out!" Ji Afei sneered.
When the dance class ended in the evening, Azhu grabbed Li Ziling's hand and said, "Let's go eat."
"Okay, I'll treat tonight," Li Ziling replied.
"Wait."
Just as they were about to leave, Chen Jie appeared beside them.
"Where are you two going?" he asked.
Azhu shot him a look. "What business is it of yours where we're going? As Li Ziling's admirer, are you going to restrict her movements?"
"Not exactly, but I'm going with you," Chen Jie said.
Someone had already made a move on Li Ziling, and Chen Jie wouldn't let her out of his sight.
"Damn it! Who do you think you are? Plenty of guys are pursuing Li Ziling. Do you think you have the authority to follow and monitor her? Li Ziling, let's go, ignore him!"
Azhu pulled her along, ready to leave.
However, Chen Jie followed closely behind them.
Both women cupped their faces in exasperation.
"You're like a shadow, aren't you annoying?" Azhu turned and snapped.
Li Ziling tugged at her hand. "Teacher Chen, I'm just having dinner with Azhu, not a date. Please go back."
She blushed as she said it.
She was explaining this to him.
She didn't have any intentions with him, so why bother explaining?
"That won't do. Who knows if you're lying? Besides, I need to eat too. Let's go together," Chen Jie insisted.
"You, you're too thick-skinned! I've never met a more shameless man!" Azhu exclaimed, speechless.
"What's the big deal? It's just a meal," Chen Jie said.
Azhu's eyes glinted playfully. "It's not impossible for you to join us for dinner, but you're a man, you're not going to expect us to pay, are you?"
"Azhu..." Li Ziling began.
Azhu whispered, "You're eager to get rid of him, aren't you? From what I know, men are incredibly stingy. If we bleed him dry, he'll back off."
"Alright, I'll pay you back later when I have money," Li Ziling said hesitantly.
"Pay back nothing! It's only natural for men to spend money on women! They do it willingly. If you pay him back, you're a fool! Let's go, let's eat him out of house and home!"
Hand in hand, the two women walked out.
Soon, they found a Japanese restaurant.
Azhu's family was wealthy, and dining at such a place would cost around two hundred per person, which was negligible to her.
However, it was a different story for Li Ziling.
Normally, Li Ziling only ate street food.
They rarely came to places like this to accommodate her.
Today was the perfect opportunity to fleece Chen Jie.
Once inside, Azhu quickly ordered over a dozen dishes.
Li Ziling said with some worry, "Azhu, don't order so much. We won't be able to finish it, and it'll be a waste."
She estimated that these dishes would easily cost over a thousand.
"What are you afraid of? Someone's paying. Teacher Chen, you're not going to run out on the bill, are you? If you were going to, you should have told us earlier so we wouldn't have gotten you chopsticks," Azhu said, glancing at Chen Jie. Even if Chen Jie ran, she could afford it.
Chen Jie noticed Li Ziling's lips twitching as she looked at the food, realizing her living standards were indeed not high.
Considering her connection to the Dragon Group, Chen Jie said, "Don't worry, I won't skip out on the bill. Eat to your heart's content."
This surprised Azhu. She had ordered dishes worth over a thousand, which was not a small sum even for some wealthy individuals, yet Chen Jie agreed so readily.
After a moment's thought, Azhu added, "Li Ziling's skin is so delicate. She's used to fine dining. This is just everyday food for her. If you want to pursue her, you'll need to be prepared to support her."
Chen Jie replied, "It's no trouble. I don't like to force anyone. I simply admire Li Ziling. I'm usually quite generous to people I admire. This is a small matter."
"Keep pretending! Let's see how long you can keep this up!"
Azhu couldn't believe it. Eating like this every day was beyond her own financial capacity.
Where did Chen Jie get the audacity and confidence?
Just then, Li Ziling took out her phone.
Azhu quickly snatched it. "What? In this day and age, Li Ziling, you're still using a basic Mi phone?"
"Azhu, give it back!" Li Ziling cried out.
On her phone screen was a photo of a middle-aged man. Chen Jie's heart stirred. It seemed this man was Li Ziling's father.
"Teacher Chen, don't you have anything to say about this?" Azhu asked, looking at Chen Jie.
"I'll give Li Ziling a new phone later," Chen Jie said.
Azhu's eyes lit up. "Is there a price limit?"
"No."
Chen Jie answered readily.
"Li Ziling, eat quickly. We're going shopping later," Azhu urged Li Ziling.
Soon, after the three of them finished their meal, Chen Jie paid the bill. Azhu's gaze towards Chen Jie held a trace of admiration.
However, in her opinion, this was insignificant. It was just a meal.
If Li Ziling was willing, countless men would spend more to treat her to dinner.
Led by the two women, Chen Jie followed them to the mall.
"Teacher Chen, a phone costing over ten thousand, that's not too expensive, is it?" Azhu asked excitedly, picking up a phone.
Chen Jie replied, "As long as Li Ziling likes it."
He then signaled the salesperson, "Swipe the card."
Azhu inwardly gasped.
For the first time, she felt that Chen Jie was truly capable. Before this, her impression of him was just that of an ordinary teacher.
But on second thought, it made sense. Since Chen Jie could afford to hire Gong Jian and others to act for him, his financial standing must indeed be considerable.
"I can't accept this, it's too expensive!" Li Ziling repeatedly waved her hands.
Her eyes flickered with a sense of inferiority.
No matter how Azhu tried to persuade her, she refused.
Finally, Chen Jie said with a smile, "Li Ziling, just consider it my apology to you. Please accept it."
"Exactly! He was trying to trick you in the first place, so apologizing is normal. Moreover, he wants to be your admirer! How can you let him be so stingy?" Azhu chimed in, handing the phone to Li Ziling.
"Given how much you've done for Li Ziling, I'll reluctantly allow Li Ziling to keep your phone number!"
Azhu then saved their phone numbers for each other.
Chen Jie said to Li Ziling, "If you encounter any difficulties in the future, please contact me promptly."
Li Ziling reluctantly accepted it and then made a statement: "Let's be clear, you're giving this to me of your own accord. I won't agree to be your girlfriend because of this. If you regret it later, I'll return it to you."
Chen Jie nodded. "That's perfect."