Li Ziling and Azhu were stunned for a moment.
Chen Jie then realized his words had a problem and added, "I don't like women who are easily swayed by any gift; otherwise, it only shows that women are cheap. Li Ziling's character is precisely what I admire."
The two women breathed a sigh of relief, having thought Chen Jie didn't want Li Ziling to agree to him at first.
"Li Ziling, let's go shopping again. We're going to buy, buy, buy today!"
Azhu pulled Li Ziling along again, heading elsewhere.
Despite Li Ziling's repeated refusals, she eventually gave in, half-heartedly agreeing.
As expected, Azhu found another excuse, prompting Chen Jie to buy Li Ziling several branded clothes and some jewelry.
After this shopping spree, Chen Jie had spent nearly twenty thousand yuan. Azhu noticed Chen Jie didn't even frown and was secretly astonished.
"Let's get a few more sets from Victoria's Secret!" Azhu wouldn't back down and continued to pick out some lingerie for Li Ziling.
But Chen Jie remained unfazed, showing no signs of heartache, and didn't even make any demands on Li Ziling.
Seeing Chen Jie still indifferent, she finally gave up.
In the end, Chen Jie had spent nearly fifty thousand yuan. Even Azhu felt a bit embarrassed.
If it went on any longer, it would be too much on one hand, and on the other hand, Azhu felt that if Chen Jie suddenly accused them of being scam artists, they would have to return all the money.
She didn't know that Chen Jie had no concept of money at all; he could earn tens of thousands of yuan in the blink of an eye.
Finally, it was eight o'clock in the evening, and it was time for the three of them to go back.
"Well, I see this kid is quite attentive to you. Considering how much he's spent, I'll reluctantly agree to Teacher Chen taking you back! Hahaha…"
Azhu winked at Li Ziling.
"Azhu, wait a moment!"
Li Ziling stopped Azhu and, avoiding Chen Jie, said with a worried expression, "Azhu, what should I do! He spent so much money on me tonight. If I don't agree to be his girlfriend later, won't I become a bad woman who targets wealthy men?"
"What are you afraid of? He hasn't said anything. Besides, he seems to be just a teacher on the surface, but I think he's quite rich! You can enjoy yourself with peace of mind. If he dares to threaten you with this, tell me, and I'll sort him out for you!" Azhu said with a cold smile as she glanced at Chen Jie.
"But..."
"Wait a moment..."
Azhu ran over to Chen Jie, beckoned him over, and said, "Let's talk!"
With that, she walked away.
Chen Jie followed her.
Suddenly, when they reached a place where Li Ziling couldn't see them, Azhu grabbed Chen Jie's collar, her bright eyes staring intently at him, "Tell me honestly, what's your purpose in approaching Li Ziling!"
Being grabbed by the collar, Chen Jie didn't take her seriously at all.
Because Azhu posed no threat to him, less than a three-year-old child.
Chen Jie put his hands in his pockets and said indifferently, "What purpose could I have?"
"Don't bullshit me. If someone is suddenly so good to a woman, it's either lust or ulterior motives. But I've noticed you don't seem to have much possessiveness over Li Ziling! So why are you being so nice to her?"
Chen Jie shrugged, "I just haven't shown it."
"I don't believe you. You clearly have something in mind, you just don't know it yet."
Azhu said angrily.
A large part of the reason she let Chen Jie follow them today was to observe his character.
But she found Chen Jie too mysterious; not like a teacher, not like a sleazy guy, and even less like a pauper.
This made her curious and wary of Chen Jie.
"When a woman becomes curious about a man, it means things are very dangerous. I advise you to mind your own business." Chen Jie advised.
"Hmph! Don't be so narcissistic! Will you tell me or not!"
Azhu pressed.
"Alright, you've seen through me. Actually, Li Ziling and I are long-lost siblings..."
Pfft...
Azhu burst out laughing.
She then said, "Whatever your purpose, if you dare to hurt Li Ziling, I will make you pay. She's my best friend!"
"Don't worry, I won't hurt her," Chen Jie replied.
"That's for the best."
Azhu returned to Li Ziling's side and said to her, "Li Ziling, let's go back. Don't worry, he won't dare to do anything to you!"
"I know, he's not that kind of person. Azhu, you should go back," Li Ziling said to Azhu, as if she had made a decision.
After saying goodbye, Chen Jie called a taxi and took Li Ziling back to Longyue Residential Area.
There was still a distance to their building after getting out of the car.
When they reached an empty alley, Li Ziling suddenly stopped.
"Teacher Chen, do you really like me?" Li Ziling looked into Chen Jie's eyes, seemingly confirming her own answer.
Chen Jie was taken aback, "Why would you ask that?"
"I know how painful it is to love someone you can't have, just like my father. I really wish he would come back to me and let me feel paternal love, but this wish of mine has never been fulfilled," Li Ziling murmured.
Chen Jie's heart was stirred, and he remained silent.
"So, I want to ask you, if I agree to be your girlfriend now, will you be very happy?" Li Ziling asked Chen Jie.
Chen Jie suddenly felt troubled.
He had never intended to actually have anything with Li Ziling.
He had just found an excuse to conveniently protect Li Ziling.
If he answered Li Ziling's question poorly, it could lead to very serious consequences.
"Don't overthink it, take your time. I'm not in a hurry," Chen Jie explained.
"But..."
"There's no 'but.' I tricked you. You should hate me, and you shouldn't be asking me this question," Chen Jie reminded Li Ziling not to forget her original intention.
"But I found out you're not as bad as I imagined!" Li Ziling said.
Chen Jie said, "That's just because I haven't shown it. Men are good at disguising themselves; they often reveal their true selves after they succeed. You must pay attention to this!"
"You..."
Li Ziling was stunned. She suddenly realized that Chen Jie wasn't pursuing her, was he?
Why was he actively giving her reasons to reject him?
"Teacher Chen, you don't seem to want me to be your girlfriend!" Li Ziling said, suddenly sounding annoyed.
"Not at all. Why would you think that?" Chen Jie feigned ignorance.
"Pfft! Then I'm relieved! Actually, I was just testing you. If you had really used this opportunity to make me agree to be your girlfriend, I would have ended up hating you."
"But now, I've found that you're not as bad as I thought!"
Li Ziling and Chen Jie made eye contact, then quickly lowered their heads, saying with a blush.