I Have 10 Trillion Dollars only Usable For Simping Chapter 2342 - 1488: The Wolf Is Coming... (2)

Jiang Chen could no longer speak carelessly.

Princess Cao appeared genuinely unaware. After waiting a few minutes for Cao Xiugo to conclude his phone call, she inquired with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, "Bro, who was that?"

"A colleague," Jiang Chen replied, his heart faltering as he instinctively glanced towards Yang Qinghua, who was calmly sipping wine.

"Why would they call you at this hour? Isn't it after work?" Cao Jinse pressed further.

Cao Xiugo, completely unsuspecting, answered truthfully as he settled back down, "The school is organizing an upcoming faculty exchange event, and I was running late earlier because of it. They were consulting me."

How perceptive.

Yang Qinghua’s smile remained serene, always maintaining control.

"Was it a male colleague or a female colleague?" Even though Princess Cao attempted to be subtle, her persistent questioning inevitably made Cao Xiugo sense that something was amiss.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, just asking."

"It’s a female teacher from the Department of Foreign Languages." A truly devoted brother, showing his sister considerable patience; others might not receive such treatment.

"Is her last name Mu?" Cao Jinse blurted out.

Jiang Chen continued eating quietly.

Cao Xiugo seemed a bit taken aback, looking at his sister. "How do you know?"

"I mentioned it. You're not only an idol to students at Kyoto University but also to the teachers; yet, they didn't believe it," Yang Qinghua interjected, embodying accountability with an air befitting an official title.

"Qinghua, let's drink," Jiang Chen swiftly raised his glass, attempting to lighten the mood; he couldn't let Princess Cao bear the brunt of it alone.

"Together," Yang Qinghua responded with a smile, nonchalantly.

At this moment, witnessing the live demonstration from the opposing party, Jiang Chen fully grasped the meaning of "relaxed with measure."

Men and women, or rather, people in general, are all the same.

If one lacks the means, would they dare to challenge a rival of Cao Xiugo's caliber?

Certainly not.

That Teacher Mu likely underestimated the depth of Cao Xiugo's character, merely being attracted by his personal charisma.

A case of beer, four people – how could anyone possibly get drunk?

Furthermore, their self-control was obsessively strong.

Wanting to get drunk was an entirely different matter.

However, tonight was certainly not the appropriate setting for such an indulgence.

None were idle societal loafers; Cao Xiugo had school early the next morning, and the other three were also busy individuals. Therefore, no further activities were planned, and after dining, everyone went their separate ways.

"Did you offend someone?" Having had some drinks, Boss Jiang naturally wouldn't offer a ride, especially with her brother present. However, seeing the Four Great Kings standing outside, Princess Cao couldn't resist a jest.

She was well aware that some individuals never bothered with ostentatious displays.

Indeed, Jiang Chen, who had indeed offended many, merely chuckled. He first accompanied Yang Qinghua to see the Cao siblings off to a waiting private car.

"You handled things well today." As the private car drove away, Yang Qinghua smiled. "It seems the crisis has been averted."

Jiang Chen astutely replied, "Thanks, Qinghua."

Yang Qinghua tilted her head. "If you're truly grateful, don't keep saying it; keep it in your heart."

That individual, undoubtedly skilled in emotional intelligence, wisely remained silent, merely nodding in agreement.

"Take care on the road," Yang Qinghua bid farewell as the driver opened the car door.

"Bro, what's going on with that Teacher Mu?" Inside the private car, with no one else around, Cao Jinse couldn't help but inquire.

"A colleague," Cao Xiugo replied with a faint smile. "Don't overthink it."

"I don't believe that." With no one else present, there was no need to hold back. Cao Jinse continued, "If she were just a colleague, why would she be interested in you?"

Knowing her brother's personality, as a sister, she certainly understood. Claiming he was secretly dating would be fantastical, but suggesting a purely ordinary colleague relationship also seemed improbable.

"Bro, does that Teacher Mu have a crush on you?" Sitting in the back seat, Cao Xiugo stared ahead, remaining silent.

"How old is she? What does she look like? Do you have any photos?" Cao Jinse immediately transformed into a community busybody, nudging her brother's arm when he stayed quiet. "Say something."

"First, handle your own matters."

"I've already handled them," Cao Xiugo turned his head.

Cao Jinse smiled purely. "Be merciful when possible, right?"

Cao Xiugo chuckled silently, shaking his head and averting his gaze, saying nothing further.

"Bro, you can ignore me, but what about her? Since she's aware, she won't give up easily." Cao Jinse said leisurely.

Still, there was no response beside her.

Princess Cao, who had been conversing with herself, couldn't help but let out a sigh. She pondered how her legendary, commanding, and elegant brother could appear so helpless when it came to just one woman.

In certain aspects, he seemed even less capable than a particular individual.

"If you truly hold no affection for her, then you must resolve this matter and make her abandon all hope. As things stand, you are not truly free, she is merely wasting her time, and both of you are suffering immensely."

Although not completely inebriated, the alcohol still exerted a slight influence. Perhaps it was also the pervasive atmosphere, but Princess Cao found herself voicing her genuine feelings.

"Do you understand her personality?"

Cao Xiugo finally broke his silence.

Cao Jinse did not echo his question this time. "Yes. She is unlike most women; her determination is not easily swayed. However, after so many years, even the most steadfast will would eventually falter if there is no hope. Brother, you cannot entirely place the blame on her; her perseverance must stem from the motivation you provide."

"Take today as an example. You did not have to attend. Yet, you came, and not only that, you presented her with a gift. Is that not… sigh."

Princess Cao shook her head.

Indeed.

When one critiques others, they are always articulate and clear-headed.

Yet, she failed to consider.

Did her brother come today solely to celebrate Yang Qinghua's birthday?

The birthday celebrant was aware as well; if he were the only guest, he would certainly not have come.

Regarding the matter of the gift.

Jiang Chen had not known her for long, but he understood that it was at least polite to bring a cake when attending an event, wasn't it?

Cao Xiugo likely had unspoken difficulties, but he could not allow his sister to malign him, so he defended himself. "Didn't you give a gift?"

"I did."

Certainly, Princess Cao had, only earlier, she had confidently stated, "I am different from you."

What did that imply?

She had to maintain politeness.

Her brother, however, was not obligated to do so?

Cao Xiugo did not attempt to argue with a woman. "Your own affairs, you shall handle them yourself in the future."

Cao Jinse's eyes subtly gleamed for a moment before she huffed. "Hmm. I will manage my own matters."

Had Jiang Chen been present, with his emotional intelligence, he would surely have grasped the underlying significance of the siblings' exchange.

Meanwhile.

He certainly would have been touched.

But he was not in the car, thus remaining oblivious to Princess Cao's magnanimity or the nascent romantic gestures from someone of high standing.

At this very moment, he was relaxing in his car, eyes closed in rest, while his mind meticulously replayed the recent, ordinary birthday banquet.

No mention of official matters.

Everything revolved around trivial family concerns.

Although not the central figure, this gathering undoubtedly proved immensely beneficial to him.

Setting aside the strengthened bond with Yang Qinghua, speaking purely of the Cao family.

Amidst this complex situation, perhaps everyone perceived Princess Cao as the calm center of the storm, but only Jiang Chen was aware that his greatest challenge was not her, but the seemingly ordinary teacher brother standing behind her.

If everything proceeded without a hitch this time.

And he managed to navigate through the crisis successfully.

"Ding~"

As Jiang Chen replayed his memories, scrutinizing for any flaws and assessing areas for future improvement, a sudden ringtone interrupted his reverie.

He opened his eyes and retrieved his phone.

It was an incoming call from Fujiwara Reiki.

"Hello."

"Jiang Sang, help~"

The same tone. The same predictable pattern.

Did she truly believe herself to be Japanese?

Having already suffered a loss once, Jiang Chen immediately ended the call without uttering a word.

The Japanese individual might be unaware of the "boy who cried wolf" fable, but the people of Shen Zhou had heard it since childhood; falling into a trap once signifies an enemy's cunning, but falling twice marks oneself as foolish.

Following the expected script, the call should have come again. Yet, strangely, after being hung up, the phone remained silent.

Jiang Chen's grip tightened on the silent phone, his brow gradually furrowing.