Chapter 33: Growing Affection

Chen Xiao and Zhao Xiangjun got out of the car, each carrying a basket as they headed toward the pomegranate orchard.

On the way, she remarked, "Chen Xiao, how bored must you be to attend a class reunion like this?"

"I haven't seen them in so many years, and I didn't expect it to turn out like this. Besides, I mainly wanted to go on a date with you, and this was just a convenient excuse, wasn't it?"

She gave a delicate huff. "Your reasoning is truly superfluous. I came out because I wanted to be with you, not because of your class reunion! I don't like crowded places."

"I know that now. From now on, our dates will just be the two of us, and I'll only look for quiet, secluded spots."

"Oh my, this pomegranate is huge!" she exclaimed, as if she had discovered a new continent.

"It is, indeed. It's a bit high up, though. Be careful of the branches scratching your hands. Let me get it."

"Ow... Chen Xiao, you jinx!"

Chen Xiao hurried over and grabbed her arm. Seeing a scratch on her fair, jade-like skin, he was instantly filled with concern. He grabbed the branch to pull it down, muttering, "How dare you scratch my Xiangjun!"

Zhao Xiangjun rolled her eyes at him and said, "Don't be so cheesy. Speak properly!"

Chen Xiao chuckled and replied, "If something is hard to reach, just call me. My skin is thick and tough; I'm not afraid of scratches, but you are!"

"I grew up in the countryside; what hardship haven't I endured? A little scratch is nothing."

"That was in the past. Now that you're with me, I certainly won't let you suffer like that!"

She huffed again, but the smile on her face betrayed the joy in her heart.

Before long, both baskets were full. Through their time together that morning, their relationship had warmed up significantly. Although they hadn't explicitly stated it, they were effectively a couple. Chen Xiao held her hand occasionally, and she no longer resisted.

"Chen Xiao, I'm tired."

"Then let's go back to the car and rest. We have two baskets full; we can't finish them all anyway. You can give them to your niece and nephew later."

After paying at the checkout and loading the two large crates into the trunk, the two sat in the car, chatting with the air conditioning on. Suddenly, Chen Xiao's phone rang. Seeing it was Xu Wu, he pressed answer. Since it was connected to the car's Bluetooth, the whole cabin could hear.

"Chen Xiao, the sales commission for that order has been transferred to you. Check it—it's 90,000! I'm efficient, aren't I?"

Chen Xiao gave a simple grunt of acknowledgment. He didn't chat much, as Zhao Xiangjun was sitting right there, and he didn't want her to overthink things. He opened his system interface and saw a notification:

"Ding! Detected that the host has received a bonus of 90,000 yuan. Dedication Reward Coefficient is 10. Received a Dedication Reward of 900,000 yuan."

His balance had increased by 990,000 yuan. It was true—as long as he remained in his current position, all the business bonuses he earned would come with an additional Dedication Reward.

"Oh my, I accidentally made 90,000. It's just pocket change, but better than nothing, I suppose!"

"You're such a humble-bragger!" Zhao Xiangjun rolled her eyes at him, though she was happy for him.

"Xiangjun, look at my financial strength. Buying an apartment wouldn't be any pressure at all, right?" he continued, trying to coax her.

"I'm not buying. You don't even have a home of your own, so why would you buy one for me?"

*My dear, it’s a buy-one-get-one-free deal—if you have one, I have one!* He knew she wouldn't accept it right away, so he decided to try a different approach.

Just then, Tao Yong and Zhang Yu arrived. Chen Xiao got out of the car to open the trunk and help load their pomegranates as well.

For lunch, they chose a farmhouse restaurant that Meng Jianshu had arranged in advance. Ever since discovering Chen Xiao drove a Mercedes, Meng Jianshu’s attitude toward him had taken a 180-degree turn.

"Chen Xiao, these shrimp are very fresh, try them! Miss, you should try some too!"

Chen Xiao was polite, but his opinion of Meng Jianshu didn't change just because of his shift in attitude. If it hadn't been pre-arranged, he wouldn't have been interested in eating this meal at all.

Meng Jianshu was also polite to Liu Bo and the others. As they began to eat, they noticed Zhao Xiangjun moving, while Chen Xiao remained still. What happened next left everyone stunned.

Chen Xiao indeed didn't move, but Zhao Xiangjun was constantly busy, peeling shrimp and placing the meat into Chen Xiao's bowl.

*Damn it, are you two just showing off your affection? That animal Chen Xiao! Being served by such a beauty is simply outrageous.* The other men glanced at their own dates, but the women ignored them—clearly, they weren't receiving the same treatment. *Forget it, comparing yourself to others only leads to misery!*

But it got even worse. When it came to fruit, Zhao Xiangjun did the same thing, peeling it for him and inserting toothpicks. What was this? Were they trying to drive everyone crazy?

Zhao Xiangjun wasn't doing it on purpose. She had developed the habit during their daily dinners. Her personality was such that, aside from the people she cared about, she viewed everyone else as non-existent, so she naturally wouldn't feel the need to perform for them.

Chen Xiao felt quite uncomfortable throughout the meal, and the others were even more so. The looks they gave him were filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred. His treatment currently exceeded that of King Zhou of Shang, and Zhao Xiangjun’s beauty was likely even a step above Su Daji’s.

After the meal, Chen Xiao found an excuse to slip away. He couldn't stand these people, and given Zhao Xiangjun’s personality, she certainly couldn't either. If she weren't accompanying him, he doubted she would have come even if offered a mountain of gold.

Back at home, Chen Xiao went into Zhao Xiangjun’s room. She helped wash and cut some fruit, and the two sat on the sofa chatting. Chen Xiao leaned back, then hooked his arm around her and pulled her close.

He could feel her tense up at first, but then her body gradually relaxed. Chen Xiao pushed his luck a little, his hand beginning to wander, but Zhao Xiangjun dodged it several times. He knew the timing wasn't right yet; she was clearly a very conservative person, and allowing him to hold her like this was already a huge breakthrough.

He gave up on his advances and simply held her quietly. He realized she enjoyed it, even letting out a soft, comfortable murmur.

Zhao Xiangjun felt a bit awkward, so she picked up her phone to distract herself. However, her hand, as she entered her screen unlock password, betrayed her—she typed it wrong several times.

Chen Xiao laughed, "What is it? Let me type it for you!"

"199977."

"You really just gave it to me? Aren't you afraid of your password leaking?"

"What's there to be afraid of? All my passwords are the same."

"You really are a silly daredevil, giving out your password so casually."

"Do you think I'm stupid? I've never given it to anyone else!"

Chen Xiao felt a sudden surge of satisfaction. He took the opportunity to say, "Then, silly daredevil, give me your ID card tomorrow."

"What for? Why do you want my ID card for no reason?"

"Don't worry about it. Just tell me, will you give it to me or not?"

"Fine, take it. What exactly are you being so mysterious about?"

"I'll tell you tomorrow night!"

"Chen Xiao, are you mentally unstable? You should take a day off tomorrow and go see someone."

Chen Xiao jokingly threatened to tickle her, and she giggled, breaking free and running away.

"Come back, I haven't held you enough!"

She pouted, but obediently walked back and sat down beside him. Chen Xiao pulled her waist into his arms and rested his chin in her thick, flowing hair, breathing in her delicate scent.