Chapter 12: The Jade of Jing Mountain

Chao Jingyu arrived at the flower hall first, where Bu Qingqing was sitting alone, sipping coffee.

"Why are you so late? Who keeps their guest waiting for over an hour like this?"

Chao Jingyu replied, "Sorry, I was with my girlfriend."

Bu Qingqing had pursued Chao Jingyu for so long and had never heard he had a girlfriend. She didn't believe a word of it.

Chao Jingyu didn’t sit down, nor did he waste words. After a few minutes, footsteps echoed in the hall.

He didn’t turn around, but the scent of perfume reached him—it was his own, worn by her.

Chao Jingyu sighed inwardly. What a keen and clever woman!

Indeed, only women understood women. The moment Bu Qingqing caught the scent of perfume on Liang Jinshang, her expression changed.

How close must a pair of lovers become for one to be marked by the other's fragrance?

Then, seeing Liang Jinshang clad in Chao Jingyu’s shirt, Bu Qingqing sprang to her feet, disbelief written all over her face.

Liang Jinshang bypassed her, walking toward Chao Jingyu. She wore his shirt, oversized and loose, revealing her slender, pale legs—innocent and alluring.

Pressed for time, she hadn’t bothered with makeup, save for a bit of lipstick, deliberately smudged.

She leaned against Chao Jingyu, her every gesture exuding the languor of someone who’d just spent the night. “Jingyu, who is she?” she asked.

Chao Jingyu gently circled her waist. “Just a friend.”

“Oh, a friend? Then let’s have dinner together later—you can take me for sushi.”

Bu Qingqing, indignant, retorted, “Chao Jingyu doesn’t eat sushi!”

“He didn’t before, but now that he has me, he’ll accompany me, won’t you?” Liang Jinshang tilted her head, sweetly coaxing.

Her performance was flawless; Chao Jingyu couldn’t help but smile. “Of course. I’ll do whatever you wish.”

Bu Qingqing stormed out in anger.

Chao Jingyu didn’t immediately release Liang Jinshang’s waist, but looked down at her with interest. “I’m curious—how did you know I don’t eat sushi?”

Her earlier words had been sharp and precise; he didn’t believe it was a mere coincidence.

Liang Jinshang hadn’t spoken at random. She had studied all of Chao Jingyu’s published papers, essays, even his online encyclopedia entries. She knew all his preferences.

Her task was fulfilled. Now, it was her turn to make a request.

She’d never thought she’d have a chance to cross paths with Chao Jingyu. After waiting so long, she seized his shirt eagerly. “Dr. Chao, I have something I’d like your help with!”

Shang Yucheng and Gong Xueyuan entered, witnessing the scene.

The man was leaning down with a half-smile, the woman looking up at him plaintively. Though their words were inaudible, the image was harmonious.

Gong Xueyuan’s face darkened instantly. “Ah Yu!”

Chao Jingyu looked up, releasing Liang Jinshang’s waist and stepping toward them.

Liang Jinshang saw the pair, but paid no heed to Shang Yucheng’s expression, trailing after Chao Jingyu. “Dr. Chao!”

Chao Jingyu heard the urgency in her voice and turned back with a reassuring smile. “My friends are here. Don’t worry—we can talk about anything later. For now... why don’t you go change your clothes?”

He spoke as he walked, finishing his sentence just as he reached the two.

Shang Yucheng’s eyes narrowed, his already cold expression growing even more inscrutable.

His gaze swept from the men’s shirt on Liang Jinshang down her bare legs, finally lingering for several seconds on a glimmer of green below her collarbone.

Liang Jinshang noticed Shang Yucheng’s inspecting look, realizing how her appearance could so easily be misunderstood.

No wonder Gong Xueyuan looked at her as if she were… unspeakable.

She turned to head upstairs, Gong Xueyuan’s furious voice ringing behind her, “Ah Yu, are you out of your mind? What’s your relationship with this woman?!”

“As you see,” Chao Jingyu replied calmly. “What brings you here?”

Gong Xueyuan, annoyed, said, “Yucheng and I came to deliver your invitation. Didn’t expect to witness such a spectacle! When did you become so indiscriminate? Have you lost your mind?”

She couldn’t explain why she felt such hostility toward Liang Jinshang, but this woman truly seemed relentless!

Liang Jinshang hadn’t gone far and overheard Gong Xueyuan’s words. She could tell Gong Xueyuan and Chao Jingyu were familiar; her tone with him was more casual and coy than even with Shang Yucheng.

Liang Jinshang felt no embarrassment—only one thought: Gong Xueyuan must be off again to find a new tutor for Chao Xinghe. What a busy woman!

She didn’t expect Chao Jingyu to defend her, but heard him say carelessly, “She’s wonderful. I’m still very selective.”

Liang Jinshang paused for a moment.

So not every man of distinguished birth was as lofty and cold-hearted as Shang Yucheng.

The jade of Jing Mountain—a man true to his name.