I really didn't intend to make a living based on my looks.

"Then become capital yourself."

Yang Mi was taken aback, then laughed, a hint of disbelief and helplessness in her voice: "You make it sound so easy. How many people in this industry want to be capital, but in the end, don't they all become pawns of capital?"

"Capitalism is a predatory industry; can you bring yourself to take advantage of it?"

Jiang Chen looked up at her. "I don't know about you or me. But I definitely will."

Yang Mi's laughter stopped.

She stared at him for two seconds, trying to find some guilt in his boastful expression on that young face, but she couldn't.

He only had a reckless and unwavering determination, like an eighteen-year-old boy saying he wanted to conquer the world.

It was absurd, but for some reason, she wanted to believe it.

"Okay," she said, taking a sip of the mango pomelo sago dessert. "I'll wait."

"Waiting for what?"

"I'm waiting for you to be my investment," she said, her eyes crinkling with laughter. "President Jiang, don't forget to give your sister Mi a boost when the time comes. I'll be your leading lady, and the pay is negotiable."

"free?"

"You wish."

"Honey, next time you want to be your own boss, I'll invest in you."

"Do you have money?"

"It's not there now, but it will be later."

"And when I have money, you'll come work for me..."

After she finished speaking, she laughed first, shook her head, and didn't say anything more, but there was something indescribable in that smile.

After finishing their late-night snack, the two walked out of the alley, where the street was even quieter.

Jiang Chen walked on the side closest to the road, while Yang Mi walked on the inside, with less than an arm's length between them. Neither of them deliberately moved closer or further apart.

After walking for a while, Yang Mi suddenly spoke up: "You said you were leaving tomorrow, so was this trip really just to see me?"

"What else can I do? My dear sister works so hard filming, is it wrong for me to come and offer her some comfort?"

"Okay, okay," Yang Mi rolled her eyes at him and laughed, "Then do you know why I treated you to a late-night snack?"

"Since you went to all that trouble to fly over and visit me on set, I have to show my appreciation, right?"

"Isn't it for this?" Jiang Chen turned his head to look at her.

Yang Mi didn't answer. After taking a few steps, she suddenly stopped and turned around to face him.

The light from the streetlamp shone down on her head, illuminating her face in a half-light, half-shadow, making her eyes appear exceptionally bright in the shadows.

"because……"

She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but was interrupted by a commotion.

A few young people not far away suddenly pointed at them.

"Hey! Isn't that...?"

Yang Mi reflexively lowered her head.

Jiang Chen stepped aside to block her, pulled Yang Mi up with one hand, and pressed down on the brim of her hat with the other: "Let's go."

The two disappeared into the alley, and a hesitant voice called out behind them, "Xuejian?"

"run!"

Jiang Chen held her hand and led her through the maze-like alleyways.

Yang Mi was being pulled along by him, the wind rushing into her mouth. Suddenly, she felt her heart pounding, not because she was tired, but because...

So exciting!

"Up ahead!" Jiang Chen pointed to a narrower fork in the road. "Go in!"

The two squeezed into the gap between the two old buildings, their backs pressed against the damp wall, holding their breath.

The sound of footsteps chasing after them lingered at the alley entrance for a while before gradually fading into the distance.

"They're gone." Jiang Chen peeked out, breathed a sigh of relief, and turned around.

Then he realized that the distance was too close.

The gap between the two old buildings was so narrow that only one person could pass through sideways. After he turned around, the two of them were pressed together face to face.

He tried to back away, but his back was already pressed against the wall.

Yang Mi didn't move either.

She was wedged between him and the wall, her body leaning slightly backward, but the back of her head was almost touching the wall behind her.

The two people were pressed tightly together.

Moreover, because she had run too fast, she was still slightly out of breath, and each breath caused a slight compression and rebound between their bodies.

Jiang Chen lowered his head and looked at her.

Yang Mi's mask had long since fallen off, and there were fine beads of sweat on the tip of her nose. Her lips were slightly parted, as if she was panting, or as if she had something to say.

She was looking at him too.

Those eyes shone amazingly bright in the darkness!

Their eyes met, and neither of them looked away.

The air suddenly became very sticky.

Jiang Chen reached out and cupped the back of her head, running his fingers through her sweat-dampened hair, and lowered his head to kiss her.

Yang Mi didn't dodge; she held tightly to his waist.

Their lips touched, and it felt unusually soft.

Yang Mi's breathing suddenly became rapid. Her hand, which was gripping his clothes, loosened and then tightened again, her nails digging into the flesh on his side through the thin coat.

There was no aggression, no eagerness, only cautious exploration between them, as if they were confirming something.

After a long while, the two of them stepped back at the same time.

Yang Mi turned her face away, her ear tips turning bright red, but she still stubbornly insisted, "...My technique is so-so."

"Same to you."

"Who's 'between you'!" she glared at him. "I was... I was..."

"What is it?"

"It's out of pity! I'm afraid you'll get sick from holding it in!"

Jiang Chen paused for a second, then suddenly burst out laughing.

Yang Mi was both ashamed and angry. She raised her hand to hit him, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her out of the alley.

"Let's go. If I stay any longer, I'm afraid you'll pity me again."

"roll!"

"Where are you going?"

"Go back to your school!"

"That won't do," Jiang Chen said, holding her hand tightly. "We haven't used it yet, so we can't leave."

Yang Mi struggled for a moment but couldn't break free, so she let him be.

……

The hotel lobby lights were blindingly white. Yang Mi pulled her hat brim down as low as possible and dragged Jiang Chen through the front desk.

The young woman on duty was engrossed in her phone and didn't see them.

The moment the elevator doors closed, Yang Mi let go of his hand, leaned against the elevator wall, and let out a long sigh.

Jiang Chen stood next to her, watching the elevator numbers jump up one by one.

3, 4, 5...

"bite."

The door opened.

The corridor was covered with a dark gray carpet, and walking on it made no sound.

Yang Mi walked ahead, took out her room card from her bag, aligned it with the sensor, and clicked.

She pushed open the door, went inside, and inserted the room card into the power outlet.

The lights came on.

Then she turned around and looked at Jiang Chen standing at the door.

"Come in."

Jiang Chen didn't move: "Have you thought it through?"

Yang Mi rolled her eyes: "Little brother, do you think you're really good at picking up girls?"

Jiang Chen was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is," she stepped forward, "that I'm in a good mood tonight, so you're lucky. Stop dawdling around here."

"Is this an invitation?"

"This is charity," she scoffed, grabbing his collar and pulling him inside. "Take it or leave it."

Click.

The moment the door closed, Yang Mi stood on tiptoe and kissed him.

This time, it wasn't in an alley, where there were no passersby who might appear at any moment; it was just the two of them alone.

The kiss moved from the entryway to the bedside, and clothes fell one by one onto the carpet.

Once in the bedroom, Yang Mi pushed Jiang Chen onto the bed, straddled him, and looked down at him.

"Sister, I want to be on top!"

……

(P.S.: Let the brothers have some meat first, then we need to get down to business... New book seeking monthly votes and recommendations, thank you so much!)