Traveling through the second dimension, the joy system encourages me to laugh heartily!

Her demeanor was graceful and natural, displaying both the poise of a hostess and a warm and approachable manner.

Upon seeing this, Shi Ci quickly stepped forward, bowed slightly, and respectfully grasped Long Zixuan's outstretched right hand with both hands, his attitude humble:

"Hello, boss lady! It's no trouble at all. Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to help me today."

Long Zixuan gently shook her head and said sincerely:

"Don't say that, it's you who's troubling me. Helping my husband is the same as helping me. There's no need to be so polite. Just let me know if there's anything I can help you with."

These words not only affirmed Shi Ci's work but also brought them closer, demonstrating Long Zixuan's excellent interpersonal skills and completely relaxing Shi Ci's previously tense mood.

"Thank you, ma'am..."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

Long Zixuan was decisive and efficient, and went straight to the point, asking, "Xiao Ci, besides arranging the necessary personnel, suitable venue, and appropriate vehicles for your reception, is there anything else you need my assistance with?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Ci quickly waved his hand, a grateful and content smile on his face:

"No, no! You've arranged everything so perfectly, ma'am. This is more than enough; it'll ensure Aunt Zhang won't suspect anything. You just go about your business; leave the rest to me..."

Seeing that Shi Ci's thinking was clear, Long Zixuan nodded slightly and said, "Alright, since you have no problem, I'm relieved. I do have a video conference to attend."

She then turned to the female secretary standing to the side and instructed her, "Xiao Lin, you stay here and fully cooperate with President Shi's work. Follow her instructions in everything."

"Yes, Miss." Secretary Kobayashi replied respectfully.

After making the arrangements, Long Zixuan gave Shi Ci an encouraging smile, then turned gracefully and left the office with a calm and composed demeanor, leaving the space to Shi Ci and the female secretary.

……

Meanwhile, on Chen Ming's side...

He drove his high-performance sports car at breakneck speed and arrived at the upscale shopping mall near the lakeside villa area.

After parking the car smoothly in a parking space in the underground parking lot, Chen Ming took the elevator directly to the first floor of the mall.

His distant cousin Xie Wanqing's quick agreement to come made him feel as happy and relaxed as the bright sunshine outside the window.

Because this is not as simple as just agreeing to come over and "go shopping".

At her cousin's lively wedding banquet last time, Xie Wanqing treated him with fiery enthusiasm, a stark contrast to the image of her spoiled little cousin who used to snatch his toys.

From that moment on, Chen Ming had already realized that his distant cousin was irresistibly drawn to the power of money.

He knew perfectly well that it was only a matter of time before he could "control" his once "high and mighty" cousin; all he lacked was the right opportunity.

Today, Xie Wanqing couldn't help but send him a message first, and then, after he extended an olive branch (or rather, offered real money), she agreed to the appointment with almost no hesitation.

This is the opportunity!

Chen Ming strolled into the Moonbucks coffee shop on the first floor of the mall, where a rich aroma of coffee wafted towards him.

He ordered a signature cappuccino, chose a seat by the window with a view of the entrance, and leisurely began to "wait for his prey".

He didn't have to wait long; about fifteen minutes later, a familiar yet slightly hurried figure appeared at the coffee shop entrance.

The visitor was Xie Wanqing.

After entering the store, she stopped, slightly out of breath, and looked around anxiously, clearly searching for Chen Ming.

Chen Ming, meanwhile, observed her outfit with great interest: ordinary denim shorts, a simple plain t-shirt, and clean white sneakers, with minimal accessories. Perhaps because she was in a rush after receiving the invitation, she had only hastily applied makeup, leaving her almost bare-faced…

However, it is precisely this simple and natural look, stripped of elaborate packaging, that makes her skin appear delicate and her features clear, giving her a fresh and natural beauty, like a lotus emerging from clear water, with a unique charm.

It was precisely this pure and simple attire that instantly overlapped with the image of the little girl with pigtails and a domineering face deep in Chen Ming's memory.

That spoiled little girl, she's grown up!

Although I didn't get my revenge back then—I didn't get to ride on her and beat her up!

But that subtle desire to "conquer" and "suppress" still remains.

Just thinking about "teaching a lesson" to this distant cousin who had grown up and come to him on her own initiative made Chen Ming's heart flutter with excitement!

Of course, this "beating" is not the same as that "beating". Nowadays, the place for "revenge" probably has to be changed to a place where one can "stand up and kick".

As his thoughts raced, Chen Ming put on a gentle smile, stood up, raised his right hand towards the door, and called out, "Cousin, over here!"

Upon hearing the sound, Xie Wanqing immediately turned her head to look.

Upon seeing Chen Ming, a bright smile instantly bloomed on her face, and she walked briskly to the booth where he was.

"Cousin, I'm here!"

As she spoke, she very naturally chose to sit on the sofa next to Chen Ming, rather than opposite him. The distance between them instantly closed…

Chen Ming felt a gentle breeze carrying the unique fragrance of a young girl, which was refreshing and pleasant.

Feeling the warm breath beside him, he felt his already restless emotions were almost impossible to suppress.

After all, Xie Wanqing's willingness to come and choose such a close seat was a strong signal that she had already made some kind of mental preparation.

If she were just there to get by or to play games, she wouldn't have acted this way.

If it's just a joke, Chen Ming wouldn't mind settling old scores and new grudges.

So he decided to take the next step in his probing—Chen Ming casually placed his hand on Xie Wanqing's small hand, which was resting on the sofa; the touch was cool and delicate.

At the same time, he asked in an extremely normal tone, "What would you like to drink?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he clearly felt Xie Wanqing's small hand tremble slightly, almost imperceptibly, in his palm, like a startled bird.

However, after that slight tremor, she made no further resistance or attempt to pull away, as if nothing had happened, letting his warm palm envelop hers, her fingertips even relaxing slightly.

Xie Wanqing raised her head, her gaze meeting Chen Ming's for a moment before she looked away shyly, saying in a light tone:

"Anything is fine with me, I'll drink whatever my cousin orders!"

Hearing this and feeling the obedience in his hand, Chen Ming was overjoyed.

He unconsciously tightened his grip on the other person's hand, feeling the soft and slightly cool touch more deeply, and a sense of control arose spontaneously.

"Okay, then I'll do the same."

Chen Ming turned to the waiter waiting nearby and said, "Waiter, pour her a cappuccino too..."

After ordering coffee, Chen Ming gradually became dissatisfied with merely holding hands, a basic form of contact. He subtly shifted his position, bringing his body closer to Xie Wanqing, almost leg to leg. Then he stretched his arm back, attempting to reach around Xie Wanqing's back and wrap his arms around her waist.

However, it turned out that Xie Wanqing was leaning against the back of the sofa, and his arm could not pass through naturally.

Just then, Xie Wanqing seemed to have a telepathic connection and suddenly "remembered" something.

She said, "Oh, cousin, let me see what delicious desserts they have..."

At the same time, he naturally leaned forward and reached for the QR code standee on the table.

This forward lean perfectly created space for Chen Ming's arm. Chen Ming understood immediately, and his arm slid down smoothly, easily slipping through and placing his palm firmly on her lower back.

After scanning the code, Xie Wanqing acted as if nothing had happened and naturally leaned back on the sofa.

With this lean, she fell right into Chen Ming's arms, forming an intimate posture where he held her waist tightly.

She herself seemed completely unaware, merely pretending to be intently looking down at the menu on her phone screen. Only the blush creeping up her cheeks and ears betrayed that her heart was not truly at peace.

Chen Ming immediately felt a warm, soft body in his arms. Their bodies were pressed close together, and through the thin summer clothes, they could clearly feel each other's body temperature and contours.

His other hand naturally and gently landed on Xie Wanqing's smooth thigh, his palm feeling the delicate and slightly cool sensation of her skin.

He looked down at his cousin, who was practically nestled in his arms, a pleased smile spreading across his face, and casually started a conversation:

"You've been busy looking for a job these past few days? It must be tough, right?"

Xie Wanqing kept her head down, her fingers unconsciously swiping across the phone screen, as if browsing a menu, or perhaps trying to conceal the turmoil in her heart.

She responded softly, "Yes, ever since I lost my job a few days ago, I've basically been busy. I'm either frantically sending out resumes online or running around to different companies for interviews. I feel like I'm being completely drained."

She paused, turned her head, and looked up at Chen Ming, her eyes sparkling with a hint of coquetry and probing. "But now it's all good! My cousin loves me and is willing to take care of me. I can finally relax a bit and enjoy life. I just hope... my cousin won't abandon me in the future~"

These words, seemingly an answer to Chen Ming's question about finding a job, conveyed a far deeper meaning than their literal translation.

Chen Ming's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he immediately caught the key signal in his cousin's words—she was clearly stating to him: I am willing to accept your proposed "sugar baby" arrangement, but I hope this is not a whim, but a long-term commitment, a sense of security of "being kept for a lifetime".

All done!!

Chen Ming was secretly delighted, as if a stone had been lifted from his shoulders, or as if a hunter had finally witnessed the moment when his prey had completely walked into the trap.

His smile grew even brighter, and he immediately gave the promise the other party most wanted to hear:

"Cousin, what nonsense are you talking about? Don't worry about me! I'm just a very possessive person. Once I've decided on a woman and she belongs to me, I will never let her go, let alone abandon her! Just stay with me."

This straightforward and domineering declaration served as a powerful reassurance.

After hearing this, Xie Wanqing could clearly feel her tense shoulders and neck relax, and her heart, which had been slightly hanging, seemed to settle down. She let out a soft sigh and said in a low voice, "Yes, with my cousin's words, I feel relieved."

This response served as a tangible confirmation of the new relationship between the two.

As a result, the atmosphere became even more ambiguous and harmonious.

The two slowly savored their slightly sweet and bitter cappuccinos, chatting casually about trivial matters, from the weather in Ling'an City to recently released movies.

However, beneath the verbal exchanges lies even more unrestrained physical contact.

Beneath the plain-colored T-shirt, subtle movements and the transmission of warmth silently tell of the rapidly escalating relationship between the two.

Xie Wanqing's cheeks remained flushed, but she tried her best to maintain her composure and even took the initiative to find topics to ease the increasingly ambiguous atmosphere.

She shifted slightly, as if uncomfortable from sitting for too long, and then asked softly in a nasal, coquettish tone:

"Hmm~ Cousin~ Where are we going later?"

This question, seemingly casual, is actually an unspoken invitation...

Chapter 263: My Gluttonous Cousin

(Note: Xie Wanqing is a distant cousin, beyond the fifth degree of kinship!)

Feeling the slender, soft waist and smooth, elastic legs of the beauty in his arms, with the faint fragrance emanating from her body, Chen Ming was somewhat distracted, intoxicated by this feeling of being in control.

Hearing the question, he readily replied, "First, I'll take you upstairs to the boutique to browse around, buy a few decent outfits, and pick out a few bags you like. After that, I'll arrange the rest of the itinerary, and I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

In his view, since this distant cousin had obediently expressed her attitude, he, as the "sugar daddy," naturally couldn't be lazy—he bought clothes and bags for every girl in his harem, so Xie Wanqing naturally had a share as well.

To everyone's surprise, Xie Wanqing shook her head and directly rejected the tempting offer.

She looked up, gazing at Chen Ming with adoration: "Don't bother buying clothes and bags, cousin, you can arrange that..."

Clearly, Xie Wanqing was already fully aware of what Chen Ming would "arrange" next and was mentally prepared.

Now that she had made her final decision, she wasn't going to engage in any more pointless back-and-forth.

Having personally experienced Chen Ming's extravagance, she knew that this distant cousin's wealth was unfathomable and that he would never shortchange her materially. Furthermore, she had a clear understanding of herself, knowing where her advantages and leverage lay, and that there was no need to put on airs at this time, which might backfire.

As the saying goes, you can't catch a wolf without risking your cub, so she's prepared to go all in, investing her most precious possession in the most sincere way.

She believed that for a wealthy man like Chen Ming, who was used to romance and scheming, this straightforward and sincere attitude might be more touching and more suitable for their relationship based on practical interests and subtle emotions.

Anyway, from the moment she clicked to collect that 200,000 yuan in pocket money, she already understood that some things were destined to happen...

Who told her she couldn't resist the temptation of money?

Moreover, compared to the wealthy husbands his girlfriends married, Chen Ming was much more generous. Although his girlfriends seemed glamorous on the surface, living in mansions and driving luxury cars, these were not actually assets under their names, and their monthly allowance was only tens of thousands of yuan.

This is far from the 20 yuan monthly allowance.

As long as the man she finds can outshine her best friends' husbands, she'll be content...

When Chen Ming heard Xie Wanqing tell him to "get straight to the point" and skip the usual shopping, he immediately felt that this distant cousin was exceptionally "sensible." This sincere attitude of getting straight to the point greatly pleased him and put him in a good mood.

So he waved his hand and said, "It's fine if you don't want to buy clothes and bags, I'll just give you cash instead!"

In his view, since she didn't want any gifts, he would compensate her with cash. This "meeting gift" was essential; he had to treat every woman in his life equally, it was his principle, and one of his methods for maintaining harmony in his harem.

Xie Wanqing's eyes lit up instantly upon hearing the words "cash reward." Overjoyed, she thought: "Just as I thought! This distant cousin is so generous, it's irresistible! He's so considerate and understands women's hearts so well! She didn't even need to ask; he'd already chosen the reward that best suited her tastes."

[Ding! Xie Wanqing's favorability +5, current favorability 55!]

After attending the wedding banquet that day, Xie Wanqing's favorability rating had already reached 30 points. Just now, when she saw the 20 yuan allowance arrive in her account, her favorability rating increased significantly to 50 points.

Xie Wanqing was in a great mood at this moment. She subtly snuggled her soft body closer to Chen Ming's chest. Her docile, obedient, and understanding demeanor perfectly satisfied Chen Ming's need for "emotional value."

This feeling of being relied upon greatly satisfied Chen Ming's male vanity and desire for control, and his gaze towards the beauty in his arms became increasingly gentle.

The two spent a long time cuddling in the comfortable booth of the coffee shop, whispering and laughing, their unspoken ambiguity filling the air.