After receiving the reward, Li Jing finally agreed to Zhang Xinxin's request.
Taking advantage of the free time on Sunday, Zhang Xinxin excitedly rushed home to pack her luggage, and took Li Jing's things along to pack them as well.
Even before the trip had started, Zhang Xinxin was already playing the role of a little assistant, determined to ensure that Li Jing's trip was well-serviced.
This was exactly the point that made Li Jing fairly satisfied with her.
Who wouldn't want an observant, beautiful assistant who knows when to add a touch of flirtation?
Soon after, Li Jing had just arrived at the hotel reception to check out when he received a message from An Tong.
"Are you leaving today? As promised, let me treat you to lunch."
Seeing the message, Li Jing suddenly remembered that he had agreed to inform An Tong before leaving.
He almost forgot about it, and felt a bit awkward towards An Tong for a moment.
Li Jing wasn't someone who liked breaking promises, especially since he had been tangled up with her friend these past two days and forgot about her.
"Oh well, I'll just apologize when I see her."
Thinking this, Li Jing hailed a taxi and went to the familiar apartment complex.
An Tong didn't invite Li Jing to a restaurant but chose to cook at home.
Not because she's particularly confident in her cooking skills, but because after seeing Li Jing's dining expenses, she felt that eating outside might not satisfy his taste, so she might as well cook herself to show sincerity.
Arriving at the apartment complex.
Looking at the familiar entrance and the messy greenery at the gate, Li Jing couldn't help but feel as if it were a lifetime ago.
Days ago, he was still an unemployed man renting here, but now he's transformed, with more than six million in cash in his card, and his assets are still increasing.
This enormous change made Li Jing feel momentarily dazed in front of the apartment gate.
"Why are you standing there? After a few days away, you don't know the way anymore?"
A tall girl who hadn't yet taken off her apron was standing inside the complex, waving at Li Jing.
Seeing An Tong specifically come downstairs to greet him, Li Jing raised his eyebrows slightly, immediately dispelling the thoughts in his mind, and walked quickly over.
"No wonder you're the local beauty of our complex. Even wearing an apron, you look so good."
After scanning her appearance, Li Jing instinctively praised her, making An Tong, who had little emotions due to almost being left without a word by Li Jing, lighten up considerably.
"Really?"
Though An Tong doubted with her words, her raised lips betrayed her secret joy.
"Of course, I'm not stingy with compliments, but I wouldn't lie either."
Li Jing's tone was very sincere, and he understood that with beautiful women, straightforward sincerity was the most effective weapon.
Moreover, An Tong's external conditions were indeed impressive, even in an apron, her curvy figure couldn't be hidden.
Compared to Zhang Xinxin's proud bust, An Tong was slightly inferior, but that's because Zhang Xinxin's nutrition had been overly generous, unmatched by most, while An Tong was all perfectly proportioned, the typical ideal figure.
As the two entered the house, Li Jing couldn't help but be curious.
Despite being neighbors for years, it was his first time stepping inside her home.
Clean, tidy, comfortable.
Upon entering, these three words naturally popped into Li Jing's mind.
The bright living room, clean floors, and neatly organized items made Li Jing exclaim, "Your home is really clean."
"It's alright."
Although An Tong's tone was modest, her lips kept curling upward.
Even she hadn't realized that being praised by Li Jing now brought her immense happiness and satisfaction, something she hadn't experienced with anyone else before.
"The food is just finished and kept warm, I'll bring everything out."
Upon entering, An Tong dove into the kitchen, swiftly and skillfully filling the table with dishes.
"All this?"
Staring at the table almost unable to hold all the plates, Li Jing widened his eyes in surprise, "Did you make a full-blown feast?"
"You might not get a chance to meet this busy man again, so of course, it has to be sumptuous."
An Tong was pleased with Li Jing's reaction, while taking off her apron and inviting, "Eat, see how it tastes?"
Drooling over the aroma, Li Jing didn't hold back and picked up his chopsticks to dig in.
"Hmm, not bad, the beef is so tender! Delicious.
This eggplant casserole is good too, very flavorful and soft.
The stir-fried pork and peppers have that wok aroma, fantastic, goes so well with rice..."
Li Jing tasted each dish one by one, thinking each was already delicious, yet he was always amazed by the flavors of the next.
He felt An Tong's cooking skills were even better than those of the chef at the upscale Hunan restaurant he had visited with Wei Jia.
"With this feast, it should be worth tens of thousands of dollars."
Li Jing was eating while marveling at her culinary skill.
An Tong, nearly embarrassed by the compliments, said, "It's not that good, just some home-cooked dishes."
"Though home-cooked, your culinary skill is really restaurant level."
Li Jing genuinely praised, looking at her with admiration, "Didn't know until visiting your home that you're so virtuous."
On this topic, An Tong's eyes darkened a bit, then she revealed a radiant smile, "If I'm not a little virtuous, how would I have the chance to marry a local?"
She seemed to think of something, her eyes carrying a hint of grievance and teasing, "I'm not like Xinxin, so passionate and lively, with a great figure, knowing how to act coy, making men revolve around her."
Upon hearing this, Li Jing immediately coughed a few times, nearly choking.
Recalling the reward game he played with Zhang Xinxin in the morning, he suddenly had a guilty conscience feeling like he did something wrong, and couldn't help but change the subject:
"How did you make this beef so tender and flavorful, it's perfect."
Mentioning this, An Tong was indeed distracted, saying proudly, "I specifically learned the recipe from your hometown, simmered with added seasonings for two hours and then stir-fried to collect the juices, how is it? How does it compare to your hometown's taste?"
"It's very similar, really not bad."
Li Jing sincerely praised, but internally was more surprised at how much effort she must have put in.
This meal must have taken An Tong at least four to five hours of preparation.
Thinking about her putting such sincere effort into the meal while he had nearly left without notifying her, he couldn't help but inwardly scold himself as a scoundrel.
Seeing Li Jing enjoying the meal, An Tong internally felt immense satisfaction and happiness, taking out a previously prepared bottle of baijiu: "Since it's a farewell, there should be some drink, don't you dare turn me down on this."
Seeing her take out the baijiu, Li Jing was about to refuse but couldn't help but laugh and nod at her words, "Alright, though my alcohol tolerance is low, don't blame me if I sleepover."
"No worries, my tolerance isn't great either, let's just consider it adding to the meal's enjoyment."
An Tong brought out two cute little glass cups, filling them with baijiu before handing one to him, "This drink is only a few hundred bucks, don't turn your nose up at it."
"Of course not, thank you for the superb meal, let me down this first!"
Li Jing raised his cup and drank in one go, the spicy liquor with the aroma of the dishes made him exclaim, "Great!"
Seeing this, An Tong smiled tenderly and refilled his glass.
The two spent quite a while at the meal, mostly Li Jing eating while An Tong watched, occasionally exchanging a few words.
Watching Li Jing enjoy her cooking made An Tong inexplicably filled with warmth and satisfaction, as if this wonderful life was the dream she once had, even subconsciously wishing this moment would last forever.
She didn't know when it started, but An Tong discovered she felt differently about Li Jing.
Maybe she had feelings for him before?
Or was it that day with the Gucci revelation opening her heart?
Or perhaps Zhang Xinxin's provocation made her more aware of her feelings for Li Jing?
Watching him eat with relish, An Tong had a myriad of thoughts, but in the end, the lingering feeling was that of fullness and satisfaction.
Even though preparing this meal took her the whole morning, a full five hours of toil, she felt it was worth it.
Seeing Li Jing almost finished eating, An Tong couldn't hold back anymore, finally asking the question she'd kept inside, looking into his eyes:
"Li Jing, tell me... what's it like to like someone?"