C9 You Have to Stay at Night

"You know, the kids at the dojo are way more adorable and respectful than you are, so it would take ten times the salary to make up for the difference. And the work environment? Not even close!" Jiang Nuan said, cracking her knuckles with a challenging grin.

Seeing her attitude, Jee Cheng'an just chuckled. "Alright, but you have to be on call and stay late in the evenings," he said, giving her a playful wink.

Jiang Nuan felt her face flush at his last comment, frowning. "We’re not going to have... that kind of relationship, right?" She left the last part unsaid.

"Miss Jiang, you don’t think..." Cheng'an began, giving her a meaningful look. Then he shook his head thoughtfully and walked away.

Jiang Nuan felt a bit dismissed. "Hey, stop right there!"

"Has Miss Jiang changed her mind?" Cheng'an stopped and turned, a mischievous expression on his face.

"No, I just wanted to say, let’s not bring up last night again. I know you’re not short on cash, and I can’t pay you anyway. I promise to be available whenever you need, and I don’t need ten times the salary—just the usual is fine." Jiang Nuan scratched her neck awkwardly. "And, could you give me a ride? My motorcycle’s probably still at the diner from last night, and I need to get to work."

Jiang Nuan's expression turned a bit uneasy as she spoke. Noticing her discomfort, Jee Cheng'an chuckled and nodded toward her. "Three minutes." He tossed his suit jacket over his shoulder and walked out with a casual air.

Hearing this, Jiang Nuan dashed upstairs and was surprised to find a dress laid out on the bed. She quickly changed out of her messy, modified clothes, grabbed her bag and shoes, and hurried back downstairs.

Seeing her rush, Jee Cheng'an sat in the car, removed his sunglasses, and looked at her. "Miss Jiang, aren't you going to put on some makeup before heading out?"

"Why bother? I'm a martial arts coach, always sweating. Makeup would just get ruined and look worse," Jiang Nuan replied, efficiently buckling her seatbelt. "Let's go!"

"Well, well," Jee Cheng'an sighed twice, starting the car and adding a jab, "No wonder your boyfriend cheated with your best friend."

Jiang Nuan's eyes widened, and her voice rose sharply. "How do you know?"

"I bet everyone at the diner last night knows," Jee Cheng'an said innocently, turning the steering wheel as the car smoothly exited the villa gates.

About to retort, Jiang Nuan suddenly remembered something. She hurriedly rummaged through her bag for her phone, pressing a few buttons only to find it had shut off due to a dead battery. "Weird, it was fully charged yesterday."

"Your phone was ringing all night, and it finally shut off in the middle of the night," Jee Cheng'an said without turning his head.

"...," Jiang Nuan couldn't help but silently curse in her mind. She figured Zhao Yan and Lee Xiao must have called her repeatedly last night, along with other curious onlookers who didn't know the full story.

Sure, she was wrong to take those photos, but honestly, she was the real victim here.

With that thought, she reached into her bag, pulled out a portable charger, and plugged in her phone. With a look of righteous indignation, she powered it back on.

"What? Feeling scared now?" Jee Cheng'an teased as he drove.

"Who's scared? I just..." Before she could finish, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Jiang Nuan nearly dropped her phone.

It was her dad!