Chapter 2, Perfume is Poisonous

Qiao Lexi and Jiang Shengzhuo have known each other since they were very young. Their grandfathers were comrades in arms, closer than biological brothers. Their fathers were childhood friends, and they grew up together in the same large courtyard, sharing a deep bond.

You should quickly go and show concern for that beautiful woman from earlier, you butterfly!

The beautiful woman walked away with a flushed face, glancing back at Jiang Shengzhuo with a lingering gaze filled with emotion.

Jiang Shengzhuo immediately sat down opposite Qiao Lexi, making faces at her, "You have no idea how sweet her little mouth is when it's in your mouth..."

Jiang Shengzhuo did not mind at all and immediately began to show off to her, "Isn't she beautiful? Look at her lips, they resemble Meng Lai's, don't they?"

Jiang Shengzhuo casually reversed the car, absentmindedly nodding and saying, "Sure, at that time, payment will be made upon delivery."

Qiao Lexi forced a smile and said, "What a coincidence?"

Qiao Lexi looked up and glared at him fiercely, "Jiang! Can you not discuss such disgusting topics while I am eating?"

After speaking, he leaned back in the chair, yawned, and closed his eyes. Jiang Shengzhuo casually adjusted the air conditioning in the car to a lower setting, then pulled out a thin blanket and tossed it over her head. Qiao Lexi struggled to poke her head out and glared at him fiercely before falling back asleep

Qiao Lexi was stunned for a few seconds, and only after turning on the desk lamp did she realize where she was. Then she remembered that she had made an appointment with Guan Yue to try out the newly opened Western restaurant. She glanced at the time and immediately softened her voice to apologize, "I’m sorry, I forgot. Please wait for me for fifteen minutes, I will be there soon"

Guan Yue ordered a cup of coffee, immediately facing opposition from Qiao Lexi, who exclaimed, "No, you absolutely mustn't! If Xie Heng from your family finds out, he will surely come after me!"

In Qiao Lexi's eyes, Jiang Shengzhuo is a flower butterfly and a stud, while in Jiang Shengzhuo's eyes, Qiao Lexi is a wolf in sheep's clothing and a femme fatale. To each other, they are beasts, embodying the four characters from the old imperial calendar, which indicate that they are unsuitable for marriage.

Qiao Lexi finally finished making the fried rice, took a few sips of the drink, and then nodded

Qiao Lexi let out a disdainful snort and shot him a glance, "I mean, really? The gifts you give to the women you send off are extravagant, aren't they? Just a few days ago, you bought that diamond necklace at the auction for Song Meiren, and it caused quite a stir. Why is it that when it comes to me, you suddenly become so stingy? After all, I am also your childhood sweetheart, aren't I?"

Suddenly, a bony hand gently tapped her desk. When she looked up, she saw Jiang Shengzhuo embracing a beautiful woman

Guan Yue turned to look at her, "Don't you also have a childhood sweetheart? What is there to be envious of? Isn't Jiang Shengzhuo, this prodigy, enough?"

I will send you back

Qiao Lexi waved her hand impatiently, "Get lost, get lost! What a scheming merchant! I'm going to take a nap for a while; wake me up when we arrive"

Every time Jiang Shengzhuo was caught and harshly criticized by his family, he relied on Qiao Lexi's humor to evade the situation. Each time Qiao Lexi skipped class to have fun, she would require Jiang Shengzhuo's cooperation.

Qiao Lexi suddenly smiled broadly, "Am I jealous of her? Haha, I just got back today. On any given day, I am more beautiful than she is! Besides, can she guide workers at the base station? If your flashy sports car breaks down, can she fix it? If the circuit at her home trips, can she change the fuse? She's just a vase with no practical life skills. Why on earth would I be jealous?"

In the vigorous years of youth, two hot-headed individuals looked down upon each other.

With this awareness, she no longer targeted him as much. Jiang Shengzhuo seemed to realize her intention for a truce and ceased to retaliate. Nevertheless, none of this affected their friendship forged over more than a decade. Regardless of how much they quarreled among themselves, they always managed to present a united front against external challenges

Jiang Shengzhuo immediately closed his mouth, but instead looked down from top to bottom with a face full of disdain, and slowly spoke, "Did you just return from the base station?"

Qiao Lexi forced a smile at him and said, "It doesn't matter who it is, as long as it's not you"

After speaking, she picked up her bag and prepared to leave. Jiang Shengzhuo also stood up, shaking the car keys as he followed her. Qiao Lexi turned around and looked at him curiously, "What are you going to do?"

Fortunately, the place where she lived was not far from that Western restaurant. Fifteen minutes later, Qiao Lexi was sitting opposite Guan Yue, looking at her with a beaming smile

Qiao Lexi furrowed her brows in thought for a moment, then looked up and gave him a sweet smile, "That truly is a hassle, Young Master Zhuo."

Jiang Shengzhuo, in Qiao Lexi's eyes, is a typical dandy, excelling in indulgence and pleasure, flitting through the flower beds of life, yet flaunting a handsome face as he parades through the streets. It is estimated that the number of women he has entangled with could circle Beijing three times, which is why Qiao Lexi looks down on him and has never shown him a kind expression

His appearances have always been like this, lacking any novelty, forever dressed impeccably, embracing soft and fragrant jade, and it is always during her most desperate moments. Not once has he ever brought her joy.

I remember the last project, the one we collaborated on with your company. You certainly charged me quite a bit, and it was several times higher than the market price. " Jiang Shengzhuo leaned in with a smirk, "I hope I am not mistaken, Engineer Qiao? Why didn't you consider that I was your childhood sweetheart back then? "

Whenever the two meet, there is always a heightened tension. He slightly parts his thin lips, while she smiles with a curve of her lips. Their words clash like swords, with the sharpness of blades and the intensity of a storm, as if a needle is pointed at a wheat awn.

A few days later, on a sunny noon, Qiao Lexi was sitting by the window, indulging in a plate of seafood fried rice. She had just returned from the base station, and at that moment, even she found her appearance unappealing. She hadn't showered for several days, and her face was devoid of any moisturizer, truly bare-faced. After wearing a safety helmet for several days at the base station, her hair was flattened, and her clothes were long-sleeved and long-panted, chosen for the convenience of work. She could only hope to fill her stomach, return home, take a bath, and sleep soundly in bed.

Guan Yue, visibly impatient, answered her husband's call. The man on the other end was carefully giving instructions, but before he could finish speaking, Guan Yue hung up the phone

Everyone in the courtyard says that the Jiang family and the Qiao family each have a madman. The youngest son of the Jiang family and the youngest daughter of the Qiao family are both rebellious, but one is flamboyant and ostentatious, while the other is low-key and reserved

Those who do not understand the situation all believe that he relies on his family, but Qiao Lexi knows that this is not the case. Every time Uncle Jiang sees this youngest son, he wishes he could kick him a few times; how could he possibly help him

She does not understand, no matter how she thinks about it, she cannot comprehend it. However, she knows that Jiang Shengzhuo is a dangerous character, who remains inconspicuous and disguises himself as harmless, someone she cannot provoke

Qiao Lexi was awakened by the phone. As soon as she answered, she heard Guan Yue's furious voice on the other end, "Qiao Lexi! We agreed to have dinner together, where are you now?!"

Jiang Shengzhuo stroked his chin, shaking his head and saying, "Tsk tsk tsk, your words are becoming increasingly sharp. I wonder which man has the fortune and courage to give it a try."

Since she became sensible, Qiao Lexi noticed that every time she saw Jiang Shengzhuo, the girl by his side was never the same. He had numerous female friends and a chaotic private life. Even during the years he studied abroad in the United States, Qiao Lexi was still able to see through various channels his intimate photos with beautiful women of different skin tones.

As soon as she got into the car, Qiao Lexi suddenly took a deep breath, raised an eyebrow slightly, and said, "Hmm, this perfume smells nice. It seems this girl has quite good taste today. When you have the chance, please ask her what it's called, and remember to buy it for me."

Oh, are you jealous? Jealous that others are younger, more beautiful, and more feminine than you!

Unfortunately, Guan Yue wore a dark expression and did not spare her a glance.

This relationship lasted until their high school graduation. They both went abroad for further studies, and this relationship finally came to an end. After a few years of tranquility, Qiao Lexi returned first, and two years later, Jiang Shengzhuo swaggered back. Without any prompts, this tacit understanding continued.

It is said that one should not speak of people during the day and should not speak of ghosts at night. As Qiao Lexi went to the restroom, she passed by a potted plant and saw a table full of acquaintances

Jiang Shengzhuo earnestly reminded her, "You better think it over, this place is not easy to get a taxi."

However, she had never seen him at work. In the eyes of everyone, he seemed to be a miracle, spending his days driving supercars and flirting with various beauties, yet managing to run his business with great success

Jiang Shengzhuo patted the beautiful woman's bottom and said, "Baby, you go to the private room to order first, and I will come over in a little while"

Jiang Shengzhuo shook his head and sighed, "What is a girl doing? Why must she engage in this? It is truly..."

Jiang Shengzhuo wore a sly smile, and instead of feeling embarrassed about not being exposed, he openly admitted, "Ah, you caught me. I will definitely be more subtle next time."

Growing up in that large courtyard, she was surrounded by numerous peers, yet few have achieved the success that Jiang Shengzhuo has today

After speaking, he turned to the waiter and said, "Please bring her a glass of freshly squeezed juice, thank you"

Qiao Lexi nearly choked on a sip of her drink, saying, "You stop right there. How can those words come out of your mouth? It sounds so awkward, as if I were a fallen girl engaged in a special and *illustrative* profession"

Jiang Shengzhuo also felt displeased with Qiao Lexi, perceiving her as hypocritical. She could put on a facade, having known since childhood how to flash her big eyes and act innocent in front of others, while behind their backs, she was fierce and unruly. He had always looked down upon her behavior. Both of them skipped classes to indulge in food and fun, yet when in front of elders, she would act like a little white rabbit. Whenever he was criticized, the example set was that little girl from the Qiao family. Who didn't know that when there were no outsiders around, she could create a ruckus that could shatter the sky!

Qiao Lexi looked at Guan Yue's face, then at her slightly protruding belly, with a face full of envy. "To hold a diploma in one hand and a marriage certificate in the other, I truly envy you! Having a childhood sweetheart is indeed wonderful!"

Qiao Lexi lowered her head and continued eating, Meng Lai, Meng Lai, you are destined to be entangled with Meng Lai for the rest of your life

Glancing at the beautiful woman in his arms, with her large eyes and pointed chin, she possessed the most fashionable features of the time. However, the beauty seemed to regard her with disdain, as a hint of arrogance flickered in her eyes, seemingly unable to comprehend how Jiang Shengzhuo could be acquainted with such an unkempt woman

Qiao Lexi curled her lips and said, "Him? Let's forget about it! My skills are still lacking; I cannot subdue such a millennia-old demon. It's better to let him wreak havoc on others."

Qiao Lexi murmured while looking at the menu, "They say pregnant women have a bad temper, and it's really not just a rumor"

After much coaxing from Qiao Lexi, Guan Yue finally let out a hum, and the two resumed their normal diplomatic relations

As time went on, Qiao Lexi grew a little older and finally realized the other side of Jiang Shengzhuo, the second generation heir. If one were to call him a playboy, he was nonetheless successful in his career; if one were to call him a talented young man, he was also someone who welcomed romantic advances from all sides. Although she could not see through him, she understood that Jiang Shengzhuo was not a simple character. Not every second generation heir could return from studying abroad for a few years and command such influence as he did.

No need, you should quickly return to your gentle abode; I can go back by myself