A Wager at the Rose Festival

Even with Jiang Zhe bending down, his stance still held an air of condescension, which greatly irritated Ning Ran.

This passive sensation made her feel perpetually one step below Jiang Zhe.

What truly bothered her was Jiang Zhe’s reluctance to attend the Rose Festival with her, even his desire to turn away and leave. An inexplicable unease settled over Ning Ran, a feeling of stifled frustration.

And wronged.

Jiang Zhe claimed they were friends, but his actions spoke otherwise!

He wouldn’t even attend an event with her!

Though she initially hadn’t wanted Jiang Zhe to participate, it had been for his own good. With her special access to information, Ning Ran knew the women of Rose Island were akin to wolves and tigers.

The situation within domestic high society circles was somewhat better; after all, Chinese people valued ‘face,’ and the patriarchal family structure provided a certain restraint. Many who wished to act recklessly dared not go too far. However, abroad, it was a different story.

There, it was entirely populated by the children of privileged classes, and the number of women who indulged in extreme revelry was countless.

Incidents of drugging and seduction weren’t limited to women; handsome men were equally vulnerable.

There were even cases where groups of three to five people played games that resulted in death, yet all traces of the crime were erased. The culprits continued to enjoy themselves at various parties, while the list of victims steadily grew.

No one dared to intervene, nor could they.

Even with Madam Mary presiding over Rose Island, it was far from a safe place. Jiang Zhe’s striking appearance on Rose Island would be like a drop of water in a hot oil pan, provoking an extreme reaction.

This was why Ning Ran had initially refused. However, after hearing Ye Qing’s words, Ning Ran suddenly realized she wasn’t weak. The Ning family’s influence spanned both domestic and international spheres, and she possessed self-defense skills. She could protect Jiang Zhe even on Rose Island.

Since that was the case, there was no need to hesitate.

However, just as Ning Ran had made up her mind, she hadn’t anticipated Jiang Zhe’s evasiveness.

If Jiang Zhe had been so sensible from the start, Ning Ran wouldn’t have pushed him. But now, seeing his staunch ‘resistance,’ her fiery temper demanded that Jiang Zhe absolutely had to attend!

She simply loved to defy expectations!

With this thought, Ning Ran’s body relaxed slightly. Her eyes fixed directly on Jiang Zhe’s, refusing to retreat. His reflection was clear in her dark gaze. Her hand, which had been clutching Jiang Zhe’s, remained steadfast, and she even reached out with her other hand to grip him tightly.

With both hands now in play, Jiang Zhe had no chance of escaping!

“I want you to come to the Rose Festival with me. You must go! If you still want to be my friend, then don’t refuse.”

Ning Ran’s voice was cool, and her beauty was captivating; she was an archetypal ‘older sister’ type. Yet, as she spoke those willful words, her tone, though unchanged, sounded almost like a plea, making Jiang Zhe, who had intended to playfully tease her, unable to suppress a smile. He ultimately gave up on his pretense.

The penalty from today’s drawing had already given Ning Ran, his ‘little darling,’ a jolt. It was best to take things slowly.

However, the benefits he deserved could not be forfeited.

At the very least, he needed to create opportunities for contact.

“Attending together isn’t out of the question, but there’s one condition.”

Jiang Zhe straightened up, no longer playing hard to get. He stated his demand directly, causing Ning Ran to widen her eyes in shock, a look of ‘You dare to negotiate with me?’ clear on her face. She clearly hadn’t expected Jiang Zhe to say such a thing.

Jiang Zhe merely smiled in response and continued, “According to Ye Qing, the Rose Festival should be a competition. If I help you win the final victory, you must buy me breakfast for a week and deliver it to me personally. If I fail, I’ll buy you breakfast for a week.”

Upon hearing that Jiang Zhe’s condition wasn’t a harsh demand but rather a type of wager, the disgruntled expression on Ning Ran’s face instantly vanished, replaced by one of keen interest.

Jiang Zhe, having only heard snippets of information, was too young to make such a ‘wild claim.’ As a participant with inside knowledge, Ning Ran knew how incredibly difficult it would be to achieve final victory.

She wasn’t even sure if she could win the top prize; perhaps it would just be a sightseeing day trip!

With Jiang Zhe’s proposed condition, Ning Ran suddenly felt that losing wouldn’t matter at all.

Jiang Zhe, that guy, would personally buy her breakfast!

Ning Ran always felt that ever since meeting Jiang Zhe, despite not being harmed herself and even getting to ‘slap’ others, she had always been the one suppressed. While it might not seem like much to others, Ning Ran constantly yearned to turn the tables and dominate Jiang Zhe.

She wanted to regain the initiative.

Of course, if she could also earn the title of Rose Queen, that would be even better… After all, it was just buying breakfast, not climbing a mountain of swords.

The more Ning Ran thought about it, the more she felt that no matter the outcome, it would benefit her. She was always in an unbeatable position, which instantly brightened her mood, a lightness evident in her eyes and brows.

She couldn’t help but shake the hands she held Jiang Zhe’s with, eagerly exclaiming, “Deal.”

For a moment, both were extremely satisfied, and the scene was exceptionally harmonious. Only Ye Qing, silently observing from the side, felt she shouldn’t be there; she should be under a car.

They had just been fiercely sparring like fighting cocks, and in a blink, they were as close as two peas in a pod.

And they were ‘just friends’?

Go tell that to a three-year-old!

Although Ye Qing felt her best friend finding a partner was imminent, since neither of them admitted it, she decided it was best not to play matchmaker… If Ning Ran’s fiery temper found out, she would surely erupt like a volcano.

So, Ye Qing began to cough, so forcefully that both Ning Ran and Jiang Zhe clearly heard it.

It was then that Ning Ran suddenly noticed she was still holding Jiang Zhe’s hand. The man’s palm was large and slightly calloused, quite different from her own slender, soft hand.

The initially warm touch had now become scorching hot.

Ning Ran’s mind briefly wavered before she composed herself, slowly releasing his hand with feigned calm.

Her eyelashes fluttered. She then pretended to naturally hide her hands under the table, secretly intertwining her fingers, suddenly reflecting on whether she had been too lax with Jiang Zhe, simply going for it.

Even though they had already kissed, the penalty wasn’t real.

Could it be that Jiang Zhe’s charisma as a friend was simply too strong?

“I’m leaving now. Contact me on WeChat if anything comes up.”

Jiang Zhe watched Ning Ran feigning seriousness again. Though he longed to reach out and playfully ruffle her hair, Ye Qing was watching intently from the side, so Jiang Zhe ultimately refrained.

After a normal farewell, Jiang Zhe left without being stopped this time. As he closed the lounge door, he heard laughter from within.

Jiang Zhe’s mood was lightened by their happiness. He glanced down at his wrist, seeing his energy reserve was full. With his safety secured, his life was worry-free for the next three days.

In his memory, the Rose Festival storyline was like a dungeon in a game, a bonus Easter egg, specifically designed as a cheat for the female lead, Su Lianlian. It was meant to grant her significant advantages, giving her the qualifications to contend with the villainous young miss.

It was also a means to attract various male leads; in short, the game’s plot served the female lead.

However, with Jiang Zhe’s unexpected intrusion, the title of Rose Queen was now anyone’s game.

****

“Jiang Zhe, there you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Just as Jiang Zhe stepped out of the fencing club, Su Lianlian gracefully appeared, dressed in a white dress. Her delicate, charming face smiled, gazing at Jiang Zhe with shy deference.