Chapter Three: A Great Change in Perspective

As these thoughts crossed her mind, gratitude filled her expression. She engraved the image of the kind young man from the surveillance footage deep in her memory and secretly vowed that, should fate allow their paths to cross again, she would find an opportunity to repay him.

She hadn’t held out much hope—at best, she planned to wander around the fast-food district on idle days, thinking that if luck was on her side, she might run into him again. Never did she expect fortune to smile so quickly; it was just a casual dinner out, and the very person she longed to thank was sitting right across from her!

“Heh, it’s people like you, going to a bar for the first time, knowing nothing, drinking as if it’s juice—by the time you regret it the next morning, it’s already too late.” Blue Sky shook his head, a note of admonition in his voice.

“Heehee, but I met my guardian angel! Let me introduce myself—my name is Wang Ling. Thank you, kind-hearted guardian!” The girl stuck out her tongue in embarrassment, extending her fair, delicate hand with a bashful introduction.

“I’m Blue Sky—yes, just like the blue sky and white clouds you’re thinking of.” He too reached out, gently clasping her soft hand, and smiled.

After a few exchanges, his impression of Wang Ling changed considerably. He had assumed she was one of those with a chaotic private life but realized now he’d misjudged her. In her clear, bright eyes, he saw sincerity—and lingering fear.

“Heehee, Blue Sky, I really have to thank you. Come on, let me treat you to a feast. You’re practically my savior!” Wang Ling invited him enthusiastically, not at all shy, winking at Blue Sky with the air of someone who felt a life-saving debt could never be repaid.

Of course, that warmth was not for just anyone. Blue Sky’s forthrightness the previous night had, in Wang Ling’s heart, crafted an image of someone utterly trustworthy.

“No need for a feast—just promise me you’ll stay away from bars like that. They’re not right for you.” Blue Sky shook his head, eager to finish eating and return to studying the mysterious crystal he’d found; he had no time for grand dinners.

“I’ll never go again, I swear! I only went because I had a fight with my family and was upset. It was terrifying—I’ll never do it again!” Wang Ling nodded fervently, making her promise.

“Good, as long as you know to be afraid. Now, call the boss and order something. My treat, as a reward for your sincere apology,” Blue Sky said with a smile, secretly gritting his teeth as he prepared to flag down the waiter. “Just don’t order too much, I really didn’t bring enough money…”

“Oh, forget ordering here—come with me for a real feast! If you don’t let me thank you, I won’t sleep a wink tonight! You have no idea what your gesture meant to me. If those men had had their way, I’d rather have died!” Wang Ling’s voice was earnest, her face still haunted by fear.

In the end, swayed by her persistence, Blue Sky relented and accepted her invitation, not because he harbored any ulterior motives—after his experience with Li Mei, he had no faith in love—but because the promise of a feast was simply too tempting for his ravenous stomach to resist.

Afterwards, the two left the food stall together. Though Blue Sky’s wallet was light, he couldn’t let his pride falter. He raised his hand to hail a taxi, only to see Wang Ling heading off in another direction.

“Hey, Wang Ling? Where are you going?” he called out, confused.

Wang Ling didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she strode over to a brand-new, rose-red BMW Z4 and waved the keys at him.

“Heehee, I’ve got a car. Hop in, guardian!” she said with a laugh.

“Well, well, turns out you’re a rich second generation!” Blue Sky was stunned for a long moment before climbing into the sleek sports car at Wang Ling’s urging.

“Ugh, don’t make it sound so awful! I’m not some spoiled rich kid. I bought this car with my own hard-earned money!” Wang Ling shot him a glare, then declared her pride.

“Really? Don’t try to fool me. You still look like a student!” Blue Sky eyed her skeptically. If she’d said her family had bought it, he might have believed her, but the idea that she’d earned enough herself to buy such a car was hard to swallow.

She certainly looked like a college student—if she could buy a sports car on her own, what had he been doing with his life all these years?

“Hey! Why would I lie? I really bought it myself—here, look at my business card!” Wang Ling, indignant at his disbelief, rummaged through her purse and handed him a gold-embossed card.

“Hmm… Wang Ling Law Offices, Partner, Attorney Wang Ling…” Blue Sky read in astonishment, truly taken aback by the beautiful woman in front of him. “But… you’re still university-aged—how could you already have a law license?”

“And who told you I was a university student?” Wang Ling rolled her eyes again, proud as she replied, “I just look young. I graduated over two years ago!”

“…How old are you?” Blue Sky asked awkwardly.

“Don’t you know it’s terribly rude to ask a lady her age?” Wang Ling shot him a sidelong glance. “But fine, since you’re my guardian, I’ll tell you—I’m twenty-six.”

“…You’re a year older than me? I thought you were twenty-one or twenty-two at most… You really do look young!” Blue Sky blurted out.

“Heehee, I love hearing that… So you’re actually my little brother, not the other way around! Come on, call me ‘big sister’!” Wang Ling teased with a laugh.

Blue Sky could only stare in silent resignation.

“What are you waiting for? Let’s hear you say ‘big sister’!” Wang Ling pressed, grinning.

“Are we eating or not? If not, I’m leaving…” Blue Sky said, exasperation showing.

“We’re eating, we’re eating! So stingy!” Wang Ling laughed. She pressed the accelerator, and with the captivating roar of the sports car, they sped off toward the “feast” she’d promised.

“Jinning International Hotel… You really are a tycoon…” Blue Sky murmured to himself as he got out of the car, taking in the grand building before him.

The Jinning International Hotel was a source of pride for everyone in Ning City. In fact, calling it a hotel was an understatement—it was more than a place to eat; it included accommodations, bathhouses, entertainment, and more, making it the flagship of Ning City’s hotels.

Blue Sky had once come here for a business meeting with his company’s boss. He remembered vividly that the cost of one meal here had been equivalent to more than half a year’s salary.

Such was the money-making power of the Jinning International Hotel—it was truly jaw-dropping.

“Do we really need to eat somewhere this fancy?” Blue Sky asked again.

“Of course we do! My precious innocence is worth at least a meal here, don’t you think?” Ever since learning she was a year older, Wang Ling insisted on calling herself his “big sister,” taking on the air of someone who would look after him from now on, which left Blue Sky both amused and exasperated.

“Well, if the tycoon insists, who am I to refuse? Haha.” He accepted cheerfully, realizing there was no refusing her. He really had helped her out, after all, and being treated to such a meal was more than deserved.