hotmtlnovel Chapter 138: Beauty is Justice
Chapter 138: Beauty is Justice
Chapter 138: Beauty is Justice
Xu Qing hung up the phone and fell into deep thought. Qin Hao might be honest, but he wasn't stupid—he knew there was no such thing as a free lunch.
That girl he ran into this afternoon, Liu Jingfang, wasn't a knockout, but her fashion sense screamed "urban lady." She was tall, had lively eyes, and wore a touch of lipstick. Standing next to Qin Hao—short, dark, and stout—any passerby would assume Qin Hao must be rich.
Returning to the couch, Xu Qing saw both yogurt cartons were empty. Jiang He was glued to the computer screen, watching an intense battle. A group of characters, mounted on horses, fought on a modern bridge spanning a river. The juxtaposition of ancient warriors wielding cold weapons against a backdrop of contemporary vehicles created a striking visual contrast. It was the climax of the movie.
“Can you ride a horse?” Xu Qing asked casually.
“I can, but I rarely do. It’s only needed for long trips.”
“Hmm... I’d like to see that.”
Xu Qing chuckled at some unspoken thought, then glanced at the empty yogurt cartons on the table. “Where’s my yogurt?”
“I drank it.”
“You gave it to me. I just set it aside to take a call.”
“...”
Jiang He looked guilty but said nothing. She had eaten too many sunflower seeds, which made her thirsty. Water couldn’t compare to yogurt, so she’d finished another carton. When she went to check the fridge, she realized those were the last two. She planned to replace them after the movie—maybe buy a whole tray to make up for it. For now, the cartons were empty, licked clean, and tossed in the trash.
The movie reached its final scene, and Xu Qing didn’t interrupt Jiang He’s focus. He sat on the couch, holding her hand and absentmindedly stroking it, lost in thoughts about Qin Hao.
Cheng Yulan handed him her grocery basket and held the shirt up for a better look. “Really?”
“Yes, it’s perfect,” Xu Qing affirmed, glancing at her basket. There wasn’t much inside—just enough for two people.
Jiang He admired the basket, wishing she could find one like it. Supermarkets didn’t seem to carry the same kind.
“This shirt suits you perfectly!” the vendor chimed in, holding up a mirror for Cheng Yulan.
“Alright, I’ll take it,” she said with a laugh. “You two pick something nice too—it’s getting hotter, and long sleeves are too much.”
Xu Qing didn’t make a fuss over his choice. Once Cheng Yulan haggled the price down, he picked a couple of shirts that caught his eye and had the vendor bag them, trusting her to have secured the best deal.
Jiang He didn’t get any new clothes; her summer wardrobe, including pajamas, had already been ordered online. Unlike the previous couple’s sweaters, Xu Qing avoided couples’ T-shirts for daily wear—too over-the-top.
“I’m a guy; I can pull off anything,” Xu Qing said confidently. “Besides, I’m handsome enough to make cheap clothes look good. You’re different. As a girl, dressing nicely makes you even prettier, and it boosts my aura when we’re together.”
Jiang He was puzzled. “Why does me dressing nicely boost your aura?”
“Because you’re my girlfriend,” Xu Qing replied with a soft laugh, gazing at the distant sky. Then he turned to her. “Your clothes aren’t even that expensive—around a hundred yuan. That’s pretty standard.”
Whether he earned ten thousand or fifty thousand, Xu Qing didn’t see much difference in everyday summer clothes. Buying expensive ones seemed unnecessary when the money could go elsewhere. His upbringing had ingrained in him that a man’s earnings should provide a better life for his family. He carried this philosophy forward, ensuring his girlfriend dressed well.
However, he couldn’t ignore reality: men who invested solely in themselves—dressing sharply, wearing brands, and styling their hair—often garnered more attention than those who prioritized their partners. A selfless man might shower his girlfriend with care, yet still lose out socially, whereas a self-centered man might thrive. It was a strange paradox.
Luckily, Xu Qing’s natural charm helped him sidestep the issue.