CHAPTER 499: CHAPTER 369: THE AERIAL RESTAURANT_2

After a while, the waiter started bringing the dishes to the table one by one.

The appetizer was elegantly presented: a golden piece of foie gras on a leaf of tender green lettuce, garnished with bright red jam.

Li Jing took a bite, and while the foie gras was smooth, its flavor seemed somewhat lighter compared to other meals at restaurants he remembered, each costing two or three thousand yuan per person.

The main course steak was cooked to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, but as the knife sliced through, the meat was a bit tough, and the accompaniment was nothing special.

Li Jing was well aware that the 2888 yuan per person price tag at this restaurant was mainly for the "sky dining" experience.

However, although the food wasn’t top-tier, it was far from unpleasant, and combined with the breathtaking seaside view below, he considered the meal rather satisfying.

Sitting across from him was Shi Yang, whose simple clothes accentuated her great figure; her soft, shiny hair casually draped over her shoulders enhanced her radiant beauty.

Shi Yang delicately cut a piece of the just-served steak, chewed it slowly, then turned to look at Li Jing dining beside her.

Her inner self seemed to be stirred by something, and after a brief hesitation, she took the initiative to ask:

"By the way, have you been working out regularly? Your physique is excellent. How did you do it?"

Hearing this, Li Jing gave a faint smile and replied unhurriedly:

"I often work out over in Tianhai, and I even opened a gym.

I have a friend who is a national champion in professional competitions; under his guidance, I can maintain this physique."

Li Jing’s words were half-true, deliberately attributing the credit for his good physique to his friend.

Listening to his answer, Shi Yang believed him completely, her eyes filled with surprise, and she immediately inquired further:

"Your friend is a champion in professional competitions? That’s really amazing. It must be extremely difficult to win a championship in such contests, right?"

Li Jing gently nodded and casually started discussing some aspects of professional competitions.

He spoke with clarity, especially when describing certain details, vivid and earnest.

Shi Yang was somewhat surprised, realizing that beneath Li Jing’s seemingly carefree exterior, he had such an in-depth understanding of fitness competitions, presenting her with a different side of him.

The two chatted casually for a few more moments before Shi Yang suddenly fell silent.

On the surface, she continued eating, but her eyes darted around, clearly pondering something.

Seeing her expression, Li Jing didn’t initiate any questions and continued to leisurely enjoy his dinner.

Yet, after a short while, Shi Yang couldn’t hold back and spoke up again:

"I noticed you seemed quite close to Xiaohan while taking photos today. Do you have a thing for Xiaohan?"

As soon as she asked, fearing Li Jing might give a perfunctory answer, she hurriedly added:

"Don’t misunderstand; Xiaohan is my good friend. I’m asking for her.

And please don’t say anything frivolous; you have to tell the truth because I have to be responsible to my friend."

Seeing Shi Yang’s earnest and eager expression, Li Jing found it amusing but didn’t expose her little scheme. He simply nodded and candidly said:

"Xiaohan is indeed very beautiful. You’re right; I do have a good impression of her."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shi Yang’s eyes gradually widened, a complicated emotion flashing in their depths mixed with a hint of displeasure.

She even subconsciously bit her lower lip, seemingly trying hard to conceal the turmoil within her heart.

Noticing this, Li Jing seemed intent on teasing her and added, "Didn’t you already call me a jerk? It’s only normal for this jerk to like enthusiastic and proactive beauties, right?"

Hearing this, Shi Yang felt a swirl of complex emotions within her.

She turned her head and focused on eating, muttering under her breath:

"You really are a big jerk!"

After uttering this complaint, Shi Yang fell silent, and Li Jing didn’t bother to explain, continuing to savor the food at his own pace.

Originally in a good mood, Shi Yang’s spirits plummeted after raising this topic.

In contrast, Li Jing appeared completely unfazed, leisurely appreciating the staff’s performance and occasionally glancing at the distant scenery, looking utterly relaxed.

Sitting beside him, Shi Yang secretly observed Li Jing, fuming the more she watched.

Especially seeing his satisfied expression after taking a bite of foie gras made her grittingly want to pinch him to vent her frustration.

Yet, she understood she couldn’t show her emotions, especially not too obviously in front of Li Jing.

For more than twenty minutes, neither Shi Yang nor Li Jing spoke another word.

Shi Yang felt stifled, glancing at Li Jing from the corner of her eye occasionally, while Li Jing focused on his surroundings as if unaware of Shi Yang’s odd demeanor.

At last, Shi Yang couldn’t hold it any longer, turning to stare at Li Jing.

Li Jing noticed her gaze and looked at her innocently, asking, "What’s wrong?"

Seeing Li Jing’s "punchable" expression, Shi Yang felt a surge of irritation, but not wanting him to see through her thoughts, she clenched her teeth and said:

"Nothing, just eat your food!"

After saying this, Shi Yang focused on eating again, refusing to look at Li Jing.

Li Jing found her childish mood amusing.

After another two or three minutes, Shi Yang realized Li Jing really had no intention of speaking again, feeling both anxious and angry, she stomped her foot.

Finally, she broke the silence herself, turning to Li Jing and asked:

"You say you have a thing for beauties; then do you think I’m beautiful?"

As she said this, she instinctively straightened her posture to display her graceful figure without reservation.

Li Jing was a bit surprised by her actions.

Remembering how she used to get mad when he looked at her, now she was actively showcasing her figure before him.

He realized Shi Yang’s attitude towards him had clearly changed.

Receiving Shi Yang’s inquiry, his gaze moved down from her face, starting to earnestly evaluate her figure.

His eyes lingered appreciatively on Shi Yang’s curvaceous form, particularly on the most graceful lines.

Shi Yang felt uncomfortable under his straightforward gaze, instinctively clutching at her clothing with her hands.

But she still held back, silently awaiting Li Jing’s response with anticipation and a hint of nervousness.

Li Jing, deliberately stretching her patience, slowly and thoroughly took in her appearance before finally nodding with feigned gravity, speaking slowly:

"Hmm, not bad, you are indeed a beauty."

Hearing this, Shi Yang secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her previously tense expression finally softening a bit.

Li Jing, aware of Shi Yang’s minor feelings, decided to continue teasing her:

"I must say, your looks and figure are slightly more outstanding than Xiaohan’s."

Upon hearing this, Shi Yang couldn’t help but let her lips curve upwards, though she didn’t want Li Jing to notice her little moment of pride.

As a result, she quickly cleared her throat, suppressing her inner happiness and putting on a nonchalant act.

Li Jing found her demeanor amusing, and his lips involuntarily curled into a smile.

Having finally calmed her nerves, Shi Yang turned her head, somewhat haughtily asking:

"So you say you have a thing for beauties, and you’ve acknowledged me as one, does that mean you like me too?

And if I’m better looking than Xiaohan, does that mean you like me more than Xiaohan?"

As soon as she finished, fearing Li Jing might misinterpret her intentions, she hastened to add:

"I don’t mean anything else by this; I’m just deducing based on your words, so don’t get me wrong."

Li Jing, noticing her attempt at acting coy, chuckled softly:

"Why would I misunderstand anything? Besides, you’re right, you’re prettier than Xiaohan, so yes, I do like you more, have more affection for you."

Shi Yang paused, stunned.

She hadn’t expected Li Jing to answer so straightforwardly, without the slightest hint of denial.

Shi Yang stared intently at Li Jing’s face, trying to catch any sign of deceit from him.

After examining closely for a while, she found Li Jing looked genuinely sincere, without any trace of guilt.

Seeing this, Shi Yang felt an unexpected wave of joy, although she struggled to keep calm, controlling her facial muscles to prevent any emotion from revealing itself.