Chapter 30: "Alright, as long as you haven’t forgotten me."

Ye Mo was different from Lin Jie. Although they both liked to say "whatever," only Lin Jie truly meant it, while Ye Mo always had a plan in mind.

Since she had discovered that Lin Jie had some talent for photography, anytime they passed a picturesque spot on their way to the restaurant, Ye Mo would ask him to take a few more shots.

"You really do have a knack for this. There's something special about your photos," Ye Mo remarked, her eyes twinkling as she glanced from her phone's screen to Lin Jie.

Lin Jie shook his head slightly. "Not really, it's just because you're beautiful. You're the real reason the photos look good. I'm just adding a little polish."

Ye Mo chuckled, and Lin Jie, thinking she didn't believe him, continued, "Seriously, I'm not lying. If you weren't already so stunning, no amount of skill could make you look like a goddess."

Ye Mo laughed heartily. "You're not wrong."

After walking for a while, Ye Mo grew a bit tired. Satisfied with the number of photos she had, she called a car to take them directly to their destination.

When they arrived, Lin Jie pressed his lips together and glanced at Ye Mo. "We're having dinner at a hotel?"

"Yeah, the Chinese restaurant in this hotel is pretty famous in Tianbei City. Plus, it's a great spot for some social media snaps," Ye Mo nodded.

"A five-star hotel, I think," Lin Jie murmured, recalling its reputation.

"Yes, that's right. Come on, I'll show you the way."

Without turning back, Ye Mo casually extended her hand towards Lin Jie, her face calm, as if she didn't care whether or not he would flinch away as he had earlier.

This time, Lin Jie didn't pull away. After all, he had already dodged once. To do so again would be rude.

Her delicate hand lightly rested on his arm, encircling it gently. She wasn't holding tightly, yet her touch seemed to carry a strange power that made Lin Jie's body stiffen slightly as they walked forward.

Ye Mo was careful not to grip him too firmly, truly afraid that if she applied any pressure, this shy, awkward boy might run away.

If Lin Jie had pulled away again, it would've been truly awkward for her.

Fortunately, he seemed to understand this, and didn't retreat. Ye Mo breathed a small sigh of relief, her gaze flicking toward him. She couldn't help but notice how rigid his posture had become, as if he were moving like a robot.

Suppressing her laughter, she blinked her pretty eyes at him playfully.

"What's wrong with you?" Ye Mo teased, though she already knew the answer.

Lin Jie glanced at her, feeling a bit lightheaded—almost as if he were floating, quite literally.

"You, uh, have any idea what you want to eat, Mo-jie? Let me treat you this time," Lin Jie said, awkwardly steering the conversation away from the moment.

Ye Mo found his attempt amusing, but didn't tease him further. She knew when to stop. With a gentle smile, she withdrew her hand.

As soon as she let go, Lin Jie visibly relaxed, marveling at the luxury of the hotel. "Wow, a five-star hotel. If I ever get rich, I'd love to stay in the presidential suite."

"Oh, little brother, you could actually stay here for a night," Ye Mo quipped.

Lin Jie raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Tianbei City's five-star hotels are much more affordable compared to the bigger cities. For instance, the presidential suite here is only thirty-five thousand per night."

Ye Mo spoke nonchalantly, but Lin Jie felt his mouth twitch in disbelief.

As they ascended to the thirtieth floor where the hotel lobby was located, Lin Jie seized a moment to sneak to the window and snap a photo of the city's nightscape.

When he turned back, Ye Mo was standing right behind him, smiling mischievously.

"Never had any close encounters with girls before?" she asked, out of nowhere.

The question was sudden, catching Lin Jie off guard. He instinctively nodded, then, realizing something was off, shook his head, only to pause and nod again in confusion.

Seeing her arched brow and teasing smirk, Lin Jie gave up. "Didn't I tell you at the bar last time? I've never had a girlfriend."

Ye Mo's curiosity piqued. "Do you want one?"

Lin Jie studied her expression, puzzled. Sometimes Ye Mo gave him the feeling that she liked him, but in real-life interactions, he couldn't detect any clear sign of interest.

"I haven't really thought about it," he answered honestly.

And he truly hadn't.

"What kind of girl do you like?" Ye Mo pressed further.

Before he could respond, she leaned in playfully, her tone light, "A rich one, maybe?"

Lin Jie shook his head. "I'm a pretty practical guy. I know I'm not going to meet a rich girl."

Ye Mo clicked her tongue in disappointment. Didn't he consider her rich?

After a moment of realization, Lin Jie grinned at her. "You? A rich girl? You're not just rich, you're young and beautiful—a true goddess."

Satisfied, Ye Mo's eyes sparkled with a smile. "Now that's more like it."

Truthfully, Lin Jie enjoyed Ye Mo's straightforwardness. She wasn't pretentious or artificial.

He'd met other girls in the past who would act modest whenever complimented, even though they were clearly fishing for praise. It was tiresome.

"I may not be a big-time rich girl yet, but mark my words, I'm going to be a successful CEO one day," Ye Mo said confidently. "I'll slowly grow my fan base, save up, and eventually launch my own brand, my own company."

Her words were infectious, her confidence unwavering. Lin Jie smiled warmly and said, "Mo-jie, I'm sure you'll make it."

"Of course I will," she grinned. "And when I do, how about you become my personal assistant?"

As they were escorted upstairs for their meal, Ye Mo walked beside Lin Jie, unable to resist teasing him. Leaning in close, she whispered seductively in his ear, "So, how about it? Be my exclusive assistant?"

Her proximity, the faint scent of her perfume, and the flirtatious tone in her voice made Lin Jie feel like everyone around them was watching, perhaps even envying him.

Her hair smelled sweet, and her eyes gleamed mischievously as she smirked at him.

"All right," Lin Jie suddenly stopped, locking eyes with her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "As long as you don't forget about me."