This Was a Date!

"Nothing much. I just signed a contract with Douyin, so I need to recruit an editor to help me with my videos. I don't have much time during the day, either."

For the rest of the time, Ling Yun explained the reasons and process behind signing the contract to Jiang Yingqing in detail.

Jiang Yingqing listened attentively. At the end, she asked with concern, "What about the contract? Would it be convenient for me to take a look? Someone in my family understands the law and can help you review it, just in case there are any traps."

Ling Yun felt warm inside. This girl genuinely cared about him.

Get scammed? He snickered inwardly. The knowledge he'd learned online was more than enough to deal with it. And if he really encountered someone unscrupulous, a cultivator's methods weren't just for show.

Still, he appreciated her concern. It was also necessary to show his abilities—he didn't want to end up in some melodramatic situation where her family looked down on him in the future.

"Sure. I'll send it to you." Ling Yun readily sent the electronic contract to Jiang Yingqing's phone. "That way, your family can learn a little about it too, so they won't worry about you associating with some 'shady character.'"

He said it half-jokingly, a confident light shining in his eyes.

Jiang Yingqing's cheeks flushed slightly. Her fingers flew as she forwarded the contract to her father, Jiang Mingyuan, adding, "Dad, take a quick look at this contract for me. It's for one of my classmates. I'm worried the platform might take advantage of him."

While waiting for a reply, the two chatted casually. Jiang Yingqing's eyes suddenly lit up, and she clapped her hands. "Brother Ling Yun, I've got it! My sister! She studied animation in college, and her editing skills are excellent. She's at home right now, and she wants to find a job that doesn't require her to go out or interact with too many people! Her salary requirements aren't high, either. She's perfect for this!"

Ling Yun also thought it was a good suggestion. "Sister Yingxue? She sounds like a great fit. Is she free to talk right now?"

"She is, she is! She's a shut-in, so she's definitely awake by now!" Jiang Yingqing nodded hurriedly.

Ling Yun immediately sent Jiang Yingxue a message. Sure enough, just as Jiang Yingqing had said, she replied almost instantly.

After some communication, everything turned out to be an excellent match. Jiang Yingxue really didn't want to appear in public. She only wanted to find a job she could do peacefully at home and use to support herself, and her skills were a perfect fit. The two quickly finalized their intention to cooperate, setting her monthly salary at 6,000 yuan.

"It's done! Your sister agreed." Ling Yun put down his phone and smiled at Jiang Yingqing.

"That's wonderful!" Jiang Yingqing cheered. "Now you've found someone to help you, and my sister won't have to sit around at home with nothing to do. It's killing two birds with one stone!" Her eyes curved into crescents, and she was clearly happy that she'd been able to help.

At that moment, Jiang Yingqing's phone began to vibrate. She looked down and saw a reply from her father, Jiang Mingyuan, and an involuntary smile spread across her lips.

After reading it, she handed the phone to Ling Yun, her tone carrying a hint of pride. "Here, this is what my dad said. He rarely praises anyone like this!"

Ling Yun took the phone and saw the conversation between father and daughter displayed on the screen:

Jiang Mingyuan: I just had a lawyer review the contract. It's completely clean—no traps. And, sweetheart, your classmate is impressive! This contract definitely counts as top-tier treatment on Douyin. The platform is grooming him as a future ace! The young man has a limitless future! Male classmate or female classmate? What's your relationship?

Jiang Yingqing: A male classmate. He's also a good friend I recently made!

Jiang Mingyuan: Good! Good! To have these abilities at such a young age—who knows what he'll accomplish in the future? When you're on break, make sure to invite him over for a meal. I need to get to know this talented young man properly!

Jiang Yingqing: [surprised expression] Dad, didn't you used to forbid me from getting too close to male classmates?

Jiang Mingyuan: How can that be the same? Among your male classmates before, which one had even half his ability? All right, Dad has to get back to work. Remember to bring your classmate home during the break!

After reading it, Ling Yun understood. Jiang Mingyuan's attitude had changed so drastically because the lawyer had clearly pointed out the "value" of the contract—the potential to become a top streamer in the future and the staggering expected income of at least 100 million yuan a year.

That was exactly what he wanted. He could pave the way directly with his abilities and spare himself countless troubles.

"Brother Ling Yun, you're amazing!" Jiang Yingqing took her phone back and looked at him with eyes full of admiration. Her father's high praise had given her an even clearer understanding of how outstanding the boy beside her was. "So... after our military training is over and we're on break, how about we go to my house for a meal?"

She blinked her big eyes, full of anticipation.

"No problem." Ling Yun readily agreed. "Didn't we already agree to go rock climbing at Qingmang Mountain during the break? Perfect. We'll go to your house for a free meal after climbing. That'll make for a packed day."

"That's right!" Jiang Yingqing blurted out, pure happiness filling her face. "We'll be together all day then. It'll be just like a date!"

Only after saying it did she realize what she'd said. Her fair cheeks instantly flushed red, like ripe apples.

Seeing her shy yet expectant expression, Ling Yun felt even happier.

Unlike in his previous life, he no longer hesitated over everything he did. He met her gaze with burning eyes, his voice clear and certain:

"You guessed right. This is a date."

Jiang Yingqing froze for a moment before being overwhelmed by immense joy. His frankness dispelled her shyness, and she raised a bright smile as she nodded firmly, her voice crisp:

"Yes! This is a date!"

The two looked at each other and smiled. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, as if coating their newly confirmed feelings in a warm golden glow. Amid their relaxed and cheerful conversation, the dismissal bell quietly rang.

After waving goodbye to Jiang Yingqing at the school gate, Ling Yun walked home alone.

His stomach began to growl at just the right moment, reminding him that he hadn't eaten dinner yet.

He went familiarly to the barbecue stall he had often visited in his previous life.

"Fifty lamb skewers... and some chicken wings, chives, and eggplant..." His fingers flew over the screen, and he soon put together a 100-yuan order.

Barbecue in Ningcheng had always been known for its generous portions and affordability. The one-yuan lamb skewers were especially substantial.

The owner brought the cooked food over to Ling Yun.

Looking at the barbecue wafting with an enticing aroma, Ling Yun's appetite surged. However, although a cultivator's physique was powerful, his stomach still hadn't escaped the limits of a mortal's.

After eating heartily for a while, he looked at the more-than-half portion of skewers still left on the table and smiled helplessly.

"I ordered too much... Pack it up, please."