When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds-Chapter 109: Chi Mo 63

Gao Jing sighed and glanced at the composed Shen Jinling beside her. ’A lamb has walked right into the tiger’s den, and of its own free will at that,’ she thought. ’What can I do?’

"Alright then," she said, suddenly breaking into a wide smile. "Ahzhe, you follow us in your car. Let’s get in."

She took the initiative, pulling open the back door and sliding in. Shen Jintang immediately zipped in right beside her. Even someone as socially adept as Gao Jing found herself at a loss for words.

Shen Jinling let out a low chuckle. He pulled open the passenger-side door. "Momo, get in."

Chi Mo was used to being called that name, so it didn’t feel particularly strange. ’But isn’t it a little too familiar for a first meeting?’ she wondered. She wanted to say something but held her tongue, looking a bit pitiful for a moment.

After settling into the passenger seat and fastening her seatbelt, Chi Mo turned to look at the back. "Tangtang, what do you like to eat?"

Shen Jintang leaned against the back of her seat. "Let’s get Cantonese food. Momo, don’t you need to eat something light? Our tastes are pretty similar. Let’s go for Cantonese, okay? I know a fantastic restaurant."

Chi Mo pulled up a map. "Where is it?"

Shen Jintang replied, "My brother knows. He knows the way. Momo, let’s chat. Is your next video going to be the dance you did today? What’s it called?" 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Chi Mo said, "It’s called *A Thousand Charms*. Do you think the name is too... flamboyant?"

"Not at all," Shen Jintang said, cupping his face in his hands. "I was completely mesmerized watching from down below. Seriously. You should have seen the audience—every single person’s eyes were glued to you."

Chi Mo blushed. "It... wasn’t that dramatic, was it? I was worried the contrast would be too great and people wouldn’t like it."

"Not a chance!" Shen Jintang said emphatically. "You were completely different today. It made me finally understand why kings and nobles used to love watching dance performances. Just getting a smile from a beauty like you is a huge honor, to say nothing of you performing a dance for me."

Chi Mo’s face turned red. "You’re... you’re very direct."

She knew many people acted differently online versus in person, but she hadn’t expected Shen Jintang to be such a flatterer offline too. As someone who got embarrassed easily, Chi Mo felt like she couldn’t handle it. She really couldn’t.

Shen Jintang caught sight of Chi Mo’s discomfort out of the corner of his eye. He glanced at the rearview mirror but didn’t tone it down at all. "It’s a shame you’re only in S City for a few days. But that’s okay, I have plenty of free time. I’ll come visit you in N City. Where in N City do you live?"

Chi Mo breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, I’ll send you my address later. If you come to N City, you have to let me know. I’m not that busy with work lately, so I can show you around. We have a lot of scenic spots there..."

Gao Jing was mentally exhausted. ’Is Chi Mo an idiot?’ she wondered. But what could she do? She was good at reading a room. Forcing their way into this car was already crossing a line. If she caused any more trouble, she figured Shen Jintang’s brother wouldn’t be so pleasant.

But not making trouble didn’t mean she couldn’t pull Chi Mo into a different conversation. Shen Jinling watched as Gao Jing joined the discussion, and soon the three of them were chatting away happily.

Of course, eventually, it was mainly Gao Jing and Shen Jintang doing the talking, while Chi Mo listened quietly from the front seat. She would smile whenever she heard something funny, her eyes crinkling, and only occasionally chime in with a sentence or two.

Observing her throughout the drive, Shen Jinling got a read on Chi Mo’s personality. She was a very simple girl, pure of heart. You could see right through to her soul.

But he could also tell that she guarded her own little world fiercely. It was just as she’d once said on that TV program: her world was small and simple, and not just anyone could casually step inside.

Even though it was her first time meeting the Shen siblings, Chi Mo didn’t feel awkward at all. Perhaps it was because Shen Jintang was so enthusiastic, or perhaps it was because she hadn’t really paid Shen Jinling any mind. In any case, she felt quite relaxed.

Aside from the moments when Shen Jintang would praise her dancing, her looks, or her figure, Chi Mo felt completely at ease.

Shen Jinling chuckled to himself. ’She really can’t take a compliment.’

As she walked out of the Cantonese restaurant, Chi Mo seemed a little reluctant to leave. She had just seen the bill, and while it wasn’t cheap...

"If you want to eat here again, just come. There’s no need to be so frugal." Tan You suddenly spoke up. How could she not know what Chi Mo was thinking?

Chi Mo immediately broke into a smile. "Okay! In that case, I won’t stand on ceremony. I’ll come back again tomorrow for lunch."

If she had to rely on her salary from the dance troupe, Chi Mo would never be willing to eat at a restaurant like this for every meal. But who told Tan You to make the offer? With that, Chi Mo’s worries vanished. ’So this is the love of a sugar daddy, huh?’

Tan You teased, "’Sugar daddy?’"

Chi Mo thought for a moment. "Well, the name isn’t very flattering, but you do so much more than any sugar daddy. You help me earn money, plan my career, and even help me become a better version of myself..."

Tan You cut off her flattery. "Watch the steps."

Chi Mo looked at the steps in front of her. "Oh."

Tan You continued, "I saw you rubbing your back after you got off stage. Is your old injury acting up?"

Chi Mo answered honestly, "Yeah. I’ll put a pain-relief patch on it when I get back. For a dancer, injuries are inevitable."

She looked out at the street, a sudden wave of sadness washing over her. "If I couldn’t dance anymore, what else could I do? It feels like dancing is the only thing I’m actually good at, but a dancer’s career is so short."

"As I get older, my physical condition will start to decline, and a lot of the moves I..."

Tan You mulled it over. "If you really can’t dance anymore in the future, then you could learn choreography. I think you have a real talent for it."

"And if you’re not interested in choreography, you can do something else. For example, open a dance studio. Don’t you like teaching children how to dance? You have plenty of options."

Chi Mo’s melancholy was instantly swept away. "Oh, that’s right. I do have a lot of options."

Chi Mo’s moods came and went quickly, and soon she was happy again.

This time, Gao Jing couldn’t very well force her way into Shen Jinling’s car again. As soon as dinner was over, she was whisked away by Xiang Zhe. Now, only Chi Mo and the Shen siblings were in the car. Shen Jintang was still in the back seat. "Momo, what are your plans for tomorrow? Want to go shopping together?"

Chi Mo shifted her position to ease the ache in her back. "Sure. I was actually thinking of buying some souvenirs. You should always bring back gifts for your family when you travel."

Shen Jintang started probing. "Are you buying gifts for your parents? I’m an expert at this! What do your mom and dad like?"

Even if Tan You wasn’t wired for romance, she could clearly see the Shen siblings’ intentions. ’Shen Jintang is a god-tier wingman,’ she thought. ’And Shen Jinling... his wolfish ambitions are plain as day.’

’Should I warn Chi Mo?’ Tan You hesitated. ’Ah, forget it. I’ll just give her a heads-up. What Chi Mo does after that will be her own choice.’

The three of them soon arrived at the hotel’s parking garage. Just as Chi Mo got out of the car, Shen Jinling caught up to her. Staring at the box of medicine and the bottle of liniment he held out to her, Chi Mo was a little stunned.