If you are innocent and inexperienced, I will show you the splendors of the world; if your heart is already weary and cynical, I will take you for a ride on the merry-go-round.
Qi Tongwei felt that someone like Zhong Xiao'ai, a child of a high-ranking official bound by the strictures of her family, must secretly yearn for romance and excitement in the depths of her soul. Of course, the typical "big spender" antics at bars were far too low-brow. High-end Western dining and expensive wine were also out; that would invite suspicion of having ulterior motives, and if she complained to Zhong Zhengguo, he could easily trip and fall.
In short, the goal was to achieve the greatest effect with minimal cost—to ensure there were surprises at every turn and thrills at every moment, the kind of experience that would be unforgettable for a lifetime. As for why he was doing this, it was naturally to help Zhong Xiao'ai refine her tastes and raise her standards for a partner, so she wouldn't be foolishly deceived by some mere monkey.
Chapter 224