Chapter 31: So, He Was a "Big Spender"

Early the next morning, Zhao Xiangjun called him for breakfast. Since they weren’t in a rush, she had gotten up early to boil some porridge and stir-fry a few side dishes, which, incidentally, earned her a small profit.

She was wearing the clothes Chen Xiao had bought for her yesterday, a complete departure from her usual style. In her formal attire, she had been like a snow lotus on a glacier—holy yet frigid. Dressed in casual clothes, she was now like a water lily—gentle, elegant, and graceful.

Chen Xiao couldn’t take his eyes off her, clicking his tongue in admiration. "My eye for fashion is just too good! You look amazing!"

"Give it a rest. I could have bought something similar online for a hundred bucks, and you spent thousands. You’re a total sucker, and you’re actually proud of it!"

He laughed heartily, then led her out the door. At the elevator, he pressed the button for the basement level, which prompted her to ask in surprise, "You pressed the wrong floor. Why are we going to the basement?"

"We’re driving. Or were you planning to walk there?"

She looked at him skeptically. Driving? When they reached the white Mercedes-Benz CLS and he unlocked it and pulled the door open for her, she stood there in a daze. This seemed to completely shatter her preconceived impression of him.

"Get in, what are you staring at?"

He nudged her into the passenger seat and sat down himself, reaching over to help her with her seatbelt. By accident, his hand brushed against her thigh, which was as soft and resilient as water.

She sat in the car, staring straight ahead without saying a word. Chen Xiao knew she couldn’t quite process this yet; the shift in his persona was too abrupt. In her eyes, he had been a salesman so broke he could barely make ends meet, and now he was a wealthy young man driving a Mercedes. She hadn't adjusted yet.

He started the engine and joked, "What’s wrong? Don't think I’m worthy of driving a Mercedes?"

"No, it’s just that I didn't expect to accidentally make friends with a rich guy!"

Seeing that she was still in the mood to joke, he knew she was gradually adjusting and felt relieved. "Actually, the property fees and phone bills last time were just a coincidence. I’ve actually had money all along."

"If you had money, why work as a salesman? Are you just bored?"

"Well, one needs something to do, right? I’m naturally lazy, and being a salesman suits me best—flexible hours and freedom."

"Oh..."

"So, in the future, if I give you things, don't refuse. I’m a rich man, after all. I have some fixed assets outside of this, and I get a steady income of over a hundred thousand a month."

He was referring to the property rental income from the Yunfeng Building.

"Oh..."

"Why do you keep saying 'oh'?"

"I just don't know how to interact with a rich person..."

"Then just pretend I’m a pauper. Our old way of getting along was just fine."

"Fine, then you’re a pauper in front of me. Haha!" Finally, a smile appeared on her face.

Chen Xiao thought to himself, *It’s better if she thinks I’m a pauper; that way, I can eat your food, drink your drinks, and take your things, so I can earn even more.*

"Chen Xiao, this watch really doesn't seem to match your net worth," she said, looking at the Omega watch she had bought him yesterday, which he was wearing now.

"Anything you give me cannot be measured by its monetary value. Even if you just drew me a picture, I’d wear it for the rest of my life and never take it off!"

"Cut the mushy talk, will you? You’re giving me goosebumps."

Chen Xiao put on an injured expression and sighed. "Why don’t you believe me when I’m being so sincere?"

"Your performance as a pauper was Oscar-worthy. Whether you’re actually sincere remains to be seen."

"Xiangjun, how about I buy you an apartment?"

"Has your brain burned out? Does your family run a charity?" Even though she knew he was wealthy, property in Jiangzhou was incredibly valuable; it wasn't something an average person just gave away, especially given their current relationship.

"It’s not that. I just think it’s a pity that you’re cooped up in that tiny apartment every day!"

"I don't feel wronged. I’m fine anywhere, and I’ve always felt that my own place is the best. As they say, a golden nest or a silver nest is never as good as one’s own dog kennel."

"But you need your own place. In a rented apartment, it’s a hassle if the landlord decides not to renew the lease."

"Why worry so far ahead? Maybe I won't even live to see that day!"

"You jinx, why are you saying such nonsense?" Chen Xiao was a bit annoyed by her cursing herself.

*Ding! Mission issued: Within two weeks, persuade Zhao Xiangjun to accept an apartment purchased by the host. The cost of the house cannot exceed the Zhao Xiangjun Special Blessing Fund.*

*[Mission Reward 1: An apartment in the same residential complex and on the same floor for the host.]*
*[Mission Reward 2: Stamina +5, Health +5, Charm +3.]*
*[Mission Reward 3: A car (random).]*

Seeing that he was upset, she gave a faint smile. "Life is like that; there are always unexpected events."

"That doesn't apply to you. You were brought into this world to be cherished!"

"My goodness, spare me. If this is what you call being cherished, my life has been nothing but toil and more toil. Cherished by whom?"

"By me. From now on, I’ll cherish you!"

"Hmph!" she chirped, turning her head toward the right window. From the side, he could see her long, curled eyelashes fluttering.

He drove very steadily, cruising down the wide asphalt road accompanied by soothing music. The "Fengle Farmhouse" they had agreed upon was in the suburbs, covering over a thousand acres. It was a new development, and many of the facilities were still incomplete.

Meng Jianshu had suggested this location because he was a contractor for part of the project, so he was familiar with the area.

Several of them arrived early and were already sitting in the farmhouse’s recreation hall chatting. Meng Jianshu had brought Lili, and Lili had brought along a close friend. Her friend wasn't as attractive as Lili, but she was very sweet-talked, calling Liu Bo "Brother Liu" repeatedly.

Tao Yong’s date sat "miles away" from him. Even though they were supposed to be a "couple," there was an empty seat between them, unlike Lili and her friend, who were currently leaning against their partners' shoulders.

Tao Yong’s date was named Zhang Yu. She was better looking than Lili and her friend, which drew frequent glances from Meng Jianshu and Liu Bo. On one hand, it was a natural appreciation for beauty, but on the other, they were curious why she was so distant with Tao Yong yet still chose to go out with him.

"Why isn't Chen Xiao here yet? What did he say when you messaged him?" Liu Bo asked Meng Jianshu.

"He hasn't replied. Who knows what that kid is doing? Maybe he couldn't find a date and is too embarrassed to come?"

Liu Bo said, "Old Meng, you had to make it difficult. We should have just come on our own, but you insisted everyone bring a date. These days, finding a girlfriend is harder than finding a father!"

Everyone laughed. Nana, Liu Bo’s date, said, "That’s not true. Excellent guys like Brother Liu find it easy. Look at me, I practically threw myself at him!"

Liu Bo, flattered, patted Nana on the back and said, "That’s because we’re fated!"

Meng Jianshu chimed in at the right moment, "Nana, you should hold on tight. Old Liu makes tens of thousands a month, not counting his side income, and he’s very generous with women!"

Tao Yong glanced at his own date and added, "That’s right. Old Liu’s income is about the same as mine. We’re both very generous with women."