The next morning, Zhao Xiangjun called him for breakfast. Since they weren't in a hurry today, she had woken up early to make some congee and stir-fry a few small dishes, earning a small sum in the process.
Today, she was wearing the clothes Chen Xiao bought yesterday, a complete change from her usual style!
In fashionable clothes, she was a snow lotus on an icy mountain—holy but cold. In casual wear, she was a water lotus—gentle and elegant.
Chen Xiao couldn't tear his eyes away, clicking his tongue in admiration.
"My taste in clothes is just too good! You look amazing!"
"Oh, give me a break. I can buy something similar online for 100 yuan. You spent several thousand and got ripped off, yet you're so pleased with yourself!"
He laughed heartily and then led her out the door.
In the elevator, he pressed the button for the first basement level, causing her to ask in surprise, "You pressed the wrong floor, didn't you? Why are we going to B1?"
"We're driving. Were you planning on walking there?"
She looked at him suspiciously. 'Driving?'
When they reached the white Mercedes-Benz CLS and he unlocked it and pulled open the passenger door for her, she was still in a daze. This seemed to completely upend her established impression of him!
"Get in. What are you spacing out for?"
He guided her into the passenger seat, then got in himself and helped her with the seatbelt. In the process, he accidentally brushed against her thigh, which was firm yet soft as water.
Once in the car, she stared straight ahead without saying a word.
Chen Xiao knew she was having a hard time accepting it. The change in situation was too abrupt. In her eyes, he had just been a salesman so poor he could barely make ends meet.
Now he was a rich young man driving a Mercedes-Benz, and she hadn't adjusted to it yet.
He started the car and joked, "What's wrong? You think I'm not worthy of driving a Mercedes-Benz?"
"No, I just never expected I'd accidentally gotten to know a rich guy!"
Seeing that she was still in the mood to joke, he knew she was slowly getting used to it and said with relief, "Actually, the thing with the property management fee and the phone bill last time was just a coincidence. I actually do have money!"
"If you have money, why are you a salesman? Are you just bored?"
"Hey, a man's gotta have something to do. I'm naturally lazy, so being a salesman suits me best. Flexible work, free schedule!"
"Oh..."
"So, from now on, you don't have to refuse the things I give you. We're rich people. I also have some fixed assets that bring in a steady hundred-something thousand a month."
He was referring to the rental income from Yunfeng Building.
"Oh..."
"What do you mean by just saying 'oh' all the time?"
"I just don't know how to act around a rich guy..."
"Then just pretend I'm a poor bum. The way we acted before was great..."
"Fine. Then in my eyes, you're just a poor bum. Haha!" A smile finally appeared on her face.
Chen Xiao thought to himself, 'A poor bum is better, anyway. Eating your food, drinking your drinks, taking your things—that's how I can earn more.'
"Chen Xiao, this watch doesn't really seem to match your status now!" she said, looking at the Omega watch she had bought him yesterday, which he was now wearing.
"A gift from you can't be measured by money. Even if you just drew one for me, I'd wear it for the rest of my life and never take it off!"
"Can you stop being so cheesy? You're giving me goosebumps."
Chen Xiao put on a hurt expression and sighed, "Why don't you believe me when I'm being so sincere?"
"Your act as a poor bum was award-winning-actor level. Whether you're actually sincere or not remains to be seen."
"Xiangjun, how about I buy you an apartment?"
"Have you lost your mind? Does your family run a charity?"
Even knowing he was rich, buying an apartment in a place like Jiangzhou was still a huge expense. It wasn't something a normal person could just give away, not to mention the current state of their relationship.
"That's not it. I just feel it's a shame for you to be cooped up in a small apartment every day!"
"I'm not. I'm the kind of person who can live anywhere. Besides, I always think my own things are the best. As the saying goes, 'be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.'"
"But you should have your own place. With a rental, it'll be a hassle if the landlord decides not to renew the lease one day!"
"Why think so far ahead? I might not even live that long!"
"You jinx! What are you saying?" Chen Xiao was a little angry that she was cursing herself.
DING! Mission issued: Get Zhao Xiangjun to accept an apartment from the Host within two weeks. The purchase price of the apartment cannot exceed the funds in the Zhao Xiangjun Special Blessing Fund.
[Mission Reward 1: One apartment for the Host in the same complex, on the same floor.]
[Mission Reward 2: Endurance +5, health +5, Charm +3.]
[Mission Reward 3: One car (random).]
Seeing him get angry, she gave a faint smile. "That's just life. Unexpected things are always bound to happen!"
"Well, it won't be happening to you. You came into this world to be cherished!"
"Oh my god, spare me. You call this being cherished? My life feels like nothing but exhaustion. Cherished by who?"
"By me. I'll cherish you from now on!"
"Hmph!" she grumbled coquettishly, turning her head to look out the right-side window. From the side, he could only see her long, curled eyelashes fluttering.
He drove very smoothly, cruising down the wide asphalt road to the sound of soothing music.
The "Fengle Farm" they were headed to was in the suburbs. It covered an area of over 1,000 mu and was a new agricultural project, so many of its facilities were not yet complete.
Meng Jianshu had suggested this place because he had taken on some of the construction work there, so he was familiar with it.
A few of them had arrived early and were already sitting in the farm's lounge, chatting idly.
Meng Jianshu brought Lili, and Lili had invited a close friend. The friend wasn't as attractive as Lili, but she was sticking close to Liu Bo, calling him "Brother Liu, Brother Liu," her words as sweet as honey.
Tao Yong's date was sitting a mile away from him. They were supposed to be a "couple," but there was a whole person's worth of space between them. It was nothing like Lili and her friend, who were already leaning against their respective partners' shoulders.
Tao Yong's date was named Zhang Yu. She was a bit more attractive than Lili and her friend, which drew frequent glances from Meng Jianshu and Liu Bo. On one hand, everyone appreciates beauty. On the other hand, they found it strange that she was acting so distant with Tao Yong, yet had still come out with him.
"Why isn't Chen Xiao here yet? What did he say when you messaged him just now?" Liu Bo asked Meng Jianshu.
"He hasn't replied. Who knows what that kid is up to. You don't think he couldn't find a date and is too embarrassed to come, do you?"
Liu Bo said, "Meng, you just had to make things difficult. If he wants to come, let him come. Why insist that everyone bring a date? Finding a girlfriend these days is harder than finding your own father!"
Everyone laughed. Liu Bo's date, Nana, said, "That's not always true. It's easy for an outstanding guy like Brother Liu. Look at me, I practically threw myself at him!"
Liu Bo, flattered into a state of bliss, patted Nana on the back and said, "That's because we're fated to be together!"
Meng Jianshu chimed in at the right moment, "Nana, you'd better hold on to him. Liu's monthly salary is several tens of thousands, and that's not even counting his 'grey income.' He's also very generous with women!"
Tao Yong glanced at his own date and added, "That's right. Liu's income is about the same as mine. We're both generous with women."