Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Me, It Works Damn Well

Seeing Lin Jiang swipe a card and open the door.

The group was so stunned they didn’t know what to say.

They stepped into the apartment, their hearts pounding with anticipation. The nearly 200-square-meter living room immediately drew a chorus of gasps.

"Is... is this really your place?" Zhang Xueying asked, her eyes wide.

"I just bought it. The furniture and appliances haven’t been delivered yet, so you don’t have to worry about Zhiyi’s safety anymore."

"Oh, well... that’s really great, then."

Li Zhiyi stood rooted to the spot, too shocked to speak.

’I knew Lin Jiang was rich, but I didn’t know he was this rich! To think he could afford a place this expensive!’

"Oh my god, a single one of the bathrooms is almost bigger than our entire rental," Wang Lu exclaimed.

"And this huge bathtub is amazing! You two could have a fun game of ’poker’ in there. And with those massive floor-to-ceiling windows... if you tried to do it in every spot in a place this big, it’d take you a year and a half."

Lin Jiang: ???

’Other people just talk, but you, my friend, are a true connoisseur!’

"When you two have your housewarming, you have to invite me over for dinner. Then I can brag to people that I know a homeowner in Century Triumph."

"It’s just an apartment. It doesn’t really matter where you live," Lin Jiang said.

"Besides, a place this big feels too empty for just two people. An apartment like theirs, over 100 square meters, is actually the perfect size. I’m starting to regret this purchase a little."

’I might not have an apartment like that, but who doesn’t know how to talk a big game? Honestly.’

A thousand alpacas stampeded through Zhang Xueying’s and Xu Chi’s minds.

’Use his place as a reference?’

’Do they even have units over 200 square meters for us to look at?’

They were so embarrassed their toes could have bored through the floor.

’Please, for the love of God, stop talking. Can you not drag us out just to beat a dead horse?’

"This is a brand-new apartment. We shouldn’t overstay our welcome. Let’s head back and finish our meal."

Zhang Xueying was desperate to leave. It was just too damn awkward staying there.

"Good point. Let’s go."

After a quick look at Lin Jiang’s apartment, the group headed out.

Lin Jiang leaned close to Li Zhiyi and whispered, "Do you still want to go back for dinner?"

"Not really. We made an appearance, so it’s not rude to leave."

"That’s what I was thinking."

"Mhm."

The group went back downstairs, the atmosphere between them now a little strange.

Since they’d left their bags, they went back up to the apartment.

"Yingying, we’ve already had some food, and we have other plans, so we’re going to head out now," Li Zhiyi said, grabbing her bag.

"What? You’re leaving already? We’re only halfway through dinner. Stay a little longer."

"We really do have something else to do. There’ll be other chances. We can get together again some other time," Li Zhiyi said.

"Since you’re leaving, I’m going to head out too."

Seeing that Li Zhiyi was serious about leaving, Zhang Xueying didn’t press the issue.

Besides, the rest of the meal was bound to be incredibly awkward anyway.

"Let’s get together again soon."

"Okay."

They waved their goodbyes. Li Zhiyi naturally linked her arm through Lin Jiang’s, and the three of them walked out of the complex together.

"Lulu, are you heading home?"

"Yep. But don’t worry about giving me a ride—I don’t want to get in the way of your fun tonight. I’m heading out, bye-bye!"

Wang Lu walked to the curb, hailed a cab, and left.

"Brother Jiang, thank you. You really made me look good back there."

[You have gained favor with NPC Li Zhiyi. Affinity +10]

[NPC: Li Zhiyi]

[Affinity: 30]

"It was nothing. I bet you’re still hungry after all that. Want to go grab something else to eat?"

Li Zhiyi’s eyes lit up. "Yes! But let’s put the license plate on first. I’m actually pretty good at that."

As she spoke, Li Zhiyi pulled a small electric screwdriver from her purse, which she had brought for this very purpose.

She crouched down, and her movements were remarkably proficient for a woman.

However, the curve of her waist and hips was even more eye-catching.

In no time, Li Zhiyi had the license plate installed. The car looked much better with it.

Back in the car, Li Zhiyi flipped down the sun visor, opened the vanity mirror, and touched up her makeup, only then feeling satisfied.

"What are you in the mood for?"

"How about some street food? Are you okay with that?" Li Zhiyi asked tentatively.

"Are you kidding? I love that kind of food."

"I know just the place. I guarantee you’ll like it."

"Let’s go."

With their next plan set, Lin Jiang drove away.

Just then, Chen Jingjia walked out of the main gate, carrying her bag.

"Manager, how much longer do we have to work overtime? We can’t take this every day," a female colleague from property management said.

"This came down from corporate. We have to suck it up whether we like it or not. I’m guessing it’ll be at least another half-month."

"Oh my god, this is torture."

Chen Jingjia sighed to herself. ’When will this hell ever end... Huh?’

Out of the corner of her eye, Chen Jingjia spotted a Maybach slowly driving away.

She suddenly remembered that Lin Jiang had been driving an SUV of the same brand when he drove her sister home a few days ago.

But that one didn’t have a license plate, while this one did.

"Hmph. It’s obviously the Qin Family heiress’s car. What a poser."

After muttering the complaint, Chen Jingjia hailed a cab and left.

... 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

After leaving Century Triumph, Lin Jiang followed Li Zhiyi’s directions and drove to Zhonghai’s Spring Joy Night Market.

You could find snacks from every region of the country there, and it was a must-visit spot for young couples.

After parking the car, they both got out, and Li Zhiyi naturally linked her arm through Lin Jiang’s.

But as soon as her hand was on his arm, she immediately pulled it back.

"Sorry, Brother Jiang. I forgot."

"It’s fine. It’s not like linking arms is going to hurt anyone."

"If you say so, then I’m really going to do it," Li Zhiyi said boldly.

"Go for it. I love taking advantage of situations like this."

’Girls are easily flustered. At a time like this, I have to be the one to make the first move. How else am I supposed to flirt with her?’

"Hmph, then I’ll let you take advantage of me just this once," Li Zhiyi said, tilting her head up proudly.

Feeling a little nervous, Li Zhiyi linked her arm through Lin Jiang’s, and they began to wander through the food street.

Lin Jiang bought some takoyaki, grilled squid, and a serving of grilled cold noodles. Afterward, they found a food stall, picked a table, and ordered a few more things.

"Brother Jiang, with your looks and status, you must have a lot of women chasing after you, right?" Li Zhiyi asked, probing.

"You wouldn’t believe me if I said no, would you?"

"Hmph, of course not."

"It’s been less than half a month since my divorce. Who would be chasing after me?"

"What? You’ve been married before?"

"A little surprising, isn’t it?"

"It is. But what’s more surprising is that someone as outstanding as you would get divorced. What was she thinking?"

"Take a guess?" Lin Jiang said with a smile.

"Let me think..."

Li Zhiyi thought seriously, and her gaze, intentionally or not, fell upon the oysters on the plate before shifting back to Lin Jiang.

"Hey! Don’t even go there. Everything’s in perfect working order, I assure you."