But everything Qi Hao had said was true, and it left her feeling incredibly dejected.

It was true.

To outsiders, the age gap between her and President Lin was admittedly quite large.

She herself was fine; she was already used to the gossip and rumors.

But if she caused unnecessary trouble for President Lin, then she was failing in her duties as his mistress.

Lin Ping pressed her thin lips together, her expression thoughtful.

—

"Alright, it’s settled then."

After chatting with Qi Hao for a while longer, Lin Shen stood up, ready to take his leave.

"If anything comes up, just contact Lin Ping."

"Understood. Take care, sir."

After seeing Lin Shen off, Qi Hao could finally let out a long sigh of relief. The weight on his shoulders had been completely lifted.

Just moments ago, he had been stressing over how to handle the failing Cat Cafe.

Now, not only had the cats found a kind new owner, but the staff who had resigned—and he himself—could continue to work and earn money.

And they were even getting paid more than before!

Qi Hao was genuinely happy for his employees. After all, the "kids" working under him were all obedient and sensible.

They all got along harmoniously, just like a family.

"This is really great."

Qi Hao sighed, his heart filled with gratitude for Lin Shen.

It was as if the moment Lin Shen had pushed open the door, light had poured into the Cat Cafe, which had been on the verge of bankruptcy.

Qi Hao felt a ray of hope pierce his own gloomy heart as well.

’This young man, Lin Shen... He’s something else!’

’He’s destined for great things!’

’If I stick with him, maybe I can make a name for myself too!’

—

—

After leaving the Cat Cafe, Lin Shen unpinned the sports camera from his chest and reviewed the video he had recorded.

It clearly documented an adult man’s entire journey from despair over his life to finding renewed hope.

A slight smile touched Lin Shen’s lips. He figured he could use this video in the future for a documentary about his startup’s early days.

If the company did well, he could pull out this video as part of Qi Hao’s embarrassing backstory.

Of course, this was just one small reason for Lin Shen to document his life.

His main goal was to complete the tasks for the Camera and Album and GoGo Maps apps.

The former required him to shoot a video highlighting the "hardships of adulthood," and Qi Hao’s current situation was a perfect fit for the theme.

The latter required him to check in at a location that embodied the "ways of the world," and the Cat Cafe, where they had just discussed business, would likely qualify.

Thus, he could kill two birds with one stone!

"Get in the car. I need to take care of something, then I’ll drive you back to the shop."

"Okay."

Lin Ping obediently agreed. After settling into the passenger seat, she kept stealing glances at Lin Shen, who was on his phone handling business. Her mind was still in a knot over what had happened earlier.

Finally, unable to bear her anxiety any longer, she asked tentatively,

"President Lin, I’m sorry for causing you trouble earlier."

"Trouble?"

Lin Shen turned his head, a slightly puzzled look on his face.

"What trouble?"

"About Qi Hao thinking we’re a couple."

Lin Ping lowered her eyes, looking dejected.

"I know you deliberately avoided calling me your mistress to spare my feelings, but if people think I’m your girlfriend, it could damage your reputation..."

"And so you feel guilty?"

Lin Shen smiled. He felt the beautiful woman beside him was being overly emotional. He gently took her chin and tilted her face up.

"Lift your head. Do you know that for a woman to truly show her charm, the first thing she needs is confidence?"

"If you don’t have confidence in yourself, how can you expect anyone else to look up to you?"

"You’re not ugly—in fact, your figure and skin are exceptionally well-maintained. Why would you think I’d be embarrassed to be seen with you?"

"But my age..."

"I happen to like mature women."

Lin Shen had already perfected the art of telling people what they wanted to hear.

He had even sweet-talked the worldly and experienced Shen Yun into a state of blissful delight, to say nothing of a comparatively simple, beautiful woman like Lin Ping.

Just a few sweet nothings were enough to smooth the worried lines from her face, but the words he whispered in her ear were the final, devastating blow.

"Because mature women are sensible, they know how to take care of a man... and they know what to do with just a slap on the ass."

!?

Lin Ping’s heart skipped a beat at his words, her pretty face flushing crimson.

After a brief moment of shyness, her heart was enveloped by an endless warmth and happiness. Her beautiful eyes filled with tender affection.

Lin Shen had stood up for her in front of Qi Hao, and now he was expressing his affection, helping her regain her confidence, and defending her dignity.

All these small details moved Lin Ping beyond words.

’So President Lin doesn’t just see me as a tool to satisfy his desires. He genuinely cares about me.’

’What more could I possibly be unhappy or worried about?’

Lin Ping gazed deeply at Lin Shen in the driver’s seat, her eyes sultry and alluring. She felt it was time to show him her "sensible" side.

Lin Shen saw that both the Camera and Album and GoGo Maps apps were now showing a Red Point. As he was about to tap them, he felt a sudden jolt.

So Lin Shen started the engine, drove to a quiet, secluded corner, reclined the driver’s seat slightly, and only then began to check his phone.

[GoGo Maps:]

[Upgrade Mission: Check in at a location you feel best embodies the "ways of the world" (Completed).]

[GoGo Maps lv.18 → lv.19]

[Reward: Venture capital accumulated per Red Point passed increased from 190,000 → 200,000. Current total: 7,000,000]

[Reward Item: Random Scratch-Off Ticket x1]

[Upgrade Mission: Check in at a location you consider to be a scene of "decadence and luxury."]

’Decadence and luxury?’

That made Lin Shen pause. The first place that came to mind was a high-end KTV club.

But with so many top-tier goddesses already by his side, he had no need to fight over other people’s leftovers.

’Can’t have everything, right?’

Lin Shen was not a greedy man, after all.

He casually tapped the scratch-off ticket. This time, he got the "Thanks for playing!" he had been waiting for!

Attributes were so much better than money!

[Kidney Power +2!]

[Kidney Power: 70/91 (89+2)]

’I’ve been using up a lot of Kidney Power lately...’

He really hadn’t had a moment’s rest recently.

First, he had solidified his relationship as Lin Ping’s lover, then he’d gone on a trip with Jiang Wan, and after returning, he’d had an experience with a cool and aloof "older-sister" type.

Considering all that, Lin Shen thought having a score of 70 was pretty impressive.

He closed GoGo Maps and opened Camera and Album.

[Upgrade Mission: Please film a narrative vlog with the theme "The Hardships of Adulthood" (Completed).]

[Reward: Camera and Album lv.11 → lv.12]

[Photography and Videography Skills Enhanced 240% → 260%]

[Reward: Old Item Customization Coupon x1]

[Upgrade Mission: Please film a narrative vlog with the theme "A Strange Relationship."]

’A strange relationship?’

But for now, Lin Shen put the mission aside and used the Old Item Customization Coupon.

[Indulgence Consumption Card (Enhanced)]

[Host, please choose one.]

Huh?

Lin Shen was stunned. At first, he thought he’d misread it and rubbed his eyes. When he confirmed that it really was the Indulgence Consumption Card, his heart leaped with excitement.

’An item from ReceivePal is included too?’

’This is too lucky!’

Lin Shen was decisive. To hesitate for even a second would be disrespectful to the Indulgence Consumption Card.

[Indulgence Consumption Card (Enhanced)]

[Effect: Please use the 1,600,000 credit limit for your own personal consumption. The system will issue a rebate based on your heart’s level of joy.]

’The credit limit doubled?’

Nice!

—

A few minutes later, Lin Ping sat stealing glances at Lin Shen’s handsome profile as he focused on driving. She bit her lip, her legs unconsciously rubbing together.

Right now, her heart burned like an overturned furnace.

After all, the saying about a woman in her thirties being like a wolf wasn’t just talk.

Finally, unable to suppress her inner turmoil, Lin Ping’s hands, which rested on her thighs, clenched into fists. She turned to Lin Shen and asked shyly in a low voice,

"Um, President Lin... Anan won’t be home this afternoon. Would you... like to come over to my place for a bit?"

"No, thank you."

Lin Shen obviously knew what Lin Ping was thinking, but he had a meeting arranged with the little girl, and he couldn’t stand her up.

"I have to make a trip to the Civil Aviation Vocational Technical College this afternoon."

"Oh?"

Lin Ping looked stunned.

"Is it for work?"

"Yes."

Lin Shen nodded, which made Lin Ping sigh as if she’d just remembered something.

"The Civil Aviation Vocational Technical College... I think my niece goes to school there."

"What’s her name?"

Lin Shen asked casually, but Lin Ping’s answer stunned him.

"Zheng Yanfei."