Financial Independence through Cracked Apps-Chapter 54: The Cultivated Male God

"Tingting, what on earth is wrong?"

After paying the bill at the front desk of Lameloise, Cheng Yue immediately chased after her. He finally caught Gu Wanting in the elevator, grabbing her arm with concern.

"Are you feeling unwell? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?"

"No, that’s not necessary."

Gu Wanting shook her head, her face etched with exhaustion.

"You should head back. I’ll take the subway home by myself."

Huh?

Gu Wanting’s words really threw Cheng Yue for a loop, and panic set in.

’He’d already booked a room at the nearby Shangri-La Hotel!’

Cheng Yue’s original plan was to impress Gu Wanting with this expensive dinner and then seal the deal!

But who would have guessed that she’d suddenly get emotional and want to go home!

Cheng Yue was racking his brain, trying to find a reason to make Gu Wanting stay, but he couldn’t just say it outright. All he could do was fret helplessly.

"How about we go for a walk along the Bund to clear your head?"

"I want to go home and rest."

Gu Wanting insisted quietly, pulling her arm free from Cheng Yue’s grasp. She left Central Mansion without a backward glance, her dejected figure moving like a zombie.

She entered the subway station and boarded a train, but couldn’t find a seat, so she had to stand, holding onto a hand ring.

Not far from her, a couple was embracing affectionately.

"Baby, I’m sorry you have to take the subway home from work again. How about we buy a car?"

"Oh, why would we buy a car! The traffic during rush hour is even worse than the crowds on the subway. No, we’re not buying one."

"..."

The familiar conversation drifted into her ears, sending Gu Wanting into a daze.

It felt like just yesterday that she and Lin Shen were like that.

Whenever they couldn’t find a seat on the subway, Gu Wanting would wrap her arms around Lin Shen’s waist, and he would gently hold her in his embrace.

The only difference was that their roles in the conversation were reversed.

Back then, she was the one clamoring to buy a car, and Lin Shen would always pat her head dotingly and swear he’d buy one as soon as he saved up enough money.

Unfortunately, three years had passed, and that wish never came true.

Gu Wanting used to think that making such empty promises to a girl was shameful.

But thinking back on it now, she found herself missing it terribly.

She missed those carefree days when Lin Shen doted on her, holding her in the palm of his hand and taking care of her every need.

Gu Wanting lifted a corner of the veil on these long-buried memories, and they washed over her like a tide, flooding her heart.

Tears welled up in her reddened eyes and finally, unable to hold them back, streamed down her cheeks.

’It was so wonderful at the beginning!’

’Why did it all turn out so horribly in the end?’

’Was I the one who was wrong?’

Gu Wanting’s thoughts were in turmoil when a tissue suddenly appeared before her tear-blurred eyes.

"Don’t cry."

The man from the couple earlier offered her the tissue, while the woman comforted her in a gentle voice.

"I don’t know what’s happened to you, but you’re so beautiful, there’s no need to cry. You’re more amazing than a lot of people. Keep your head up!"

"Thank you."

Gu Wanting sobbed as she wiped her tears with the tissue, a small smile breaking through.

"You two are really happy. I’m so envious."

*

*

"So, how was it?"

Downstairs at Central Mansion.

Lin Shen stretched and asked Jiang Wan what she thought of dinner, receiving a nod of approval.

"It was excellent. The variety of French dishes was truly flavorful and exquisite. Thank you for treating me, Lin Shen."

"I’m glad you liked it, Senior."

Seeing Lin Shen’s casual and carefree demeanor, Jiang Wan felt an urge to say something, but she held back, the impulse dissolving into a smile at the corners of her lips.

"Well, I’ll see you another time, then. Once you buy a camera, I’d be happy to model for you for free."

"Okay."

After waving goodbye in the subway station, they boarded separate trains heading in opposite directions.

Jiang Wan let out a soft sigh. Once she had a moment to relax, a bone-deep weariness washed over her like a tide, so overwhelming that she almost nodded off.

After all, the model is the one who expends the most energy during a photoshoot; she just felt it was unprofessional to show it in public.

But now, she could finally rest.

Just as Jiang Wan’s mind was growing foggy, the announcement for her stop jolted her awake.

She blinked her beautiful, slightly hazy eyes and got up, preparing to exit the station.

Just then, a young man approached from nearby and called out to her.

"Um... hey, miss! I’ve been watching you for a while. You look really beautiful in that hanfu. I’m also a big fan of traditional Huaxia culture. Could I get your WeChat so we can chat?"

"Sorry, I have a boyfriend."

Jiang Wan rejected him without hesitation.

She was long used to being hit on by guys, and she always used the same reason to turn them down.

This time, however, when she said she had a boyfriend, her tone was surprisingly self-assured.

She even thought of Lin Shen in that first instant.

’Looks like this kid’s Charm is off the charts.’

Jiang Wan rubbed her aching temples and dragged her exhausted body home.

Wenjing Garden, Building 3, Apartment 201.

CLICK—!

"Wanwan, you’re back."

The moment Jiang Wan opened the door, a muffled voice called out from the living room, punctuated by the CRUNCH of someone eating chips.

A cute girl in Pikachu pajamas was sitting on the sofa, casually binge-watching a drama. The coffee table was covered with all sorts of snacks and soda.

Her name was Xu Lu, Jiang Wan’s best friend and roommate from college.

After graduation, the two of them had rented a two-bedroom apartment together. It wasn’t large, but it was cozy.

"You’re back so late. Don’t tell me you were on a date with that photographer of yours, Hao?"

Xu Lu teased, earning an eye-roll from Jiang Wan.

"You’re overthinking it. There were three of us on the shoot this time, including a junior of mine."

"A junior?"

Xu Lu’s eyes suddenly lit up.

"Do I know him?"

"You do."

Jiang Wan went to her bedroom to change into her loungewear, then came out and collapsed onto the sofa, massaging her shoulders to relieve her fatigue.

"Do you still remember Lin Shen? The junior who was a year below us? He was in the volunteer club. I’ve told you about him."

"He sounds vaguely familiar."

Xu Lu tapped her chin with her index finger, lost in thought.

"I think he was pretty average-looking, and his personality seemed a little shy..."

"Average?"

Jiang Wan gave a cryptic smile, then fiddled with her phone for a moment before holding it up in front of Xu Lu.

"Here. Take a look. Does he still look average to you now?"

"Huh? This is Lin Shen?"

Xu Lu was completely stunned.

On Jiang Wan’s phone screen was a selfie she had secretly taken on the ride back.

In the photo, Lin Shen was fast asleep, leaning against her chest. His choppy bangs partially covered his handsome profile, giving him the vibe of an online heartthrob.

Seeing this, Xu Lu was floored.

"When did he get so handsome?"

"I don’t know either. Maybe money just agrees with him."

Jiang Wan pulled her phone back and sighed.

"It seems he’s made a lot of money since graduation. Tonight, he even treated me to a Western-style meal that cost over two thousand per person."

"Holy shit!"

Xu Lu couldn’t help but curse, grabbing Jiang Wan’s shoulders and shaking her, her expression filled with envy.

"Now *that’s* a dreamboat in the making! Don’t tell me you’ve already made a move on him?"

"It hasn’t gotten to that point yet."

A mysterious smile suddenly played on Jiang Wan’s lips.

"But I think... your suggestion has merit."