Chapter 33 – No Money!

“A hundred thousand?! What are you thinking, Lin Ganzhi! Mom! Hang up! This kid is trying to blackmail us!” Wu Guanglian shrieked.

Lin Ganzhi’s eyes crinkled into slits with amusement, but he didn’t forget his primary goal. “Auntie! Don’t hang up on me! I’m counting on you for some money. Even thirty thousand out of three million would be great!”

“In your dreams! Lin Ganzhi, that three million is what you, a worthless money-loser, owe me as a sign of filial piety! Wasn’t raising you for twenty years expensive?! If you ever call me to borrow money again, I’ll call the police!” His aunt hung up the phone hastily after she finished speaking.

Lin Ganzhi couldn’t hold it in any longer. He buried his face in his hands and collapsed onto the dining table, laughing uncontrollably.

Uncle Yan, afraid the boy would laugh himself into a coughing fit, quickly went to get him a glass of water.

Lin Ganzhi only lifted his head when his stomach started to ache from laughing. He rested his head on his arms. At the spot two centimeters from his hair part, black hair had already started to grow out, making him look like a chocolate-filled strawberry cookie at first glance.

The sandwich cookie now looked up, his eyes seeming to hold starlight as he gazed at Yan Shengping.

Even Yan Shengping’s gaze softened unconsciously, but the words that came out were: “I’m so sick I need you to support me?”

…

Lin Ganzhi immediately sat up straight. “No, no, no, I’m the little freeloader who relies on you for support!”

He was worried Yan Shengping would become suspicious. After all, the Yan Shengping described in the novel was inherently distrustful and would never employ someone he doubted. Lin Ganzhi felt that this trait fit Yan Shengping’s current persona well, and he had absolutely no intention of jeopardizing his one-million-a-month job! So, he had to show his loyalty now!

“First, let me clarify. I started working part-time to support myself in junior high. The money my aunt’s family spent on raising me was paid back with interest two years ago. Plus, the three million…” Lin Ganzhi coughed. “Body-selling fee.”

The pink-haired man looked shy.

“Selling your body?” Yan Shengping quickly caught the suspicious point and raised a question. “Are you sure it was sold?”

!!!

Lin Ganzhi’s round almond eyes radiated the air of a know-it-all.

If I’m not mistaken, is the boss teasing me right now?

Yan Shengping also realized that what he said sounded a bit off. As their eyes met, a strange atmosphere began to brew.

At that moment, the vibration of a phone on the table broke the awkwardness between them.

It was Yan Shengping’s phone.

Lin Ganzhi subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief. An office romance was an absolute no-go. A love brain would end up destitute!

However, Lin Ganzhi had somewhat underestimated himself. If he had to choose between one million in cash and Yan Shengping right now, he would definitely, without hesitation, choose the money!

More eagerly than ever before, Yan Shengping picked up his phone, not even noticing it was an unfamiliar number.

“Hello, Shengping, it’s me.” The stern voice was identical to the one in his memory.

Yan Shengping grunted noncommittally and said, with extreme irony, “Mr. Zhong.”

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line. “Shengping, are you so quick to disown me as your father? Forget it, family matters can’t be changed overnight. Come home tomorrow, I have something to tell you.”

Zhong Wenwei spoke in a business-like manner, his words dripping with self-interest. Anyone else would have been heartbroken.

“Reason?”

“…You’ve been married for so long, don’t you need to bring him home to visit?”

Yan Shengping sounded as if he had heard the biggest joke. But even as his eyes filled with a mocking smile, his tone remained unchanged. “And if I don’t come?”

Zhong Wenwei had anticipated this. He said slowly, “Shengping, although you’ve already left Zhong’s Chips, the company is still here. If a group of core employees suddenly resigns, can’t I sue them for stealing company secrets? After all, the timing is too coincidental, and the company has a project in the research and development phase.”

When Yan Shengping looked up, he found that Lin Ganzhi was no longer in his line of sight. He turned his head and saw him by the refrigerator, rummaging for the Häagen-Dazs Uncle Yan bought yesterday.

“Lin Ganzhi.”

Yan Shengping called out coolly.

Caught in the act, Lin Ganzhi’s hand trembled, and the spoon fell back into the freezer. He looked over cautiously.

Yan Shengping’s mood inexplicably warmed. “Come back to the Zhong Residence with me tomorrow.”

Zhong Wenwei, on the other end of the conversation, couldn’t help but smile smugly. Just as he was about to say something, the other party hung up directly.

!!!

Lin Ganzhi very sycophantically closed the refrigerator door. “Just checking the fridge. At this time of year, a single bite can attract mice.” He even moved closer as he spoke.

The excuse was utterly ridiculous.

“Why are we suddenly going back to the Zhong Residence?” Lin Ganzhi sat down and very cleverly changed the subject.

Yan Shengping’s long index finger tapped on his phone case as he said nonchalantly, “To watch a show.”

The onlooker, Lin Ganzhi, immediately perked up!

***

The next morning, Lin Ganzhi, who had always been incredibly casual about his appearance, got up early to get dressed. He couldn’t embarrass the boss, right?

He chose a color-blocked warm gray denim sweatshirt, paired it with casual sweatpants, and slung a chest bag over his shoulder.

This had been Lin Ganzhi’s favorite outfit since college—comfortable and good-looking.

As soon as he was dressed, Lin Ganzhi eagerly sent a photo of himself to the group chat he shared with Tian Nini and Chi Feibai.

[Going to meet the former in-laws!]

Within five seconds of sending the message, replies flooded the group.

Tian Nini: [Ganzhi, it’s not that I’m criticizing you, but this outfit has no competitive edge.]

Chi Feibai: [A college student reunion?]

Tian Nini: [Not sexy at all~]

Chi Feibai: [Dressed like that, you’ll be torn to shreds the moment you step into the Zhong Residence!]

Hiss—

Lin Ganzhi didn’t understand, but he was greatly shocked!

An eager student, Lin Ganzhi immediately sought advice from the two seniors, which lasted until an hour later at the breakfast table.

Yan Shengping was also wearing a relatively formal suit, but Lin Ganzhi’s suit had a distinctly roguish flair. He had dashingly unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing a silver necklace, a hint of his collarbone, and his Adam’s apple. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, with a thin chain attached to the edge of the lenses. His almond eyes were narrowed slightly, making him look far more alluring than usual.

Yan Shengping’s eyes betrayed his displeasure as he smiled. “Are you going on a blind date?”

Was this a legendary backhanded compliment? Lin Ganzhi smiled shyly. “To meet the former in-laws~ Do I look good? Nini and Feibai recommended it.”

“You look great! Ganzhi, you look a bit more imposing than usual!” Uncle Yan wiped his hands and sat down. “What do you think, sir? This kid Ganzhi is getting better-looking by the day.”

Being praised, Lin Ganzhi nearly twisted himself into a pretzel.

Yan Shengping’s smile didn’t falter as he calmly canceled Tian Nini’s bonus for the month in his mind.

Once in the car, the temperature had been dropping recently, but Lin Ganzhi wasn’t used to enclosed spaces, so he opened his window a crack.

As soon as the car started, Lin Ganzhi shivered from the cold wind.

Instant karma.

“If you’re cold, button up your clothes to avoid catching a cold.” Yan Shengping reminded him coolly, then felt the need to add, “If you catch a cold, you’ll have to wait even longer to eat anything spicy or cold.”

The gluttonous Lin Ganzhi buttoned up his shirt at lightning speed.

Uncle Yan, driving in the front, smiled silently.

“Uncle Yan, you seem very happy. Is there some gossip up ahead?” Lin Ganzhi nearly leaned forward, but was pulled back by Yan Shengping.

Uncle Yan glanced at Yan Shengping through the rearview mirror and said with a smile, “Nothing, I just feel happy.”

Yan Shengping, who had been glanced at, quickly let go of the back of Lin Ganzhi’s collar. The residual warmth he had just touched lingered on his fingertips, frolicking wildly, as thoughtless as its owner.

Forget it. It must be tough for Tian Nini after leaving the company. I’ll let him keep his bonus for now.

Lin Ganzhi watched the scenery outside the car window. After a half-hour drive, they finally saw the bustling city. When the car passed a snack street, Lin Ganzhi’s drool nearly dripped onto the car seat.

A minute later, Lin Ganzhi turned around and looked at Yan Shengping pitifully.

…

“Spit it out.”

“Fried chicken and milk tea shouldn’t be spicy.”

Yan Shengping crossed his arms. “That reason isn’t sufficient.”

“I feel like when we get there, the Zhong family won’t serve us anything good. The only thing on the menu might be nothing but air!” Lin Ganzhi said with deep emotion.

“…Uncle Yan.”

In the end, both of them were ordered out of the car.

“Sir, if Ganzhi buys too much, you can help him carry it, right? A married couple should support each other. You can’t let one person do all the work.”

Of course, Lin Ganzhi wouldn’t dare ask this big shot to accompany him to buy food. It would be too conspicuous, and he couldn’t imagine Yan Shengping standing at a stall to pay.

So, he very thoughtfully settled him under a tree by the roadside.

“Wait for me, okay? Just fifteen minutes~ Is there anything you want to eat?”

Yan Shengping refused with his eyes.

Lin Ganzhi was really just asking out of politeness. After getting Yan Shengping’s answer, he shot off into the snack street like an arrow released from a bow.

Yan Shengping now seriously suspected if Lin Ganzhi was missing the element of food from his five-element constitution.

Xiao Lu was a third-year student at a nearby university. Today, she was out shopping with two of her best friends.

As they passed the snack street, one of her friends frantically tapped her shoulder. “Oh my god, did you see that? The guy under the tree. I can’t believe someone that handsome exists in real life! Dressed in a suit and all, wuwuwu, the domineering CEOs from novels aren’t lying to me after all!”

Xiao Lu followed her friend’s gaze. The man under the tree had one hand in his pocket, his refined and sharp features making it impossible to look away. Yet, his face carried a hint of sickliness, and the enchanting beauty radiating from the corners of his eyes unexpectedly captured the heartstrings of passersby. He looked past them towards the snack street in the distance, exuding an air of keeping strangers at bay. But from her perspective, at least three to five people were secretly taking pictures of him.

Xiao Lu was considered campus belle-level at her school, but she had never been in a relationship. According to her, she couldn’t find a sense of security in her peers, but her upbringing had prevented her from experiencing the outside world.

“Let’s go!” Xiao Lu’s eyes suddenly became determined. She pulled her friend and walked towards the man.

“Damn, when did you get so brave?” her friend exclaimed, while also eagerly following Xiao Lu.

Xiao Lu was actually very nervous right now, but this time, at least, she had to get this man’s WeChat.

“Hello,” Xiao Lu took a deep breath and stood in front of the man. She had big wavy curls, a trench coat over a long skirt, and her eyes were filled with innocent affection.

Yan Shengping looked down, his eyes devoid of any emotion, and even that alluring beauty vanished. His tone was cold. “May I help you?”

Xiao Lu’s heart pounded wildly. Even his voice matched her ideal partner standards!

“May I have the chance to get to know you?” This was the first time in her life that Xiao Lu had taken the initiative to ask for a man’s WeChat. Her excellent appearance gave her a lot of confidence.

Yan Shengping acted as if he hadn’t heard, his gaze suddenly falling on something in the distance. “Sorry, I’m married.”

Xiao Lu’s fantasy shattered instantly. She looked at the man with a pale face, her gaze falling on his empty ring finger.

“But, you don’t even have a ring. If you’re just trying to reject me…”

“What do you mean by taking a step back?” Yan Shengping suddenly said to someone in the distance. His tone had become somewhat dangerous, but an expression finally appeared on his face.

Xiao Lu subconsciously looked back as well. A boy wearing a mask, who you could tell was handsome just from his figure and eyes, was holding bags full of snacks and looking at them hesitantly.

Lin Ganzhi gave a guilty smile and walked over with the food. “The food was too heavy, it made me stumble!”