Qiao Meina returned home, and Wang Min walked out from the kitchen.
"Back so soon? Didn't spend a little more time with A'Can at the airport?"
Qiao Meina didn't respond. She kicked off her high heels and walked barefoot across the floor to the kitchen, grabbed a Sprite from the fridge.
"I thought you didn't drink Sprite?"
Still no response. Fssst— She cracked open the bottle, closed the fridge, and headed for the bedroom.
"What's wrong with you? You look like you lost your soul. Meina, I—"
BANG! The bedroom door slammed shut.
"Hey!" Wang Min got mad now, hands on her hips, pointing at the door, yelling: "Qiao Meina! A'Can's the one who left—why are you throwing a fit at me? Open this door! Do you hear me?!"
Qiao Meina acted like she didn't hear a thing. She gulped down the Sprite, crushed the empty bottle and tossed it in the trash, then flopped onto the bed and kicked her legs restlessly, feeling inexplicably irritated.
Two hours later.
At the exit of Shuangliu International Airport.
Lin Can called Qiao Meina: "Meina-jie, I've arrived in Chengdu."
Qiao Meina: "Then go find your dear Qingning. Why're you calling me?"
Lin Can: "What, you jealous?"
Qiao Meina: "Jealous? Jealous of you? What a joke. I don't even like you. Tch~"
Lin Can: "Good, just making sure you're not."
Qiao Meina let out a frustrated "Ahhh~!"
Lin Can: "Next time I come to Shanghai, I'll stay with you a few more days."
Qiao Meina: "No, no, no—don't. Totally unnecessary. Bye."
Ah… girls' minds really are complicated.
Lin Can hailed a taxi to Renhe Spring Department Store.
Yesterday he was too busy hanging out with Qiao Meina in Shanghai to shop. Now that he'd just scored 13 million, it was time to treat himself.
There were even more luxury options at Taikoo Li, but they were spread out, and as a guy who didn't love shopping, he opted for Renhe Spring. It was still full of luxury—wherever your eyes landed, it was all high-end.
Some people liked buying the flashiest designer logos. Lin Can also bought those brands—but the kind where the logo was almost invisible.
Real rich people didn't need to show off logos to prove their wealth. For them, this was just daily wear.
As he walked out of the mall, he casually tossed his old Metersbonwe clothes.
Had Metersbonwe truly let him down?
This was Chengdu, and somewhere in this city, Chu Qingning was living her life.
But Lin Can didn't rush to go find her for cuddles. Instead, he took a cab to the Shangri-La Hotel, booked a luxury suite. Outside the window stretched the legendary Jiuyan Bridge bar street.
Back in the day, Lin Can had been shocked by a viral news story—some drunk woman had forced herself onto a man on Jiuyan Bridge. The guy resisted but failed, and gave in. After that, thousands of men camped out on the bridge, hoping to be the next "victim."
Ding dong! Ding dong!
"Coming."
Lin Can opened the door to find a man and a woman in formal attire.
"Mr. Lin?"
"That's me."
"Hello Mr. Lin, we're from Weijin Planning Studio. I'm Zhao Hong, and this is my colleague, Wang Chao."
"Come on in."
Earlier, Lin Can had booked this company online. They specialized in wedding planning, proposals, events, and more.
Clearly, Lin Can was up to something.
To put it plainly: Lin Can wanted to give Chu Qingning a romantic, happy, and touching night.
And to be blunt: Lin Can was using romance as a cover—to get with Chu Qingning.
The three sat on the sofa.
"Here." Lin Can handed them bottled water.
"Thank you, Mr. Lin." Zhao Hong took a sip, put it down, and said, "We chatted a bit online. You want to create a Chinese-style romantic evening for your girlfriend—don't worry, our team can absolutely deliver."
"I looked through your past work. Good reputation. That's why I chose you—I trust you can make it happen."
"Thank you for the trust, Mr. Lin. Are you thinking indoor or outdoor?"
"Indoors. I'm kind of shy—would get embarrassed outside."
"You must be joking. A guy planning something this romantic can't be that shy."
Zhao Hong was an attractive woman, dressed in a business skirt and nude stockings—visually appealing. As she joked, she noticed Lin Can's gaze linger slightly on her body.
Every time she met with a client, they always talked about how much they loved their girlfriend, how much they wanted to impress her—yet their eyes couldn't stop wandering over her curves. Rich men were such hypocrites. But Zhao Hong had a great body, so she closed deals often.
She scooted a little closer to Lin Can, smiled, and said, "Do you have a location in mind? How about this Shangri-La Hotel?"
Wang Chao, beside her, silently tched. This slut only closes deals because she seduces clients. She's even slept with clients to land jobs. Her knees were bruised purple the next day.
In poverty, you look at appearances. In wealth, you enter the game.
Lin Can liked beautiful women, sure—but mostly to heal himself. After all, he was the "healing-type god-tier tycoon." Looking at beautiful things brought healing points. If it weren't for that, he wouldn't even bother looking.
No one out-hypocrites Lin Can.
He smiled and scooted away a little. Her perfume was too strong—he didn't like it.
"I want Chinese style. Shangri-La doesn't fit the aesthetic. Find me a Chinese courtyard to set it up in."
"No problem." Zhao Hong quickly switched to professional mode, realizing this Mr. Lin wasn't falling for her usual tricks. "What's your budget?"
The waste level equals the romance level—and determines the success rate.
Of course, with the projects Zhao Hong's team handled, the success rate was always 100%.
Because they only took rich clients. Every project started at ¥100,000.
Anyone willing to pay that instead of going straight to a wedding company clearly had money to burn—and only cared about results.
How could a rich guy's romantic gesture possibly fail?
Talk money with the poor. Talk love with the rich.
"I haven't really thought about budget," Lin Can said. "Let's say… within ¥800,000. How's that?"
¥800,000?
Zhao Hong had to keep her excitement in check. She nodded. "Perfect. Mr. Lin, you must really love your girlfriend."
Lin Can just smiled.
Since when did how much a man spends equal how much he loves?
"Don't get too excited just yet. I care about results. If it looks good and she's happy, I'll say it was worth it—and say you guys did a great job. If not… you don't get the rest of the payment. Got it?"
"Of course. We'll make sure both you and your girlfriend are satisfied. One of our clients owns a traditional Chinese courtyard in the city—it's a boutique homestay. Everything about it fits. Let me show you photos. If you like it, we'll use it. Sound good?"
Lin Can checked the photos.
"Looks good. Let's go with this. Hurry back, get the design and budget sorted, and get to work. Try to finish it tonight."
"That's impossible," Zhao Hong said. "Even if we finalize the plan today, setting it up takes time. It'll be ready tomorrow night at the earliest."
She thought to herself: Mr. Lin's really in a rush~
Lin Can was indeed in a hurry—and a thirsty one.
"Fine."
He had to wait till tomorrow night to meet Chu Qingning. He wouldn't contact her today.
He paid a ¥30,000 deposit and sent them off.
"Mr. Lin, we'll stay in touch."
"Alright."
Click.
Door shut.
Wang Chao sighed.
Zhao Hong: "What're you sighing for?"
Wang Chao: "Ugh… I envy these rich guys. They can use money to create romance, to easily win over so many girls. Meanwhile, I give it my all just to get one girl he's already had."
Zhao Hong: "Then work harder. If you can't make money, no matter how hard you try, you'll never have what a second-generation rich boy's already had."
"Oof, Sister Hong, that hurts."
"I'm just telling you the truth. Work hard."
After resting a bit, Lin Can took his camera and went sightseeing around Chengdu.
Snapping photos, eating snacks, and saying, "So spicy, so spicy~"
Now that he had money, even by himself, he lived freely. No stress over expenses. He could eat, play, and indulge however he pleased. Life was sweet.
He'd heard Chengdu girls were pretty, and now he saw they were all fresh-faced, flawless-skinned, petite, and lovely.
He racked up a ton of "healing points."
By 1 PM, Zhao Hong had sent over the final design and budget.
With money not being an issue, the plan looked stunning. Quoted at ¥760,000—Lin Can approved. He went to the studio to sign the contract and made a progress payment. The rest would come after final inspection.
"Money's sent. Get started right away. If it's not done by tomorrow night, the contract says you pay penalties."
"Don't worry, Mr. Lin. We'll get it done."
"Alright, go get busy. I'm going sightseeing."
"Where've you been today?"
"Du Fu's Thatched Cottage, Wide and Narrow Alleys, Huanhuaxi Park… I've eaten so much spicy Chengdu food."
"Haha, you haven't been to Wuhou Shrine or Jinli yet, right? You should—they're just ahead."
"Alright, I'll head over."
Money talks. When you pay, people jump to serve you.
Lin Can didn't have to worry about a thing—just swipe his card.
He took his camera to Wuhou Shrine, and after a while, crossed over to Jinli Street—it was packed.
At one snack stall selling San Da Pao (Three Big Cannon), a girl in a pale blue hanfu dashed up.
"Hi, Auntie Liu!"
"Ah, little sister, you're here! Come in and sit."
"No need, I won't interrupt your business. Yesterday your little one came to our shop and said she liked the hairpin I made. I made one just for her. Come here, sweetie, let me put it on you."
Chu Qingning placed the hairpin on the little girl's head.
"Thank you, Sister Qingning!"
"Good girl. Go play now. Auntie Liu, I'm heading back."
"Wait a sec—take this San Da Pao snack with you."
"No, no, it's fine."
"Why be so polite? Take it."
"Thanks, Auntie Liu. I'm off then!"
"Alrighty."
Chu Qingning walked through the bustling Jinli crowd, munching on her snack.
Hmm?
She suddenly spotted a familiar silhouette ahead.
She stood on tiptoe, even jumped a bit, trying to see if it was who she thought.
She scratched her head.
"A'Can?"
She shook her head.
"No way. I'm imagining things. If he came to Chengdu, he'd definitely contact me. He just talks big—saying tomorrow, then the next day, then the next. He's never coming."
She was clearly annoyed.
Ring ring ring—
At that moment, her phone rang. Caller ID: Miss Qin from the Flower Shop.
"Chu beauty, you busy?"
"Nope."
"Good! My uncle's company just landed a big event, and I'm at the site setting up flowers. We're short one person who understands Chinese style. The client's super picky—has to be fully traditional Chinese. You helped design Zhao-ge's Chinese wedding last time, right? Come help us out! It's urgent. Has to be done by tomorrow night. Don't worry, you'll get paid."
"Sure, send me the address. I'll come check it out."
Chu Qingning was basically a master of Chinese aesthetics. Selling Chinese-style goods had made her a decent income. Since college, she'd covered all her own tuition and living expenses—never asked her family for a dime.
She followed the address to a traditional courtyard inn.
As she entered, she saw over twenty people hustling in and out, setting up the place.
Miss Qin: "Chu beauty, you're here!"
"Yep. Wow, this is a huge operation. Which rich guy is proposing?"
"Not a proposal—just some rich second-gen trying to be romantic with his girlfriend. You know the type."
Chu Qingning smirked. "Romance always starts with wasting money. This setup must be costing a fortune. Did your uncle make at least ¥50,000 off this?"
"Not that crazy."
"Rich people really throw money around. If I had to spend that much, I'd die of heartache."
"Wonder which lucky girl this is for. If it were you, Chu beauty, you'd be in tears."
"Am I the type of woman who gets conquered by a little romance?"
"You just talk tough. Alright, no more jokes—come help out, will ya? We can't delay. If the client isn't happy, we won't get paid."
"Don't worry! If this rich boy gets his perfect romantic night and dares not pay me for my blood, sweat, and tears—I, Chu Qingning, will make sure he doesn't leave Chengdu!"