Chapter 103: Hello, I’d like to report a gathering of people...

The first group was slightly better off; they had only been on the road for less than an hour, so they were not as tired.

Chengcheng and Jiang Yuexi were a different story. They were already exhausted on the way over.

After a full afternoon of playing around, they had turned into two limp, boneless fish.

“We’ve basically done all the popular attractions, so let’s go eat hotpot,” Cheng Yao said, taking Zhang Ya’s hand and lacing their fingers together.

On the ride over, the two sat pressed close. Cheng Yao lowered his voice and said, “I started a company.”

“That impressive?”

“I ran into a benefactor. I also made a little from stocks and pet coins before.”

Zhang Ya frowned. “You’re not allowed to mess with stocks. My dad lost more than two hundred thousand back when he played the market, and he’s sworn them off for good. That stuff is just like gambling.”

Well, well. Losing more than two hundred thousand meant her family must have been very well off.

“I got lucky at the time, made a bundle, and quit. I put all the money into the company. I’ve made quite a bit, otherwise where do you think my money came from?”

“Good. And what exactly are pet coins?”

“Something a bit like Bitcoin, a kind of virtual currency...”

Zhang Ya did not understand, and Cheng Yao did not bother explaining. Even he did not really know; rumor had it Bitcoin was used for money laundering, and whether one profited or lost depended on a single sentence from someone else. Who knew if that was true.

With something so intangible, there was no way to be certain, so naturally he would not get involved.

The subway ride took half an hour, and the patrons at the hotpot restaurant were coming and going in an endless stream.

After waiting ages for a table, they finally sat down. Just then Zhang Ya received a call from Li Yingshan, frowned, and hung up.

“She says to come out and have fun with them.”

“Where?” Rong Xuelin laughed. “What, are they busy getting cozy with her boyfriend and expect us to come along as extra lamps?”

“She says they’re going street racing!?” Zhang Ya looked a little bewildered.

Cheng Linlin snorted coldly. “Just showing off. Her boyfriend has a Porsche.”

“Mm...”

Jiang Yuexi glanced up at Cheng Yao; Chengcheng opened his mouth as if to speak, then stopped.

Zhang Ya shook her head, disappointed beyond words. “She’s changed a lot lately. She’s probably gotten addicted to all this. Only a fool would go street racing, and not even at a proper track.”

“If it’s not proper, how can they race? Do they want to die on the road?” Cheng Yao asked, amused, and picked up a slice of lamb for Zhang Ya.

Zhang Ya stuffed it into her mouth without ceremony. “She said it’s on a road that was built out in the suburbs. It seems to be closed off, so no cars can go in, and there aren’t many people around either, look...”

“What did she call you for?”

Cheng Yao looked at the address, then dialed the emergency line with a very serious expression. “Hello, I’d like to report an illegal gathering for street racing... It’s not a proper venue, yes, yes, yes, out in the suburbs at xxx. A group of people are there right now, please send officers as soon as possible...”

“Understood. We’ll dispatch units immediately.”

After hanging up, Cheng Yao said with a smile, “It’s fine. Let’s keep eating.”

Zhang Ya: “....”

Rong Xuelin: “....”

Cheng Linlin: “Pfft...”

Chengcheng and Jiang Yuexi were also a little stunned, their expressions strange.

Then Cheng Linlin could no longer hold it in and burst out laughing. “I’m dying, Cheng Yao, you’re way too ruthless!”

“Impressive, brother. That move was vicious.”

Cheng Yao’s expression remained stern; he could not bring himself to laugh at all. “It’d already be generous of me not to beat her. Fine if that idiot wants to court death on her own, but she called Zhang Ya to join her?”

“Hey, do you not count us as people?” Rong Xuelin glared at him.

Cheng Linlin also stopped laughing and said awkwardly, “Don’t worry. We’re definitely not going. We know our limits. It’s just that she’s gotten wild lately and likes hanging around that crowd of rich second-generation kids.”

“Honestly, the way people can change is kind of scary.” Zhang Ya seemed to want to say more.

In truth, she could faintly sense the change in Cheng Yao.

The biggest change was in his personality. He was bolder than before, more confident than before, somehow a little more handsome, and more manly.

Zhang Ya liked that change; it meant he had become more mature.

After all, no girl liked dating an immature, childish boy.

Cheng Yao ate his hotpot in silence. Only someone with a screw loose would go street racing out in the wilderness.

What he feared most now was that Zhang Ya might learn bad habits from others.

Zhang Ya tugged at his hand and smiled softly. “Don’t be angry.”

“Mm.”

By the time they finished the hotpot meal, it was nearly eight.

Cheng Linlin and Rong Xuelin waved goodbye. “We’re heading back to school first. Let’s play again next time.”

“Bye-bye.”

“Take care on the way back,” Zhang Ya said, waving.

The two walked ahead. They strolled around a bit and bought some fruit, while Chengcheng and Jiang Yuexi looked as though they had been forced into a grim ordeal.

Chengcheng lowered his voice. “Should we call him back?”

“Forget it. Let’s endure a little longer; we’ll be going back soon anyway. It’d be such a pity to ruin the mood now,” Jiang Yuexi sighed. In truth, she was exhausted too.

Zhang Ya looked back and said darkly, “Those two are done for. Let’s head back.”

“Mm.”

“How many rooms did you book?”

On the way over, she had not thought much of it, but Zhang Ya suddenly realized that with one extra person, who was she supposed to sleep with?

Cheng Yao held her hand. “You’ll sleep with me tonight. Otherwise I won’t feel at ease.”

“....” Zhang Ya’s cheeks reddened, and she whispered, “Then behave yourself.”

“Okay!”

Cheng Yao’s heart was pounding like a drum; even buying a car and a house had never excited him this much before. “Chengcheng, we’re going back to the hotel.”

“Coming. Sister-in-law, I’m dead tired.”

Zhang Ya asked with a smile, “Did you have fun?”

“Yeah, it was exciting.”

“Happy Valley is nice too. We should go again when we get the chance.”

“I’m going with her tomorrow. My brother has something to do tomorrow, so he can’t play with us.”

Zhang Ya looked at Cheng Yao. He smiled and said, “I’m going to a salon tomorrow. Someone invited me, so I’ll use the opportunity to build some connections.”

“They’re going back on their own?”

“Yeah. I won’t be back until Monday.”

Cheng Yao had booked the Peninsula Hotel, a top-tier five-star place. Now that Zhang Ya knew he was making money, there was no need for him to hide it anymore.

He booked two deluxe river-view rooms; each room cost more than six thousand.

Chengcheng pulled Jiang Yuexi along and quickly entered their room, shutting the door behind them. The two girls exchanged a smile and then wandered around the room.

As for Cheng Yao’s side, Zhang Ya felt a little reserved.

Thinking about it carefully, this was her first time staying in a hotel with Cheng Yao, just the two of them sharing a room.

In fact, she felt a little uneasy, especially after they entered the room.

Cheng Yao set his bag on the sofa, drew back the curtains, and the brilliant Oriental Pearl Tower came into view. He sighed, “The scenery looks different from every angle. Such dazzling indulgence.”

“I’m already tired of looking at it.”

“I’m tired of looking at it too. Right now, I only want to look at you properly.” Cheng Yao walked over, wrapped his arm around her waist, and sat down on the bed.

Zhang Ya naturally sat in his lap, put her arms around his neck, and smiled as she rested her chin on his shoulder.

“Let me have a look at you.”

“No...”

“You’re serious?”

“Mm!”

With one swift turn, Cheng Yao laid Zhang Ya down on the bed and looked down at her from above.

Zhang Ya said irritably, “You startled me. You’re really strong now. Anyway, I can’t resist you, can I?”

“Right.”

“Fine, then come on. I can’t resist you anyway!”

Zhang Ya had already resigned herself to fate, but Cheng Yao instead felt somewhat surprised. “I’m telling you, I’m serious.”

“Then come on.”

Zhang Ya closed her eyes, and her long eyelashes trembled. “Mm...”

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