Chapter 45: Request to Join the Battle

The two little girls played with the dog for a while, ate some fruit, and time passed by bit by bit.

Because there was still the matter of settling in and needing to learn to drive, Cheng Yao hadn’t considered going out or taking Cheng Cheng to have fun. He figured she also needed some time to adjust to all the recent changes.

Cheng Cheng had wanted to invite Jiang Yuexi to stay for dinner, but unfortunately, her mother called to urge her home.

Jiang Yuexi also wished she could stay longer, but in the end, they agreed to meet again next time.

After Jiang Yuexi left, Cheng Yao covered his face in exasperation and said, “There’s nothing at home—if she stayed, would you two just eat air? Or should I just cook the dog for you?”

“No way! The dog is so cute, how could we eat it?” Cheng Cheng protected the Samoyed, whom she’d named Little White.

Such a cliché name—look at other people’s pets, they’re always called Elizabeth or Markov...

Cheng Cheng’s eyes sparkled as she asked, “Brother, would you be mad at me for keeping Little White?”

“Brother, you won’t hit me, will you?”

“You found me such a pretty piano teacher—Ms. Lu. If Sister Zhang Ya finds out, she won’t be angry, right?”

“Sister Zhang Ya must be really scary when she’s angry!”

“Not like me—I only feel sorry for you, Brother!”

What kind of scheming could a little sister possibly have? She was just a good girl who cared about her brother.

As for what would happen if Zhang Ya found out, Cheng Yao didn’t know, but it didn’t matter—there was no ‘if’.

He and Lu Mengyao had kept things strictly proper.

As for those few times they’d gotten to know each other better, it was merely mutual attraction and appreciation, without any private feelings involved.

“No, she’s just a private tutor, and I happen to know her—Zhang Ya would understand if she knew,” Cheng Yao said, though he practically itched to give his sister a spanking.

To him, Zhang Ya was like a beautiful shark.

He did desire her, but once a shark enters the pond, chaos would surely ensue.

Yet, he still needed someone like Lu Mengyao around.

“Weren’t you saying you wanted some plushies? Go ahead and buy them. If you don’t have enough money, just let me know.”

“I knew you’re the best, Brother!” Cheng Cheng smiled like a little fox.

Heh, big brother, I’ve got something on you now!

She’d already suspected something was off between her brother and Lu Mengyao, and now she was certain.

Hmm, which plushie should she get? Patrick Star!

Cheng Yao suddenly realized that maybe Cheng Cheng was never the obedient little sister he’d thought.

That evening, Cheng Yao took Cheng Cheng to the Lanzhou noodle shop across the street from their apartment for a quick meal.

The internet at home hadn’t been set up yet. Cheng Cheng complained, “Brother, when are you going to get it fixed?”

“Why don’t you do it yourself?”

“I’m too scared…”

Cheng Yao turned over and said, “I’ll do it when I have time. Go do your homework.”

“Okay.”

Cheng Cheng stuck out her tongue and closed the door behind her.

Without the internet, he couldn’t play games. The evenings at home were boring. He felt as though he’d developed the disease of not being able to function without the internet. He could only scroll through his phone.

After a while, it felt nauseating.

Everyone in the group chat was bored.

Wang Wenbo: “Bored—let’s hit the bar. There are a bunch of girls from South Aviation, super high quality, and lots of them. You coming?”

Cheng Yao opened the video and was hit by a wave of deafening music; the girls from South Aviation were dancing like maniacs, dressed in skimpy tops, their jackets nearly falling off.

It was as if the music started and all parental upbringing was forgotten.

So, Cheng Yao refused.

Ever since he appeared, Lu Mengyao had stopped going to bars. Did this mean he’d locked up the shared bike in advance?

Probably not…

Lu Mengyao might be flirty—no, she might be a tease—but she was still… well, pure.

Ahem, she was decent.

Cheng Yao tried to justify Lu Mengyao to himself.

Unable to sleep, he went out onto the balcony for some air, then couldn’t help but call Zhang Ya, and the two chatted for a while.

After hanging up, he still felt lost.

He had no clear plan for the future—just a vague direction. He had plenty of money now, but sometimes money alone wasn’t enough. Other things were needed as well.

As for his ultimate goal, that was clear in his heart.

Finally, midnight arrived.

[Today’s total spending: 2,010,000 yuan. Tenfold cashback: 20,100,000 yuan. Congratulations! You’ve grasped the essence of the romance simulation game and completed the novice training period. There’s much more fun to be found in the game; cultivate your girlfriend’s hobbies and interests—the higher her social status and fame, the greater the rewards!]

Host: Cheng Yao

Appearance: 84

Skills: Guitar, Exceptional Hearing

Wealth: 20,100,000

Girlfriends: Zhang Ya (bound), Lu Mengyao (bound)

When the reward arrived, Cheng Yao’s palms broke into a sweat before he realized it, his heart pounding like a drum.

The impact of this was far stronger than any game, but with his forward planning, he quickly composed himself after the initial excitement and began to consider how to use the money.

There was no rush about spending. He could take his time.

With someone like Lu Mengyao as a tool, he could break a hundred million any time—he only had to buy her a villa and the numbers would soar.

So, he felt no sense of financial crisis.

Perhaps, he could find a few more “tools”?

Cheng Yao shook his head. For now, one was enough. Besides, girls like Lu Mengyao were rare. There were plenty who’d become a third party for money, but you could never be sure they wouldn’t cause trouble.

There were very few as sensible as Lu Mengyao.

He wasn’t the protagonist of some urban rebirth story. Compared to before, when he was strapped for cash, his mindset had changed considerably.

From a nouveau riche, he’d evolved into a nouveau riche with ambitions.

At least he was cultivating his own interests and building a bit of social identity and status, rather than being a money-making machine who only knew how to get rich.

If he wasn’t busy with someone, he was on the road to making money. Cheng Yao found that dull, just like back when he played games.

With money, more ideas came.

…

…

Early Sunday morning, Cheng Yao finished washing up.

Cheng Cheng was up early too. “Brother, I’m going to a classmate’s house today.”

“The one from yesterday?”

“Yeah.”

“Go ahead.”

Cheng Yao chose to let her be. Lu Mengyao messaged that she was already in the car; they’d arranged to meet at Xinjiekou.

He got ready, grabbed some breakfast downstairs, and headed straight there.

By the time he arrived, it was already late.

Lu Mengyao had bought two fruit teas and was waiting there, glancing around, making all the passing boys shake their heads in resignation.

“Cheng Yao!” Lu Mengyao waved, her smile radiant.

Today she wore a black camisole under a denim jacket, with denim shorts—sexy yet fresh and lively.

Seeing her like this, Cheng Yao felt his heart racing with excitement.

“Lemon Yakult—you like this, right?”

“Yeah.”

Lu Mengyao inserted a straw and handed him the drink.

Cheng Yao took a sip; in the summer heat, it was especially refreshing.

This was the power of money—

From a fawning admirer to a king among the seas,

Though, in most ways, the roles were reversed.

Out in public, especially during the day, the two maintained their distance; Lu Mengyao didn’t cling to his arm.

They walked side by side. She raised her head and said, “Didn’t you say you wanted to buy a guitar? I’ll take you…”

…