Chapter 47: The Atmosphere Suddenly Turned Ostentatious

Free gifts, huh? Looks like this piano is going to turn a hefty profit.

Cheng Yao asked, “Let’s check out the guitars first. Do you have any high-end Fender guitars in your shop?”

“Of course, you’re quite the connoisseur!”

Lisa’s eyes lit up; it was obvious Cheng Yao was well-versed in guitars.

Cheng Yao simply smiled. After all, he was on par with world-class lead guitarists; his knowledge in this area was more than solid. When it comes to guitars, the foreign brands truly excel—domestically, music isn’t held in such high regard.

Take the local Yamaha guitars, for instance. It’s probably the earliest domestic brand to produce guitars, quite well-known, and they manufactured many string instruments in the early days.

In the past, you’d see Red Cotton guitars everywhere in China. They made a deep impression on the older generation. Unfortunately, as times changed, their outdated styles fell behind and were phased out.

Still, the most renowned guitar remains the Fender.

The Fender is legendary—a dream instrument for every electric guitarist. Of course, the price isn’t cheap. But Fender guitars are considered the gold standard for classic tone.

Lisa’s attitude was now several times warmer than before, full of care and attention.

She invited them to sit down, served tea and water, and brought out a catalog. “If you’re not in a rush, you might want to consider this custom model. The price is around two hundred thousand, but I’ll give it to you for free—just as a gesture of friendship.”

Lu Mengyao couldn’t help but exclaim at her expertise—offering a two-hundred-thousand-yuan guitar for free.

Still, after buying a piano worth three and a half million, gifting a two-hundred-thousand-yuan guitar as a token made sense. After all, her own violin had only cost a few thousand.

Cheng Yao found it acceptable—a guitar worth over two hundred thousand was more than enough; the shop manager was being very generous.

“Is there any room to lower the piano’s price?”

He wasn’t buying it for Zhang Ya or Lu Mengyao, so of course he’d bargain as hard as he could. Naturally, he also considered taking advantage of his golden finger, but in the detailed list of over a thousand entries, it was clear there was no loophole to exploit.

For example, he couldn’t buy the piano under Lu Mengyao’s name, or buy it for her and then take it back for his own use…

Lisa was caught between laughter and tears, just about to say something when Cheng Yao interjected, “Three million.”

“Mr. Cheng, three million is far too low. I paid a hefty sum just to acquire it. If I sell at that price, it’s like you’re drawing blood straight from my artery, not just bargaining.”

Lu Mengyao was starting to feel anxious. Haggling in increments of hundreds of thousands—why did this feel more like buying vegetables at the market than purchasing an instrument?

Cheng Yao thought for a moment. “Let me name a figure—if it works for you, great; if not, forget it. Fair?”

“…Go ahead.”

“I’ll add another hundred thousand.”

“Two hundred thousand!” Lisa gritted her teeth.

Cheng Yao was about to stand when Lisa quickly tried to hold him back. “Let’s meet in the middle—just add one hundred and fifty thousand. How about that…?”

“How long does the custom guitar take?”

Lisa’s lips were nearly twisted from all the talking. She took a sip of water before replying, “It’ll take about two weeks to a month.”

“Alright, then have the piano delivered to me today.”

“No problem…”

A compromise reached, Cheng Yao was fairly satisfied with his new ‘friend.’ Regardless of how much she profited from the piano, at least the guitar offer was sincere.

And so, the deal was settled. Next time he needed something, he’d come to her again.

Cheng Yao always picked the most expensive option—no regrets later, no “If only I’d bought the pricier one.” People always crave the very best.

What you can’t have is always the most desirable. Once you’ve obtained it, that restless longing fades.

After settling at three million two hundred and fifty thousand, Cheng Yao had effectively paid three million for the piano.

To Lisa, Cheng Yao was a godsend—a truly generous customer, so she spared no effort in providing the best service.

She hadn’t expected that this young man, dressed so simply, with only his good looks standing out, would casually spend over three million.

Especially the way he coolly and confidently produced his card—it made even her, as a woman, admire his style.

He must come from money!

Perhaps this is what real wealth looks like—low-key, reserved, never flaunting, and above all, paying without hesitation.

Host: Cheng Yao

Charm: 84

Skills: Guitar, Exceptional Hearing

Wealth: 16,850,000

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

Spending over three million didn’t bother Cheng Yao much. It’s like if you had ten billion and bought a one-billion supercar—would you feel the pinch?

Besides, his potential far exceeded a mere ten billion—he was a super-stock waiting to soar.

After giving Lisa the address, Cheng Yao left the building with Lu Mengyao.

Once outside, Cheng Yao asked, “By the way, where did you say you wanted to take me earlier?”

Lu Mengyao rolled her eyes. “You’ve already shown off enough. A young master like you wouldn’t care for such a shabby place—didn’t even blink at a three-million-yuan piano.”

“You’re such a shameless rascal!”

Cheng Yao winked at her, hinting at something.

Lu Mengyao’s face turned bright red, her ears burning. Luckily, in the summer heat, everyone’s faces were flushed, so it didn’t look out of place.

“Don’t… don’t go too far…”

Lu Mengyao stammered, her tone almost coquettish.

Cheng Yao shrugged. “Honestly, I couldn’t find anything more expensive. Three million plus was barely enough.”

“You’re the ultimate show-off, aren’t you?”

Lu Mengyao laughed. Being with Cheng Yao was truly comfortable—it wasn’t about the money, but that he wasn’t boring like some wooden puppet.

Sure, sometimes he acted like a starving wolf, but didn’t that just mean she was attractive?

The more she thought about it, the more something felt off.

She remembered once saying that when someone likes another, there’s no need for deception—because they’ll deceive themselves.

“…Cheng Yao.”

“Yes?”

Lu Mengyao smiled and asked, “Do you like me, even just a little?”

“I like you a lot!”

“No, I mean, do you like me, as in ‘me’… Forget it…”

Lu Mengyao admitted defeat. The nuances of Chinese were too subtle; she couldn’t be bothered to clarify further. He always managed to steer the conversation somewhere else.

Why am I being so serious, anyway?

After all… what I really like is his money!

That’s right—

I just like his money!

Cheng Yao yawned. Why did this transaction feel like a romance? Business is business, mixing feelings in is going too far.

When it comes to love, he preferred it pure—like Zhang Ya said, “Love is equal.” Nothing but feelings should measure love.

Maybe that’s why Zhang Ya was still with him.

That’s why he treated Zhang Ya differently from other girls—he’d get anxious and nervous with her. But with Lu Mengyao, he didn’t care what she thought—he called all the shots.

From the start, his relationship with Lu Mengyao wasn’t simple or pure.

Of course, his original intentions with Zhang Ya weren’t exactly noble either.

Cheng Yao didn’t deny this. He only had the same thoughts as any other man.

…