Chapter 80: Where Droughts Wither and Floods Drown
On the road, Cheng Yao helped Lu Mengyao drag her suitcase.
The two returned to Cloud Residence on the Hillside, heading straight for Building Twelve; the key was beneath the doormat at the entrance.
Cheng Yao was so attentive to her that Lu Mengyao felt a bit uneasy.
Something must be amiss—could this guy be up to some mischief? But he'd already taken full advantage of her; what new tricks could he possibly have?
Lu Mengyao pondered for a moment, her face turning pale as she covered her backside.
The room was spotlessly clean. Cheng Yao said, “You'll have to buy things yourself. I'll go with you, whatever you want to buy to decorate the place. Oh, didn’t you say you wanted to raise a cat?”
“Yes, I’d like a Ragdoll.”
“That’s fine.”
Their intimacy rose another notch. Cheng Yao wandered around inside, while Lu Mengyao unpacked; her suitcase was filled entirely with cosmetics.
Cheng Yao was a little surprised. “You bought so many?”
“Of course! There are full reduction discounts at the duty-free city; it's much cheaper than buying online or at flagship stores.”
Once everything was sorted, Cheng Yao got right to the point, wrapping his arms around her and whispering words he’d never dared say before.
Lu Mengyao stared at him wide-eyed. “Cheng Yao, what exactly are you trying to do?”
“I... forget it...”
Cheng Yao chose to give up and went straight to the heart of the matter.
Trying to sweet-talk someone like Lu Mengyao was simply not his style; it disgusted him more than anything. It was better to cut to the chase and get down to business.
From the stick comes filial children—by the end of the night, Cheng Yao had gained a daughter.
The truth proved that the fastest shortcut to a woman’s heart was indeed this method!
It seemed he'd have to invite Lin Ketong out for a stroll and a drive whenever he had the chance.
[Congratulations! Your intimacy with girlfriend-in-training Lu Mengyao has reached ninety. You have received a ‘Matchmaker’s Red Thread’.]
Matchmaker’s Red Thread—not bad.
Whether for Lin Ketong or Zheng Yuechan, he could accept it.
After completing his daily tasks, Cheng Yao felt a bit conflicted.
Now that daily tasks required him to maintain intimacy with girls each day, wouldn’t he eventually die of exhaustion?
Truly, some die of drought, others of flood.
Cheng Yao decisively used the Matchmaker’s Red Thread; better to create opportunities than let it sit idle.
[Thread successfully tied. By a twist of fate, you and Wang Yuting have formed a subtle bond. You will soon intersect; please seize the opportunity.]
Cheng Yao: ?
He was taken aback, not expecting the thread to be tied to the vice president of the student council, someone with whom he had little interaction.
He would have preferred it to bind to Zheng Yuechan or Lin Ketong—or failing that, Liu Hanyue. He grumbled inwardly, then fell asleep cradling Lu Mengyao’s conscience.
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The next morning, Lu Mengyao had to go for her driving test, while Cheng Yao headed straight for the final exam; the test started at eight, and he was out in five minutes, having successfully obtained his driver’s license.
With license in hand, he felt invincible.
The Schumacher-inspired driving skill made Cheng Yao want to try it out, but there was little chance—he’d never heard of any racetracks in Jinling, though there were plenty in the metropolis.
Besides, he wouldn’t risk his life for a thrill.
In China, racing requires a professional track, with a speed limit of one hundred and twenty kilometers per hour; no matter what, it’s always one hundred and twenty.
Early in the morning, he headed to the McLaren dealership.
Wang Yiming was already waiting at the door, and upon seeing Cheng Yao, hurriedly greeted him with a smile. “Young Master Cheng, you got your license?”
“Yes, or I wouldn’t be here. Where’s the car?”
“It’s inside, please follow me.”
Cheng Yao followed Wang Yiming, naturally attracting the attention of several female sales reps.
He remembered Wang Yiming quite well.
Of all the people he’d met, Wang Yiming’s style and approach were the most striking, exuding the scent of a super devoted “dog.”
“How much do you make annually as sales manager?”
“Base salary is eight to ten thousand, plus bonuses and commissions, depending on performance. If things go well, about four or five hundred thousand a year...” Wang Yiming had tea brought over and arranged for them to sit in the VIP room.
Four or five hundred thousand a year—not bad at all.
Soon, Wang Yiming brought over the contract, smiling as he said, “If you need anything in the future, just let me know. I know this circle well...”
“Mm.”
Cheng Yao signed the contract and paid the full four million four hundred thousand purchase price.
Wang Yiming originally suggested supercar training, but upon learning Cheng Yao had experience, he said no more, joined him in the passenger seat for a spin, and got the license plate sorted.
He discovered Cheng Yao’s driving skills were exceptional, nearly scaring him to death.
Wang Yiming managed a nervous smile. “Well, it’s getting late. May I treat you to lunch?”
“No, I have to go to school this afternoon. If anything comes up, contact me on WeChat.”
“Of course, I’ll see you off.”
After leaving the dealership, Wang Yiming recalled Cheng Yao mentioning a company in the car. He had to think about it.
Getting to his current position had been hard-earned—it took five full years, and the seat was barely warm.
But if a better opportunity arose, he had no reason not to take it.
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...
Bzzzzzz~~
The aurora blue McLaren 720s cruised down the road, turning heads everywhere.
Driving his first car, Cheng Yao was careful and steady.
By “steady,” he meant within normal speed limits—not crawling, but neither causing traffic nor risking loss.
At noon, he planned to grab something at a snack street near the school, surrounded by students from other schools. As he drove in, he drew almost every gaze.
Parking in the slot, the butterfly doors looked impossibly cool.
Just as he got out, Cheng Yao was stunned. “Senior...”
“Hello...” Wang Yuting waved her hand, surprised to meet Cheng Yao here, and in such a way.
Cheng Yao smiled; the thread had worked fast.
He had no doubt that meeting Wang Yuting here was due to the Matchmaker’s Red Thread.
“I heard this rice noodle place is really good, came to try it.”
“It is, the best spot around.”
Wang Yuting glanced at the car, then at Cheng Yao, as if seeing her junior in a new light for the first time.
Now, he was the rising star at the University of Finance.
The Ten Best Singer Contest had made him famous at the university, but no one knew he was a rich second-generation—he certainly hadn’t shown it before, and even now.
If not for the eye-catching McLaren across the street, Wang Yuting wouldn’t have realized he was even more outstanding than she’d imagined.
So, the two naturally sat across from each other at a table.
Cheng Yao ordered a bowl of beef rice noodles, medium spice—he couldn’t stand bland food.
Wang Yuting looked him over, smiling brightly. “You don’t seem like it—so low-key?”
“Not really.”
Cheng Yao smiled without answering. It was clear that this senior was much warmer than before.
After a simple lunch, Cheng Yao asked, “Senior, are you heading back to school?”
“Yes.”
“Come on then, get in.”
Cheng Yao opened the car door, inviting her.
He wanted to see if the car was as magical as rumored—would girls start undressing as soon as they got in?
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