"Splitting the bill! In big cities, everyone does it this way. Do you know how much that king crab cost? Over nine hundred yuan! If we don't split the bill, we'll lose a lot of money."

As Tian Jingjing spoke, she stretched out her hand and gestured the number "nine" with her fingers.

"Jingjing, at least give me some face. We came here without telling them beforehand, which is already a disturbance. How can we ask for the money now?" Ji Lun said helplessly, holding her shoulders tightly.

"Jilun, can you please be reasonable? Back then, I rejected men who were much richer than you, but I only chose you. I'm a girl who left my hometown to come and rely on you, wasn't that because I trusted you?"

But look at me, you only give me seven thousand yuan a month. What can you do with seven thousand yuan in Guangcheng? If I don't get this money back, how will we survive? We might as well starve for the next two weeks..."

As Tian Jingjing spoke, her eyes suddenly reddened, and her voice became choked with emotion.

“Jingjing…”

Looking at her like this, Ji Lun felt a pang of pain in his heart. Yes, this girl had come all this way to find him; how could he bear to let her suffer in poverty?

He knew in his heart that this was not Jingjing's fault. He blamed himself for being incompetent and unable to provide Jingjing with a comfortable life. He was a terrible boyfriend.

Thinking of this, Ji Lun silently took out his phone and transferred another two thousand yuan to Tian Jingjing. Then he gently touched her hair and said softly, "Old Lu and Qiu Mang are both very good friends of mine. This meal is on my behalf, okay?"

Tian Jingjing glanced at the two thousand yuan that had just been transferred to her phone and pursed her lips.

"Jilin, don't blame me for being stingy. I'm a girl here with no one to rely on, and I feel especially insecure. Besides, we were all terrified of poverty when we were young, so we're quite attached to money. You can relate to that, right?"

"Yes, I understand." Ji Lun nodded slightly and replied softly.

"Jingjing, where's your QR code? I'll scan it and transfer the money to you," Qiu Mang said, stepping forward and looking at Tian Jingjing.

"Hmm, I'll give you two hundred and fifty too," Lu Yanting said in a low, hoarse voice.

250?

Whether Lu Yanting did it on purpose or not, Qiu Mang had a feeling that he spoke those three words with sarcasm.

Ji Lun was also taken aback, then shook his head with a wry smile and explained, "Old Lu, we're all friends, let's not be so formal. Jingjing had a tough childhood, so it's understandable that she's a bit calculating when it comes to money. I've already talked to her about it, and she knows she was wrong. I hope you won't take it to heart."

Once Tian Jingjing received the money, a smile immediately spread across her face, and she came over to say a few kind words.

"I, Lu Yanting, don't have the habit of eating for free. Since Miss Tian just suggested splitting the bill, it's better to settle it properly." Lu Yanting said expressionlessly, and then transferred 250 yuan to Tian Jingjing in the group chat.

Tian Jingjing looked at the transfer in the group chat, the three big characters "250" glaringly obvious, and pursed her lips.

She disliked herself a little. For some reason, the word "poverty" seemed to be engraved in her mind. Whenever money was involved, she would reflexively want to possess it, and she would come up with many high-sounding reasons for it.

Although she had guessed that Lu Yanting was someone of considerable importance, she had still lost face in front of him today for such a small amount of money.

Ji Lun then pulled Tian Jingjing to apologize to Lu Yanting. Seeing Lu Yanting's dark face, he was too embarrassed to say anything more and simply pulled Tian Jingjing away.

The next day, Ji Lun still had to work late. Tian Jingjing spent the whole day reading at home and found it really boring, so she decided to go to Ji Lun's company to wait for him to get off work.

At nine o'clock in the evening, Ji Lun dragged his tired body out of the elevator and immediately saw Tian Jingjing waiting downstairs.

"Jingjing, what are you doing here?" Ji Lun quickly quickened his pace and went up to her.

"Oh dear, I'm so bored at home all by myself, and I'm too embarrassed to bother Qiu Mang every day, so I thought I'd come to your company and wait for you to get off work so we can go home together," Tian Jingjing said with a bright smile.

"I'm worried about you. Our place isn't close to here, and I'm afraid you'll be too tired after all this traveling." Ji Lun looked at Tian Jingjing with concern, his eyes full of heartache.

"Yeah, I am a bit tired, but I was lucky today. There weren't many people on the subway, so I was able to find a seat. It's alright." Tian Jingjing waved her hand dismissively and replied with a smile.

"Hey, Xiao Ji, is this your girlfriend? She's really pretty!" A man around fifty years old with a beer belly walked over with a smile and greeted Ji Lun familiarly.

"Yes, Mr. Sun." Ji Lun quickly straightened his back and replied respectfully.

"Xiao Ji, it's so late, and your girlfriend still came to pick you up from get off work. You're so lucky! I heard from your girlfriend that she took the subway. It must be crowded on the subway this late at night. Would you like me to give you a ride?" Mr. Sun said with a smile.

"Mr. Sun, thank you for your kindness, but we can just take a taxi back." Ji Lun quickly waved his hand, politely declining.

“Hey, taking a taxi costs money. I happen to be going the same way, so it’s convenient to give you guys a ride. It’s quite boring for me to drive alone. With you two keeping me company, we can chat.”

As he spoke, Mr. Sun pointed to a gleaming BMW outside the door, "Look, my car is right there. Come on, come on, don't be shy!"

Tian Jingjing looked in the direction he was pointing, and her eyes lit up immediately. A BMW! She had never ridden in one before!

Just as Ji Lun was about to refuse again, Tian Jingjing spoke up first: "Since President Sun is so enthusiastic, then Ji Lun and I will gladly accept!"

Upon hearing this, President Sun looked at Tian Jingjing, raised an eyebrow slightly, and laughed heartily, saying, "Jilun, you're truly blessed to have such an understanding girlfriend!"

Before Ji Lun could react, President Sun strode towards his car, while Tian Jingjing took Ji Lun's arm and quickly followed.

Mr. Sun walked to the car and suddenly stopped. Ji Lun also stopped in place, glanced at Mr. Sun who was a head shorter than him, and suddenly realized the problem: This is Mr. Sun's car. If Mr. Sun drives and the two of them sit in the back seat, wouldn't it make it seem like Mr. Sun is driving for them and has become their driver?