On the 25th of the year, Yan Shu asked Xiao Li to draft a notice and sent the news of the rent increase in the group chat.

The rent will increase by 500, and a new contract will be signed before the end of the year.

The news caused an uproar in the rental group.

This is so sudden! Couldn't they have told us sooner?

Prices are rising, rents are rising, but wages aren't. Ha!

After all the twists and turns, it's us, the people at the bottom of society, who suffer the most.

[Landlady, I haven't received my year-end bonus yet, can you please not raise the rent?]

These people not only complained in the group chat, but some even posted the rent increase notice online, which resonated with many other migrant workers who also rent in first-tier cities.

Landlords are probably the most unscrupulous people in the world; they suck the blood of us working people.

[You can't say that. They bought the house; can't they just let you live there for free?]

Prices are soaring, rents are skyrocketing, but wages are stagnating. Who will understand the hardships we working people endure?

This matter wasn't initially very popular, but it reached another climax when the blogger pointed out that the landlady in the rental group was none other than Yan Shu.

Fame brings trouble, especially when someone is also wealthy; they attract even more envy.

Originally, everyone just wanted to watch for fun and make a few comments.

When you discover that the landlady is Yan Shu, don't speak to her harshly.

[I think Yan Shu and Yan Qiao have gotten too big for their britches. I've never understood why so many people are fans of them. What's so great about landladies? They're just vampires that leech off working people!]

Some people even went to Yan Qiao's Weibo account and shouted for her to come out and give an explanation.

Anyway, I've stopped being a fan. I followed her before because I liked her, but now I feel like she's changed.

Yan Qiao looked at the online discussions. Although she was already quite far removed from the entertainment industry, the topics about her seemed to never stop.

The issue of rent increases has already aroused public outrage, and more and more people are attacking her and Yan Shu.

She put down her phone, sat cross-legged in the computer chair, and glanced at Pei Jingzhan, who was staring at the computer next to her.

Because Yan Qiao hadn't figured out how to start her account yet, and with the Lunar New Year approaching, she had a lot of free time lately.

Seeing that he didn't react, Yan Qiao kicked his trouser leg.

"Mr. Pei."

Pei Jingzhan kept his eyes straight ahead and said, "Speak."

Yan Qiao rested her chin on her hand, "Do you think my mom did something wrong by raising the rent?"

Perhaps because she empathized with Yan Shu, she knew that Yan Shu halved her rent during the pandemic, spent her own money to purchase supplies, and donated more than five million yuan in money and supplies during that period.

She believed that Yan Shu had done a fairly good job.

"Her rent was already much lower than other apartments in the same area, and now the rent has increased by only 500."

Pei Jingzhan closed his laptop, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

"Human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant; it has always been this way since ancient times. Of course, this is just an isolated case. Most of these comments online are made without knowing the background; they are simply angry because of the word 'rent increase.'"

Those who complain in rental groups are actually just a minority.

Because they know in their hearts that even if the rent increases by 500, this rent is still considered cheap.

I occasionally come out to complain, but I don't know whether I should actually persuade them to terminate their lease.

Yan said casually, "It's really hard to be a person, Pei Bingjun. Do you think there are more good people or bad people in this world?"

Pei Jingzhan pinched the bridge of his nose; he had never spoken so much nonsense before.

Yan Qiao was like a little chatterbox, occasionally pulling him aside for a few words of casual conversation.

If she were Li Qiao, she would have gone mining long ago.

"In my world, there are no bad people."

The late-life son of the Pei family patriarch was born a chosen one.

Everyone was afraid of him, so naturally no one dared to do anything to him.

Having lived to 30, there really aren't any setbacks that he can remember vividly.

"Oh no, now I do," he said, looking at Yan Qiao.

Yan Qiao blinked. "What kind of look is that? Do I look like a bad person?"

"Oh."

Yan Qiao: "...Deduct my salary."

Pei Jingzhan: "Zhou the Skinflint!!!"

Even though he didn't care about the 3,000 yuan salary, the words "salary deduction" still annoyed him.

Yan Qiao looked at his sullen face and covered her mouth to chuckle.

“Mr. Pei Bingjun, why don’t you consider finding a rich woman to take care of you? Otherwise, it’s such a waste to have such a handsome face.”

Pei Jingzhan's forehead veins bulged; Yan Qiao always managed to precisely hit his bottom line.

He glanced at Yan Qiao and chuckled, "The rich woman you're talking about, it's not you, is it?"

Yan Qiao clicked her tongue, unwilling to admit defeat, and said, "What are you laughing at? I have two buildings and a courtyard house. Isn't that enough to support you?"

He raised his hand and tapped Yan Qiao on the head, "At such a young age, you're not learning good things, you're trying to keep a young, handsome man as a mistress."

Yan Qiao stared at him. He had a good appearance, but he was too mature, like an old cadre.

Pei Jingzhan had a bad feeling; he was sure Yan Qiao wouldn't say anything nice.

She took out a mirror and placed it in front of him.

“Uncle Pei, you’re not some young heartthrob, we need to have a clear understanding of your position.”

Pei Jingzhan: "..." This is simply unbearable!

Yan Qiao tidied up the things on the table and put on her coat.

"I'm going home for lunch. You can take care of your own lunch. I'll reimburse you for whatever it costs."

Pei Jingzhan took his black coat and scarf and followed behind.

"I wouldn't mind going home with you for dinner."

Yan Qiao paused, "I mind."

"Let me remind you what 'all-inclusive' means," Pei Jingzhan said, glancing at her.

Yan Qiao gave him a disdainful look. "You clingy brat, let's go, let's go."

As soon as she stepped outside, Li Qiao sent a message to Pei Jingzhan.

Li Qiao: [Third Master, we've found a cook. Shall we start now?]

JZ: [Tomorrow.]

Li Qiao: [Would Miss Yan Qiao still be cooking today?]

JZ: [Her parents' house.]

Li Qiao: [Thumbs up!] Third Master is amazing, he's already gone to meet his mother-in-law so quickly.

Pei Jingzhan: [。]

What he didn't say was that he barely managed to achieve a partial success.

This young girl has a bold and free-spirited style, and never hides her interest in her appearance.

But it's clear that what she wanted to establish wasn't a normal romantic relationship, but rather a sugar daddy/sugar baby relationship.

Yan Shu and Song Yinsheng were quite surprised that Yan Qiao would bring Pei Jingzhan to their home for dinner.

However, Yan Qiao explained, "I was told during the interview that meals and accommodation would be provided. I haven't hired a housekeeper yet, so cooking isn't convenient. I've been going home occasionally for meals lately."

Song Yinsheng nodded, indicating his understanding.

"Xiao Jing, go and get a set of chopsticks and bowls for your sister and Uncle Pei."

Pei Jingzhan: "..." His face was blank.

Yan Qiao had called him Uncle Pei before, but when this "Uncle" came from Song Yinsheng's mouth, it felt so heartbreaking.

Yan Qiao touched her nose guiltily, suppressing a laugh: "Uncle Pei... please sit down."

Pei Jingzhan glanced at her and scoffed.

"good."