Chapter 5

Cheng Sangluo, how shameless are you?

Cheng Sangluo hurriedly walked out of Senyao Building, and a sultry wind hit her face, making her sweat profusely.

She stood in front of the building, looking around in confusion, still unable to accept her newfound unemployment.

Just as I was getting angry, a text message notification sounded.

She looked at the notification that three thousand yuan had been deposited into her account, checked it several times, and finally figured out who had given her the money.

Unexpectedly, the crazy woman actually paid three times the wages, and even overpaid.

"Tsk, so what if you're rich?"

Cheng Sangluo pursed her lips, but also breathed a sigh of relief, at least her living expenses for the time being were secured.

Just as she was about to put her phone away, Bai Mu's name flashed on the screen.

The phone was too old, and the screen was badly cracked; she had to swipe several times before the call connected. "Hello?"

"Where are you and what are you doing? You haven't answered the phone for ages."

"I just got off work."

"I've missed you after a few days. How about we grab some dinner tonight?"

On the other end of the line, the woman feigned coquettishness, but her cold voice sent chills down one's spine.

Without much hesitation, Cheng Sangluo agreed, "I haven't thanked you yet for helping me find a job last time. What would you like to eat tonight? It's on me."

"There's no need for formalities between us. I'll be waiting for you at Yunxing Pedestrian Street. Come on over."

After hanging up the phone, a faint smile remained on Cheng Sangluo's face.

Life was too hard, and she rarely showed such a relaxed expression.

......

The bus swayed and jolted, inducing an irresistible drowsiness. Cheng Sangluo leaned against the window, her eyes gradually becoming hazy.

For some reason, even light sleep can create fantastical dreams.

In my dream, there was only a pair of feet, with graceful lines, like a sketch drawn with a single stroke, and porcelain-white, delicate skin that looked as if you could squeeze water out of it.

Her foot was treading on bright red high heels, the slender heels touching the ground, her upturned toes swaying slowly, displaying a nonchalant beauty.

'Yunxing Pedestrian Street Station has arrived. Please take your belongings with you...'

The arrival announcement shattered her brief dream, and Cheng Sangluo got off the train, still half asleep.

Bai Muyue's place was a small, upscale coffee shop.

When Cheng Sangluo pushed open the door and walked in, she was sitting in the corner playing on her phone. Sunglasses covered most of her face, and her tight sports vest accentuated her wasp waist, making her abs look particularly defined.

Sensing a figure moving at the doorway, she flashed a bright smile, "This way."

Cheng Sangluo approached, bringing with her a wave of heat. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Bai Mu took off his sunglasses, revealing a pair of watery eyes, and casually handed her an iced Americano. "It must be hot outside, right? Have something to drink first."

"Thanks."

Cheng Sangluo doesn't like the taste of coffee, probably because life is already bitter enough.

Out of politeness to her friend, she picked up her glass and took a symbolic sip, saying, "What do you want to eat tonight? I got paid today."

"These kinds of questions that concern all of humanity are really hard to answer," Bai Mu joked, but his smile faded slightly. After hesitating several times, he finally asked, "Why didn't you tell me what happened at the club?"

When the club was mentioned, Cheng Sangluo said nonchalantly, "It's nothing serious, nothing to talk about."

"Why don't you come work at my place? I'll find you an easy job with a salary and benefits that I guarantee you'll be satisfied with."

The Bai family is in the import and export trade. Bai Mu is an only child who has been spoiled since childhood and has developed all the bad habits of a rich second generation.

During her most rebellious period, she caused trouble everywhere, which angered her father so much that he sent her to the army for training.

After enlisting, Bai Mu served under Cheng Sangluo for a year.

At first, she couldn't bear any hardship and would cry from hunger at night. Cheng Sangluo would always secretly give her steamed buns to eat.

As a result, the young lady gained a full ten pounds that year after being fed.

This wasn't the first time Bai Mu had invited Cheng Sangluo to work at her company, but she knew her class monitor's temperament well, and she figured she would probably get a rejection again.

As expected, Cheng Sangluo waved her hand, "No, I don't want to keep bothering you with work matters."

"We are comrades-in-arms and friends, how could there be any trouble?"

“Relationships involving money can become tainted, and I don’t want to lose a good friend,” Cheng Sangluo explained earnestly, then changed the subject: “Let’s talk about what to eat later, I’m so hungry.”

Bai Mu shook his head helplessly and said with a smile, "To prevent you from paying the bill, I booked a restaurant long ago, the super expensive kind. You just need to focus on eating."

Cheng Sangluo, being shy, muttered, "What's this all about? This sudden feeding."

"Speaking of feeding..."

"Stop, stop..." Cheng Sangluo was most afraid of bringing this up, because in a moment she would be blamed for overfeeding her, saying that she had gained ten pounds and that it was not easy to lose weight, and so on.

The two chatted until dinner time before leaving the cafe.

The restaurant Bai Mu booked was in an upscale neighborhood; it was a high-end private restaurant that required advance reservations.

The detached three-story house is hidden in a secluded bamboo forest. When the evening breeze blows, the bamboo leaves rustle. Combined with the landscaped courtyard and water features, it is both rustic and peaceful.

Cheng Sangluo followed behind Bai Mu, not paying much attention to the scenery, her mind preoccupied with how much the meal would cost.

After the restaurant manager left the private room, she asked in a low voice, "You said this restaurant is ridiculously expensive, isn't it a bit too extravagant?"

Bai Mu pulled out a chair and pressed her down to sit. "Are you afraid I'll go broke from a meal?"

"I just don't think it's necessary." Cheng Sangluo rested her hands on her knees, still somewhat reserved.

"By the way, are you free the day after tomorrow?"

"Is there something you need?"

"A friend of mine is having a birthday party, and I thought I'd take you there to have some fun and relax."

As he spoke, Bai Mu picked up a hot towel, grabbed Cheng Sangluo's hand and wiped it, then covered her face and wiped it as well.

“Um…I can do it myself…um…I can do it myself…” Cheng Sangluo struggled, then continued, “Forget it, I’m not suited for your rich people’s parties.”

"Don't refuse!" Bai Mu threw away the towel, a little embarrassed, and said, "The main thing is that the person I like will also be there. You're the best at judging people, so please give me your opinion."

"So..." Cheng Sangluo drawled, squinting at Bai Mu, "you invited me to such an expensive meal today just so I wouldn't be able to refuse your request?"

"Who said that? It's clearly to repay the old squad leader's kindness. Now it's my turn to feed you!" Bai Mu hooked his arm around Cheng Sangluo's neck. Seeing that she didn't say anything, he immediately pretended to be pitiful, "Help me, please help me!"

"Alright, alright, I'll go, okay?" Cheng Sangluo pushed away the clingy girl and muttered, "I see now, you're love-struck."

"No way! But she's so special. When you see her, you'll definitely praise me for my good taste."

Cheng Sangluo glanced at Bai Mu, who looked completely infatuated, and smiled without saying a word.

She didn't understand love and romance; she felt that life was already exhausting enough, and she really didn't have the energy to think about the ethereal concept of love.

Lin Jin's smile suddenly flashed into my mind, causing me to catch my breath.

That sinister yet amused smile was exactly what she found most repulsive, yet it appeared at this very moment—it was utterly inexplicable.

Cheng Sangluo shook her head, then suddenly brought up a serious topic, "Do you know Senyao?"

"Senyao?" Bai Mu pondered for a moment, then quickly remembered something. "You mean Senyao Group, right?"

"It's the one with the huge office building." Cheng Sangluo didn't know what Lin Jin's company did either; all she could explain was the building she hadn't finished cleaning.

"I know, that's a well-known investment company in Zhouhai. I heard that President Lin is young and beautiful, just like a female protagonist in a wish-fulfillment novel!"

The waiter pushed open the door and began serving dishes, interrupting their conversation.

Cheng Sangluo picked up her cup and sipped her tea, staring intently at the colorful and fragrant dishes, seemingly pondering something.

Only after the door was closed again did he continue to ask, "Is that investment company very powerful?"

"Of course! Compared to those kinds of capital, our family is on a completely different level. It's said that our market value is over 10 billion!" Bai Mu said enthusiastically, while busy serving food to Cheng Sangluo. "Try it, their steamed grouper is especially plump and delicious."

Cheng Sangluo wasn't picky about food, nor could she taste anything particularly delicious; she was already quite happy to have something to eat.

Bai Mu served her another bowl of soup, saying, "This fish soup is so popular that you can't buy it even if you have the money if you don't order it in advance. Try a bite."

Cheng Sangluo quickly stopped her, saying, "I'm not a child. I can pick up food myself."

Bai Mu pouted, her tone more reproachful: "Look at you, you've lost so much weight in just a few days, and you won't let me help you. I just don't understand, what are you making things difficult for yourself?"

Cheng Sangluo stirred the spoon, comforting her instead: "Are you afraid I'll starve to death? Don't you even think about what I used to do? Don't overthink it."

Yes, stubborn Cheng Sangluo, what are you making things difficult for yourself? Didn't that crazy woman say that if you learn to bend over, you'll have everything?

Bai Mu suddenly asked curiously, "Hey, why are you asking about Senyao Group?"

Cheng Sangluo mumbled, "I was just curious because I was doing high-altitude work there today."

...

Bai Mu arranged a lot of dishes for this meal, so much so that Cheng Sangluo packed several large boxes to go.

As Bai Mu left the private room, he encountered several uncles and elders, and busied himself going into the private room to toast and exchange pleasantries.

Cheng Sangluo felt that her appearance was shabby and did not want to cause gossip among her friends, so she went to the elevator alone to wait.

The tranquil space is an illusion; behind each door lies a scene of extravagant revelry and lavish banquets.

Cheng Sangluo loathed this world that pretended to be low-key but was actually extravagant and decadent; even the fragrance in the air was irritating her nerves.

After waiting by the wall for a long time, and with several groups of people coming and going in the elevator, Bai Mu still didn't return.

The elevator doors opened again, and several young men and women stepped out one after another.

These people, dressed in smart and stylish clothes, were discussing perplexing market trends, inadvertently exuding a sense of superiority.

When the last figure appeared, it was like a grand finale, full of vibrant colors.

Cheng Sang was enveloped in the sweet fragrance and smelled the familiar scent of cedar.

The moment she looked up, she plunged into the abyss within the dark pupils.

Such eye contact always evoked a suffocating feeling of drowning, making my breathing rapid and heavy.

Lin Jin's long, curly hair appeared to have been styled, gleaming with a chestnut-brown matte finish under the lights. She had also changed into a black deep-V long dress, the hem of which went past her ankles, concealing the swollen area.

She didn't limp or lose her composure; she just walked very, very slowly.

Upon noticing the inconspicuous little dog by the wall, he didn't flash his signature smile, but merely gave it a dismissive glance.

She didn't ask why you were there, but her eyes said it all, as if to say you shouldn't be here.

"Sang Luo!" Bai Mu rushed over from the depths of the corridor, grabbed Cheng Sang Luo's arm, and smelled slightly of alcohol. "I thought you had abandoned me!"

Cheng Sangluo hastily averted her gaze and offered a dry explanation: "I thought it would be better to wait for you here."

She felt a little uncomfortable and tried to pull her arm away, but it was held even tighter.

Bai Mu picked up the Porsche car keys and said in a coquettish tone, "I've been drinking, so you'll be my driver~"

Cheng Sangluo readily agreed: "Okay, I'll take you home."

Little did she know, the more doting her smile was, the more sinister Lin Jin's eyes became.

As Cheng Sangluo stepped into the elevator and turned around, she was stunned.

Because Lin Jin didn't leave, but instead turned halfway to the side and stared straight at her.

Her soft lips were pressed tightly together, and her fingertips, hanging at the hem of her skirt, were gripping her handbag tightly.

Only when the elevator doors slowly closed in on each other did Cheng Sangluo finally exhale the breath she had been holding in.

Lin Jin stood there, falling alone into a hell of suspicion. Who was that woman? How could they be so intimate? Why was he sending her home?

She was so angry she almost laughed. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and gritted her teeth as she hissed, "Rushing to be a free driver, Cheng Sangluo, how shameless are you?"