144: Shared accommodation? - Part 2 (Bonus Chapter)

Lin Wanxing pursed her lips. The thought 'saving money is earning money' surged wildly in her heart, but she forcibly suppressed it and continued trying to persuade Su Ning:

"Even if... even if the rent is suitable... Xiao Su, two girls sharing an apartment with a man is still somewhat inconvenient, right? In terms of living habits and all..."

"Sister Wanxing, what's inconvenient about that? We're all adults; we just need to be mindful of boundaries! And look at Brother Ye..."

Su Ning pointed at Jiang Ye: "Does he look like the kind of pervert who would steal underwear, install hidden cameras, or hide under the bed in advance?"

Jiang Ye immediately straightened his posture, his face clearly displaying the words 'righteous and awe-inspiring'.

Su Ning continued to ramp up the pressure: "Besides, we're already friends! Friends living together is so much livelier than coming home alone to an empty room or clinging to your phone all day, right?"

"And the most important point!"

She grabbed Lin Wanxing's hand, her tone turning serious: "If... I mean if, we ever encounter something like what happened today again, wouldn't having a guy at home make us feel incredibly safe?"

Lin Wanxing glanced back at Jiang Ye, who was nodding repeatedly beside her. Thinking of her significant monthly financial pressure and recalling how he had stood by her side earlier, holding a kitchen knife, her resolve began to waver.

But reason told her this was still too rash.

She hesitated before speaking: "Xiao Su, that makes sense, but... let me think about it a bit more..."

Su Ning saw Lin Wanxing's hesitation and knew she just needed one final push.

She tightly grasped the other's hand, pouted her lips, instantly switching to a pitiful, frightened expression, and unleashed her ultimate move:

"Sister Wanxing, actually... there's one more crucial reason I... I haven't dared to mention until now..."

"What reason?" Lin Wanxing asked, puzzled.

Su Ning's voice carried a hint of choked emotion and lingering fear as she pointed around the room:

"Here... right in this living room, such a terrifying thing just happened... I... I get chills just looking at this door, at this furniture. I'll definitely have nightmares tonight... I'm so scared, I really have psychological trauma now, and I don't want to keep living here..."

She looked at Lin Wanxing with pleading eyes: "Sister Wanxing, if you don't come... then... then I'll have to rent a place alone. But if I go alone and live with Brother Ye, just a man and a woman, that would truly be inconvenient and easily lead to gossip."

Su Ning shifted her tone and began analyzing the 'dire situation' if Lin Wanxing stayed behind alone:

"And as for you, I'd definitely have to sublet the master bedroom, right? Then who knows what kind of new roommate might come next! What if it's someone who brings different men home every day or likes to throw weird parties... how would you manage then?"

Lin Wanxing: "..."

The corner of her mouth twitched violently.

The roommate nightmare Su Ning described was absolutely unacceptable to her.

If Su Ning was determined to move out, she'd either have to bear the high cost of renting the whole place alone or risk accepting a completely unknown roommate.

In comparison... she glanced at Jiang Ye.

Although this guy was frivolous and unreliable, at least she knew his background, and after tonight's events, his moral bottom line seemed entirely trustworthy... Seeing Lin Wanxing silent and her eyes flickering, Su Ning seized the moment, nudged her, and added:

"And Sister Wanxing, you'd save so much money each month! Even including utilities, internet, property fees..."

She turned to Jiang Ye: "By the way, Brother Ye, how do we split utilities and such?"

Jiang Ye, in high spirits, waved his hand grandly, exuding a 'big spender' aura:

"Ah, you girls won't use much water or electricity anyway! I'll cover it all! We're friends; talking money hurts feelings! Consider it waived!"

Lin Wanxing: "..."

Su Ning gave Jiang Ye a big thumbs-up: "Brother Ye, you're so generous! That's awesome!"

Then she turned back to launch her final assault on Lin Wanxing: "Sister Wanxing, see? It saves money, it's safe, and we're living with familiar friends! Most importantly, it helps me overcome my psychological trauma... I really can't stay here anymore."

Lin Wanxing looked at Su Ning's hopeful eyes, then glanced up at Jiang Ye, whose face clearly read 'welcome home, residents.' Finally, the scales of reason (saving money) and emotion (safety, familiarity) tipped completely.

"Alright..."

She took a deep breath and pursed her lips: "Then tomorrow we'll go to the agency and talk to Manager Huang about subletting... Mr. Jiang, we might be troubling you from now on."

"No trouble at all! You're most welcome!"

Jiang Ye and Su Ning were both overjoyed in their hearts.

For Jiang Ye, his empty, spacious apartment was suddenly welcoming two charming 'employees,' making future life full of 'positive and uplifting' interaction possibilities!

Just thinking about it made life seem full of promise.

For Su Ning, as long as she successfully moved in, 'Brother Ye' would no longer be able to ignore her. She could also use the information gap of 'he doesn't know that I know he knows' to better observe him, cater to him, and even... quietly 'manage' him.

Moreover, with Lin Wanxing as a 'third wheel,' it would effectively prevent overly intimate contact with 'Brother Ye' that exceeded her current psychological boundaries, keeping interactions within a safe range. It was a perfect strategy—offensive and defensive!

"..."

Lin Wanxing looked at the two of them beaming with joy and helplessly held her forehead: "Xiao Su, what about this cake..."

"Let's go! Sister Wanxing, let's take the cake, order some takeout, and head straight to Brother Ye's place! We'll celebrate New Year's there... uh... and my birthday too!"

Su Ning jumped up from the sofa, deftly rewrapping the cake Jiang Ye had just started to open:

"Perfect, we can pick rooms tonight and see what we need to buy directly on JD.com! You're off tomorrow for New Year's Day, right? Let's move tomorrow!"

Lin Wanxing was almost speechless at her efficiency.

Was there really such a rush?

She opened her mouth, about to say, 'Xiao Su, this is too hasty, at least...' but before the words could come out, Su Ning grabbed her arm, pulled her up from the sofa, and hurried toward the door.

"Brother Ye! Don't just stand there! Help carry the cake!"

Su Ning turned back, waving excitedly at Jiang Ye: "Let's go pick rooms now! We'll decide tonight!"

Jiang Ye watched her drag a half-resisting Lin Wanxing out the door, a fatherly, satisfied smile spreading across his face as he nodded contentedly.

My heart is very pleased!

Comrade Yaoyao, though recently a bit lax in 'tribute,' has shown outstanding potential and initiative in actively expanding 'business,' developing new 'colleagues,' and fostering healthy internal competition!

Excellent, full of spirit! Deserving of praise!

The title of advanced employee undoubtedly belongs to you!