15: Another 5

Ye Cheng looked at Jiang Ye's thunderstruck expression, smiled even more happily, leaned in a little closer, and seductively licked her lips:

"What's wrong? Did I hit the nail on the head? It’s fine if you like me. Big Sister here will give you a chance. For 500,000 a month, I’ll be yours."

Jiang Ye was so angry he laughed.

500,000? What kind of concept is that?

500,000 / 600 = 833.33!

I could have fun with Lily 833 times! And there would even be change left over!

"Heh! Heh!"

He gave two exaggerated sneers. "Miss Ye, forgive my bluntness, but your quote is a bit divorced from the market rate. Yesterday, outside your school gate, I met a Girl wearing a white down jacket who was especially beautiful, and she only asked for 50,000 a month! How dare you ask for 500,000?"

Ye Cheng paused at his words, tilted her head back in thought for a few seconds, and asked uncertainly, "Was she wearing a gray scarf? Quite tall, and with a good demeanor?"

Jiang Ye nodded vigorously: "Yes! Her! Very! Very! Beautiful! And she has style!"

"Oh, her... Heh, although I need money, I certainly won't sell myself for it."

Ye Cheng shook her head and smiled, picking up the orange juice for a sip. "What, do you seriously want to spend 500,000 a month to pursue me?"

Jiang Ye snorted, just about to blurt out, "Pursue your sister," when a flash of inspiration suddenly struck his mind, illuminating it like a bolt of lightning in the dark night!

That's right!

I was thinking too small!

Before, I was only focused on how to scheme for the rebate. How did I not think of this layer?

If I want a Girl to be willing to spend big money on me, I first have to ensure the Girl has money herself!

If... if I really spend 500,000 to "keep" her, and then find a way to make her willingly spend 100,000 on me in a month, the rebate would be one million!

After deducting the 500,000 I gave her, I'd still net 500,000!

Isn't this the legendary principle of leverage?!

Thinking of this, Jiang Ye swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue. The expression on his face changed from "Are you crazy?" to "Let Buddy think about it."

He picked up his chopsticks, fished around in the pot, and said, pretending to be profound:

"This month is probably out of the question; funds are a bit tight. However... if you perform well next, it's not impossible for me to try it out with you next month."

"See how I perform?"

This time, it was Ye Cheng's turn to be stunned. She blinked, not quite grasping the logic of his words. "What do you mean? You want to get something for nothing? To freeload?"

"What I mean is, you let me try you out... oh no, observe you for a month."

Jiang Ye waved his hand, wearing an expression that said, "You're thinking too small." "Let's see if we get along when we spend time together. As long as the feeling is right and our personalities match, then forget 500,000—giving you one million a month won't be a problem!"

Seeing that he was speaking seriously and didn't seem to be joking, Ye Cheng immediately scrutinized him again, up and down, carefully:

"Buddy, you haven't even been drinking, so why are you talking nonsense? Your BMW is rented. You can give me 500,000 a month? One million? Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?"

Jiang Ye impatiently knocked the table with his knuckles. "The car is temporary; it doesn't represent my true capability. When real money is thrown in front of you, you'll obediently bend over... hmm, just wait and see."

Ye Cheng clicked her tongue, his confident attitude piquing her curiosity and competitive streak. She picked up a piece of greens with her chopsticks and said with a half-smile:

"Fine, I'll be waiting for you to shower me with money then. Don't even talk about 500,000; if you slap 50,000 cash in front of me, I'll respect you as a real man."

She paused, her eyes darting around, and then put on an expression of "caring for his interests":

"However, seeing as you have so much 'potential,' how about I give you some motivation first? Like a discount?"

"Hmm... 300,000! As long as you can give me 300,000 a month, I will officially be your girlfriend! If you can keep giving it for three years, Big Sister will grit her teeth and marry you! How about that? Isn't that motivating? Go on and work hard, young man!"

Jiang Ye curled his lips inwardly.

See, that's women for you—very realistic.

Realizing that demanding a high price might not work, she immediately started making grand promises, taking a shot in the dark.

If he wasn't careful, his status as a "potential sugar daddy" would turn into a "long-term meal ticket" and "marriage candidate," instantly sliding his position from buyer to backup.

"This 300,000 you mentioned..."

He chuckled and decided to seize back the initiative: "Is that the 'one-on-one' kind, where there can only be you?"

"What else? What do you want?"

"Oh, I understand now. How about this, don't give me a discount. I'll raise the price for you. I'll give you one million a month."

Ye Cheng: "..."

She froze for two seconds, then also laughed in anger, picking up a peanut and tossing it at him:

"Why the hell don't you just give me a hundred million a month?! I went along with your act, but are you seriously fantasizing now? If you can truly give me one million a month, sister here is all in! Three rows, four rows, whatever you want! I can even help you push!"

Jiang Ye grinned, snapping his fingers internally.

See? Just a slight change in perspective, and the dynamic of control instantly reverses!

Honestly, there wasn't much difference between 500,000 and one million for him. If he could get 500,000, then one million was just a matter of time.

He sat up straight, his gaze burning as he stared at Ye Cheng: "You said it! A gentleman's word!"

Ye Cheng was already worked up and now her temper flared up. She glared: "Yes! I said it! A promise made is a promise kept!"

Jiang Ye extended his right pinky finger, solemnly holding it out in front of her. "Pinky promise."

Ye Cheng scoffed, extending her own pinky finger, wearing an expression that said, "Look at this idiot":

"Look at how childish you are. Go find a job quickly, and stop daydreaming all day... Come on, cross my heart and hope to die..."

She hooked Jiang Ye's pinky, shook it, then stopped and glared at him: "Say the words! Does just hooking pinkies without the rhyme count?"

Jiang Ye: "..."

Who the hell is childish here?!

His face was full of dark lines, and he had no choice but to recite: "Cross my heart and hope to die, one million dollars won't change!"

Only then did Ye Cheng release his hand in satisfaction, letting out a heavy snort. "That's more like it! Remember, one million! Not a cent less!"

After the pinky promise, the two finally ended this negotiation full of probing, scheming, and verbal sparring, and continued focusing on destroying the hot pot in front of them.

However, the atmosphere seemed to have subtly changed; there was less of the initial unfamiliarity and probing, and a little more... an indescribable sense of familiarity and an absurd "contract."

After finishing the hot pot, it was already late at night.

Jiang Ye drove Ye Cheng back to Taian Building again.

Downstairs, Ye Cheng opened the door and got out of the car, waving her hand. "Thanks, Buddy. We ate, we boasted, I'm heading up now."

Jiang Ye watched her turning to walk away, hesitated, then gritted his teeth and withdrew all 2,240 from his system account.

"Ye Cheng, wait a moment." He pushed open the car door and quickly walked a few steps to catch up to her.

Ye Cheng, who was about to go upstairs, stopped and looked back in confusion. "What is it? Is there something else?"

Jiang Ye shook his phone. "I sent you a red envelope."

Ye Cheng tilted her head, took out her phone, opened WeChat, and was slightly surprised looking at the transfer she had just received:

"2,000? Jiang Ye, why are you giving me so much money?"

"Is that a lot?"

Jiang Ye's lips curled up. He turned around smoothly and waved his hand, his back facing her. "This is just the beginning. The rest depends on your performance."

After speaking, he walked back toward the BMW, ready to leave behind a mysterious figure.

However, just as he took one step, he heard Ye Cheng muttering behind him, her tone slightly complex:

"Fine... Hmm... Then consider this money an advance payment toward that one million. I'll save it for you until you gather the rest!"

Jiang Ye: "..."

His steps suddenly halted, and he nearly twisted his ankle.

No, Big Sister!

Don't you dare save it! I want to save money in the bank, okay? Do I need your help saving it?

How much clearer could I have made it? It depends on your performance, on your performance!

Jiang Ye spun around abruptly and quickly walked back to Ye Cheng, waving his hands repeatedly with a solemn expression:

"No, no, no! Absolutely not! Ye Cheng, I appreciate your kindness! But you absolutely must not save this money! This money is for you to spend! Take it and..."

Before he finished speaking, the system's warning sound rang out in his mind:

[Ding! Detecting explicit guidance of spending behavior by the host, suspected of soliciting indirectly. Warning issued once! Repeated offense may lead to rebate invalidation or system punishment!]

Jiang Ye's remaining words immediately got stuck in his throat.

He looked at Ye Cheng's suspicious gaze. Several methods to successfully achieve the rebate flashed through his mind, but he immediately vetoed them one by one.

He had to make the other party understand what to do without triggering the system warning... This... Jiang Ye struggled for a long time, finally sighing speechlessly, his gaze falling upon her feet, which were clad in cotton boots:

"Ahem... well... your feet... figure something out, don't let them get frozen... Mm. I'm leaving."

"..."

Ye Cheng watched the man turn and flee in dismay, then looked down at her tightly wrapped feet, rolled her eyes dramatically, threw out the phrase "Are you crazy?!", and ran "deng deng deng" into the building.