86: Half - 1

Thanks to [Not a Little Loser] for the explosive meme and flower shower~

Thanks everyone for the update charms, flowers, likes, and power-ups~

2026 is here!

Wishing all readers carefree years, smooth sailing in all matters, warm meals, and health in all seasons!

May all great ones become the protagonists of their own lives, cutting through thorns and sailing smoothly~

H~a~p~p~y~ N~e~w~ Y~e~a~r~!

————

After buying the watch and phone, the two of them, carrying large and small bags, began to wander aimlessly through MixC City.

Back in school, Jiang Ye had always looked down on classmates who couldn't wait to announce anything they had—like "buying new shoes and wanting to step on desks," "getting a girlfriend and posting nine-square grids every day," or "reaching King rank and screenshot-spamming for three days." He once thought this behavior was incredibly low-class and had always taken it as a cautionary tale.

But at this moment, with that 46,000-yuan Cuervo watch now on his wrist, Jiang Ye deeply understood the meaning of the "true fragrance law."

In just ten minutes, he had already "naturally" raised his left hand five times—either pretending to check the time, adjusting his cuff, or pointing at a shop in the distance—all to let that understated yet luxurious wristwatch shine with its deserved brilliance under the lights.

Ye Cheng glanced sideways at his sixth raised hand, her face full of disdain, but unusually, she didn't speak up to mock him.

Because her own brand-new iPhone 17 Pro Max was also tightly clutched in her hand, with the screen lit up from time to time to check the time or lock screen wallpaper, equally reluctant to put it in her pocket.

It must be said, when it comes to "wanting to stick close to new treasures all the time," no one should laugh at anyone else; we're all ordinary people.

After wandering for a while, as Jiang Ye was pondering whether to go for sizzling barbecue or find a Western restaurant for some ambiance, Ye Cheng suddenly tugged hard on his sleeve:

"Hey? Jiang Ye, look over there! Isn't that the creepy ex-boyfriend you 'reverse-stalked' at the police station entrance last time?"

Jiang Ye was taken aback and looked in the direction she pointed.

Oh my? It really is Zhang Wenhai!

This Buddy was all dressed up today, holding a large bouquet of red roses, riding the escalator up to the second floor.

Jiang Ye immediately perked up, his gossip spirit burning fiercely: "Let's go, let's go! Follow him! He must be here to beg his mistress for reconciliation! I wonder if this ex-husbro can win back his ex-girlfriend's heart?"

Ye Cheng: "???"

She blinked, her CPU almost fried by the complex relationships in his words.

But... watching the drama? What girl could resist such a gossip-filled live show?

She decisively threw logic aside and nodded excitedly: "Got it, got it! Hurry up and follow!"

The two of them promptly transformed into random passersby A and B, keeping a safe distance as they stealthily followed Zhang Wenhai up the escalator.

The second floor mainly featured sports brands and various experience stores, with relatively fewer people.

Zhang Wenhai turned a couple of corners in the corridor and finally stopped in front of a "GAMA Fitness" entrance.

This gym was large in area, luxuriously decorated, with a full glass curtain wall on the outside, offering a clear view of dynamic cycling, yoga, HIIT... all sorts of specialized areas.

Such classes typically held 1-2 "open sessions" per week, a common tactic for gyms to attract potential clients.

At that moment, in the open yoga area, five or six female students of varying ages but all maintaining good figures were gently stretching their bodies, following the instructor's movements at the front.

And that instructor standing at the front, wearing yoga attire, with an upright posture and elegant movements, was none other than Lin Wanxing, whom they had met twice before at the bar and police station.

The tight yoga outfit perfectly outlined her well-proportioned and slender figure, especially those long legs and perky buttocks, looking particularly enticing under the lights.

Passersby by the glass curtain wall, regardless of gender, would instinctively glance inside a few more times—men naturally appreciating the figure, women mostly envious and yearning.

Zhang Wenhai's gaze almost instantly glued itself to Lin Wanxing. After greedily scanning her once, he adjusted his expression and stood quietly outside the glass window, putting on a "I'm silently guarding you" affectionate pose.

Before long, his conspicuous appearance was noticed by some students inside. They turned to look, slightly disrupting the rhythm of the yoga class.

Lin Wanxing quickly noticed the students' distraction and followed their gaze toward the glass window.

As soon as she saw it was Zhang Wenhai, she immediately frowned, said something to the students, then picked up the jacket and pants placed on a nearby chair and walked toward the entrance.

Not far away, Jiang Ye and Ye Cheng had already sat down on a bench in the rest area, each holding a freshly bought milk tea, comfortably settling into spectator mode.

Ye Cheng gently nudged Jiang Ye with her shoulder and whispered, "Hey, do you think... they'll get back together this time?"

"I doubt it. Most likely not."

"Why? Because you'll meddle and steal her away?"

"Nonsense! Am I that kind of person?"

Jiang Ye rolled his eyes: "I don't do things that ruin character like digging under someone's wall. At most, I might help loosen the soil, wait for the wall to collapse on its own, then walk in naturally."

He gestured toward Zhang Wenhai's direction with his chin: "Mainly, this guy looks unreliable from a glance. His scumbag aura can be smelled from eight hundred meters away. Any woman with a clear mind can see it—how could she fall for it a second time?"

Ye Cheng pouted and snorted: "So what if she sees it? Didn't I also see early on that you're a big scumbag? Yet here I am sitting with you drinking milk tea?"

"NONONO, it's not that you saw it, but that I actively told you."

Jiang Ye wagged a finger in front of her: "This reflects honesty, trust, and our unique way of communicating. Is the nature the same?"

Ye Cheng "tsk"ed, expressing disdain for his sophistry.

Jiang Ye glanced at the gym entrance. Seeing Lin Wanxing hadn't come out yet, his eyes shifted, and he suddenly coughed twice, his tone becoming somewhat "shy":

"Um... Cheng Cheng..."

Hearing this address, Ye Cheng instantly became alert: "What? No! I don't agree!"

"What do you mean you don't agree? I haven't even said anything yet!"

"No need to say it! I don't agree!"

"Be normal. I want to discuss something with you..."

"What?"

"We agreed before, it's a monthly package price, one million per month, right?"

Jiang Ye rubbed his hands together and tentatively asked: "So, five hundred thousand for half a month definitely isn't acceptable; it must be calculated as a full month, right?"

Ye Cheng was a bit confused by his roundabout talk and nodded subconsciously: "Yeah, of course it must be a full month!"

"Hmm, very principled. I admire that."

Jiang Ye expressed agreement, then shifted the topic, his eyes wandering: "Since 'full month' is a basic principle... then 'five hundred thousand to unlock half the body'... ahem, this proposal, do you think there's room for discussion? Look, half the body for a full month, theoretically, it's also a kind of 'full month' service, right?"

Ye Cheng: "???"

She widened her eyes, taking a full three seconds to react and understand the meaning in his words. A vein throbbed at her temple as she gained a whole new understanding of this man's shamelessness and lack of bottom line.

Half the body?!

How does this guy's brain work? How dare he actually propose such conditions!