91: If one day

Meanwhile, Jiang Ye pulled Ye Cheng into a well-reviewed all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant in the mall.

"Sizzle—"

The marbled Pork Belly curled and sizzled merrily on the Grill, its aroma instantly filling the air.

Jiang Ye focused intently on flipping the meat, striving to achieve the perfect first bite.

Ye Cheng prepared two dipping bowls—one with extra Garlic and Wasabi for Jiang Ye, and a milder one for herself.

Their small table was piled high with over a dozen plates of various meats—Fatty Beef, Pork Belly, steak, Prawns, Squid... stacked in layers, giving off a bold "eat-till-you-drop" vibe.

Ye Cheng took a big sip of Plum Juice and finally couldn't hold back the question she'd been pondering:

"Jiang Ye, that was such a great opportunity earlier! Weren't you pretty interested in that Coach Lin? 200,000—you could afford that, right? Why did you chicken out at the last minute?"

Jiang Ye wrapped the meat in a Lettuce Leaf, stuffed it into his mouth, and mumbled, "I could afford it, but there's no use practicing now. When I'm about to win you over, I'll do some intensive core training—that's making the most of it, the best value."

"Typical you! Always going off on a tangent!"

Ye Cheng rolled her eyes dramatically and dropped a large piece of meat into his bowl. "I saw that Girl forcing a smile—she probably has a lot of pressure from work and life... I have a feeling she'll fall victim to you sooner or later. After all, money solves 99% of problems these days."

"Really? Where did you see that? I thought she looked quite spirited, with that great yoga instructor vibe."

"A woman's sixth sense, got it?"

"Sixth sense?"

Jiang Ye swallowed the meat and subconsciously patted his pants pocket. "Oh, impressive, impressive. I'll have to show you a man's sixth sense sometime."

"A man's sixth sense?"

Ye Cheng didn't quite understand but didn't bother asking further, instead continuing to tease him. "Anyway, you just missed a great chance to get close to a yoga beauty. Who knows, in a couple of days, she might have a new protector? Then your 200,000 won't even be spendable."

Jiang Ye shrugged nonchalantly and picked up a large piece of grilled Dried Sausage. "So be it. You can't force fate."

For a second or two earlier, he'd actually felt the impulse to slap down 200,000 and take on Lin Wanxing's side quest.

But after thinking it over, he decided to play it safe.

Right now, he had just over 450,000 on hand, with 100,000 earmarked for Yaoyao's "ticket money." That Girl's "sincerity" had already been shown, so he couldn't skimp on that.

If he spent another 200,000 on a membership, he'd be left with only about 150,000.

He needed to cover expenses for Ye Cheng's dorm Christmas Eve party and keep motivating Yaoyao these next few days—all things that cost money.

Plus, he was thinking about renting a nicer apartment soon. Staying in that tiny rental meant he couldn't bring Girls back.

More importantly, he planned to transfer another 100,000 in "pocket money" to Ye Cheng next week.

As for why he was giving more... "Mainly because I'm broke. With the money I have now, I have to get you Christmas and New Year's gifts, right? After all, it's our first 'double holiday'—can't slack off~"

When he said "gifts," Jiang Ye emphasized the word, flipping the meat while sneaking glances at Ye Cheng's reaction, his eyes full of hints.

Ye Cheng felt a small thrill, like a feather tickling her heart, and her lips curled up involuntarily.

She picked up a piece of Pork Belly and placed it on Jiang Ye's plate, her tone slightly coquettish. "Alright, alright, I know you're the best. Now eat your meat!"

"Uh..."

Jiang Ye looked at Ye Cheng's deliberately calm smile and felt a bit uneasy.

She must have understood my hint... right?

Why does it feel a bit dismissive?

Not entirely reassured, he decided to drop another hint.

"Hey, I wonder if any Girl will care about me this year. Might end up hugging my phone again, watching others show off their relationships and get gifts till their hands are full."

Ye Cheng found his roundabout way both amusing and sweet.

She gave him a flirtatious look and drawled, "I—know—already! Eat your meat, you pervert!"

Jiang Ye: "???"

What's with the 'pervert'?

Heaven knows! I'm not being a pervert right now!

I'm seriously discussing holiday gift expectations with you!

We're in the middle of a serious conversation here—can you be a bit more proper?

Seeing Ye Cheng's evasive eyes and slightly flushed cheeks, Jiang Ye clicked his tongue and gave up.

Forget it. When I transfer the 100,000 pocket money next week, she can't possibly not respond at all, right?

If not, I'll just find another way to hint then.

The two focused on the barbecue for a while. Jiang Ye slowed down as he finished eating.

"By the way, let me ask you something serious. What kind of apartment do you like? I'm planning to look at some to rent in the next couple of days."

Ye Cheng was picking up a Potato slice and blinked. "Rent?"

"Yeah, rent."

Jiang Ye nodded. "Rent a comfortable place to live for now."

"Jiang Ye, I've actually... always been a bit curious."

Ye Cheng put down the Potato and hesitated, her expression turning more serious. "How exactly do you make your money? I know I shouldn't pry, but... you don't have a house, a car, your clothes and shoes used to be ordinary brands, and your phone was an old model. But now you suddenly have so much money and spend it without blinking..."

Seeing Jiang Ye about to speak, she quickly waved to cut him off. "Don't brush me off with that 'it doesn't matter' excuse again. When you bought the watch and phone, you were clearly happy—I could tell. You're not someone completely indifferent to material things."

Jiang Ye's heart stirred, realizing this was a good chance to reinforce the core "play."

"You're right, I was happy."

He put down his chopsticks, his tone turning serious. "But what made me happy wasn't the watch or the new phone itself."

"Then what was it?"

"It was because you gave them to me."

Jiang Ye emphasized the word "gave." "The fact that you took the initiative to spend your thoughts and... money on me—that act itself made me really happy. It proves you care about me and are willing to give for me, understand?"

Ye Cheng frowned slightly, finding the logic a bit convoluted. "But... isn't that basically the same as you buying it yourself?"

"It's completely different, the meaning is totally distinct."

Jiang Ye looked at her intently. "If I buy it myself, that's consumption. But if you give it to me, that's an expression of affection, proof of mutual effort."

Ye Cheng scratched her head and murmured an "Oh," half-understanding.

That sounded flattering, but thinking about it, something felt off.

After successfully reinforcing the core idea of "I'm super happy when you give me gifts," Jiang Ye returned to her original question:

"I know what you're thinking. You guessed right—I only recently found a way to make money, got lucky, I guess. For now, it seems pretty stable."

Ye Cheng nodded, feeling it matched her guess—probably caught some trend with good short-term returns.

She hesitated for a moment, her voice lowering. "Then... have you thought about it? If one day, this money-making method stops working, or the returns aren't as big, all the money you've spent on me might go to waste... Would you regret it?"

Jiang Ye looked at her slightly trembling eyelashes and smiled. "Well, Ye Cheng, if one day I really stop making money and become a pauper, you..."

Ye Cheng lowered her gaze slightly, as if anticipating his question, her heart skipping a beat. She stayed silent, not responding.

"...Would you let me freeload for a month?"

Ye Cheng: "...?"

She looked up sharply, staring at Jiang Ye in disbelief, the bit of sadness she'd felt instantly replaced by exasperation.

How on earth does this jerk's brain work?

Such a serious, heartfelt topic, and he veers off into the Pacific?

Jiang Ye acted as if he didn't see her death glare, picking up a piece of Dried Sausage with a puzzled look. "Why are you staring at me like that? I'm asking you!"

Ye Cheng was so angry she almost laughed, unable to resist giving him the middle finger and huffing lightly:

"Fine! Alright, alright! If that day ever comes, I'll be charitable and let you freeload for a month! And then... kick you to the curb! Hmph!"

Her words seemed like a joke, but in a twisted way, they answered the underlying question in his first half—if that time came, she might... though she didn't know why she felt that way, at least in that moment, she felt she'd do it.

"Good Cheng Cheng! It's a deal!"

Jiang Ye was overjoyed, slapping his thigh excitedly. "Then I'll give you 1 million next month! And in February, I'll be broke, so you let me freeload for a month! In March, I'll make a comeback and give you another 1 million, freeload in April, give in May... Damn! Half-price! What a steal!"

"???"

Ye Cheng listened to this shameless "freeload plan," feeling her scalp tingle, a vein throbbing at her temple, and her back teeth nearly grinding to dust.

Damn it!

This! Guy!

She couldn't take it anymore, got up, walked around to Jiang Ye's side of the Booth, and started pummeling his shoulders and back with her fists:

"You jerk! Half-price, huh? Freeload, huh? 'Damn,' huh? I'll show you a steal! I'll show you a steal!"

Jiang Ye blocked with his hands while retorting irritably:

"What the hell? Be reasonable! You agreed to the rules! Who's to blame for leaving a bug? Don't take it out on the user! Is there no justice anymore?!"